Captain Sensible
5 February 2021 745 comments
Jan Sienkiewicz Jan Sienkiewicz
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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 Login to Post a Comment
  1. Vlekz
    5 years, 5 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
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 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
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Both.

      1. Vlekz
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Captain whom?

        1. Clay Davis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

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

  2. THEKID_88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Start Soucek or DCL this week?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Soucek for me.

      1. daitheboot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Soucek

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Soucek

    3. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      DCL last on my bench so has to be Soucek.

  3. Nespinha
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Dropping Robbo, place your votes for who:

    A) Shaw

    B) James / Azpi (have rudiger)

    C) Cresswell

    D) Digne

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. daitheboot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      C

  4. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 5 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. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 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. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

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

        1. FPL Scoop
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 5 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
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

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

        1. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Handy, thanks.

    2. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

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

      1. FPL Scoop
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 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
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

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

    4. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

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

    5. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      65 points benched in total for me.

    6. Mr. O'Connell
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      63 for me. Never benched Soucek.

      1. daitheboot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Impressively shoit bench!

    7. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      92

      1. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

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

        1. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

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

    8. BremerHB
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 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
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      164 pts
      35 from soucek only

    10. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

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

  5. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 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
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

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

      1. FPL Scoop
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

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

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

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

      1. FPL Scoop
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 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
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

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

      1. FPL Scoop
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 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
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 5 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

  6. TorresMagic™
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    5 years, 5 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
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

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

    2. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 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
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 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
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

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

    5. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Get Sonny in.

    6. CRO KLOPP
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      B

    7. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers all.

    8. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 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™
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Bamford in 25 minimum.

  7. Fergymac
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Best replacement for Chilwell? No city

    1. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Justin, Burnley, Shaw /AWB

    2. Baron Penguin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

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

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Get Dias next week. He seems safest.

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

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

    4. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Mee

  8. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed

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

    1. Dragon Arcana
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      b

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

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

    3. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      b

    4. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers everyone

  9. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 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. Dragon Arcana
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      martinez to pope or coufal to mee/lowton

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

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

      2. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Johnstone to Pope?

    2. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Coufal to Mee?

    3. Bavarian
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Play Salah

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 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.

  10. Vasshin
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 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?

  11. ☈☾
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Who wins this H2H?

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

    1. Dragon Arcana
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      2

    2. Arsenal97
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Obviously 2
      Liverpool's defence very weak + tough fixtures

  12. MartialMatas
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 5 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
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Johnstone to Pope, not Martinez

    2. Dragon Arcana
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      play raph over dcl. robbo to shaw

  13. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Best Burnley defensive option besides Pope? Mee?

    1. Dragon Arcana
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      yea

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

  14. Tsparkes10
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Wc still available and Only 0.4 itb...

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

    1. Dragon Arcana
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      A with Rash

  15. Sz21
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

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

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

    1. Dragon Arcana
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      b

  16. cigan
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Robbo > Mee done. GTG?

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

    1. Dragon Arcana
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      gtg

  17. Mattc
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

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

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

    1. Dragon Arcana
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      a) wilson
      b) stones, cancelo

  18. Rhodes your boat
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 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
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      C

    2. Dragon Arcana
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      b

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      B

  19. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 5 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
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

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

  20. Kevtheotter
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Start both City defenders this week?

    Has to be a yes right? Yeah it does

    1. Dragon Arcana
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

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

    2. Kevtheotter
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Digne or Konsa

      1. Dragon Arcana
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        play both city

        1. cigan
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          100%

    3. cigan
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 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
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Doing the same

  21. barcaa7
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Robertson to
    a-Mee
    b-Digne
    .

    1. Dragon Arcana
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      a

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      A

      1. Dee Lixon
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        A

  22. _Ninja_
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 5 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
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Probably

    2. Dragon Arcana
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      na villa looking awful at the back including emi

    3. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

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

    4. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

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

    5. cigan
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

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

      1. cigan
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Had a terrible game as well which makes it even better

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

        Lol
        Great point tbh

  23. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

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

    1. Dragon Arcana
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      didn't you post that earlier?

  24. waltzingmatildas
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 5 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
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

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

  25. Luton_Fan
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    anyone still getting in Son despite Spurs drop in form?

    1. Dragon Arcana
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      nope, did salah to raphinha instead which says it all

      1. Luton_Fan
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

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

        1. Dragon Arcana
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          I like that move a lot

  26. x.jim.x
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Are people considering moving Martinez to Pope?

    1. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

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

    2. Dragon Arcana
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      many

    3. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 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
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 5 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.

  27. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 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

  28. French Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 5 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
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      same. Rashford instead? great fixs 24 and 25.

  29. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Do you think that Mane will start?

    1. StayoutheSpiceZone
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

  30. StayoutheSpiceZone
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    BENCH one from each category:

    A) Martinez
    B) Pope

    1) Cancelo
    2) Salah
    3) Rudiger

    1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      A
      2