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. 15men1cup
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Good'ay mate

    1. The Philosopher
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Good evening sire

  2. KeanosMagic
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Am i mad for having used 2 transfers to effectively ditch mitro for Rodrigo?

    Fixtures and form say it's probably ok but you know when you get that feeling you've made a mistake? I have that!

    1. 15men1cup
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      its not a mistake if you think its a good move.
      Its only a mistake in 2 weeks time if Rodrigo bombs.

      But I think its a good bet. I just brought him in

    2. Well you know, Triffic
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Mitro is actually leading loads of the stats at present.

    3. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Imo Mitrovic is fixture-proof!

  3. 15men1cup
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I have 1.3m ITB and on a WC.....and a bit stuck, so any feedback is much appreciated

    Sanchez, (ward)
    TAA, Cancelo, Perisic, Saliba, (Neco)
    Salah, KDB, Rodrigo, Martinelli (Andreas)
    Jesus, Toney (Standsfield)

    Thinking Sanchez to Ederson cos of the fixtures or Saliba to Zinchenko.... its bugging me.

    any ideas what I can do with the 1.3m? or any mistakes in the team.

    Ta

    1. Rash
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I've just brought sanchez in.

    2. amonito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I would suggest Salina > Dunk and Stansfield > Johnson (NF).

      1. 15men1cup
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        interesting.....cheers .....will think about that

    3. Malaikat Jihad
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Leave your team alone and you might use the money next week to grab an appreciating in value player.

      1. 15men1cup
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        very true

    4. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Save it

      1. 15men1cup
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        very possible

    5. Team Bobcat
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I would either leave alone for now

      or do Neco to a 4.5m defender. Brentford and Brighton have decent fixtures and players in that price bracket

      1. 15men1cup
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        cheers

  4. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Am I crazy to stick with Mount? Anyone else giving him another week?

    1. 15men1cup
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      no, you know he can do it right?
      Saying that I swapped him out for Rodrigo, but that was part of a wholesale team change.
      Sometime the hard thing to do is nothing.
      For a free I would look about, for a hit I would keep him

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Keeping for LEI, will decide after. Might even give him sou too...

    3. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Join the club, we’re all keeping for the hauls to come.

    4. Tomerick
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Don’t worry, I dropped him this week so the haul is inevitable.

    5. CheesyZoot
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Keeping, I’ve come this far

    6. sulldaddy
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Im holding. Lei cant seem to stop anyone on defense and he is on corners etc.
      Same arguments for keeping TAA can apply for keeping Mount.

      I also try to avoid hits

    7. ahak9
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Keeping and reassess after lei

  5. Klopp it
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is this a bad wildcard team?

    Sanchez
    Zinchenko, walker, Trent, james
    Martinelli, kdb, Salah, kulu
    Jesus, Toney,

    Bench, ward, Andreas, neco, Stanfield

    1. GreennRed
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Have you cash left after picking that 15?

      1. Klopp it
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        None ATM ? Wat u thankn?

    2. 15men1cup
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      looks very nice to me. personally I would go for Cancelo and down grade Kulu to Rodrigo....but thats just me.
      Rodrigo look to good to ignore

      1. Klopp it
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I'd have no spurs cover then

    3. Malaikat Jihad
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Why Zinchenko ahead of Saliba?

    4. Juza
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      not sure on Walker minutes from now on and Kulu inconsistency.

      Is Zinchenko worth the 0.6 over Saliba?

  6. Thursday's Press Conference Times
    Skonto Rigga
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Afternoon folks, just the four press conferences today:

    1pm - Hasenhuttl
    1.30pm - Marsch/Rodgers
    2pm - Parker

  7. Hits from the Bong
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Everton in for Che Adams according to sky

    1. The Philosopher
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sad to see the beautiful club of Everton being taken down at the hands of Lampard the fraud

    2. Team Bobcat
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      They are in for anyone and everyone if echo is to be believed. Monday week we will know for sure, just hope no panic buying between now and then

  8. Rash
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Roll a tranny?

    Sanchez
    Trent James cancelo Gabriel trippier
    Salah mount martinelli
    Jesus Haaland

    Ward Bailey Andreas greenwood

    1ft 0.5itb

    1. Kane Toads
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      team looks fine, roll a tranny...

      1. Rash
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you

  9. Malkmus
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Have both KDB and Haaland and thinking it's overkill so will lose one after this week. Are other KDB-Haaland owners thinking the same? If so, who to keep?

    Current Tm:

    Ward
    TTA-Cancelo-White-Nico (Patterson)
    Salah-KDB-Martinelli-Bailey (Andreas)
    Haaland-Jesus (Archer)

    Ta!

    1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Keep KDB, Haaland might be rested when games are more frequent.

    2. Juza
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Haaland to Toney

      1. Malkmus
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks both

    3. Longiss
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      If I have a feeling Haaland will be benched after the Crystal Palace game I will probably downgrade him to Toney/Mitro to improve elsewhere. Alternatively its possible he will play Crystal and NFO and then get benched.. so it all depends on his minutes and guardiola’s comments

  10. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    2 frees and no one I want to shift this week.
    Ramsdale
    Trent Cancelo Trippier Lands
    Salah Diaz Arronson Martinelli
    Jesus Halland

    Ward Andreas Neco Greenwood
    Burn it?

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lands?

      1. Rogue Todd
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        of Hope and Glory

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Let it burrrrnn

    3. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Never burn a transfer!

      The sideways move from Greenwood to Stansfield to improve your 3rd sub is better than burning the transfer.

      Don't know who Lands is? Assume you mean James?

      1. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        If you mean James, then yeah, it's a great team with no transfers needed. The Greenwood to Stan FT would work.

    4. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Greenwood to Stansfield

    5. The Philosopher
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sell lands to buys the skies

    6. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lands as a differential pick might work well!

    7. JohnnyBGoode
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Well I'm going in to week 4 and still haven't made a transfer....looks like I'm going to burn 2 transfers; never happened to me before, but it paid off last week as the only player I was considering moving on was Bailey...apart from the fact that I started him instead of Aaronson!

  11. Atimis
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Done Digne to Perisic this week.
    Recon GTG and Mount or Robo out next week if they won't perform again?

    Rambo
    TAA/Robo/Cancelo/Perisic
    Salah(c)/Mount/Martinelli/DaSilva
    Haaland/Jesus

    Ward/Pereira/Neco/Archer

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  12. Riders of Yohan
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    One week draft punt! Which to choose?

    A) firmino

    B) welbeck

    Thanks!

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

      1. Riders of Yohan
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks!

    2. sulldaddy
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

      1. Riders of Yohan
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers!

    3. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

      1. Riders of Yohan
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you

  13. KadMan
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is Estupinan nailed on for Brighton now?

    1. Tomerick
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You’d think so

  14. Zaruto
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    For the next 3 GW´s?

    1. James & Toney (3-4-3)?
    2. Cancelo & Rodrigo (3-5-2)

    1.
    PERISIC - TRIPPIER - JAMES
    MO - KDB - MARTINELLI - ANDREAS
    HALLAND -JESUS .- TONEY

    2.
    PERISIC - TRIPPIER - CANCELO
    MO - KDB - MARTINELLI - ANDREAS - RODRIGO
    HALLAND -JESUS

    thks

    1. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      2

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      1, 2

  15. The Final Boss
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Repost sorry

    Guys what to do here? 0.3m itb. 1ft.

    Ward iver
    Taa cancelo james robbo neco
    Salah marti kulu andreas dasilva
    Haal jesus archer

    A) save and do robbo iversen dasilva to dunk raya Rodrigo for a hit
    B) save and do robbo dasilva to dunk zaha free and leave lei gk
    C) do robbo iversen to dunk raya for a hit this week and do dasilva to Rodrigo for free next week.

    TIA.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

  16. Tomerick
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I for one can’t wait for a couple of years time when Brighton sell Estupinan to a top 4 club for £80m.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You’ll have to wait, I’m sorry.

      1. The Philosopher
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        A couple years, to be precise

  17. ldm
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any thoughts on Martinelli as a differential captain instead of the names mentioned above?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Good pick imo

    2. The Philosopher
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      As good his form has been, still a bit raw to be C for my liking.

    3. Mona Lisa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Could be a good shout.

  18. Ramires
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What do people think about this? 2 FTs

    Robbo > Perisic
    Neto > Rashford or Rodrigo?

    although Liverpool should keep a CS this week, I think there's more points in Perisic in the next 3, especially against Forest and I wouldn't be surprised if somehow Liverpool conceded with their current form.

    The Rashford move is more a punt as I fancy United against Leicester/Southampton defences currently, i'm okay accepting if it doesn't work as Neto isn't likely to score much imo.

    Rodrigo might struggle a bit more this week against Brighton and I think you'd be okay bringing in for Brentford and then Forest the game after

    1. Ramires
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Also i'm likely to wildcard GW8, current team is this:

      Ramsdale - Ward
      Robbo - Trent - R James - Cancelo - N Williams
      Salah - Martinelli - Neto - Andreas P - Gross
      Jesus - Haaland - Archer

    2. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Good moves imo. I got rodrigo in now but considered rashford too. Still bit skeptical on perisic minutes though, he ll probably play 2 of 3

  19. A Team Of James McCleans
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Best mid for 7.6 or less?

    1. Mona Lisa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'd be looking at Rodrigo or Zaha. Harrison, Gross & Aaronson are solid differentials.

      1. A Team Of James McCleans
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        What about Martinelli?

        1. Mona Lisa
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Oh of course, I always forget about him. If you don't have Martinelli, he's the best one.

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Gundogan

    3. Team Bobcat
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Saint Maximin worth a shout.

      Martinelli Rodrigo the two on form to date

  20. Digital-Real
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Can Brighton keep Leeds out?

    1. Mona Lisa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      My money would be on a score draw.

    2. The Philosopher
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm expecting them to

  21. CheesyZoot
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Seeing a lot of WC drafts… are most still thinking it’s sensible to wait until around GW8?

    1. Rogue Todd
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Holding for as long as sensible - the later you use it, the more focus you can have attacking the last few weeks before the World Cup.

      1. HashAttack
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Will some of our targets be more worried about making it to the WC injury free ... could be a curve-ball to our plans

  22. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Bit surprised Salah is so ahead in the poll. Jesus is a very tempting captain pick this week.

    1. Mona Lisa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Plus Jesus plays after Salah & Haaland. It's silly but I like knowing what the rival captains have scored.

    2. Team Bobcat
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Kinda surprised myself but I have it on Salah too.

      Salah may be on the last chance saloon bracket for me. I could be classed as a Salah perma captainer.

      You just expect a backlash from Pool after their poor start.

      ManU not as bad as people think either. I saw the Brentford game and I thought they were urgent and mobile enough at times.

      I likewise saw the earlier game that day AstV and Eve.
      It was like a league one game in comparison to the Brent v ManU game.

    3. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I am going with Jesus captain. Liverpool just don't look right and Salah just getting lucky returns. Thinking of selling Salah to kdb after bmouth game

      1. Team Bobcat
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Salah to DeBruyne on the cards for sure but Salah is Salah..

  23. hammersp2000
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hey all,

    Which do you prefer

    A) TAA/Cancelo/Zaha/Haaland
    or
    B) Walker/ZInchenko/KDB/Kane

    Thanks

    1. Mona Lisa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A.

    3. LWB
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

  24. Tcheco
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Play Andreas or Bailey?

    1. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Bailey.

    2. The Philosopher
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Bailey

  25. Reddonkeyham 42
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Ramsdale
    Trent, James, Mee,
    Cancelo, Persic Salah, Grealish, Martinelli
    Jesus, Haaland
    Ward, Andreas, Neto, Greenwood

    0.2 ITB Grealish out for Zaha? Or what else would you change

    tia

    1. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Grealish has to go. To Rodrigo Rashford or zaha

  26. Dacra
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Just hold, right?

    Mendy (Ward)
    Taa - Robbo - Walker (Neco, Patterson)
    Kdb - Martinelli - Kulu - Rodrigo (Andreas)
    Jesus - Toney - Haaland

    0.5 itb

    1. Rodney
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nice team. Would maybe consider Mendy to Sanchez which gives the potential to upgrade Walker to £6m DEF but by no means essential

      1. Dacra
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah cheers, best to keep Mendy for now though and do that all together next week, if no other problems appear?

  27. Rodney
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I am probably good to roll my transfer here, right?

    Ramsdale

    TAA - James - Cancelo - Trippier

    Salah (c) - Diaz - Martinelli - Gross

    Halaand - Jesus

    Ward - Andreas - Patterson - Archer

    £0.4m itb

  28. Team Bobcat
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    All three have decent fixtures. Alot may say Zaha is the path less choosen. Think personally he could be the better of the three regardless but Rodrigo and Rashford at significantly less $$$ the value options.

    1. Team Bobcat
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Reply fail to which of these the better option

  29. Bishopool
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who would u pick?

    a) cucurella
    b) zinchenko

    1. Mona Lisa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      b

  30. DRIZ ✅
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Madisson owners due to injury out for who?

    1. It's Fergie Time
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Diaz

    2. mdm
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rodry