Captain Sensible
6 January 2026 234 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Over seven million Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers were left scratching their heads once again as Erling Haaland (£15.1m) blanked for the third consecutive match in Gameweek 20.

However, the Norwegian remains, by some distance, the top-scoring player in Fantasy – and the go-to captain for many.

Once again in ‘Captain Sensible’, we consider whether there is a case to back against Haaland in the latest midweek round of fixtures. Players from Manchester United, Brentford, Arsenal and Aston Villa provide the competition this time, in what looks to be a wide field of alternative options.

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 21 ahead of Tuesday’s 6.30pm GMT deadline.


Captaincy Poll

Best captain 21

Haaland sits at the top of the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll standings. Over half of our site users believe the Norwegian is the best option for Gameweek 21, despite six blanks in nine Gameweeks.

The highest-scoring player in Gameweek 20, Igor Thiago (£7.0m), sits in second place, currently boasting just over 15% of the vote. After a hat-trick against Everton, the Brazilian is unsurprisingly the most-transferred-in attacking player ahead of today’s deadline.

Elsewhere, Ollie Watkins (£8.7m) and Jarrod Bowen (£7.6m) are the only other players to garner more than 5% support. The England internationals come up against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, respectively.


Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks


price change predictions

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

234 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Tuesday's Press Conference Times
    Skonto Rigga
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 8 hours ago

    Morning, folks, here's the full list of press conferences for the day (in GMT, via Sky Sports). No Arteta or Slot till tomorrow.

    9am - Hurzeler (BHA)
    9.30am - Howe (NEW)
    11am - Le Bris (SUN)
    12pm - McFarlane (CHE)
    12.30pm - Iraola (BOU), Guardiola (MCI)
    1pm - Parker (BUR)
    1.15pm - Edwards (WOL)
    1.30pm - Andrews (BRE), Glasner (CRY), Moyes (EVE), Silva (FUL)
    2pm - Emery (AVL)
    5pm - Fletcher (MUN)

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      I think Rough and the Smooth should be changed to the Execrable and the Excelsior!

  2. Emiliano Sala
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 8 hours ago

    Sanchez or martinez on WC for set and forget GK??

    1. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      2 days, 8 hours ago

      Sanchez.

    2. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 8 hours ago

      50/50 - but probably more chance of you wanting triple Villa than triple Chelsea (too much rotation), so I would go Sanchez.

  3. The Iceman
    • 3 Years
    2 days, 8 hours ago

    Can someone please explain the logic behind Senesi being in the scout picks this week? Bournemouth winless in 11, their star player is leaving and they are conceding a high volume of dangerous chances week in and week out.

    1. CheesyGonzalez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 days, 8 hours ago

      They're playing spurs...

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 8 hours ago

      Clinging to early season form/returns.

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 8 hours ago

      The reason is given in the Scouts pick article.

      "Another DefCon magnet, Marcos Senesi (£4.8m) makes a Scout Picks return for Bournemouth’s home match against Tottenham Hotspur. Thomas Frank’s side have scored just one goal in their last three away matches and could be without influential attacker Mohammed Kudus (£6.4m). Bournemouth, meanwhile, have the fifth-best defence on home turf, having conceded only nine times in 10 matches at the Vitality Stadium."

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2026/01/05/fpl-gameweek-21-scout-picks-three-double-ups

    4. MJF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      I think they are much harder to beat at home than away.

  4. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 8 hours ago

    Folks keeping Minteh this GW and considering starting against a weakened City defence

    Yankuba Minteh ‘still not perfect’ there is a ‘minor’ chance for him
    https://x.com/i/status/2008465495654125614

    1. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 8 hours ago

      Kinda sad I sold Mitoma, could be a 4-3

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 8 hours ago

        Hurzeler confirmed Mitoma is able to start again...

        https://x.com/i/status/2008465732557042120

        1. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          2 days, 8 hours ago

          Was gonna get priced out of Rice annoyingly

    2. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Whose available in that price bracket?

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        Wilson?

  5. JT11fc
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 8 hours ago

    Who to bench?
    Nunes
    or
    DCL

    1. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 8 hours ago

      Don't bench DCL, we are giving away big chances every week.

      1. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 8 hours ago

        Thanks

      2. Mother Farke
        • 1 Year
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        Would you start DCL over Odegaard?

        1. TheTinman
          • 10 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          Probably yes

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Nunes

      1. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        Cheers

  6. Cojones of Destiny
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 8 hours ago

    start one
    a. VanHecke vs Mci
    b. Andersen vs CHE
    c. Gudmudsson vs New

    1. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Probably A, could nick a goal and defcons

      1. Cojones of Destiny
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        thx

  7. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 8 hours ago

    Gordon should be ok for another start...

    Anthony Elanga (knee) "won't be long" says Howe but will not make Leeds tomorrow

    Jacob Murphy doubtful after hamstring scan. No serious injury, though

    Dan Burn, Emil Krafth & Will Osula still out.

    https://x.com/i/status/2008472935267459424

    1. Conners
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Cheers Tony

      Any thoughts on whether Livramento could get a start over Miley this week?

      1. TheTinman
        • 10 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        I would say Miley isn't getting dropped. He will either play in CM or RB. He has been our best player (along with Bruno and Thiaw) for the last month or so.

        If anyone is rested for Livramento it would probably be Hall, who is not the best fitness wise and hasn't had much of a break due to no cover.

      2. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        I think Hall should start LB tomorrow after an early sub in the last game.

        I think Miley mins at RB will be reduced with Livramento/Trippier back from injury. Livramento got 30 mins in the last game. If Livramento is fit to start, I think Howe will start him over Miley at RB.

      3. Conners
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        Thanks both

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Maybe...

      On Jacob Murphy, who was replaced late on due to a hamstring issue.

      'Yeah, he's had a scan. There's good news... no major injury there, so I think it was probably fatigue - his physical numbers in the game were outstanding. So, I think he will be available at the moment - it'll be a late decision, but fingers crossed.'

      https://x.com/i/status/2008474049236652249

    3. Cojones of Destiny
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      thx Tony

  8. Viper
    • 15 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Would you start E.Andersen or Miley?

  9. Emiliano Sala
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Matheus nunes over oreilly on wc yes or no?

    1. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      I did, no competition and defcons at times

    2. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      I've had Nunes for a while and pretty happy with him.

      No real competition even when players are fit and he gets a decent amount of goal involvements.

  10. BlzE_94
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Have I benched the right players?

    Raya
    Gabriel Tarkowski Dorgu
    Saka Cunha Rogers Gordon Paqueta
    Haaland Watkins

    Dubravka Chalobah Guehi Guiu

    1. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      What are your thoughts on Gordon? Looking to get rid?

      I'd play Chalobah over Tarkowksi.

      1. Do I Not Like Orange
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        I have him & really want rid. Is it worth a hit this GW to move him to Guimaraes though?

  11. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Bench one

    a. anderson (whu) a
    b. dcl (new) a

    1. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Ando

  12. Jebiga
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Would you trade Timber to Gabriel?
    I have both Rice and Saka as well

    1. joeynse99
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Hold off imo

  13. joeynse99
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Will Paqueta start v Forest?

    Bench is Mitchell, Szob, Mukiele

    1. Jebiga
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      He should for sure

      1. joeynse99
        • 10 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        Cheers pal

  14. Jebiga
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Should I play DCL or Wirtz?
    Looks like Wirtz is no brainer, but most people's will not agree here...

    1. joeynse99
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Wirtz

  15. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Just bench Ekitike VVD and play Heaven? Probably no CS or DC for VVD...

    1. MJF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      I'd have thought Arsenal away was a nailed on DC game for VVD but yeah I would select Heaven at Burnley over him.

  16. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Thoughts on Palmer as a differential? Too expensive?

    1. MJF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      If I had no other issues I'd happily sell Saka to Palmer and have Rice instead of the former.

      1. TheTinman
        • 10 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        Chelsea have some great fixtures coming and he might be hard for others to get in - that's my thoughts.

        1. MJF
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          Yeah I agree. With a new manager coming in they'll be looking to make him the centrepiece of what they do you'd think. Any sort of form before GW24 and he will go up in price loads I feel. I definitely want to get him by then.

    2. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      What mjf said. Saka > palmer and get rice.

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      I'm waiting until 24 for more info e.g setup under Rosenior

    4. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Palmer, like Saka, just isn't justifying his price.

      He will get returns, he will score well. But will he outscore a £7-8m midfielder noting that the surplus funds can mean more points elsewhere? I don't think so. Yet (noting the managerial chatter happening)

      1. Do I Not Like Orange
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        I guess the argument is whether he's the best option for that run of good fixtures coming up (full disclosure, I don't think Palmer has been a good FPL option for the past year & thought the CCs were mad for all putting him in their teams for GW1).

        1. MJF
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 days, 7 hours ago

          How much of that was down to Maresca's incompetence? We know what Palmer's capable of, like scoring four goals in a match etc, I think with the upcoming run its worth a punt given Saka is not really doing enough to justify 10.1 either.

      2. Ruinenlust
        • 8 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        Palmer is the most explosive player in the game bar none. What 7m mid has the potential to score 4 goals in a game?

  17. balint84
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    A) Wirtz to Rogers
    B) Eketike to Watkins

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      A

    2. Jebiga
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      But why Wirtz out?
      Any explanation please?
      I fancy pool win

  18. DagheMunegu
    • 5 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    What to do with this mess guys and 1ft 0itb ?

    Raya
    Gabriel O'Reilly Van Hecke
    Saka Foden Cunha Szobo Minteh
    Haaland Ekitike

    Dub Gudmunsson Rodon Guiu

    A Minteh Van Hecke to Le Fée Thiaw -4
    B Minteh Rodon to Le Fée Alderete -4
    C Etikite Minteh to Bowen Bruno Guimaraes -4
    D Minteh Ekitike to Watkins Wilson -4
    E Raya Minteh to Verbruggen Rice -4

    I quite like E

    1. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      I'd roll transfer

      1. DagheMunegu
        • 5 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        With Minteh and Ekitike a doubt ?

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      C or E are probably the one ones that feel worth a hit, but I would probably hold Ekitike so leaning towards E.

  19. MJF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    I can't figure out whether Watkins is worth bringing in, or whether his minutes are too much of an issue and it'd be better to go to a 3-5-2/4-5-1.

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      … and also how long his streak will last this time

  20. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    How likely do we think Ekitike is to start this GW?

    1. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Considering how blunt they have been in attack they will be desperate to get him on the pitch

    2. Jebiga
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      If it's a mind game he will start 100%

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Probably leaning towards a start/available for the Arsenal game

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2026/01/05/fpl-notes-ekitike-injury-latest-another-wilson-return

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 6 hours ago

        Cheers!

  21. 50pipsDaily
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Start :

    A- DCL (new)
    B- Dalot (bur)

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      A

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      A

    3. 50pipsDaily
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 4 hours ago

      Cheers

  22. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Think I'll keep Ekitike for Burnley. With him, Rodon and Minteh out, it means playing Andersen Vs Chelsea and no subs.

    1 Free Transfer and little in the bank to move on Rodon.

    A. Just play Andersen
    B. Andersen to Keane
    C. Minteh to Garner (and bench Andersen)

    C frees up some cash and Garner would be 8th attacker.

    1. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      A
      Then carry transfer over and reassess next gw.

    2. Cojones of Destiny
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      C

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      C

  23. Cojones of Destiny
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    play
    a. Eki
    b. Stach

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Ekitike is surely all or nothing so A

      1. Cojones of Destiny
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        agree ty

  24. niaz1982
    • 6 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Current line up - better to play Wharton or Chalobah?

    Kelleher
    O'Reilly Gabriel Guehi
    Wharton Semenyo Foden Rice Cunha
    Haaland Thiago

    Subs: Verbruggen, Van der Ven, Chalobah, DCL

    1. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Chalobah

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Chalobah

  25. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Which one to start:

    A) Van Dijk
    B) Van Den Berg
    C) Andersen

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      A

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      B lost his place?

      I'd play A over C. Likely neither get a CS but VVD surely better chance of a cheeky goal or Defcon

  26. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Capt foden or saka?
    Dont really wanna capt haaland

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      time for Foden to shine !

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      You think Arsenal steamroller Liverpool? Because unless you think they're likely to score 3 (meaning good chance Saka gets a couple of returns) then I'd go for a City player.

    3. MJF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      I wouldn't captain Saka against Carlisle reserves.

      1. Bale11
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        The robot will bounce back

  27. MJF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    I had a treble on Thiaw, DCL and Richarlison to score anytime at the weekend, can't believe the former scored and the latter pair let me down. Still fuming.

  28. Bale11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Any ideas how to improve team? 2FT or G2G?

    Thinking:
    A)Eikitike and xhaka Rutter out for Cherki and Wissa
    B) Timber and Etikike out for Cherki and Thiaw

    Keheller

    Gab, Timber, Van de Ven

    Saka, Xhaka, Foden, Rogers

    Erling Ekitike Thiago

    B: Dubruka, Mukiele, Rutter, Van Hecke

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Why Wissa ?
      I think Woltmade would start

      1. Bale11
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 days, 7 hours ago

        They both start don’t they? I’m trying to climb ranks but may be worth holding

  29. Ha.
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    What do?

    1. Minteh > HWilson
    2. Minteh > Garner
    3. Save FT with a view to Minteh > Enzo next week

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 7 hours ago

      Probably depends if you need a starter this GW

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        2 days, 6 hours ago

        Have VdV who would play if I went with 3

        Not great, but nailed at least

  30. Diles Mavis
    • 1 Year
    2 days, 7 hours ago

    Bench Ekitike or B. Fernandes?