Captain Sensible
26 February 2026 322 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Cole Palmer (£10.6m) and Joao Pedro (£7.7m) dominated the captaincy conversation last week but largely left Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers disappointed after Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Burnley. Mega points-hauls have proved to come by in recent weeks, following on from Gabriel Magalhaes (£7.1m) in Gameweek 26.

So, in Gameweek 28, is it time to go back to what we know and hand Erling Haaland (£14.8m) the captaincy? Or is this a week to again look elsewhere? That’s what we’re considering in ‘Captain Sensible’, especially with some tempting-looking fixtures elsewhere.

Popular Fantasy attackers such as Bruno Fernandes (£9.9m), Igor Thiago (£7.1m) are strong options and provide competition for Haaland ahead of Friday’s 6.30pm GMT deadline – as do Liverpool attackers at home to West Ham.

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

Best captain 28

Haaland returns to his usual spot and currently sits atop the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll. Just under a third of our site users believe the Norway international is the best option for Gameweek 28, following five attacking returns in his last four matches.

Fernandes is pulling ahead of Thiago in the race for second spot. Those two are on 17% and 12% of the vote, respectively. Man United host struggling Crystal Palace, while Brentford travel to relegation-threatened Burnley. Both players rank in the top seven for overall Fantasy points so far this season.

Elsewhere, Morgan Rogers (£7.7m), Hugo Ekitike (£8.9m) and Virgil van Dijk (£6.0m) are the only other players to garner more than 5% support.


Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks


price change predictions

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

322 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. RealSocialDads
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    GTG?

    Verb
    Gabriel O'Reilly VVD
    Bruno Semenyo Rogers Rice
    Kroupi Thiago Haaland

    Dub KDH Rodon Mukiele

    1FT

    1. TBL
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      yep

  2. FC Hakkebøf
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    A) Rice + Hill
    B) Tavernier + Timber

    1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 6 days ago

      A

    2. GunnerStorm
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      A

  3. OptimusBlack
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    What about this ?
    Múnoz & King >
    VVD & Wilson
    For free
    It's same exact money
    Yaaay
    No

    1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Do it

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Thxx

    2. No Professionals
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Yay

  4. JBG
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Dorgu + Rice to Hill + Mbuemo(C) for -4?

    1. ebb2sparky
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      If you think mbeumo is the best captain choice then go for it. I'd probably just swap dorgu for hill though.

      1. JBG
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        The best captain is not going to help my rank (Haaland). Could go Bruno, but he's not as involved as he has been earlier.

    2. TBL
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      nooooooooo

    3. rjcv177
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Thats bold. I wish the best on that move

  5. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Thoughts on:

    Rice > Stach/Tavernier
    and
    Guiu > Thiago

    Thanks

    1. TBL
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      only Thiago

      1. TBL
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        or get Rayan?

    2. rjcv177
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Stach is awesome 29/31

      1. Amartey Partey
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        I concur. I am glad I have him in my team. I am actually starting him this week too, because he should get defcons, and might even get an attacking return being on free-kicks and corners.

  6. Captain Mal
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Sarr doesn't even score in midweek fixtures anymore. He blanked against Zrinjski despite 0.98 xG.

  7. TBL
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Would you start
    A) Rice (CHE Home)
    B) Rayan (SUN Home)

    1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 6 days ago

      B

    2. rjcv177
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      B

    3. G Banger
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Rayan seems to be the popular choice, but as Chelsea struggle against set pieces I'm happy to be playing Rice

    4. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      I'd start both

  8. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Rice, Gomez > Dango, Rayan 2FT’s?

    1. rjcv177
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Go for it

  9. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Thoughts on this for -8?

    Timber, Mane, Garner & Enzo to O'Reilly, Thiago, Stach & Rayan? Each one of them feels like an upgrade to me. Gives me this team.

    Raya
    Gabriel O'Reilly Konsa
    Bruno Mbeumo Rogers Rayan
    Haaland Ekitike Thiago

    Dubravka Stach Tarkowski Alderete

    WC already used. Will ship out Tarkowski & Alderete in GW30 & then save FTs for the double gameweek.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      How can we answer your posts if they don’t start with ‘Hey Fam’!

    2. G Banger
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      I struggle to justify -4 let alone -8, can you do it without doing Garner to Stach as hes on the bench anyway?

  10. The Knights Template
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Verbruggen
    Gabriel, O’Reilly, Hill
    Bruno, Mbeumo, Semenyo, Rice
    Thiago, Haaland, Watkins

    Dubravka, Enzo, Esteve, Mukiele

    1. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 6 days ago

      'Tis a team. Huzzah!

      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        I noticed everybody else posting their teams and I wanted to join in!

    2. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Mbeumo and Thiago is a good start, but rumour has it that if you complete the bearded trinity their points get doubled.
      Verbruggen to Alisson?

    3. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Haaland is a rubbish pick. Surely you bench him for E-Steve? 😉

      1. The Philosopher
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Is he the electric Steve?

  11. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    "Can't you see?! My strength is too much. My strength is my super power. Can't you seeeeeeeeeeee" 😆

  12. rjcv177
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Evening Scouts
    Rank them in order to play this GW?

    A) maguire
    B) Jo andersen
    C) kroupi
    D) j.pedro
    E) Rice
    F) i.thiago (-4)

    Thkx in adv

    1. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      E
      A
      B
      F
      C

  13. G Banger
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Sorry for the broken record, and probably indicative that it's all going to end in 1 or 2 points whatever I choose, but:
    a) Play Kroupi
    b) Play Enzo
    c) Dango (-4)

    1. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      A

      1. G Banger
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Currently on this thanks

    2. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Probably A

  14. jcr1997
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Kelleher
    Saliba Gabriel konsa Alderete
    Rogers palmer Bruno Cherki
    Haaland Ekitike

    Dub lacroix zubi obi

    a) Palmer Lacroix and Cherki > Rayan, Thiago and Hill? (-4)

    b) Cherki and lacroix > Rayan and Dango

    C) hold and play Zubi

    1. G Banger
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Just Chekri out? or need a second transfer to get funds?

      1. jcr1997
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Need to sell palmer for funds if want a 3rd striker

        1. G Banger
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 6 days ago

          Palmer out for a hit seems a bit much, b) for me and hope that Dango covers Thiago

  15. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Out
    Chalobah rice Enzo Pedro
    In
    Hill wilson semenyo Thiago

    Good moves ?

    For free

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Yes Ajax

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Cheers 🙂

    2. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Good moves.

    3. Viper
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Look good to me

    4. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Thanks all !!

  16. CoracAld2831
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 6 days ago

    Anyone else thinking of keeping Rice and Timber up until 31 as dufferentials & then getting rid?

    Might keep Haaland as well.

    1. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Yes, I am thinking strongly about doing that. I will decide next GW.

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Negative on keeping those 2!

  17. I have no Wirtz
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Which one to start?

      A)Rice
      B)JP
      C)Gabriel
      D)Rayan -4 (Rice>Rayan)

      1. No Professionals
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Gabriel

        But I wouldn’t want to be benching rice either

      2. Amartey Partey
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        C

      3. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        C+A

    • No Professionals
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Raya
      Gabriel Virgil Munoz
      Bruno Semenyo Rogers Rice Enzo
      Haaland Thiago

      Dubravka Anderson Rodon Guiu
      1.6m 2ft 16k

      A) Enzo to Dango
      B) enzo to Wilson
      C) enzo and Munoz to Mbeumo and Hill

      1. Amartey Partey
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        C

      2. Viper
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        A

    • Mayor of Flair
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Play

      Munoz v Utd

      Or

      Bowen v Liverpool

      1. Viper
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Bowen. Penalties

        1. Mayor of Flair
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 6 days ago

          It's almost 6 o clock

    • Viper
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Hi all! Thoughts on this? *Repost*

      Verbruggen Dub

      Gabriel Timber VVD Hill (Richards)

      Bruno (c) Rice Dango Rogers (Anderson)

      Haaland Thiago (Bowen)

      A. Start Rice & Hill. Roll to 3Fts

      B. Rice & Bowen -> Wilson & Ekitike (2Fts). Bench Hill.

      1. Mayor of Flair
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        B

      2. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Timber to Nico O'R?

      3. Ziyech on the Bench
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        B

    • hazza44
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Hi all,
      Any suggested transfers? (Already WCd) 1FT & £2.3. Thinking:
      A) Timber to VVD
      B) Enzo to Wirtz
      C) Roll

      Roefs
      Gabriel Hill Cash
      Bruno Mbeumo Rogers Enzo Semenyo
      Haaland Thiago
      (Dub Timber Mane Alderete)

      1. ball c
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        B.
        But wait for Slots press conference tomorrow as Wirtz is a doubt.

      2. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        A if Wirtz is even small doubt. Gw29 is so close.

    • DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Pedro to Raul Jimenez.
      Discuss.

      1. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Should be good until it isn't
        I want Sanchez to Roelfs
        JP can wait

      2. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        You have Thiago? Muniz is back, Raul prolly starts both, he isn't young and gw29 is close. I wouldn't be surprised to see him benched/rested next week. He prolly gets 60+60, but 60+30 is a possibility. I plan to bench J P.

    • Old Bull
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Based on fixtures I’d say yes, but football has this annoying habit of defying logic. I’m keeping Palmer but it’s more in hope than any confidence

    • hawkeyes
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Would you get Dango in for Enzo if you already have Thiago?

      If not, please suggest other Enzo replacement.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Wilson

      2. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        I went for Dango, getting also Thiago.

      3. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Having Mbeumo even though I own Bruno F didn't hurt me last week.

    • Gazwaz80
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Fernandes for Captain? Palace will be knackered…

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        I will prolly play safe with Haaland who has looked good. Mbeumo, Sesko and Cunha may do the scoring and Bruno has lost his defcon points.

    • Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Kelleher / Dub
      Gabriel, Timber*, VVd, / Muñoz*, Andersen
      Bruno, Mbeumo, Dango, Rice*, Rogers
      Haaland, Guiu*, Joao Pedro
      1 ft 2.3 mitb

      I am planning to take -4 to sell Guiu+Timber to get Thiago and O'Reilly. Plan is to bench Haaland, Gabi and O'Reilly come gw31 and carry one extra transfer (if no injuries to others than Muñoz and Rice) before WC32/33. MCI mid in form classed as a def is worth trying imo. I could afford J P to Thiago without a hit, but one injury would force me to take a hit and I would still have to sell Guiu. Is my logic to get Nico sound or crazy?

    • Gazwaz80
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Is anybody awake?

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Nope

        1. Gazwaz80
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 6 days ago

          😀

      2. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Don’t wanna risk being called woke so decided to be a sleepwalking racist from now on. Goodnight

    • Gazwaz80
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Time for bed, night night Baps 🙂

      1. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Sleep well boobies

      2. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Goodnight!

    • Manani
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      start Rice or JP?

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Rice

        1. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 6 days ago

          Or I at least have decided to do that, so perhaps do reconsider. I managed to bench Virgil and his 17 pts on a dgw.

      2. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        Is your name the plural of mananus? Go back to Lapland!

        (Toss a coin. I said Rice yesterday, but I don’t like him for this fixture)

    • Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 6 days ago

      Has anyone a woke?

      1. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 6 days ago

        ewok*

        Looking for someone to share their ewok with me. Romance not obligatory, but encouraged.

        1. Deulofail
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 6 days ago

          I’ve been bottomed. But I’m flexible if you wanna swap.

          1. The Knights Template
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 6 days ago

            Get the bum gun!

            1. Deulofail
              • 10 Years
              3 months, 6 days ago

              You could blast an ewok to space with that