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. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Why do people with Mane and Salah have such little confidence in captaining Mane over Salah this week?

    Anyone doing it?

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

      because I didnt brought Mane for captaincy and I dont like to overthink...

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Going Mane atm. Salah horrendous form putting me off him.

    3. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I am doing it. I am stuck at a crappy 160kish rank and not going anywhere, despite having a decent team, I think due in large part to picking Salah too much and not being able to make ground on the dead teams. He who dares etc..

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        I mentioned it before but I think the double marking of Salah makes space for Mané. Salah is the most useful player in the team for this reason - he always ties up more than his share of opposition players, and that's why he's such an asset for a team to have, even if his own personal stats take a hit as a result.

        In purely fantasy terms this is making Mané a 'better' player than Salah (at the moment!) and I can't see Fulham doing anything other than the tried and tested double marking strategy.

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

          Yea it was evident in gw1 vs West Ham that salah is getting a lot of attention from defenders now. I wonder when the pendulum will swing back and they’ll realise mane is a huge threat too. Tbh you can leave either open when the other has the ball as they have this no passing to each other rule for some reason....

    4. Party time
        5 years, 15 days ago

        because it's Fulham and Salah is on heat

        1. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          1 goal in the last 9

          1. Make Arrows Green Again
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Yeah he's more *Heaton at the moment

      • Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        I have changed my mind & going Mane ©.

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

          I'm tempted to follow suit!

    5. JasonG123
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Fraser or Harvey Barnes?

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

        Fraser easily for me.
        Been pictured in training on Wednesday - so don't let the rumours put you off.

      2. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Dr. Crane

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

          Nice

        2. JasonG123
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          I don’t know who that is referring to.

          1. Royal5
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Fraser Crane

          2. thischarmingman
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            tossed salad and scrambled eggs

        3. Make Arrows Green Again
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Most overrated comedy ever. Don't @ me 🙂

          1. Royal5
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Come on, gotta love Niles.

            1. Make Arrows Green Again
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 15 days ago

              Yeah he's OK 🙂

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

        EH: "Ryan [Fraser] took a fair few hits during the Huddersfield game. He missed the early part of training but he should be okay for this weekend."

        The flag seems a little cautious on fpl, I’d expect him to play with the injuries Bournemouth have. That’s probably why they rested him for training.

        As an owner I’m hoping he does what he did in gw5 after his last injury scare.

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

      European media on not wanting to play Man City;

      Danielle Verri – Italian football journalist: “The team Juventus fans fear the most in the quarter-finals is Manchester City. They’re playing a fantastic season, they have the most quality of all the teams left in the last eight.

      "It would be a fantastic, a terrific tie, but I’m sure the Bianconeri would prefer not to meet Guardiola’s side right now.”

      Marcel Van Der Kraan – De Telegraaf in Amsterdam: “Ajax fans wouldn’t want to play Manchester City... Wow! That is the Pep Guardiola style and the Pep Guardiola style is the Johann Cruyff style and the Johan Cruyff style is the Ajax style.

      "In one way it would be a great clash but it would be a really, really difficult opponent and hurdle. I’m keeping my fingers crossed, anyone but City, even Barcelona.”

      Ernest Macia – Catalunya Radio in Barcelona: “The team that Barcelona would want to avoid is Guardiola’s Manchester City because of the knowledge that Pep has of the team, he knows exactly how we play and this team is a worse version than it was with Guardiola.

      "The team relies on individual talent like Messi but the midfield is weaker than it was in the past.”

      1. DantheManinaPan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Very interesting.

        It's hard to tell from inside the English bubble whether we're massively overhyping the English teams (especially City / Liverpool) or if they're genuinely formidable to the others.

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

        City will get Porto anyway. They always get good cup draws.

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

        Yep pretty easy draw for city...

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

        If I was a coach, I wouldn't say things like that for my potential opponents 😮

        1. Pierce34
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          They're just local journalists.

    7. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

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

      Would you play Free Hit? 1FT & 2.4ITB.

      1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        hmm close to a yes there.
        Only other thing you could do is Son and Doherty for a -4 maybe

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

        i'd take a -8 to get to 9 & hope for the best.

        Depending on funds tied up Son Auba & Rash out for Salah/Mane & maybe Vardy & Wilson

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

        Nope
        I'd do
        Auba+Son+Hojbjerg >>> Bobby + Mane + Fraser/Barnes

    8. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Emerson a good chance of playing after Alonso yesterday and the fact he has started last 2 GWs?

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        He's a potential pick for me. Hard to look past Rice for that Hudd(H) fixture though.

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

        I'm stuck with Alonso after trying to be smartass couple weeks ago and transfering him in, might switch to Luiz or Emerson tomorrow, Emerson will play on Sunday

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

      Hi fellas!

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

        FH in 32?

        If yes Jimi to Vardy looks good imo… .1 is no value to lose really

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

          yep, FH32

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

        Masuaku won't play I'd say, but then you don't lose anything on A in comparison to most. I like both.

      3. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        B

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

        Thanks for opinions, guys!

    10. Red Star Toro
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      When will we know if City play in GW33?

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

        After they play in the FA cup this weekend, probably.

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

      Minutes and points prediction for this lot...

      A) Arnie
      B) Lacelles
      C) Alonso
      D) Salah
      E) Mane
      F) Anderson

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

      On a free hit and currently have Fraser and Higuain with Brooks, Diop and Stankovic on the bench. Should be okay to keep them both?

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

        EH: "Ryan [Fraser] took a fair few hits during the Huddersfield game. He missed the early part of training but he should be okay for this weekend."

        I’d keep Fraser

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

          Cheers

    13. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Forget the stats and form. Have a strong hunch that Mo will break the shackles with a well taken brace or hatty against worst defence in the league

      1. rjcv177
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Feeling the same here. My concern is that they look greedy and envy from each other. That fastbreak from salah in munich game told me a lot 🙁

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

        Bet they will both get 15pts and this whole debate will have been moot. I don’t own mane and that’s worrying enough. If you have both I think you’ll be up on the average regardless of who you captain.

    14. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Firmino or Vardy?

      1. rjcv177
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Vardy as u'll have other pool attack

    15. Sulk
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      cheapest way into the leicester defence (guaranteed starter)

      Evans?

    16. rjcv177
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Anythinh worth a hit??
      Bench correct?

      Fab
      Robbo, clyne, diop
      Salah (c), haz, mane, anderson
      Vardy, king, rondon

      Alonso, lascelles, billing

      Thkx in advance

    17. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Wait, Fraser suddenly flagged? :/

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

        It's a good sign 🙂
        Relax. Haul incoming

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

          Here’s hoping gw5 all over again

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

        Hasn’t trained fully this week

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

        EH: "Ryan [Fraser] took a fair few hits during the Huddersfield game. He missed the early part of training but he should be okay for this weekend."

        He seems like he’ll play
        Was rested for training to keep him fresh I reckon

        1. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          thanks

    18. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I just have so little confidence in Salah being able to haul after watching his last couple of games.... but Mane can be unreliable too

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Mane is in fantastic form. What are you talking about?

        1. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          8 goals in the last 8.

        2. rjcv177
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          I own mane...but the fact ther's so many people afraid tell he is unreliable

    19. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Who's going to the wankiest benchwankery this weekend? Kudos for the manager with the most TV rooted to the pine 🙂

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

      The entire premise for the blanks from GW27/31/33 being moved into GW32 & GW35 is that it avoids the IB after 31 (can’t play then) & CL/EL midweek fixtures in GW33/34/36/37.

      There is no agreement for PL games not to be played on these European nights anymore, so why will the TV companies and PL hamstring themselves and avoid these dates and cluster them all in two midweeks ?

      Is there going to be a twist in the tail when fixtures are announced with games held back to see which PL teams have semi-finals in Europe in the midweeks of GW36 & GW37 so that games may be slotted in then ?

      Could Wat v Soton from GW31 simply be moved to GW33 or another midweek ?

      Could potential blanks New v Pal & Watford v Fulham in 33 be moved to the midweek of GW33, 34, 36 or 37?

      I am not sure things are as cut and dry (could be though) as seems to be currently punted around in these parts 🙂

      1. Pierce34
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Agreed. I remember last year too people had devised strategies around what was widely accepted would happen, and then it didn't happen.

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

          I was one of those, so am a lot more cautious this year and open to other possibilities 🙂

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

          Widely accepted = Crellin's misleading spreadsheet.

          The fact that he got it wrong doesn't mean it's unpredictable. It means he made a false assumption.

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

        I believe there is an agreement with international broadcasters that PL games will only be played on CL nights when it is unreasonable to play the games on another date.

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

          If that is the case it is a very loose agreement, but I saw it written somwhere that PL wouldn’t televise games on a CL midweek (not even a formal agreement though) rather than not play games ... two years ago the agreement was that games couldn’t even be played.

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

            These "agreements" are updated all the time - massive markets overseas don't want big PL games played the same time as big CL games for obvious reasons. I doubt if Sky would want to put a big PL game up against a big CL game involving PL teams either, unless there was no choice.

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

              It's my understanding that TV companies are not allowed to broadcast any top tier games in competition with each other.

              That was why Sky couldn't broadcast Citys last DGW midweek match as it clashed with Brightons FA cup replay on BBC1.

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

              We really don’t know, all I am flagging is that nothing is fixed or set in stone regarding the CL midweeks and regarding where the doubles go .... but it comes across at times that it is.

              A game like Wat v Soton is not going to cause much issue on a CL midweek, heck it coukd even be played on a Monday with the corresponding weekend gw fixtures for those two moved to the Friday before and televised 🙂

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

                "We really don't know" actually means that YOU don't know. But you are talking to people - Jarvish for example - who actually do know because they have immersed themselves in all the ins-and-outs. And you are telling them that they CAN'T know, simply because you don't.

                That's the problem here.

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

                  Why be rude again ?

                  Those are not my words ... you are taking my words, changing them to your words and then interpreting them to suit your own belief or position ... it’s called a ‘strawman argument’ by the way 😉

                  I don’t profess to know the answer to fixture allocation and am not sure anyone would admit to ‘actually’ knowing it either

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

          Yep. And in addition, the outstanding TV slots are both BT games. Why would they want to schedule them against CL/EL which they also televise?

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

        wasn't there a one-off game in recent seasons that had to be played on a European night but wasn't allowed to be screened?

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

          or maybe it was a Cup replay ??? In that case not relevant anymore

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

          I seem to recall Arsenal in a GW36 was an extra DGW recently

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

          And kicked off at 17:30 or something. It's really a last resort and can only apply to Cardiff/Brighton this season anyway.

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

            With 6 PL teams qualified for the CL & EL we are in unprecedented territory regarding fixtures

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

              Only in respect of the fact that the desire of any TV company (or indeed team) to schedule a PL fixture against CL/EL will be even lower than it might otherwise be.

              What you don't seem to get is that THERE ARE SLOTS AVAILABLE for everything to be played in the designated weeks - 32&35. The only exception to that might be Brighton/Cardiff because Brighton might have 3 games to re-schedule. And that's it.

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

                Yes there are, but some need to be televised and can’t be staggered for TV on a Wednesday night in the same way 2 or 3 games can be staggered & televised over the course of both a Saturday and Sunday

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

                  2 slots still available for TV and 2 games outstanding to be televised. Both BT.

                  Thing is, some of us researched this stuff. And it galls when someone that didn't tells you that it's all up in the air when it really isn't.

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

                    Again you are taking my words and changing them into something different to suit your argument or position, I have not told you ‘that it's all up in the air’, I have merely pointed out that it is not as clear cut as seems to be discussed on here; with that regard last season Arsenal did take part in a third double gameweek late in the season, which you have even acknowledge yourself.

                    I have researched it btw .... I have a very nice spread sheet running as it happens 🙂

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

        There is going to be a third double ... I can feel it in my water 🙂

    21. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      GTG?

      Fab
      TAA Pereira Schindler
      Salah Mane Haz Hayden
      Vardy King

      Bench: Jimenez Schär Pogba Doherty
      0 FT, 2.3 ITB

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

        I do Schar to luiz or azpiliceuta, the -4 will probably pay for itself over 31/33, and it chelsea get a CS your straight up on the deal

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Yeah, was considering this but Chelseas fixtures are quite tricky. Schär is back GW 33 too so not sure it’s worth it.

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

            True, but depending on FA cup results Newcastle May blank in 33 if palace beat Watford. With Hayden as well it’s a risk.

    22. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Juve vs Ajax

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

      Ajax v Juve

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

      Portoooooo yes

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

        Should be goals in those two legs

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

      Champions league draw:

      Ajax-Juventus
      Liverpool-Porto
      Tottenham-Manchester City
      Barcelona-Manchester Utd

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

        So Manchester Utd playing home first leg, as both Manchester teams cam't play at home.

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

        Barca v Utd will be awesome, will this be switched to United at home first though?

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

          Yep, Man U will be home first and then away.

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

          You are correct.

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

        SF1: Tottenham/ManC vs. Ajax/Juventus

        SF2: Barcelona/Man Utd vs. Liverpool/Porto

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

        I reckon Liverpool, City and Barca make the semis fairly easily, juve vs Ajax will be the close one.

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

        Means either City or Spurs are guaranteed a free midweek in 36 & 37 😉

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

          Third double gw in mind?

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

            Yip - means a great TV slot too

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

            Hello TC chip!

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

      Barca vs united lol

    27. DLL18
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Andy Cole face-palming when United drew Barca. lol

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

      United play Barca, what a difficult game for OGS.

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

      I never liked Julian Cesar tbh
      😀

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

        Prefer Caligula and Nero personally

    30. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Does this mean Liverpool avoid City, Barca and MU till the final?

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Oh wait, my bad

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

        No, Liverpool or Porto plays United or Barca in the semis.

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

      Oh please be United v Liverpool in the CL semi finals.

    32. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Play Fab or Boruc?

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

      Semis

      Juventus-City
      Barca-Liverpool

      Final

      Juventus vs Liverpool

      winners: JUVENTUS