Captain Sensible
22 August 2025 153 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Over 5,000,000 FPL managers backed either Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) or Erling Haaland (£14.0m) with the armband in Gameweek 1. They were duly rewarded as both players maintained their 100% record of returning on the opening weekend. 

Attention now turns to Gameweek 2, where Arsenal assets in particular come to the fore as the Gunners match up against Leeds United at the Emirates. It promises to be an interesting split among engaged Fantasy managers. 

As ever, the Captain Sensible article is here to help with those captaincy conundrums.

First, we will 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

captain best Gameweek 2

Following Haaland’s brace against Wolves in Gameweek 1, it will come as little surprise to learn that he sits atop the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll among site users. Despite blanking on the opening weekend, Cole Palmer (£10.5m) currently ranks second with West Ham’s 3-0 defeat to Sunderland no doubt fresh in Fantasy managers’ minds. 

Mohamed Salah’s stoppage-time goal against Bournemouth and subsequent bonus point is enough to tempt about one in seven of respondents into giving the Egyptian the armband. Bukayo Saka (£10.5m) is the fourth and final player to garner more than 10% of the vote ahead of a favourable fixture against Leeds United. 

Player Stats: Gameweek 1

price change predictions

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

153 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Hartman better than Esteve for long term bench option?

  2. Clintymints
    • 17 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Best 4.0 def apart from Esteve?

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Leeds and rather Hartman over Esteve

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 8 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Thanks for answering my question as well Kisi

    2. Ruinenlust
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Goodmundson

    3. Mr. O'Connell
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Alderete

  3. SKENG
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Current FH, would really appreciate some feedback/ideas.

    Petrovic
    Gabriel Munoz Senesi
    Saka Mbeumo Semenyo Reijnders
    Haaland Gyokeres Watkins

    (Dubravka Esteve Acheampong King)

    Thanks!

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Salah will haul now I've sold him

      1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
        • 1 Year
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Why did you do that?

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 months, 23 days ago

          I had Haaland no Salah 2 days before first game and listened to too many content creators so went back to Salah. Fixed with -4

          1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
            • 1 Year
            10 months, 22 days ago

            Content creators are not your friend

    2. Ruinenlust
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      No Chelsea?

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        I only have Palmer and wish I had started without him as well as going to Wood instead of Pedro last day

        1. Ruinenlust
          • 8 Years
          10 months, 23 days ago

          Id rather have Palmer over Sakass this week

          1. Kiwivillan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            10 months, 23 days ago

            Are you being Sakasstic?

    3. Nanook
      • 4 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      You have two Bournemouth in defense. I think Petrovic + Munoz to Sels + Lacroix will score more long term. Also, Ache unlikely to be a reliable starter and think I’d pick a different 4.0 defender there, maybe Guds from Leeds.

    4. Full ham tragic
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Looks good

    5. Jackie Moon
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 22 days ago

      On a FH I’d definitely have Palmer and Cucurella this week. I’d go without Haaland and Reijnders to get Palmer in.

  4. Billy Whizz
    • 2 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Is anyone having trouble substituting players on FPL? I’m trying to swap a player but it keeps coming up TRY AGAIN and to check my connection??

    1. ☈☾
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Use the desktop website

  5. Diva
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    FPL Price Changes
    22 August 2025

    1. Diva
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      FPL Price Changes 
      22 August 2025

      UP
      Richarlison 6.6

      DOWN
      Damsgaard 5.9
      March 5.9
      Hinshelwood 5.4
      Colwill 4.9
      Branthwaite 5.4
      McNeil 5.9
      Smith Rowe 5.9
      Andreas 5.4
      Elliott 5.4
      Ederson 5.4
      Savinho 6.9
      Rodrigo 6.4
      Højlund 6.4
      Roberts 5.4
      Bissouma 5.4
      Bowen 7.9

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Wow algos very wrong. Haaland Kudos Very Likely

        Richarlison Unlikely

      2. Mozumbus
        • 4 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Thanks

      3. rainy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 10 Years
        10 months, 22 days ago

        Cheers Diva

  6. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    is it crazy to have a defence of Gabriel / Lacroix / 4.0 / 4.0 / 4.0

    and rotate one of the 4.0s in every week?

    Likely Hartman, Gudmundsson & Reinildo.....

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Probably. Why cheap at back when Palmer and Salah don't look like must haves carrying on end of last season form. What if the template becomes 4 x premium defs

    2. Ruinenlust
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Gabriel has terrible fixtures

    3. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      yes because youre stuck with them

    4. Jackie Moon
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 22 days ago

      Yes! Lots of good 4.5 options if you want to go cheap and still doesn’t cost much more.

    5. JohnnyCroat
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 22 days ago

      Hard to say. You'll need to track def con now as well, and that adds value for sure. 3 or 4 always better than 1 or 2.

      But, in a vacuum, I see nothing wrong with your plan.

  7. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Start

    A: Rodon
    B: Esteve

    1. Ruinenlust
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      The one playing Arsenal away obviously

  8. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    anyone playing Dubruvka everyweek and doing 2 x 4.0m keepers?

    1. Hubert
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      3 x 4.0 defenders and 2 x 4.0 keepers is asking for trouble

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 14 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        If there was ever a season to do it, it's this one with the new rules. You'll be a pioneer.

  9. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    So damn nonsense. Before that damsgaard ownership was just 1.2 percent. Now he is 0.9 percent. How did he even drop price??

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Price drops always extremely harsh on differentials.

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 6 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        and more difficult to predict (Ragabolly put the ownership threshold at 3%(?), below which the algorithm was less reliable)

  10. sozopol
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Why is Palmer a much more popular captain choice than Watkins this week? Both on pens. Brentford and West Ham both look awful. What am I missing?

    1. Letsgo!
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Yeah i even wanna sell palmer . Lol

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Not sure why you think Watkins is on penalties

    3. Mr. O'Connell
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Ever seen Watkins take a pen? Highly doubt he's on them. Tielemans first choice imo. Basing this on no hard evidence.

    4. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Watkins isnt guaranteed to be on pens

    5. Casual Player
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      FPl Review

    6. Jackie Moon
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 22 days ago

      If I had Watkins I would consider him as captain over Palmer. Might not be on pens though.

    7. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 22 days ago

      You don't know for sure that Watkins is on pens.

    8. Riverside Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 22 days ago

      So did Villa

  11. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Okay then, locked my wildcard, out with my friends tomorrow. GTG?

    Sels
    Cucurella Dorgu Hartman
    Salah Rogers Kudus Reijnders
    Haaland(C) Ekitike Wood

    Dubravka King VDV Gudmundsson

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Why a Burnley 4m Def over a Sunderland one?

      My wildcard very similar. I have Semenyo and Mayenda to your Ekitike and King.

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 8 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        I expect Burnley CS at home in this game, plus Hartman has set pieces as well as DefCon potential, plays wingback in 5 man defence. Also, he is more secure long term over someone like Reinildo at Sunderland.

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 14 Years
          10 months, 23 days ago

          Fair play.

    2. Fiasco da Gama
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Kneejerk FC

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 8 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Hoping to get my team sorted early for a long run.

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 months, 23 days ago

          Don't you WC after game 1 every season or am I thinking of another poster?

          1. Riverside Red
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            10 months, 22 days ago

            You said I was chasing last week's points with a similar WC team....

      2. Mr. O'Connell
        • 14 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Depends what the original team was. Could have had Palmer, Frimpong, Bowen, João Pedro, Ndiaye etc.

        1. Fiasco da Gama
          10 months, 23 days ago

          Only one of those is injured

    3. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Maybe downgrade Ekitike to a 7.5 and shore up defence? Rest looks good

    4. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Seriously though, we only have 3 players the same and I prefer my team and have no intention of WCing. I did -4 because good score GW1 BB felt I could afford it

      1. Riverside Red
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        10 months, 22 days ago

        Good on you

    5. Jackie Moon
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 22 days ago

      Pretty good. I’d probably want some Bournemouth though. Maybe in place of Ekitike.

    6. Riverside Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 22 days ago

      Shared my wildcard team yesterday on here and there was a lot of distain for using it so early....

  12. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    A lot of close calls in my team, what are people's thoughts on these?

    A Start one: Sanchez or Dubravka
    B Start one: Neco or J Andersen
    C Captain: Salah or Palmer

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Sanchez
      Neco
      Salah (although tempted to say Palmer after I captained last week and have sold)

    2. Four Letter Wirtz
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      A. Sanchez (you spent the $ on him)
      B. Neco (Crystal Palace looked flat today and will be on short rest)
      C. Salah (no Palmer c for me until he actually does something)

      1. Full ham tragic
        • 3 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Yep agree
        Sanchez
        Neco
        Salah

  13. Koflok
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Surely start Murillo Porro Guehi over Esteve?

    1. Full ham tragic
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Yeah I would

    2. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Esteve over Porro

  14. Sz21
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Team starting from GW 2.

    Anything staring out to change..

    Sanchez.
    Ait- Nouri, Gabriel, Diakite.
    Fernandes, Reijnders, Gakpo, Semenyo.
    Haaland, Gyokeres, Wood.
    Dubravka, Van Der Wen, Cash, Anderson.
    0.5m ITB

    1. Pomp and Circumstance
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      looks nice; Arsenal have some tough early fixtures, but they were of course the top defense last season and are title contenders

  15. Sz21
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Team starting from GW 2.
    Anything you'd change?

    Sanchez.
    Ait- Nouri, Gabriel, Diakite.
    Fernandes, Reijnders, Gakpo, Semenyo.
    Haaland, Gyokeres, Wood.
    Dubravka, Van Der Wen, Cash, Anderson.
    0.5m ITB

    1. Full ham tragic
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Gtg

  16. Casual Player
    • 5 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Was there a Career HoF update this off-season? Can't find it, every other year there's been an article.

    Similarly any updates of the H2H leagues? I know that one is a huge undertaking. Just good to know an ETA.

  17. Full ham tragic
    • 3 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Was hoping to save free trade but Frimpong injury has me rattled. Who to trade him to this week ?
    Or play
    Vdv (mci)
    Diouf or fullkrug (che)
    Any suggestions appreciated
    Cheers

    1. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Play Fullkrug. Defenders could easily get two points like him. And he may surprise you with G/A

      1. Full ham tragic
        • 3 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Thanks was leaning that way , just wasn’t sure if diouf was attacking enough for same reason, didn’t see there game last week but from all reports it wasn’t great attacking?

  18. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    captain--Haaland or Palmer? these are choices considering; don't have an Arsenal player or Salah and not really considering Watkins though do have him

    1. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Definitely Haaland.

      1. Full ham tragic
        • 3 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Haaland 100%

  19. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Phew..so glad Haaland price did not rise. Quite a surprise. In he comes next round

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Don't you think he will rise tomorrow?

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      I pulled the trigger -4 in case he rose. Quite happy to have Elliot Anderson instead of Piroe in my 15

  20. Tibbs
    • 15 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    When in doubt I normally do nothing, but thoughts;

    1) Wirtz > Cunha, Mbuemo or Bruno
    2) Watkins > Gyro (and Captain)
    3) do nothing and Captain Salah, Watkins or Palmer.

    Cunha and Mbuemo looked lively against Arsenal while Gyro didn’t have the best audition in his first game.

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Mbuemo seemed to be priced to low if you look at his points from last year. I think I will get him but will leave it a few weeks. It would probably be for Wirtz too if I do it but also want to give him a few weeks.

  21. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    I nearly made it to not not use the FT but Frimpong to Garbriel now seems resonable ?

    1. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Actually hit me up the best 4.0 mil defender for a few weeks I want to leave the option to get Salah to go with Haaland and will need the 2 mil

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        See how Bijol goes if starts for Leeds after carry over suspension

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          10 months, 22 days ago

          Cheers if you had to have a Che defender that was not Sanchez or Cucurella who would it be?

          1. AAAFootball
            • 1 Year
            10 months, 22 days ago

            Nobody tbh

            1. Albrightondknight
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              10 months, 22 days ago

              Thanks went around in circles and just did Frimpong to Munoz. My defenders are all 5.5 or 6 - no point in cheaping out now 🙂

  22. Tsparkes10
    • 7 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    A few pondering decisions…
    1) Bench Kudus or Wirtz
    2) Bench Reinildo or Williams (Playing Murillo)
    3) Captain Palmer or Watkins

    1. Mother Farke
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      1) Kudus
      2) Reinildo. Spread your bets.
      3) Watkins.

    2. Mother Farke
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      2) Williams* Spread your bets.

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Kudus
      Williams
      Watkins

    4. Lav
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      1. Wirtz (if you have Salah)
      2. Williams
      3. Tough, I would lean Watkins

    5. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 22 days ago

      3 Ws

  23. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Ok need your thoughts on this move below;

    Palmer > Saka (have J Pedro)

    Don't have any ARS cover in my team...

    Y or N

    1. Lav
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Will you captain Saka?

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Either Saka or Watkins.

        1. Lav
          • 9 Years
          10 months, 22 days ago

          I think if you get Saka in you have to captain. Otherwise hold off

    2. 824545201
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 22 days ago

      I'd rather have Semenyo than Saka. Both short and long term.

    3. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 22 days ago

      Stick tbh

      Not much point either way. I will stick and reevaluate, consider bruno

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 22 days ago

        Have bruno 🙂

    4. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 22 days ago

      Same dilemma, will most probably end up making the move and capping saka.

  24. Lav
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Good (early) morning those in the UK! Two questions…

    Captain:
    A. Salah - NEW (A)
    B. Palmer - WHU (A)
    C. Watkins - BRE (A)
    D. Evanilson - WOL (H)

    Start two:
    1. Murillo - CRY (A)
    2. Guehi - NFO (H)
    3. Porro - MCI (A)
    4. Esteve - SUN (H)

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 22 days ago

      Good afternoon here
      C1 and you pick the other

  25. dansmith1985
    • 4 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Sels
    Williams Porro Cucu
    Salah Palmer Wirtz Reijnders Anderson
    Watkins Pedro

    Dubravka
    Diouf
    Guiu
    Konsa

    G2G or should I trade Konsa/Diouf to Senesi so I can bench Porro?

    1. Lav
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Good to go, just hope for a Porro attacking return vs burning a transfer

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      G2G

      thoughts on my question above?

  26. NZREDS
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Start:

    Diouf (CHE)
    De Cupyer (EVE)
    Esteve (SUN)

    Was thinking Esteve but Sunderland looked decent last game.

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 22 days ago

      De Cuyper

  27. 824545201
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 22 days ago

    I'm seeing several asking about Saka/ARS coverage.
    Saka is a horribly overrated and overpriced FPL asset, especially without pens. Arsenal coverage is done with double defenders, not their useless attackers.

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 22 days ago

      Saka tc activated

  28. TochanMama
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 22 days ago

    Guys,
    Which one seems like the better pick here? Getting rid of AWB.

    A) Alderete
    B) Diakite
    C) Reinildo
    D) Dorgu

    This is going to be a short term pick, so I'm leaning towards either of the Sunderland guys considering their fixtures.

    Thoughts and suggestions please!

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 22 days ago

      Dorgu

  29. AC Pilkington
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 22 days ago

    Which combo is best for FH2?

    A) Evanilson and Rogers (no Bou defence)

    B) Watkins and Petrovic

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 22 days ago

      B

  30. WVA
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 22 days ago

    Best captain?

    A. Semenyo
    B. Palmer
    C. Salah

    1. NZREDS
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 22 days ago

      C - captain reliable; set and forget - from those 3 anyway