Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 17?

19 December 2025 254 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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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>

254 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Nightf0x
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 16 days ago

    Dub alison
    Clyne richards cala oriely mukiele
    Saka rice foden neto king
    Haland tiago ekitke

    BB active, Which ? 2 fts

    A) g2g
    B) neto to semenyo/tavernier
    C) king to wiefer
    D) neto king to tavernier wilson

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    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 16 days ago

      D

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  2. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 16 days ago

    Is Thiago likely to start?

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    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 16 days ago

      No one knows. Good first bench player and you should be good as it seems unlikely he will get cameo. Start or 0.

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    2. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 16 days ago

      Not taking risk with Hugo’s pricing me out.

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    3. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      2 months, 16 days ago

      He should do. No guarantee, though.

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  3. AAAFootball
      2 months, 16 days ago

      I think "captain sensible' is an apt description of this week.

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    • joeynse99
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 16 days ago

      Stuck on which defenders to bench

      A) Cash (MUN)
      B) Mitchell (Lee)

      I have Timber and Andersen as starters currently with Mukiele on the bench think Sunderland will struggle with AFCON losses

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      1. aleksios
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Α

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    • Moneymar
      • 3 Years
      2 months, 16 days ago

      Which one would you do?

      A) Esteve to Senesi
      B) J. Pedro to Ekitike
      C) KDH to Enzo/Grealish

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      1. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        A or B

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      2. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
          2 months, 16 days ago

          B, by a country mile

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        • aleksios
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Β

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        • boroie
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          B

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      3. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Bench correct, had to ditch Thiago & Wolte, about to get priced out our rapidly?

        Petrovich
        Timber O’Reilly Senesi
        Saka Foden Bruno HWilson Semenyo
        Haaland Ekitike

        Dubravka DCL Guehi Chalobah

        .1

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        1. boroie
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Have you used BB? Because that bench is extremely strong!

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          1. g40steve
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Aleady gone just FH left from first batch

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      4. boroie
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Bench one…

        A - Virgil (tot)
        B - Wilson (NFO)
        C - Thiago (wol)
        D - Richards (lee)

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        1. aleksios
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          A

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        2. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          D

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        3. dandalf
          • 6 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Richards

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      5. MVDP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Have any regular posters played 4-5-1 and stuck to it this season?

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        1. Dank Squid
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          I hope so. Template teams, captains, chips, formations - dare to win

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      6. aleksios
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Play DeCuyper or Hincapie?
        Have Timber.
        Thanks.

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        1. chilli con kone
          • 12 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Mrs Hinch

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        2. MVDP
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 1 Year
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Just looking at De Cuyper. Good numbers.

          Somebody posted much earlier on today looking for a defender 4.4 and below… he looks the one.

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          1. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Might not even start. Mitoma is back in the squads, Minteh can play RW and the LB spot is already locked-down. The time to strike was when Mitoma was out.

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            1. Bennerman
              • 7 Years
              2 months, 16 days ago

              What if he did, though? Great option and point of difference.

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      7. chilli con kone
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Start one:

        A. Corn on the Szob (tot)
        B. Mr Andersen (NFO)

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        1. aleksios
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          A

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      8. MGD
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        KDH -> Wilson no-brainer move?

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        1. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          If its a 7th attacked then either Wilson or Tavernier

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        2. Dank Squid
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          I have both, hoping KDH returns soon-ish, planning Wilson to Anderson. Fixtures change

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      9. boroie
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Anything worth doing here? Or gtg?

        3FTs 0.4ITB

        Verbruggen
        Timber Virgil O’Reilly
        Saka Foden Semenyo Wilson
        Haaland(C) Ekitike Thiago

        Dubravka; Richards King Esteve

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        1. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          No issues

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          1. boroie
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Thanks!

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        2. Dank Squid
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          gtg

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          1. boroie
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Thank you!

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      10. Il Capitano
        • 5 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        1FT 1m ITB

        Raya
        O'Reilly Senesi Andersen
        Saka Bruno Foden Semenyo Bruno G
        Haaland Thiago

        Dub - Chalobah Alderete Guiu

        Roll?

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      11. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Was going to play bench boost but what chance is it that Thiago plays do we think?

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      12. fgdu
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        who to play?

        chalobah senesi timber o'reilly guehi
        fernandes eze foden semenyo
        haaland thiago kroupi

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        1. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Yikes

          Chalobah Timber Oreilly Guehi
          Fernandes Foden Semenyo
          Haaland Thiago Kroupi

          Could even go 5 at the back

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          1. Kingy109
            • 4 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Senesi over Chalobah
            Is your 5th mid not worth mentioning?

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      13. RogueBlood
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        3FT 0.2ITB will BB in GW18 what changes would you make?

        Verbruggen
        Senesi, Timber, Andersen
        Saka, Semenyo, B Fernandes, Minteh
        Haaland, Ekitike, Thiago

        Dubravka, Wilson, Rodon, Guehi

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      14. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Bench Rodon?

        Raya
        Timber Cucu OReilly
        Bruno Rogers Foden Neto
        Ekitike Haaland DCL

        Dub Rodon Devenny De ligt

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        1. Dank Squid
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Always bench Rodon. 1-2 points expected

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          1. JT11fc
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Ye thanks, any more is too optimistic

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      15. Soyland
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Verbruggen
        Timber, Virgil, Andersen
        Saka, Bruno, Cunha, Semenyo, Foden
        Haaland, Thiago

        Dubravka, Keane, Guiu, De Ligt (!!)

        3ft, 0,0 itb

        Really FOMO on Etikite. Also need a Defender as backup in case of Thiago no-show:

        a) De Ligt, Timber, Thiago to Gudjohnson, O'Reilly, Etikite
        b) De Ligt to Gudjohnson

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        1. Soyland
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          C- roll
          D- something else??

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        2. dandalf
          • 6 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          I think Thiago will play and Keane is a great back up if you take the upcoming games into the equation. He could knick a goal of a corner and is always good for defcons.

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        3. Dank Squid
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Agree with Dandalf, team looks good, Keane has multiple avenues

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          1. Soyland
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Thanks Sank and Dandalf

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      16. Feed tha Sheep
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Which is better this week?

        A. Mbeumo & Munoz > Foden & O’Reilly (get Bruno next week)
        B. Mbeumo Saka Minteh & Munoz > Foden Bruno Rice & O’Reilly
        C. Mbeumo Saka Munoz & Mateta > Bruno Foden O’Reilly & Ekitike

        As a United fan I think we struggle at Villa and Bruno can wait until next week?

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        1. Soyland
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          I like c. Saka is expandeble as long as he will not be captained by the hordes

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        2. Bonus magnet
          • 9 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          A

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      17. LS11
        • 1 Year
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Start Rogers or Thiago?

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      18. Feanor
        • 16 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Minteh to Wilson worth one of my 2 FTs?

        if he scores on Monday he might go up another 0.2m

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        1. Soyland
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Think minteh will outscore Wilson. Sunderland decimated by afcon

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          1. Feanor
            • 16 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Too late, haha

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      19. Bonus magnet
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        On a WC fill hr missing spots

        Dub/Zerb
        O’Reilly Rodon Hinca xxx xxxx
        Foden Bruno minteh wilson xxx
        Haaland Hugo xxx

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        1. Haulander
          • 3 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Timber, Virgil, Saka, Guiu.

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      20. fgdu
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        eze to harry wilson? have b.fernandes, semenyo foden.

        thanks

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        1. Feanor
          • 16 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Easy move

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        2. nico05
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Yes

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      21. Ray85
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Is Thiago and Szoboslai worth going to Ekitike and Wieffer? Otherwise my bench is Thiaw, Kroupi Jr

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      22. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        G2G? 4 FT.
        Verb
        O'Reilley Timber Andersen
        Foden Saka Bruno Cunha Rice
        Haaland Thiago
        (Dubravka-Alderete-Richards-Guiu)

        Best time to BB & Free Hit with this

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      23. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Pick two to buy:
        A. Tavernier
        B. H Wilson
        C. OReilly
        D. DCL

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        1. nico05
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          B & C

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          1. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Cheers

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        2. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          BC

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      24. BUZZBOMB ♡
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Depends on structure, rest of team, budget, etc but prima facie B C.

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        1. BUZZBOMB ♡
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          For Zico

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          1. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Ta

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      25. Wolfman180
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        On FH, currently got Van Hecke and Van den Berg (Van Hecke 1st sub). But with 0.4 itb still, I could upgrade one of them to Senesi. But is it worth it?

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        1. Feanor
          • 16 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Bournemouth CS odds are 43%. Brighton are 41%

          Toss a coin

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        2. Dank Squid
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Van Hecke goal threat and CS odds, I wouldn't bench him. VDB or Senesi 1st bench, 50-50 imo.

          FH week, exciting. Enjoy

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      26. Mesh
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Yes or no, for free?
        Woldemate, Minteh & Lacroix to Ekitike, Wilson & Alderete/Mukiele

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        1. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Big upgrade

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        2. jacksonbarber125
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          For sure Wolt and Mint to Ekitike and Wilson, I would wait to see how sunderland hold up after losing players to AFCON

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          1. Mesh
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            I hear ya, but I can't do the other 2 transfers without downgrading Lacroix to a 4.2.

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            1. Mesh
              • 11 Years
              2 months, 16 days ago

              Or I could downgrade Thiago instead of Lacroix

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      27. Rian23
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        all the public stat tables are blank for me. i’ve emailed ffs multiple times.. any idea how to fix? thanks

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        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Working for me. Make sure the drop down menus at the top are set to all games and this season.

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          1. Rian23
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            thanks, is there an updated version of the goals imminent? as the one I used to use is blank?
            https://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/public-stats-tables/view/6070/

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