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. altan8797
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    does sarri have a presser today?

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

      No, he had a post match one after the game yesterday.

      Chelsea never do a presser for the weekend games if they had a EL game in the week

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

        So how do we get update for pipita?
        Any ohter source?

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

          He was left at home so that he could recover for the next game.

          Sounds to me like Sarri, at the time of speaking (Wednesday), believed he'd be ready for Sunday.

          If there's any extra news from Chelsea ITKs / Journos then it will be widely covered here, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

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

            Holding breath is always a bad sign, arouse the parasypmathetic system and that's not good at all.
            So I'll be waiting for news. Thanks rot

      2. altan8797
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        cheers, removing higuain seems like the best thing to do then

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

          I wouldn't jump the gun - Ruth NZ seemed fairly certain he'd be fine.

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

            Yes. Though Giroud scored a hat-trick last night and it's not impossible that he'd get the nod anyway. But personally I'll be surprised if Higuain's name isn't on the team sheet.

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

          They rest players in Europa, hazard never plays, Higuain will be the same

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

    REPOST

    Does anybody know when will be anounced full DGW32 ? When we will know which teams will have DGW32 ?
    Thanks

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

        Two minutes later and you ask again ?

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

          W0t ?

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

            That was on the bottom fo the page

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

      After GW 31.

      Depends on the FA Cup games played during that weekend, then an announcement should be fairly quick (I assume).

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

        Thanks mate !
        Im using FH in DGW32, so for now 6 players form wolfs and utd are guaranted for me. But i want 11 🙂

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

          If you are using FH in 32 you can have any player ?

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

            Yes i know, but i want 11 DGW players. Do you know maybe who can have DGW except Wolfs and UTD ?

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

              Any teams that have a blank game week and any teams they win their FA Cup game ... you won’t know until Monday maybe so not worth bothering about it if you are playing a FH in 32

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

        And which teams can have DGW ? Can you tell me ?

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

          RuthNZ did a fantastic job on making some predictions on who would double. Don't have a link to the original comment, but:

          Wolves - bur MUN - confirmed
          United - WAT wol - confirmed
          Chelsea - car BHA - (90%+)
          Brighton - SOU che - (90%+)
          City - ful CAR - (80%+)
          Cardiff - CHE mci - (80%+)
          Palace - HUD tot or HUD new - (70%+) but HUD tot much more probable
          Spurs - liv CPL - (60%+)
          Watford - mun FUL or mun SOU - one or other (55%), each equally probable
          Fulham - MCI wat - (27%)
          Soton - bha wat - (27%)
          Newcastle - ars CPL - (10%)

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

            The problem is that we really don’t know into which gameweek the games, if it turns out that they are actually doubles, will go

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

              This takes that risk into account iirc

              It's a prediction for what doubles will be played in 32, but Ruth is better off to explain

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

              In a lot of cases we do know. They just haven't been announced yet. Brighton, for example, will get a DGW32 come what may, almost certainly SOT che but there's a very faint chance of SOT CAR.

              I think the above list is wrong regarding Watford. Their chance of a DGW32 is a bit higher than I suggested, more like 75%.

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

                I agree there are some fixtures that do not seem to have any other options, from an organisational sense, and intuitively should go to 32 etc., but the fixtures are driven by the TV schedule and not what makes sense.

                It is even possible the original fixtures may be moved and swapped around in a big shuffle.

                It possible we may get a third double, may get a triple, may get games during a CL mid week ...

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

                  You are talking nonsense. There's no 'seem' about it. You might choose to live in a state of vagueness where there is none but the rest of us don't have to. 🙂

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

                    Why do you always have to be so rude ?

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

            Thanks a lot mate !!!

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

              *Mates ! 🙂

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

    Hi all!

    What to do here?
    0ft, 6.9itb

    a) Jimenez to Vardy (would lose 0.1 value)
    b) Masuaku to Hazard
    c) something else

    Team is

    Fab
    Robbo Digne Luiz Pereira
    Salah Mane Brooks Masuaku
    Barnes Wilson

    Hamer Jimenez Doherty Pogba

    Any help is valuable. Thanks!

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

      B for sure, maybe A also for a hit

    2. Samurai Blue
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      A and B.

  4. AFC49
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Wilson captain over Salah too risky?

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

      I would say so

    2. Samurai Blue
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Yes.

    3. La Vida Latte
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Very risky. But if you´re hunting it could pay off to make a bold move...

  5. Samurai Blue
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Hey folks, currently on 7 players for this blank gameweek (including Billing). I have 1 FT, but want to defend OR (currently over 5K). All chips left, plan is to FH32. Should I get Hazard, Mane and Wilson for a -8 ? These will be long-term since they will also play in GW33.

    Fabianski
    Maguire / Robertson
    Salah / Felipe Anderson / Billing
    Vardy

    Sterling > Mane
    Pogba > Hazard
    Deeney > Wilson

    Cheers.

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

      I would do D. Because you will probalby loose a lot of value on Pogba.
      Hazard is the safest pick but dont loose Pogba i would say...

      1. Samurai Blue
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        No I would just lose 0.2 on Pogba. 0.1 on Sterling and Deeney. Will keep Doherty and Jimenez since there is where I will lose value.

    2. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      yes, sound like good moves if you're going FH32

  6. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Arnie captain anyone? He starts the game and could potentially wreck havoc. Westham are good at home, not loosing in the last 5 and getting wins against the big boys as well.

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

      Yeah why not.

  7. La Vida Latte
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    What defender (except Liverpool defenders) is first on your list for gw 31 & 33 (FH in 32).

    Chelsea? Westham? Bournemouth? Which one?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Don't trust West ham or Bournemouth defense.

      1. La Vida Latte
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Do you trust chelsea? Or who would you pick?

        1. EmreCan Hustle
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Chelsea, yes. Business end of the season they'll try to be solid at the back I feel

          1. La Vida Latte
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Who would you pick from the bunch? Luiz? Alonso? Azpi? I am leaning towards Azpi.

            1. EmreCan Hustle
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 15 days ago

              Yeah probably Azpi. He seems to be thriving with Higuain's clever movement off the ball

              1. La Vida Latte
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 15 days ago

                Thanks! Maybe I just go with him then 🙂

  8. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Have Arnie and King upfront.

    Need to bring in another forward for Rashford.

    A) Wilson(most popular, but double up?)
    B) Vardy
    C) Firmino

    Thanks.

    1. La Vida Latte
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      All are good options I think. It it for both 31&33?

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Just this week. I might WC next GW.

        1. La Vida Latte
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          This week, I´d have to say Firmino.

          1. EmreCan Hustle
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Cheers.

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

          Firm so

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

        Vardy imo if for 31/33

        1. EmreCan Hustle
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Cheers

    2. Badluck Jonathan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I like C

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Yeah, with that leaky fulham defense. Cheers.

    3. Party time
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Vardy's Party is on again this weekend

    4. cuppatea78
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Just played my free hit. Here is my team, what do you think? Any suggestions?

      Fabianski

      TAA - Rice - Daniels

      Salah - Mane - Fraser - Hazard

      Wilson - Vardy - Higuain

      Subs: Adrian - Tarkowski - Westwood - Luiz

      1. Badluck Jonathan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Would play Luiz over rice. Worried about Higuaín at all?

        1. cuppatea78
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Was going to wait until later to see about Higuain. Had Luiz in but took him out for Daniels .

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

      Opinions greatly appreciated as my head is done in 🙂
      *FH32/WC34

      A: 31 = 10 players (no hits, no gk). 33 = 11 players (no hits)
      B: 31 = 11 players (-4 for a GK). 33 = 11/12 players (no hits)

      A gives me a GK this week but my current GK Foster may play in 33 anyway.
      I'm leaning A

      1. Badluck Jonathan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        A definitely. Paying -4 for the chance of a clean sheet? Can’t see much upside there

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

          cheers!!!

    6. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Only Wolves and MUTD have dgw32? :/

      1. Badluck Jonathan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        So far. Potentially more to confirmed after the weekend

    7. 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. BucketHead
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Newcastle def

    8. Gearoid
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Looking at a -8 to get 11 potential players for this GW. FH in 32.

      Schmeichel (Steele)
      Balbuena Lascelles TAA (Lindelof Bednarek)
      Salah Hazard FAnderson (Pogba Camarasa)
      King (Aguero Jiminez)

      A. Lindelof Pogba Camarasa to Tarkowski Mane McNeil
      B. Lindelof Pogba Jiminez to Tarkowski Mane Robson
      C. Lindelof Pogba Aguero to Azpi Mane Vardy
      D. Something else

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

      Anyone else getting twitchy about holding Jimenez whilst everyone else buys Wilson?
      Unfortunately I have Higuaín and Vardy, so no room at the in for Arnie or Wilson.

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Vardy Higuain Wilson is the front 3 must have this GW

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

          True - its the ideal. My choice is likely to be...
          Camarasa to Fraser (no loss)
          Jim to Wilson (0.6 loss)

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Do you want to keep Jim for the doubles? If so, 0.6 would be too much for me to lose..

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

              I probably will keep - he's been incredible. Only he and Robbo can hold their heads up high and say, Anzhi, I did not let you down.

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

        Firmino Arnie Barnes the go-to players 🙂

      3. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Would much rather Wilson than Arnie

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

        I'm cacking myself but lose 0.7 if I sell Jimenez!? And like you lose very little in getting Fraser.

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

          I did Jimi to Wilson this week

    10. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Salah (TC).. who’s in?

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        it's tempting!

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

          He's due!

      2. Badluck Jonathan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Just c for me

    11. Party time
        5 years, 15 days ago

        What will be your dream CL draw for the quarter finals?

        Personally, I want Manchester City v Barcelona

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

        Now that things are down to the latter stages, predictions for Champions Lge and Europa Lge winners?
        Good chance of an English double up?

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

        what are people's strategy for those who have all 3 chips left?

        1. Feed tha Sheep
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          FH32, WC34 BB35 and not sure on TC yet

      • Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        I am FH 32 & WC34 so won’t need Jimi & Sterling until 35 (will get them on FH and don’t lose much value).

        So would you do Jimi & Sterling > Wilson & Hazard (-8)?

        It means I will have 10 players GW31 & 33.

        1. FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          I would,should pay off well.

      • FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Lloris > Kepa for free?

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

          I would

      • BucketHead
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Worth it for a bit to bring in hazard for sterling when I already have 12 playing this week??

        Free hit next week.

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

          Probably not - but what's the XI?

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

            Allison
            Diop..robbo..peirara..azpi.
            Fraser..Salah. .lanzini..
            Wilson..vardy ..Barnes.

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

              That's really nice - I'd hold

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

                Aye think I will..thanks for reply

      • Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Let's go Wilson!

        EH: "Callum [Wilson] came through the Huddersfield game well. He played the full match and didn't look tired or fatigued at all. He's sharp and in good form, so we were delighted to see him in the England squad."

      • WVA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        A. Pogba to Fraser (lose 0.2)
        B. Jimenez to Wilson (lose 0.7)

        1. Party time
            5 years, 15 days ago

            A all day long

          • BucketHead
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            B

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

          Never trust Eddie Howe obviously, but Wilson showed no signs of fatigue after playing v Huddersfield and Fraser “should” be ok after picking up a knock in that game. Both benched then I presume.

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

          Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson was called up to the full England squad this week and Eddie Howe admits he is thrilled for him as he prepares his side for the visit of Newcastle on Saturday.

          “I was delighted for Callum when he got the call-up.

          “I think it can only be a good thing for your psychological state and for how you feel about yourself.

          “A huge honour, a big boost and I think it makes you come into training feel 10 foot tall and I hope it has for Callum and I’ve seen that in him a real confidence, a spring in his step and hopefully that shows in the game this weekend.”

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

          Worth getting in Brooks, Fraser and Azpi for Jota, Pogba and Lindelof for a -8 hit? Gives me 11 players and this team:

          Fabianski
          Azpi-Pereira-Robbo
          Salah-Mane Brooks-Fraser
          Higgy-Rondon-Vardy

          I'll only lose about 0.2 or 0.1 on Pogba.

        5. drughi
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Could I get away with this team ? -4 taken

          Fabianski
          VVD TAA Lascelles
          Salah(C) Hazard Brooks Maddison
          Vardy King

          Hamer Jimenez Pogba Doherty AWB

        6. tokara
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          -4 for Son to Fraser or Brooks?

          is it worth it?

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

            Yes

        7. quayle99
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Fraser or Wilson?

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

            Both are great but if only one has to be Wilson however depends who you are selling and how much value you lose

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

              wilson for me

            2. quayle99
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 15 days ago

              wildcarding after this week so not bothered much about value. could do both for -4

              swap would be for rashford and pogba

        8. #FPLBhuna
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          what to do here? (0ft - 0.9m itb)

          fab
          robbo - x - x
          salah - mane - hazard - barnes
          vardy - rondon - chicharito

          ederson - pva - awb - doherty - bednarek

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

            do nothing