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. Vlekz
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Are people looking to bring in sterling in 24 or gundo? (assuming they don't have 3 city).
      Which is the better captaincy shout?(sterling hasn't played 2-3 games in a row for 5-6 games now)

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

        Gundo. I personally believe premium players can match DGW players. The real differential is with mid priced assets. That's where the rank goes up.

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

        Both.

        1. Vlekz
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Captain whom?

            1. Clay Davis
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              I'd always captain Sterling over Gundo. Just feels more explosive.

      3. THEKID_88
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Start Soucek or DCL this week?

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

          Soucek for me.

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

            Soucek

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

          Soucek

        3. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          DCL last on my bench so has to be Soucek.

      4. Nespinha
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Dropping Robbo, place your votes for who:

        A) Shaw

        B) James / Azpi (have rudiger)

        C) Cresswell

        D) Digne

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

          A

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

          C

      5. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        So how many points has everyone left on their bench so far this season .... I’m on 208?

        Obviously it’s not as simple as 208 points lost, as if your 4 bench players did the bare basic and got 2 points each ... 8 points benched is expected each game week but would be nice to see if I am terrible at this bench shuffle or if this 208 is normal ... my feeling is it a bit high sadly ... the 32 points on my bench this week was very painful.

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

          Where do you find it?

          I probably won’t be too bad as before BB19 I had mostly fodder on my bench as I hate benching headaches. Since then though.... being stuck with a strong squad has meant diffferent story

          1. Eh, just one more thing ...
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Sorry just added that ... didn’t mean it to sound cheeky.

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

              Haha no worries, wasn’t sure if there was a website or something rather than just adding up. Brb

          2. Mr. O'Connell
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            quicker to use this https://www.anewpla.net/fpl/report/index.php

            1. Eh, just one more thing ...
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Handy, thanks.

        2. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Easy to check by looking at your game week history ... although I’m sure 99.99% of people know that.

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

            As I suspected - 101 overall, but 56(!) of those have come in the only 3 GW since I bench boosted, including 31 the week directly after 🙁

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

          117 at an average of 6. Worst (or best) 15, best (-2)

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

          I have had Bissouma, Ferguson and Button until GW 16. So not much I imagine.

        5. Collie01
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          65 points benched in total for me.

        6. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          63 for me. Never benched Soucek.

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

            Impressively shoit bench!

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

          92

          1. Eh, just one more thing ...
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            LOL ... I had 91 in the last 6 game weeks alone ...

            1. Eh, just one more thing ...
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              And one of those week was blank GW18 ....

        8. BremerHB
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          95 here. Haven't really had a very strong bench the whole time. Just been plodding along with the usual fodder plus a half decent 4.5 defender and has served me alright so far.

        9. Arsenal97
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          164 pts
          35 from soucek only

        10. Baines on Toast...
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          150 for me. Ticked up a lot since using bench boost. Soucek the main culprit.

      6. 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).

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

          I don't like losing Coufal for a good match. How about Areola to Pope?

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

            Not too fussed, can get a Burnley defender and Areola has a DGW too

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

          Maybe get Pope, more about instant points so need a haul from Mee.

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

            As above though, happy with Martinez long term and Areola has a DGW himself so seems better to get a Burnley defender (with the off chance of a goal) in for a SGW as opposed to swapping DGW for DGW?

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

          Areola >> Pope. Bench Martinez. Play Dallas over Digne. Rest looks great. Who’s your captain?

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

            Really? Not sure on any of those things tbh... seems pointless selling a DGW keeper I already have for a diff DGW keeper, no? Not make more sense doing Coufal SGW to Mee DGW?

            Also kinda fancied Digne v United as he’s seemed to do well against bigger teams in the past... Dallas could be a shout though.

            Captain currently on Son but may just play safe with Bruno ig

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

              I didn’t consider that Fulham have the double. Isn’t he just twice as likely to concede loads? Haha. Go for the Mee move then. Just a shame it’s with Coufal

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

        What to do with this lot?

        Martínez (Forster)
        Stones, Cancelo, Robertson, Dallas, Coufal
        Grealish, Salah, Gündogan, Fernandes, Soucek
        Watkins, Calvert-Lewin, Antonio

        2 FT, 5m in bank

        Who to bench?

        a) get Son
        b) get Pope
        c) get Burnley defender
        d) something else

        Cheers for any ideas.

        1. Eddie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I'm in similar shape. Got Son, though kinda regret it. Bringing in Pope.

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

          Wouldn’t bother with Son atm if you don’t have. Personally a don’t buy don’t sell (more blanks especially this wkend or Kane back could change that). Pope in for Forster could be good for you.

          Help above g?

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

          I'm punting on a 0-0 snooze fest at Anfield and benching Gundo, playing double defence. I'd get Pope for Forster and play him. Also benching DCL. Other than Gundo and DCL you're benching Salah, Robbo or Dallas out of that lot.

        4. Traction Engine Foot
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I would probably sell Robertson as first priority, for Burnley/Man U/ Chelsea defender

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

          Get Sonny in.

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

          B

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

          Cheers all.

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

          don't really fancy Burnley, they have a lot of injuries not playing well

          not interested in Bamford? you will want him dgw25 regardless

          CRY, ars, wol/SOU

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

            Bamford in 25 minimum.

      8. Fergymac
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Best replacement for Chilwell? No city

        1. Eddie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Justin, Burnley, Shaw /AWB

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

          I'm keeping Chilwell for this week, 2 FT next week.

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

          Get Dias next week. He seems safest.

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

            Oh. Thought you meant you have no City. Shaw.

        4. Steve The Spud
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Mee

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

        Bottomed

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

        1. Jonesfromthere
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          b

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

          I think b, good for the upcoming double as well.

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

          b

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

          Cheers everyone

      10. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Martinez
        Coufal / Cancelo / Dallas
        Bruno / Grealish / Gundogan / Maddison
        DCL / Antonio / Bamford

        Johnstone / Stones / Salah / Digne

        Got 2FTs but not sure what to do here...

        1. Jonesfromthere
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          martinez to pope or coufal to mee/lowton

          1. Scots Gooner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah, getting a Burnley defender in was my only temptation. May go that route. Cheers

          2. Eddie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Johnstone to Pope?

        2. Obi Wan Elokobi
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Coufal to Mee?

        3. Bavarian
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Play Salah

          1. Scots Gooner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Think last week was my final straw with him. Don't want to play him ahead of any of my other attackers.

            As soon as Kane is fit again, Salah goes.

      11. Vasshin
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I have 2ft and 0 itb in bank

        I was planning to do stones to Rudiger this week but i would like to hold him aa city has double game next.

        Here is my team
        Martinez McCarthy
        Robbo dias stone justin mitchell
        Salah bruno grealish son soucek
        Bamford Antonio calvert-lewin

        So what transfer should i make?

      12. R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Who wins this H2H?

        1. TAA + Robbo + Bamford
        2. Dallas + Rudiger + Ings

        1. Jonesfromthere
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          2

        2. Arsenal97
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Obviously 2
          Liverpool's defence very weak + tough fixtures

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

        Not sure what to do here. Robbo to Shaw? Johnstone to Martinez?

        Martinez
        Dias Cancelo Stones
        Salah Fernandes Grealish Soucek
        DCL Bamford Antonio

        Johnstone Raphinha Robertson Lowton

        2FT £2.9m

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

          Johnstone to Pope, not Martinez

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

          play raph over dcl. robbo to shaw

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

        Best Burnley defensive option besides Pope? Mee?

        1. Jonesfromthere
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          yea

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

            Thanks

      15. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Wc still available and Only 0.4 itb...

        A) Salah, Johnstone to Sterl/Rash, Pope
        B) Coufal to Mee

        1. Jonesfromthere
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          A with Rash

      16. Sz21
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Choose one from these for the next 2 GW's only.

        A. Alonso.
        B. Shaw.
        C. Cresswell.

        1. Jonesfromthere
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          b

      17. cigan
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Robbo > Mee done. GTG?

        Martinez
        Cancelo Mee Coufal
        Salah (B)runo Barnes Gundogan Saka
        Bamford Antonio
        (Johnstone DCL Dias Holding)

        1. Jonesfromthere
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          gtg

      18. Mattc
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Bench one:
        A - Soucek, Antonio, bamford, Wilson, grealish...?

        Bench two
        B - Coufal, chilwell, justin, stones, cancelo...?

        1. Jonesfromthere
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          a) wilson
          b) stones, cancelo

      19. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Kane to

        A) Werner (punt- decent fixtures)
        B) antonio (have soucek)
        C) Watkins (no villa attack)

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

          C

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

          b

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

          B

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

        Yay or Nay for my burnt FT this week

        TAA > Mee

        Rest of Back Seven

        Martinez Johnstone

        Stones Coufal Dias Dallas xxxxxxx

        Any ideas would be welcomed

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

          Really similar situation. Thinking of Shaw instead. Mee is probably sensible

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

        Start both City defenders this week?

        Has to be a yes right? Yeah it does

        1. Jonesfromthere
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          depends, would spread the risk if you have decent alternatives.

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

          Digne or Konsa

          1. Jonesfromthere
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            play both city

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

              100%

        3. cigan
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Depends on your other defensive options.
          I think they'll concede so I'm only playing Cancelo and benching Dias (starting Coufal instead)

          1. Dee Lixon
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Doing the same

      22. barcaa7
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Robertson to
        a-Mee
        b-Digne
        .

        1. Jonesfromthere
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          a

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

          A

          1. Dee Lixon
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            A

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

        With a lot of people (possibly myself included) benching Martinez and playing Pope... Martinez is going to haul v his old club isn't he?

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

          Probably

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

          na villa looking awful at the back including emi

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

          I hope so. Keeping and playing him. Areola (currently on bench) can be my DGW keeper

        4. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Dont know but I will get my 6 save points and 1 BAP for 5 points.

        5. cigan
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Martienz conceded 3 and got 4pts last round - a modern FPL legend. Sticking with him for sure

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

            Had a terrible game as well which makes it even better

          2. Amey
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Lol
            Great point tbh

      24. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        "Sometimes i dream about winning the Lingard award"
        - Puskas

        1. Jonesfromthere
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          didn't you post that earlier?

      25. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        With the dgws in mind, which move looks better?
        A) johnstone to areola
        B) robbo to mee
        C) robbo to shaw

        Martinez johnstone
        Robbo cancelo stones dallas coufal
        Salah Bruno son gundo soucek
        Bamford antonio dcl

        1. Dee Lixon
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I did B (have similar team but so do most of us it seems...)

      26. Luton_Fan
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        anyone still getting in Son despite Spurs drop in form?

        1. Jonesfromthere
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          nope, did salah to raphinha instead which says it all

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

            already have raph. thinking salah to rashford instead of son. What do you think?

            1. Jonesfromthere
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              I like that move a lot

      27. x.jim.x
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Are people considering moving Martinez to Pope?

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

          Most are moving the 2nd keeper to Pope and keeping Martinez.

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

          many

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

          Not I - happy with Martinez long term for now. Also will probably just get in Mee for Coufal and forget Pope, as I already have a DGW keeper in Areola on the bench

          1. x.jim.x
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Feel a bit dodgy about shifting Coufal before they have SHU. I also hate having two playing keepers because I seem to pick the wrong one every time.

            Will never forget that GW a few years ago when I had both Foster and Gomes and they played each other. One conceded and the other saved two pens - you can guess who I chose to start.

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

        Not gonna lie, kinda miss having a bench of 4.0keeper Mitchell Davis and a rotating 4.5def... certainly saved the benching headaches

      29. French Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Son Non owners - are you bringing in ?
        Pro
        • Plays WBA in GW23
        • Potential DGW in 26

        Con
        • Has City in GW24
        • Spurs have looked awful without Kane

        I m torn ...

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

          same. Rashford instead? great fixs 24 and 25.

      30. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Do you think that Mane will start?

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

          Yes

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

        BENCH one from each category:

        A) Martinez
        B) Pope

        1) Cancelo
        2) Salah
        3) Rudiger

        1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          A
          2