Captain Sensible
16 January 2026 414 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Following three consecutive blanks, Erling Haaland (£15.1m) did at least find the back of the net in Gameweek 21 to reward the millions of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers who captained him.

But is the Norwegian the cut-and-dried top choice for Gameweek 22?

Once again in ‘Captain Sensible’, we consider whether there is a case to back against Haaland as the Premier League returns following a domestic cup hiatus. Liverpool, Chelsea or perhaps even alternative Manchester City players are options ahead of Saturday’s 11am GMT deadline.

In this piece, we will assess the on-site captaincy poll, analyse myriad player and team statistics, consult the Rate My Team (RMT) points projections and settle on a top three for the armband.


Captaincy Poll

Haaland sits at the top of the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll standings. Close to half of our site users believe the Norwegian is the best option for Gameweek 22, despite him scoring just one goal in four Gameweeks.

Despite being sold by over 350,000 managers, Hugo Ekitike (£8.9m) sits in second place, currently boasting just under 19% of the vote. The Frenchman notched a goal and an assist off the bench in the FA Cup on his return from injury.

Elsewhere, Antoine Semenyo (£7.6m), now of Man City, is the only other player to garner more than 5% support. Bruno Fernandes (£9.1m) is teetering around that mark after picking up an assist on his comeback last time out.


Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks


price change predictions

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

414 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Nightf0x
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Alison (dub)
    Richards mukiele gabriel (clyne keane)
    Saka rice foden gordon (king)
    Tiago haland watkins

    Intial thoughts, 2ft, which ?

    A) saka clyne to wilson timber, bench richards/tiago
    B) foden king to enzo wilson, bench tiago
    C) saka king clyne -4 to enzo wilson timber
    D) roll ft, g2g

  2. Pughy9
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Who in for cuhna?
    A.Wirtz
    B. Rogers

    Cheers

    1. kempc23
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      I think Wirtz is a great shout for the next two. Dont know about longer term than that. But he has outscored Saka over the last six GWs, and is only a few points of Gruno.

  3. MarcusAurelius
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Would you bench boost this?

    Roefs
    Thiaw Gabriel Tarkowski
    BrunoG Rice Wilson Rogers
    Haaland Thiago Bowen

    Kelleher Cherki VDV Bijol

    If not bench who?
    A) Cherki (MUN)
    B) Bowen (tot)
    C) Thiago (che)

    1) Tark (avl)
    2) VDV (WHU)

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Very similar position but waiting for dgw, hate the chip

      1. MarcusAurelius
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 18 days ago

        Same. Wanna get rid so I can get some cheap subs. Who would you bench out of those options out of interest?

  4. Atwood
    • 15 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    What are Minteh owners doing? Been wanting to sell for a while but Bou(H) is a nice fixture if he's fit enough to start

    1. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      I've sold (early in the GW). I may regret it, but they seem to have plenty of players to choose from and I can't see Minteh playing 90. Their fixtures are ok, though, so knowing he's fit aid be tempted to hold and see.

  5. Moneymar
    • 3 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Xhaka/Le Fee or Garner as a 5th mid?

  6. adstomko
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    From GW24, who do you think would likely be best to own?

    A) Thiago
    B) Šeško

    1. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Thiago. Nailed and pens.

      1. adstomko
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 18 days ago

        Thought so, cheers

  7. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Currently on this, but debating whether or not I'd be better swapping Semenyo our for Wirtz instead?

    Sanchez
    Gabriel - Tarkowski - Chalobah
    Saka - Rice - Bruno F - Enzo - Semenyo
    DCL - Haaland

    Dubravka - Kroupi - Mukiele - Senesi

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Looks pretty solid

      1. Kodap
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 18 days ago

        debating swapping semenyo for Wirtz tbf

        1. Better off with a pin and a…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 18 days ago

          I prefer Semenyo, but I do get the Burnley fixture appeal. Is that a WC?

  8. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Sorry, reposting, struggling a bit here

    3FT

    Verbruggen
    Timber O'Reilly Alderete
    Saka Semenyo Foden Garner
    Ekitike Haaland Thiago

    Dubravka Anderson Truffert Dalot

    Need to shift one or two City players

    Timber to Gabriel
    Semenyo to Wilson
    Roll the third or Dalot to Van de Ven?

    Something else I could do?

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Timber to Gabriel id hold the rest this gw your squad looks good for this week, attack it next

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 18 days ago

        Need to do a 2nd move to afford that first one sorry, didnt say ive 0 ITB

    2. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      I'd lose Foden before Semenyo and he's more expensive. Does Foden - Wilson and O Reilly to Gab work?

  9. Bobkat
    • 3 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Help appreciated with who to bench

    A Wilson
    B DCL
    C Foden
    D Semenyo

    1 O’Reilly
    2 Mukiele

    1. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 18 days ago

      C1

    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      A1

    3. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      C1

  10. Jstap94
    • 2 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Milenkovic to:

    1) Mukiele
    2) Alderte
    3) Van de Ven
    4) Frimpong

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      4

    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      4 failing that 1

  11. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Play one:

    Gordon (away to Wolves)
    Wilson (Leeds away)

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Gordon for sure

    2. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Wilson better form
      Gordon better fixture

      Probably Wilson for me

  12. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    4FT & 0.3ITB. Please help if you can.
    Verb
    Andersen O'Reilley Timber
    Foden Saka Cunha Rice
    Watkins Haaland Thiago
    (Alderete-Dalot-Devenny)
    A. O'Reilley + Cunha - Mukilele + Bruno F
    B. Cunha - Wirtz or Mbuemo
    C. Roll

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      If you do A you'll have 2 Sunderland defenders, not sure thats ideal, as good as they've been

      I like B with wirtz

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 18 days ago

        Thank you mate, great caution there! I'll just do that transfer this GW then? Any idea how long Saka will play tempted to C forest are very leaky imo

        1. Van der Faart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 18 days ago

          Not a clue but big CL game Tuesday night so wouldnt be surprised if his minutes are managed

          1. nico05
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 18 days ago

            Yeah, I'll not risk that then ha ha. Thanks for the advice

  13. jonnybhoy
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Best Keane replacement

    A) Senesi
    B) Cash
    C) Mukiele

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      C

    2. boroie
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      C

  14. boroie
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Thoughts on these two transfers?

    O’Reilly & Cunha
    ->
    Chalobah & Rogers

  15. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Foden > Wirtz?

    1. boroie
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Yes

  16. boroie
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Which 3 of these are the most urgent to get rid of?

    A - Dorgu
    B - Virgil
    C - O’Reilly
    D - Cunha
    E - Cherki
    F - Saka
    G - Gordon

    1. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 18 days ago

      CBA

      1. boroie
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 18 days ago

        Trying to work out whether this is your answer… or an abbreviation for something else…

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      D

      1. boroie
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 18 days ago

        Thanks… who would you say after that?

      2. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        2 months, 18 days ago

        AE

        1. boroie
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 18 days ago

          Thanks mate…

          Maybe Cunha and Dorgu to Mukiele & Rogers?

  17. Moneymar
    • 3 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Is Frimpong nailed this weekend?

    1. Bunk Moreland
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Yeah. Got subbed at 60 in cup so he is saved for the weekend. I’m capping.

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Yeh good option

  18. The FPL Units
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Cunha to

    A Wirtz
    B Bruno F
    C Bruno G
    D other
    E Roll and have 2ft

    Kelleher
    Timber O'Reilly Gab
    Saka Foden Cunha Anderson
    (H)aaland Thiago Kroupi

    Dubs Garner Guehi Andersen

    1. boroie
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      D - Rogers

    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      I'm leaning A with view to go B in a couple of weeks

  19. boroie
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Who do you bench from this lot…?

    Saka Cherki Rogers Wilson Gordon
    Haaland Ekitike Thiago

  20. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Thoughts on these moves? 4FTs & 0.1itb

    Gw22: VDB & Cunha —> Alderate & Rogers/Tavernier (2FTs)
    Gw24: Saka & Foden —> Bruno & Palmer (2FTs)

    Verbruggen
    Gabriel Timber Andersen
    Saka Cunha LeFee Foden
    Haaland Ekitike Thiago

    Dubravka Devenny VDB Keane*

  21. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Play 1 DEF
    A Tark
    B Senesi
    C Anderson

  22. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Who do I bench, Palmer, DCL, or another.

    Bus team has Palmer but if playing headache.

    Kelleher
    Timber Gabriel Chalobah
    Foden Rogers HWilson Rice
    Haaland DCL Ekitike

    Dubravka Palmer Guehi O’Reilly

    .2

    1. Ray85
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      DCL

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 18 days ago

        Thx

    2. boroie
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Awesome team… but lots of benching headaches. I’d probably bench DCL but very difficult decision.

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 18 days ago

        Cheers, yes but rather thevcash on players than bank.

    3. MarcusAurelius
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      I’d bench DCL over Palmer

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 18 days ago

        Thx

    4. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Cheers guys, will await any leaks as first game

    5. aguerodontblankonme
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Play Palmer if you already have him.

    6. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Very hard, but I'd bench Wilson away to Leeds.

  23. Ray85
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Evening lads. Tarkowski v Villa or Reinaldo v Palace?

    1. boroie
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Rein

  24. boroie
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Start 1…

    A - Mukiele (CRY)
    B - O’Reilly (mun)

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Think both concede

    2. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Mukiele. Don't have a lot of faith in O'Reilly's minutes, though I doubt either get much. Palace could be in quite a state this weekend and Sun at home are pretty good.

  25. abaalan
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Cunha to
    A. Rice
    B. Wirtz

    1. boroie
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      B easy

    2. aguerodontblankonme
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Yeah, A easy for me, atleast long term

  26. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Who to transfer in for Cunha?

    A) Rogers
    B) Enzo

    1. boroie
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      A. Wait on Enzo until we see what Chelsea do under Rosenior.

    2. aguerodontblankonme
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Enzo sucks, so Rogers

  27. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Anyone going against Haaland or play safe?

    1. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Ekitike for me.

  28. R Whites
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Frimpong or Van de Ven for short-medium term?

    1. aguerodontblankonme
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Frimpong

  29. aguerodontblankonme
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Need a keeper. Sanchez or Roefs?

  30. Jstap94
    • 2 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Which player to Rice:

    1) Cunha
    2) Cherki

    I like 2 because of the Wolves game but are minutes too risky?

    1. aguerodontblankonme
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Bye bye Cunha