Captain Sensible
8 May 2026 179 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Each of our top three picks for the armband returned in Gameweek 35, with Erling Haaland (£14.7m) and Bruno Fernandes (£10.4m) rewarding the millions of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers who backed them with the armband last weekend.

In Double Gameweek 36, Manchester City and Crystal Palace will play twice. Hence, Haaland is likely to be captained by the vast majority of Fantasy managers. With this in mind, the predominant focus of this week’s article will be on which of his Man City teammates provides the best alternative.

In ‘Captain Sensible’, 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 Saturday’s 11am BST deadline.


Captaincy Poll

Best captain 36

Unsurprisingly, Haaland enjoys a huge advantage in the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll. The Premier League’s leading goalscorer and top-scoring Fantasy asset has picked up just shy of 70% of votes cast by site users ahead of home matches against Brentford and Crystal Palace.

Way back in second place, Rayan Cherki (£6.6m) boasts nearly 11% of the vote. The in-form Frenchman has played back-to-back 90 minutes and notched 28 points in his last four matches.

Nico O’Reilly (£5.2m) isn’t far behind Cherki. As it stands, just over 10% of respondents are backing the English defender with their captaincy armband. No other player can breach the 5% mark, while Crystal Palace or single Gameweek options barely register.


Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks


price change predictions

FFScout Tom <p>Deputy General Manager. Forever chasing the top 10K. Chelsea fan.&nbsp;</p>

179 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. GE
    • 9 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    20-30 points behind 4 other players I need to pass in my ML. All have more or less the same team, but I have Hinselwood and Richarlison as diffs.
    Would you then also captained O’Reilly instead of Haaland?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Yes. But be prepared to plummet down the rankings

    2. Eightball
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      I'm very much considering it, seeing as my mini league rival also has TC and will use it on Haaland. I'm 24 behind.

      1. JohnnyB10
        • 1 Year
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Same here, but 40 behind. We must punt it on someone else, the alternative is to make it up in the last two gws which is very unlikely. High risk, but it is now or never:)

    3. Nolberto Solano
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Rather C Cherki

  2. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Any Villa fans (or experts) know/think Watkins and Pau will play? Need them if I bench boost

  3. Jam0sh
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Which transfer would you rather do?

    A) Semenyo -> Cherki
    B) J.Pedro -> Welbeck

    1. Nolberto Solano
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      B

  4. Bolivian Seaman
    • 15 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    no rodri, so I'd probably go cherki instead, but that's me

  5. Clintymints
    • 17 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    3ft, thinking Cherki and Saka in for Palmer and Semenyo... 1 ft left... Gyok in for Pedro or DCL? Have 3 Brighton already

    not sure if I should be using all transfers, might be handy to save 1

    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Need to see your team

      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        1 month, 16 days ago

        What are you wearing?

      2. Clintymints
        • 17 Years
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Verbruggen - Darlow

        Gabriel Heck O'Reilly - Struijk Senesi
        Semenyo Palmer Bruno Tavernier GroB
        Haaland DCL - Pedro

        plenty of cash for all moves

      3. Clintymints
        • 17 Years
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Yea, what are you wearing

    2. Joelinton Travel Tavern
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Did the same 2 moves. Im not going for Gyok, prefer the defensive double up for Ars

      1. Clintymints
        • 17 Years
        1 month, 16 days ago

        what defs did you opt for? Gabriel and...

  6. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Greetings all!!

    Preferred option here folks??? From this week for the last 3 gameweek in mind

    A- Semenyo and Welbeck(Sell Bowen, bench Wilson) 3-4-3
    Or
    B- Cherki and Wilson(Bench Bowen) 3-5-2

    Cheers everyone!!

  7. Clintymints
    • 17 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    A head

    B heart

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Thankyou mate!! Really close one!!

    2. Joelinton Travel Tavern
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Got cap on head atm

    3. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Head + Heart = Wisdom

      Find the point where the two converge.

      1. Clintymints
        • 17 Years
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Namaste

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Depends on if you're smart

  8. Joelinton Travel Tavern
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    With Okafor out, play one:
    A) Tav
    B) Hill
    C) Truffert
    D) Sell one of the above for...?

    (Rest of team:
    Verb
    NOR Gab VH
    Cherk BFern Saka

    1. Joelinton Travel Tavern
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      ...Haal Welb JPed

  9. DropkickMurphys
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Hey guys which one would you bench out of these:

    1- DCL (tot)
    2- Hill (ful)
    3- Pedro (liv)

    1. Nolberto Solano
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      DCL

  10. Moon Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Wow, Gakpo is really allergic to bonus points. He's only got bonus points in two games this season, the same two games he got double attacking returns in. It takes a lot for him to be in with a sniff.

    Yeah maybe Szobo is the smarter pick. Set pieces, defcons, bonus etc... Fingers in many pies...

  11. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Not sure I’m liking my bench boost this week, double or not…

    Kelleher
    Gabriel, VVD, Hill
    Bruno, Semenyo, Cherki, KDH
    Haaland (C), Welbeck, Pedro

    Darlow, Palmer, Mukiele, Gudmundsson

    2FT, had been thinking Semenyo/Gudmundsson > O’Reilly and some mid. But would nearly prefer to do Palmer > Saka and Gudmundsson to someone else, then BB?

    Worried not having O’Reilly could hurt though

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Could add in a -4 to do all. But that would be a -4 to take Semenyo out on a double which feels mad.

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Would your BB look better next GW?

      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Meh, not really 😆

        Darlow (BHA), KDH (SUN), Hill (City), New Defender

    3. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      For me, you should play BB when you’re feeling / fearing your bench will do well. I’ve no desire to play my Sunderland or Leeds defenders this weekend

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Yeah, this

      2. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        1 month, 16 days ago

        I don’t think it’s going to improve a whole lot either way for me tbh.

        It’s more if it’s worth:
        A) Semenyo & Gudmundsson > O’Reilly & Mid

        Or

        B) Both of the above plus Palmer > Saka -4 and then BB

        Or

        C) Leave O’Reilly, keep Semenyo and get Saka

        1. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 16 days ago

          Still boils back to if I can survive not having O’Reilly or not and is it worth trying to even do this!?

  12. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Gross or Hinshelwood?

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Hinshelwood, but watch the boring Grob pick win out again

    2. Moon Dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Could go either way.

      Groß is the better footballer, gets more mins & on set pieces. But Hinshelwood's recent xData has been off the charts.

      You know what I actually prefer Groß now. Convinced myself while writing this 😆

      (Fun trick: If you hold ALT and press 0223 on the number pad, after you release ALT a special symbol appears)

      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        1 month, 16 days ago

        That’s gross

  13. RICICLE
    • 3 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Any ideas here chaps? All out of chips and chasing around a 40 point gap from leader.

    Kelleher
    Porro - O’Reilly - Gabriel
    Semenyo - Bruno - Mbuemo - Wilson
    Thiago - Haaland - Bowen
    ________________________________
    Dubravka: Dango: VVD: Mavropanos

    Thinking Mbuemo + Bowen > Saka + Welbeck?

    I’ve nothing to lose so Captain O’Reilly perhaps?

    Any insights appreciated guys thanks!

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      All of the above seem like good shouts. Clutching at straws really, but it’s the hope that kills you 😆

      1. RICICLE
        • 3 Years
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Cheers bud! Ohh yes it’s clutching at straws time alright haha! I’m tempted to even take a bunch of hits and hope they all pay off, gotta have some fun towards the end of the season 😉

        1. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 16 days ago

          Ya nothing to lose I guess!

    2. Nolberto Solano
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      I’d imagine the person you are chasing will bring in Saka, so maybe Hinshelwood and Gyokeres instead?

      1. RICICLE
        • 3 Years
        1 month, 16 days ago

        I’ve actually no idea bud, I don’t think any of them would bring in Saka, Gyokeres is a good shout though I could go that route cheers man!

  14. FCSB
    • 10 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Verbruggen
    VanHecke Gabriel O’Reilly
    Bruno Tavernier Palmer Semenyo
    Haaland DCL Pedro

    Darlow Enzo Struijk Hill

    1FT, 0.1itb

    1. Save FT
    2. Struijk >> Richards
    3. Semenyo >> Cherki (free up funds for ARS37)

    Thanks

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Think I’d do 3

  15. Nightf0x
    • 10 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Eze to hinshelwod ? Y or N
    (Have welbeck, next gw rogers to saka)

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Ya go on

    2. Nolberto Solano
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Y!

  16. Keane There Dunne That
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Points prediction this week for:
    A) Cherki
    B) Semenyo

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      45 vs 4

    2. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      10
      16

      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Booooooo

        1. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 16 days ago

          You might have convinced me to keep both over getting O’Reilly though! 😆

  17. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    bench order correct?

    1 thiago
    2 andersen
    3 hill

    cheers and gl!

    1. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Thats my bb, lol

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Doesn't scream points tbh

    2. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      I’d have hilll in my team if possible

    3. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 16 days ago

      The "optimal" (based on odds) order is Hill>Thiago>Andersen, but I somehow have a good feeling for Fulham this week, so I'd personally have Andersen 1st sub.
      Bench dilemmas are always tricky though and the variance of a single match too high to make any accurate predictions, better go with your instinct. At least you won't regret it that way.

  18. Sam (Team Sam)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Final decision for this week. One spot left undecided. Who starts?

    A) Thiago
    B) Bowen
    C) bench both and use my free transfer to get Lacroix

    1. Nolberto Solano
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      A - save transfer for Arsenal player next week

      1. Sam (Team Sam)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Thanks mate. I already have Gabriel, Saliba, Rice. Does that change your advice?

        1. Nolberto Solano
          • 14 Years
          1 month, 16 days ago

          Would prefer Saka over rice, but is pretty sideways. Maybe punt on Lacroix then!

  19. Nolberto Solano
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Which 2 to start?

    A) Thiago (mci)
    B) Rayan (ful)
    C) Dango (mci)
    D) Andersen (BOU)
    E) Hill (ful)

    1. theshazly
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      A & D or E

  20. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Verbruggen
    Gabriel, Van Hecke, O'Reilly
    Palmer, Bruno, Gross, Semenyo
    Haaland (c), DCL, Pedro

    Darlo, Hill, Tavernier, Struijk

    4ft 2.2itb

    2k rank

    A Semenyo to Cherki
    B Semenyo and Palmer to Cherki and Saka
    C Semenyo, Palmer and Struijk to Cherki, Saka and Lacroix

    Any other suggestions?

    1. theshazly
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      B

    2. Sam (Team Sam)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      D) Palmer to Saka only

  21. theshazly
    • 3 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Play 1 from:

    1 ) Dubs
    2 ) Darlow

    And Fulham scored in their all home games except for 2 games, shall I play one from :

    A ) Tavernier
    B ) Hill

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Dubra Tav

  22. NZREDS
    • 12 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    In moving Semenyo to Cherki. What do you think is the better transfer for arsenals next two games:

    A) Pedro -> Gyokeres (play Senesi)
    B) Senesi -> Gabriel (play Pedro)

    Only currently have Saka from Arsenal and no other Arsenal defender.

    1. NZREDS
      • 12 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Could’ve kept it simple and asked if you would rather have Gyokeres or Gabriel for the next two Arsenal games!

    2. Sam (Team Sam)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      B for me

  23. JBG
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Which one?

    A) Rayan to Saka
    B) Thiago to Gyokeres

    1. Sam (Team Sam)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      A

    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      A

  24. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Pedro to Gorky or
    Semenyo to Cherki
    Which is best move

    1. Hutchiniho
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      A

  25. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Feck it, -4, Palmer/Semenyo/Gudmundsson > Saka/Rogers/O’Reilly and BB in play

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Why Rogers? Been crap for long

      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Lack of options jumping out and the Burnley fixture.

        Absolutely no other reason! Could go with Szobo like mentioned below though instead.

        1. Royal5
          • 14 Years
          1 month, 16 days ago

          I see.. not keen on Hinch or Gross?

          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            1 month, 16 days ago

            Maybe, feel like Brighton always feck me over though. Have Welbeck as is, feels a bit much

            1. Fifa las vegas
              • 13 Years
              1 month, 16 days ago

              I’ll chance Hinshelwood, be done with it!

              Thanks

            2. Royal5
              • 14 Years
              1 month, 16 days ago

              Yh, understand when you already got Weblz

    2. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      It’s Mitoma
      He’s this weeks Doku

  26. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    On bench boost and just seen okafor is ruled out so need to take a -4 to replace. Who do you prefer:
    A) buendia
    B) Tielemans
    C) other midfielder up to 5.9

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      I was thinking a pint in Buendia myself but worried about minutes beyond this GW, so stuck with Rogers.

      Definitely Buendia from those though

      1. JohnnyB10
        • 1 Year
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Buendia for sure

    2. JohnnyB10
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 16 days ago

      KDH?

      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        1 month, 16 days ago

        That’s a good shout too actually

        1. ShaunGoater123
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          1 month, 16 days ago

          I’ve done very well with KDH this season so I do like him. But triple palace defence…

    3. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      It’s all about Mitoma this week

      1. ShaunGoater123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Already have welbeck, gross and verbruggen

  27. JohnnyB10
    • 1 Year
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Does Saka outscores Szobo this week? Everybody are getting Saka but maybe Palmer to Szobo is the move 🙂

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Ah here stop that.

      Would you get Rogers or Szobo?

      1. JohnnyB10
        • 1 Year
        1 month, 16 days ago

        Szobo. LFC will play against a rotated Villa side on Friday I assume.

        1. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 16 days ago

          Cheers.

          And then Szobo or Hinshelwood? 😆

          1. JohnnyB10
            • 1 Year
            1 month, 16 days ago

            I have Gross so I am not overthinking on that lol. Cheers 🙂

  28. Hutchiniho
    • 7 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Eze and Semenyo
    To
    Saka and Doku (0.1 shirt of Cherki)?

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Might be worth the punt, annoying not able to get Cherki though

  29. Hutchiniho
    • 7 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Eze and JPedro
    To
    Saka and Richarlison?

    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Maybe this…

    2. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Sure. Men went Saka and Gyok

  30. Viper
    • 16 Years
    1 month, 16 days ago

    Currently have DCL on my bench boost.

    Would you swap to any other similarly priced striker (Richarlison) or just roll & hope?

    1. Hutchiniho
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 16 days ago

      Feeling Rich scores this week