Captain Sensible

Who is the best FPL captain for Gameweek 23?

Liverpool and Manchester City’s Gameweek 23 meeting at Anfield should allow Fantasy Premier League managers the chance to spread their wings and think creatively with the captaincy this weekend.

Fresh from their 9-0 win over Southampton, Manchester United options are in the conversation ahead of a meeting with Everton, while Spurs host a relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion outfit. 

But considering the Red Devils were helped by the Saints’ unfortunate injuries and poorly-timed red cards, and Spurs have struggled without Harry Kane (£11.0m), is now the time for a differential captain?

West Ham’s in-form attack travel to face a Fulham side whose recent defensive improvements appear to have lapsed while Aston Villa host Arsenal, who have some defensive personnel missing for Gameweek 22.

As ever, the Captain Sensible article is here to sort through the best options, comparing their recent underlying statistics against those of their upcoming opponents.

As this uses extensive data from Fantasy Football Scout’s Premium Members Area, only those with a valid subscription can access it in full.

CAPTAIN POLL

The early results on our website indicate that our users have identified three main captaincy candidates for Gameweek 22, each of them gaining more than 15% of votes so far.

Unsurprisingly, Bruno Fernandes (£11.4m) sits in first place with just over 32.0% as Manchester United’s prepare to host Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton.

Despite Spurs’ toils in front of goal, 21.4% of our voters trust Son Heung-min (£9.7m) enough to capitalise on West Bromwich Albion’s woeful defence. They have given up at least two goals in each of their last seven Premier League matches.

This week’s top-three is closed out by Michail Antonio (£6.7m), who, despite not finding the net in his last three league appearances, is still chipping in with assists (three since Gameweek 20) and remains a constant goal threat.

Jack Grealish (£7.8m) and Patrick Bamford (£6.6m) are the best of the rest this time around as Aston Villa host an Arsenal side without Bernd Leno (£5.0m), Marcelo Bielsa and his Leeds squad will be out for revenge on Crystal Palace, who beat them 4-1 earlier in the campaign.

KEY MATCHES

Manchester United v Everton

Fernandes punishes Saints' ailing defence as Man United face more appealing fixtures
745 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Maddison to Son worth a hit?

    Leicester play Wolves away and Spurs WBA at home

    1. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      absolutely not

    2. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No don't do it.

    3. AJ24
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      no

    5. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      considering son>maddison for a hit

    6. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not even for free.

    7. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      cheers

    8. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think Wolves is a decent match these days, you know. And Vardy's back...

  2. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Last Man Standing GW22 (929 teams)

    Safety score = 66
    Top score = 110
    LMS average = 74.82 (-0.21) = 74.61

    96 teams eliminated, 833 through to GW23
    10% or minimum 84 out next GW
    Congrats to all the survivors 🙂

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      In to top 1k 🙂

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Well done, I'm still in somehow to.

    2. Magpies4ever
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just survived with 66, furthest I’ve got by far

  3. AJ24
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A real selection dilemma:

    G2G or change it round?

    Martinez
    Shaw, Cancelo, Dallas
    Salah, Son (VC), Bruno (C). Gundogan
    Kane, Antonio, Bamford

    Ryan, Rudiger, Soucek, Justin

    Obviously aware of Kane fitness, but Kane loves to have a secret return

  4. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start one from each category

    A) Pope (BHA)
    B) Martinez (ARS)
    --
    1) Salah (MCI)
    2) Cavani (EVE)

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A1

      1. daitheboot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A1

  5. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which three would you start?

    A) Cancelo (liv)
    B) Dias (liv)
    C) Justin (wol)
    D) Coufal (ful)
    E) Lowton (BHA)

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo rank killer and coufal

      1. daitheboot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Similar dilemma! Bravery says Cancelo and Dias

        1. daitheboot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          to bench

  6. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Currently captaining Son... may swap it to Bruno just to see if he continues to blank every time I captain him and haul when I don’t.

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      son is not to be trusted

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Weirdly, for me at least it seems like the nonsensical captain options are doing better than the sensible ones for me...

  7. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Just catching up on everything. For those with WC, BB and TC left, is the current thinking
    -This week + next week bring in Everton + Burnley players (assuming you already have 3 City)
    -GW25 - WC (set up DGW 25 players and bumper DGW26 players)
    -GW26 - BB/TC?
    What else am i missing?

  8. primal33
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best long term Robbo replacement? I already have Maguire, Cancelo and Coufal.

    A) Rudiger
    B) Dias
    C) Digne
    D) Other, if so, who?

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      For the long-term, got to be Dias. So reliable.

    2. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      long term Dias. Short term maybe Digne

  9. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Those with BB, WC & TC left, is the below worth a shot?

    BB DGW24
    WC GW25
    TC DGW26

    I can get the below DGW24 BB with no hits:

    Martinez (bri)
    Stones (TOT)
    Antonio (SHU)
    Coufal (SHU)

    Would leave me without the 'baggage' on the bench from GW27 onwards.

    Cheers

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I am doing that strategy

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Good to know I wouldn't be the only one 🙂

        1. CRO KLOPP
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          It's better for 29 also

    2. Kryptonite666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Curious to hear your thinking - is the stronger bench the only reason for conserving your WC ?

      1. Kryptonite666
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Sorry I meant, playing the BB before the WC

        1. CRO KLOPP
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I tried to explain in the link above,in this post

      2. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Basically, yes. Last couple of weeks with the extra cash from KDB -> Gundogan I've upgraded the bench to the point now it would be a decent BB. WC25 should mean Kane and Vardy back in the picture and can go back to a weak(er) bench and go TC26 instead.

        1. Kryptonite666
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Okay. I prefer bench boosting all doubles so my players get 4 games extra.

          My thinking is it takes 2 transfers to make the bench light and you need a stronger bench, in any case, this season.

          1. CRO KLOPP
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I will get 4 extra in bb 24 and 4 extra in 29,so it's same as your 8 in 26, plus I will have 4 dgw in 25,3 Leeds players and Areola are ok bench for start

            1. Catastrophe
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Hmm, but those with WC25 BB26 could take the same strategy for 25 and 29.

              1. CRO KLOPP
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                How? Teams with double Will blank in 29?

                1. CRO KLOPP
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  Only 3 FT between 26/29

          2. Catastrophe
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yep, makes sense. Comes down to how the BB24 players perform in single fixture with a 'full strength' 11 and TC for DGW26 versus solid DGW BB options in DGW26 with no TC and less $ spent in the 11.

            1. CRO KLOPP
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              If you look at gmwk 29 then you have 4 players more that are on your bench in 26,so 4 extra from 24 and 29 is 8 Like in 26,if no FH

              1. Catastrophe
                • 13 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Sorry - yes! Understand you now. BB26 players would have loaded them up with DGW players instead. Although there's plenty of time for them to address that between 26 and 29...

                1. CRO KLOPP
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  They cant field 11,so I will have 4 more players

                  1. Catastrophe
                    • 13 Years
                    3 years, 2 months ago

                    They could use FTs 27,28,29 and have 3 though.

                    1. CRO KLOPP
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 2 months ago

                      I Will have 7 then

                    2. CRO KLOPP
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 2 months ago

                      On WC 25 you get Bamford,Raphina and Dallas plus Areola,that's 3 dgwk players,they go to bench in 26 and play in 29

                  2. CRO KLOPP
                    • 6 Years
                    3 years, 2 months ago

                    And maybe some players wont play both in 26?

                    1. CRO KLOPP
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 2 months ago

                      It's my thinking,I don't have to be right

                      1. Kryptonite666
                        • 4 Years
                        3 years, 2 months ago

                        have you used your free hit cro klopp ?

                      2. CRO KLOPP
                        • 6 Years
                        3 years, 2 months ago

                        Yes

                      3. CRO KLOPP
                        • 6 Years
                        3 years, 2 months ago

                        If you have all chips than you are on better spot

  10. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    To get in Son, would you rather lose:

    a) Salah
    b) Barnes

    This is only considering the next two, as I will be wildcarding in 25.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      Nope, not A at least

    3. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son and spurs are out of form, why bring him in?

  11. Hitthewall
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling --> Gundogan?
    Makes me able to get Pope + DCL for the DGWs.

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah, sure.

  12. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to C ?
    A- Antonio
    B- Bamford

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      Not convinced by the "improved" Elland Road pitch, Antonio is due a haul

    3. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  13. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What about this BB in 24?
    Would then WC in 25 with plenty of funds and allows me to TC in 26

    Martinez Pope
    AWB Cancelo Stones Targett Mee/Lowton
    Salah Sterling Bruno Soucek 6.5/7.0
    Antonio Bamford DCL

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What does the bench score in 24, 26 and the TC in 26?

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        If I don’t bb that week I’d do it in 26 with TC left and no idea when to use it. Some teams have great games that week like Spurs and Villa which are prime TC

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Spurs are hardly prime anything.
          BB is a tricky chip so 24 and WC25 may work out well.

  14. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Am I crazy for playing Mee(BRI) over Coufal(ful)? Don't fancy a West Ham clean and Coufal's attacking returns have dried up..

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Brighton will score

    2. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      https://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/my-stats-tables/view/12642/

      sort by last 6 matches
      sort by chances conceded (left zone)

  15. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Captain

    A. Bamford
    B. Antonio

    1. Kevtheotter
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B for me but I don’t own A

      Would still pick B

  16. Kevtheotter
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Big benching headache..

    Play 2 of

    A) Dallas
    B) Digne
    C) Wilson
    D) DCL

    Cheers

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A C

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

      A and C

    3. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C D

  17. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So I got Pope now. Start:
    A) Pope vs BRI
    B) Martinez vs ARS

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers Miguel

        Play Dallas or Coufal or Stones?

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Stones

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You think Villa will shut ARS out?

        1. Over Midwicket
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yup

  18. daitheboot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to play who to bench? Love having a strong squad but headaches...

    Bench 2 from Maguire, Cancelo, Dallas Coufal and Justin?

    Play Gundogan or DCL?

  19. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Was planning Sterling to Son, but impending double turning me off.

    1. Sterling to Son, next week get Cancelo for double city def + Gundo
    2. Keep Sterling (double city attack) and use FTs elsewhere.

    McCarthy
    Dallas Stones Cresswell
    Salah Bruno Sterling Gundo Soucek
    Bamford DCL

    Reid Coufal Pieters

    2ft...!

    1. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I was contemplating same......until last night............I would keep Sterling and upgrade McCarthy

      1. Jimbo-Jones
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thinking Johnstone to Pope, keep McCarthy for now.

        Gives me Burnley DGW 24, Southampton DGW25.

  20. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On 2 FT’s
    Can’t do Johnstone to Pope in 1 move:

    Would you:

    A) Do Chillwell to Mee and keep him as Burnley defensive cover
    B) Chillwell to Shaw Johnstone to pope for free. However leaves me with only 1FT next week.

  21. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Captain Antonio or Bruno this GW:

    A) Antonio (ful)
    B) Bruno (EVE)

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Got both, on Antonio. My OR is 700k though

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Really tricky one. Was about to ask the exact same question.

      Player stats suggest Bruno slightly.

      Opposition stats suggest Antonio.

      Will watch the post with interest.

      How’s the OR, MS?

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Tanked a bit recently to 350k after being on the door of top 100k - don’t know if I should double down on riskier plays or go boring and nudge my way back with safe picks

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Long way to go yet mate. Just keep doing your thing. Captaincy has been hurting me recently;

          22: Salah(c) Bruno(v)
          21: Gundo(c) Salah(v)
          20: Bruno(c) Gundo(v)

          Not only has my captain blanked and my vice hauled. But also my vice hauled the week before he flopped as captain. Following this pattern if I captain Bruno this week he will flop and my vice Antonio will haul 🙂

    3. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B probably a bit safer

    4. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’ve got it on Bruno. For now.......

  22. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Team:

    Martinez
    Stones Dias Coufal (Digne CTaylor)
    Salah Son Bruno Grealish Gundo
    Watkins Wilson (DCL)

    How is this plan?

    23. Watkins to Antonio
    24. Martinez to Pope
    25. Wildcard.

    Thanks

  23. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    2FTs. 4.8m ITB. Johnstone >> Pope?
    & Roll FT? Any other changes? Right 11?

    McCarthy
    Dallas, Coufal, Cancelo
    Salah, Bruno, Raphina, Soucek, Gündo
    Bamford, Antonio
    (Johnstone, DCL, Dias, Robbo)

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes to transfer as Pope is better than the two you currently have, roll 2nd FT and GTG after that

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

    2. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe robbo > Mee?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah but my keepers seem my issue

    3. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Go for it bro yeah

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers mate

  24. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    2FT 4.8 ITB. Ditch Coufal for Mee? Can then get DCL for Bam/Watkins next week and have 6 DGW24.

    Martinez (Areola)
    Cancelo Digne Coufal* (Dallas Stones)
    Salah Son Bruno Gundogan Soucek
    Antonio Bamford (Watkins)

    Would play Dallas if I do Coufal to Mee (could alternatively ditch Dallas ofc)

  25. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Don't feel like doing Cresswell to Mee. West Ham have 2 good fixtures coming up

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah I’m hesitant to lose Coufal tbh.... but I won’t play him in 24

  26. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play 1 from each group

    Stones
    Dias
    Dallas

    &

    Saka
    DCL

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dallas
      Saka

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Saka and a D

  27. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Does Zaha's absence make Bamford (C) more tempting?

    I know Zaha is not a defender but he is Palace's only outlet. Leeds could attack that defense all day.

    1. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely, Leeds will want revenge on Palace, that last result didn't really reflect the performance, and he is as good shout as any to be involved in multiple goals, its a calculated risk in my view

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think so, yeah. Foresee a big Leeds win there.

  28. Baron Penguin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Keep Chilwell and play this week, then get rid for Mee?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If you have the luxury of holding him another week then keep. Good fixture and could play at wingback.

      1. Baron Penguin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I think it's 60-40 he starts. I have a decent bench to cover and I can roll FT to have two next week. Thanks for your response. Feels odd to keep someone because they didn't play, I'd have been more likely to sell if he'd started! This season....

  29. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A. Play DCL & save FT
    B. Burke to Raphinha and bench DCL

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  30. Parsnips
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    De Gea > Pope for free this gw?

    1. daitheboot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes