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. GoonerByron
    • 14 Years
    11 months, 2 hours ago

    Best combination for Bench Boost?

    A) J Pedro + Dewsbury Hall
    B) Fulkrug + Kudus

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 6 Years
      11 months, 2 hours ago

      B

    2. The Pretender
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      A. I like KDH over Fulkrug and Pedro over Kudus.

    3. thorvaldsson
      • 13 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      Have all 4 lol

  2. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 6 Years
    11 months, 2 hours ago

    A) Sánchez Porro Anderson(mid)
    B) Sels Cucurella KDH

    1. Bavarian
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 2 hours ago

      B

    2. Bluetiger1
      • 4 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      B

  3. Bavarian
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 2 hours ago

    A- Rogers-Lacroix
    B- Sarr (CRY)-Porro

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 6 Years
      11 months, 2 hours ago

      B

  4. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 months, 2 hours ago

    does anyone have Cunha in their teams? should have him or use funds to strengthen defense?

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

      I don't get the pick. Would have to see some returns first.

    2. BerryMaze
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      I have him. Expect a lot from him. Class player.

  5. Raiser153
    • 5 Years
    11 months, 2 hours ago

    Why are people considering Bench Boost? Would it not be better to save it for a double game week?

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

      You get same chips twice. No. Dgw before 31st Dec likely

  6. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    11 months, 2 hours ago

    Starting to think it's safe to start the season with Salah rather than Haaland. Can't be falling behind straight away in case Salah explodes.

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 2 hours ago

      Of course it's safer to start with Salah. It's also harder to start with a good rank with him. Risk v reward

  7. FPLAnon
    • 1 Year
    11 months, 2 hours ago

    Does anyone know if you can leave any mini league before the season starts or is it locked until the season starts?

    I tried leaving at the end of last season after GW38 was finished and it was locked.

  8. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    11 months, 2 hours ago

    Anyways. Which scores more?

    A: Wirtz + Larsen/Welbeck
    B: Gakpo + Wood

    1. GoonerByron
      • 14 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      A, but I prefer Fulkrug to Larsen

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      Wellbeck played in second string team last friendly

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      Wish I could Gakpo and Wood without sacrificing elsewhere so has to be Gakpo and Piero for BB

  9. Jude Rooney
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    Morning,

    Will the DEFCON points show live in-game or after the 90 mins?

    1. Ruinenlust
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      Live

    2. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 6 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      I don't know, but expect it's like goalkeeper saves and therefore updated during the match.

  10. The Final Boss
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    Guys, looooong time.....Need your help now.

    Sanchez Dubravka
    Porro Williams Anderson Dorgu Esteve
    Salah Palmer Bruno Wirtz ****
    Watkins Gui ****

    A) Strand Larsen Dewsburry- Hall
    B) Fulkrug Andersen

    1. Lav
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      A

  11. Ian Davis
    • 16 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    A) Frimpong/Ait-Nouri / A Ramsey (bench) / Mateta

    or

    B) Aina / KDH (5th mid on bench) / Bowen

    1. Lav
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      B

  12. Valar(Keith)
    • 16 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    Verbruggen (Dubravka)
    Williams Vdv Diouf Konsa _________.
    Salah Palmer Reijnders Kdh ________.
    Haaland Larsen (Guiu)

    Ok I'm set in stone with the rest. Just need help with these last 2 spots

    A) Milenkovic + Rogers

    If Rogers is declared fit this is my safety option. Can go 4-5-1, 5-3-2, 4-4-2, 3-5-2 etc depending on if Larsen/Reijnders/Kdh end up being failed punts . Rogers could match the likes of the 8+ mids considering their fixture run in the short to medium term. Milenkovic could be the highest scoring defender by GW 6 due to their fixture run+defcons+goal threat

    B) Esteve + Wirtz

    Explosive option with literally all the big hitters id want with Wirtz in there. Could still go 4 at the back if needed here and there but would mostly be a 3-5-2 every week with only one good sub. Would need to rely on transfers if Reijnders, Kdh, Larsen fail first few weeks

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

      I'm only getting Verb as GK for 2nd keeper BB. Don't want him with Brighton defence long term

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        11 months, 1 hour ago

        Ideally I'd want kelleher. But waiting on his injury update /may swap him in post Gw5 . Don't mind verbruggens first 5 tbh

      2. Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        11 months, 1 hour ago

        Actually I could get aina and sels for Milenkovic and Verbruggen. Those 2 should outscore the latter 2 over the first 6

        1. Valar(Keith)
          • 16 Years
          11 months, 1 hour ago

          Or even konsa to Esteve and Verbs to Sels(and keep Milenkovic). Could work. Cheers

    2. Bluetiger1
      • 4 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      B

  13. C_G
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    pick a combo (have Rogers):

    Saka + Bowen

    OR

    Watkins + Bruno

    1. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      Watkins. I think Saka could be a sleeper, but was injured a lot last season and Arsenal have tough opening fixtures.

      1. Ruinenlust
        • 8 Years
        11 months, 1 hour ago

        Arsenal’s opening 2 fixtures are very blue?

        1. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
          • 12 Years
          11 months, 1 hour ago

          2nd is great. Away to MU is probably good.

          1. The Pretender
            • 10 Years
            11 months, 37 mins ago

            Next 4 are tough.

  14. b91jh
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    Diouf vs Dorgu gives me headache...
    Who to go for? Likely will be 1st sub at usual times.

  15. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
    • 12 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    A) Kudus and Cucurella
    B) Rogers and Tarkowski

    Sels
    Porro Neco ___
    Salah Palmer Wirtz Reijnders ___
    Watkins Joao

    1. Lav
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      A

    2. Bluetiger1
      • 4 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      A

  16. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    BB gives me Verbruggen Diouf Stach De Cuyper.

    Worth it? I always hate BB and playing now because get another 2nd half of season

    1. b91jh
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      I don't really rate BB1 when a 4.0 keeper is available very soon while we force to bring a 4.5 for a one-week chip.
      Re the question: I prefer Xhaka over Stach. The rest looks fine.

  17. sjhuk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    Last minute crisis

    1. sjhuk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      Emoji ruined message

      a wirtz, Richard’s, Diouf
      b Anderson, aitnouri, frimpong

      1. b91jh
        • 8 Years
        11 months, 1 hour ago

        A, allows you to free up funds easier when needed

  18. Ruinenlust
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    KDH or Reindeer?

    Saka or Wirtz?

    1. b91jh
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      Rejijijiiindreeres and Wirtz

  19. Somar
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    What is wrong with the design of the fpl website? the team name, leagues and player list are all on the left side of the screen? is that normal or is it just my computer

  20. Lav
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    Template FC, but I cant see much better...thoughts on what to maybe change?

    Sels
    Cucu Porro Diouf
    Salah Palmer MGW Kudus Ndiaye
    Watkins JP

    Dubravka DeCuyper Esteve Guiu

  21. vincentwsho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    KDH or PM Sarr?

  22. Lallana_
    • 12 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    So Man City are projected to score the most goals and have the second most cleansheets in the first 6.

    Is Ait Nouri still too risky?

    1. The Pretender
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      If he was nailed to play all 6 he would be a must. The concern is whether he plays 4, 5 or 6. I expect 5.

      1. Lallana_
        • 12 Years
        11 months, 1 hour ago

        Even 5 games would be good but if he got benched during the BUR(H) game that would be annoying

        1. The Pretender
          • 10 Years
          11 months, 36 mins ago

          Correct - and its completely unpredictable, hence why I am avoiding. Upside is elite and wouldnt shock me, but the unpredictable rotation is what kills me.

  23. Stap
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    Thoughts?

    Sels (dubravka)
    Williams - Konsa - VdV - Diouf - Esteve
    Palmer - Salah (c) - Wirtz - Fernandes - KDH
    Watkins - JP - Guiu

    Fernandes doesn't have great fixtures.
    Could downgrade to Rogers and upgrade defense (VdV to Porro) or KDH to Reijnders

  24. jaxxden
    • 4 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    Are both van den berg and Richards (palace) nailed for gw 1-8? Thought

    1. The Pretender
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      Richards is.

  25. Ninjaa
    • 15 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    Thoughts on this please chaps? Criticism welcome

    Sanchez Dubravka
    Vvd VDVen De Cuyper Diouf Konza
    Salah Palmer Ndiaye Damsgard Anderson
    Watkins Pedro Wood

    Any way I can beef up the midfield, would be willing to lose either Anderson or Damsgaard,. Not fully convinced on my front 3 either. Thanks

    1. BerryMaze
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      Wood to Guiu gives you 3M.

  26. _Freddo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    Question. Does the new defensive actions benefit the more cheaper defenders than the 5.5 range?

    At 5.5 you expect CS with it but will teams like Everton really keep a lot of them?

    The 4-4.5m defenders who excel at it surely extract the most value from the rules, you’d take 3/4 points from a 4m defender & be happy more than you would 5.5 no?

  27. HelmutCool
    • 4 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    Bad case of morning Salah fomo....

    1. The Pretender
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 35 mins ago

      Start him and move off if needed.

  28. _Freddo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    Morning all, would you BB Verbruggen, KDH, Spence & VDV/Roden?

  29. koppite1210
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    I've gone Saka over Palmer.

    A) Bruno, Strand Larsen
    B) Gyokeres and Ndiaye or Sarr (Palace)

    If B, 1) Ndiaye or 2) Sarr

    GL all!

  30. Kristobal
    • 14 Years
    11 months, 1 hour ago

    A) Dubravka, Diouf & Strand Larsen
    B) Martinez, 4.0 & Bowen

    1. Club-De-Belon
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      I hope you are talking about back up goalkeeper, not your main one.

      A easy

    2. Kristobal
      • 14 Years
      11 months, 1 hour ago

      No sorry 🙂

      A) Dubravka, 4.0 & Bowen
      B) Martinez, Diouf, Strand Larsen

      Too early 🙂