Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 23?

23 January 2026 479 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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It’s four blanks in five Gameweeks for Erling Haaland (£15.1m) – so is it time to back against him with the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) captaincy?

That’s what we’re considering in ‘Captain Sensible’, despite Manchester City’s favourable home fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Brentford, Liverpool, Arsenal or perhaps even alternative Man City players are other 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

Unsurprisingly, Haaland is the runaway leader at the top of the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll standings. Over 60% of our site users believe the Norwegian is the best option for Gameweek 23, despite him scoring just one goal in five Gameweeks.

Another Man City player, Antoine Semenyo (£7.6m), sits in second place, currently boasting just over 12% of the vote. The January signing, who already has two goals for his new club, was ineligible to feature in the Champions League in midweek.

Elsewhere, Igor Thiago (£7.2m) is the only other player to garner more than 5% support ahead of Brentford’s clash with Nottingham Forest. The Brazilian sits second in the Golden Boot race and bagged a brace in his last home match.

Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks

price change predictions

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

479 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 20 days ago

    Made two trades this week swapped Nunes for Guehi and brought in Enzo. Will have two FT's next week.

    Sanchez
    Gabriel Guehi Aldarete
    Saka Foden Rogers Enzo Rice
    Haaland Thiago(c)

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    1. Mr Turnip 1
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Nice team

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        1. shirtless
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          I Wildcarded late in 17 which helped! Foden>Bruno next

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    2. fgdu
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Who to start?

      Timber, Guehi, Tarkowski, Chalobah
      Wirtz, Rice, Semenyo, Wilson
      Ekitike, Haaland, Thiago

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      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        bench chalobah or wilson

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    3. OffsidePenalty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Foden to
      A) Cherki
      B) Semenyo
      C) Roll ft. Start Foden.

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      1. BrockLanders
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        C

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    4. gomez123
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Start A) DCL or B) Garner
      I have Tarkowski

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      1. BrockLanders
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        DCL is on pens. I'd be starting irrespective of Tark.

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    5. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Wish there was a good captain alternative this week other than Haaland

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Thiago or Semenyo?

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      2. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Palmer?

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    6. F4L
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      no one tempted to captain an Arsenal player/Rice/Gabriel etc this gw? just have a feeling arsenal will put on a clinic this weekend. rice to run the match after a rest, i think he even got himself suspended for next week's CL match

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      1. Dank Squid
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        If you have a feeling, go for it. "O Captain! my Captain!" Journey vs destination.

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

      Bruno seems to rise in price tonight.

      A) Do Saka/Foden to Rice/BrunoF today to afford King to Enzo next GW
      B) Roll both FTs and not afford King to Enzo next week, max. 6.4, maby Ndiaye

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      1. WVA
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        If you have 2FT GET Fruno on Enzo

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      2. OverTinker
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Hard to get anything for Bruno this GW

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    8. BlzE_94
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Which 3 would you bench guys? Appreciate any help!

      Sanchez Dubravka
      Gabriel Timber Chalobah Frimpong Alderete
      B.Fernandes Rice Gakpo Enzo Wilson
      Haaland Watkins Thiago

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      1. -GK22-
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Frimpong, Alderete, gakpo

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      2. F4L
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        alderete gakpo watkins

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    9. gomez123
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      Would you sell DCL for Pedro for -4? Y/N

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      1. -GK22-
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        No

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      2. bobicek92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        2 months, 20 days ago

        not even for +4

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      3. BrockLanders
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Goodness, no

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    10. -GK22-
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 20 days ago

      2FT and £1.3m not sure what to do, ditch the pool players or Foden

      Raya
      Gabriel, Andersen, Chalobah
      Foden, Cherki, Rice, Garner, Rogers
      Thiago (c), Haaland

      Dubravka, Ekitike, VVD, Rodon

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      1. BrockLanders
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Starting Garner over Ekitike???
        I'd personally ditch Cherki & Foden for Bruno & Enzo.

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      2. Mr Turnip 1
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Bournemouth defence is not good. You should keep and start all Liverpool attackers

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      3. Dutchy
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Start Timber or Collins

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        1. -GK22-
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Timber

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        2. F4L
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          thats tough. if you really cant start both, collins at a push. i guess if you have gabriel it softens the blow of an arsenal cs somewhat

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        3. BrockLanders
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Timber

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      4. BrockLanders
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Start one folks:

        1/ J. Andersen
        2/ Mukiele

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        1. bobicek92
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 1 Year
          2 months, 20 days ago

          I am on Andersen personally, always prefer the home fixture when 50/50

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      5. FPLMACKEM
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Raya
        Virgil, Gabriel, Chalobah
        Enzo, Wilson, Foden, Saka, Anderson
        Ekitike, Haaland (c)

        Dubravka, Andersen, Rodon, Guiu

        4ft 2.2 itb.

        Will Foden and Ekitike start?

        Is it worth doing Foden to Bruno now? Ekitike to Thiago?

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        1. BrockLanders
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Neither transfer is essential this week if truth be known. But both are good moves and will pay off long term.

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      6. Nightf0x
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Alison (dub)
        Richards mukiele gabriel (clyne keane)
        Bruno rice enzo gordon (king)
        Tiago haland watkins

        which ?

        A) clyne alison -4 to timber sanchez
        B) king alison -4 to rogers sanchez
        C) gordon clyne -4 to rogers timber
        D) king to rogers (have watkins)
        E) clyne to timber (can wait & get cala later & save some funds)

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      7. rozzo
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 20 days ago

        Mane or Kroupi to sit on the bench or doesn't it really matter?

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        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • 9 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Mane for me, more minutes and potential double gameweek soon

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        2. Dank Squid
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Mane reverse oop, playing behind two strikers atm, scored a few goals from outside the box.

          Kroupi might get less minutes, assuming Bournemouth spend money on new attackers, but pops up inside the box more often/better chances.

          Preference - minutes/ticking along vs haul potential.

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        3. Mr Turnip 1
            2 months, 20 days ago

            If this is true get a cheap non playing forward. Mane and Kroupi only if you will play them

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        4. doppelganger
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Play 1 of this 3:
          A.Senesi
          B.Cash
          C.Dorgu

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          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            AB

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          2. F4L
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            a

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          3. BrockLanders
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            B

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        5. Buck The Trent
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Which cheap striker ? Will only play if fixtures are good.

          A Mane
          B Kroupi Jr
          C Brobbey

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          1. waltzingmatildas
            • 15 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            A

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          2. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            A

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        6. waltzingmatildas
          • 15 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Which one to bench?
          A) Dorgu (ars)
          B) Lacroix (CHE)
          C) Kayode (NFO)

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          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            A

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          2. F4L
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            a

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          3. waltzingmatildas
            • 15 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            Yeah feels obvious, except I'm worried about an attacking return again!

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        7. Weasel Boy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Any chance O'Reilly starts this GW?

          Currently have O'Reilly Guehi Foden Haaland from city.

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        8. OverTinker
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Is any team getting dgw before GW 30?

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          1. JoeSoap
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            Possibly Arsenal

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        9. -GK22-
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Foden, Cherki and VVD

          To

          Bruno, Semenyo, Collins -4?

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          1. BrockLanders
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            I wouldn't go Semenyo personally. Too much risk with rotation. Bruno & Enzo?

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        10. Skout
          • 6 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Any suggestions on this team? 2 FTs, 0.3itb

          Dubravka
          Gabriel Thiaw Reinildo
          Saka Foden Cherki Cunha
          Haaland Thiago Watkins

          Petrovic Timber Stach Rodon

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          1. JoeSoap
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            Cunha>Enzo/Ndiaye

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        11. JoeSoap
          • 12 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          A. Bruno G>Enzo
          B. Save and have 2 FTs nxt week

          Verbruggen
          Guehi, Timber, Gabriel,
          Saka, Bruno G, Foden, Wilson, Rogers
          Ekiteke, Haaland,
          Dubravka, Mukiele, Cash, Guiu

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        12. how now brown cow
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Pope
          O'Reilly Gabriel VDV
          Saka Rice Foden Bruno G
          Haaland Thiago Jimenez

          (Dubravka Xhaka Mukiele Truffert)

          With 1 ft, what should I do?

          A- save
          B - Foden to Semenyo
          C - o'Reilly to guehi
          D - something else?

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          1. JoeSoap
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            Maybe c

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        13. OverTinker
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          3.7 itb. 1ft.
          Pickford Dub
          Gabriel Timber Thiaw (Dorgu Keane)
          Rice Wilson BrunoG Rogers Foden
          Ekitike Haaland (Guiu)
          Is there any transfer worth utilizing an FT here?

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        14. abaalan
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          A. Tavernier to Enzo this week
          B. Tavernier to max 5.9 this week. Then foden -> Bruno next week.
          C. Save. Then tavernier & thiago -> Bruno & kroupi next week.
          D. A this week, then Foden & Thaigo -> Bruno & Kroupi next week (-4)

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          1. BeaversWithAttitude
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            B

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        15. jonnybhoy
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          GTG?

          Sanchez
          Gabriel Timber Alderete
          Bruno F Saka Bruno G Wilson Foden
          Haaland Ekitike

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          1. F4L
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            gtg

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        16. F4L
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          could do with a goal from big dan ballard tomorrow

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        17. el polako
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 20 days ago

          Cole Palmer.
          No form for probably a year now, clearly carrying and injury yet still in people’s minds to bring in.

          Blinded by the fixtures?
          Or just too few premiums worth owning hence too much money to spend?

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          1. Tripswich
              2 months, 20 days ago

              People are struggling to adapt to the post premium defcon DCL new world order. Very understandable.

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          2. F4L
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 20 days ago

            bournemouth are so decimated, losing semenyo, kluivert, brooks, tavernier just like that in a blink of an eye. oof. gotta feel for iraola

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            1. I have no Wirtz
                2 months, 20 days ago

                I feel for him. But he shall get a seat at the big soon.

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                1. F4L
                  • 11 Years
                  2 months, 20 days ago

                  yeah deserves it. hopefully clubs go for him and leave silva alone (please sign a new contract 🙂 )

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