Captain Sensible
20 March 2026 186 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Four different players were captained by over one million Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers in Gameweek 30, only the second time that has happened in 2025/26.

Our pick, Bruno Fernandes (£10.2m), was the big winner, and the only one of the four to return. The Portugal international recorded his sixth consecutive double-digit haul in home matches.

Attention now turns to Blank Gameweek 31, with usual suspect Erling Haaland (£14.5m), his Manchester City team-mate Antoine Semenyo (£8.3m) and Arsenal’s resolute defence all without a fixture. With the many millions of Haaland backers looking for an alternative, is there a case to look beyond Fernandes? That’s what we’re considering in ‘Captain Sensible’.

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, ahead of Friday’s 6.30pm GMT deadline.


Captaincy Poll

Best captain 31

In a result similar to Haaland’s early-season dominance, Fernandes boasts a clear lead in the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll. The in-form Manchester United talisman has picked up well over 50% of votes cast ahead of the Red Devils’ trip to Bournemouth. In the reverse fixture, Fernandes returned a 13-point haul.

In second and third spot are Harry Wilson (£6.0m) and Joao Pedro (£7.8m), respectively. Both players blanked last time out but have been in brilliant recent form

Elsewhere, Hugo Ekitike (£9.2m) is the only other player to garner more than 5% support, currently sitting just ahead of Anthony Gordon (£7.3m) in the standings. The former scored in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, while Gordon notched a double-digit haul in Gameweek 30.


Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks


price change predictions

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

186 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Big Sam Time
    • 8 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Hi everyone, how's this looking GTG?

    Dubravka
    Vvd, thiaw, Andersen
    Bruno Fernandes (C), odango, Wilson (VC), wirtz, Anderson
    Thiago,, ekiteke

    Bench, verbruggan, van hecke, haaland, gabriel

  2. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Which move would you make:

    A) Timber to Thiaw
    B) Haaland to Pedro
    C) Haaland to Bowen
    D) Haaland & Timber to Thiaw & Bowen / Pedro for a -4?

    Here’s how I’m lined up:

    Verbruggen 

    Van Dijk - Senesi - Andersen

    Bruno F - Tavernier - Mbuemo - Rogers - Dango
Haaland - Thiago

    Dubravka - Timber - Gabriel - Guiu

    1. cfc_andrew4
      • 3 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      A

    2. Big Sam Time
      • 8 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      A

  3. Fuddled FC
    • 14 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Think I've 1 more piece of the puzzle to sort

    a) Mane > DCL (Keep Haaland)
    b) Haaland > Ekitike
    c) Geuhi > Andersen/Hall (keep Haaland)

    1. cfc_andrew4
      • 3 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      I’d say whichever of B or C will have less tied up in value difference if you wanted them back.

    2. Big Sam Time
      • 8 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      C

  4. cfc_andrew4
    • 3 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Hey all,
    Is 8 starters too low this week? Would be hits for any more. My attack is pretty full (Bruno, Wilson, Gordon, Tiago etc), but defence lacking with injuries and blanks.
    Cheers

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      I think 8 warrants free hitting

  5. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Zubi -> Gordon a no brainer?

    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Y

      1. Fuddled FC
        • 14 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        Yes unless you have Wilson already as I think I prefer him

        Anyone know if Woltemade/Wissa are more likely to start up top instead of Gordon

  6. RogueBlood
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    What players would you bring in on a free hit or use my 3 FT? 0.4itb
    Dubravka
    VVD, Guehi, Senesi, Andersen
    Enzo, Fernandes, Wilson, Rice
    Ekitike, Haaland

    Verbruggen, Gabriel, Semenyo, Mane

    1. GCHILD2K16
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 11 hours ago

      Guegi yo thisw
      Mane to kroupi jr

      1. RogueBlood
        • 10 Years
        1 day, 10 hours ago

        Good shout but 0.1 short for those xfers

  7. cuppatea78
    • 13 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Still undecided:

    A) Haaland and Mane > Thiago and Bowen

    B) Haaland and Rice > Thiago and Gordon

    1. Ausman
      • 2 Years
      1 day, 14 hours ago

      A

  8. JabbaWookiee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    A) Enzo F > Dango
    B) Enzo F > Gordon
    C) Enzo F > A N Other (money not an issue as no Haaland)
    D) Keep Enzo

    Got 11 starters and 1 on the bench so this would be a luxury move. Still have the WC.

    1. GCHILD2K16
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 11 hours ago

      B or A

  9. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Just watched the press conference

    Thomas Tuchell played his free hit for the first four training sessions and the Uruguay game...

    19 outfielders competing for a world cup plane ticket

    And 11 regulars rested until Friday/ Saturday for Camp 2 and the Japan game...

    You can watch a replay here, starts around 5 mins I think

    https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1qGoNePeayaKv?t=vyPCh0y6mr5lnvwQT-0Vwg&s=09

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Thomas Tuchel names his England squad for March friendlies - BBC Sport https://share.google/YfWMPTVJDesSZSPY5

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        1 day, 14 hours ago

        Palmer will likely get selected

        Foden at risk of missing out

        Eze might get in as he's got more options including on the wing

        That means it's likely a head to head between Rogers and Bellingham for a spot in the world cup squad

        Bellingham is there for the whole training camp and unlike the others in camp part 1, he's aiming for the Japan match as a best case scenario.

  10. JBG
    • 7 Years
    1 day, 14 hours ago

    The best premium pick this season is out for the GW31.

    https://x.com/LazyFPL/status/2034965486773874726

  11. RogueBlood
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 14 hours ago

    What players would you bring in on a free hit or use my 3 FT?

    Dubravka
    VVD, Guehi, Senesi, Andersen
    Enzo, Fernandes, Wilson, Rice
    Ekitike, Haaland

    Verbruggen, Gabriel, Semenyo, Mane

  12. Raybertosparlos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 day, 14 hours ago

    Had to FH this GW

    g2g? I’m chasing the leader of mini leagues by ~40 points…

    Leno
    VVD Thiaw Anderson
    Bruno Wilson Gordon Palmer
    Pedro Thiago Richarlison

    Bench: Ramsdale, Mbeumo, Senesi, Van Hecke

  13. WiredWeasel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 day, 14 hours ago

    Gordon seems to be the most popular replacement for a midfielder this week, but with Salah injured, and pens up for grabs, is Szoboszlai worth a look? I just don't seem to have that much luck with Gordon in my team, but I guess Sunderland is seen as an easier fixture than Brighton away?

  14. Skengzema
    • 8 Years
    1 day, 13 hours ago

    Top 50k, but it's going to plummet this week

    3FT 0.4itb

    Raya, Dubruvka
    Gabriel, Hill, O'reilly, Esteve, Rodon
    Bruno, Mbeumo, Rogers, Semenyo, Rice
    Haaland, Pedro, 4.2

    All chips available. I don't think I plan to use chips this week really since I've heard there's a good opportunity around 34ish. Not sure haven't researched lately

    1. Skengzema
      • 8 Years
      1 day, 13 hours ago

      The options are moving the needle enough for me the likes of Gordon who seems to be really popular. I will try get in Igor Thiago

  15. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    1 day, 13 hours ago

    Team Ready, 3 Fts itb. We move!

    Sanchez

    Thiaw VVD Andersen

    Bruno Wilson Gordon Enzo Mbuemo

    Thiago Pedro

    subs: Haaland Gabriel Guehi

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 day, 13 hours ago

      You will move

      But will it be up or down?

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 6 Years
        1 day, 13 hours ago

        knowing my luck last couple of months almost certainly down

  16. Pablitto
    • 15 Years
    1 day, 12 hours ago

    I somehow ended with 11 playing, 0 FT
    My playing mids: Bruno Szobo Tavernier King*
    Would you bring in for a hit (for King):
    A Wilson
    B Gordon
    C roll