Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 20?

2 January 2026 285 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
Share:

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>

285 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Shmack92
    • 11 Years
    5 hours, 42 mins ago

    Have pulled the trigger on WC. Thoughts on this? Bench in right order?

    Pickford
    Gab - Hall - Tark
    Gordon - Foden - Cherki - Roger’s
    Haaland - Bowen - DCL

    Dubravka - VDV - Lewis Potter - Schade

    Open Controls
    1. Manani
      • 14 Years
      4 hours, 56 mins ago

      don't like Schade

      otherwise looks fine

      Open Controls
      1. Shmack92
        • 11 Years
        4 hours, 51 mins ago

        Thanks. Have made the below:

        Schade - > Rice
        Dubravka -> Darlow

        Open Controls
    2. Raoul Nogues
        4 hours, 55 mins ago

        Very good... too much money on the bench ?

        Open Controls
        1. Shmack92
          • 11 Years
          4 hours, 53 mins ago

          Will definitely cause me some benching headaches! Hoping I can pick the right 11 more often than not.

          Open Controls
    3. Pomp and Circumstance
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 hours, 41 mins ago

      if doing Calafiori-->Gabriel, would require a -4; would consider O'Reilly--> a 4.5 or so DEF (such as Van de Ven, or Cash at 4.8) or choose significantly less price with A. Heaven (at 3.9) and free up additional budget to use later on?

      Open Controls
      1. Pomp and Circumstance
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 hours, 54 mins ago

        Cash (at 4.8) would use exact budget left after the Gabriel move

        Open Controls
      2. Four Letter Wirtz
        • 10 Years
        4 hours, 3 mins ago

        It realy depends on how often you plan to olay your new defender... if you need a starter then go with Cash, but you need a bench backup then I'd suggest Alderete at 4.0

        Open Controls
        1. Ausman
          • 2 Years
          3 hours, 43 mins ago

          A Bullfighting defender in FPL!! Olay! Olay!

          Open Controls
    4. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      5 hours, 39 mins ago

      Who would you sell for Gabriel?

      A. Konate
      B. O’reily
      C. Keane

      Open Controls
      1. CYN
        • 7 Years
        5 hours, 39 mins ago

        B

        Open Controls
        1. SpaceCadet
          • 12 Years
          5 hours, 29 mins ago

          Thanks

          Open Controls
      2. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
        • 1 Year
        5 hours, 24 mins ago

        A or B

        Open Controls
      3. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        4 hours, 26 mins ago

        A or B

        Open Controls
        1. SpaceCadet
          • 12 Years
          4 hours, 10 mins ago

          Thanks, sold o’reily

          Open Controls
    5. CYN
      • 7 Years
      5 hours, 39 mins ago

      A. Raya + O'Reilly -> Verbruggen + Gab
      B. O'Reilly + Andersen -> Alderete + Tark

      Open Controls
      1. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        3 hours, 33 mins ago

        A but with Roefs not Verbruggen

        Open Controls
    6. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      5 hours, 38 mins ago

      Set on this WC

      Roefs Dubravka
      Gabriel Timber Tarkowski Nunes Alderete
      Saka Rogers Guimaraes Paqueta Stach
      Haaland Ekitike DCL

      Open Controls
      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        4 hours, 48 mins ago

        4-3-3? Not a huge fan of that midfield

        Open Controls
    7. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 hours, 36 mins ago

      Do you think I'm ok to keep both O'Reilly and Keane? Would need one of them to play to field 11

      Open Controls
      1. CYN
        • 7 Years
        4 hours, 51 mins ago

        Think it's time to move on O'Reilly.

        Open Controls
    8. HellasLEAF
      • 16 Years
      5 hours, 35 mins ago

      Is KDH injury thought to be long? Reading mixed things here.

      KDH owners hanging on or getting rid.

      Just have other fires to put out and could bench him at 5.0 is cheap to sit until return but if is out extended will look to get rid.

      Open Controls
      1. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        3 hours, 26 mins ago

        KDH is due back "mid to late January"

        Open Controls
    9. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      5 hours, 35 mins ago

      Repost.

      Play
      A. O'Reilly (CHE)
      B. Mukiele (tot)

      Thanks

      Open Controls
      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 hours, 50 mins ago

        A

        Open Controls
      2. derdourily
        • 12 Years
        4 hours, 41 mins ago

        A
        Try to help me just below

        Open Controls
    10. GROBARI
      • 5 Years
      5 hours, 33 mins ago

      What should i prioritize?
      A) Sell Hincapie for Gabriel but have to sell Raul for Obi
      B) sell Minteh
      C) sell Keane

      Open Controls
      1. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        3 hours, 20 mins ago

        Keane has a chance to play this GW so he should be your lowest priority. Gabriel is the most transfered in this week so a price rise is possible. Reall depends on team balance and budget.

        Open Controls
    11. hazza44
      • 13 Years
      5 hours, 32 mins ago

      Which one on WC?
      A) Gordon/ BrunoG & Rice
      B) Palmer & Garner

      Open Controls
    12. Manani
      • 14 Years
      5 hours, 31 mins ago

      A. Rice + VVD > Rogers + Gab
      B. Saka + ORilley > Rogers + Gab

      b will leave me enough to upgrade Anderson > Gordon/BrunoG

      Open Controls
    13. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      5 hours, 30 mins ago

      Foden's price is dropping tonight, and Cherki's is going up.

      Would I regret it if I sold Foden (8.5 sp) for Cherki?

      Open Controls
      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 hours, 34 mins ago

        No but probably regret on Sunday if Foden scores and Cherki blanks.

        That's how my luck usually goes.

        Open Controls
    14. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      5 hours, 29 mins ago

      Chances of starting this gw?

      A. Keane
      B. O’reily

      Open Controls
      1. Stevie B
        • 15 Years
        5 hours, 23 mins ago

        I think and hope that Keane will start.

        Open Controls
        1. SpaceCadet
          • 12 Years
          5 hours, 20 mins ago

          Cheers. Just did o’reily > Gabriel and starting keane

          Open Controls
          1. Stevie B
            • 15 Years
            4 hours, 35 mins ago

            Good luck. I hope that it will help.

            Open Controls
          2. Ausman
            • 2 Years
            3 hours, 17 mins ago

            What bench cover do you have for Keane?

            Open Controls
    15. derdourily
      • 12 Years
      5 hours, 29 mins ago

      Repost (Excuse me)

      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.

      Open Controls
      1. Stevie B
        • 15 Years
        4 hours, 39 mins ago

        Maybe Timber and Foden -> Gabriel and Wilson. Sadly Foden is often a troll. I have Saka, but I am not happy with him. He brings points, but he is also very expensive.

        Open Controls
      2. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
        • 1 Year
        4 hours, 36 mins ago

        Downgrade Semenyo or Thiago, then Thiaw>Gabriel

        Open Controls
      3. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        4 hours, 28 mins ago

        Thaw, Saka, Thiago to Gabriel Bowen & someone

        Thanks for your help

        Open Controls
      4. derdourily
        • 12 Years
        4 hours, 18 mins ago

        Thanks guys for your help

        Open Controls
      5. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        3 hours, 8 mins ago

        Thiaw and Tiago > Gabriel and Isidor

        Open Controls
    16. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      5 hours, 27 mins ago

      What is better?

      A) Rondon and Rice -> Mukiele and Cherki (I already have Alderete)
      B) Rondon and Rice -> Gabriel and Miley

      Thank you and Happy Easter!

      Open Controls
      1. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        3 hours, 2 mins ago

        B) to get Gabriel, but Miley may lose his place soon with Botman, Livramento and Trippier close to returning.

        Open Controls
    17. Pomp and Circumstance
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 hours, 25 mins ago

      if looking to do Calafiori-->Gabriel--should the other move (to fund this) be O'Reilly--> Cash (exact funds); VDV (in the middle and with decent fixtures for Spurs); or Heaven (frees up the most budget)

      Open Controls
      1. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        2 hours, 58 mins ago

        Heaven isn't nailed and fixtures toughen up soon, Spurs are awful, so Cash wins the prize.

        Open Controls
    18. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 hours, 24 mins ago

      Which one would you bench?

      A) Keane (BRE)
      B) Alderete (tot)
      C) Wilson (LIV)

      Open Controls
      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        5 hours, 23 mins ago

        B

        Open Controls
      2. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        5 hours, 21 mins ago

        B

        Open Controls
      3. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 hours, 17 mins ago

        Cheers

        Open Controls
      4. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        5 hours, 11 mins ago

        B like they said

        Open Controls
    19. Keane There Dunne That
      • 13 Years
      5 hours, 23 mins ago

      Either of these worth -4?
      A) VVD -> Gabriel
      B) OReilly -> Tarkowski

      Open Controls
      1. Keane There Dunne That
        • 13 Years
        5 hours, 22 mins ago

        Or would you start Alderete over either?

        Open Controls
      2. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        5 hours, 21 mins ago

        No

        Open Controls
      3. Manani
        • 14 Years
        5 hours, 15 mins ago

        just play vvd

        Open Controls
    20. Manani
      • 14 Years
      5 hours, 21 mins ago

      play Anderson (avl) or Wilson (LIV)

      Open Controls
      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        3 hours, 54 mins ago

        Wilson

        Open Controls
      2. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        2 hours, 57 mins ago

        I'm playing Wilson.

        Open Controls
    21. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      5 hours, 18 mins ago

      Anything worth a hit here? 4-4-2 the right way to go? 0.6m itb.

      Sanchez
      Gabriel konate vdv keane
      Saka Cunha Foden BrunoG
      Haaland dcl

      Dubravka Thiago Anderson diouf

      Open Controls
      1. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        2 hours, 52 mins ago

        GTG but consider Anderson for 1st sub. Everton defence can be hard to breach, especially at home. Anderson at least has Defcon points up his sleeve.

        Open Controls
    22. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      5 hours, 18 mins ago

      What is the problem with this team?

      Pope
      Gabriel, van Dijk, Keane
      Saka, Foden, Rogers, Bruno G.
      Haaland (C), Ekitike, Calvert-Lewin

      Dubravka, Miley, Alderete, Guehi

      Thank you and good luck!

      Open Controls
      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 hours, 16 mins ago

        Don't see a problem
        G2G

        Open Controls
      2. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        5 hours, 9 mins ago

        Van Dijk stands out

        Open Controls
      3. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        5 hours, 6 mins ago

        Looks pretty solid

        Open Controls
    23. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      5 hours, 15 mins ago

      https://x.com/i/status/2007216192214446158

      Rice has travelled with the squad

      Open Controls
      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        4 hours, 26 mins ago

        Yep

        Open Controls
      2. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 hours, 12 mins ago

        That's his job, innit.

        Open Controls
      3. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 hours, 11 mins ago

        Odd, people getting kudos for showing up for work now.....

        Woke nonsense

        Open Controls
    24. Taegugk Warrior
      • 7 Years
      5 hours, 8 mins ago

      1FT
      A. Thiago to Bowen
      B. Save FT

      Open Controls
      1. Clintymints
        • 16 Years
        4 hours, 21 mins ago

        For free sure

        Open Controls
      2. boroie
        • 7 Years
        4 hours, 20 mins ago

        B

        Open Controls
    25. boroie
      • 7 Years
      5 hours, 6 mins ago

      Currently have 3FTs. Is this worth a -4?

      Foden, Wilson, King, Thiago
      ->
      Cherki, Gordon, Rogers, Mane

      Open Controls
      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        4 hours, 18 mins ago

        Over the next 3 probably. Maybe not this week alone

        Open Controls
    26. GROBARI
      • 5 Years
      5 hours, 3 mins ago

      Start 1
      A) Alderete
      B) Stach
      C) Senesi

      Open Controls
      1. Four Letter Wirtz
        • 10 Years
        3 hours, 57 mins ago

        BAC for me... Stach should do well versus ManU

        Open Controls
    27. Better Call Raul
      • 6 Years
      5 hours, 3 mins ago

      Anyone considering a punt on Richarlison?

      6.4m and fixtures are SUN, bou, WHU, bur, MCI

      He's been finishing confidently just he's usually offside at the time. Thinking of selling Thiago to get him

      Open Controls
      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        4 hours, 17 mins ago

        Spurs look shocking atm. Not a single shot on goal against Brentford.

        Open Controls
        1. Better Call Raul
          • 6 Years
          4 hours, 15 mins ago

          They still generated more xG than Brentford though and he's cheaper than Thiago

          Open Controls
      2. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 hours, 10 mins ago

        If you have no more pressing issues.

        Can't get any worse than Thiago, innit

        Open Controls
    28. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      5 hours, 2 mins ago

      WC locked and off to sleep. GTG?

      Roefs
      Gabriel Timber Tarkowski
      Saka Rogers Guimaraes Paqueta
      Haaland(C) Ekitike DCL

      Dubravka Nunes Stach Alderete

      Open Controls
      1. Stevie B
        • 15 Years
        4 hours, 7 mins ago

        I think it is good to go and a fantastic team.

        Maybe an early wildcard can hurt with the double game weeks at the end of the season.

        Good night and good luck!

        Open Controls
        1. Pep Roulette
          • 8 Years
          4 hours, 4 mins ago

          Cheers fam

          Open Controls
      2. Utopsis
        • 5 Years
        3 hours, 55 mins ago

        You've got 3 excellent starting defenders there + Alderete who will be viable most weeks. Nunez feels like wasted money and will just give you benching headaches, so just pick Gudmunsson or other 3.8 instead and bank the cash.

        Open Controls
    29. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      4 hours, 54 mins ago

      What is better?

      A) Rondon -> Mukiele
      B) van Dijk -> Nunez

      Thanks!

      Open Controls
      1. Stevie B
        • 15 Years
        4 hours, 9 mins ago

        Sorry ... Nunes

        Open Controls
    30. trafalgarlaw
      • 7 Years
      4 hours, 44 mins ago

      Captain Rogers anyone? Or just safe with Haaland

      Open Controls
      1. Count Olaf
        • 1 Year
        3 hours, 58 mins ago

        I don't think Forest is such an easy fixture. Haaland for me.

        Open Controls
        1. trafalgarlaw
          • 7 Years
          3 hours, 56 mins ago

          Yeah tricky Forest, cheers

          Open Controls
      2. Stevie B
        • 15 Years
        3 hours, 58 mins ago

        I will go safe with Haaland.

        Open Controls
        1. trafalgarlaw
          • 7 Years
          3 hours, 55 mins ago

          Cheers mate, early kick off captain often give bad return

          Open Controls
    31. Price Changes
      rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 10 Years
      4 hours, 42 mins ago

      Price changes 2nd January

      Rises:
      Bowen 7.7
      Schade 7.1
      Trossard 7.0
      Cherki 6.8
      Gabriel 6.5
      Garner 5.1
      Mukiele 4.3
      Alderete 4.1

      Falls:
      Foden 8.9
      Eze 7.4
      Neto 7.2
      Rice 7.1
      Thiago 6.9
      Isidor 5.3
      Elliott 5.1
      Burn 5.0
      Senesi 4.8
      Ballard 4.6
      Diakité 4.3
      Rodon 3.9

      Open Controls
      1. tutankamun
        • 16 Years
        3 hours, 52 mins ago

        Oh dear, 1-4

        Open Controls
        1. tutankamun
          • 16 Years
          3 hours, 49 mins ago

          1-5 even. FFS

          Open Controls
          1. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 hours, 1 min ago

            0-1 only

            Open Controls
      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        3 hours, 52 mins ago

        Cheers Rainy!

        Open Controls
      3. Sailboats
        • 10 Years
        3 hours, 51 mins ago

        This one's brutal

        Open Controls
      4. mixology
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 hours, 50 mins ago

        Cheers Rainy

        Open Controls
      5. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 hours, 40 mins ago

        Volatile

        Open Controls
      6. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        3 hours, 22 mins ago

        People panicing

        Open Controls
      7. Ausman
        • 2 Years
        2 hours, 46 mins ago

        1-1 Cheers Rainy! You're a legend!

        Open Controls
      8. Yank Revolution
        • 14 Years
        2 hours, 13 mins ago

        Brutal! 1 up, 3 down

        Open Controls

    You need to be logged in to post a comment.