Captain Sensible
25 August 2022 172 comments
Hibbo Hibbo
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Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have a plethora of options for the Gameweek 4 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 4 captain poll, before then analysing the best options, the Rate My Team (RMT) algorithm pick and the Premier Fantasy Tools ratings ahead of Saturday’s 11:00 BST deadline.

THE CAPTAIN POLL

Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) is the runaway leader in this week’s captain poll, with just over 60% of total votes from our users at the time of writing.

No other player has garnered more than 13% of votes at this stage, with Gabriel Jesus (£8.1m) in second backed by 12.2%.

Erling Haaland (£11.7m) occupies third place with just under 9%, with the top-five list completed by Ivan Toney (£7.2m) and Harry Kane (£11.4m), with 5.77% and 2.6% respectively.

HOW HAS CAPTAIN SENSIBLE PERFORMED SO FAR THIS SEASON?

Gameweek1st2nd3rd
1Salah (12)Kane (2)Son (5)
2Haaland (5)Salah (2)De Bruyne (14)
3Salah (8)Jesus (4)Kane (6)

THE CANDIDATES 

MOHAMED SALAH/TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD

Mohamed Salah was heavily backed by FPL managers with the armband in Gameweek 3 and headed home a late consolation goal in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on Monday. 

The goal threat of Liverpool’s Egyptian was blunted by the Red Devils’ tenacious rear-guard effort that limited Salah to one shot on target. 

Salah, once again, turned provider by creating four chances for the Reds on the night and leads the division for chances created (13) across the opening three rounds. 

Salah has yet to find his rhythm with his shot volumes lacking the almost metronomic regularity of his vintage best. 

The Egyptian has registered seven shots in the box, three shots on target, and two big chances over the last three matches. 

However, Salah has an incredible record against Bournemouth, scoring eight goals in six Premier League matches, and has never blanked against the Cherries. 

Liverpool face AFC Bournemouth in a hugely favourable tie and the Cherries are in poor defensive form suffering consecutive defeats against Manchester City and Arsenal. 

Bournemouth rank second-worst for goals conceded (seven) and total goal attempts conceded (48) after three Gameweeks.

Furthermore, the Cherries rank worst in the division for crosses conceded from the left flank (48) – the zone which Salah exploits with impunity. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) has provoked the ire of 300,000+ FPL managers who have lost patience with the premium defensive asset and sold en-masse.

Surprisingly, the West Derby native is without either an attacking return or a clean sheet across the opening three rounds. 

Defensive failing aside, the Liverpool full-back has produced strong underlying creativity numbers – ranking joint-best among defenders for chances created (eight), and big chances (two). 

Alexander-Arnold leads the division for successful crosses (10) which will be aimed towards the Cherries’ flimsy left flank – an area of significant zonal weakness.

The imminent Bournemouth fixture represents an opportunity for Liverpool to end their clean sheet drought, given the Cherries’ poor goal threat. 

Bournemouth rank worst in the division for goal attempts (16), shots inside the box (11) and big chances (one) after three Gameweeks. 

Furthermore, Scott Parker’s side rank second-worst for goal attempts conceded from set plays (14) – an ominous statistic considering Alexander-Arnold’s considerable dead-ball expertise. 

Above: Bournemouth goal attempts conceded (48) after three Gameweeks

GABRIEL JESUS



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

172 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. In Carrick we trust
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Updated wildcard team thots?

    Sanchez
    James, cancelo, saliba, Trent
    Rodrigo, Salah, kdb, martinelli
    Jesus, Toney,

    Bench, ward, Andreas, neco, Stanfield

    0.5itb

    1. DALEDOBACK
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Haha I love it. Mine is EXACTLY the same.

      1. In Carrick we trust
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        Hahaha no way lol

    2. Harvey_27
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      All makes sense to me, it's just that Cancelo and particularly Trent earning their keep yet. I'd be tempted to make Trent Perisic and upgrade Stanfield to Mitro or similar, especially if you could identify a suitable formation/player rotation for the upgraded striker who'd become your twelfth man

      1. Harvey_27
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        not* earning their keep yet

    3. Vlekz
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Rotation is round the corner. Plenty of good 4.5s as 12th players. I am using my last 0.5 to get dunk/martinez. You could do that too(Don't like andreas next 4 fixtures and neco except in gw6)

      Otherwise looks great

  2. DALEDOBACK
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Except nothing in the bank!!

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Similar. Just applied for a personal loan.

  3. Casualspotted
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Are u considering selling Haaland in GW 5?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      No why?

      1. ahak9
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        Rotation risk i guess

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      I am.

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Yep or having a strong bench option.

      But to whom? Kane vs West Ham doesn't look great.

      1. Hits from the Bong
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        It does

      2. el polako
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        Disagree, West Ham's defence is all over the place at the moment - Kane may have a field day.

    4. ahak9
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      I’m planning on Haaland to KDB, Mount to Toney next week

      1. STONEROSES
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        Yep, concocting a similar move myself, AHAK9!

    5. Hits from the Bong
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Would consider if he's definitely out but wouldn't be able to buy him back unless he drops

    6. Stimps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      No, just won't captain him in fixture congestions. decent bench option essential though.

    7. Zimo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Not really unless Pep comes out and says he's definitely not starting

  4. FPL MAN 123
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Have 2FT's, 0 ITB, am i mad for not wanting to use a transfer?

    Ward
    TAA | Robbo | Cancelo | James
    Salah | Martinelli | Mount | Jensen
    Kane | Jesus

    Iverson | Andreas | Neco | Greenwood

    1. STONEROSES
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Not mad; but I think having Jensen and dbl Leic go’s are problem areas

      1. FPL MAN 123
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        yeah i think so too.

        1. STONEROSES
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 11 months ago

          Glad to have u on board, FPL MAN 123!

    2. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Mount and Iverson to Rodrigo and a better keeper?

      Greenwood to Stansfield and improve your 3rd sub?

      Both better options than burning the transfer

      1. FPL MAN 123
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        Don't really want to lose Mount, think there's hauls to come

      2. Mona Lisa
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        This 100%

        1. Vlad Tepes
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 11 months ago

          or downgrade Robo

      3. STONEROSES
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        Yep, my team was v similar & did these exact moves; Sanchez GK

    3. Vlad Tepes
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Get better GK

      1. FPL MAN 123
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        how is the question haha

    4. FPL MAN 123
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Robbo & Ward > Trippier and Sanchez?

      1. Vlekz
        3 years, 11 months ago

        Why lose ward over iversen?

        1. FPL MAN 123
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 11 months ago

          100% true, brain fart

  5. Gherkino
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    I have 2 FT's and 0 ITB, any recommendations for a side transfer?

    Ederson
    TAA, Cancelo, James, Trippier
    Salah, Martinelli, Neto, Diaz
    Jesus, Haaland

    Ward, N. Williams, Andreas, Archer

    1. Vlekz
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Neto looks like the only transfer you can make

  6. Vlekz
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Would you go with or without haaland on WC?
    If without would you definitely get KDB or does gundo cover it? (Salah kane woud be the heavy hitters without kdb)

    1. Heung min Daughter
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Definitely go KDB if you decide to go without Haaland on a WC.
      I’m trying to pick between the two, can’t stomach not having Haaland for this GW.

      Gundo doesn’t cover IMO.

  7. Karan_G14
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA Robbo Cancelo James Perisic
    Salah Martinelli Groß
    Jesus Haaland

    (Ward Andreas Reed Archer)
    0FT & 0.1m

    Would you wildcard this team next week if big at the back fails again this week?

    1. Vlekz
      3 years, 11 months ago

      If Liverpool concede again I would just sell robbo. Because am currently on a wc and chelseas run till 16 means you can't go without a Chelsea defender. Trent has attacking stats. And city have regular clean sheets. So you essentially only worried about perisic and robbo which doesn't need a wc

      1. Karan_G14
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        Yes I could downgrade Robbo to Neco and just get Zaha in midfield or Toney in attack next week.

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      No. You've arrived at the template. Let it stretch it's legs for a few more gameweeks.

      1. Karan_G14
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        Just a bit worried about Robbo and James tbh. Don’t want to miss out on Zaha/Rodrigo/Toney from next week onwards if they do like the real deal again this week.

  8. Cheeky Onion
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    11 starters playing away last week - 11 at home this week. Anyone in same boat?

    1. Wild River
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Most have 9 or 10 at least, just the odd Spud making a difference.

      1. Wild River
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        I have Kane over Haaland, otherwise I would also have 11

  9. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on what to do this week? 2ft 0.4 itb

    Thinking Robertson and Bailey to Peresic and Rodrigo for free?
    Yes or no

    Ramsdale
    TAA,Cancelo,James,Dias, Robertson
    Salah, Martinelli, Bailey
    Haaland, Jesus,

    Ward, Andreas, Colback, Archer

    Thanks

    1. Vlekz
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Not sold on robbo out before bou.
      Can also sell diaz to Walker to free up funds for Bailey upgrade to harrison next week considering he might play this week and leeds have brighton this week

    2. My Mums Athletic
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Like it - Gundo over Rodri? Affordable?

      1. melvinmbabazi
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        Cantt afford

  10. My Mums Athletic
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Final wildcard decision…

    A) Haaland + Cucerella
    B) TAA + Toney (or Mitro)

    Any thoughts?

    1. The Philosopher
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      A

  11. D15jones
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Which combo do you prefer?

    A: Reece James and Zaha
    B: Cucurella and Luis Diaz

  12. OverTinker
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Start one
    1. Rodirgo vs Brighton away
    2. Bailey vs WHU home

    1. melvinmbabazi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      1

  13. camarozz
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Idk guys. After a horrific start with the template team and some bad luck my rank is almost 5m and I'm bottom of my MLs lol.

    This is my WC team. Iv changed it a 100 times this wk.

    Sanchez

    TAA/Trippier/Perisic

    Diaz/kdb/Rodrigo/Odegaard

    Jesus/Toney/Haaland(c)
    .
    (usual bench with Saliba)

    I know going without Salah is a huge risk. Also I had Gundo+Robbo in there instead of Diaz + Taa

    Any advice?