Captain Sensible

Who is the best FPL captain for Gameweek 1?

Fantasy Premier League managers are considering captains from three different clubs ahead of the Gameweek 1 deadline.

Liverpool host Norwich on Friday night, Manchester City travel to West Ham on Saturday lunch-time and Spurs conclude that day’s action by hosting Aston Villa.

For the first Gameweek of the new season, the majority of the captain attention is on these three games.

We’ve analysed as much data as we can to assess the individual potential of the key players, as well as the quality of defences they are going up against.

As this uses data from the Fantasy Football Scout Members Area, only those who have signed up for the 2019/20 season can access the full article.

However, non-members can still enjoy our analysis of the results of our captain poll.

It is also worth clarifying for those used to Captain Sensible articles from recent seasons that we can only start to look at the last four (or so) Gameweeks once we have more data in the bank for 2019/20.

Captain Poll

The results of the captain poll as of Thursday night

The poll for Gameweek 1 is perhaps one of the most one-sided we’ve seen in quite some time.

Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) has absolutely run away with it, securing 62.8% of the vote at the time of writing.

That is not surprising at all considering the Egyptian has been the top-scoring FPL asset in both of his seasons at Liverpool.

He was especially deadly at Anfield last season too, scoring 13 of his 22 goals at home (59.1%).

Meanwhile, Norwich arrive in the Premier League with concerns over their defence.

They conceded 57 goals in 46 matches last season and recorded clean sheets in just 28% of those.

Furthermore, the Canaries’ defence has suffered injury problems during pre-season, Christoph Zimmerman (£4.5m), Timm Klose (£4.5m) and Grant Hanley (£4.0m) all missing various summer friendlies with knocks.

In his Thursday press conference, Daniel Farke revealed that only the latter of those three would be fit for Gameweek 1.

Kane is the most popular differential option this week

Way off in second place in the poll is Harry Kane (£11.0m) who starts the new season at home to newly-promoted Aston Villa.

They shipped a total of 61 goals during their promotion-winning campaign and recorded just 12 clean sheets, the tenth-best in the Championship.

That record has obviously handed optimism to those looking at Kane as a differential this weekend.

The Spurs forward has never scored in Gameweek 1 of a Premier League season though.

Sterling faces a trip to West Ham on Saturday lunch time

Raheem Sterling (£12.0m) sits even further down the ranking with the backing of just 6.4% in our poll at the time of writing.

He faces a West Ham defence that did not inspire confidence in 2018/19 and upon his last visit to the London Stadium, he came away with a goal and an assist.

Manchester City generally have a good record at West Ham too, scoring at least four times in each of their last four visits to the Hammers.

For that reason, if he starts, Sergio Aguero (£12.0m) could reward the 1.9% of managers who are handing him the captain’s armband for Gameweek 1.

However, it must be said that his late return to pre-season from the Copa America, and his lack of minutes in the Community Shield final could suggest he could take up only a substitute’s role.

It says a lot about Aguero’s Fantasy stock right now that both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) won more support in the Captain Poll than him.

The Arsenal forward sits in fourth place in the poll with an admittedly small following of just 2.7%.

Arsenal are preparing for a trip to Newcastle, whose pre-season has been less than smooth sailing after Rafa Benitez left the club over the summer.

Meanwhile, Liverpool defender Alexander-Arnold currently has 2.3% support in the poll, his backers putting faith in his 14 attacking returns and Liverpool’s 21 clean sheets last season.

Sadio Mané (£11.5m), Callum Wilson (£8.0m), Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) and Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) are the only other options backed by more than 1%.

MORE TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS CONTENT

Arsenal | Aston Villa (manager) | Aston Villa (defence) | Aston Villa (attack) | Bournemouth | Brighton | Burnley | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Leicester | Liverpool | Man City | Man United | Newcastle | Norwich (manager) | Norwich (defence) | Norwich (attack) | Sheffield United (manager) | Sheffield United (defence) | Sheffield United (attack) | Southampton | Spurs | Watford | West Ham | Wolves

3,539 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I’m not a member but I would bet a £1 it’s Salah

    1. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This

    2. International Richard
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      You could use your winnings, add some and become a member?

  2. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is this GTG?

    Pope
    Robertson VVD Digne KWP
    Salah Sterling KDB Perez
    Jota King

    Button Montoya Dendoncker Greenwood

    Comments appreciated?

    Thanks

    1. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Gtg

    2. SH
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      G2G

  3. The_Fish
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Good luck everyone

    1. International Richard
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      And u Fish

  4. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which is a better combo?

    A- Kane + Barkley + King
    B- Vardy + Moura + Wilson

    1. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

    2. EL_FENOMENO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

    3. billnats
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

    4. SH
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

    5. BlueEddy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

  5. Murder On Zidanesfloor
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Final team. G2G?

    Ryan
    Robbo VVD Coleman
    Salah Sterling Moura Perez Barkley
    Wilson Haller

    Button Rico Greenwood Lundstram

    1. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Haller a risk but gtg

    2. Your Man With The Hair
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Looks good

    3. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers. Pens down

    4. SH
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Get at least one sure starter at the bench

  6. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    a) VVD + Zinchenko
    b) Robbo + Zouma

    1. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

    2. Painter
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

    3. SH
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

  7. billnats
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Salah, Martial, Wickham
    B) Mane, Barkley, Abraham
    C) Mane, McGinn, Jimenez

    Torn!

    1. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Always Salah

      1. billnats
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Salah, McGinn, Deulo?

    2. Your Man With The Hair
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wickhan isn’t going to see much game time. But I do like the martial option.

      1. billnats
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Ye not many 4.5 Forwards will play... thus me juggling it around to try get a third playing forward.

        Wickham has less ownership so less chance of losing cash when everyone jumps off Greenwood

  8. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone fancy camarasa at 5.0?

    1. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He’s on my watch list.

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        This

  9. Jealous Viper
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Almost there I think. G2G?
    Pope
    TAA Shaw Digne
    Salah Sterling Siggy Perez
    Wesley Deulofeu Wilson

    Heaton Montoya Dendocker Lundstram

    1. SH
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      G2G. I would Shaw>Zinch/AWB

      1. Jealous Viper
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Worried about Zinch starting. What'd you think?
        Prefer Shaw to AWB actually

  10. KanteTouchThis
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Last minute jitters, gtg? Suggestions?

    Pope (Button)
    TAA - VVD - Coleman - A.Smith (Lund)
    Salah - Sterling - Perez - Barkley (Dend)
    Kane - Kean (Greenwood)

    No city def has me worried. Zinc over Coleman? Everton's fixture and city rotation policy has me leaning towards coleman for now. Quite balanced team whilst having 3 premiums I think and easy to switch it up if needed I suppose.

  11. Painter
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A. Perez siggy jota

    B. Barkley moura Jimenez

    1. Thoughtopsy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm on A

  12. Your Man With The Hair
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Did someone say template?

    Ederson
    VVD | Robertson | Zouma
    Salah | KDB | Barkley | Moura | Bilva
    Vardy | King
    (Button, Greenwood Lundstram, Kelly)

    Anything needing urgent attention?

    1. Jealous Viper
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Don't really like Bilva as an option. Rather go Martial even but that aside, looks good

      1. Your Man With The Hair
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers. He’s there to help limit damage of not having Sterling or Aguero.

        1. Little fekirs
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Good luck with that.

  13. Jealous Viper
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Torn between Shaw and Zinchenko. Feel Cancelos arrival threatens him even though he's a right back

    1. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah that has swayed me off ZInchenko. It always felt like a short term pick and probably 6 matches at best, but the whole City defence just looks a major complication.

      I've gone for Shaw. Could be a gamble, but AWB and Maguire will help massively and DDG can't be as bad. Shaw is nailed and attacking.

      1. Jealous Viper
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Same as well. Prefer to watch and wait. Think Cancelo could be a gem. Don't think City keep too many clean sheets starting off plus they tend to start a bit slow defensively.

        Shaw on set pieces and I think he could be really attacking this year. Owned at i think 2% as well so great differential. Just hope United shore up the backline

  14. Jarnathan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who is Leicesters replacement for Maguire?

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Soyunju but keep it secret

      1. Your Man With The Hair
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Will Morgan see more game time?

        1. Emiliano Sala
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          No

  15. MrCloppity
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope
    Robertson,Digne,Zinchenko.AWB
    Tossard, Salah, Sterling, Perez
    Kane, King

    Button,Greenwood,Kelly,Douglas,

    1. abaalan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Looks good, bench is little weak

  16. Thoughtopsy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    1. Zinchenko & Fraser

    2. Walker Peters & Siggy

  17. cypg147
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Please help. Any tips welcome.

    Ryan

    Digne/TAA/VanDijk/Zinchenko

    Salah/DeBruyne/Perez/Moura

    Kane/king

    Subs - button lundstraum Dendoncker

  18. AD2110
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which is better combo?

    A) TAA + KDB
    B) Dunk + Sterling

    Have Auba and Salah as premium picks

  19. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) martial, ings and kiko
    B) perez, king and zouma

    1. makaveli123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

  20. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on this lot?

    Lloris
    TAA Robbo Zinchenko Coleman
    Salah Sterling Perez Moura Barkley
    Wilson

    Button Rico Greenwood Wickham

    1. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Class

    2. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      slight risk if Wilson doesn't play for what ever reason (late injury etc) you'll be playing with 10 men

  21. SH
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Help me select one. Currently on A.
    A) Dinge KWP (4.0)
    B) Zincho KWP (4.5)
    C) Dinge 4.5 (4.5)

    1. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’m on C but tempted by Zouma and 4.0

    2. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      C - Digne with chambers and Montoya (both subs this week I assume, with option to play either/ both next week?

  22. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    13 cs in 46 matches is truly terrible. TC anyone?

    1. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Who?

    2. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not great for champions
      They sure concede. Expect pool to take 4 plus off them and if Mo becomes less selfish and predictable hell easily get a brace of goals and brace of assists and MOM. 22 points

  23. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best way to save .5m here?

    Looking at Robbo > VVD.

    Ryan (Button)
    Robbo, TAA, Digne, Montoya/Guilbert
    Salah, Sterling, Martial, Fraser, Perez
    Wilson, (Greenwood, Wickham)

    451. Only thing I don’t like about this team is the GK, and the fact it’s 0.5m over budget...

    1. makaveli123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Solid team that. Robbo -> VVD or Wilson -> Jimenez

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        To me Martial is the puntiest pick. I could sell for a striker or mid, but I don’t like the 6.5 striker options yet and I’ve already got the best mid below 7.5m IMO. Jota is most likely I think, but rotation concerns me.

    2. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 7 months ago

        TAA to VVD

    3. edgtmorris
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Please RMT

      Pope/Heaton
      Trent/Digne/Zinchenko/Alderweireld/Lundstram
      Salah/Sterling/Moura/Fraser/Dendoncker
      Wilson/Jota/Greenwood

      Any changes?

      1. -GK22-
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Similar to mine but I’ve gone 5th mid in Trossard over Alderweireld!! Good luck 9.5/10

    4. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      C - Digne with chambers and Montoya (both subs this week I assume, with option to play either/ both next week?)

      1. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Reply fail

    5. -GK22-
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Can anyone reassure me that Kean over Jota is a clever idea for GW1?

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I doubt Kean starts the season, he didn’t have much of a pre season with Juve

      2. Dave Dreamer
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Im thinking of starting with Wood with 0.5 itb if he looks good.

      3. Dybala10
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I think Kean will be a sub for the first 1 or 2 games while he gets up to speed and learns Silva's ways.

    6. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Best 6m or below option?

      1. Pinturicchio10
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Digne

      2. Dave Dreamer
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Will Moise Kean be starting for Everton in the first game? Not seen him in a single team.

        1. tikka mo'salah
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          He is in mine, but he might not be come tonight.

      3. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        So let's say Auba Laca and Pepe play and there are 2 holding mids who get the last spot?
        Ozil
        Mkhi

        1. KAR
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          neither. would love to see torreira + ceballos there, but prob xhaka instead of ceballos.

      4. KAR
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        last minute help needed.

        pope (button)
        coleman, walker, vvd (rico, lundstrom)
        salah, lucas, trossard, kdb (dendoncker)
        wood, aubameyan, wilson

        A. coleman + walker or digne + zinchenko?
        B. downgrade wood to greenwood and upgrade rico/lundstrom to 6.0 def and go 4-4-2 instead of 3-4-3?
        C. lucas or fraser?