Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain – and armband alternative – for FPL Gameweek 36?

8 May 2026 165 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
Share:

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

165 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. GE
    • 9 Years
    1 hour, 33 mins 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?

    Open Controls
    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      42 mins ago

      Yes. But be prepared to plummet down the rankings

      Open Controls
    2. Eightball
      • 5 Years
      39 mins 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.

      Open Controls
      1. JohnnyB10
        • 1 Year
        6 mins 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:)

        Open Controls
    3. Nolberto Solano
      • 14 Years
      1 min ago

      Rather C Cherki

      Open Controls
  2. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    1 hour, 32 mins ago

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

    Open Controls
    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      just now

      Should be fine.

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/team-news

      https://x.com/FPLVillan/status/2052774149219553778

      https://x.com/Jumpthewave/status/2052771326482333950/photo/2

      Open Controls
  3. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 hour, 32 mins ago

    Which transfer would you rather do?

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

    Open Controls
    1. Nolberto Solano
      • 14 Years
      1 min ago

      B

      Open Controls
  4. Bolivian Seaman
    • 15 Years
    1 hour, 31 mins ago

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

    Open Controls
  5. Clintymints
    • 16 Years
    1 hour, 29 mins 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

    Open Controls
    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      1 hour, 27 mins ago

      Need to see your team

      Open Controls
      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        1 hour, 25 mins ago

        What are you wearing?

        Open Controls
      2. Clintymints
        • 16 Years
        1 hour, 23 mins ago

        Verbruggen - Darlow

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

        plenty of cash for all moves

        Open Controls
      3. Clintymints
        • 16 Years
        1 hour, 23 mins ago

        Yea, what are you wearing

        Open Controls
    2. Joelinton Travel Tavern
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 hour, 21 mins ago

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

      Open Controls
      1. Clintymints
        • 16 Years
        1 hour, 9 mins ago

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

        Open Controls
  6. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 hour, 26 mins 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!!

    Open Controls
  7. Clintymints
    • 16 Years
    1 hour, 22 mins ago

    A head

    B heart

    Open Controls
    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      26 mins ago

      Thankyou mate!! Really close one!!

      Open Controls
    2. Joelinton Travel Tavern
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      25 mins ago

      Got cap on head atm

      Open Controls
    3. Moon Dog
        19 mins ago

        Head + Heart = Wisdom

        Find the point where the two converge.

        Open Controls
        1. Clintymints
          • 16 Years
          4 mins ago

          Namaste

          Open Controls
      • IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        6 mins ago

        Depends on if you're smart

        Open Controls
    4. Joelinton Travel Tavern
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 hour, 18 mins 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

      Open Controls
      1. Joelinton Travel Tavern
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        1 hour, 2 mins ago

        ...Haal Welb JPed

        Open Controls
    5. DropkickMurphys
      • 5 Years
      1 hour, 16 mins ago

      Hey guys which one would you bench out of these:

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

      Open Controls
      1. Nolberto Solano
        • 14 Years
        2 mins ago

        DCL

        Open Controls
    6. Moon Dog
        1 hour, 16 mins 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...

        Open Controls
      • Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        1 hour, 16 mins 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

        Open Controls
        1. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          49 mins 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.

          Open Controls
        2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 9 Years
          35 mins ago

          Would your BB look better next GW?

          Open Controls
          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            33 mins ago

            Meh, not really 😆

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

            Open Controls
        3. FourLokoLeipzig
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          35 mins 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

          Open Controls
          1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 9 Years
            34 mins ago

            Yeah, this

            Open Controls
          2. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            30 mins 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

            Open Controls
            1. Fifa las vegas
              • 13 Years
              29 mins ago

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

              Open Controls
      • RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 10 Years
        1 hour, 15 mins ago

        Gross or Hinshelwood?

        Open Controls
        1. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          46 mins ago

          Hinshelwood, but watch the boring Grob pick win out again

          Open Controls
        2. Moon Dog
            38 mins 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)

            Open Controls
            1. Fifa las vegas
              • 13 Years
              37 mins ago

              That’s gross

              Open Controls
        3. RICICLE
          • 3 Years
          1 hour, 11 mins 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!

          Open Controls
          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            45 mins ago

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

            Open Controls
            1. RICICLE
              • 3 Years
              42 mins 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 😉

              Open Controls
              1. Fifa las vegas
                • 13 Years
                26 mins ago

                Ya nothing to lose I guess!

                Open Controls
          2. Nolberto Solano
            • 14 Years
            22 mins ago

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

            Open Controls
            1. RICICLE
              • 3 Years
              9 mins 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!

              Open Controls
        4. FCSB
          • 10 Years
          1 hour, 7 mins 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

          Open Controls
          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            36 mins ago

            Think I’d do 3

            Open Controls
        5. Nightf0x
          • 10 Years
          1 hour, 6 mins ago

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

          Open Controls
          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            37 mins ago

            Ya go on

            Open Controls
          2. Nolberto Solano
            • 14 Years
            21 mins ago

            Y!

            Open Controls
        6. Keane There Dunne That
          • 13 Years
          1 hour, 6 mins ago

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

          Open Controls
          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            36 mins ago

            45 vs 4

            Open Controls
          2. RICICLE
            • 3 Years
            36 mins ago

            10
            16

            Open Controls
            1. Fifa las vegas
              • 13 Years
              28 mins ago

              Booooooo

              Open Controls
              1. Fifa las vegas
                • 13 Years
                27 mins ago

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

                Open Controls
        7. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          1 hour, 4 mins ago

          bench order correct?

          1 thiago
          2 andersen
          3 hill

          cheers and gl!

          Open Controls
          1. lilmessipran
            • 13 Years
            15 mins ago

            Thats my bb, lol

            Open Controls
            1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
              • 9 Years
              just now

              Doesn't scream points tbh

              Open Controls
          2. FourLokoLeipzig
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            13 mins ago

            I’d have hilll in my team if possible

            Open Controls
          3. Captain Mal
            • 1 Year
            10 mins 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.

            Open Controls
        8. Sam (Team Sam)
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          1 hour 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

          Open Controls
          1. Nolberto Solano
            • 14 Years
            19 mins ago

            A - save transfer for Arsenal player next week

            Open Controls
            1. Sam (Team Sam)
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              9 mins ago

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

              Open Controls
              1. Nolberto Solano
                • 14 Years
                6 mins ago

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

                Open Controls
        9. Nolberto Solano
          • 14 Years
          50 mins ago

          Which 2 to start?

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

          Open Controls
          1. theshazly
            • 3 Years
            1 min ago

            A & D or E

            Open Controls
        10. FPLMACKEM
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          46 mins 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?

          Open Controls
          1. theshazly
            • 3 Years
            11 mins ago

            B

            Open Controls
          2. Sam (Team Sam)
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            7 mins ago

            D) Palmer to Saka only

            Open Controls
        11. theshazly
          • 3 Years
          46 mins 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

          Open Controls
          1. Royal5
            • 14 Years
            3 mins ago

            Dubra Tav

            Open Controls
        12. NZREDS
          • 12 Years
          42 mins 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.

          Open Controls
          1. NZREDS
            • 12 Years
            41 mins ago

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

            Open Controls
          2. Sam (Team Sam)
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            36 mins ago

            B for me

            Open Controls
        13. JBG
          • 8 Years
          38 mins ago

          Which one?

          A) Rayan to Saka
          B) Thiago to Gyokeres

          Open Controls
          1. Sam (Team Sam)
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            11 mins ago

            A

            Open Controls
          2. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            11 mins ago

            A

            Open Controls
        14. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 13 Years
          36 mins ago

          Pedro to Gorky or
          Semenyo to Cherki
          Which is best move

          Open Controls
          1. Hutchiniho
            • 7 Years
            2 mins ago

            A

            Open Controls
        15. Fifa las vegas
          • 13 Years
          35 mins ago

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

          Open Controls
          1. Royal5
            • 14 Years
            16 mins ago

            Why Rogers? Been crap for long

            Open Controls
            1. Fifa las vegas
              • 13 Years
              15 mins ago

              Lack of options jumping out and the Burnley fixture.

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

              Open Controls
              1. Royal5
                • 14 Years
                13 mins ago

                I see.. not keen on Hinch or Gross?

                Open Controls
                1. Fifa las vegas
                  • 13 Years
                  10 mins ago

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

                  Open Controls
                  1. Fifa las vegas
                    • 13 Years
                    9 mins ago

                    I’ll chance Hinshelwood, be done with it!

                    Thanks

                    Open Controls
                  2. Royal5
                    • 14 Years
                    just now

                    Yh, understand when you already got Weblz

                    Open Controls
          2. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
            • 11 Years
            11 mins ago

            It’s Mitoma
            He’s this weeks Doku

            Open Controls
        16. ShaunGoater123
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          34 mins 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

          Open Controls
          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            12 mins 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

            Open Controls
            1. JohnnyB10
              • 1 Year
              5 mins ago

              Buendia for sure

              Open Controls
          2. JohnnyB10
            • 1 Year
            12 mins ago

            KDH?

            Open Controls
            1. Fifa las vegas
              • 13 Years
              5 mins ago

              That’s a good shout too actually

              Open Controls
              1. ShaunGoater123
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 mins ago

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

                Open Controls
          3. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
            • 11 Years
            8 mins ago

            It’s all about Mitoma this week

            Open Controls
            1. ShaunGoater123
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              2 mins ago

              Already have welbeck, gross and verbruggen

              Open Controls
        17. JohnnyB10
          • 1 Year
          32 mins ago

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

          Open Controls
          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            19 mins ago

            Ah here stop that.

            Would you get Rogers or Szobo?

            Open Controls
            1. JohnnyB10
              • 1 Year
              15 mins ago

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

              Open Controls
              1. Fifa las vegas
                • 13 Years
                12 mins ago

                Cheers.

                And then Szobo or Hinshelwood? 😆

                Open Controls
                1. JohnnyB10
                  • 1 Year
                  just now

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

                  Open Controls
        18. Hutchiniho
          • 7 Years
          28 mins ago

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

          Open Controls
          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            3 mins ago

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

            Open Controls
        19. Hutchiniho
          • 7 Years
          28 mins ago

          Eze and JPedro
          To
          Saka and Richarlison?

          Open Controls
          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            14 mins ago

            Maybe this…

            Open Controls
          2. Royal5
            • 14 Years
            1 min ago

            Sure. Men went Saka and Gyok

            Open Controls
        20. Viper
          • 16 Years
          26 mins ago

          Currently have DCL on my bench boost.

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

          Open Controls
          1. Hutchiniho
            • 7 Years
            5 mins ago

            Feeling Rich scores this week

            Open Controls

        You need to be logged in to post a comment.