Captain Sensible
31 October 2025 324 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Backed by a season-high 6.5 million Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers with the armband in Gameweek 9, Erling Haaland (£14.8m) blanked for the first time since Gameweek 2.

Despite this, the captaincy decision will once again be straightforward for the majority. One poor game certainly doesn’t undo all the Norwegian’s good work up to now.

But in Captain Sensible, we ask if there is a case to look beyond the Norwegian this week, especially with league leaders Arsenal facing Burnley in a plum fixture.

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 1.30pm GMT deadline.


Captaincy Poll

Gameweek 10 Best captain

Once again, Haaland leads the captaincy Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll, albeit by a smaller margin than we have grown accustomed to in recent weeks. Over 41% of site users believe the Norwegian, who has scored 11 goals in nine league starts, is the best option for Gameweek 10.

The Arsenal duo, Bukayo Saka (£10.0m) and Gabriel Magalhaes (£6.5m), complete the top three ahead of the Gunners’ trip to Turf Moor, both bagging more than 10% of the vote share.

Elsewhere, Yankuba Minteh (£6.0m) and Bryan Mbeumo (£8.2m) are the only other players to receive more than 5% backing, ahead of fixtures against Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, respectively. Minteh being the first option in the poll, and benefitting from some erroneous votes, may account for his popularity…


Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks

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

324 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. KostaK
    • 4 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Timber or Calafiori?
    Not much in it I guess

    1. Super John McGinn-
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Timber for me

  2. Super John McGinn-
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Thoughts on the below?

    Pope
    Gabriel, Timber, Andersen
    Saka, Semenyo, Sarr, Enzo
    Haaland, Woltemade, JPedro

    Dubravka, King, Rodon, Sensei

    3 FT 0.6 ITB

    A) JPedro > Matteta
    B) King + JPedro > Mbembo + Guiu
    C) Other

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      A

    2. Pomp and Circumstance
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      ha, same bench on my WC!

    3. KostaK
      • 4 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      A

  3. OffsidePenalty
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Use 2nd FT on:
    A) Ndiaye to Mbeumo
    B) Reijnders to Sarr (Already got Mateta)
    C) Roll - start Reijnders

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      B

  4. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Thoughts on potential wc team?

    Pope
    Gabriel Timber Guehi VDV
    Mbuemo Saka Semenyo Sarr
    Haaland Mateta

    (Dubravka Xhaka Kroupi Rodon)

  5. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    can I get an RMT on this WC team? (0.0 ITB so just fits in)

    Verbruggen
    Munoz, Calafiori, Mukiele
    Mbeumo (v), Semenyo, Gakpo, Saka
    Mateta, Haaland (c), Woltemade

    subs.: Dubravka; Rodon, Senesi, King

    also--if I had 3 FTs before WC, under the new rules--does this mean that I will have the full 3 after WC?

    1. MJF
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Yep you will have 3FTs!

  6. JBG
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Bench one:

    A) Kudus (Chelsea home)
    B) Semenyo (City away)
    C) Eze (Burnley away)

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      B

    2. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      8 months, 12 days ago

      A

    3. theshazly
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      A

  7. FCSB
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Raya
    Gabriel Senesi James
    Bruno Semenyo Enzo Reijnders
    Haaland Mateta Gyokeres

    Dubravka Stach Gudmundsson VdV

    2FT, 0.1itb

    What to do here, worth making a transfer?

    Is the lineup right?

    Thanks

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Personally did Reindeers to Sarr, maybe do VDV/Senesi to Burn or Lacroix/Richards

  8. The Wizard of Ozil
    • 16 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    A) Start VDV
    B) Start Senesi
    C) Senesi -> Andersen

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      C

  9. Bad Seed
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    If I had 1 transfer this week, made 2 transfers for -4, then played free hit cancelling the -4, would I have 1 or 2 transfers next week?

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      2 I think

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      You will have 1FT next GW

    3. MJF
      8 months, 12 days ago

      If you started with 1 then you will have 1.

    4. JBG
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Oh read that wrong, 1 transfer

  10. MrMartini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Thoughts on FH team for this week anyone? Am i missing anyone? 0.0itb

    Verbruggen
    Munoz, mukiele, gabriel
    Saka, semenyo, minteh, mbuemo
    Gyokeres, haaland, mateta

    Dubravka, tuanzebe, king, rodon

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Why gyokeres? People are falling over themselves to sell him.

      I'd double up on arsenal defence and go woltemade instead.

      1. MrMartini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        8 months, 12 days ago

        Primarily coz of burnley fixture and think he could easily get a couple if he converts close to Xg and always swerve a double def but might be worth it given gabriel alone doesn't get much. Something to think about for sure thanks.

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Welbeck/Woltemade and Burn over Gyokeres and Mukiele on FH

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 12 days ago

        And Raya on GK to double ARS def

        1. MrMartini
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          8 months, 12 days ago

          How about
          Verbruggen- pope
          Gyokeres- welbeck
          Rodon- calafiori

          So will be
          Pope
          Munoz, gabriel, calafiori
          Saka, minteh, mbuemo, semenyo
          Welbeck, haaland, mateta

          Dubravka, mukiele, gudmundson, king

          1. how now brown cow
            • 11 Years
            8 months, 12 days ago

            I prefer it. But given how bad west ham are at defending corners I would definitely have some newcastle height.

            1. MrMartini
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 3 Years
              8 months, 12 days ago

              Is raya/burn a better combo than pope/calafiori? Covers arsenal def and gets a massive geordie!

              1. how now brown cow
                • 11 Years
                8 months, 12 days ago

                Both are decent options, but yes, I think i prefer it.

                1. MrMartini
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 3 Years
                  8 months, 12 days ago

                  Me too, thanks for your help, looks better now. need to get over my gyokeres blindness he's in my normal team too, him and pedro are killing me right now!

          2. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            8 months, 11 days ago

            I like this better, maybe Raya Burn Guimares over Pope Calafiori Minteh, but no a lot between them

  11. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Play

    A) Lacroix

    or

    B) Mukiele

    TIA

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      a

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      A

  12. Tross007
    • 14 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Gakpo to Mbeumo -4?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      not for a hit

    2. Hint
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      I think it's a solid long term move

      1. I have no Wirtz
        8 months, 12 days ago

        This

    3. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Nope

  13. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Cap choice keep it simple Haaland?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      yes

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        8 months, 12 days ago

        Thx

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      yes

    3. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Y

  14. AnfieldLad
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    2FT
    A) Gordon -> Sarr
    B) Bowen -> Mateta
    C) both

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      c

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      B

  15. Donny_Rover
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Who are you benching alongside KDH & Gudmundsson here?

    Petrovic (Dubravka)
    Gabriel Timber Munoz Cucurella (Gudmundsson)
    Semenyo Gakpo Enzo Reijnders (KDH)
    Haaland Gyokeres Mateta

    1. Kaneyonero
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Cucu or Reijnders. Feel Chelsea and Spurs will a tight affair. But Reijnders could get an assist or so if Haaland goes mental

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Reijnders

  16. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Play Reijnders or Kudus. Feel like Che Spurs will be tighter.

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Kudus by a mile

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      K

    3. I have no Wirtz
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Don’t play Reijnders, ever

  17. The Knights Template
    • 12 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    WC team, grateful views please:

    Pope
    Timber, Gabriel, Munoz
    Semenyo, Rice, Bruno F, Mbeumo, Sarr
    Mateta, Haaland

    Dubravka, Kroupi Jr, Muliele, Esteve

    Thankee!

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Only question mark for me is double Utd midfield - but could work out

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      GTG,

      352 vs 343 😉

    3. FPL Sanky
      • 2 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      I would go Gnonto over Haaland

    4. Crazy crazy horse
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Thats very similar to my team, really tempted with both UTD midfielders. Am currently in the top 10k so go for it.

    5. tbos83
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      I'd be tempted to spread the risk and get Gakpo in for either Bruno/Mbeumo (and use leftover funds to upgrade Muliele/Esteve)

  18. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Who is the better pick for Reijnders:

    A) Rice
    B) Guimares
    C) Sarr

    Own Mateta fwiw

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      C

    2. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      c

    3. theshazly
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      C

    4. Feed tha Sheep
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      C

    5. I have no Wirtz
      8 months, 12 days ago

      C

  19. theshazly
    • 3 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Currently on :

    Pope
    Gabriel Timber Guehi Mukiele
    Enzo Saka (VC) Semenyo ISarr Mbeumo Haaland (C)

    Sub: Dub / Thiago / DCL / Diouf

    GTG ?

    Bench one of :

    A ) Thiago ( CRY )
    B ) Enzo ( TOT )
    C ) Mukiele ( EVE )

    1. I have no Wirtz
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Gtg

  20. Vasshin
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Who to bench among:
    1. Rodon (bha A), senesi (city A)
    2. Thiago (Palace A), Xhaka (eve H).

    1. I have no Wirtz
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Could you bench Rodon and Senesi?

  21. George James
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Who do I downgrade to get 2m out this team to do DCL >> Mateta?

    Or just go Gyokeres >> Mateta?

    Pope
    Gabriel • Richards • Alderete
    Saka • Enzo • Semenyo • Sarr • Gordon
    Haaland • Gyokeres

    Dubravka / DCL / Senesi / Keane

    1. MJF
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Probably Gordon but its tough with the fixture he has.

      You've got Sarr anyway so I would probably chill for this week.

  22. Lennox142320
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    First bench King (Ful) or Kroupi (Bou) (keeping in mind I’m playing Andersen (Ful) so the sub may potentially be needed?

    1. I have no Wirtz
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Personally, I am tempted to actually even start Kroupi as differential. Just have a feeling he is in a good moment and gets more than 60min. If ManCity win 3-2, who scores for Bournemouth?

  23. FPL Sanky
    • 2 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    What do we think about Alderete's mins?

  24. Crazy crazy horse
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Y or N
    Grelish to Bruno

    1. I have no Wirtz
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Y

      1. I have no Wirtz
        8 months, 12 days ago

        Can I ask you consider to double up? Mbeumo and Bruno?

  25. OffsidePenalty
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Use 2nd FT on
    A) Ndiaye to Mbeumo
    B) Reijnders to Sarr (Already got Mateta)
    C) Roll - start Reijnders

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      B

    2. tbos83
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      You will want Ndiaye next week

    3. I have no Wirtz
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Not C

    4. Feed tha Sheep
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      B

    5. OffsidePenalty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      thank you

  26. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Will Mateta blank since he is the must buy player this week?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      I do worry there seems to be a lot of Palace eggs in one basket.

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 13 Years
        8 months, 12 days ago

        Yeah triple up for me on free hit but you do wonder.

    2. I have no Wirtz
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Odds are yes

    3. MJF
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Most likely!

      Still basking in the glory of his hattrick when I did not know any scores and watched MOTD.

    4. MikeBravo
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      He hasn't scored against Brentford yet, neither has Sarr...

    5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      No correlation. People like to put together theories on early kick offs and most buy players but if a player who is most purchased in a make believe online game has an impact on a player earning 50k+ a week then perhaps they and the whole premier league in general shouldn't be playing professional football.

  27. I have no Wirtz
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Am I good to go here?



    Pope

    Timber - Gabriel - Guehi - Chalobah 

    Saka - Sarr - Mbeumo - Semenyo 

    Haaland(C) - Woltemade



    Dubravka - Kudus - Senesi - Kroupi

    A) gtg or
    B) switch bench
    C) 1 FT to upgrade Chalobah to Munoz

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      Yep

  28. Salarrivederci
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Who would you play out of Le Fée and King ?

    Already playing Roefs, Tarkowski and Andersen.

    One will be first on bench ahead of Senesi.

  29. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Woltemade Haaland + ?

    a) Welbeck

    b) Mateta

  30. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 12 days ago

    Semenyo has MCI, is it too much to play Rodon (bha) instead?

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 12 days ago

      I’d play Semenyo