Captains

Vote in the Captain Poll for Gameweek 2

With one round of the latest Fantasy Premier League season already in the history books, it’s time to start preparing for Gameweek 2.

Where better to start than with the all-important captain debate, which looks like it will be less clear-cut than it was in Gameweek 1.

Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) will obviously remain the favourite with his 54 percent ownership but his next fixture is arguably tougher than a home tie with a new-look West Ham side. In the final nine Gameweeks of 2018/19 the only outfit to keep more clean sheets than Crystal Palace was Liverpool themselves. Since James Tomkins (£4.5m) and Mamadou Sakho (£5.0m) were paired together again the Eagles have been a difficult prospect to break down.

For those not in possession of Salah, there are other alternatives amongst his team-mates including Sunday’s brace-scoring midfielder Sadio Mané (£9.5m), left-back Andrew Robertson (£6.0m) who assisted and kept a clean sheet, and striker Roberto Firmino (£9.5m).

Manchester City’s options certainly win out when it comes to fixture difficulty as they host Huddersfield Town on Sunday afternoon. However, the fact that every player has now returned to the group since the World Cup the dreaded issue of rotation could cause some problems.

Sergio Aguero (£11.0m) is the most backed ownership-wise, in 32 percent of squads, but could be benched to allow Gabriel Jesus (£10.5m) a first start of the season. Raheem Sterling (£11.0m) looks to be back in the conversation sooner than expected too, his seven-point haul in Gameweek 1 putting him on the captain radar, especially as his 2.5 percent ownership makes a potentially powerful differential option.

Just as Robertson may be considered for the captaincy, his Man City counter-part Benjamin Mendy (£6.0m) has forced his way into the conversation with 15 points scored against Arsenal from assisting both of his team’s goals.

Tottenham’s options have dragged themselves into the conversation after seeing off Newcastle on Saturday and preparing for a home match against newly-promoted Fulham. Harry Kane (£12.5m) may not have set the world on fire but with 31.1 percent ownership he should be considered by those in possession of him.

Elsewhere on the Spurs roster Gameweek 1 goalscorer Dele Alli (£9.0m) may be turned to as another differential option while Christian Eriksen (£9.5m) offers the more creative angle for the fixture.

Anyone brave enough to place their captain on a player from Chelsea v Arsenal have a few outside outside options. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) will be the obvious choice from the Gunners while Marcos Alonso‘s (£6.5m) performance against Huddersfield may have convinced some of his doubters. Don’t forget that Eden Hazard (£10.5m), backed by 11 percent, may alsio play a part in the fixture.

Make sure you watch our Captain video below and then vote in the poll underneath it. Why not tell us why you made your choice in the comments? We’ll be rounding off the debate later this week with another Captain Sensible article.

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1,606 Comments Post a Comment
  1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    GTG?

    DDG
    Mendy Robbo Tarkowski
    Bernardo Salah(c) Pedro Jota Richarlison
    Aguero Zaha

    Bench: Steklenburg Peltier Kamara AWB

    1. Ode
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Gtg

  2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Will people still pile in on arsenal if (when) they lose to Chelsea?

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Depends how they play / how inderviduals look. Unlikely though, bar Auba perhaps

    2. Tev
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Laca probably, he made a bit of an impact vs City and can see him starting up front against the weaker teams. Arsenal will be alright this season, their first two fixtures are just unfortunate

    3. Kragbaek
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I have Mkhi now and I have him afterwards. Mainly because he's the cheaper coverage, compared to Mesut, Laca and Aubameyang.

      I feel Arsenal will score plenty of goals, compared to United, Chelsea and Spurs. So hopefully, Mkhi will grab some.

      Aubameyang and Laca will lead, though.

    4. VaVaVoom
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      considering a move ditching miki
      Miki + Ageuro > Sterling + Zaha

  3. Tev
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Not sure how exactly these stats are calculated but Elyounoussi of Southampton ranks 3rd for 'creativity' having only player 34 mins. Did anyone watch the game? How'd he look?

    1. DOUBLEDOWN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Think he was on set pieces from highlights I saw.

      1. Tev
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Ideal, I'll keep an eye on him I think

    2. Andy_Social
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      To be fair, Southampton are devoid of creativity, which is why they score so few goals.

      1. Tev
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        They had 18 shots this week, only 3 on target. Didn't watch the game so not sure what to make of this. I'll keep an eye anyway, as I rate Ings and Elyounoussi could be a decent differential

    3. Bunk Moreland
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      He is a good player, but Southampton will be battling relegation this season again. Definetely a wait and see.

      1. Tev
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers, will do, especially with the amount of 6.5 options. He hasn't even nailed a starting place yet

  4. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    With Mandy back in the side, that means Sane isn't a good City option.

    1. Andy_Social
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Don't agree at all. I think with Mendy constantly coming inside, Sane overlapping could be absolutely deadly.

      1. gunner 2727
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        From memory Mendy playing means simply less time for Sane as they dont require a wide left man as they did with delph/zinchenko. But its pep so mendy benched and sane/delph playing at the weekend it is!

  5. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Rough and smooth for me this week

    Rough - Had Pickford, Shaw & Mendy on Friday morning but decided to swap to De Gea, Coleman & Cook before the deadline. Also had AWB on bench.

    Smooth - Even after the above still managed to score 72 points

    1. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      ok

    2. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Also - you have the lowest points/question ratio in the entire FPL

      That's gotta be a rough

    3. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      72 is decent.

      Why you make them changes.

    4. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Please post this in the Rough and Smooth thread.

  6. Blame It On Rio-ddermorten
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Has there been any research on how the captain poll winner/top 3 does, compared to, for instance, the RMT in the members section, the top scoring player each gameweek or the most captained overall (if they weren't the same)? I though i remembered seeing something like that some time ago, but couldn't find anything when I tried searching for it.

    1. Bunk Moreland
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, there has been. Can't find it for you, but the FFS poll was the best in the latter half of the season.
      Early in the season, it was more mixed whether the poll, rmt, or bookmakers were the best guidance.

      1. Blame It On Rio-ddermorten
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers, thanks.

  7. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Kante on his new position:

    "I played a little bit further forward, I need to adapt to this role but I will give my best in this position for the team and I hope we can keep doing good things in the future. I try to find the striker, to be more offensive and cause problems for the opponent and I think it went well."

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Don't trust Kante's finishing to score consistently, he was lucky his volley even went in

      1. Silecro
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I dont trust him too, but with 37 games left and he will most probably start every one of them, i can easily see him go 5G 7A (of course, fpl assists), which would be awesome for 5.0 mid

        1. Andy_Social
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          He plays a very tidy through ball - can see him racking up assists this season.

        2. Pegboy
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Agree. I've got Will Hughes at 5m currently, but next chance I get I'll switch to Kante. Nailed on for 2/3 points every week and now been pushed forward into a more box-to-box role.

          I'd expect something more like 3G 5A, but that'll do me fine, as I'll be rotating with a 4th defender half the time.

        3. Digital-Real
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          "Easily"

          If he does "easily" get 5G and 7A, I'll stop playing FPL next season.

          1. CostaCoffee
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            5G 5A is realistic for someone who’ll probably play close to 38 games in his position

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      To be honest, Kante could just become an option if he has genuinely been pushed further forward.

      5.0 is basically free

      1. Silecro
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Exactly. Sarri is shaping him up to be Neves of Chelsea, which would really be something

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Check his heatmap and how many times he shot inside the box last year. Jorginho is to be considered also. Neves is trap for the casual herd, these two are better options.

      1. gunner 2727
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Neves is pure class, so nearly had him but got soaked into Jota instead.... Moutinho makes Neves a far bigger attacking threat that he was last year me thinks

  8. BeDreamin
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Does anyone know how the xG (expected number of goals) is calculated? I'm planning on doing a moneyball approach.

    1. Bunk Moreland
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      If you google it, there are plenty of articles explaining how xg works.

      1. BeDreamin
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

    2. Brosstan
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      xG is flawed because it doesnt factor in individual skill. Messi taking a shot from a certain position will give him the same "expected chance to score" as Emile Heskey shooting from the same position. Clearly this is incorrect.

      1. Pukki Party
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Clearly, as Heskey is better from long range for example.

  9. Norfolk&Chance
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Mane is tempting as (C) this week... stats look good vs the other obvious choice.

  10. indiangunner
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Guys is jorginho nailed?

    1. DOUBLEDOWN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    2. CostaCoffee
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah but he’s a defensive mid and won’t be on pens anymore

  11. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Sanchez & KDB both on negative NTI

    No way either drops before Saturday, right?

    1. slove
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I really wouldn't imagine so, anyone with a brain is probably going to hold KDB , and I don't think enough people will sell Sanchez since he actually got a return which should keep most of the spuds from selling

    2. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Wouldn't have thought so unless folks get twitchy and do a Sanchez -> Mane en masse. Or maybe even Eriksen if they're just looking at this week's game.

      Can't see KDB dropping.

    3. Tev
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Doubt it.
      Sanchez will score a brace at the weekend anyway, no way I'm letting go yet

  12. slove
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Saved a FT this week, Aguero -> Aub and Arnie -> Zaha after this week look like good picks? I backed Arnie to do well and be fixture proof but based on how the creativity behind him was during that liverpool game I really think i'll just have to bring him in after the tough fixtures.

    1. Badluck Jonathan
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Don’t judge anyone against city or Liverpool. Moves might be good for next week, just wait and see

  13. Oliver Reed
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Troops deployed, see you on the flipside..
    Fab
    Luiz, Mendy, Robertson
    Richarlison, Salah, Pogba, Cairney
    Aguero (c) Firmino Arnie

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Nice.

  14. balint84
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Bournemouth-West Ham result prediction?

    1. Oliver Reed
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      2-1 Arnie brace

    2. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      4-4.

      Arnautovic (4)
      King (4).

      1. Silecro
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        This convinced me! King(c)

    3. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      2:2

      Wilson king & Arnie brace

    4. JonBoy
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      1-1

    5. XabiAlonso
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      1-0

    6. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      1-1

  15. theswallow1965
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Is Richarlison out for the next game? Is there any news on his knock?

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like good news but absolutely no clue how good this source is.

      https://twitter.com/ALANMYERSMEDIA/status/1029063772034555904

      1. theswallow1965
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Awesome, cheers

  16. Pegboy
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Play Peltier (NEW) or PVA (LIV).

    Leaning towards Peltier.

    1. JonBoy
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I've gone Peltier over WB.

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I usually just play the better fixtures when it's defenders but PVA has such a threat I don't think I'd ever bench him really

    3. XabiAlonso
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      PVA - Never bench never captain.
      the new baines

    4. Pegboy
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks for the responses.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Nice fixture for Cardiff, but I'm not 100% Pelters will start.

    5. Cok3y5murf
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I’m terrified of not owning PVA. Don’t bench him.

  17. Enes_Sahini1
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    G2G?

    Ederson
    Mendy Shaw TAA
    Eriksen Jota Richarlison Salah
    King Mitro Firmino

    Bench: Begovic Azpi AWB Cairney

    0.5 itb
    1 ft

    Am i mad for not having Aguero?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yep need a city mid or forward lad

      1. Enes_Sahini1
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Was thinking bringing in KDB for Eriksen next week as Spurs have a juicy home game against Fulham

        1. the dom 1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Keep Eriksen imo long term.

  18. Big W
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    HELP!!

    Foster (Patricio)
    Mendy | Robertson | Shaw (WB, Pelt)
    Mane | Salah (c) | Rich | Jota (Cairney)
    King | Aguero | Mitro

    1.5 ITB

    Do I Swap out Cairney for someone or King>Zaha?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Mate G2G save FT

    2. JonBoy
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Cairney is just a sub so hold. Zaha has Liverpool so hold.

    3. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Easy save

  19. Adro3
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Stick with Sanchez one more week and save FT or ship for KDB?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Depends if you have any other city assets?

      1. Adro3
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah have Aguero

    2. Kragbaek
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I'm sticking

    3. anish10
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Ship

    4. Ready Player One
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Save

    5. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I'd rather have Sanchez at home to Brighton and switch next week.

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        *against Brighton

        1. Adro3
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah thinking the same

  20. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Europe teams more or less done and dusted.

    Depay and Lopes essential imo.

    Milner pure value at the back.

  21. Kragbaek
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    So, Wilson had a munch of shots last game. Nice.

    I have King at the moment.

    Should I go for Wilson, giving me 0.5 extra to go from Hudson-Odoi to Kanté? (Or any other 5.0)

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Not for s minus 4

      1. Kragbaek
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I was thinking the next transfer after next round.

  22. Lukakwho
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Does saving my FT then next week Eriksen to KDB and Aguero to Auba sound good?

    1. Kragbaek
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Indeed it does.

    2. Pegboy
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Sound moves. I think I'll keep Eriksen long-term, but the fixtures do sour and we're going to be playing at Wembley forever seemingly...

    3. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yep.

    4. Y26 Royal
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah good changes

  23. Non-template FPL is for Kin…
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    So now FFS is tweeting price changes. Is there nothing sacred left in the world!

    1. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Before or after the event.

    2. Valar(Keith)
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      No matter what ffs does in the end human nature(lack of patience, trying to own everyone, going for rising players with bad fixtures n stats over a punt with good fixtures and underlying stats etc) will always separate the top 10k from the rest in the long term

  24. anish10
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    G2G here?

    Patricio
    PVA TAA Mendy
    KDB(C) Salah Richarlison Cairney Townsend
    Auba Aguero

    4.0--Kamara--AWB--Peliter

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Fantastic first XI. Done well to fit Auba & Kun

  25. nkhoughton
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    G2G?

    Fabianski
    Peltier TAA Mendy
    Mahrez Salah Lucas Richarlison
    Zaha Firmino Aguero(C)

    Foster Wan basaka Tomkins Stephens

    If I go into gw3 with 2fts would be good

    1. Y26 Royal
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Nothing too bad there, keep ya FTs

  26. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Start Neves or Josh King for GW2?

    1. Y26 Royal
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      King

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      King

    3. Pegboy
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      King by a mile. Neves is a defensive midfielder away at Leicester.

  27. o0Ash
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Concerned about price rises, so: DSilva & Mkhi --> Alli & BSilva?

    1. Y26 Royal
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Neither are close to a price rise ATM. Dont panic!

  28. Lukakwho
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Will Mane ever drop down again?

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. Why wouldn’t he?

    2. JonBoy
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      If he starts playing badly/not providing value for 9.6m.

  29. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    How long is Bernardo Silva's shelf life?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Longer every time he starts a game.

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on Pep's mood really. I might ship for Rich/Ramsey after this GW.

  30. BinManJack
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Pick 1 to start:

    Schlupp / AWB (Liv H))
    King (WHU A)
    Neves (Lei A)

    1. Y26 Royal
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Easily King

      1. JonBoy
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Ditto.

    2. Hakuna Morata
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      King