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

    Someone do my homework for me please - who for the blank midfielder spot up to 8.5m? Can't be arsed trawling through stats:

    A. Felipe
    B. Rich
    C. Siggy
    D. Maddison
    E. HBarnes
    F. Tielemans
    G. Someone else (who??)

    Dubravka
    TAA, Robbo, Rice
    Salah, Haz, Fraser, _____
    Vardy, Wilson, ABarnes
    (Ederson, Pog, Doc, Jonny)

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

      Between CDE for me. Think I'd go HBarnes

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

      D

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

      D is the safest bet. I'd punt on Lanzini possibly as you have covered Bournemouth well.

    4. enrico.palazzo
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      No one there inspires me sorry. I guess Anderson

    5. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      G Lanzini

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

        Tempted by Lanzini, but Nasri or Antonio could possibly displace him ?

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Nah ... nailed and better than those two

  2. 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/Barnes) (2.3m). -8

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

      2

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

      2

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

    Best option for GW31?

    A. Fraser
    B. Maddison
    C. Pedro
    D. Richarlison

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

      I would go A
      C. second choice

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

      ABDC

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

    New crowd so seeking out more opinions for final spots in GW31/33 team. In particular, I'm seeing Sigurdsson featuring higher in RMT tool but does he really have the stats to back that up, compared to HBarnes and Maddison

    Pick a combo two of of these three (have Fraser):

    A) Vardy
    B) Wilson
    C) Arnie
    +
    1) H.Barnes
    2) Maddison
    3) Sigurdsson
    4) Lanzini

    Cheers!

  5. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Asked this last night and very mixed replies... which is the best -4? Will FH32, WC33/34.

    A. Son+Kamara >> Fraser+Wilson
    B. Son+Kun >> Hazard+Wilson

    Fabianski
    TAA • Digne • Rice
    Salah • Mané • FAnderson • Almirón
    Vardy
    (Button / Son* / Aguero* / Schar* / Bednarek* / Kamara*)

    1. George James
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      B

    2. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      It's very close. If Chelsea's form were better, I'd say B, but for just 1 GW Fraser could outscore him so it's a coin toss. I'd go B just because I reckon Haz is more likely to get goals and Fraser assists.

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

      B

  6. mad_beer ✅
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Is this member content meant to be seen by non members?

    1. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Someone did a boo boo. I was logged out and could see it 😀

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

      I’d hope not. Maybe they’re feeling generous

    3. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Been fixed, cheers

  7. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    -4 getting in Azpi for Doherty?

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

      Azpi has two fixtures, Doherty has none. So unless you have 11 already, you’re pretty much guaranteed to at least break even.

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

        If you’re building for 31/33 and FH 32 that is.

  8. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Best goalkeeper for blank gameweek, excluding LFC and Chelsea, that also has pretty good fixtures in the next 4?

    A. Boruc
    B. Heaton
    C. Fabianski
    D. Someone elsea

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      A

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

      B

  9. SPorting
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    2FTs to give me 9 starters.

    Son + Higuain -> Haz + Wilson

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Yes

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

      Is Higuain out?

      1. SPorting
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        No idea. Just feeling this combo is better.

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

          It is better. You're right.

  10. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Has to be the form player. Manè (C) surely

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

      Yes, if you have him but I doubled up on LFC defence two months ago and have stuck with Salah so no use getting rid of one for Mané now.

      1. Better off with a pin and a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Me too, but I won't pretend Salah->Mane isn't a temptation.

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

    If you were a manager of a London-based PL team, would you pick as your striker.........

    A) a World Cup winner who has just scored a hat-trick
    B) a fat bloke who has the flu

    1. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      B if they play on Sunday

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

      Difficult to say without more info

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

      Think he has to start B if he's fit that is to say. He got him in January. Has only played 5 games and needs games to proof himself.

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Sarri has already picked his team ...

      1. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        And his 'tactics'.

        And his substitutions.

  12. TopwithKlopp
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Conundrum....

    Thinking Arnie might have a whopper if played 90 mins Vs Huddersfield, but concerned he might get limited playtime..
    You guys think it's worth starting him Ahead of Barnes/Rondon?

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

      Yeah, if you have him you start him this weekend.

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Yeah he’s worth a punt this week

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

      Yep

      There’s a comparatively limited downside really when you think of the potential upside. I’d have him over Rondo this week.

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

        Thanks for the input!

  13. R.C
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Play who?

    1. Fraser
    2. Almiron

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

      1

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

      1

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

      1

  14. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Still have all my chips

    Current team:

    Fab
    TAA, Robbo, Pereira
    Son*, Salah, Brooks, Anderson, Billing
    Vardy, Rondon

    Button, Kun, Doherty, AWB
    1FT
    2.7 ITB

    What move should I do?
    A) Son -> Haz
    B) Son, Kun -> Haz, Wilson (-4)
    C) Kun -> Wilson

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      B

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

      B

  15. Mixed Bag
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    On a FH this week, but struggling to settle on a front 3.

    Happy with Wilson.

    Struggling to pick 2 from this list:

    A) Vardy
    B) Higuaín
    C) Barnes
    D) Arnautovic

    Any help would be really appreciated.

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

      Arnie on a FH for me then I’d go Vardy (very tempted by Barnes mind)

      I understand the WH team is likely to be leaked before the deadline.

      1. Mixed Bag
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        That would be really useful. I'd definitely go for Arnie if he was starting. Thanks for the tip.

  16. SPorting
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Holebas, Son, Higuain -> Luiz, Haz, Wilson for a mighty -4?

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

      Looks good. Might even want to avoid the hit by keeping Holebas?

  17. xhaka-laca
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    WHO to get?

    1.Arnie / Wilson
    2.Fraser / Brooks
    3.Chilwell / Pereira

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

      Please get Pereira.

      My one consolation will be if I get 0.1 Sv rise from him. Pass he word along

      1. Party time
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Lol

      2. Party time
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Arnie,fraser,chilwell

      3. Bojaninho
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Do we have press conferences today? Assuming yes

        1. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Yes

      4. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Will we have info on Higuain today? If he's out I'm gonna do Higuain to Vardy for -4.

      5. Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Mane(-4) or Hazard?

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

          Haz

        2. Party time
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Haz will do good this weekend

        3. de quincey
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          hazard or brooks?

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

            Hazard

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

            Eden

        4. Nastradarmus
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Do we think it ogbonna is nailed now balbaue is back?

          1. Party time
              5 years, 15 days ago

              No

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

            Burnley got 3 home games in the next 4. Heaton not a better choice than Boruc?

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

              Imo he's better

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

            So with the pressers announced, presumably we won't get any news on Higuaín now?
            Sensible move to hold and hope?

            1. Rotation's Alter Ego
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 15 days ago

              We might get snippets here and there, but Sarri won't give an official word no.

              If you are in a FH, there's other feasible options if you don't like the risk.

              If you are not, it would be mad to sell him, unless possibly you have 11 playing GW 31 players already and a free transfer to spend.

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

                "...Sarri won't give an official word no..."

                Chelsea have a website and a TV channel, you know. Aren't they 'official'?

                The Higuain situation was explained a couple of days ago. He was left in London specifically in order to "recover him for the next game", having had a raised temperature for a couple of days after Wolves.

                The chance of him being unfit for Sunday is somewhere between low and non-existent. Unless he is diagnosed with malaria or something. 🙄

                1. Rotation's Alter Ego
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 15 days ago

                  See next page, I talked about that exact quote.

                  Sarri, in all likelihood, will not give an official word between now and the deadline.

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

                  Thanks Ruth - I can carry on in peace knowing he'll bag me two points whilst everyone else has Wilson 🙂

          4. JohnnyMagrinho
              5 years, 15 days ago

              Higuain doubts couldn’t come at a worse time...

              Currently have 11 including him but took -4 to get there.

              Am travelling during the deadline and chances are I won’t be able to sort my team out after today.

              Leave Higuain and hope he recovers or go another -4 for Arnie?

              Don’t like either option!

              1. Peter Ouch
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 15 days ago

                Leave higuain.
                Match is on Sunday maybe he'll recover

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

                I'm just gonna keep him. Got Lascelles on the bench. So will probably get 1 point from the bench if Higuain doesn't play.

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

                But there really isn't much doubt. Sarri expects him to be fine.

                1. JohnnyMagrinho
                    5 years, 15 days ago

                    Ah that’s good news but can still approach with caution.

                    Howe made it quite obvious to me that Wilson probably wouldn’t start last game and then he did.

                    If there’s good enough reason to think Sarri will start him it’s worth leaving then.

                    Just while there’s a yellow flag it’s a bit worrying.

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

                      Howe is notorious for that. Sarri is usually pretty straight.

              4. Peter Ouch
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 15 days ago

                I don't want pogba back. I have 0.6 value on him.
                Should I ditch him for Haz for a hit?

                Thanks community

                1. chilli con kone
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 15 days ago

                  Yes if you're not bothered about resigning but I would be

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

                  Yes

                3. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 15 days ago

                  That's a brave move....Pogba has great fixtures after 33. Will have at least 2 x DGW and still have Cardiff, Huddersfield.......yes I know City and a shite Chelsea are in there too.

                  1. Peter Ouch
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 5 Years
                    5 years, 15 days ago

                    Just don't see him score big. Guts feeling

                  2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 15 days ago

                    ?

              5. Do I Not Like Orange
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 15 days ago

                On a -4 with this 11. Should I take an extra hit to do Sterling > Haz ajf bench Schindler?

                Fab
                Lascelles TAA Robbo Schindler
                Fraser Salah Anderson
                Vardy Rondon Wilson

                1. chilli con kone
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 15 days ago

                  Id be tempted if you're free hitting next week and not much value tied into Sterling

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

                  Nah

              6. chilli con kone
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 15 days ago

                A. Jimenez > Arnie -4
                B. Play with 10

                Will lose 0.4 by selling and resigning Jim in GW32.

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

                  B

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

                  Nah, you'll want the funds for DWG32

              7. Lingard’s Shin Guards
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 15 days ago

                Pog or Son to Haz (-4)?

                Or leave Haz altogether?

                1. Jebiga
                  • 11 Years
                  5 years, 15 days ago

                  Son !

              8. Jebiga
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 15 days ago

                Does anybody know when will be anounced full DGW32 ?
                Thanks