Captains

Captain Sensible – Aguero favourite but alternatives appeal in Gameweek 5

The captaincy discussion for Gameweek 5 of Fantasy Premier League probably isn’t quite as clear-cut as our recent poll indicates.

While Manchester City’s number one striker has run away with it, there are strong cases for alternative options.

We’ve weighed up the results of the vote, compare individual and team statistics and analyse what the Rate My Team tool says to ascertain the best captain for this weekend.

The Captain Poll

A home clash with Fulham has led to Sergio Aguero (£11.3m) amassing a huge lead in the captain poll ahead of Gameweek 5. The Manchester City striker has, at time of writing, a massive 58% of the vote.

Aguero’s three goals and two assists thus far have convinced Fantasy managers that he can deliver another big haul. In fact, he has even overtaken Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) as the most fashionable player in FPL, with 51.6% ownership.

Salah’s popularity continues to fall as shown by the fact that he currently sits fourth in our poll with just under 5% of the vote. Captaincy interest in Liverpool’s trip to Spurs on Saturday lunch-time is low, with Harry Kane (£12.5m) and Sadio Mané (£10.0m) backed by under 3% of our voters. That’s despite the latter averaging 9.75 points per match so far, Salah at 6.75 and Kane 5.0.

Joining Aguero in the top three are Chelsea pair Eden Hazard (£10.7m) and Marcos Alonso (£6.8m) who are expected to do very well against Cardiff. Both players have registered returns in every single match so far combining for three goals and seven assists.

Hazard is the more popular for the captaincy out of the two, by some distance. At the time of writing the Belgian has 19% of the vote while Alonso is only just ahead of Salah with his 4.5% share. Perhaps understandable given the differences in classification and price.

Outside the top six are some interesting differential candidates, all of whom look capable of delivering points in Gameweek 5. Benjamin Mendy (£6.4m) has 1.15% backing after registering four assists in his first four league matches and adding another international duty.

Just behind him is Arsenal frontman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) who scored his first goal of the season against Cardiff last week. The Gabonese forward has a trip to Newcastle this time around and continues to prove more popular than colleague Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m). The Frenchman has outscored him so far but is backed by just 0.68% in this week’s captain poll.

Danny Ings (£5.6m), Jamie Vardy (£8.9m) and Romelu Lukaku (£11.0m) complete the top 10 with, at time of writing, 0.84%, 0.77% and 0.73% backing respectively.

Ings has two goals in his last three starts and hosts a travel sick Brighton outfit on Monday night.

Meanwhile, Lukaku is currently second among strikers for shots in the penalty area and efforts on target ahead of a trip to Watford.

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1,457 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Papasthathopolous
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Would you do Mkhitaryan to Maddison on a free transfer??

    1. Pjanić At The Disco
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Yup

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      No, prefer Moura but worth keeping Mkhitaryan for another week

  2. Rich89Cook
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Triple Captain tempting anyone? Hazard / Kun ......

    1. Klein
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Me kun.. not done yet but itchy fingers

    2. Johnny 8
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Nah, save for dgw.

    3. Pinturicchio10
        5 years, 6 months ago

        No. Terrible idea.

      • Rt505
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Very tempted on aguero. Remember the Kane double GW last year...

    4. Pjanić At The Disco
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Play Bennett (BUR) or Robertson (tot)?

      1. SPorting
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Benny

      2. Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Robbo for attacking potential

      3. Johnny 8
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Play your premium defender imo

    5. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Those of you going with the Begovic+McCarthy rotation, who are you starting this GW?

    6. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Can anyone tell me why Andy wildcarded before the pressers?

      He missed loads of price rises because he wanted to wait for the "info".

      He then wildcarded a couple of hours before he heard the "info" from the pressers ... and all the reasons why he needed to make changes (i.e. Walcott) where then passed fit!

      1. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Walcott was all the reasons why he needed to make changes?

      2. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        How do you know he did?

      3. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Why don’t you ask him on Twitter?

      4. Klein
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        An annoying sibling??

      5. Reedy
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        I suppose Andy might be able to.

      6. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        I think in retrospect he'd have Wildcarded sooner and taken advantages of the few price rises (were there really that many?). Sometimes it takes a while to work out what you want and how you want to go forward.

      7. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Who cares?

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          This. ^^

        2. Johnny 8
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Virg does

        3. Henryyy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Exactly!

          Use the WC when you want.

      8. @persecuted_by_mods
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Maybe the info he wanted was from the international fixtures

        • jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Haha, question for next week's Scoutcast: Can Andy's broad shoulders continue to carry the weight of a virgin 😉

        • Pacer.
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Clearly he was holding off and trying to avoid but injuries and doubts mounted and swung the decision. Process rises are minimum and pretty unimportant. This is a good time for many to play it regardless

          1. Pacer.
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            *price rises

        • Sad Ken
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Who's Andy?

      9. KGFC
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Couldn't catch any of the pressers... Can someone help me with who for this week is:

        1. Definitely out
        2. Fit again
        3. Doubt

        1. Klein
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          3

        2. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Shaw is 'available for selection' despite having a concussion and not training all week...due to his concussion.

          Fraser is with the physio after suffering a hamstring problem while away with Scotland.

          1. HamezMace
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Wilshere is out. Ankle injury.

            Shelvey is availble for Newcastle.

            Coleman/Mina/McCarthy all out for Everton. DCL is fit.

            Sterling is fit.

        3. Pinturicchio10
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Could just use Google or Skysports.

        4. dunas_dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          OK to go and carry transfer or use it on BSilva to Pedro? Thanks

          Patricio
          Alonso Van Dijk Mendy
          Salah BSilva Mané Walcott
          Aguero (c) Mitrovic Ings

          Foster Wan-Bissaka Tomkins Billing

        5. okan58
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Ederson
          Trippier - Cedric - Alonso
          Mane - Lucas - Hazard - Pereyra
          Zaha - Aguero - Wilson
          Subs: Speroni, Wan-Bissaka, Neves and Arnold

          How do you find this team?

        6. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Have wolves had their press conference? Any word on Raul Jiménez

        7. Hits for Kids
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Should start Boly or Townsend?

          1. The Overthinker
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Boly

          2. Holmes
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Townsend

          3. Smurf
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Boly

          4. Hits for Kids
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            I just think HUD defense is so weak and thinkg of Townsend could deliver some points? Any though on this?

          5. caldracula
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Townsend

        8. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Have Hazard , Aguero , alonso, mendy.

          Armband dilemma

          1. Silecro
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Also have those players and dilemma not present...Aguero

            1. The Overthinker
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Thats why I'll Captain Hazard. Majority will Captain kun. I'll atleast get single points even if he scores double digit

          2. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Has to be Aguero or hazard

            1. Wild Card this!
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              This

          3. Smurf
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            No dilemma. Fulham at home for Aguero is “on paper” potentially one of the best captaincy delights of the season.

          4. Johnny 8
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Overthinking again 😉

          5. Hits for Kids
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Should have faith in Man City attacking mind!
            Aguero !

        9. Evasivo
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          GTG?

          Pickford
          Mendy Robertson Alonso Boly
          Mane Salah(vc) Mkhi
          King Aguero(C) Tosun

          Steke AWB Stephens Peltier

        10. reeceon
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Either of these worth it?

          A) Mkhi > Maddison
          B) Mkhi + Daniels > Neves + Alonso (-4)

          1. T444
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Mhiki has potential to punish everyone with a haul or get 1 point. It's very uncertain but I think he starts this week

        11. Valar(Keith)
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Can I get away with saving a FT here even if Fraser is out?
          Ryan
          Alonso Mendy AWB TAA (Peltier)
          Moura Salah Bilva ( Fraser Cairney)
          Aguero Zaha Firmino
          0.5 in the bank
          Or should I swap Peltier for Doherty/Fraser for Schurlle to be safe Incase Zaha, taa, Firmino, Bilva don't start..
          Basically
          A) Save transfer and have 2 next week to sort out my mess
          B) Peltier to Doherty
          C) Fraser to Schurrle
          D) Cairney to Hughes

          1. T444
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            A. I think Fraser has a shout at starting

        12. Whattheheck!
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Would you rather have Dilva and Mane or Bilva and Hazard?

          1. Reedy
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            A

          2. Valar(Keith)
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Dilva + Mane.. but that's cheating . Would like a sub 7.5 mid(Moura, Richie, Pedro, Maddi erc) + Hazard over Dilva and mane

          3. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            A

          4. Whattheheck!
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Thanks all

        13. Maddamotha
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Absolutely bobbins mate! What would you do here? Cheers ppl!

          Kepa
          Mendy, Robbo, Waz Biznizz
          Salah, Mane, Bilva, Mhki
          Aguero, King, Zaha

          Subs: Hamer, Bednarek, Peltier, Stephens

          A) Save
          B) Salah > Hazard
          C) Mhki, Bednarek > 4.5mid, Alonso -4
          D) Bilva, Bednarek > 4.5mid Alonso -4

          1. T444
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            A for me
            Roll the transfer and make the decision depending on mhiki minutes and performance

          2. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            A or C

          3. gergin
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            B

        14. T444
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Which would you prefer on a WC

          A Bennett + Deeney
          B Holebas + joselu

          4th def and third striker. Likely to be alternated on bench.
          Any answers appreciated

        15. mdm
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Mkhi to Dilva for free or save FT?

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            I would

          2. Eden Wizard
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Not nailed to not nailed, clever...

          3. Sad Ken
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            No brainer.

        16. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          1FT, 0ITB. Best pick????

          A. Kun >> Solanke
          B. Kun >> Calvert-Lewin
          C. Salah >> Loftus-Cheek
          D. Save

          Patricio
          Mendy • Alonso • Robertson
          Salah • Pedro • Mané • Kenedy
          Aguero • Arnautovic • Zaha*
          (Hamer* • AWB • Tomkins* • Cairney*)

          1. Eden Wizard
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Seems maverick Raf, what's the play>?

            1. RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              See Moanrinho comments 🙂

          2. Thinkering like a Boss
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            I TC Kenedy probably

          3. Fpl Richie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Solid team Rafa.
            Just out of interest, are you keeping Arnie next week or moving on? Obviously you have a few injuries there - but Tomkins will be back soon.

            1. RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              More than likely!

        17. Thinkering like a Boss
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          So Shaw will play or not?

          1. Eden Wizard
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            People like you, are the problem with this world.

            1. Thinkering like a Boss
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              What??

            2. teneighty
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Is that a yes or a no?

            3. jia you
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Haha, harsh Wizard, harsh!

          2. jia you
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Christ on a bicycle, how the hell does anybody on here know the answer to that mate?

            1. Eden Wizard
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Exactly what i meant 🙂

            2. Thinkering like a Boss
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Who knows they have insider information. They talk to Shaw personally whatsover. Anyone?

              1. Eden Wizard
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                lol

              2. jia you
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                Perhaps you should ask Colin Quaner, I believe he's a good pal of both Luke Shaw & Jose.

          3. @persecuted_by_mods
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Yes he will play and will score twice

            • HamezMace
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Jose says he is available, after a doctor assessment, but he hasn't trained all week due to the concussion.

              It's anyones guess. Although from a personal perspective if Jose plays him one week on from suffering a concussion, due to his 'players should play through injuries or they're not real men' philosophy, then I'll have no respect for him at all.

              1. Thinkering like a Boss
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                I have Robertson as a backup. Do you think play Shaw is ok and if he not available, then Robertson in anyways

                1. HamezMace
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 6 months ago

                  I wouldn't be benching a 6m defender anyway. You pay that money for attacking returns as much as expected CSs.
                  People benched Mendy on GW1 and it backfired.

                  I would be surprised if Shaw plays, but even more surprised if he came on a sub, so if you think he's more likely to score higher than Robertson, you might as well start him, and have Robertson as autosub.

                  1. Thinkering like a Boss
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    I agree with you. I play Robertson maybe. Thanks btw

                    1. HamezMace
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      No worries mate, good luck.

                      1. Thinkering like a Boss
                        • 7 Years
                        5 years, 6 months ago

                        Good luck to you too mate. 🙂

              2. Thinkering like a Boss
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                Thanks btw for your input. This is quality replies!

            • COLLIN QUANER
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              100% yes

              1. jia you
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                🙂

              2. Thinkering like a Boss
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                Lol troll answer. only one person here answer with respect

                1. jia you
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 6 months ago

                  Haha, we're only ribbing mate but you brought it on yourself tbf!

                  1. jia you
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    ...and Robertson is never back-up! He's set and forget as long as you own him, same as Mendy or Alonso! GL for the GW!

                  2. Thinkering like a Boss
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    Then no point asking here If that player is play or not. They always some troll will find a ways.

                    Im asking is opinion, maybe im not state clearly. But now I know. No points asking a question.

                    1. Badgevilla
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      You will always have the bored ones waiting to prey on a newbie. Take it with a pinch of salt my man!! You shouldn't be benching your more expensive players for any GWs. It's a gmable on Shaw I would say he isn't going to play cos of the injury itself if you show the whole team maybe we could work out what to do?

          4. EWH2020
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Please let me know your thoughts on my WC team.

            Patricio, Hamer
            Alonso, Mendy, Robertson, Pereira, Wan Bissaka
            Hazard, Mane, D.Silva, Pedro, Billing
            Mitrovic, Aguero, Wilson

            1. FPLtfs
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              looks good. how much itb?

              1. EWH2020
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                ITB: 0.1

            2. T444
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Really like it

          5. Stimps
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Worth playing both Mkhi and Walcott?

            Kante and AWB on bench

            1. Thinkering like a Boss
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Yes Play Walcott and Mkhi.

          6. BigBillyBass
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            On WC:

            A) Dilva + Mitro + 0.2 ITB
            B) Lukaku + Hojbjerg

            1. Thinkering like a Boss
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              B if Hojberg is sub otherwise A

          7. Agger
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Monreal or Bellerin?

            1. T444
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Neither

          8. Salah'd n Sauce
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Normally if I WC I end up hating it from the moment I start...
            ...and every conceivable combination I create.

            This time round I actually feel pretty confident in the team. And the flexibility it offers going forward.

            We all feeling good for GW starting tomorrow? Or have any of the pressers left you worried?

            1. Pieterke30
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Do it. Share that beauty WC team of yours.

              1. Salah'd n Sauce
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                Haha... that's the catch-22 though.
                Just because I like it doesn't mean it wouldn't get ripped to pieces in the forum.

                1. Pieterke30
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 6 months ago

                  Try me. I’ll be nice.

                  1. Salah'd n Sauce
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    Hennessey
                    Alonso / Mendy / Bellerin / Bennet / WB
                    Siggy / Salah / Haz / Seri / Gray
                    Wilson / Kun / Ings

                    I think my only change would be Jiminez for Ings.
                    Won't be playing next week.

                    1. Pieterke30
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      I would get Ings indeed.

                      GW6 not a problem - just start your 5 mids

            2. Goat
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Fraser is my question mark. Wasn’t going to start him anyway but I hate keeping an injured player on WC

              1. Salah'd n Sauce
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                Yep. He was in mine until a day or so ago. Ended up shuffling about and putting Wilson in instead.

          9. Captain Warlock
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Pereira or Chilwell
            Really like both, Pereira is getting a lot of pen box touches but Chilwell is bossing ict index creativity & threat .. but is he nailed ??

            1. Pieterke30
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Yes he is

            2. Thinkering like a Boss
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Chilwell

            3. Greenbackbøøg…
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              yes chilwell is 100% nailed

          10. Niho992
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Salah out Hazard IN or Mkhi out Pedro IN ?

            I dont have Mane.

            1. jia you
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              I don't have Money either 🙁

            2. MrPeabody7
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Mkhi out Pedro in

          11. Lyonnais
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            PVA ---> Alonso worth a -4?

          12. MJFainty
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Besides the obvious reliance on Liverpool turning it on against Spurs, what are people's thoughts on this team?

            I've played the start of this season without premium strikers and it's paying off (so far)

            Kepa
            Robertson / Mendy / Alonso
            Salah / Mane / Hazard / Mkhi
            Mitrovic / Ings / Wilson

            Stek / Cairney / AWB / Tomkins

            Cheers in advance guys and gals.

            1. Eden Wizard
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Aguero is looking next level this season, I'd bin Mane to fund him!

          13. Atimis
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            BSilva to Pedro for free?

            Also, Wally should be likely to start?

            1. Pukki Party
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Yes and Yes

              1. Atimis
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                Cheers 😉