Captain Sensible
15 August 2025 736 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Once again, as we begin a new Fantasy Premier League season, the question for FPL managers is whether or not to back Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) as captain in Gameweek 1.

The Egyptian faces Bournemouth at Anfield on the opening night, while the most-selected player in the game, Cole Palmer (£10.5m), hosts Community Shield victors Crystal Palace. There are other potentially tempting assets with decent fixtures, too

To do this, we assess the on-site captain poll, the player and team statistics and Rate My Team (RMT)  ahead of Friday’s 18:30 BST deadline.

Captaincy Poll

Gameweek 1 captain best

It will come as little surprise that a certain Mohamed Salah tops the captaincy poll. What is perhaps surprising is that his lead is a whopping 1,500 votes, or 44%. At the time of writing, 55% of voters intend to captain last season’s top Fantasy points-scorer.

Salah’s Gameweek 1 record in a Liverpool shirt is nothing short of incredible. He has never blanked on the opening day. In eight appearances, Salah has notched 99 points, including six double-figure hauls.

Despite Manchester City’s truncated pre-season, Erling Haaland (£14.0m) sits in second place in the standings with just over 11% of the vote. The Golden Boot favourite is away at Wolves, a team many pundits are tipping to be involved in a relegation battle.

Florian Wirtz (£8.5m), Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins (£9.0m) are all backed by more than 5% of responders, with all three players impressing in pre-season. Jarrod Bowen (£7.5m) and Hugo Ekitike (£8.5m) are the only other players to pick up more than 2% backing among Fantasy Football Scout users. 

Player Stats (2024/25)

 

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The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

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FFScout Tom <p>Deputy General Manager. Forever chasing the top 10K. Chelsea fan.&nbsp;</p>

736 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 6 hours ago

    Thoughts on this draft pls ?

    Sels
    Diouf, RAN, VdV
    Palmer, Salah, Bruno, Reijnders
    Watkins, Pedro, Fullkrug

    Dubra, PM Sarr, DeCuyper, Gudmundson

    Feedback appreciated.

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Looks good, only consideration for me is RAN & VdV to Porro & Lacroix.

      1. The Pretender
        • 10 Years
        11 months, 5 hours ago

        Absolutely agree, well said!

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Would you BB this team?

  2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    11 months, 6 hours ago

    Alright, last check. BB, likely early-ish WC:

    Verbruggen | Bizot
    N.Williams | VdV | Diouf | Tosin | Konsa
    (S)alah | Palmer | Kudus | Paqueta | Reindeer
    Watkins | Ekitike | JP

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 6 hours ago

      Nice

  3. The FPL Units
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 months, 6 hours ago

    Which one?

    A Rice/6.5 and Verbruggen
    B Tielemans and Sels/Sanchez

    1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      A

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      I prefer Sels but out of those A

  4. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 6 hours ago

    Who are the best short term picks who are being overlooked because they're not good in the longer term?

    1. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Piroe and Leeds Def

  5. Manani
    • 14 Years
    11 months, 6 hours ago

    best 4.5m def?
    got Diouf, but he won't play this week, so make little sense

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Andersen is my best pick

    2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 14 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Why won’t he play?

    3. I Member
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Why won't Diouf play?

      1. Manani
        • 14 Years
        11 months, 5 hours ago

        sorry i meant i already got 3 defenders playing this week and will be benched

        1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
          • 14 Years
          11 months, 5 hours ago

          So why would you need a different 4.5 defender?

          1. I Member
            • 10 Years
            11 months, 5 hours ago

            To rotate with Diouf I assume.

            I'd look at Andersen, Dorgu and Richards. Not exactly sure how the fixtures line up.

        2. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 months, 5 hours ago

          You buy players for longer than 1 week

    4. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      I get what you mean. Konsa is the answer or Andersen.

      For the rest ill explain:

      Manani has a full XI already for this week. Will not Bench Boost.
      They want a 4.5 bench defender as cover. Thought Diouf but it did not make sense to buy and then bench for his best fixture.

      1. b91jh
        • 8 Years
        11 months, 5 hours ago

        I'm having the same issue and I'm trying to play Diouf over Reijnders. Not sure if it will backfire. Going Dorgu eases the benching dilemma for this week but he just looks less appealing.

    5. The Pretender
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Surely Diouf plays this week v SUN??

      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 5 hours ago

        Hes a bit confusing but see my above post

  6. LangerznMash
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    Aina would have still outscored Neco Williams with the DefCon points added, so why is no one on Aina?

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Was Aina hurt a couple of GWs

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      He played 360 more mins

  7. Koflok
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    I have Wirtz + Bowen right now

    Worth doing either
    A) Wirtz > Gakpo + save 1m (can do Bowen > Gyokeres next GW with no hits)

    B) Bowen > Pedro + save 0.5m (can do Wirtz > Bruno next GW with no hits)

    C) Stay as is

    1. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      C. Or if you want Gyokeres or Bruno, just get them now.

  8. hazza44
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    Last decision..
    A) Porro & Anderson/Rejinders
    or
    B) VDV & Ndiaye

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      A easily

    2. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      A. Not close.

  9. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    Seeing as how I'm not starting with Dubravka or Guiu I might as well upgrade 4m def to good fixture 4.5 and play BB

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Exactly what I’m thinking mate. See below… Esteve to Konsa, Spence or Diouf is tempting

  10. Juventusfan4life
    • 1 Year
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    5.5 for a defender

    1. Tarkowski ( even though Brainwaithe is injured)
    2. Murillo - forest
    3. Milenkovic - forest.

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      2

  11. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    2

  12. Crazy RedDevil
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    Milenkovic or Murilo?

    1. LangerznMash
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Congratulations! You are the 10,000th person asking this question!

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Milen needs several goals to match Murillo with DC added

  13. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    The sub 7m striker bracket looks really dire.. makes me go back again and again to start with 4 atb instead

    1. The Pretender
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Evanilson looks pretty good to me.

      1. lilmessipran
        • 13 Years
        11 months, 3 hours ago

        Does he though? Long term maybe, but Bou look set for a slow start with all these departures.

  14. AAAFootball
    • 1 Year
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    Just looking at my team and Sarr+Hoever to Lacroix + Reijnders seems so obvious now

    Can't believe i missed it.

  15. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    which is best 6.0 or 5.5 DEF to have: RAN, Frimpong, Cucu, Porro, Milenkovic, Murillo?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Any of those really 😉

    2. The Pretender
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      I think the 5.5's are better value than the 6.0's for the first 3-4 weeks. NFO boys and Porro.

  16. Dutchy
    • 7 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    1) Sanchez / Van DV / Rogers

    or

    2) Sels / Cucurella / Reijnders

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      2

  17. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    Another mark against Salah is Frimpong. Guy is goal hog

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      I’m going without him and Haaland 🙂 no big ML helps but really like my teams balance

    2. rjcv177
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      if he keeps scoring everytime he tries to cross..yeah

  18. Tsparkes10
    • 7 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    Been pretty set on this for a week or so… 0.5m itb and Bbgw1. Thoughts? Worth upgrading Esteve?

    Sanchez
    RAN Murillo Neco
    Wirtz Palmer Kudus Bruno
    Watkins Pedro Ekitike
    (Patterson, Reijnders, VDV, Esteve)

    1. b91jh
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      I won't be bench boosting with Esteve vs TOT, rather save it for another week, or use the 0.5 to get Diouf.

  19. b91jh
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    Think that's my final team to go. 0.5 in the bank

    Sels
    Cucu Porro Milenkovic Diouf
    Palmer Wirtz Rogers
    Haaland Watkins Fullkrug

    Dub Reijnders Gudmundsson King

  20. AAAFootball
    • 1 Year
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    Lacroix or Richards/guehi plus 0.5 ITB?

    WOuld not use the money for anything, probably to immunise me from price changes.

    1. LangerznMash
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Lacroix's value is probably worth more than the £0.5m over Richards.

      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 5 hours ago

        Thanks 🙂

      2. The Pretender
        • 10 Years
        11 months, 5 hours ago

        I actually think that Richards is excellent value. Over the final 3-4 months last season, Richards averaged more DC/90 and similar enough attacking returns (within 0.05 xGI/90, Richards became more attacking).

        Full season, I agree with you, but Richards turned a corner back end of last year once he was well and truly nailed. With Guehi likely out, I think Richards at 4.5 is actually slightly better value. I would value Lacroix close to the 5.5's, lets call it 5.3 or so. I would value Richards closer to 5.1 or so. I think he's better value, but Lacroix will slightly outscore him.

        1. AAAFootball
          • 1 Year
          11 months, 5 hours ago

          True

          WHere can i find those stats?

          (suddenly contmeplating last day change)

          1. The Pretender
            • 10 Years
            11 months, 3 hours ago

            Sorry for the slow response I am at work. Create your own stats table in the FFS Members Area, can pick any number of stats to view, and can then filter by gameweek period.

  21. klopptimusprime
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    Draft Question?

    Best 5th Mid - will rotate this spot regularly based on fixtures/form
    a) Rice
    b) G.Rutter
    c) Malen

    Best 3rd FWD - Longer term pick
    a) Igor Thiago
    b) Füllkrug

    Salah - Marmoush - Semenyo - Sarr - xxx
    Bowen - Wood - xxx

    Thanks!

    1. LangerznMash
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Rice and Fullkrug your safest bets

    2. b91jh
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Rutter and Fullkrug

  22. LangerznMash
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    Name two players that you hope will blank GW1:

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Salah & Haaland 🙂

      1. LangerznMash
        • 9 Years
        11 months, 5 hours ago

        lol what do you think the odds are on that happening? Bet the bookies would offer you 100/1

        1. rjcv177
          • 10 Years
          11 months, 5 hours ago

          thats how u get rich

          1. Moon Dog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 1 Year
            11 months, 5 hours ago

            It's how you get poor

    2. More Tragic
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      watkins & forest D

    3. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      All arsenal and liverpool

      Plus Bowen and AWB

    4. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Haaland and Gyokores. Sweet spot of large ownership combined with large price. Should that investment fail, that's a huge chunk of their owner's budget down the toilet for a week.

  23. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    Which one makes the team:

    A) Mateta
    B) Pedro
    C) S Larsen

    Have already Cucurella and Palmer for Chelsea cover.

    1. rjcv177
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      cant believe people going for Strand Larsen...

    2. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      a or b

      either good.
      JSL non option before gw4

  24. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    if had EXACTLY 1 of NFO DEF/GK, should it be--Sels, Milenkovic, Murillo, or N. Williams? have been on Sels for while, but trying to figure this one out based on the different factors; thanks!

    1. rjcv177
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      honestly...go for one defender.
      U can have Sanchez from Chelsea as a good option at 5.0, and get the DefCons from those Forrest defenders

      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 5 hours ago

        Do i get sanchez or sels

        Sanchez would make it a triple

        Sels would be a double

        I dont like any other keepers except 5.5s and i dont have that much money

        1. LangerznMash
          • 9 Years
          11 months, 5 hours ago

          Does AAAFootball = Pomp and Circumstance's sister account?

          1. AAAFootball
            • 1 Year
            11 months, 5 hours ago

            no lol i just have a similar dillema

            1. AAAFootball
              • 1 Year
              11 months, 5 hours ago

              Not a MCO model

    2. LangerznMash
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      are you asking who we think will offer the best value?

      1. Pomp and Circumstance
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 months, 5 hours ago

        yes; also question on Sanchez--what possibility is there of Chelsea signing another keeper?

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Sels is avoid for me as taking up team spot of similar priced def that can get DC

    4. The Pretender
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Murillo is the guy for me, I think. Much of a muchness with Milenkovic, but Milenko far outperformed his xG last year whereas Murillo underperformed, and is a BP & DC darling. It's basically neck and neck to me.

  25. Bleh
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    Are you BB’ing this week?

    A. Yes
    B. No

    1. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      B

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 4 hours ago

      Undecided

  26. AAAFootball
    • 1 Year
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    Do I Bench Boost this?

    Dub, Lacroix, Rogers, Esteve

    Or guehi would let me get a better keeper
    (But would they get more than 2 points?)

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      I'm considering BB but I'll be changing my nicer 4.5 gk rotation for 2 x 4.5 with best chance of CS this week

    2. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      No. BUR play promoted sides at home GW2 and 8.

      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 5 hours ago

        Did think that but now have convinced myself to play based on MCI vs TOt that week and wc7

        Here is the team if you want to see

        Sels Dub
        Murillo Porro Lacriox Diouf Esteve
        Palmer Rogers Ndaiye Kudus Reijnders
        Haaland Watkins JPedro

        BBGW1

        Good luck lads

        1. Boxwoods
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          11 months, 4 hours ago

          Cheers. Still don’t think your GW1 bench is boost-worthy. Rogers the only one who looks like scoring. Would bench one of the other mids.

  27. b91jh
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    10.1% TSB for mighty Morgan Rogers. Spicy.

  28. LangerznMash
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    Would love to see the reaction on here if Malen scores and Reijnders blanks GW1 ;D

    *I say this as a neutral as I don't own either.

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      Or worse if neither start and Mbuemo scores a hattie

      1. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        11 months, 5 hours ago

        Mbeumo completely overlooked he probably should have been priced higher to be fair

    2. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      I can see that happening easily.

  29. AAAFootball
    • 1 Year
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    Well Cole Palmer has more owners than J Pedro

    I have both and hoping for a haul

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 5 hours ago

      I was thinking about owning both earlier. Palace is actually a horrible fixture and West Ham away next not great either

      1. Moon Dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 5 hours ago

        There are very few nice fixtures in this league. Plenty worse that those two.

      2. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 5 hours ago

        I agree palace quite good but i feel 3-2 chelsea would see me benefit hugely

        West ham? you have to be kidding me

        Their last 3 meetings had a combined score of 10-1 Chelsea

        1. The Pretender
          • 10 Years
          11 months, 5 hours ago

          I am with you AAA, I think West Ham is on the easier end, comfortably.

          1. AAAFootball
            • 1 Year
            11 months, 5 hours ago

            Man its weird to have people call me AAA

            It was just a username ive had from way back

            Is it ok to give my real name?

  30. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 5 hours ago

    I am going with this if it’s an early WC who cares
    And will Rogers start? The back 5 is extreme I will remove some cash as cheaper options emerge

    Would you change Frimpong to Konza
    And Kroupi.Jr to Fulkrug?

    Sanchez

    RAN Frimpong Cucurella Porro Milkenkovic

    Palmer Wirtz Gapko Reinjders

    Haaland

    Dub Rogers Guiu Kroupi.Jr