Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 5?

18 September 2026 256 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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With the Gameweek 5 deadline of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) fast approaching, it’s time to have a good think about who to captain.

There were mixed fortunes in Gameweek 4 for the most popular captain picks, with Erling Haaland (£15.6m) and Joao Pedro (£7.8m) delivering nine- and 12-point hauls, respectively. Cole Palmer (£9.7m) managed only an assist, however, while Alexander Isak (£9.1m) blanked at home to Fulham.

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Now that the Manchester derby is out of the way, Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) and Haaland return to the forefront of our minds. Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest, Everton and Newcastle United host the three newly promoted teams, while Pedro is a serious injury doubt for Chelsea.

So, is it worth looking beyond Haaland at the Etihad for the captaincy in FPL Gameweek 5? That’s what we’re considering in this week’s ‘Captain Sensible’ article.

First, 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

In a throwback to last season, Haaland holds a commanding lead in the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll, boasting well over 50% backing. The Norwegian has scored in each of the last three Gameweeks, claiming maximum bonus points on each occasion.

Morgan Gibbs-White (£8.0m) sits second, with just over 12% of the vote share ahead of Nottingham Forest’s home fixture against bottom-of-the-table Coventry City. Nearly 470,000 managers have transferred in the Englishman ahead of Gameweek 5.

Elsewhere, two other players have managed to garner more than 5% support: Chelsea duo Palmer and Pedro. Both players returned against Hull City last weekend, although the injury uncertainty swirling around the Brazilian surely rules him out of consideration.

Player Stats

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

256 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. NotsoSpursy
    • 9 Years
    4 hours, 57 mins ago

    How about this for a FH team?

    Donnarumma (SUN H)
    Tarkowski (IPS H) - Murillo (COV H) - Hall (Hull H)
    Mbeumo (FUL A) - Rogers (BRE A) - MGW (COV H) - Dewsbury (IPS H) - Saka (BHA A)
    Haaland (C)- Delap (COV H)

    Dubra - Konsa - Ewijk - Walle

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    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      4 hours, 49 mins ago

      Looks amazing

      I prefer Barry to Delap. You could take Konsa to a 4.0 to afford

      Great team. Good luck!

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    2. Pompel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 hours, 45 mins ago

      If on FH, it's very strong. Maybe Cala over Hall

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    3. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      4 hours, 39 mins ago

      Munoz has to be the Forest def in a FH team

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    4. Reacher
      • 16 Years
      4 hours, 35 mins ago

      dont like the mbeumo pick but apart from that v good

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  2. One for All
    • 8 Years
    4 hours, 52 mins ago

    FH:

    A) Pickford, Gvardiol
    B) Donnarumma, Tarkowski

    A or B guys?

    Thanks

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    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      4 hours, 48 mins ago

      B

      Gvardiol actually offering pretty limited attacking threat so Tarkowski has more upside with DefCon and Set Piece threat

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    2. Pompel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 hours, 44 mins ago

      B

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    3. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      4 hours, 38 mins ago

      A

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  3. MangoIce
    4 hours, 50 mins ago

    is it just me or should we still start jp this week? if he doesnt play he doesnnt play

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    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      4 hours, 48 mins ago

      Yes you should start him

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    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 hours, 47 mins ago

      Yes

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    3. Pompel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 hours, 44 mins ago

      Agree, either he plays or not at all

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      1. MangoIce
        1 hour, 1 min ago

        alr cheers

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  4. Teddy10
    • 7 Years
    4 hours, 48 mins ago

    Any help would be appreciated as torn at moment.

    I’ve got no transfers left and White and Pedro in first 11, subs are Thomas and Slater! (I’m wildcarding next week)

    Would you just play team as it is and hope than maybe one of White or Pedro starts or would you free hit and get players like Bruno, Wissa and Munoz?

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    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 hours, 45 mins ago

      I'd just play who you have

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    2. Camzy
      • 16 Years
      4 hours, 43 mins ago

      WC this week.

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  5. Pompel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 hours, 47 mins ago

    G'morning all,

    Currently have Gross coming on if JP doesn't start, but expecting 2 points from him this gw. Looking at other options with one FT:

    A) Ajer -> Muharemovic
    B) Ajer -> N.Williams
    C) Play Gross , roll FT

    Thanks

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    1. Camzy
      • 16 Years
      4 hours, 44 mins ago

      A

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      1. GoonerSteve
        • 16 Years
        4 hours, 32 mins ago

        Why A over B?

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        1. Camzy
          • 16 Years
          4 hours, 28 mins ago

          Because Muharemovic is better for defcons long term.

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          1. Pompel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 hours, 25 mins ago

            Txs. leaning that way myself. Still have WC in hand which I might play sooner rather than later, so don't know if there's a very long term here

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          2. GoonerSteve
            • 16 Years
            4 hours, 24 mins ago

            True but Neco is pretty attacking. I am leaning towards getting him in for De Cuyper.

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  6. Hypnos
    • 11 Years
    4 hours, 19 mins ago

    RMWCT:

    Raya (Phillips)
    Gva Myko Calafiori (Konsa Egan)
    Rogers MGW BrunoF GroB (Belloumi)
    Haa Garcia DCL

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  7. joeynse99
    • 10 Years
    1 hour, 49 mins ago

    G2g?
    Kinsky,

    Thiaw, N. Williams, Mykolenko

    Rogers, Szob, MGW, Saka, Tavernier

    Haaland (c) Barry,

    Subs- Verbruggen, Calafiori, Giles, J. Pedro

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