Captain Sensible

Who is the best FPL captain for Gameweek 3?

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have plenty of choice for the Gameweek 3 captaincy, and as per usual, the Captain Sensible article is here to highlight which assets have the best chance of hauling.

First, we will assess the fallout of the Gameweek 3 captain poll, before then analysing the best options, Rate My Team (RMT) and the Premier Fantasy Tools ratings ahead of Saturday’s 11:00 BST deadline.

READ MORE: FPL Gameweek 3 team news: Live updates from Klopp, Pep, Tuchel and more

THE CAPTAIN POLL

In the closest captain poll of the season so far, Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) is the current leader, with 32.5% of total votes from our users at the time of writing.

Just behind in second is Gabriel Jesus (£8.1m), who is backed by a mite under 30%, ahead of his away tie against Bournemouth.

Erling Haaland (£11.7m) occupies third place with just over 12%, followed by Tottenham Hotspur duo Harry Kane (£11.4m) and Son Heung-min (£12.0m), with a little further back.

THE CANDIDATES

MOHAMED SALAH

Mohamed Salah endured a frustrating night against Crystal Palace and produced a below-par performance short of the expected gold standard. Liverpool’s Premier League challenge has stuttered with two consecutive draws and a lack of fluency in attack as the Reds adjust their playstyle to accommodate Darwin Nunez (£9.0m).

The Uruguayan, dismissed for violent conduct, will serve a three-match Premier League ban which ironically could strengthen Salah’s captaincy credentials for Gameweek 3. Across the opening two rounds, Nunez ranks best among all outfield players in the division for goal attempts (nine) and big chances total (five) despite playing just 96 minutes. 

The underlying data suggests that Salah has turned provider, ranking second among all outfield players for chances created (nine) after two Gameweeks. Roberto Firmino (£8.0m) should help rather than hinder Salah’s output if he recovers from a knock to deputise for Nunez. 

SalahNunez
Mins18096
Goals11
Assists11
FPL points147
Mins per FPL point12.914.3
Non-pen xG0.721.25
xA0.490.19

Liverpool travel to face Manchester United in Gameweek 3 who have endured a chaotic start to the season with consecutive defeats to Brighton and Brentford, respectively. The Red Devils rank joint-worst for goals conceded (six), clean sheets (zero), and lead the division for defensive errors (three) over the first two matches. 

Erik ten Hag’s intention to play out from the back has suffered early setbacks and Liverpool’s high press will provide an unwelcome acid test. Furthermore, Salah boasts a strong recent record against Manchester United notching five goals in last season’s Premier League matches. 

Above: Goal attempts conceded by Manchester United over the last two matches. 

GABRIEL JESUS


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Hibbo Author of Captain Sensible. I write Fantasy Premier League articles, focusing on stats and strategy. Four top 10k finishes. 22/23 Rank - 6123.  Follow them on Twitter

693 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Which keeper to play this week?

    a.) Ward
    b.) Ramsdale

    ???

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

    2. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      It’s clear cut. Ramsdale

    3. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Thanks.
      Leicester's defence isn't great, but I think they might try and keep it tight.
      Arsenal's defence looks great, but they are a bit gung-ho.
      I'm finding it a tricky decision this week.

      1. Puntillimon
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Having owned schmeichel through last season where he went idk more than double digit games without a clean sheet. It’s brutal. Don’t go there. Fofana is leaving as well. Leicester don’t know how to shut up shop

    4. DycheDycheBaby
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Ramsdale

    5. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

  2. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Which budget midfielder to BENCH this week?

    a.) Rodrigo
    b.) Andreas Perreira
    c.) DaSilva

    ???

    1. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      C

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      C

    3. Thanos
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B or C

    4. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      C

    5. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

  3. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Wonder what sort of a points a bench of will get me this week?

    Ward (SOT)
    Andreas (BRE)
    Aaronson (CHE)
    Patterson (NFO)

    1. Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      8

    2. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Think you've got least 12 there

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Yeah I think one return there is probably most likely

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      1
      2
      2
      1

    4. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      14

    5. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Same bench. Don’t consider BB.

  4. Ninja Škrtel
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Whose giving the armband to Jesus this GW and why not Salah?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Recency bias - but Salah (and Lievrpool) hasn't/haven't looked great yet

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Recency bias tells me Salah has hauled in 50% of his games this season.
        But seriously, it's too early to make big judgements - unless you mean United are dead easy to score - a lot - against.

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Flicking between Jesus & KDB, bus C was Martinelli 🙂

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        I like the KDB option vs Newcastle

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Me too

    3. Josh.E
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      same here, Jesus looks so hungry to prove himself, that being said Salah could thrive with Firmino. However, am on Jesus for now I just see him scoring two goals again, and I can see a United upset more than a Bournemouth upset imo

    4. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Jesus. Went with +2 goals odds.

    5. Jock Grealish
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Pool have been slow to start so far but Man U's start has been worse than Arsenal last season. Salah could easily haul but people said he would v Palace...

  5. Thanos
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Any thoughts on this WC draft?

    Raya (Ward)
    Cancelo James Cucu Zinc (Neco)
    KDB Kulu Maddison Martinelli (Pereira)
    Haaland Jesus (Fodder)

    May go Maddison to Diaz next GW depending how Pool plays against United.

    1. EL tridente
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      What about Mount?

      1. Thanos
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        I prefer double CHE defence to Mount.

  6. danlynch13
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    On Wc any input appreciated. Which duo would you go for

    A) Kulu & Zinchenko
    B) Foden & Perisic
    C) Diaz & Zinchenko
    D) Diaz & Perisic

    1. Thanos
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A or C

    2. ExpressoMySonny
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      tough probably A or C

    3. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I like B

    4. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A or C

    5. Defaid Daniel
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      D

  7. ExpressoMySonny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Jensen or jorginho as a draft option?

    1. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Jorginho

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Jorginho probably a good option in draft where you can patiently pick up his penalty points as and when they happen

  8. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    No responses to I ask again
    (No salah)

    Captain -

    A) Jesus
    B) Haaland

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

    2. Shteve
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      B

    3. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A)

  9. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Who would you start between Pereira and Patterson? Think Everton have a decent chance of a CS leaning towards Patterson atm.

    1. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Patterson

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Andreas unlikely to get more points than Patterson at this point.

  10. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    so tough to choose a captain between salah, haaland and jesus.. Currently on salah, anyone want to enlighten me on why you've gone for any of the other two??

    1. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      If you didn't have Salah
      Who would you go for?

      1. tibollom
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        hmm tough one, i really dont know lol

  11. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Bench two:

    Neco
    Andreas
    DaSilva
    Trippier

    1. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      AB

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I would play Neco, bench Trippier, and I don't know about the other two. Maybe play Dasilva if he's expected to get 70+ mins, but as a casual, I wouldn't know

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Not Neco he will smash his price point

  12. Shteve
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Which keeper should I start this week?
    A. Mendy
    B. Ward

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Easy A

      1. Shteve
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Cheers, I am on Mendy but I don't have high hopes for a Chelsea clean sheet.
        On the other hand, you can't trust that Leicester defence, they could 3-0 or they could lose 4-3!

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Weird

  13. nolard
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Can anyone tell me where to find individual stats for how much players in the PL run over a season?
    And preferably based on minutes played?

    1. egan
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      fbref.com

      1. nolard
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        thanks!

  14. egan
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Currrent Def Right Now

    Sanchez/Raya
    Cucurela-James-Trent-Walker-Neco
    with 0.5 available

    A. Cucurela > Perisic (if TOT def news appears)
    B. Neco > Dunk (already have Sanchez)
    C. Neco > BRE def (probably Henry)
    D. Neco > Saliba
    E. No need to buy

    Thank you.

    1. No_Mo_Salah?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Depends on mid but E for me.

    2. Riders of Yohan
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Definitely E, Neco is amazing bue

      1. Riders of Yohan
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Value*

  15. RedJive79
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    GTG?

    Mendy
    TAA / Cancelo / Neco / James
    Salah(c) / Mount / Martinelli / Andreas
    Jesus / Haaland

    Ward / Bailey / Trippier / Plange

    1. No_Mo_Salah?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Yup

      1. RedJive79
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Sweet.

  16. niaz1982
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    G2G?

    Ramsdale
    Robbo James Cancelo Gabriel
    DaSilva Mount KDB Diaz
    Kane Jesus

  17. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Salah and Bailey to Diaz and Mount +1.9m?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Hold

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Bailey > Dasilva

      Avoid price drops. Your TV is more important than Bailey plus you will have cash to spare.

      Keep Salah. He is 13.0. To get him back will make you cray if his price goes boom.

      1. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        There it is. You've set him off.

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Upgrading Bailey is just not the answer I am afraid.

  18. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Morning guys, am I G2G?

    Last decision is whether to play Sanchez or Ward.

    Sanchez
    James - Cancelo - Taa - Robbo
    Jensen - Salah (c) - Mount - Aaronson
    Haaland - Jesus

    Ward - Neco - Andreas - Greenwood

    1. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I've reluctantly gone with Ward after looking up cleansheet odds for the matches.

  19. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    GK and captain poll:

    A) Sanchez (whu)
    B) Ward (SOT)

    1) Salah (mnu)
    2) Jesus (bou)

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A2

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A2

  20. Friday's Press Conference Times
    Skonto Rigga
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Press conference times (BST) for Friday - three down, 12 to go:

    9am - Howe, Gerrard
    9.30am - Klopp
    12pm - Arteta
    1pm - Potter, Vieira
    1.15pm - Lage, ten Hag
    1.30pm - Tuchel, Guardiola, Moyes, Silva, Lampard, Marsch, Frank

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Virgins of the FPL community thank you

      1. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        God love em

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Cheers, are you going to update the Predicted Line-ups soon (I see MGW is starting for Wolves). 🙂

  21. offspinnersinahurry
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Who should I play out of Neto, Andreas and Neco Williams?

    1. Riders of Yohan
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Personally playing Williams, very attacking last week

  22. Riders of Yohan
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Draft question and needing a quick response!

    A) Eze

    B) Buendia

    Thanks!

    1. Mona Lisa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A

      1. Riders of Yohan
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Thanks!

  23. offspinnersinahurry
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Thanks

  24. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    G2G or?

    Ramsdale
    TAA/Cancelo/James/Cucu/Neco
    Salah(C)/Martinelli
    Haaland/Jesus/Toney

    Ward/Aaronson/Andreas/Reed

  25. Lucas8406
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Bailey and Robbo replacement options?

    1. Mona Lisa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Gross, Eze, Leeds boys
      James, TAA, Cancelo, Zinchenko, Walker, Cucu

    2. JELLYFISH
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I've gone Cucurella and Diaz (although I am slightly regretting not going Maddison over Diaz)

    3. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      I didn't have Martinelli so I took these two out and replaced them with James and Martinelli.

  26. JELLYFISH
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Who we all captaining then guys? I've currently got the armband on Jesus but with a surprising amount of teams in my ML without Salah I am sorely tempted to switch to the Egyptian.
    With so many similar template teams out there its these decisions that make or break our season. Poor captain choices last season broke me.....

    1. Mona Lisa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A lot of great choices this week (City, Spurs, Arsenal & Pool all great fixtures on paper), I'm going with Salah because Pool need a win to try keep up with City, Salah will be a big part of that without Darwin.

      1. JELLYFISH
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Its a decent shout, and I keep reminding myself of the adage 'if you own Salah captain him' applies, particularly with teams around me now owning him.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Jesus will be way over 100% EO this week and I can't stand rooting against players I own. Shoudn't be a factor but it is...

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        That's a terrible reason to make a decision though, especially only 3 weeks in.
        I'm looking at the worst defence and going from there 😉

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          It might be but the last few seasons (and this may be confirmation bias) but every time I've done something different to the masses in terms of player ownership and captaincy it feels like I've been massively punished and this has seen my worst two finishes in the last two seasons. Don't really know how to balance enjoyment in owning your own decisions vs achieving green arrows and decent rank anymore. I completely get Salah could go massive against a United defence that is the worst it has ever been and with Liverpool desperate for a win...

        2. JELLYFISH
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          So Salah then 🙂

  27. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Oof, Liverpool look like they’re held together with string at the moment. Not many players left. Not going near Salah captain.

    1. Mona Lisa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      If Liverpool are held together with string, what are Man Utd players held together with? Pritt stick?

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        Pretty much.

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 10 months ago

        But I’m alluding to injuries. Utd don’t have any.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Firmino and Gomez are back. That should be enough to overwhelm United.

          1. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            1 year, 10 months ago

            That’ll help a bit

        2. Mona Lisa
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 10 months ago

          Utd play like they're injured anyway.

  28. chobentys
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Hi guys, play Neco W or Neto?

    1. Jock Grealish
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      neto

  29. Tomsk
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Will Tomiyasu be first choice and will he play tomorrow? (White owner with not much on the bench). I guess we might find out more from Arteta at 12.

  30. DeLaPena
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 10 months ago

    Is nobody worried about the United vs Liverpool Game being postponed ?

    1. Mona Lisa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Just make sure you VC someone from a different game.

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      It's a worry, but what to do? Panic wildcard with no Liverpool? Transfers out Salah?

    3. Jock Grealish
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      unlikely as the police have already said they'll deal with supporters

    4. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Just don't VC from the same match.

    5. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      Not really. Having 3 Liveroool players isn’t ideal though.

    6. JELLYFISH
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 10 months ago

      A bit out of the loop but sorry....why would it be postponed?