Captain Sensible
10 April 2026 230 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Backed by millions of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers in Gameweek 31, our pick, Bruno Fernandes (£10.3m), posted a 13-point haul. The Portugal international recorded his sixth and seventh attacking returns in the last four Gameweeks.

Attention now turns to Blank Gameweek 32. With Erling Haaland (£14.3m) back in the conversation following a stellar showing in the FA Cup and a couple of in-form mid-priced forwards with favourable fixtures, 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 BST deadline.


Captaincy Poll

Best captain 32

Once again, Fernandes boasts a clear lead in the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll. The in-form Manchester United talisman has picked up over 50% of votes cast ahead of the Red Devils’ Monday night clash with Leeds United.

Haaland sits well back in second place ahead of a trip to struggling Chelsea, ahead of West Ham talisman Jarrod Bowen (£7.6m), who is backed by just over 10% of site users. The former reminded FPL managers of his quality with a brilliant hat-trick against Liverpool last weekend.

Elsewhere, Igor Thiago (£7.3m) and Danny Welbeck (£6.2m) are the only other players to garner more than 5% support. Thiago sits behind only Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot, while the latter notched a brace last time out.


Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks


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

230 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Bggz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    4 days, 3 hours ago

    Bench thiaw or OR?
    OR hasn’t actually hauled away from home which is tipping it atm

    1. BC1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 days, 3 hours ago

      I'm benching Thiaw. Palace could easily score with Mateta back. Plus NOR is more exciting to watch these days! I'm not expecting a clean sheet from either of them.

    2. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      4 days, 3 hours ago

      Thiaw. Nico has a much higher ceiling.

  2. Chrisaa87
    • 4 Years
    4 days, 3 hours ago

    With wc, fh, bb and tc left , i still feel quite happy with my team. Can i go for it, or what should i do?

    Kelleher dub
    Gabs hill guehi vvd rodon
    O. Dango Fernandes Anderson rayan szabolslai
    Haaland Thiago jp

    1. BC1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 days, 3 hours ago

      I'd WC into BB with that team. Rodon deffo out. Plus a whole new midfield bar Bruno.

    2. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      4 days, 2 hours ago

      You could do the increasingly popular WC33, FH34, BB36, TC36 if you are happy this week.

      1. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        4 days, 2 hours ago

        BB35*

  3. trafalgarlaw
    • 7 Years
    4 days, 3 hours ago

    On WC, pick one for this week only, will be Palmer next week

    A. Rice
    B. Szoboslai
    C. Gordon
    D. MGW

    1. BC1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 days, 3 hours ago

      C ... playing up front, on penos.

  4. John Colby (C)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 days, 3 hours ago

    Cunha or Bowen for this and gw 34? Already own Bruno.

    1. The Hunt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 days, 3 hours ago

      Bowen all day long for me.

    2. BC1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 days, 3 hours ago

      Yeh Bowen.

      1. John Colby (C)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 days, 3 hours ago

        Cheers guys.

  5. Moon Dog
      4 days, 3 hours ago

      Going Flemming over DCL/Welbeck means I can get Saka over Rice in 35/36. Butterfly effect...

      Is Saka even better than Rice? If not, do I still want to keep that option open?

      This game has more layers than an ogre...

      1. Holmes
        • 12 Years
        4 days, 3 hours ago

        as things stand, Saka isnt offering anything more than Rice

    • threeputt
      • 16 Years
      4 days, 3 hours ago

      Ekitike to Welbeck ?

      1. BC1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 days, 3 hours ago

        I have an Ekitike headache too! Will he start? If so, guess it's 60mins playtime. So to who ... Welbeck , but he blanks in 34. Bowen , just not sure meself! What about Gyokeres?

        1. threeputt
          • 16 Years
          4 days, 3 hours ago

          Also considering holding transfer and then its a toss up between bringing in DCL or Welbeck for dgw34 as I'll defo have Haaland & Pedro. DCL has a better run in but Welbec has Burnley away this week, finding this a really difficult decision

          1. BC1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Same headache meself. Not DCL though! Maybe Welbeck, I guess you're BB33 and FH34?
            No love for Gyokerres!?

            1. threeputt
              • 16 Years
              4 days, 2 hours ago

              yes BB33 & FH34, also have WC, TC & 4xft (probably use a few ft next week) - too much of a good thing !
              I see you went Bowen, not a bad call

              1. threeputt
                • 16 Years
                4 days, 1 hour ago

                went Welbeck for Ekitike in the end

    • HighestPeake
      • 2 Years
      4 days, 3 hours ago

      Don't have wildcard so thoughts on making three transfers next week
      Thiaw>Struijk
      Amad>Tavenier
      Thiago>DCL

      1. BC1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 days, 3 hours ago

        Just Amad out. Not sure for who!

    • Raoul Nogues
        4 days, 3 hours ago

        For those who have made 2347 transfers during this 3 weeks window, don't forget to push the Wildcard button before tonight 's deadline...

        1. Big Mike
          • 3 Years
          4 days, 3 hours ago

          Oooops......

        2. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 days, 2 hours ago

          Isn't it capped around 25 now? In a Gw.

          1. Raoul Nogues
              4 days, 2 hours ago

              Oops

        3. marpy016
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 days, 3 hours ago

          Best defenders that play GW32 & GW34?

          Already have Gabriel - VVD - Thiaw (Senesi & Gudmundsson blankers)

          1. Big Mike
            • 3 Years
            4 days, 3 hours ago

            Probably an Everton defender. Or Munoz.

          2. Utopsis
            • 6 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            I think a cheeky punt on Mukiele could pay off

        4. Ze_Austin
          • 7 Years
          4 days, 3 hours ago

          The articles are flying in! Lovely stuff

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            It does make the comments a bit disjointed tho

            Most people just want an answer to their question, rather than helping others out like your good self

        5. Big Mike
          • 3 Years
          4 days, 3 hours ago

          Which is the best single game week midfielder to have from gwk 32 and keep long term?

          A) Sarr
          B) MGW
          C) Gordon
          D) Wilson

          1. Tsparkes10
            • 7 Years
            4 days, 3 hours ago

            B

          2. BC1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Yeh B.

          3. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Sarr

        6. Flynny
          • 11 Years
          4 days, 3 hours ago

          Hello..thoughts on 2fts for vvd and Anderson to mavropanos and cunha?

          Triple united and 2 x west ham for 32 and 34. Free hit 33 and wildcard 35

          Thanks

          Raya
          Gabriel vvd richards (alderete andersen)
          Bruno mbeumo dango wilson (anderson)
          Haaland bowen thiago

          1. XABI 15
            • 10 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Looks good to me

          2. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Could save here unless you have 5ft?

            1. Flynny
              • 11 Years
              4 days, 2 hours ago

              Got 2ft. Feel like playing v aggressive

              Leeds decimated with injuries. Triple united for Leeds and Brentford home

              Double west hame for wolves and Everton home

              Free hit 33. Wildcard them out in 35

              1. Pat Bonner
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                4 days, 2 hours ago

                I think your team looks good this week and those transfers can mean you’re super aggressive in last 3gws

                1. Pat Bonner
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  4 days, 2 hours ago

                  *those extra transfers

                  1. Flynny
                    • 11 Years
                    4 days, 2 hours ago

                    Thanks I'll consider using them post wildcard

        7. BC1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          4 days, 3 hours ago

          Not sure what to do with Ekitike. Anyone make a good guess on whether Gyokeres or Havertz will start for Arsenal this GW? Or just go with Bowen and keep it simple. I'm FH 33, dead ending into 34, so just for 2 fixtures. I'd really like Gyokeres but unsure if he starts this week which I'm guessing not meself!

          1. Big Mike
            • 3 Years
            4 days, 3 hours ago

            Which other strikers do you have?

            1. BC1
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              4 days, 2 hours ago

              Pedro and Thiago. Haaland coming back in WC35.

              1. Big Mike
                • 3 Years
                4 days, 2 hours ago

                I'd sell him for Welbeck.

          2. XABI 15
            • 10 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            moved him out for Bowen. If FH 33, great fixture in 32 and 34, no benching concerns either for rest of season and playable as West Ham fight to stay up

          3. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Bowen if you’ve got Thiago

          4. BC1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Cheers lads. Yeh Bowen it is.
            And good to see ya Packie 😉

            1. Pat Bonner
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              4 days, 2 hours ago

              Cheers! Been a while

        8. Tsparkes10
          • 7 Years
          4 days, 3 hours ago

          Surprised no love for Forest assets… MGW and Neco been a lock for me on WC since the start. Villa in 32 and then BUR in 33. Great fixtures

          1. Big Mike
            • 3 Years
            4 days, 3 hours ago

            I've got Neco as my 5th defender as part of my wildcard.

          2. XABI 15
            • 10 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            got a very important Europa league game to go, and then possible further fixture congestion

          3. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Fixtures look poor to me

            Anderson at Chelsea may be okay if BB35

            Gw33 is okay

            Other than that?

        9. XABI 15
          • 10 Years
          4 days, 3 hours ago

          Plan is to FH next week so looking at this potential move, as will have a decent starting team in 34.

          For a -4:
          Wilson to Rice, play Rice (BOU 32, NEW 34)
          Tavernier to Rice, play Rice (BOU 32, NEW 34) leaning here as keeps Wilson for 34 as an option

          or
          No transfer, in 32 play Wilson (liv), Hill (ars) or Tav (ars), play Wilson 34 (AVL)

          Thanks!

          1. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Play Wilson

        10. Skout
          • 6 Years
          4 days, 3 hours ago

          Rayan or Scott on WC?

          1. Big Mike
            • 3 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Rayan as Bournemouth have relatively easier fixtures.

            1. Utopsis
              • 6 Years
              4 days, 2 hours ago

              Both play for BOU

          2. XABI 15
            • 10 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Rayan

        11. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 days, 2 hours ago

          Got all my chips but not really had time to look into it in too much detail. Considering the wc35 route with this team and 2ft? Thoughts? Or wc to maximise bb next week

          Raya dubravka
          Gab vvd Alderete heaven Andersen
          Bruno Wilson mbeumo Rogers semenyo
          JP Bowen Thiago

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Looks okay this week on first glance

            WC33, FH34 and BB35 with TC36 might be your best route

            1. Pat Bonner
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              4 days, 2 hours ago

              Thanks. That also looks good option with Leeds and Bournemouth decent for BB. Can have 3 arsenal and Bruno on bench next week

              1. AC/DC AFC
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                4 days, 2 hours ago

                Exactly

                That's how I'm doing it

                See below for the hybrid approach!

        12. Big Mike
          • 3 Years
          4 days, 2 hours ago

          Best single game week defender to own long term.

          A) Neco
          B) Munoz
          C) Other (please specify)

          I already have Gabriel

          1. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            B

          2. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Villa have decent fixtures

            So possibly Konsa or an Everton defender?

        13. DagheMunegu
          • 5 Years
          4 days, 2 hours ago

          Ekitike to Bowen worth -4 ?

          Will FH 33 WC 35

          1. Big Mike
            • 3 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            No, because Bowen is unlikely to score highly enough to counteract -4.

          2. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            50/50 on this but prob not worth the hit

        14. RogueBlood
          • 10 Years
          4 days, 2 hours ago

          7.1ITB 2FT what changes would you make here

          Dubravka
          Gabriel, VVD, Thiaw
          Semenyo, Fernandes, Wilson, Rice
          Mane, Ekitike, Bowen

          Verb, Andersen, Senesi, Enzo

          1. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            What’s chip strategy?

            1. RogueBlood
              • 10 Years
              4 days, 2 hours ago

              WC32, BB33, FH34, TC36 Which I just realised it is 32 so will actually look for a WC team

        15. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 days, 2 hours ago

          Verbruggen, (Darlow)
          Gabreil, O'Reilly, Van Hecke (Hill, xxxxxx)
          Bruno, Semenyo, Palmer, xxxxxx (Hinshelwood)
          xxxxxx, Haaland, Pedro

          WC, nearly there.

          A) Senesi, Sarr, Thiago (0.3m ITB)
          B) Senesi, Sarr (or Sob), Welbeck
          C) Struijk, Gordon, Welbeck (0.5m ITB)
          D) Struijk, Gordon, Thiago (0.0M itb)
          E) Senesi, Gordon, DCL and play Hinshelwood this GW (0.3m ITB)
          F) Different combo for 18.0m or less

          1. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Senesi tav Thiago?

            1. bitm2007
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 days, 2 hours ago

              and play Hinshelwood this GW?

              1. Pat Bonner
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                4 days, 2 hours ago

                Looks good, can’t bench anyone vs Burnley!

          2. bitm2007
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            WC32, BB33, FH34

          3. AllArnaut
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 2 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Nearly the same as my WC
            if you get Welbeck you’ll have to ditch a Brighton player.
            I’ve got Welbeck in, Rayan instead of Hinshelwood, Gordon and Justin in the other spots

        16. mad_beer ✅
          • 11 Years
          4 days, 2 hours ago

          With no WC left, how many doublers are a good number to have. Currently I have 5 but can get it to 7 without hits. I was thinking BB in 33, FH in 34 and TC in 36.

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            7-9 probably fine

        17. Pompel
          • 12 Years
          4 days, 2 hours ago

          Assuming one keeps BrunoF and Gabriel for DGW33:

          BB DGW33 + GW35 = 28 + 11 = 39 games
          FH GW33 + BB GW35 = 22 + 15 = 37 games

          Not a big difference. And BB35 looking much greener on my spreadsheet!

          1. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            How does bb37 look? Annoying Burnley play wolves in 38 as would’ve done last week bb

            1. Pompel
              • 12 Years
              4 days, 2 hours ago

              Looking pretty green too for the key players, but Palace got Brentford away and Bowen got Newcastle away. But can be decided later if FH'ing in GW33 instead of using WC

          2. bitm2007
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            My concern with BB GW35 is that you are much more like to get a player not contributing at al in a SGW, or just playing a camero during the GW.

            1. Pompel
              • 12 Years
              4 days, 2 hours ago

              true that, it needs to be taken into account. But also DGW players can get reduced minutes or get injured.

        18. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 days, 2 hours ago

          With just £5.2m for the 8th attacker to boost, who would you select?

          .
          Raya Darlow
          Gabriel Nico Senesi Struijk Mukiele
          Bruno Palmer Semenyo Tavernier Zubimendi
          Haaland Pedro Welbeck

          Plan is to FH34, BB35 and quite possibly TC33 or wait until Gw36?

        19. Aster
          • 5 Years
          4 days, 2 hours ago

          Play:
          1) Senesi
          2) Hill
          3) Anderson (NF)

        20. Ambrosiana Inter
          • 8 Years
          4 days, 2 hours ago

          Is it really worth ( on wildcard GW32 ) to set up a team full of double week players (GW33) and free hit (GW34) ? But then what , you stuck with a team full of poor teams players that will take ages to re-set…
          I m on wildcard, but I plan to set up the best possible team regardless of doubles/blank.
          I plan to free hit in double GW 32 , and use the bench boost further down the line when fixtures allows it. That will allow me to use bench boost using the best possible player and hopefully maximise the return.

          Am I the only,one thinking like thi?

          1. Pompel
            • 12 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            I think that's the big question for most with WC in hand. Alternatively, you can set up your team to navigate both BGW34 and GW35 onwards and play FH in DGW33, it is not that difficult especially if you have a couple of FT's in hand. Then you'd likely ofc bench the City trio in BGW34.

          2. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            No

            Lots thinking of permutations

            FH33
            BB35 or 36 etc

            1. bitm2007
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 days, 2 hours ago

              No. If you WC this GW it needs to be a blend of DGWers, and single GWers IMO. 11 DGW, Gabreil, Bruno, and a couple of other strong SGWers can set you up for the rest of the season, whilst sill having the same number of DGW as those that WC or FH GW33, plus Gabreil, Bruno and a couple of SGWers will probably be a better BB than those using that chip in GW35 or later in the season.

              1. Pompel
                • 12 Years
                4 days, 1 hour ago

                Not so sure about. My DGW33 BB draft with BrunoF, Gabriel and Sarr:

                Darlow² Verbruggen²
                Gabriel Hill² VanHecke² O'Reilly² Bijol²
                Palmer² Semenyo² Ampadu² Sarr BrunoF
                Haaland² JPedro² Welbeck²

                If it was on FH, just remove Gabriel, BrunoF, Sarr and Verbruggen, so loosing 5 games there

                My BB GW35 would look something like:
                Darlow Verbruggen
                Gabriel Timber O'Reilly Mukiele Lacroix
                BrunoF Semenyo Rice Rogers Sarr
                Haaland Bowen Jpedro

                So ganining back three of the extra games there. And I like the look of Rice, Sarr and Bowen better than the likes of Ampadu/Hinshelwood amd Welbeck/DVL

                1. bitm2007
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  4 days, 1 hour ago

                  I've got BrunoF, Gabriel and Sarr :as well, plus Thiago and 11 DGWers on BB. So will have 11 DGW in GW33 like WC or FH GW33ers, and 4 single SGWers, who moved could be moved into the starting 11, but that mean would mean 3 DGWers on the bench so extra games you mentioned by have singe GWers in the starting 11 would be gained back there,

        21. fakelund
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 days, 2 hours ago

          1 week fun punt:
          a) Wirtz
          b) Szoboszlai
          c) Salah

          1. Aster
            • 5 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            A

        22. TochanMama
          • 13 Years
          4 days, 2 hours ago

          Lads,

          Pickford
          Gabriel / VVD / O'Reilly
          Wilson / Mbuemo / Rice / Semenyo
          Ekitike / Haaland / Thiago
          (Dubravka / Alderete / Hill / Stach)

          What am I missing here?
          Is this team worth rolling this week?

        23. Iceball
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 days, 2 hours ago

          Gabriel or Struijk on WC?
          Realistic view is that Gabriel gets 8 points over 32, 33.
          What about Struijk? 2,2,6 or 10 points.
          Ok, so I gain 2 points.
          What about GW35-38. Gabriel gets 7-8 points more than Struijk so you would wanna get him back.
          I lose 0.5 by selling and getting back and spend transfer (have 2ft) that I will likely wanna use to get Crystal Palace players.
          So, what is the conclusion?
          Gabriel on WC!

          1. Ambrosiana Inter
            • 8 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Is not worth getting rid of Gabriel

          2. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Yeah

            Keep Gab if you want him back

            I wouldn't say Palace are a massive draw

        24. threeputt
          • 16 Years
          4 days, 2 hours ago

          Stupid question I'm sure but if I use my BB next week I still get the FT added ? ie if I have no xfrs remaining and I use BB I have one FT available the following week ?

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 days, 2 hours ago

            Of course

            I'm not going to say the obvious...