Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 12?

21 November 2025 531 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Erling Haaland (£14.9m) scored yet again for the millions of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers who handed him the armband in Gameweek 11, although a missed penalty limited him to just four points.

The captaincy decision might not be quite so straightforward in Gameweek 12, however, with Manchester City travelling to fellow Champions League side Newcastle United.

In Captain Sensible, we consider if there is a case to look beyond the Norwegian this week, especially with Arsenal and Manchester United playing at home and Chelsea facing Burnley in a plum fixture.

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 to determine the best captain for Gameweek 12 ahead of Saturday’s 11am GMT deadline.

Captaincy Poll

As is customary, Haaland leads the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll. Just over 39% of site users believe the Norwegian, who has scored 14 goals in 11 league starts, is the best option for Gameweek 12.

Joao Pedro (£7.5m) is the only other player to boast at least 10% of the vote, ahead of an appealing fixture on Saturday for Chelsea against Burnley.

Elsewhere, there is little to separate the likes of Jean-Philippe Mateta (£8.1m), Antoine Semenyo (£8.1m) and Bukayo Saka (£10.1m) in what is a very crowded field, Haaland aside.

Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks

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

531 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Buck The Trent
    • 14 Years
    4 months, 23 days ago

    Can’t afford VVD, is Konate a decent alternative?

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    1. DavvaMC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      I think so, I am doing it.

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    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      if he can stay fit, probably yeah at least until january transfer window

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    3. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Don’t really see the appeal if I’m honest. Might get 1/10 clean sheets but not much attacking threat.

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  2. Runnerboy31
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 months, 23 days ago

    How’s this for a WC?

    Petrovic - Dubravka
    Virgil - Konate - Senesi - Richards - Esteve
    Saka - Fernandes - Gakpo - Sarr - Potts
    Haaland - Mateta - Thiago

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    1. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Not sure about double Liverpool defence. Rest looks good though.

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      1. theplayer
        • 12 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Yeh Liverpool defence is being completely over rated this week.

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    2. MJF
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Arsenal on track for the second best goals conceded tally in PL history behind only Jose’s first title winning Chelsea team (04/05?). I’d want a bit of that I think.

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        1. Runnerboy31
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          4 months, 23 days ago

          With afcon transfers coming up happy to sit you the spurs and Chelsea games and see who emerges with Gabriel out

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    3. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Starting an unconventional 5-2-3 currently.
      Best move here?

      A. Woltemade > Thiago
      B. Grealish > mid up to 7.8
      C. Hold FT

      Raya
      Timber, VVD, Lacroix, Senesi, Mukiele
      Bruno, Gakpo
      Haaland, Mateta, Woltemade

      (Dubravka, Semenyo, Grealish, King)

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      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        think c, and probably start semenyo over mukiele. if semenyo not fit enough to start, not sure iraola would risk bench minutes. maybe im wrong but yeah

        b looks alright if theres a mid you like the look of for that price. the first 4 defenders would want to start anyways this gw thats for sure

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        1. Bleh
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 23 days ago

          Thanks bud, I’ll do that!

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    4. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      I deliberately saved the funds for a planned differential VVD move 2 GWs ago
      Now I feel like he's going to have 80% EO or something due to the Gabriel injury lol

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      1. Ron_Swanson
        • 15 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        lol

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    5. boroie
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      How secure are Nico O’Reillys minutes?

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      1. DavvaMC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Not, Ait Nourri is back.

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    6. F4L
      • 11 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      would you sell either Foden or Cunha for Saka this GW for a hit?

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      1. JBG
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Neither

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      2. Bleh
        • 9 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Not this week

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      3. F4L
        • 11 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        thanks both

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    7. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Repost:

      Sanchez (Dubravka)
      Gabriel-Senesi-Andersen (Rodon, Gudmonsson)
      Saka-Semenyo*-Gordon*-Minteh (Reijnders)
      Haaland - Mateta - Woltemade

      3 FT
      0 million in bank

      Please pick a move for this:

      A: Gabriel, Gordon, Semenyo -> Richards, Mbeumo, Fernandes
      B: Gabriel, Gordon, Reijnders -> Richards, Sarr, Fernandes
      C: Gabriel, Gordon -> VVD, Fernandes
      D: Gabriel, Gordon -> Munoz, Fernandes
      E:: Other?

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    8. Ian Davis
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Best keeper to have alongside Dubravka on WC? Budget not an issue.

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      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        roefs or sanchez imo

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      2. Sho-kun
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Roefs and Raya

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      3. boroie
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Petrovic and Dubravka gets you…

        GW12 - WHU
        GW13 - sun
        GW14 - EVE
        GW15 - CHE
        GW16 - FUL
        GW17 - BUR
        GW18 - EVE
        GW19 - NEW

        … and all for just £8.5m

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    9. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Going to take on Semenyo, its risky but so is the 1 pointer-risk.
      A) Mbuemo
      B) Cunha
      C) Sarr
      D) Gakpo

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    10. Skout
      • 6 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Gab and Grealish to Munoz and Cunha?
      3 FT and 0.8m itb

      Petrovic
      Timber Gabriel* Senesi
      Saka Grealish Mbeumo Semenyo*
      Haaland Mateta Wolt

      Dubravka King Rodon Reinildo

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    11. marcus2704
      • 15 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Am on a -8 due to an early transfer, then Gab and Semenyo injuries. With that in mind, it makes sense to FH this week would you agree?

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      1. Iceball
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Yes

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      2. theshazly
        • 2 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Agree

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      3. FourLokoLeipzig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Absolutely

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

        Depends which players you took out for the -8 & what the rest of your team looks like currently, including your bench. Semenyo may play,

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    12. theshazly
      • 2 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Pope ( Dub )
      Gabriel* Timber Guehi* ( Diouf / Mukiele )
      Saka Mbuemo Semenyo* Enzo* ISarr
      Haaland Thiago ( DCL )

      3 FT / 0 ITB

      Do:

      A ) Pope, Gab, Enzo >> Martinez, Chalobah, Gakpo
      B ) Pope, Gab, Enzo >> Verbruggen, VVD, Neto
      C ) Pope, Gab, Enzo >> Verbruggen, Cucurella, Gakpo
      D ) Pope, Gab >> Sanchez, VVD and save 1 FT
      E ) Something else?

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    13. andymck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Raya (Dubravka)
      Gabriel Senesi Richards Rodon (Burn)
      Saka Fernandes Semenyo Minteh (Reijnders)
      Haaland Mateta (Guiu)
      1ft 0.5 itb

      Gabriel and Semenyo > VVD and Mbeumo for a hit?

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      1. Bleh
        • 9 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        I’d probably just do Gab > VVD

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      2. bso
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Yes

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      3. TLF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Gab to VVD, don't think I'd take the hit personally, you have decent cap options so you don't need Mbeumo for the armband & Semenyo may play.

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    14. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Is going Trossard over Saka a dumb idea?

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      1. Clintymints
        • 16 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Yes

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      2. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Probably

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        1. Bleh
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 23 days ago

          I just think with Martinelli out, Trossard is pretty nailed on the opposite side. Could be a nice (and cheaper) differential. Scored similarly to Saka up until now in terms of minutes to points ratio too.

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    15. RashFraud
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Idk if anybody else has been holding on to Gyokeres but I’m kind of stuck on what to do with him. Sell for Welbeck/Thiago to fund Bruno/Mbeumo (for ndiaye) or save and hope he plays in the NLD?

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      1. FourLokoLeipzig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        If you can bring in Thiago and Boomo for free, seems a clear improvement to me

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    16. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Starting to like the idea of getting JP back in for Woltemade, even though long term it probably should be Thiago.

      That would mean benching Gabriel for now, when I probably should be getting someone in to boost bench options with both Semenyo and Calafiori starting!

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      1. Clintymints
        • 16 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        DId it recently, Him ir Thiago is ok. Don't trust Pedro, never do, still have 'em tho

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    17. DavvaMC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Who to captain?

      A. Saka
      B. Mateta
      C. Haaland

      Thanks

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      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Robot

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    18. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Senesi or Virgil this week, Will likely get one or the other next week.

      Dych might be up to something vs Pool, idk cant put my finger on it. However big player big club big game with Virgil

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    19. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Which one?
      A. Saliba (433)
      B. Munoz (433)
      C. Minteh (343)

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      1. Bleh
        • 9 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        A if no other Arsenal defence, otherwise B.

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      2. FourLokoLeipzig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Munoz if you have no Palace defence, otherwise Minteh

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        1. Aye
          • 13 Years
          4 months, 23 days ago

          B

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    20. Aye
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Who to bench?

      A. Guehi (wol a)
      B. Timber (Tot H)
      C. Minteh (Bre H)
      D. Thiago (bri a)

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      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Guehi

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      2. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        A

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        1. Aye
          • 13 Years
          4 months, 23 days ago

          Thanks both

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      3. theshazly
        • 2 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        A

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      4. FourLokoLeipzig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Similar decision (I’ve just got Richards instead of Guehi) and I’m on D. Wish I could play him though

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    21. HD7
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      I would appreciate your input here, mates

      Gabrieal and Kudus to?

      VVD and 8.8 midfielder you would prefer?

      1 FT 1.8 ITB

      Petrovic
      Richards VdV Gabriel*
      Mbeumo Semenyo Kudus* Saka
      Mateta Gyokeres Haaland

      Dubravka King Gudm Esteve

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    22. Sho-kun
      • 8 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      A) Gabriel + Wolte > O'Reilly + Mateta
      B) Gabriel + Kudus > VVD + Minteh/Enzo
      D) Gabriel + Kudus + Wolte > VVD + Minteh + Mateta -4

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      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        b

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        1. Sho-kun
          • 8 Years
          4 months, 23 days ago

          Don't you think Mateta is more important than VVD?

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          1. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 months, 23 days ago

            don't like reilly

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            1. Sho-kun
              • 8 Years
              4 months, 23 days ago

              Also could get Chalobah

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      2. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        a

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    23. Nightf0x
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Raya
      Trufert gabriel* richards (vdv burn)
      Semenyo* gakpo mbeumo ndiaye (rejinders)
      Haland mateta pedro

      Which?

      A) WC this gw
      B) gabriel -4 to vvd/timber/saliba/hincape

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    24. Cali
      • 5 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      On WC. Currently on this - thoughts?

      Petrovic
      Timber, Munoz, Konate
      Saka, Mbeumo, Semenyo, Gakpo, Szobo
      Haaland, Marteta

      Dubravka, Digne, Guiu, Esteve

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      1. boroie
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Looks great. You must have a bigger budget than me. I can’t afford that defence. Only thing I’d suggest looking at is…

        Szobo & Guiu
        v
        King & Thiago

        With Bradley out, Szobo could go back to RB… and Thiago is on fire and has great fixtures…

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    25. Maddamotha
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Bruno or Mbeumo?

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      1. Sho-kun
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Mbeumo

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      2. Aye
        • 13 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        I like Mbuembo

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      3. boroie
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        I actually like a risky Cunha punt… but then again, I’m chasing and struggling for cash!

        If money wasn’t an issue, and I was playing sensible, I’d go Mbeumo.

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    26. Ian Davis
      • 16 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      On WC - Raya or Sanchez?

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      1. Sho-kun
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Raya with Chalobah

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    27. Norco
      • 11 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      2FT: Good to go?

      Gab + Burn > VvD + Munoz

      Means starting Semenyo, but Sensei first sub.

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    28. boroie
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Rate my WC…

      Petrovic Dubravka
      Timber Senesi O’Reilly Richards Esteve
      Saka Semenyo Gakpo Cunha King
      Haaland Mateta Thiago

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    29. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Transfer in Mbuemo or Saka?

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      1. boroie
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Saka

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      2. ball c
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 months, 23 days ago

        Mbuemo

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    30. jeffa79
      • 12 Years
      4 months, 23 days ago

      Currently:

      Pope
      Senesi Gabriel* Richards
      Semenyo* Fernandes Saka Minteh
      Haaland Woldemade Thiago

      Dubravka Andersen Tarkowski KDH

      2FT, £0.1m ITB.

      A) Gabriel to Timber
      B) Gabriel and Semenyo to Timber and Enzo
      C) Something else?!

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