Captain Sensible
17 October 2025 496 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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After Erling Haaland (£14.5m) scored for the fifth consecutive Premier League match in a row against Brentford and bagged yet another Norway hat-trick over the international break, the Gameweek 8 captaincy decision will once again be straightforward for the majority.

But in Captain Sensible, we wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t ask if there was a case to look beyond the Norwegian this week.

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


Captaincy Poll

Best captain Gameweek 8

As expected, Haaland’s stunning early-season form sees him top the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll yet again. Among site users, the Norwegian is the runaway leader in the poll, currently sitting on over 62% of the popular vote. 

For the second week running, Antoine Semenyo (£7.9m) occupies a distant second place, with a little over 7% of the vote. The Ghanaian international outscored Haaland in Gameweek 17, scoring twice and assisting against Fulham.

Chelsea duo Joao Pedro (£7.7m) and Enzo Fernandez (£6.7m) complete the top four ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Nottingham Forest at lunchtime on Saturday. Nick Woltemade (£7.2m) is the only other player to pick up more than 5% backing.


Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks

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

496 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. _Greg
    • 16 Years
    6 months, 1 day ago

    Tom and Az going live on YouTube in twenty mins if you want to ask them any questions:

    https://www.youtube.com/live/z8A1mSil2FY?si=rKamcP5ufxCNL4V1

  2. GE
    • 9 Years
    6 months, 1 day ago

    1) Bruno -> Sarr
    2) Bruno -> Enzo
    3) Roll

    (2FT, 0.2 itb, BB active)
    Pope (Dubravka)
    Gabriel/Chalobah/VdV (Senesi, Rodon)
    Bruno/Foden/Semenyo/Reijnders (Xhaka)
    Haaland/Pedro/Gyokeres

    1. Moon Dog
        6 months, 1 day ago

        3.

        Keep rollin'. A lot can change in a week.

      • _Greg
        • 16 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        Bruno is gonna score this week anyway why would you take him out?

      • Ha.
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        1

      • Ausman
        • 2 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        1

      • DavvaMC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        Think Enzo not likely to start

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      How do we think all the Chelsea's injuries/ non availability will affect Joao Pedro?

      1. Malkmus
        • 14 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        It's hard to say, certainly no palmer is a big miss but Chelsea do have good fixtures over next 5. He has to deliver over next 2 for me though or he's out. Quite a few good forwards decently priced.

      2. _Greg
        • 16 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        Nah he's a bit of a loose cannon. He's just there to distract others whilst the other players demonstrate passing near their opponents box.

      3. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        Can't get excited about a guy that doesn't take shots

    3. Fpl_Juggernaut
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      Why no mention of Garnacho or Estevao, good fixtures they are surely gonna play with palmer injury and estevao has good underlying data too

      1. _Greg
        • 16 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        Nacho has Gittens to worry about. Now Estêvão...

        1. Fpl_Juggernaut
          • 6 Years
          6 months, 1 day ago

          Garnacho is clearly first choice...Gittens will sub on late on the left hand side

          1. _Greg
            • 16 Years
            6 months, 1 day ago

            If you say so. I happen to agree with you but it's not as clear cut based on the available evidence.

            1. Fpl_Juggernaut
              • 6 Years
              6 months, 1 day ago

              I understand the worry about garnacho but Estevao is definitely an exciting high upside punt who can play rw as well as palmer role if enzo or neto are out

    4. Gudjohnsen
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      Ramsey, Gyokeres to

      A. Paqueta, J.Pedro
      B. Enzo, Woltemade
      C. Hold

      Would use BB if I do A and B

      1. _Greg
        • 16 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        B and BB

      2. mcsteely
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        B

    5. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 1 day ago

      ‘Reece is fully fit’!

      1. _Greg
        • 16 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        Kyle Reece died at the end of the film mate!

      2. Ball Ake
        • 1 Year
        6 months, 1 day ago

        Reece's in pieces

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

      Saka and Palmer could be the biggest traps this year. Both seem to be very injury prone at this stage in their careers. Palmer already struck down twice this season, Saka once. Both had injury issues last year too.
      Saka a calculated avoid due to this

      1. Malkmus
        • 14 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        Disagree. He looks in great form so keep until any injuries imo. I think with this year's pricing is very generous, so it's quite easy to fit saka in.

      2. Sun God Nika
        • 5 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        yep , hopefully they get back to 100% one day

        but just like last season i shant be going for saka - either eze or rice for me when i do bring in a mid

        and hoping they strike gold for me like trossard did for me

      3. _Greg
        • 16 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        I reckon Palmer can't resist playing out with his mates so his groin never heals lol.

      4. EDEN THE MAN
        • 9 Years
        6 months, 1 day ago

        Not sure about the broad sweeping-ness of this take

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

          Better than RMTs or A vs Bs

      5. MJF
          6 months, 1 day ago

          Any player can get injured anytime. I don't think Saka has historically proven to be injury prone.

      6. Moon Dog
          6 months, 1 day ago

          No mention of Tosin by Maresca... So I guess I just assume he's fit?!

          Which 3 would you play from:

          A. Lacroix (BOU)
          B. Senesi (cry)
          C. Andersen (bur)
          D. Tosin (nfo)

          1. _Greg
            • 16 Years
            6 months, 1 day ago

            Tosin is fit, so is Fofana.

            1. Moon Dog
                6 months, 1 day ago

                Ah okay thank you. Nice boost before a good run of fixtures...

                1. _Greg
                  • 16 Years
                  6 months, 1 day ago

                  I'd have both if I could! Might be getting Tosin next week. Or Sesko...

            2. The Mentaculus
              • 4 Years
              6 months, 1 day ago

              Andersen plays Arsenal, not Burnley. I'd start the other 3

              1. Moon Dog
                  6 months, 1 day ago

                  Oops that was meant to be Rodon

                  Yeah Andersen is on my bench for sure. Must have been thinking about him as I wrote that 😆

            3. Malkmus
              • 14 Years
              6 months, 1 day ago

              Is it necessary to have any liverpool players? I'm struggling to fit any in. Salah is way overpriced, it's tough to fit Isak in and not convinced on gakpo, ekitike etc

              1. MJF
                  6 months, 1 day ago

                  Is your FPL team called Slanted & Enchanted?

                  1. Malkmus
                    • 14 Years
                    6 months, 1 day ago

                    Ha, no unfortunately not

                  2. _Greg
                    • 16 Years
                    6 months, 1 day ago

                    That makes me think of fancy va-jayjays

                • Sun God Nika
                  • 5 Years
                  6 months, 1 day ago

                  its not necesary to have or to not have any players

                  as long as your players chosen are returning for you is all that matters

                  1. Malkmus
                    • 14 Years
                    6 months, 1 day ago

                    Indeed. Just seems odd not to have any players from a team in second place.

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

                      Not got any for this GW (or for last) but keeping flexibility in the team (FTs and funding) to jump back in as/when they "click"... Thinking likely to be Isak (unless Salah returns to form)

                      1. Malkmus
                        • 14 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        Thanks. Yeah you would think a 130m striker would come good at some point. He will be a big differential if he does. I think Salah is not worth it, no trent = no party

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

                          Think lack of Trent has had a big impact. Does feel weird not having Salah for MUN and will probably bite me on the bum, but hey ho.

                          1. Malkmus
                            • 14 Years
                            6 months, 1 day ago

                            Yeah, no trent has been massive, Salah really misses those quick 30-40 yard passes to find him in space. Can see Mo scoring on sunday, prob a pen, but no way is he worth the 14.5m

                • The Hunt
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 16 Years
                  6 months, 1 day ago

                  No Liverpool needed. This could be a disappointing season for them.

              2. Jinswick
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 15 Years
                6 months, 1 day ago

                Best move here? BB Active.

                A) Save FT
                B) Alderete -> Mukiele
                C) Alderete & Gyokeres -> Calafiori & Wolte

                Pope, Dubravka
                Timber, Senesi, Richards, Rodon, Alderete
                Saka, Semenyo, Sarr, Gordon, Xhaka
                Haaland, Gyokeres, Mateta

                Bank 0.1m, 3FTs, BB & FH left

                1. Ha.
                  • 10 Years
                  6 months, 1 day ago

                  A

                  I think Alderete will play

                2. Moon Dog
                    6 months, 1 day ago

                    A.

                    Keep Rollin'

                3. mcsteely
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 16 Years
                  6 months, 1 day ago

                  A. Wood to Woltemade
                  B. Wood to DCL
                  C. Wood and Bruno to DCL and Saka -4

                  1. Malkmus
                    • 14 Years
                    6 months, 1 day ago

                    What about Bowen?

                  2. Ha.
                    • 10 Years
                    6 months, 1 day ago

                    A

                    Bring in Saka next week

                4. Sun God Nika
                  • 5 Years
                  6 months, 1 day ago

                  Any fellow hive members going to bench boost this GW with their burnley and leeds players

                5. Lx789
                    6 months, 1 day ago

                    Pope (Dubs)
                    Gabriel Esteve VDV (Lacroix, Virgil)
                    Semenyo Mbeumo Reijnders Minteh (Grealish)
                    Haaland (c) J Pedro Richarlison

                    A. GTG
                    B. WC
                    C. Richarlison to Wolt

                    1. Tsparkes10
                      • 7 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      A but start VVD

                  • Tonyawesome69
                    • 7 Years
                    6 months, 1 day ago

                    Andersen v Tarkowski for first sub to potentially cover Alderete no-show

                    - Fulham and Everton have 17% and 12% CS odds respectively
                    - Man City and Arsenal are projected to score 2.1 and 1.8 goals respectively (-1 per 2 goals conceded)
                    - I think Both players are likely to hit defcon

                    Any other factors to consider?

                    Which team is more likely to concede a goal from a set piece?

                    *data taken from Robt

                    1. Ha.
                      • 10 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      Tark

                    2. Moon Dog
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        Andersen

                        Ain't no one stopping that City attack.

                      • Ausman
                        • 2 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        I'd go with Andersen.
                        Fulham have conceded 2 goals in three home games and have 1 CS against Leeds. They also haven't lost at home.
                        Everton have failed to keep a CS away, conceding 5 goals in three games. They haven't won away.

                        While I expect Man City and Arsenal to both win, Fulham could make life hard for their opponent, while I expect Man City to belt Everton.

                      • _Greg
                        • 16 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        Did you check the ace graph from a week ago which detailed which teams got Defcon against?

                    3. Bobby_Baggio
                      • 14 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      Morning all - 1FT and 0.1m ITB. Save FT or get P.M Sarr out?

                      Raya
                      VDV - Virgil - Richards
                      Salah - Semenyo - Sarr - P.M Sarr
                      Woltemade - Wood - Haaland

                      (Valdimarsson) - Rodon - De Cuyper - KDH

                      1. Tsparkes10
                        • 7 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        Save

                        1. Bobby_Baggio
                          • 14 Years
                          6 months, 1 day ago

                          thanks

                      2. Ha.
                        • 10 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        Save for now

                        Sarr and Wood > King and Bowen next week

                        1. Bobby_Baggio
                          • 14 Years
                          6 months, 1 day ago

                          Cheers

                    4. Tsparkes10
                      • 7 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      A) Is Mbuemo to Saka worth an FT this week?

                      B) Bench VDV or Richarlison

                      1. Ha.
                        • 10 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        Yes

                        VDV

                      2. Bobby_Baggio
                        • 14 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        A) Yea

                        B) VDV - Spurs will concede

                    5. The Final Boss
                      • 8 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      So wildcarders are you going with Enzo especially after Maresca's comments?

                      1. Ha.
                        • 10 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        No

                      2. Tonyawesome69
                        • 7 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        He's a pick beyond this GW anyway. Just have a good bench to cover

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

                      With Enzo not certain to play, would you still bring him in on WC?

                      1. Ha.
                        • 10 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        No

                      2. The Pesci challenge
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 11 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        No, I’ve gone for Caicedo instead

                        1. Ha.
                          • 10 Years
                          6 months, 1 day ago

                          ...who is also a doubt

                    7. Amartey Partey
                      • 6 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      J Pedro to Bowen or hold?

                      I’m kind of sick of JP now.

                    8. Tonyawesome69
                      • 7 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      Maresca did not rule Enzo for this GW.

                      I don't see why folks on WC would not have Enzo in their team, just have a strong bench. Non WC teams can wait until GW9.

                      "And then we have Moi [Caicedo], Enzo [Fernandez], Pedro [Neto], they didn't take part in the session yesterday, and we'll see if they can train today, otherwise they're going to be out."

                      https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/news/every-word-enzo-maresca-said-32694882

                      1. Tonyawesome69
                        • 7 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        Rule out Enzo*

                      2. The Mentaculus
                        • 4 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        Aye, a poor transcription on the initial 'live' article then to just say "out" rather than "otherwise they're going to be out"

                      3. Tonyawesome69
                        • 7 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        For info - Maresca presser from 2:39 onwards

                        https://youtu.be/mwAHNf2HAkE?si=gCbkpRzekIs817wW

                    9. Powers106
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 10 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      Why no love for Gravenberch? On WC I’ve gone no-Salah but wouldn’t he be a bit of LIV cover, or is he just not nailed or something else?

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

                        He's the inform auto pick into midfield atm.

                      2. Ausman
                        • 2 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        He's not a noted goal scorer and needs to show more consistency before I consider him. Liverpool cover is not essential IMO.

                    10. thewhitepele
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 10 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      Got 1ft and 3.1 itb.

                      Sels (Dubs)
                      Gabriel Munoz Gudmund (VDV Diouf)
                      Bruno Semenyo Foden Kudus Reijnders
                      Haaland Pedro (Guiu)

                      A) GTG
                      B) Guiu -> Woltemade (bench Reijnders)
                      C) Foden -> Saka
                      D) WC

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

                        C

                        Will Munoz start in Saturday?

                        His match finishes at 1am on Wednesday morning.

                        So arrived back late Wednesday/ Thursday and rested today??

                        1. thewhitepele
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 10 Years
                          6 months, 1 day ago

                          Cheers, I think he will start, he was rested on Wednesday

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

                            Yeah, you're probably right

                            It's just the travel time

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

                      Will Senesi start on Saturday?

                    12. aaroncfc
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 9 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      Would you bench boost this:

                      Dubravka (LEE)
                      Senesi (cry)
                      Dewsbury-Hall (mci)
                      Gudmundsson (bur)

                      Have 3 FT and 0.3 ITB so could increase bench strength if needed

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

                        Switch KDH up? Have you got Sarr?

                        Is Senesi predicted to start?

                        1. aaroncfc
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 9 Years
                          6 months, 1 day ago

                          Palace Sarr is too expensive for me to fit in. What is up with Senesi?

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

                            He's probably fine but just returned in the last two days I think.

                    13. -GK22-
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 13 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      WC marks out of 10?

                      Pope
                      Timber, Gabriel, Munoz
                      Saka, Semenyo, Sarr, Reijnders
                      Haaland, Bowen, woltemade

                      Dub, Longstaff, Senesi, Rodon

                      1. CFC1990
                        • 14 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        It's amazing. I am a bit put off with Enzo with the injury doubt

                    14. CFC1990
                      • 14 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      Who is the best 5m midfielder?

                      I'm between Xhaka and Dewsbury Hall.

                      1. Tonyawesome69
                        • 7 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        Xhaka ticks more boxes than KDH as an FPL pick

                      2. aaroncfc
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 9 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        I currently own KDH, was thinking of swapping him for Xhaka this week and then BB

                      3. Ausman
                        • 2 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        Josh Cullen from Burnley.

                    15. Gizzachance
                      • 11 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      Bruno?
                      A keep
                      B eze
                      C enzo
                      D sarr
                      E gakpo

                      Cheers

                      1. Ausman
                        • 2 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        B

                    16. trinzoo
                      • 11 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      On WC
                      Bought Pedro for 7.5, can sell today for 7.6 and if he drops, will buy tomorrow for 7.6 - I guess I should pull the trigger, right?

                      1. Tonyawesome69
                        • 7 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        It doesn't matter assuming he drops

                        1. trinzoo
                          • 11 Years
                          6 months, 1 day ago

                          I can sell him later for 7.6, not 7.5 😀

                        2. Tonyawesome69
                          • 7 Years
                          6 months, 1 day ago

                          Actually...

                          If you sell at 7.6 then buy back at 7.6, you don't gain anything.

                          However, if you hold and he drops to 7.6, you have an additional 0.1m buffer for another price drop. Also if he increases in price, you will gain profit quicker at 7.5 purchase price

                          1. No Luck
                            • 14 Years
                            6 months, 1 day ago

                            Logic fail

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

                        You can't

                        You need two increases to profit

                        You make half

                    17. Wayner9
                      • 3 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      Who to bring in for Muniz?
                      a) Bowen
                      b) Woltemade

                      1. Ausman
                        • 2 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        Wolt

                    18. Tinmen
                      • 12 Years
                      6 months, 1 day ago

                      Given Slots comments on Isak.
                      Do we expect him to start this weekend ?

                      1. EDEN THE MAN
                        • 9 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        What were the comments

                        1. Tinmen
                          • 12 Years
                          6 months, 1 day ago

                          That he is now fit and he can be judged fairly from here on

                          1. EDEN THE MAN
                            • 9 Years
                            6 months, 1 day ago

                            Then yes

                      2. Malkmus
                        • 14 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        Yes

                      3. Ausman
                        • 2 Years
                        6 months, 1 day ago

                        No