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. Dr Van Nostrand
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    4 clear faves so semis should be Barca-LFC and City-Juve

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

      Likely.

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

      Ajax have played really well, won't be an easy fixture for Juve. City will have to be at their best as well.

      OGS will want to make this biggest upset in this year's CL, Barca are stronger but you never know.

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

    Semis

    Juventus-City
    Barca-Liverpool

    Final

    Juventus vs Liverpool

    winners: JUVENTUS 😉

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

      Wake up now 😉

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

      City would knock out Juve, caption this reply 😉

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

        will*

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

        nah

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

      Yayyyy Buffon finally gets a CL winner's medal!

  3. fkmzcgp
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Ashley Barnes or David Brooks?? (got Wilson already)

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

      Barnes

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

    No happy about selling Jimenez as purchased for 5.5 but think it has to be Wilson over Fraser. G2G?

    Aguero Son Jimenez > Vardy Mane Wilson -4?

    Boruc
    TAA Pereira Keane
    Salah Hazard Mane Westwood
    Vardy Wilson Rondon
    Ryan Pogba Kola Jonny

    1. Dee Lixon
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I did exactly that (but for -8). Feels right

  5. Party time
      5 years, 15 days ago

      What a draw

    • Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Klopp got 1st pick 😮

    • The Mighty Whites
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Brooks or H Barnes (got King)?

    • 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Blooming ek, resisted all week until last night making transfer and brought Fraser in and now see on FPL he’s a doubt? Seems like he should be ok tho lads am I correct?

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

        Yes, should be fine.

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

        Check the FFS twitter feed at the top of the page menu

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

        Keep and hope. Don’t trust Howe with anything 😆

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

        I'm still getting - pics in training and they have injuries to cope with bigger then him.

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

        I know he said a similar thing a while back re King when I owned him “should be OK/fine” so I kept and then he didn’t play. I’m not saying it’ll be the same here but you’re right to be wary with Howe.

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          sweet cheers gents

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

      so yeah... that's us done for this year's CL lol

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

        Honestly feel Spurs can do it. Not a lost cause.

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

        Never lose the hope 🙂
        It's the worst draw atm though.

      3. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        City are bottlers when it matters in Europe. They collapsed against us twice when it mattered.

        Lol, they are the PL Liverpool of the CL! 😉

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

          Good thing spuds ain't no bottlers of any sorts 😆

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

            Yeah, you can just see them winning the first leg 2-1 or something and getting their hopes up again, only to go down in flames at the Etihad with Dier sent off late on.

            "It's happened again...
            It's happened again...
            Tottenham Hotspur,
            It's happened again."

            And then Poch will give an interview saying "we have done so, so well" and "it's a 5-year project". 😀

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

      Messi will now have fresh batch of new generation MU centre backs to give nightmares too after dispatching Vidic and Rio 10 years ago.

      1. Party time
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha

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

        Boruc could well lose his place to Begovic or is that overthinking it?

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

        At least Man United have got all players back/nearly fit now.
        Need a brilliant performance again Barcelona.
        Liverpool got a walk over 😀
        Semifinals would be fun if everything goes well.

      4. T96
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        G2G?

        Boruc
        Robbo - Taa - Chilwell
        Salah(c) - Hazard - FAnderson - Hayden
        Vardy - Wilson - Higuain

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

        They’re going to be more scared of us than we are of them tbf

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

          😀
          No brother. Tbh they will be happy. It's on Manchester United to prove them wrong

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

            We need Herrera to have the game of his life but I’m confident tbh

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

          Who are you and who are they?

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

            I’m utd they’re barca

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

              I doubt they will be overly ..but who knows...PSG bottled it!

        3. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          You guys are capable of pulling it off of course but you're kidding yourself if you think Barca fear you more than you fear them.

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

            Agreed !

        4. Party time
            5 years, 15 days ago

            I can imagine Lindelöf and Smalling shitting in their pants when Lionel comes to town

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

              Matic will tackle him till he's out 😀

        5. boc610
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Spuds city has upset written all over it

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

            City is not a minnow anymore 😛

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

            I thought that - wouldn't surprise me.

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

            Yeah... upset Spurs fans... pahahahahahahahahahhaha

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

            Yeah.

            "It's happened again...
            It's happened again...
            Tottenham Hotspur,
            It's happened again."

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

          Anyone with any info on Higuain?

          Thanks guys

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

          Opinions welcome on who is the best West Ham midfielder to sign for GW 31 only (Free Hit, money no object):

          a) FAnderson
          b) Lanzini
          c) Snodgrass
          d) Antonio
          e) Noble
          f) Nasri
          g) Go without a West Ham midfielder

          Cheers.

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

            B for me - quality player and acute differential I suspect

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

            B for sure. Strongly considering it myself, bit worried he might not start though

        8. Cookie Kid
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          For those planning on TC Salah in GW36 for HUD, have your plans now changed with CL draw?

          Liverpool have a great chance of getting through and playing Barca which would take place 3 days after HUD game away from home

          Definitely tempted by Fulham this weekend now

          1. Najoman86
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Not a bad idea, especially if you still have all 3 chips in tact.

            1. Cookie Kid
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 15 days ago

              I’m on it!

              Please be better than Jesus last year 🙂 2 and 2 vs HUD and BHA

              1. Najoman86
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 15 days ago

                Fingers crossed! I've not had much luck with my TC choices over the years either.
                I'm leaning towards pulling the TC trigger this week also

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

            If Salah wasn't on bunghole form atm I'd probably consider playing it this weekend

        9. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          That was a wonderful draw.

          Have to fancy a Juve / City vs Barcelona / Liverpool final but footy isn't played on paper!

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

            It's all LCD screens nowadays

          2. Lets Talk About 19 Baby
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Man City V Barcelona Champions League Final. Liverpool win the league, Yes please.

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

            Eaxactly, anything can happen.
            Although, Porto vs Liverpool last season was pretty one sided, wasn't it?

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 15 days ago

              Yeah, we won 5-0 there and then had a 0-0 at Anfield. Might just be the reverse this time, I would be surprised if we don't make the semis from here.

          4. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Is it a coincidence that the 4 best teams avoided each other in the QF's?

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

              No tbh

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

            Messi at Anfield for a 2nd leg is what it’s all about 🙂

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 15 days ago

              Would the 2nd leg of the semi be at Anfield? Assuming Pool progress.

              1. Dr Van Nostrand
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 15 days ago

                Yep Suarez will be welcomed but I doubt Coutinho will be

                1. goriuanx
                  • 13 Years
                  5 years, 15 days ago

                  That's going to be very interesting if it materialises. Imagine a United vs Pool CL semi final! I would dread that, the fear of losing outweighs the joy of winning imo.

                  1. Dr Van Nostrand
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 15 days ago

                    Reckon Klopp will stuff em just like 2 years ago but I'd rather get Barca that's what UCL should be all about and beating them will be a warning to any more players that might fancy heading there

          6. Party time
              5 years, 15 days ago

              United have done well, what a night at Paris. No such at Camp nou

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

            What GWs are most affected by the next round of CL fixtures, in terms of potential rotation?

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

              QFs of both comps played either side of GW34.

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

                Thank you for information
                Thank God we'll have 15 playing that gw for BB in gw 35 to counter that rotation

              2. suddenorgan
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 15 days ago

                bonus for the GW34 WC

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

                Cheers.

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

            The wry smile on Buffon's face when Juve finally win thr CL without him.

          9. The hope that kills...
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Anyone know which matches are guaranteed to go ahead in GW 33? Contemplating a minus 8 or 12 this week, but don't want to bring in anyone unlikely to feature.

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

              Any that involve 2 teams that can't go through in the FA cup

              1. The hope that kills...
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 15 days ago

                Cheers. I now realise it was a stupid question. Thanks for humouring me

          10. Teror
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Worth taking a hit to do Higuain > Vardy ? Only done a -4 for far...

            1. The hope that kills...
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 15 days ago

              Seems a bit sideways. If you're already fielding 11, I suppose it might be worth a punt

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

                Do u think Hig will be out then? Searching for news

                1. The hope that kills...
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 15 days ago

                  Probably best to disregard my comment. Bit out of the loop and wasn't aware his availability was in doubt.

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

            Am really looking forward to see Messi vs VvD, if a Barca x Liverpool semi does materialize, would finally see if VvD can handle the GOAT.

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 15 days ago

              Messi needs to get past the mighty Smalling first.

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

              Suarez will have VVD in all sorts. His movement is out of this world.

              Will be good to see Robbo vs Messi too

              1. Dr Van Nostrand
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 15 days ago

                Suarez isn't in his best form this year and VVD can handle him was fine against Mbappe and Neymer

          12. Donblaster
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Howe: "We're as we were, really. None of the longer-term injuries are back, so pretty much the same squad as last week.”

            Does this mean Adam Smith is fit then?

            1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 15 days ago

              Ugh please no! Can't have another Clyne benching

          13. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Best Replacement for Sterling/Kamara?

            Fabianski

            TAA Pereira Clyne

            Salah Mane F.Anderson ______ Puncheon

            Vardy ______

            A) Hazard/Barnes/0.1m ITB
            B) Fraser/Arnautovic/3.7m ITB
            C) Fraser/Wilson/4.1m ITB

            B and C would allow me to upgrade F.Anderson to Hazard for GW33 when Chelsea host West Ham

            FHing in GW32

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

              C

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

            Can you keep any of your transfer value increases in a Free Hit week?

            For example, if Hazard went up 0.2 while I own him, if I sell him and buy him back within the Free Hit week, do I keep the 0.1?

            Yes I'm from Yorkshire.

            1. Webbinho
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 15 days ago

              Yes you can

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

              Only till the deadline for another moves.
              You'll lose it after deadline is passed

          15. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Do you think Balbuena starts this week? Have him my in auction h2h league - kinda need him to.

            1. Dion D's Solo Shower
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 15 days ago

              Don't think so, no. Read somewhere that he only just got back to full fitness, so he'll propably do some games for the reserves before being introduced back in to the Prem.

          16. Dion D's Solo Shower
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Already got Wilson & Brooks in my team.
            Should I go for Fraser or Pedro for this GW?

            1. suddenorgan
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 15 days ago

              I would worry about Pedro for GW33

          17. suddenorgan
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            Jiminez -> Wilson or Son -> Fraser if already have King?

            Think Wilson is marginally better option but will lose more value in Jiminez, and feels weird having two strikers from Bournemouth

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

              Value means nothing points are all important esp this time of the season

              1. suddenorgan
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 15 days ago

                I guess the only potential other downside I can think of is that it will probably prevent me getting Higuain if he's looking like a good option for GW33