Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 17?

19 December 2025 217 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
Share:

Erling Haaland (£15.0m) notched his seventh double-digit haul of the season against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 16, delighting the 5.6 million+ Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers that handed him the armband.

This weekend, Manchester City host West Ham, no doubt making the captaincy decision straightforward for many. However, in Captain Sensible, we wouldn’t be doing our due diligence if we didn’t at least wonder whether there is a case to look beyond the Norwegian.

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 17 ahead of Saturday’s 11am GMT deadline.

Captaincy Poll

Some technical issues delayed the launch of the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll this week!

But unsurprisingly, since its late arrival, Haaland has soared to the top of the standings. Over 69% of site users believe the Norwegian, who was fully rested in midweek, is the best option for Gameweek 17.

The only other players to boast over over 10% of the vote (indeed, over 3%) are the in-form Phil Foden (£8.8m) and Antoine Semenyo (£7.6m), who faces Burnley at home this Saturday.

Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks

price change predictions

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

217 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 14 Years
    42 mins ago

    How urgently do I need to get Foden in?

    I can bring him in for Semenyo, Saka or Rice...

    Open Controls
    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      21 mins ago

      You have just over 2.5hrs before he rises again, so fairly urgent. Rice is the only one I’d consider selling of those though.

      Open Controls
      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        just now

        He's risen 0.8 in a week. Another 0.1 isn't gonna hurt. I say let it ride.

        Open Controls
    2. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      just now

      For rice

      Open Controls
  2. Onz
    • 8 Years
    37 mins ago

    3 ft , 0 itb sv 104.7
    Petrovic
    Timber, O'Reilly, Senesi, Guehi
    Saka, Bruno, Semenyo
    Haaland, Ekitike, Theago
    Bench
    Dub, Reijders, Bruno G
    Hiding behind the sofa with no Foden, due to lack of cash and the risk of rotation over the busy period
    Betting against Newcastle at home as I am a Chelsea fan, could be a mistake, but any comments appreciated.

    Open Controls
    1. Onz
      • 8 Years
      just now

      Alderete 3rd on bench

      Open Controls
  3. Lennox142320
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    36 mins ago

    Which two would you bench from Timber, VVD, Guehi or Andersen?

    Open Controls
    1. Onz
      • 8 Years
      23 mins ago

      Play the money imo, but I see a lot of managers benching VVD.

      Open Controls
    2. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      just now

      Vvd & gehi

      Open Controls
  4. Podorsky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    36 mins ago

    C Foden over Haaland?

    Open Controls
    1. Podorsky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      32 mins ago

      Chasing!

      Open Controls
    2. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      18 mins ago

      One pen & you’re toast

      Open Controls
      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        1 min ago

        Very fearful mindset. Haaland has blanked 4 of last 7. Foden averages 15 points in his last 4.

        Open Controls
    3. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      6 mins ago

      Yeah West Ham has conceded more goals to midfielders than CFs, so it's a decent punt.

      Open Controls
      1. Bennerman
        • 7 Years
        just now

        And in the star sign of Sagittarius

        Open Controls
  5. Bobby_Baggio
    • 14 Years
    31 mins ago

    In two minds and need some advice. Most would say TC this week but feel like BB this week serves better as other weeks players rested etc.

    5FT & 0.4m ITB.

    Raya
    Andersen - Hinchape - O'Reilly
    Bruno - Saka - Wilson - Foden
    Thiago - Haaland - Raul

    (Verbruggen) - Bruno.G - Cash - Richards

    Open Controls
    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      just now

      BB for sure.

      Open Controls
  6. Ronnies
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    29 mins ago

    Play one;

    A) VVD
    B) Szobo

    Bench Szobo due to him being s doubt?

    Cheers.

    Open Controls
  7. Dangles
    • 3 Years
    26 mins ago

    Bench for this week?

    A) Fulham Andersen
    B) VVD

    Open Controls
    1. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      1 min ago

      I think Andersen.

      Open Controls
    2. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      1 min ago

      B

      Open Controls
  8. Stevie B
    • 15 Years
    14 mins ago

    Is now the best time to play the Triple Captain chip with Haaland?

    Thanks!

    Open Controls
    1. Belli2007
      • 15 Years
      9 mins ago

      Defo

      Open Controls
    2. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      5 mins ago

      Yes

      Open Controls
    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      just now

      Which options in 18 and 19 are better than Haaland TC17?

      Open Controls
  9. Bruno G
    • 3 Years
    14 mins ago

    Is it crazy to play Mateta in a free hit team?

    Open Controls
    1. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      10 mins ago

      Yes

      Open Controls
      1. Bruno G
        • 3 Years
        3 mins ago

        Just tempted by the potential differential against a poor Leeds team

        Open Controls
        1. Bennerman
          • 7 Years
          just now

          Only two defeats at home out of six, to be fair – Elland Road makes a difference.

          Open Controls
    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      1 min ago

      Don't see the appeal.

      Look at his mins and Leeds home form

      Open Controls
      1. Bennerman
        • 7 Years
        just now

        That's what I was getting at, Tony, but being a bit polite

        Open Controls
  10. Belli2007
    • 15 Years
    11 mins ago

    Play Tete (home v Forest) or Guehi (away v Leeds).....can't bring myself to bench Timber

    Open Controls
    1. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      10 mins ago

      Tete

      Open Controls
    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      6 mins ago

      CS odds are close, probably lean towards Palace, the better defence.

      FUL: 30%
      CRY: 29%

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2025/12/18/fpl-gameweek-17-differentials-3-low-owned-picks-to-consider/#hc_comment_27461577

      Open Controls
      1. Belli2007
        • 15 Years
        just now

        thanks for that, nothing in that....normally go for home team def but Guehi been quite good for attacking returns .....and still smarting after flicking between Bassey and Tete all last week and of course the one I didn't pick scored....

        Open Controls
  11. Stevie B
    • 15 Years
    6 mins ago

    Which one you would bench from this front line?

    Foden, B. Fernandes, Saka, Rice, Bruno G.
    Haaland, Thiago, Calvert-Lewin

    Thank you!

    Open Controls
    1. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      just now

      Rice or dcl

      Open Controls

You need to be logged in to post a comment.