Captain Sensible
19 September 2025 1111 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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In Gameweek 4, FPL managers who targeted the fixture and captained Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) were rewarded in stoppage time. All three of the Egyptian’s attacking returns have come after the 90th minute!

Erling Haaland (£14.2m) bagged his fourth and fifth goals of the season to continue his stellar record in the Manchester derby, while Cole Palmer (£10.4m) returned from injury against Brentford to remind us of his enduring quality.

Attention now turns to Gameweek 5 and whether there is a case to look beyond Salah, who hosts Everton in the early kick-off, in favour of a differential option.

Captain Sensible is here to help!

First, we will assess the on-site captaincy poll. We will then analyse player and team statistics, Rate My Team (RMT) and the Premier Fantasy Tools ratings ahead of Saturday’s 11am BST deadline.

Captaincy Poll

Gameweek 5 captain best

Among Fantasy Football Scout site users, Salah is the runaway leader in the captaincy poll, currently sitting on just over 50% of the vote. A goal and assist in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday has only increased his appeal. 

Haaland sits in second place once again with a little under 10% backing ahead of Man City’s heavyweight clash with Arsenal at the Emirates. The Norwegian scored in both league fixtures against the Gunners last season. 

Elsewhere, Antoine Semenyo (£7.5m) and Joao Pedro (£7.8m) are the only other players with over 5% of the vote.

Player Stats

FFScout Tom <p>Partnerships &amp; Community Manager. Previously Multimedia Manager and Deputy Social Media Manager.</p>

  1. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    6 months, 27 days ago

    Start Pope or Dubravka?

    1. agueroooooney
      • 11 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      I'd go with Pope

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Pope

    3. Shark Team
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Dubravka imo, can see Burnley defending well again

    4. JBG
      • 7 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Does Dubravka sh*t in the woods?

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Probably if no one is around to see

        1. The Son-dance Kid
          • 7 Years
          6 months, 27 days ago

          If Villa were to play a game in the woods, and no one was around to see it, would they score a goal?

    5. Snoopydog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Pope

  2. agueroooooney
    • 11 Years
    6 months, 27 days ago

    Would you start Richards (and/or Reinildo) over anyone here?

    Kelleher
    Gabriel - Virgil - Milenkovic
    Salah - Wirtz - Cunha - Mitoma - Kudus
    Watkins - Wood

    1. Ibracadebruyne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      No gtg

  3. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    6 months, 27 days ago

    Getting Haaland before Arsenal on a transfer should be written in the books of worst FPL decisions ever made

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Never a bad time to get Haaland in .

      1. Shark Team
        • 8 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        I mean you have to lose Salah to get him that’s the problem

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Scored in both fixtures against them last year

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        And for how many matches has he scored at least one goal in EPL, CL and national team?

        1. Gazwaz80
          • 6 Years
          6 months, 27 days ago

          Haha, Sharks comment bookmark ed for future use…

    3. MJF
        6 months, 27 days ago

        no chance. I once did Sanchez -> Hazard and then Sanchez got a hattrick v West Ham.

    4. Shark_Sandwich
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Henderson - Tark - Livramento - King

      bench boost Yay or Nay??

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Yes

    5. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Start Guiu over Reijnders?

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        No

        1. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          6 months, 27 days ago

          Feel like he could get some decent minutes today against crappy Yanited

      2. Ibracadebruyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        I do

      3. mr_jones
        • 7 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        no,

      4. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        No

      5. Snoopydog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        6 months, 27 days ago

        No

    6. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Salah
      Palmer
      Haaland
      Mateta

      No Semenyo in the captain sensible conclusions.

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Newcastle defence is best so far in terms of xGc

        1. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          6 months, 27 days ago

          That's only because they haven't faced Big Tony yet. After the match their xGc will be bad

        2. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          6 months, 27 days ago

          They've only beaten Wolves in recent games.

          Nil nil against Leeds and Villa.

    7. Here is Cash, give McGinn
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      What to do here? Kind of Lost
      2 FT 2.2.m ITB

      Sels
      Murillo, Konsa, Tosin
      Salah(c), Palmer, Kudus, Rogers
      Wood, Richarlison, Pedro
      Dubravka, Reijnders, VdV, Esteve

      Leaning toward saving and doing Salah+Richa-> Xavi+Haaland next GW and maybe WC after

      1. SharkyT
        • 12 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Roll

    8. SharkyT
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Morning campers.

      Pretty standard decision today that I’m sure a lot have:

      1) Sanchez
      2) Dubravka

      A) VdV
      B)Esteve
      C) Reijnders

      Currently on 2B with Reijnders first sub.
      Tempted to BB Sanch Reijnders VdV Guiu

      1. Here is Cash, give McGinn
        • 6 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        1A

      2. Kingy109
        • 4 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Don't BB with Guiu. The other 3 are fine.

    9. tim
      • 16 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Start Kdh or Reijnders and what to do with captain?

      Salah first match curse! Might have to go with Haaland!

      1. cuppatea78
        • 13 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Tough choice. I think start KdH as Liverpool haven't looked great in defence so far.

        Either Salah or Haaland are good choices IMO. Tough call. I've gone with Haaland but I don't have Salah so don't have to worry. If I had both of probably just about go with Salah.

        1. tim
          • 16 Years
          6 months, 27 days ago

          Cheers!

    10. cuppatea78
      • 13 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      I want to get Palmer in my team next week but already have 3 Chelsea players. It's a choice between selling Sanchez or Cucurella. Would either of these transfers make sense this week or just carry the transfer over and make 2 changes next week?

      A) Vicario (BHA) for Sanchez (MUN)

      B) Senesi (NEW) for Cucurella (MUN)

      C) Romero (BHA) for Cucurella (MUN)

      D) Roll the transfer

      1. Kingy109
        • 4 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Do it next - injury could affect your plans and none of these are amazing upgrades this week.

        1. cuppatea78
          • 13 Years
          6 months, 27 days ago

          That's exactly my thinking.

    11. Kodap
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Bench boost this?

      Dubravka - Gabriel - Grealish - Gudmondsson

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Yes

      2. cuppatea78
        • 13 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Yes mate

      3. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Just start Gabriel

      4. Il Capitano
        • 5 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Yeah

      5. Kingy109
        • 4 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        It will be better on paper than most but I doubt you have 10 better players than Gabriel in reality. I still would

        For context mine is Dubs Reijnders Porro Rodon.

      6. Kodap
        • 8 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Thanks guys, appreciate the responses

      7. Snoopydog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        6 months, 27 days ago

        I would. Much better than my bench!

    12. seanm92
      • 4 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Would you swap Bruno to Palmer this week? Potentially WCing next week but feel like he could score big

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Yeah Palmer looks back in his grove and think he’ll get a lot of joy vs that United backline

      2. cuppatea78
        • 13 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        I would

      3. Ibracadebruyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        No

    13. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Play Reijnders instead of these 5 defenders?

      Cucu, Senesi, Guehi, VDV, Gudmund

      Captain?

      A, Semenyo

      B, Haaland

      C, Salah

      1. Winston.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Reijnders or Guehi
        Salah

      2. Kingy109
        • 4 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Reijnders over Gud surely

      3. mr_jones
        • 7 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        over gud, the only right decision

    14. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Best two picks of these midfielders on wildcard ? Sarr, Ndiaye, Xavi or Eze ?

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Eze and Kevin.

        But not certain starters yet.

        1. Winston.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 months, 27 days ago

          Kevin who…

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            6 months, 27 days ago

            At Fulham

            V attacking midfielder

      2. Kingy109
        • 4 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Ndiaye and Sarr
        Xavi is closer in 3rd
        I wouldn't touch Eze with a barge pole with Champions League plus rotation options

      3. Brazooka
        • 13 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Eze, Sarr

    15. Ibracadebruyne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Play 2 of:

      A. Porro
      B. Senesi
      C. Rodon
      D. Neco

      1. cuppatea78
        • 13 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        A & C

      2. Sid1891
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        A and C

    16. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Anyone without Salah captaining BruNo?

      https://x.com/robtFPL/status/1969302565352292733?t=TqIPPwQOejJ3vnOeomUDzg&s=19

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Wirtz 4th.. lol @ models

      2. Ibracadebruyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Bruno (C) and Mateta (VC) here

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          6 months, 27 days ago

          Bold

    17. FPLMACKEM
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Sanchez
      Andersen, Porro, Richards, Neco Williams
      Salah (c), Wirtz, Fernandes, Semenyo
      Mateta, Watkins

      Dubravka, KDH, Rodon, JSL

      1ft 0.1M ITB.

      Would you BB with this?

      1. Kingy109
        • 4 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Depends on how many minutes you think JSL gets. Not sure if it's 20 or so.

    18. dshv
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      WC

      Vicario 4
      Calafiori VDV Guehi Cucurella 4
      Xavi Gakpo Enzo Semenyo 4.5
      Gyokeres Haaland J.Pedro

      2.2 itb .. what to change here? 2 mil more to fit Palmer to find from somewhere?

      1. Kingy109
        • 4 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        And selling one of Cucu Enzo JP
        Enzo to Reijnders Gakpo to Palmer??!

    19. el polako
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      So do we have consensus regarding the best captain?

      Poll says Salah but but but early KO plus Mo have been really more lucky than in form.

      Semenyo gets a lot of mentions but but but Newcastle seem solid defensively.

      So many questions.

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Salah

      2. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Between Pedro, Semenyo and Ektike for me, leaning Semenyo because hes fresh, nailed and Schar is out

        1. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          6 months, 27 days ago

          I dont have Salalah*

      3. cuppatea78
        • 13 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Are Trippier and Schar fit to play for Newcastle? If not, okay Semenyo.

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

          Schär is definitely out

          https://x.com/fabianschaer/status/1969027908116058510

      4. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        He looked back in form in mid week though

      5. tim
        • 16 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Should be on Haaland but currently on Salah.

      6. Snoopydog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Captained the Norwegian last week, currently on Salah (mainly because of his mid-week performance) but a bit torn still.

      7. el polako
        • 8 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Pretty much agree with all of you hence flip flopping between the two.

        No doubt whoever I choose will bit me in my Polski a…

        1. el polako
          • 8 Years
          6 months, 27 days ago

          *bite

    20. chaser123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Would you bench boost this?

      Sanchez
      Esteve
      Reijnders
      Dewsbury-Hall

      1. el polako
        • 8 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Aye

      2. cuppatea78
        • 13 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Yes

    21. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Bench ok?

      Raya
      Ekdal Vvd Senesi
      Gakpo Semenyo Paqueta Mbuemo
      Haaland Pedro Ekitike

      Dub Elliott Cucu De ligt

    22. TalingtonFC
      • 4 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      I know the answer looks obvious based on fixtures, but play:

      a) Anderson BUR (A); or
      b) Ndiaye LIV (A)

      Thanks!

      1. Kryptonite666
        • 6 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        You know the answer!

        1. TalingtonFC
          • 4 Years
          6 months, 27 days ago

          Haha. Cheers!

      2. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        B, Liverpool not exactly solid, I expect a few goals

        1. TalingtonFC
          • 4 Years
          6 months, 27 days ago

          Thanks!

    23. Kryptonite666
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Please tell me this threemium draft isn’t terrible

      Vicario (Dubs)
      Senesi Lacroix Andersen VdV (Ekdal)
      Salah Palmer Caicedo Semenyo (King)
      Haaland Pedro (Barnes)

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Looks good, I'd go with it.

      2. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Honestly that isnt terrible

      3. Dannyb
        • 9 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        That's actually really good

      4. Kingy109
        • 4 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Are you happy swerving Arsenal completely?

      5. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        King > Anderson and that's looking v hot.

        He's got the mix of defcons, mins and set pieces.

        Assume you'd need to free up a mil to do that. Would downgrade Vicario to a 4.5 (or a 4.0 and play Dubs every week). Lacroix to Guehi/Richards maybe.

    24. krumcake
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Any midfielder 8.5 or lower for one week? I plan to sell Sarr and play bench boost. Might WC next week.

      1. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Ndoye?

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Kevin at Fulham could be the answer.

    25. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Poor start this year and WC early:

      Martinez
      Lacroix Senesi Konsa
      Mitoma Salah Kudus Rejiders Semenyo
      Haaland Gyokeres

      Dubravka, VdV, Reinidlo Guiu

      Thoughts?

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Change Konsa to a DC magnet. Ditch Reijnders, otherwise great.

        1. Sid1891
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 months, 27 days ago

          Tweaked a bit and put Andersen in instead of Konsa

      2. Pedersen
        • 7 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        I am looking to get out of Kudus. Good player but not FPL asset

      3. Hughes Your Daddy
        • 13 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        All looks good apart from Konsa

    26. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Is this Bench Boost worthy?
      Dubravka (NFO)
      Reinildo (AVL)
      King (BRE)
      Dewsbury-Hall (liv)

    27. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      What are Strand Larsen owners doing?

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        Holding, other fires to put out

        1. Garfield1001
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 months, 27 days ago

          Starting or benching?

          1. The FPL Units
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            6 months, 27 days ago

            Benching

            1. Garfield1001
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              6 months, 27 days ago

              Not concerned he starts?

    28. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      GTG?
      Keeping FT to get Haaland next week or WC.

      Sanchez
      Porro/Munoz/Neco
      Salah(c)/Bruno/Semenyo/Kudus/Reijnders
      Watkins/Pedro

      Dub/Gudmu/Kroupi/Dorgu

    29. Danstoke82
      • 11 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Really can’t decide on this, any help much appreciated

      Gakpo > Palmer 1FT

      Yay or Nay?

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        6 months, 27 days ago

        I'd do it. Palmer again United is captain material imo

        1. Danstoke82
          • 11 Years
          6 months, 27 days ago

          Many thanks

    30. AD105
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 27 days ago

      Who starts?

      A) Dubravka (NOT)
      B) Sanchez (mnu)

      1) Rutter (TOT)
      2) VDV (bri)