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>Deputy General Manager. Forever chasing the top 10K. Chelsea fan.&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

254 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Nightf0x
    • 11 Years
    9 months, 23 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
      • 9 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      D

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

    Is Thiago likely to start?

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    1. Brosstan
      • 12 Years
      9 months, 23 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
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      Not taking risk with Hugo’s pricing me out.

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    3. Amartey Partey
      • 7 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      He should do. No guarantee, though.

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  3. AAAFootball
    • 1 Year
    9 months, 23 days ago

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

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  4. joeynse99
    • 10 Years
    9 months, 23 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
      • 11 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      Α

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  5. Moneymar
    • 4 Years
    9 months, 23 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
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      A or B

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    2. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
      • 1 Year
      9 months, 23 days ago

      B, by a country mile

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    3. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      Β

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    4. boroie
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      B

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  6. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    9 months, 23 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
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

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

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      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        9 months, 23 days ago

        Aleady gone just FH left from first batch

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  7. boroie
    • 8 Years
    9 months, 23 days ago

    Bench one…

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

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    1. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      A

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    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      D

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    3. dandalf
      • 6 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      Richards

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  8. Jacquet or chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    9 months, 23 days ago

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

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    1. Dank Squid
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

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

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  9. aleksios
    • 11 Years
    9 months, 23 days ago

    Play DeCuyper or Hincapie?
    Have Timber.
    Thanks.

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    1. chilli con kone
      • 13 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      Mrs Hinch

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    2. Jacquet or chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      9 months, 23 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
        • 9 Years
        9 months, 23 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
          • 8 Years
          9 months, 23 days ago

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

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  10. chilli con kone
    • 13 Years
    9 months, 23 days ago

    Start one:

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

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    1. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      A

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  11. MGD
    • 10 Years
    9 months, 23 days ago

    KDH -> Wilson no-brainer move?

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    1. JT11fc
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      If its a 7th attacked then either Wilson or Tavernier

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    2. Dank Squid
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

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

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  12. boroie
    • 8 Years
    9 months, 23 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
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      No issues

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      1. boroie
        • 8 Years
        9 months, 23 days ago

        Thanks!

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    2. Dank Squid
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      gtg

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      1. boroie
        • 8 Years
        9 months, 23 days ago

        Thank you!

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  13. Il Capitano
    • 6 Years
    9 months, 23 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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  14. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    9 months, 23 days ago

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

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  15. fgdu
    • 12 Years
    9 months, 23 days ago

    who to play?

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

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    1. JT11fc
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 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
        • 5 Years
        9 months, 23 days ago

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

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  16. RogueBlood
    • 11 Years
    9 months, 23 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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  17. JT11fc
    • 8 Years
    9 months, 23 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
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      Always bench Rodon. 1-2 points expected

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      1. JT11fc
        • 8 Years
        9 months, 23 days ago

        Ye thanks, any more is too optimistic

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  18. Soyland
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    9 months, 23 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
      • 6 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      C- roll
      D- something else??

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    2. dandalf
      • 6 Years
      9 months, 23 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
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

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

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      1. Soyland
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        9 months, 23 days ago

        Thanks Sank and Dandalf

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  19. Feed tha Sheep
    • 14 Years
    9 months, 23 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
      • 6 Years
      9 months, 23 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
      9 months, 23 days ago

      A

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  20. LS11
    • 1 Year
    9 months, 23 days ago

    Start Rogers or Thiago?

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  21. Feanor
    • 17 Years
    9 months, 23 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
      • 6 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      Think minteh will outscore Wilson. Sunderland decimated by afcon

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      1. Feanor
        • 17 Years
        9 months, 23 days ago

        Too late, haha

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  22. Bonus magnet
    • 9 Years
    9 months, 23 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
      • 4 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      Timber, Virgil, Saka, Guiu.

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  23. fgdu
    • 12 Years
    9 months, 23 days ago

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

    thanks

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    1. Feanor
      • 17 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      Easy move

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    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      Yes

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  24. Ray85
    • 8 Years
    9 months, 23 days ago

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

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  25. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    9 months, 23 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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  26. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    9 months, 23 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
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      B & C

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      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        9 months, 23 days ago

        Cheers

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    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      BC

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  27. BUZZBOMB ♡
    • 11 Years
    9 months, 23 days ago

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

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    1. BUZZBOMB ♡
      • 11 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      For Zico

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      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        9 months, 23 days ago

        Ta

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  28. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 months, 23 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
      • 17 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      Bournemouth CS odds are 43%. Brighton are 41%

      Toss a coin

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    2. Dank Squid
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 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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  29. Mesh
    • 12 Years
    9 months, 23 days ago

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

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    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      9 months, 23 days ago

      Big upgrade

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    2. jacksonbarber125
      • 11 Years
      9 months, 23 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
        • 12 Years
        9 months, 23 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
          • 12 Years
          9 months, 23 days ago

          Or I could downgrade Thiago instead of Lacroix

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  30. Rian23
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 months, 23 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
      • 10 Years
      9 months, 23 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
        • 12 Years
        9 months, 23 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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