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. Cookie Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Those Fulham defending stats are tempting me with the triple captain for salah....

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      I think I'm going for it :O

    2. Uncle Gamst
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Could Salah be rested against such a poor team?

      1. George James
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        rested for what?

        1. Uncle Gamst
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Just rest 🙂 Looking tired IMO, 14 points in last 4 GWs and tougher games ahead

          1. *Reformed-Character*
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Looking tired? He looks anything but tired....incredible shape and stamina just slightly out of form!

          2. George James
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            there is no chance he doesnt play from start sunday with no games for a while after

      2. Cookie Kid
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        I wouldn’t rest him, they’re trying to win the league!

  2. Erez Avni
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    which dual will score more in gw 31?

    a. haz & boruc
    b. wilson & fabianski

    1. Lav
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      A

      1. *Reformed-Character*
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        B

  3. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Doh to Azpi for -8?

    Also, maybe TC Mane??

    1. Lav
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      No

    2. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      I wouldn't hit for a defender so defo not for me.

      I think I may TC Salah, Mane could be good too.

    3. Stat Sloth
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Yes, and yes.

  4. Stat Sloth
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Wondering who I should get from WHU this weekend, and need your excellent help here. Please range these after who you believe is more likely to start the game against HUD:

    1 - Arnie
    2 - Chicharito
    3 - Lanzini
    4 - FAnderson
    5 - Antonio

    Thanks a lot, I love you all!

    1. Lav
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      4
      5
      1
      2
      3

      My best guess.

      1. Stat Sloth
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Top is more likely, or bottom?

        1. Lav
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Top

      2. *Reformed-Character*
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        That is WAY off - Lanzini certainly not last....

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      I believe,
      1 and 4 will start for sure.
      3 is likely to start. 2 I'm not sure about.
      5 - I think is doubtful to start.

      1. Stat Sloth
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Thanks =) Thinking about taking a chance on Lanzini. The Arnie quotes from yesterday kinda scared me away from him =)

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Minefield.
      It's becoming mini city kind of situation with so many attacking options

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Apart from Man City are good and West Ham are shite.

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          I missed that part 😀

      2. Stat Sloth
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        So true

    4. Party time
        5 years, 14 days ago

        1,3,5,4,2

        1. Stat Sloth
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Thanks, Hakim ^^

          1. Party time
              5 years, 14 days ago

              🙂

        2. pjomara
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Going with 0 West Ham myself - if it was just about GW31 I might but I'm thinking of GW33 as well.
          With 7 mid/att positions I think they're better filled with Liverpool, Chelsea, Bournemouth, Leicester and maybe even 1 Newcastle (even though NEW are 50:50 for having a GW33 fixture).
          And West Ham defenders definitely a no-no IMO.

          1. Stat Sloth
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Well, this is for a FH. Just phrased it like that so it might be relevant for others in here as well ^^

      • MartialMatas
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Bednarek, Sterling, Puncheon to Luiz, Fraser, Maddison for a - 4?

        How does it look?

        Fabianski
        Robertson VVD Lascelles
        Salah Hazard Puncheon
        Vardy Rondon

        Guaita Jimenez Sterling Pogba AWB Bednarek

        2ft £0.2m itb

        1. Lav
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Brilliant.

        2. Stat Sloth
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          I'm lovin' it.

      • Lav
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Son + Crouch to Fraser + Rondon (-4)?

        Gives me 9 to play this week.

        1. Bucket Man
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          I'd be tempted by Barnes as he plays GW33 too, I made a mistake with Rondon thought he was too weeks back but now know Watford need to beat Palace.

          1. Lav
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Barnes it is

        2. Stat Sloth
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Fraser is yellow now, no?

          1. Lav
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Not for me

      • Bucket Man
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Of the people free hitting in the game. Will many people struggle to field many players in GW33?

        1. Stat Sloth
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          I guess you mean FH this week? If so, me!

          Will have hopefully 10 players in 33 (according to Crellin).

          1. Bucket Man
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            I mean more the casual players. People like yourself have planned for weeks but hoping any ground I lose this week with 9/10 players I should make up in 33 and especially next week.

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Hopefully 🙂
          That's the whole advantage of planning from 5 gw's for others 😀

        3. Uncle Gamst
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          I would have done, which is why I've moved out Agüero, Rashford and Camarasa out for Vardy, King and Fraser over last 3 GWs.

          I brought King in GW29, when Wilson was still unfit, for Rashford (who blanked 29 & 30) but would now go for a fit Wilson over King. One of the problems of planning a GW31 FH

      • Uncle Gamst
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Keep Alonso and hope for the best or bring in Luiz for -4?

        Thanks

        1. Lav
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Luiz. Alonso is done out here.

          1. Uncle Gamst
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            But is it worth the risk? -4 for a defender away to Everton and Alonso might just play?

        2. Jebiga
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          keep

        3. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          I'm keeping, not expecting a start but always a chance. Situation could alsochange for 33

          1. Uncle Gamst
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            🙂

        4. George James
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          im keeping mate. imagine taking a hit and he starts in either 31/33.

          I would be fuming

      • KeepCalm
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Are the GW33 fixtures confirmed?

        Second question, can anyone recommend a good defender for this BGW

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          bou v bur, che v whu, eve v ars, hud v lei, sou v liv - are all confirmed, all the others depend on FA cup results.

        2. Party time
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Robertson

          • KeepCalm
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Cheers

          • The Beer Baron
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Robertson VVD Azpil Rice

        3. Tingate
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Alisson
          Robertson - Smith
          Barnes - Fraser - Salah

          Hamer - Doherty - AWB - Bednarek - Pogba - Sterling - Aguero - Jiménez - Kamara
          1FT - 1.4M ITB

          Doherty and Pogba > Daniels and Hazard (-4) so I potentially have 8 players with Smith being doubtful? Used my FH chip already so at the minute 31-33 is about damage limitation really.

          Any help much appreciated!

          1. The Beer Baron
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Mane & Diop ?

            1. The Beer Baron
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              oh 3 pool sorry

        4. AnfieldLad
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          I’ve been building for this week but really not happy with my team. I have double Pool defence & Higuain Vardy Rondon

          So no room for arguably the best 2 players to have this week: Mané and Wilson

          So question is:
          A) Sterling -> Hazard
          B) Sterling TAA (or Robbo) -> Mane DLuiz (-4)

          Field 10 either way

          1. Ajaxeeding
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            I would do A, but since I have essentially done A already, be forewarned that Hazard will troll us!

        5. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          News that effects no-one;

          First up is Jordan Henderson's fitness and Klopp reveals the England midfielder will miss the trip to Fulham at the weekend.

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Game changer
            😛
            Actually we can think of Lallana/Shaq as out of the box differentials though.

            1. HamezMace
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              Also I suppose it slightly increases TAA nailedness, as Milner might be required to play midfield.
              (not that I ever thought TAA wasn't nailed, but I know some speculated).

              1. Amey
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 14 days ago

                Yeah.
                Good point

          2. HamezMace
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            “With Hendo we know now it is serious enough to rule him out for the weekend. The international break will be long enough to bring him back.

            “It was a little one with the ankle. It was the best scan we could get but still not good enough. Not good but ok.

            “[With] Naby [Keita] we have to see if he can train today. Checks were positive but we have to see if it stays positive.”

            As for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who appeared to injure himself on his comeback game for the U23s against Derby…

            “No rush. For sure after the international break he will be 100 per cent fit.”

            1. Amey
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              Mane ???

              1. HamezMace
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 14 days ago

                Nothing noted, so looks good to go.

        6. Jebiga
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          I have a feeling that Salah should be a captain this gw, but also that Mitro will left in tears Liverpool fans with hatty 🙂

          1. Party time
              5 years, 14 days ago

              Hahaha. Ryan Babbel's hair can't be red for nothing. I expect something from him

          2. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            -4 team.. good to go?

            Fab
            Robbo TAA Digne Chilwell
            Salah (TC) Hazard Felipe
            Vardy Wilson Higuain

            X X X X

            1. Ajaxeeding
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              I think it is.

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

              Wish I had just kept Digne actually.
              Gtg

            3. poulteren
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              defo. TC salah ....i'm tempoted but his away form isnt great. plus tired from weds

          3. The Mighty Whites
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Brooks, H Barnes or Tielmans (got King)

          4. JayBomb
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            What happens to the transfers I have confirmed if I decide to play my free hit chip after I have confirmed these transfers and played a -4pt hit?

            1. IRBOX ⚽
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              They disappear into the luminiferous aether as if they were never made

            2. Ajaxeeding
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              I believe the next game week things revert to your previous team and this transfer hits do not count.

            3. Pipermaru
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              Free Hit reverses all transfers after deadline, doesn't matter when you activate it, you'll get exactly the same team you have for GW30.

              1. JayBomb
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 14 days ago

                Thanks

          5. Ajaxeeding
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Help lads. My Plan is to FH32, WC 34, and BB 35.
            Should I do Aguero to Vardy for -4? This will give me 11 players for 31 and 33. My only hesitation (slight) is that I will want Aguero for 32 and will have to buy him back for a likely .1 more.

            Fabianski
            Robertson - Pereira - TAA - Digne -Doherty
            Salah - Hazard - Pogba - Fraser - Gunnarsson
            Aguero - Arnautovic - Wilson

            1. HamezMace
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              0.1m is nothing to stress about.
              Many are losing far greater value selling Rashford, Jimenez, Doherty this week for GW31 players.

              The question is do you think Vardy is worth a hit, and the answer is probably yes - as he plays in GW33 with a good fixture.

              1. Ajaxeeding
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 14 days ago

                The more I think about it the more it makes sense. Especially with WCing in 34, it is certainly possible that Aguero will not rise again before 34. So 0.1 isn’t too bad. Thanks for the input.

          6. LIARS POKER
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Pogba, Son, Jimenez -> Hazard, Fraser, Wilson (-4)?

            Got Pogba and Jimenez late so won't lose much.

            1. Ajaxeeding
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              Seem like good additions.

          7. Lav
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Any new chip srategies with GW 33 announced? Have everything left.

          8. Boris Bodega
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Anyone else here hoping that United and City draw eachother in the Champions League? 😛

            1. Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              Would be epic.

              1. Boris Bodega
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 14 days ago

                If they also drew one another in FA Cup semis there will be 4 Manchester Derbies between 6th & 24th April.

            2. Pierce34
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              As a neutral I would want a City-Liverpool rematch.

              1. Now I'm Panicking
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 14 days ago

                Would be good too.

            3. Amey
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              Final would be good.
              Not before

            4. Party time
                5 years, 14 days ago

                No. Leave United for Ajax. We'll take good care of them

                1. Amey
                  • 5 Years
                  5 years, 14 days ago

                  Lol

            5. Amey
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              Now I'm confident that Fraser will haul this gw since he's yellow flagged 😀

                1. Amey
                  • 5 Years
                  5 years, 14 days ago

                  Nice 😉

            6. Sol
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              Fab (Hammer)
              Robertson AWB Digne
              Salah F.Anderson Pogba Fraser Hazard
              Vardy Wilson
              Sub ( Doherty Bennett* Jiménez )

              A) Pogba > Mane (-4)
              B) Pogba Jiménez > Mane Barnes/Arnie (-8)
              C) F.Anderson Jiménez > Mane Banres/Arnie(-8)

              Cheers

              1. jamie1972
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 14 days ago

                a

                1. Sol
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 14 days ago

                  Cheers

            7. Gooner97
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              Heaton
              Robbo Pereira (Doherty Kola AWB)
              FAnderson Hazard (Son Pogba Hojbjerg)
              Rondon (Auba Rashford)

              What would you do? 1FT & 2.4ITB.

              1. dbeck
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 14 days ago

                take a -8, Auba, Son and Pogba to Salah, Mane and Wilson

                1. Gooner97
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 14 days ago

                  Why not free hit?

            8. jamie1972
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              Fab

              Diop Pereira TAA

              Mane Salah

              Higuain Rondon

              1 ft and happy to go with 9 playing

              Rival has a 30 point lead and Wilson/Fraser/Vardy/Haz but no Mane/Salah/Higuain

              So, do I:

              a) Roll with the exiting differentials and just get in Wilson to block him
              b) Go for another differential, Arnie or Maddison most likely

              Ta

            9. FPL AXE
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              So nobody knows where to find their league codes to be able to invite friends?

              1. Boris Bodega
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 14 days ago

                Is it your league?

                1. FPL AXE
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 14 days ago

                  Yes

              2. #FPLBhuna
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 14 days ago

                right click on the options button to the right hand side of the league name, and invite friends

                it's really not rocket science.

              3. Snevitz
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 14 days ago

                Leagues - options - invite friends
                You have to be the person who set up the league.

            10. Ambrosiana Inter
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 14 days ago

              My cap is Arnie

              1. Party time
                  5 years, 14 days ago

                  Don't tempt me please

                  1. Party time
                      5 years, 14 days ago

                      Arnie, I believe will start and we know what happens when he does start. I am honestly tempted. Great differential this gw

                  2. Now I'm Panicking
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 14 days ago

                    Hasta la vista baby

                  3. Pras (FPL)
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    5 years, 14 days ago

                    It is fine - the VC will autosub in

                    1. Amey
                      • 5 Years
                      5 years, 14 days ago

                      😀
                      You're being nice to him by not saying 1 point from bench tbh

                • Dele
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 14 days ago

                  What happened to Fraser? urrghhh Higuain and Fraser down and out.

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

                    they should be fine

                  2. Pras (FPL)
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    5 years, 14 days ago

                    Neither are down nor out. Both likely to start.

                  3. HamezMace
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 14 days ago

                    Howe said he missed some training sessions, but should be fine for the weekend.

                    1. Dele
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 14 days ago

                      Fingers crossed.

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

                    Fraser was pictured in training and Higuaín was left behind to get him ready for Sunday. You'll be okay.

                • Pipermaru
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 14 days ago

                  Ryan Fraser with 6 double digit hauls this season, yet there was no follow-up after them in 5 out of 6 games this season, are we falling into trap?

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

                    Well I'm getting him

                • tibollom
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 14 days ago

                  With Bamba out for the season, no brainer to get rid of him for -8 and replace with someone who plays in both BGW.

                  Who should I go for, I have money ITB (3.7). Plan is FH 32, WC 34

                  Fab
                  Robbo Taa Pereira
                  Salah Haz Brooks
                  Rondon Jim

                  Sttek, Jota, Jim, Pogba, Bamba

                  a. Digne
                  b. Luiz
                  c. Ake?
                  d. any other ideas?

                • The Mighty Whites
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 14 days ago

                  Brooks, H Barnes or Tielmans (got King)?