Captains

Captain Sensible – Deciding between Salah and Mané

Fantasy Premier League managers who thought the Blank Gameweek 31 captaincy would be a simpler one may be disappointed after reading this latest article.

The depleted nature of this round of fixtures, with just 10 sides in action in the wake of the FA Cup quarter-finals, has gone some way to trimming the candidates for the armband.

But those at the top end of our poll are quite hard to separate, with form, statistical comparison and the famed eye-test all playing a part in a tricky decision, largely centred around Liverpool assets.

As per usual, the Captain Sensible article assesses each of the best options using data from the Fantasy Football Scout members area.

Captain Poll

Despite registering just a goal and an assist in his last seven Premier League outings, Mohamed Salah (£13.4m) is still the captain poll leader for Blank Gameweek 31. At the time of writing, the Egyptian has 47% backing.

That has him enjoying an advantage over colleague Sadio Mané (£9.9m) of 23 percentage points. The Senegalese international currently has the backing of 24% of voters in the poll, despite outscoring Salah over the last seven Gameweeks by an aggregate score of 58 points to 26.

Callum Wilson (£6.4m) is the key differential this week according to the people, with the Bournemouth striker looking at a 5% backing ahead of Newcastle’s visit to the Vitality Stadium. In his return from injury in Gameweek 30, the Englishman found the net and provided an assist for colleague Ryan Fraser (£6.2m).

The Cherries midfielder also features in our poll’s top five with 3.4% of our voters believing he is the best captain option for Blank Gameweek 31. The return of Wilson has made a big impact on Fraser, hence the interest, with him involved in four goals in his last two with the forward, compared to zero in his last eight without him.

Jamie Vardy (£9.0m) completes the top five in the vote with a 4.3% share. The fact that he is in the chasing pack for the best differential option is no surprise, considering the Leicester man’s five goals in as many Premier League outings. Also, Burnley are without a clean sheet at Turf Moor since Gameweek 20.

Even though he was the hero for Chelsea in Gameweek 30, Eden Hazard (£10.9m) has the support of just 2.5% ahead of a trip to Goodison Park. That may have more to do with the fact that he has not scored away from home since Gameweek 17.

Roberto Firmino (£9.2m), Marko Arnautovic (£6.8m) and Gonzalo Higuaín (£9.6m) are the only other options to have more than 1% of the votes in the poll.

Player statistics – Last four Matches

1,155 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    CL quarter finals Draw predictions !

    For me

    Barcelona vs Ajax
    Juventus vs Spurs
    Liverpool vs manchester city
    Manchester united vs porto

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Predicting random draws 😀

      1. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        I'm glad he clarified it with "for me" 🙂

        just his opinion n not stating fact on how the balls will come out :-p

    2. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      As a supporter of none of those teams I would love it if Ajax went on and won the CL

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        I’m an Everton fan. Wouldn’t mind seeing Ajax win but will be rooting for United. Fond memories of OGS

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I think all English SF would be great.
      Fed up of Spanish dominance on CL

      1. FPL.team
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Is English dominance any better?

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          I'd love that tbh.

      2. Benteke10
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        enough of all these smug Barcelona and Madrid "fans"

  2. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Wilson or Arnie?

    Already have King but a lot of people have Fraser/Wilson so don’t mind king and Wilson.

    Arnie should play but West Ham not in the best of form

    1. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Wilson, I'm gonna captain him.

    2. Longlatini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Arnie might be good if you can wait til Saturday there might be some early news if he’s going to start or not

    3. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Arnautovic if he is going to start imo

    4. Tigers Time
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      But do you want him for GW33 against Chelsea?

    5. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I think if you’ve some catching up to do - Arnie. The presser really hinted that he’ll start. Isn’t in the best of form as he’s played 110 minutes out of 450, with one assist. Also looked to be deployed on the left, when he came on against Cardiff.

  3. LordEllison
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Got 8 players for GW31 Anything worth a -4? Using FH in GW 32

    Fabianski
    Wan Bissaka* - Robertson - TAA
    Hazard- Pogba* - Salah(C) - Brooks
    Aguero* - Vardy - Wilson

    Subs: Guaita* - Kolasinac* - Doherty* - Hojbjerg*.

    Thanks for the help

    1. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      WB to Azpilicueta

  4. Longlatini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Fraser or Hazard? (Have Wilson but no Che att)

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Eden

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      how many you have playing in 31 and 33? assuming you're on fh32 and WC 34

      1. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        just wondering if a hit for both is possible

      2. Longlatini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Got 10 playing for definite in 31 and minimum of 9 for 33

        Fh32 Wc 34 yep

        1. Longlatini
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          When I say definite I mean hopefully!

      3. Longlatini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Both would cost -8

    3. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Live a hazardous life, yolo

  5. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Chris Mepham nailed at Bournemouth, with Steve Cook out for 6 weeks ?

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Would think so

  6. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Own all the captains poll options and Tempted to give the armband to Wilson

  7. Clarity
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Is it mad to triple captain salah this week? Using free hit in 32 wc 34 bb 35.

    Should I wait until liverpool have hudders at home/see if theres another dgw?

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Wait for more clarity

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Go with your gut. But wait for Huddersfield

    3. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      It’s not the worst idea actually. FUL are woeful at the back. I was planning for HUD but this looks just as good. Just wish Salah had a bit of form to go with the fixture

  8. Denver Omelette
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    For GW 31 & 33 only
    A. Hazard + TAA
    B. Mane + Pereira (-4)

    1. Clarity
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      A

    2. KunDogan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      A

  9. Adsequor
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Thoughts on Emerson, is he first choice now?

    1. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Yes he’s first choice now, but always prone to rotation. Alonso’s performance last night doesn’t help- would’ve had 2g 1a if not for a great save from the keeper

  10. xHaTr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Best Defender for 4.7 or less? I already have Fabianski, Robertson and Digne

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Mempham

    2. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      West Ham double up imo

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Tarkowski

  11. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Have Vardy, Wilson and Fraser... To join them in 31 and 33:

    A) King
    B) Maddison
    C) Arni
    D) Lanzini
    E) Tielemens

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      C

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      A

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      C or D would be jazzy and would be nice differentials. Not sure about E at all.

    4. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Who no tieleman love?? Decent player and has got decent points last few games. Also has hudds gw33

  12. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Prob best to play it safe this week. Not taking a hit, saving FH and fielding 11 will be golden.

  13. QuintonFortune25
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    How's this FH team looking?

    Fab
    Robertson - D.Luiz - Rice
    Salah (c) - Mane - Hazard - Fraser
    Vardy - Arnie - Wilson

    1. Clarity
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Very good. Really not keen on chelsea defence though think they will concede.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Beautiful 🙂

  14. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Are we likely to hear anything on Higuaín pre-deadline?
    Never quite sure on teams who play Europa as to whether we get a press conference.

    1. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      No danger of him not playing. 6-0 up on aggregate at half time, if he was a doubt Giroud would of been hooked.

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        That's confident stuff!

    2. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I just hope he hasn't ran out of Lemsip!

  15. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Fabianski.
    Pereira, AWB, TAA.
    Pogba, Salah, Felipe, Son.
    Vardy, Wilson, Rashford.
    Hamer, Doherty, Bednarek, Camarasa.
    1ft, 5.3m. 7 players atm.

    Thinking one of these.. Which would you choose?

    1. Camarasa/ Son/Rash -> Fraser/ Mane/Arnie (3.2m). -8
    2. Camarasa/ Son/Rash -> Fraser/ Mane/Higuain (0.4m). -8
    3. Doherty/ Son/Rash-> VVD/Hazard/Arnie (or Higuain)(2.3m). -8

  16. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    2FT to get rid of Jimenez and puncheon, which combo?

    A) Arnie and Fraser
    B) Wilson and Fraser
    C) vardy and McNeil

    Fab
    Taa luiz Robbo
    Salah hazard Maddison xxxx
    Barnes Rondon xxxx

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      B

      1. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Not tempted to roll the dice on Arnie becks? That’s hudds defense is awful

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      B imo.

  17. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Really torn between Pogba to Maddison (costs 0.5) or Jimenez to Vardy (costs 0.6)

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Vardy a better option imo.
      That 0.1 shouldn't matter much.

  18. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Fab
    Robbo - TAA - Periera
    Salah - Hazard - Brooks - ___
    Vardy - Rondon - ___

    (Button / Pogba / Doherty / AWB)

    Maddison & Wilson in for (-4) to give me 11 starters?

    Cheers! 🙂

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Good moves and worth one hit

  19. Dave Bauer
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    I am probably the only serious player of this game who has no Liverpool defender. So, which do I bring in?

    A) Robbo
    B) TAA
    C) Van Dijk

    (Cost is irrelevant, I just want to get some opinions on who is most likely to score well for 31 and 33 and why)

    Cheers!

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      ACB imo

    2. GAMBIT
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Robbo

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Robbo

    4. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I think take a gamble & get Bobby for Fulham away ??

      Robbo is safest bet.

    5. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Robbo, as TAA slight rotation risk

    6. Dave Bauer
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Thanks all - pretty conclusive!

  20. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    I truly believe Salah is ahead in the captain polemsoley based on ownership. Similar to Kane last season, owners are praying for a haul and hanging in to him.

  21. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Which teams are sure to play in GW 33?

  22. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Alonso -->
    a) Azpi
    b) Luiz

    Thanks!

    1. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Azpi

  23. GAMBIT
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Am I mad for wanting to TC Mane and VC Salah?

    I'm chasing and brought in Mane for a hit so I'd like to capitalize on the guys above me who don't have him

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Nope.
      Brave

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Better than TC Sane in that week!
      Weep.
      You know the risks. Difference is Mane will start and is on form.

    3. GAMBIT
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Cheers both. I think I'm going for it!

  24. cescpistols111
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    G2G with FH team?

    Fabianski
    Robertson - Azpilicueta - Rice
    Salah (c) - Mane - Hazard (v) - Maddison
    Vardy - Wilson - Arnautovic

    Hamer - McNeil - Stankovic - Simpson

  25. Catsandhats
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Worth bringing in another defender for a total of -8?

    Currently on a -4 for this:

    Alison
    Azpilli, Periera,
    Fraser, Mané, salah
    Barnes, Higuan, Vardy

    FH 32, WC 34

    1. GAMBIT
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I'd take the hit for a Mid, not a Def

      1. Catsandhats
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Only option would be hojberg > Maddison for -4 (total of -8) m, worth it you think?

        Or another mid 7.1 or under

        1. CLASS OF 78
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          It's gotta be worth it, it's -2 per gameweek for 31 and 33 really. Or Tielemans. I'd go Madd, personally.

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Only Pool defenders would be worth it , but seeing you're maxed out - no.

  26. Konstaapeli
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    This is decent for 31, right?

    Fab
    TAA - Robbo - Digne
    Salah (C) - Hazard - Fraser - F.Anderson - (Punchy)
    Vardy - Arnie

    Speroni - Kun - Doherty - WB

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Punchy kissed and made up? G2g as don’t see a mid you’re misisng really worth a hit

      1. Konstaapeli
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Punchy has been on my bench for a while. Don't expect anything from him but don't want to take hits either.

  27. Lukakwho
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Is 11AM when the first ball is taken out of the hat for the draw or when the coverage starts?

    1. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      When all the dancing starts. Put the kettle on then

  28. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Boruc
    TAA Pereira Robbo
    Almiron Anderson Salah
    Vardy Higuaín
    Non-playing: Guaita, AWB, Doherty, Pogba, Camarasa, Jimenez

    Which moves to add for 31? (-4 each)
    1. Pogba (loss 0.2) to Hazard
    2. Camarasa (no loss) to Fraser
    3. Jimenez to Wilson (loss 0.6)
    4. Doherty (0.5) or AWB (0.2) to Azpilcueta

    Have been hovering over doing 1 and 2 for (-8).

  29. Lukakwho
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    As a VVD owner on a FH shall I keep him or get Robbo for the week? Can imagine Robbo will attack a lot against fulham but also aware if I pick Robbo and VVD hauls I will cry so what should I do? Who will score more in your opinion?

    1. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Fulham week down their right side so Robbo is a goo option, Dijk vs Nordtveit and some other chap, good luck to them. I would not try to guess points for any of them but think Robertson more fun to own as he will be almost like a winger in this game.

  30. Moorinho
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Why can I read the members article?

    1. Party time
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Lol. I asked myself the same thing but this a great article and very kind of ffs to help everyone for this gw 🙂