Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 21?

The latest Fantasy Premier League captaincy debate has been thrown wide open by recent form and injuries.

After becoming the most captained player in a Gameweek ever – and providing no returns against Sheffield United – Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) and his team will have to bounce back against an improving Arsenal. 

As a result, Fantasy managers have already turned towards some more appealing candidates for Gameweek 21.

A number of Manchester City players have made themselves comfortable in this week’s captaincy conversation, alongside some Merseyside assets Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.6m) and Mohamed Salah (£12.5m)

As Gameweek’s 21 captaincy debate seems to be one of the most open ones since the start of the new calendar year, we will look into the most appealing options and as always, the analysis will be backed up by the extensive data from Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area. Only those with a valid subscription can access it in full.

CAPTAIN POLL

After scoring 14 points in just 52 minutes against West Bromwich Albion, İlkay Gündoğan (£5.7m) leads the Fantasy Football Scout Captain Poll going into Gameweek 21 with 22.7% of the votes.

The German international is accompanied by two of his teammates in this week’s poll, as Raheem Sterling (£11.5) and Joao Cancelo (£5.9) sit second and fifth respectively.

The remaining two spots are occupied by Harry Kane (£11.3m) and Calvert-Lewin, although the Tottenham Hotspur striker is now a major doubt ahead of Spurs’ trip to Brighton & Hove Albion:

“He’s injured in both ankles. To cope with one pain, probably he could (continue), but with both, it’s very painful and sore. He just couldn’t. For Harry to leave a game means it’s not a nothing injury. We don’t know how long (he will be out). We’ll have to see.” – Jose Mourinho

Son Heung-min (£9.8m) and Salah are also players who have gone above the 5.0% threshold in this week’s poll so far, gaining 6.4% and 7.0% of total votes, respectively – although they might end up better supported in light of Kane’s injury.

Meanwhile, last week’s top pick Bruno Fernandes sits 9th with only 3.1% of votes, even behind the Colombian international James Rodríguez (£7.7m, 4.5% of votes).

KEY MATCHES

Manchester City v Sheffield United

Cancelo finally delivers big haul as Gündogan shines in KDB's absence 18
859 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Asensio
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    My team is in a mess and need some advice on what to do.
    6.1m itb, 1 FT but willing to take a hit.
    Martinez Forster
    Coufal Robertson Justin Dias Stones
    Foden Salah Soucek Raphinha Maddison
    Watkins Antonio Kane...

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      . Bruh it's quality. I'd go balls out big hitter minus 8. Kane, foden, raphinha to Lacazette, mane, sterling.

      1. Get up ya bum
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I meant maddison out not rafinha

    2. The Spion Kloppite
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      IF you play 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 then I would suggest for you to consider this:
      Defence
      Out - Robertson
      In-any cheap defender as you alrady have 4 decent defenders
      ***
      Midfield
      Out - Foden and Raphinha
      In - Sterling and Son
      ***
      Forward
      Out - Kane
      In - Ings or DCL
      Best wishes.

  2. Couch Potato
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    2FT, 5.6 ITB

    A El Ghazi & Kane > Sterling (Capt) & DCL

    Or

    B El Ghazi & Brewster > Mahrez & DCL
    (Bench Kane, Capt Gundog)

    1. RealSocialDads
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A for me

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

  3. RealSocialDads
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Kane + KWP + Soucek -> DCL + Digne + Gundogan

    -8

    Yay or nay?

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      O

      1. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        *No

  4. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    DCL or Watkins for short term?

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      DCL

  5. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) Adams (AVL) to DCL (NEW)
    B) Soucek (LIV) to Gundogan (SHU)
    C) Save FT and reassess with two next week

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Considering A myself. It's close though... southampton been v strange lately.

    3. 1Banksy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I would be looking to bring in a captain with a FT. If you have one set C.

  6. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB >

    A. Salah
    B. Mane
    C. Gundo
    D. Barnes

    1. Captain_Shirokov
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

  7. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) Play Adams
    B) Reideweld > Gundogan (bench Adams) -4
    C) Taylor > Digne (bench Adams) -4

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'd be pretty tempted by B

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

  8. Pchids
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who to play:
    A: Soucek (v Liverpool)
    B: Bamford (v Leicester)

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Prob has to be Bamford i think (i have both)

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bamford I guess despite his woeful form.

      I'm leaning towards Soucek's brace just being a bit of an anomaly. I still think with Antonio in the side that Soucek won't get forward as much and will only really be a threat from corners or wide free kicks.

      1. Pchids
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah I feel like Bamford has to score eventually. Got the same issue with who to (c) out of Gundo or Salah. Logic says Gundo but Sod’s law says different

    4. MHG
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It's tricky.
      I got burnt last week having Soucek on bench and his height will cause the Pool problems.
      Bamford is on pens.
      I need to bench one of:
      A Saka 11/4
      B Bamford 13/10
      C Soucek 3/1

      The goal scoring odds suggests play Bamford over Soucek
      I think I'll bench Saka

      Any thoughts?

  9. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) Raphinha & Adams -> Sterling & DCL (-4)

    B) Soucek/Raphinha -> Son (Free)

    1. RealSocialDads
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Don’t SOU have a load of DGWs coming up? Anyone else to lose instead of Adams?

  10. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    F' me. What is this game coming to with Gundy top of the captain poll?

    He's a 5.5mil central midfielder who probably got in to double figure goals once or twice in his whole career. And, we are currently in position where born goalscorers like Salah, Bruno, Son are not really in the reckoning.

    Is this one of the signs of the upcoming apocalypse?

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Price tag irrelevant
      Current positioning is different
      Purple patch

      This game is about momentum

    2. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why does it matter what he costs in fpl if he's become one of the main attacking threats for the best side in the league? Accept the gift!

      1. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        To be fair, it's not really anything against Gundy per se...

        It's more frustration and consternation that the likes of Sterling, Salah, Son, Bruno etc... are under performing so badly that we are looking at people like Gundy (again, no offense to him, he's a decent player and a massive bargain at 5.5)

        1. Shatner's Bassoon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah... also to do with how the fixtures fall this particular week though right? And the fact he's v likely on pens.

          I can't imagine he (or other 5.5s) will enter the conversation again this season, there's usually a stand out cpt.

  11. Tatty Bojangles
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which teams are expected to have a DGW26?

  12. Shatner's Bassoon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Think I'm finally waving goodbye to R Brewster after 18 weeks in the side. Thanks for the occasional 1 pointer Rhian. God speed.

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He really has been a let down hasnt he. No doubt this is the weekend he scores one of those 20yarders he keeps trying...!

      1. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        lol imagine - popping everyone's 2x or 3x city cleanie. he'd be an fpl pariah forever.

  13. DagheMunegu
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Zouma Bamford Raphina to Digne DCL Gundogan -8?

    Yes or no ?

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No

  14. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Clash of the titans here. Who to start

    A. Johnstone (FUL)
    B. Areola (wba)

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'd be playing Areola.

      got a similar ish decision with Johnstone vs McCarthy.

    3. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Whenever in doubt I tend to do with the home player

      1. Connor's Calling
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        But do think Ful mildly more likely likely to keep it clean

    4. Aster
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Areola. WBA worse defensively

    5. Couch Potato
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A
      This has Big Sam 1-0 written all over it

    6. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not exactly clear so far! Can see Big Sam doing everything just to get clean sheet banked but Fulham playing much better

  15. JenkoJunko
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Looking for some advice as a bit stuck where to go this week.

    Squad: 1FT 2.0ITB
    Mcarthy
    TAA Cresswell Cancelo
    Salah Bruno Sterling Soucek
    Bam Antonio Wilson

    Forster / Bissouma / KWP / Neco

    Bamford and Wilson are certainly problems but I'm a little inclined to stick with Wilson with ASM back as looked lively and Bamford looks a bit burnt out. Also TAA could be an option to downgrade but after that haul is that wise?

  16. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martinez (Steer)
    Stones, Shaw, Dier (KWP**, Coufal)
    Salah, Fernandes, Son, Gundogan (Stephens)
    Kane**, Vardy**, Bamford

    Vardy & Stephens --> Antonio & Grealish (-4)?

    I would then play 3-5-2 and take a view on Kane's injury.

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      That looks great

    2. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Good moves

  17. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    So lost.. any help would be appreciated. 1.6 ITB

    Martinez
    Stones Cancelo Mitchell
    Bruno Salah Sterling Soucek
    Kane Bamford Antonio

    Foster,AWB,Targett,Burke

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wait for Kane news. If he's out, move him to DCL or Watkins. Side looks good, dunno why you're lost!

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Haha thanks 🙂 just had planned moves and there out the door now. Think that will be my move.. could also do Soucek to Son as part of that but obviously reluctant!

      2. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Agree. Good team. Just keep an eye on Kane

  18. shearer9
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Should I get Mane or Salah? Will be a set and forget for most of the season. Thanks.

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Salah

    2. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Salah.

    3. Couch Potato
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      If it's set and forget, you have to get the penalty taker

      1. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Milner?

        1. Shatner's Bassoon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          it's not 2017.

  19. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one:

    A. Soucek (LIV)
    B. Raphinia (lei)

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. RyanC
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bench Soucek.

      And that's from someone who has just transferred Raphinha out for Sterling. Mostly because my team is a lot more balanced/less of a benching headache this way.

  20. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Please arrange my bench in the right order
    A. Bamford (lei)
    B. Michell (WOL)
    C. Konsa (sou)

    1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Am currently on BCA

    2. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Probably ACB

  21. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bamford to DCL a good move here?

    I was going to bring in Kane but his injury seems to have scuppered that...

    1FT 6.1ITB
    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Justin
    Salah Bruno Son Gundogan
    Antonio Bamford Watkins

    McCarthy Soucek Holding Coufal

    Thanks

  22. Kloppage Time
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Kane -> Antonio or Watkins? ( have DCL & Bamford)

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bamford > Antonio

    2. tinear
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’m in sinilar situation, like most of us here. But I’ll wait for more news, might later on go with Kane to Antonio and get him back once fit.

  23. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A. Kane > DCL
    B. Kane + Bamford > DCL + Antonio (-4)
    C. Kane + Anguissa > DCL + Mane/Salah (-4)

    1. Couch Potato
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

      Then Anguissa to Salah next week

  24. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    This Kane injury is a massive pain in the butt.

    Don't really fancy any of the possible replacements for him. May just go for Antonio - accept he has a c@p fixture this week and just set and forget him until his inevitable injury.

    Will leave me with a kings ransom in the bank too

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Is the fixture that poor?

      WH were on fire last time out - could easily have been 6 or 7. Should have been tbh. It’s not as if Liverpool have anyone to play in central defence either

  25. GOATMEAT
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one this GW:

    A) Bamford
    B) Watkins
    C) Antonio

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. RyanC
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Probably Bamford. Who's your fifth mid?

      1. GOATMEAT
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers. Got Salah, Fernandes, Maddison, Gundogan and Sterling... not benching anyone of them 🙂

        1. RyanC
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Damn, yeah, I get that haha. Bamford in that case!

    3. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      BamBam

      I'd sell him this week if I didn't have Kane's glass ankles in my team this week

      1. GOATMEAT
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers all. Bam is going to the bench.

  26. barton fc
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Soucek to gundog for a hit?

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not for a hit

      Liverpool don’t have a central defence

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Nope

  27. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is looking at head to head records voodoo?

    Felt confident last week of an open game between Palace and WH partially based on recent fixtures. Now downbeat for anything other than stodge for the matches with Wolves and Newcastle on the same basis.

    There is some “logic” here too. All 3 clubs are only just out of the danger zone and in iffy form at best. Classic trying to nick a 1-0 territory

  28. RyanC
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Sterling (c).

    What could possibly go wrong?

    *looks at Brighton fixture*

    Oh.

    But still, Sterling (c) anyway!

  29. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    When will we know if some teams have a double gw24? No deadline as the can be moved on short notice with no fans?

  30. Distinctly Average
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Team is in absolute tatters - help needed...

    McCarthy, Button
    Justin, Dias, Targett, Taylor, Lowton
    Salah, Son, Bruno, Grealish, Foden
    Kane, Bamford, Brewster

    2FT 0.7itb

    1. RyanC
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not in tatters at all. You're a couple of transfers away from a grea team.

      Prioritise the injured players, so Kane. Use the funds to upgrade someone in that defence with your second transfer.

      Sorted!

      1. Distinctly Average
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks,

        Loads of people saying sell Foden for Gundo, but I can easily see this backfiring.
        Foden is still an attacking player and has scored well in recent FA cup games.

        Reckon it's slightly sideways to swithh, especially for a hit?

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Foden > Gundy looks an obvious move there to me.

      And Kane looks like he needs to go as well. I'm considering Kane > DCL or Antonio this week

      1. Distinctly Average
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Feels sideways slightly no?

        There's a good chance that move backfires over the next two

    3. Couch Potato
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kane & Foden to DCL & The Gundog