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. yer old da
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Team locked and loaded - marks out of 10?

    Pope
    Robbo, VVD, Laporte, Digne
    Salah(c), Sterling(vc), Sigurdsson, Perez
    Jota, King

    Bench: Heaton, Greenwood, Dendoncker, Rico

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

      Template locked GTG.

      1. yer old da
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Laporte not template surely?

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      8. I like it. Not a fan of keeper rotation personally but hey ho. Good luck!

  2. gooner_112233445566
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Sterling or aubameyang if you have kdb?

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

      Sterling

  3. theluckiest
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Think I've settled on this. Thoughts?

    Pope (button)
    VvD, digne, zinch, cathcart (montoya)
    Salah, sterling, KdB, Trossard (dedoncker)
    Vardy, King (wickham)

  4. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Seriously bad inciement weather heading towards Liverpool.
    Hope it's not abandoned!

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

      Wet ball, Abandon double Pool defence.

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This is a nice Summer's day for Liverpool.

    3. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      6-0 incoming

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

    Please RMT:
    Pope (Button)
    Robertson | AWB | Montoya (Guilbert, Lundstram)
    Sterling | Salah | Fraser | Perez | Trossard
    Wilson | Rashford (Greenwood)

  6. Fatboy Fatboy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any Leicester fans think Söyüncü a decent option for regular starts.

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

      I think many at Leicester forums are saying he is first choice now.

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

        Thanks

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

      Likely, yes, alongside Evans.

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

        Cheers. Most the other 4.5’s are in lightweight teams.

  7. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Interested in hearing people's £6.5 Striker of choice and why....

    King, Jota, Wood, Deleufeo?

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

      King to start based on fixtures

      Planning to upgrade to Kean GW3

    2. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      King.

      Good fixtures. On pens.

  8. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Montoya still nailed? Safer to go Dunk instead?

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes he is

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

      Dunk safer. Montoya may play as Wing back. I'm going with soyunju

  9. SHOW_ME_DA_MANE
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Bottomed Again!

    RMT - Finally think im settled for GW1...

    Pope
    Digne, VVD, TAA,
    Sterling, Iwobi, Moura, KDB, Fraser
    Vardy, King

    Button, Diop, Martinelli, Christensen

    Still deciding between
    A) Zouma
    B) Christensen

    &

    1) Martinelli
    2) Greenwood

    Plan is to switch KDB to Son, King to Kean & Moura to Pulisic (Dependent on naildness)

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

    Someone please save me from the headache I got
    I love my team and hasn't changed it for days
    But now I feel martial is essential but that means sacrificing kdb which I really expect to do well specially with those great fixtures
    Why I've gone mad
    Talk me out of it

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

      Leave KDB in. Walk away, get some beers.

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Don't do it. The you go. Go fit a walk and leave it as it is. Happy days. GL!!

    3. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Martial definitely not essential!

      Keep KDB.

    4. MJFainty
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If KDB has a good game against WHU then those who don't have him will likely flock to try and bring him in. I not sure I see Martial doing that well against CHE... Just a gut feeling.

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

      Thanks all. I feel better now

  11. Tsssst
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    any issues bar the bench?

    Pope
    VVD Zinchenko Digne
    Sterling Salah Siggy Martial Moura
    Jota King

    Bench dross - Heaton Greenwood Rico Lundstram

    1. anish10
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Nice team, like the moura punt!

    2. droginexile
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Rico AND Lundstam - I was looking at the same thing 🙂 Maybe Besic will take Lundstrams place though and then let with an unmoveable 3.9.

  12. TherryOnWii
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Bottomed.

    A. Zinchenko, or
    B. Trossard

    Thanks in advance.

    1. anish10
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A for sure

  13. anish10
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hows this looking out of 10:

    Pope
    VVD Zinch Perreira
    Salah Sterling Barkley Robinson
    Wilson Auba Adams

    4.0 -- Dedonker -- Rico -- Lundstrum

  14. Gunners n' Roses
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What is Spurs likely starting lineup against AVL?

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

      There’s a team news section on this site

      1. Gunners n' Roses
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Aye, but I wanted to know Spurs' fans opinions, they usually get it right

    2. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think team news has it right apart from surely Ndombele will replace Winks or Sissoko?

  15. gooner_112233445566
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    please choose one...

    A) Pope, Montoya, digne. vvd, kdb, Jimenez

    B) Pope, robbo, digne, vvd, Bernardo, jota

    C) Alisson, Montoya, digne, vvd, Bernardo, Jimenez

    Already got sterling in any combination if that helps

    1. anish10
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

  16. FredUpAlready
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Coleman and Robertson
    B) VVD and Digne

    1. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

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

      B

    3. Gunners n' Roses
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

    4. MJFainty
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

  17. Dub
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pickford anyone? If he has a season like last year he’ll be one of the best value keepers even at 5.5m.

    1. droginexile
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I had considered him early especially with his record of stopping penalties and evertons early run but Im a fan of rotating 4.5s so hes out for me.

  18. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Must. Stop. Tinkering.

    Good luck all!

    Pope

    Robertson - Zinchenko - Digne - AWB

    Salah (c) - KDB - Richarlison - Barkley

    Kane - King

    Bench: Ryan; A. Smith; Dendoncker; Greenwood

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

      Looking good. Take the rest of the day off!

      1. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thank you kind Sir!

  19. Young Lingard
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ryan
    Trent Digne Robertson AWB

    B.Silva Salah Perez Sterling

    Wilson Wesley

    / honestly AWB and B. Silva are my questions ; fit Laporte and Fraser/Lucas/martial a thought

    What’s your thoughts ?

  20. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Christ is busy this morning

    Hanley or lundstram

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      H

  21. Lallana Del Rey
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Sterling, Trossard and Wilson
    B) KDB, Robinson and Kane
    C) other

    Pope
    Robbo, TAA, Digne
    Salah, Lucas Moura, Perez, ***, ***
    King, ***
    (4.0, Rico, Lundstram, Wickham)

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

      B for me

    2. Steiger
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Has to be A for me

  22. MAVER!CK
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Wilson+Jota
    OR
    King+Jimenez??

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

      Wilson and King until wolves fixtures improve.

      1. MAVER!CK
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Aren't they fixture proof though?

    2. gerrardl
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wilson and Jota I'd say

    3. Gunners n' Roses
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

    4. MAVER!CK
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      cheers.

  23. walmander
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thats it, I am ready.

    Heaton
    VVD, Robertson, Coleman, Soyuncu
    Salah, Sterling, Perez, Barkley
    Kane, King

    Button, Montoya, Dendonk & Wickham

  24. Shaw must go on
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    best 2 4.5 defenders in the game??

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

      Going with Soyuncu & Montoya

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      lowton/Taylor for cs, rotate with Diop/Fredericks or Cathcart

    3. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm going for Adam Smith but I've literally seen him in zero teams

    4. Shaw must go on
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      thanks lads

  25. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone knows whether Taylor(Burnley) is likely to start GW1 ?
    Want a Burnely defender to rotate with Cathcart or Diop.

  26. gerrardl
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Have struggled with this one for a while. Can't seem to land anywhere...

    A. Wilson and Perez
    B. Vardy and Fraser

    Thoughts?

    1. Lallana Del Rey
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B) is strongest but obviously also more expensive. If you go A) perhaps you could upgrade elsewhere?

  27. Federico
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    No love for Tielemans on here. Any other reasons that Perez?

    I've been mostly out of the loop since june.

    1. Gunners n' Roses
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Underlying stats not great, might not replicate the form. Still a good punt imo, got me a lot of points last season

      1. Federico
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks!

  28. pingreen
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Fraser/Heaton/Pope

    or

    B) Perez/Ederson/Button

    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

  29. CarrollsPonytail
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Opinions please:

    A - TAA & Wood
    B - Montoya & Vardy

    1. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

  30. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    King, Wood, Jota, Haller, Kean - pick 2?

    1. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      King and Wood for me to start with

      King for the fixtures/pens and Wood has great pre-season form

      Haller and Kean are wait and see for me

      1. The Head-Ake
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        What about Jota?