Captain Sensible
2 January 2026 273 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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In the weekly article that could really be retitled ‘Do you dare bet against Erling Haaland (£15.1m)?”, we consider the best captain for FPL Gameweek 20.

Players from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester United provide the competition this time, with matches against Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, respectively.

First, we will assess the on-site captaincy poll. We will then analyse player and team statistics and Rate My Team (RMT) to determine the best captain for Gameweek 20 ahead of Saturday’s 11am GMT deadline.


Captaincy Poll

Haaland sits at the top of the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll standings. Over 40% of site users still believe the Norwegian is the best option for Gameweek 19.

Morgan Rogers (£7.5m) sits in second place – again, probably helped by being the first option in the poll and receiving accidental clicks – and currently boasts just over 18% of the vote. Aston Villa host Nottingham Forest in the early kick-off on Saturday. The England international scored twice in his last home match and is the most transferred-in attacking player ahead of the deadline.

Elsewhere, Bukayo Saka (£10.3m), Ollie Watkins (£8.6m) and Jarrod Bowen (£7.6m) are the only other players to garner more than 5% support. All three players picked up attacking returns in Gameweek 19.


Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks

price change predictions

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

273 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 hours, 26 mins ago

    looking to bring in Gabriel (as so many are); need to raise funds (for doing Calafiori-->Gabriel; need to raise at least 0.4, and it would be with a -4 for 2 transfers)

    not sure what other move to make though; there are several possibilities in different areas
    current squad:
    Sanchez, Dub
    Cala, Keane, Andersen, O'Reilly, Alderete
    Saka, Semenyo, Wilson, Foden, Bruno G.
    Haaland, Ekitike, Thiago

    could move to lower price players any of the following potentially: Sanchez, O'Reilly, Andersen, Semenyo, Ekitike

    what do you think makes most sense? thanks!

    and FIRST!

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      1 hour, 24 mins ago

      I’d save and do it next week.

      1. Soyland
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        1 hour, 15 mins ago

        Same problem. I also wonder if the -4 is worth it, but those price-rises stings.... O'Reilly to Van de Ven? Spurs next four are quite nice!

        1. The Knights Template
          • 12 Years
          1 hour, 6 mins ago

          Even though tis a follow-up question, which I’m usually unprepared for, I will say this - go for it! The best chance to climb the ranks are two differential defenders, one mid, and one forward. Mine are Kayode, Mukiele, Bruno G and DCL. This awesome foursome has hdlped to propel me from 552k to 55.2k over the last four GWs!

        2. Pomp and Circumstance
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          1 hour, 3 mins ago

          also thinking about cup opponents, in addition to the price changes as well

          would you consider going super cheap and doing O'Reilly-->A. Heaven? would then have 0.9 to use (rather than 0.3)

          a few players on radar to consider bringing in would be Rogers, Palmer (would require a lot of budget), Bowen (in place of Thiago or Ekitike)
          will probably swap out Semenyo soon I suppose, and Semenyo-->Rogers would be like for like at similar prices

          tough one; what do you think, and what are considering for your team?

  2. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 hours, 19 mins ago

    Play 2, currently playing Virgil and Stach:
    A. Virgil (ful)
    B. Dorgu (lee)
    C. Wilson (LIV)
    D. Stach (MUN)

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      1 hour, 18 mins ago

      Correct

    2. snow pea in repose
      • 5 Years
      1 hour, 6 mins ago

      Pool's set-piece issues may work in Wilson's favor

  3. yanky
    • 16 Years
    2 hours, 17 mins ago

    bench one of wirtz or minteh?
    rest of attack is foden cherki saka haaland bowen

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      2 hours, 16 mins ago

      Minteh

  4. Sun God Nika
    • 5 Years
    2 hours, 16 mins ago

    Got 4ft
    Aiming to keep rice and Fernandes on bench until fit

    And bring in
    Mukiele , cherki, Calvert Lewis, Gabriel for esteve Rodon foden and Thiago

    Yay or nay ?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      2 hours, 15 mins ago

      Yay for sure

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 hours, 10 mins ago

      Nice one

  5. BR510
      2 hours, 16 mins ago

      I need help:
      1. Tark, Gab, Rice
      2. Gab, Timber, Rogers

      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        2 hours, 15 mins ago

        1

        1. BR510
            2 hours, 14 mins ago

            Cheers! Leaning this way.

        2. Sun God Nika
          • 5 Years
          2 hours, 13 mins ago

          1

        3. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
          • 1 Year
          1 hour, 16 mins ago

          2

      2. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 hours, 15 mins ago

        “ Although they have lost their last three matches, Nottingham Forest’s underlying defensive data should offer caution to FPL managers expecting big returns from Aston Villa’s offensive duo, Rogers and Watkins. No team has conceded fewer big chances than the Tricky Trees (eight), who have outperformed even Arsenal when it comes to xGC over the last six.”

        Ah cr@p

        1. The Knights Template
          • 12 Years
          2 hours, 12 mins ago

          Watkins is an expensive troll and Fogers can be very hit and miss. Prefer Bruno G and DCL with the leftover lolly straight go the money pit!

        2. Count Olaf
          • 1 Year
          2 hours, 10 mins ago

          Not to mention they are the early kick-off. Don't forget Ghandi.

      3. Stimps
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 hours, 14 mins ago

        WC this lot?

        Dubravka
        Gabriel Timber VDV
        Saka Foden Cunha Wilson
        Haaland Ekiteke Thiago

        Peteovic KDH Chalobah Gudmundson

        A) WC
        B) Save
        C) Thiago -> DCL to free up funds

        1. BR510
            2 hours, 13 mins ago

            No way don't WC. C

          • Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            2 hours, 12 mins ago

            B

          • The Knights Template
            • 12 Years
            2 hours, 11 mins ago

            C

        2. Mooster©️
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 hours, 12 mins ago

          Perfect front three for an early wildcard?

          1. The Knights Template
            • 12 Years
            2 hours, 10 mins ago

            Sesko, Barry and Beto seems most popular.

          2. BR510
              2 hours, 10 mins ago

              Haaland DCL obi. Play 451, 442 variant

          3. TochanMama
            • 13 Years
            2 hours, 9 mins ago

            Start one please!

            A) Raul vs LIV (H)
            B) Anderson vs AVL (A)

            1. Magic Zico
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              1 hour, 7 mins ago

              A on pen at home

            2. Weasel Boy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              1 hour, 6 mins ago

              A

            3. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              1 hour, 6 mins ago

              A

          4. TafOnTour1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 1 Year
            2 hours, 8 mins ago

            A or B here?! Currently on A, but seriously tempted by B.

            A) O'reilly, Wirtz, Calvert-Lewin

            B) Matheus Nunes, Xhaka, Watkins.

            1. Magic Zico
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              1 hour, 7 mins ago

              B

            2. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              1 hour, 5 mins ago

              B with DCL

          5. Stimps
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            2 hours, 8 mins ago

            Cunha -> Rogers worth a hit?

            1. Magic Zico
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              1 hour, 28 mins ago

              No

            2. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              1 hour, 25 mins ago

              Eewwww

            3. teddy.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              1 hour, 23 mins ago

              Probably

          6. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
            • 14 Years
            2 hours, 6 mins ago

            DCL to Bowen?

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              2 hours, 3 mins ago

              No

            2. BrockLanders
              • 10 Years
              2 hours, 3 mins ago

              No way

            3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
              • 9 Years
              1 hour, 49 mins ago

              Big no

          7. Dorse88
            • 15 Years
            2 hours, 6 mins ago

            G2G had 3 FT left and took a -4 to get to this team.

            Verbruggen
            Timber Gabriel Gvardiol
            Saka Rogers Foden Garner Miley
            Ekiteke Haaland

            Dubravka Thiaw Andersen Barnes

            Play Miley or Thiaw?

            Thanks.

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              2 hours, 3 mins ago

              All good. Not sure what a Miley is.

            2. Moneymar
              • 3 Years
              2 hours, 2 mins ago

              Thiaw

            3. GC123
              • 4 Years
              1 hour, 46 mins ago

              Play Thiaw

          8. Weasel Boy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 hours, 4 mins ago

            Flipping hell, am I the only team left without Gabriel?

            1. Moneymar
              • 3 Years
              1 hour, 4 mins ago

              Nope, Timber here

              1. Weasel Boy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                just now

                I have zero Arsenal defence

            2. fedolefan
              • 11 Years
              just now

              Nope. I have Timber and not in a rush to get him. Need to free up Cunha money to get him and I’ll look in GW22 after Liverpool.

          9. Moneymar
            • 3 Years
            2 hours, 3 mins ago

            Would you take a punt on KDH to Paqueta? Or are there better options at 6.1 or below?

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              2 hours, 2 mins ago

              Yes

            2. Count Olaf
              • 1 Year
              2 hours, 2 mins ago

              Stach and save the extra?

          10. Count Olaf
            • 1 Year
            2 hours, 3 mins ago

            Is Rogers such a no-brainer Semenyo replacement? What about Bruno G? They have similar stats (both on 0.16 xG per 90 and 0.11 xA per 90) that they are massively overperforming.
            They always play 90 minutes. Bruno G has been benched a couple of times.
            Rogers isn't on set pieces with the exception of a couple of direct free kicks. Bruno G takes some corners.
            Bruno G is slightly better for Defcons (got it twice, Rogers never).
            Newcastle have the better fixtures. Villa better form right now.
            Bruno G is 0.4m cheaper, soon to be 0.5m.

            Someone suggested downgrading Semenyo and playing with an extra defender. I wonder if that's the way. For example, Timber, Guehi, Chalobah, Tarkowski all have scored similar points to Rogers/Bruno G. and are also much cheaper. It's a weird season, having to go against what we knew in terms of team structure, defenders vs attackers etc.

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              2 hours, 1 min ago

              Is this a re-post from yesterday Count?

              1. Count Olaf
                • 1 Year
                2 hours ago

                Yes Sir. Conflicting opinions so far...

                1. Soyland
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 5 Years
                  1 hour, 44 mins ago

                  Leaning more and more to go a heavy four at the back. I dont't think the prices are properly adjusted for the impact of DCs. E.g. Tarkowski have hit the DC-limit 11 times. 12 times equals 8 assist. A defender keeping a lot of cs, having 8 assists halfway last season would have been in all teams...

                  1. Count Olaf
                    • 1 Year
                    1 hour, 33 mins ago

                    Yes, defence is excellent value. Allows you to afford some of the heavy hitters. Could be handy if Palmer becomes a good pick again.

                2. The Knights Template
                  • 12 Years
                  1 hour, 41 mins ago

                  No rush to lose Semenyo yet, likely to play v Arsenal and even execrable Spurs!

                  1. Count Olaf
                    • 1 Year
                    1 hour, 32 mins ago

                    Execrable! What a word. FPL advice is good, language lessons even better.

          11. nico05
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            2 hours, 3 mins ago

            Is rice a transfer out or hold?

            1. teddy.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              2 hours, 2 mins ago

              Hold

              1. nico05
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                2 hours, 1 min ago

                Thanks

            2. Count Olaf
              • 1 Year
              2 hours, 1 min ago

              Hold in my opinion, a post earlier said he traveled with the squad. Worst case scenario he plays against Liverpool.

            3. Definite hold, he travelled with the squad and Farteta is a known fibber.

              1. nico05
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                1 hour, 59 mins ago

                Thank you guys

          12. BR510
              2 hours, 3 mins ago

              3rd forward:

              1. DCL
              2. Obi + 1.2 million cash

              1. BR510
                  1 hour, 3 mins ago

                  1.7 million sorry

                • The Knights Template
                  • 12 Years
                  1 hour, 1 min ago

                  1

              2. BrockLanders
                • 10 Years
                2 hours ago

                What's better?? Both free

                1/ VVD, O'Reilly, Minteh to Gabriel, Tarkowski, Anderson (Forest)

                2/ VVD, O'Reilly, Minteh to Gabriel, VDV, Rogers

                1. Count Olaf
                  • 1 Year
                  1 hour, 58 mins ago

                  1 for me. Maybe Stach over Anderson?

                  1. BrockLanders
                    • 10 Years
                    1 hour, 57 mins ago

                    Own Pickford & DCL already from Everton & Leeds

                2. GC123
                  • 4 Years
                  1 hour, 44 mins ago

                  2

              3. TochanMama
                • 13 Years
                1 hour, 56 mins ago

                Start one please

                A) Gudmundson vs UTD (H)
                B) Anderson vs AVL (A)

                1. Count Olaf
                  • 1 Year
                  1 hour, 50 mins ago

                  B

              4. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
                • 1 Year
                1 hour, 55 mins ago

                Football friends,
                Arsenal situation doing my head in. Have Timber, Saka, & Rice but now want Gabriel back in my lineup. Don’t want to lose Saka so my only options are to transfer out Rice or Timber. I really want to have the double up at the back so leaning hard towards moving Rice. Any suggestions? Is it mandatory to have Gabriel in this week?

                1. BrockLanders
                  • 10 Years
                  1 hour, 14 mins ago

                  Not mandatory by any stretch. But won't be an enjoyable watch as a non owner. You'll be needing a massive sofa to hide behind when Arsenal get a corner..

                  1. fedolefan
                    • 11 Years
                    14 mins ago

                    Why hide? He has Rice and Saka taking corners that Gab may score from. In his case, his ideal solution is Timber -> Gab and not Rice -> Gab. Of course it’s fitness dependent.

                    1. The fitness certainly is a factor, at least short term

                2. Manani
                  • 14 Years
                  1 hour, 14 mins ago

                  i am thinking the same.
                  i don't think Gab is mandatory this week though

              5. Manani
                • 14 Years
                1 hour, 54 mins ago

                Y/N?

                VVD + Rice + Thiago > Gab + Rogers + DCL

                (will be Timber+Gab+Saka trio)

                1. BrockLanders
                  • 10 Years
                  1 hour, 51 mins ago

                  Looks good moves in isolation. Rice has travelled for tomorrow though so may not even be out.

                2. hazza44
                  • 13 Years
                  1 hour, 51 mins ago

                  Would probably hold Rice

                  1. Manani
                    • 14 Years
                    1 hour, 49 mins ago

                    i would like to hold, but i won't be able to get Gab if I don't sell (unless TImber > Gab)

                3. Raoul Nogues
                    1 hour, 51 mins ago

                    T

                    1. Raoul Nogues
                        1 hour, 50 mins ago

                        (Y!)

                    2. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
                      • 1 Year
                      1 hour, 14 mins ago

                      Y

                  • ididnt
                    • 14 Years
                    1 hour, 52 mins ago

                    Thiago and O’Reily > DCL and Gabriel -4?

                    1. BrockLanders
                      • 10 Years
                      1 hour, 51 mins ago

                      Not for a hit.

                      1. ididnt
                        • 14 Years
                        1 hour, 50 mins ago

                        Feel like Gabriel is essential though

                        1. BrockLanders
                          • 10 Years
                          1 hour, 44 mins ago

                          I like the moves if I'm honest. Just not sure I'd spend 4 points when u roll the dice this week and he has Liverpool.

                  • hazza44
                    • 13 Years
                    1 hour, 52 mins ago

                    Morning all, which options for WC? (Have Gabriel already)
                    A) Timber
                    B) M Nunes

                    1) Bruno G
                    2) Gordon

                    1. BrockLanders
                      • 10 Years
                      1 hour, 50 mins ago

                      Personally prefer A and 2

                    2. GC123
                      • 4 Years
                      1 hour, 48 mins ago

                      A1

                      Although I got Gordon on GW19 WC and kicking myself already

                    3. Raoul Nogues
                        1 hour, 47 mins ago

                        A2

                      • jonnybhoy
                        • 13 Years
                        1 hour, 43 mins ago

                        A1

                      • CYN
                        • 7 Years
                        1 hour, 38 mins ago

                        A1

                    4. Pomp and Circumstance
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 14 Years
                      1 hour, 51 mins ago

                      play Semenyo or Wilson this GW? and should consider Ekitike-->Bowen? (would do Thiago-->Bowen maybe, but probably doesn't work with the prices)

                      1. Raoul Nogues
                          1 hour, 4 mins ago

                          Semenyo has to help his team against City competitors for the title

                      2. BR510
                          1 hour, 50 mins ago

                          3rd forward:

                          1. DCL
                          2. Obi + 1.7 million cash

                          Cheers all!

                          1. ididnt
                            • 14 Years
                            1 hour, 50 mins ago

                            1

                          2. BrockLanders
                            • 10 Years
                            1 hour, 47 mins ago

                            Depends on squad but DCL is a really great own currently. I've had for 4 GWs now

                            1. BR510
                                1 hour, 42 mins ago

                                Team would be
                                Verb
                                Gab Tark Thiaw Dorgu
                                Cunha Saka Foden
                                Haaland Ekitike DCL
                                Dub Rice Rodon KDH

                            2. CYN
                              • 7 Years
                              1 hour, 39 mins ago

                              1

                          3. hazza44
                            • 13 Years
                            1 hour, 50 mins ago

                            Next best DEF, if $ isn’t an issue?
                            Gabriel Tark ____

                            1. Count Olaf
                              • 1 Year
                              1 hour, 47 mins ago

                              Gvardiol

                            2. BrockLanders
                              • 10 Years
                              1 hour, 47 mins ago

                              I'd have Timber.

                            3. CYN
                              • 7 Years
                              1 hour, 41 mins ago

                              Timber

                          4. derdourily
                            • 12 Years
                            1 hour, 46 mins ago

                            What would you do for this team to get Gabriel ?
                            Have 3FT and 0.1ITB

                            Dubravka
                            Timber Keane Thiaw
                            Saka Semenyo Foden Paqueta
                            Ekitike Haaland Thiago

                            Petrovic Le Fée Mukiele Andersen

                            Thanks.

                          5. jonnybhoy
                            • 13 Years
                            1 hour, 45 mins ago

                            Between doing B before price changes tonight or waiting a week and bringing in Sanchez and Gabriel for free. Do I roll or do B?

                            Raya
                            Keane Timber Dorgu
                            Cunha Saka Bruno G Wilson Foden
                            Haaland Ekitike

                            Dubravka Sensei Gudmundsson Guiu

                            A) Raya and Keane to Pickford and Gabriel -4pts
                            B) Raya and Senesi to Pickford and Gabriel -4pts
                            C) Roll

                            1. hazza44
                              • 13 Years
                              1 hour, 42 mins ago

                              B personally

                            2. CYN
                              • 7 Years
                              1 hour, 39 mins ago

                              C

                          6. Manani
                            • 14 Years
                            1 hour, 45 mins ago

                            Rogers or Gordon?

                            1. jonnybhoy
                              • 13 Years
                              1 hour, 5 mins ago

                              Rogers

                            2. hazza44
                              • 13 Years
                              1 hour, 4 mins ago

                              Rogers