Captain Sensible
12 April 2025 380 comments
Hibbo Hibbo
Share:

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have, on paper, a straightforward captain choice ahead of Double Gameweek 32.

Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak (£9.5m) is the undisputed armband favourite ahead of Newcastle United’s home double-header.

Nevertheless, data can identify potential chinks in the Swede’s armoury and suggest alternative, differential options.

As usual, Captain Sensible highlights which assets have the best chance of delivering a big haul.

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

THE CAPTAIN POLL

Alexander Isak‘s fitness dominates the rumour-mill narrative, with Newcastle’s marksman starting and blanking as the Magpies dismantled a sorry Leicester City side 3-0.

When Eddie Howe’s team sheet dropped, those backing Isak were in a buoyant mood, and Newcastle’s accumulated 3.25 expected goals (xG) justified his selection.

The data, however, told a different story. In 70 minutes, the forward mustered three shots – two from inside the box – but failed to test an otherwise busy goalkeeper. 0.16 xG was poor.

Still, our electorate is undeterred. The 25-year-old is backed by over two-thirds of the captain poll vote ahead of Newcastle’s two outings.

It was team-mate Jacob Murphy (£5.2m) who stole the Monday Night Football plaudits, netting twice to record a 16-point haul and send his owners into delirium.

The midfielder produced the league’s second-highest non-penalty expected goals (NPxG, 1.57) tally but remains very much the bridesmaid here, backed by a minority 6.76% of voters.

Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.8m) is third, closely followed by Mohamed Salah (£13.8m) and Daniel Muñoz (£5.2m).

THE PLAYER STATISTICS – LAST SIX MATCHES

FPL team previews – Liverpool: Best players, predicted XI + more

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

380 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Art Vandelay
    • 15 Years
    7 months, 27 days ago

    I had been planning to BB32 but hadn't appreciated the CL impact. Now I find myself looking to BB33 and bench Saka, Konsa, Milenko & Verbruggen this week.

    2 FT

    Should I

    a) Switch to BB33
    b) Saka > Malen/Acensio (reverse next week) and Konsa > Bradley and stick with BB32

    I plan to FH34 and with b can still put out a full line up in BGW37

    1. The Mentaculus
      • 4 Years
      7 months, 27 days ago

      Hard to say about BB33 without seeing full team but B looks like a really good BB32 to me

  2. Pegboy
    • 15 Years
    7 months, 27 days ago

    Bench two of:

    Saka
    Gvardiol
    Murillo
    Saliba

    (Rogers already benched)

    1. GC123
      • 4 Years
      7 months, 27 days ago

      Saka & Murillo

    2. The Mentaculus
      • 4 Years
      7 months, 27 days ago

      Saka Saliba

  3. The Mentaculus
    • 4 Years
    7 months, 27 days ago

    Still undecided on whether to take a hit for Glasner... any thoughts on Muñoz & Frank vs Bradley & Glasner (-4)? Kind of feels like a of waste of AM letting it ride on Frank but the no hit option also gives me an extra FT for 3rd Arsenal / 2nd Villa player next week

  4. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    7 months, 27 days ago

    Would you do Saka & Munoz to Eze & Milenkovic (2FTs) for a bench boost? Will FH 33 anyways