Captain Sensible
30 December 2025 355 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Erling Haaland (£15.1m) blanked for the fourth time in seven Gameweeks as the Norwegian’s feast-or-famine form continued against Nottingham Forest. In the other three matches in that run, he has returned at least 13 points.

On Thursday, Manchester City travel to Sunderland, a team that Haaland failed to score against just four Gameweeks ago.

In Captain Sensible, we consider whether there is a case to look beyond the top-scoring player in Fantasy. Players from Liverpool and Manchester United provide the competition: they enjoy favourable home fixtures against Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively.

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 19 ahead of Tuesday’s 18:00 GMT deadline.


Captaincy Poll

Best captain 19

Haaland sits at the top of the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll standings, albeit it is closer than usual. Over a third of site users still believe the Norwegian is the best option for Gameweek 19.

Hugo Ekitike (£9.1m) and Matheus Cunha (£8.1m) are vying for second place in the poll, boasting 18% and 16% of the vote, respectively. Both players have been in impressive form, notching nine attacking returns between them over the last four Gameweeks.

Elsewhere, Cole Palmer (£10.4m) and Bruno Guimaraes (£7.0m) are the only other players to garner more than 5% support. Chelsea host Bournemouth, while Newcastle travel to relegation-threatened Burnley.

Again, Bruno being the top option in the sidebar poll has probably led to him receiving more votes than expected!


Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks

price change predictions

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

355 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 hours, 22 mins ago

    Pointless backing against Haaland for the armband.

    I've tried 3 times this season since owning him (I went without for 9 weeks)

    GW10: Gabriel (c) 24, Haaland 13 = 1 point down
    GW14: Munoz (c) 28, Haaland 14 = evens
    GW18: Etikite (c) 10, Haaland 2 = 3 points up

    In all of those weeks I think I went against the majority, and I'm a massive 2 points up.
    I could have saved all the anxiety as fortune doesn't seem to favour the brave!

  2. Athletico Underachieving
    • 5 Years
    2 hours, 22 mins ago

    Verbruggen
    Guehi, Thiaw, Dorgu
    Saka, Foden, Wilson, Gravenberch
    Thiago, Ekiteke, Haaland

    (Dub, Minteh, Andersen, Cala)

    Saka - Cunha Y/N?

    1. Ady87
      • 12 Years
      2 hours, 13 mins ago

      If United are gonna do anything on this good run it will be via Cunha IMO. Playing former team tonight shouldn’t get the better of him. Dunno if I’d make the transfer as I’ve got both.

  3. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 hours, 21 mins ago

    Semenyo to Cunha for a hit?

    A) Yes
    B) No, last game for Bournemouth most likely and will go out with a bang!

    TIA

  4. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    2 hours, 21 mins ago

    Whatcha reckon?

    A) Rodon -> 4.9 (Keane)
    B) Semenyo -> Cunha
    C) Richards & Semenyo -> Gabriel & Szob (-4)
    D) Rodon & Semenyo -> 4.5 (Dalot) & Cunha (-4)

    Verbruggen
    Timber, O’Reilly, Richards
    Saka, Foden, Semenyo, Wilson
    Haaland, Etikike, Thiago

    Dubravka, Stach, Alderete, Rodon
    Bank 0.9m, 1FT

    1. Heiro
      • 16 Years
      2 hours, 15 mins ago

      For what it's worth I think Everton concede.
      Dorgo instead

      1. Jet5605
        • 11 Years
        2 hours, 11 mins ago

        Agree with this. Miracle Everton didn't concede at Burnley

  5. Feanor
    • 16 Years
    2 hours, 20 mins ago

    FH look alright? I want to start Hall but not sure who to bench for him

    John
    Gabriel, Chalobaj, Dalot
    Saka, Wirtz, Cunha, Neto, Cherki
    Haaland (c), Ekiteke

    Dub - Hall - Thiago - Gudmundsson

    1. Heiro
      • 16 Years
      2 hours, 16 mins ago

      So is John meant to start for forest then?
      What's the deal with Sels?

      1. Mother Farke
        • 1 Year
        2 hours, 14 mins ago

        Sels sells shells by the sea shore. In other words, Dyche doesn't like him.

    2. space mercenary
      • 6 Years
      2 hours, 12 mins ago

      Dalot over Dorgu? Dorgu could be a great FH punt if he plays OOP again...

      1. Feanor
        • 16 Years
        1 hour, 56 mins ago

        I could make that change...

  6. GoonerSteve
    • 16 Years
    2 hours, 18 mins ago

    Free hit team g2g, or play Guehi/someone else for Lewis-Potter?

    Raya
    Lewis-Potter, Dorgu, Chalobah
    Saka, Foden, Cherki, Cunha, Wirtz
    Haaland, Ekitike.

    (Dubravka. Guehi, Keane, Gulu)

    1. Ady87
      • 12 Years
      2 hours, 14 mins ago

      Looks good.

    2. Feanor
      • 16 Years
      1 hour, 55 mins ago

      I have Gabriel

  7. Ady87
    • 12 Years
    2 hours, 18 mins ago

    Got some benching headaches, could use some input

    Play 1
    1) Kelleher (TOT)
    2) Dubravka (NEW)

    Play 2

    A) Andersen (cry)
    B) Guehi (FUL)
    C) Keane (nfo)
    D) Bruno (bur)
    E) Wilson (cry)

    Only reason I’m currently down as playing Bruno is he scored against Burnley recently albeit at home.

    1. JoeSoap
      • 12 Years
      2 hours, 13 mins ago

      2 & DE

  8. JoeSoap
    • 12 Years
    2 hours, 18 mins ago

    Bench 1

    A. Guehi (FULH)
    B. Timber (VILLA)
    C. Keane (n forest)
    D. Semenyo (chel)

    1. Jet5605
      • 11 Years
      2 hours, 12 mins ago

      D

  9. Yozzer
    • 8 Years
    2 hours, 18 mins ago

    Guys

    Does Rodon to Dorgu and bench Semenyo sound ok?

    1. Jet5605
      • 11 Years
      1 hour, 51 mins ago

      Yes it does

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      1 hour, 50 mins ago

      Sounds good

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 hour, 43 mins ago

      yes

  10. CoracAld2831
    • 4 Years
    2 hours, 16 mins ago

    Sanchez (Dubravka)
    Timber*-Senesi-Andersen (Gudmundsson, Rodon**)
    Saka-Foden-Cunha-Reijnders (Minteh)
    Haaland-Thiago-Raul

    1FT
    1,0 million in bank

    Move for this team?

    A: Minteh -> Szoboszlai
    B: Minteh -> Mac Allister
    C: Timber -> VVD
    D: Timber -> Gabriel
    E: Senesi -> VVD
    F: Rodon -> Keane
    G: Roll FT

  11. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    2 hours, 16 mins ago

    Team and bench order G2G? It's basically Rice v Wolte for a place in the starting 11 with the Burnley fixture for Wolte swinging it. 

    Raya
    Timber - Chalobah - Dorgu
    Foden - Cunha - BrunoG - Szob
    Haaland - Ekitike - Wolte

    Dubravka - Rice - Andersen - Gudmund

  12. Kane Train
    • 10 Years
    2 hours, 15 mins ago

    Semenyo or Gordon?

    1. space mercenary
      • 6 Years
      1 hour, 50 mins ago

      Gordon for this week.

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      1 hour, 50 mins ago

      Gordon

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 hour, 43 mins ago

      Gordon

  13. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    2 hours, 14 mins ago

    Play
    1. Woltemade (away) v Burnley
    2. DCL(away) v Liverpool

    Thanks

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      1 hour, 49 mins ago

      1

    2. space mercenary
      • 6 Years
      1 hour, 48 mins ago

      1

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 hour, 44 mins ago

      1

  14. QMG
    • 5 Years
    2 hours, 13 mins ago

    Wilson or Thiago? Wilson has more form but mos people I ask are going Thiago. Thoughts?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      1 hour, 48 mins ago

      Thiago

      1. QMG
        • 5 Years
        1 hour, 42 mins ago

        Can I ask why? His form has been inconsistent compared to Wilson. Home game?

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 8 Years
          1 hour, 39 mins ago

          Yeah home game wins it for me

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 hour, 44 mins ago

      Thiago

  15. Sid07
    • 11 Years
    2 hours, 11 mins ago

    any update on van den berg?

  16. thom830g
    • 8 Years
    2 hours, 11 mins ago

    On FH
    A) Dorgu - foden - szobo - konate
    B) frimpong - dalot - Trossard - Wirtz

    Sanchez
    Hall - xx - xx
    Palmer - Cunha - cherki - xx - xx
    Haaland - ekitike

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 6 mins ago

      A)

  17. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 hours, 9 mins ago

    Who to have on FH?

    1. Foden
    2. Wirtz (then go Cherki)

    A) Gabriel - most tempting, but expensive, and is he ready to start this week and worth the risk on FH?
    B) Hall - NEW against BOU seems like a good chance for CS, but Hall has only one assist so far this season
    C) O´Reilly

    1. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      1 hour, 51 mins ago

      It’s the 50/50 calls that destroy you.

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 hour, 50 mins ago

        Exactly...

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 hour, 49 mins ago

          No I´m really missing Foden in my current draft:

          John
          Chalobah/Gabriel/Dorgu
          Cherki/Wirtz/SAKA/Palmer/Cunha
          Haaland/Ekitike

          Subs: Dub/Heaven/EKDAL/Guiu

          1. g40steve
            • 7 Years
            1 hour, 4 mins ago

            That’s very similar to mine

  18. Gatsby
    • 14 Years
    2 hours, 6 mins ago

    Really getting worried about going without Cunha.
    I'm doing decent in most mini leagues so hoping to cover it.

    Options here:

    A) Foden -> Cunha (-4)
    B) Rogers -> Cunha (-4)
    C) Save transfer, dont get cunha, pray he does nothing!
    D) Any other changes (please add in!)

    Dúbravka

    J. Timber, Andersen, Virgil

    Rice, Wilson, Foden, Cherki

    Haaland, Ekitiké, Woltemade

    Subs: Vicario, Rogers, Senesi, Estève

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      1 hour, 20 mins ago

      C)

      1. Gatsby
        • 14 Years
        1 hour, 19 mins ago

        Probably sensible, thanks mate

  19. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    1 hour, 59 mins ago

    Team GTG? 0FT 0ITB

    Dubravka
    Chalobah O'Reilly Keane
    Palmer(C) Saka Foden Cunha Rice
    Haaland Ekitike

    Petrovic Richards* Alderete Guiu

    I'm pulling my WC tonight after the deadline, then using my BB in GW21. How's this looking?

    4.5 Dubravka
    Gabriel Chalobah Thiaw Keane Dorgu
    Palmer Foden Cunha Rice Cherki
    Haaland Ekitike DCL

  20. boroie
    • 7 Years
    1 hour, 52 mins ago

    Really sorry to be that guy but I’ve been out of the house all morning…

    Have we received any updates on any of the following? Any of them likely to play?

    Timber
    Richards
    Esteve

  21. boroie
    • 7 Years
    1 hour, 51 mins ago

    Bench one…

    A - Keane (nfo)
    B - Thiago (TOT)
    C - Wilson (cry)

    1. Ady87
      • 12 Years
      1 hour, 19 mins ago

      I’m currently playing Thiago but coin toss between him and Wilson on who I play

      1. QMG
        • 5 Years
        1 hour, 7 mins ago

        I have the same issue. My gut says Wilson as he seems to be more consistent recently. But Thiago is at home and nearly everyone I poll says Thiago.

  22. boroie
    • 7 Years
    1 hour, 51 mins ago

    Best two defenders for a combined £10m?

    1. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      1 hour, 19 mins ago

      Guehi and van de Ven.

  23. yanky
    • 16 Years
    1 hour, 43 mins ago

    whats the strategy for hits and bench boost?

    I have 2 FT and 5 potential blanks in:

    Van Den Berg, Esteve, Califori, Rodon, Marc Gui

    Do I take a -12 pter to get a full team? or -8 and risk Van Den Berg?

  24. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 hour, 34 mins ago

    Is there ever any analysis looking at each week's predictions to see how accurate they are?

  25. Scalper
    • 9 Years
    1 hour, 22 mins ago

    Any word on if Gordon is expected to start?

  26. coriswrasse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    1 hour, 11 mins ago

    Bench one
    A - Harry Wilson (cry)
    B - Morgan Rogers (ars)

  27. Snoop Udogie Dogg
    • 5 Years
    42 mins ago

    What about Cala?

  28. Ribus
    • 12 Years
    39 mins ago

    Semenyo ->
    A) Gordon
    B) Bruno G

    Other mids are Rice, Cunha, Foden, Wirtz

  29. BenSvnt
    • 12 Years
    25 mins ago

    Senesi or Richards out for Dorgu/Dalot?