Captains

Captain Poll – Gameweek 2

The second Captain Poll of the season arrives to canvas your opinion on the key contenders for the Gameweek 2 armband.

A brace on his Premier League debut for Manchester United yesterday means that Romelu Lukaku (11.5) is guaranteed to be among the front runners.

He travels to a Swansea City side that conceded more shots in the box (16) than any side in Gameweek 1. With his ownership reaching the 50% mark over the weekend, he also has weight of numbers on his side as he looks to address the away drought that saw him score just twice in his final 10 road trips for Everton.

The Red Devils’ emphatic 4-0 victory against West Ham also shone the light on two more possible contenders – the 8.3% owned Henrikh Mkhitaryan (8.0), who collected two assists and a pair of bonus points, and Paul Pogba (8.0), who got on the scoresheet and sits in 21.6% of teams.

Liverpool’s 3-3 draw away to Watford highlighted their defensive frailties, but also underlined the wealth of attacking talent among their ranks, with Sadio Mane (9.5), Mohammed Salah (9.0) and Roberto Firmino (8.5) all scoring.

As with last season, the vote for a Reds captain is likely to be split ahead of Crystal Palace’s visit, although with a goal and assist against the Hornets it would be unsurprising if Salah was the most popular of the trio. He is already the most owned player among Jurgen Klopp’s ranks, with a place in 25.7% of FPL teams.

However, with penalty duties added to his repertoire, the 23.1%-owned Firmino could also prosper and even leapfrog his Egyptian team-mate in the latest poll. It is worth noting that Salah may not be favoured by the Fantasy Premier League’s bonus point system, having seen four of his five shots against Watford miss the target.

The only player to register more misses was Southampton’s Manolo Gabbiadini (7.0), who hosts a West Ham side still reeling from yesterday’s heavy defeat. None of the Italian’s five shots were on target against Swansea, which is likely to see his popularity wane despite the favourable fixture. Hauled off after 69 minutes and replaced by Charlie Austin, Gabbiadini will be hoping to retain his role on the teamsheet despite such an ineffectual display.

Shooting accuracy was where Jamie Vardy (8.5) excelled in Leicester’s loss to Arsenal on Friday – he scored from both of his goal attempts. A home tie against Brighton should ensure he prospers in the poll, although he will have to be equally precise as his opponents managed to keep Manchester City down to just six shots in the box in their 2-0 home loss on Saturday evening.

In saying that, it’s worth noting that the Seagulls conceded almost twice the number of goals (26 to 14) on the road than they shipped in front of their own fans last term.

Since Friday, more than 93,000 FPL managers have recruited the Foxes’ talisman.

Sergio Aguero (11.5) proved to be the hero at the Amex Stadium, having broken the deadlock at the 70-minute mark, and he looks to be secure for a start at home to Everton this weekend in Pep Guardiola’s preferred 3-5-2 formation. The 11.8%-owned Argentine could be the leading figure among City’s key captaincy candidates, although eagle-eyed voters would have noticed that the 12.4%-owned Gabriel Jesus (10.5) and Kevin De Bruyne (10.0), who is in 30.4% of teams, fired off four shots apiece on Saturday to ensure they will garner interest.

Involvement in tough-to-call matches, such as Arsenal against Leicester City last Gameweek and Spurs hosting of Chelsea this time around, can weaken players’ chances of securing the armband.

Nevertheless, many could decide to keep the faith with Harry Kane (12.5), who was second in last week’s poll.

Granted, the 35.7%-owned striker failed to find the net in Spurs’ 2-0 away victory over Newcastle United yesterday, but he next takes on a Chelsea side he has scored four times against in eight encounters.

The Blues shipped three goals in their defeat to Burnley, which further strengthens Kane’s captaincy credentials, as does his six shots against the Magpies on Sunday – more than any forward in Gameweek 1.

With a goal at St James’ Park, Kane’s teammate Dele Alli (9.5) may also attract attention, as could Christian Eriksen (9.5), who notched two assists and maximum bonus points in Gameweek 1. The Dane’s 31,000 new owners since Friday will certainly be hoping he can reward their faith.

Chelsea’s capitulation against the Clarets will likely mute interest in their assets, however, the 7.2%-owned Alvaro Morata (10.0) and Willian (7.0), who has an 18.% ownership, may have done enough to secure a decent poll standing. The Spaniard registered a goal and assist off the bench, while Willian also notched assist points.

Among the differential options this week is Christian Benteke (8.0), who scored a brace last time he visited Anfield, in April. However, his side’s 3-0 loss to Huddersfield at the weekend may be too fresh in the mind for those voting this week.

Sticking with the Terriers, their 6.0-priced striker Steve Mounie looks another strong alternative for the armband. He scored twice against Crystal Palace and hosts a Newcastle side racked by injuries and suspension following that bruising home defeat to Spurs. Still in just 2.0% of sides, the former Montpelier marksman has attracted 49,000+ new owners since the weekend.

The poll is now live in the middle column on your homepage on desktop, or via the slide-in menu on mobile and tablet under Recent Comments.

Remember, we’re looking for your vote for the player you think will be most effective, regardless of whether you own them or not.

We will be back to check in on progress in the poll later, ahead of the Gameweek 1 deadline when we deliver our “Captain Sensible” article offering an analysis of the results and the statistics behind the leading contenders.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

1,234 Comments Post a Comment
  1. AndyCook
      6 years, 7 months ago

      I expect Mkhi to outscore Pogba per minute played but expect Pogba to play a fair bit more. I therefore see them as pretty equal - any thoughts? Pogba or Mkhi?

      1. Fantasy-King-AJ
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah bro, Pogba will be going up alot but u gotta remember Mkhitaryan playing more attacking role as he comes in alot behind the striker so thats advantage

      2. superhoofy
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        spot on - probably not be much between them at the end

      3. TheOx95
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        If you have TC on the bench it's not the end of the world when Mkhi gets benched IMO

    • FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Zaha looks like injured .... mentioned in lots of sites.... so What to do with him?? Need some suggestions....for replacements

      1. Fantasy-King-AJ
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Well I will say buy Ramsey bro. he came on as a sub and scored. He is Arsenal main midfielder playing #8 and attacking more as Xhaka does the dirty working sitting as holding mid playing #6... Ramsey has eye for goal and always hungry, not saying he will score each game but has potential to give goals ,and Elneny will be benched this weekend... Zaha price is food for Ramsey

    • Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Where to find best extended highlights for pl matches in hd??

    • FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Once again Lukaku will be top of the captain poll....

      1. Fantasy-King-AJ
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Facts

    • Up the tics
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Eriksen / KDB / Zaha / RLC / Carroll
      Lukaku / Jesus / Firmino

      Save or
      KDB + Zaha >> Salah + Mhiki
      Or just one of those transfers?
      Defence is fine

      1. ludaslol
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I would do KDB > Salah mayb since you have Jesus

        1. Fantasy-King-AJ
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Bro Liverpool plays palace ,Arsenal and Man City next if he wanna buy for this weekend thats fine but always buy player for 3-4 weeks and that makes Mkhitaryan more advanced

    • ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      New Article

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        for some reason i cant paste the link on phone

    • Totti
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Any changes needed

      foster ( elliot )
      danillo stephens daniels lowe mee
      kdb willian ince ritchie jwp
      lukaku kane firmino

      1. Fantasy-King-AJ
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        How much do you have on bench?

    • itwaswritten
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Why is everyone selling anyone after just 1 week? Unless they are injured...

      1. Totti
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        trying to catch the train as soon as possible

      2. LooseKREW_United
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Make money???

    • Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Here's o e to monitor. With a clean sheet this week, last year's defensive record, and their good defensive signings this window, Everton have shown us that they are ready to get in the clean sheets. After their monster run of fixtures, they have gold. Who are you monitoring most out of Maguire and Keane? Will you go for the expensive Baines? Is Pickford your weapon of choice? I'm really excited by their prospects after Gameweek 5.

    • ludaslol
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Thoughts on Arnautovic? Might be worth a punt, decent fixtures

    • HALFSPACE
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Poundshop defence FTW

    • MUFASA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Quick thought on this term "knee jerking".

      What is a knee jerk?

      Is switching out JWP for Xhaka a knee jerk? What about KDB for Salah?

      I think what sets a knee jerk apart is when we forget the reason why we picked our original player in the first place and go for the shiny new option. We had plenty of time to set up the perfect team and now, after the first gameweek we want to tear it up and start again. Remember why we picked our players in the first place.

      However, if something has changed with the first weeks worth of additional info then re-assess and make the change(s) needed.

      What do you guys and girls deem as a knee jerk?

      1. LooseKREW_United
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Maybe if at the start you were tossing up between two similarly priced players and the player you didn't pick out performed the one you did? This is the only reason I would knee jerk

    • asgerlange
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Who should I transfer in for Fabregas? 0,0 itb

      1. @FPLMaverick
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I went for Mooy, he has a good run of fixtures, passed the eye test and frees up some cash for an upgrade elsewhere in week 2.

        1. @FPLMaverick
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          I meant to say that it freed up some cash for next week or a hit this week if you have more than 1 injury or suspension to your core 11.

    • SerieD
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Hello!

      Should I sell Vertonghen and Zaha> Get Jagielka(or other 5m. defender and Mkhitaryan? Hit is -4p.

      A. Go for it quick!
      B. Hold on with old squad

      My squad
      Foster(Elliot)
      Bertrand, Daniels, Vertonghen, Cedric(Mee)
      KBD, Salah, Alli, Zaha (Atsu)
      Lukaku, Firmino

      New would be:
      Foster(Elliot)
      Bertrand, Daniels, Jagielka, Cedric(Mee)
      KBD, Salah, Alli, Mkhitaryan(Atsu)
      Lukaku, Firmino
      -4p.

      Comments please!

    • The Cisco Kid
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Trust the process.

      We received one data point with which to analyze each of our players (and each of the ones we've ignored). By way of assessment, we might as well think of this as just another preseason game. As you look over your team, however disappointing it may be, remember that this is a season-long game. Discreet gameweeks Do Not Matter! Players like Kane, Jesus, and De Bruyne will all have their moments—they might even do so next week!

      Do you need to make a change this week, or should you save an FT? It's simple: if you have 8 attacking players who start for their teams, then save your FT. If you jumped on the Alex Iwobi or Cesc Fabregas hype trains, then use that transfer now. If you lost a player to injury or suspension, use that FT. Otherwise, keep your cool.

      Trust the process.

    • @FPL_Chess
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Canté FC, belonging to Rhamin Azizi, takes the spoils for FPL Chess Grandmaster after GW1, with 820th overall. In 2nd place is All In With Alli : 3,987 overall - a Man Utd fan by the name of Bill Seibert... both got over 100 points. Fantastic. Joseph Allegretti and Fab's Magic Hat pulls off third with 99 points, and The Lads by Constantinos Evzonas grabs fourth. Nice one. In fact everyone on the first couple of pages of FPL Chess .net should take a bow. FPL Chess itself, got 84 points, and 157,386 overall finish.

        https://fantasy.premierleague.com/?autojoin-code=7741-3334

      • Tabbara
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Guys
        Do you advise me to get rid of Danilo and get Jones or save my free transfer?
        Thx

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Save FT

      • Murder On Zidane's Flo…
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Hi All
        What are the chances of David Silva playing as much as KDB. Really tempted to get rid of KDB for Salah this week and then Willian to Silva the week after. Any thoughts??

        1. Danfab10
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          I have had the exact same thought with the exact same players. Surely it's too early to get rid of KDB? Salah didn't really do much when you think about it. Won a penalty and bundled the ball into the net. He also missed a sitter.

      • leocarter27
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        G2g?

        De Gea / Elliot

        Cedric Otamendi Mee Daniels / 4m

        Alli KDB Willian / LCheek Carroll

        Lukaku Kane Chicharito

        Cheers

      • Kloppcorn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Switch KDB to Mkhiterian this gw then upgrade Ritchie to David Silva next gw or stick with KDB?

      • Fantasy-King-AJ
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Mkhitaryan playing advanced role now will bring the best out of him like his Dortmund days, Invest in him

      • alikarout
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        hey , I need to substitute Zaha as he is injured. Please any suggestions?

      • KingPower360
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Any idea who should be my captain for GW2
        lukaku,vardy,salah,kdb,alli?

        1. AnfieldLad
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Check the captaincy poll - Lukaku

          1. KingPower360
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Yeah..but vardy against brighton and lukaku against swansea..who do you think will score more?

      • C_G
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        what to do here? got my FT, save or use??

        Foster

        Danilo Cedric Daniels Lowe

        Atsu Mane Eriksen

        Kane Kaku Jesus

        Elliot Carroll RLC Mariappa