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

    So who New to the game is on your season watch list .
    1. Moise Kean
    2. Pulisic
    3. Ismaila Sarr
    4. Nicolas Pepe
    5. Max Arons

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

      Pepe

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

      1 & 4

    3. o0Ash
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pulisic, Pepe and 6. Tierney. At 5.5 he could be a great alternative to AWB etc.

    4. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pepe for sure. Would've found money for him from the start if I knew he wouldn't begin on the bench.

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

        With laca out and Iwobi gone any chance if he’s training well Pepe goes in from gw1 ?
        Don’t and won’t ever trust emery

        1. Do I Not Like Orange
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Of course there's a chance. I won't risk 9.5 on it at this stage, though.

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

          Is Laca out? thought he was ok to play?

    5. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      1,4 and 2 in that order.

    6. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      1, 2 and 4. And of course 6, Haller.

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

        I completely forgot Haller
        This is interesting maybe I’ll work on a proper list for later and get people’s feel .
        Very surprised nobody is looking at Sarr .

        The above was my order btw but I like Trossard as an unknown

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

      Who the hell's Max Arons?

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

        The Norwich young fullback 4.5 m / assist machine , likely to be at Chelsea following year

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

          tx

    8. semiconductor
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      2, 4 and Tierney

    9. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      1 2 4

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

    Getting there..
    A. Fraser
    B. Moura

    TIA

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

      A if you don't already have Wilson / King.
      B. Otherwise

      In any case, both are probably good for the first two weeks only.

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

        Frasert is 100% nailed, Moura is not. But Moura could haul in GW1 and GW3

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

      I sent Moura

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

        Went*

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

    Already have TAA.

    A. Double up with Robertson
    B. Double up with VVD and keep the 0.5 for flexibility

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

      I've done Robbo and VVD for that extra 0.5m flexibility. So B for me.

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

        Same

  4. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How much of a threat is 'the Egyptian Beckham' to Guilbert's starts at Villa?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Enough of a threat to go for Mings

  5. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best 4.5 defender to rotate with Diop? Already have Ryan.

    A) Lowton
    B) Bednarek
    C) Dunk (double Brighton defence!)

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

      C for me but with Ryan I would say A

    2. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Lowton

    3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers! Lowton stays

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

    Here we have it:

    Heaton
    TAA VVD Digne Stones
    Salah (c) Sterling Barkley Robinson
    Auba King

    McGovern Greenwood Lundstram Dendoncker

    The key areas covered:
    Triple LFC - check
    City attack - check
    City defence - check
    Bournemouth attack - check
    Everton defence (with attacking promise) - check

    Robinson & Barkley gambles. Chosen the best 4.5m keeper (imo).
    Auba a final premium and 11m fwd price point with 2 opening fixtures than can’t be ignored.

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

      Loving this team.

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

        Thanks. The obvious omission here is LCFC attack, but there is good reason.

        No interest in them until GW3&4 and then after GW7. Funds will be available to bring their assets in when I sell Auba.

    2. Modest Bob
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      You would be annoying to go camping with. Great team though.

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

        Haha I felt like a proper Twitter user with an @FPL handle writing out those “check”s

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

      Very nice. I can see Auba + one of the midfielders > Son + Haller in GW 3.

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

        Yep, absolutely. Also have an interest in LCFC GW3&4.

    4. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Barkley / Robinson is too punty for me and I don't rate King as a good option. Wilson or Fraser are the only good option for me

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

        Thanks. Yeah King is certainly a BTEC Wilson, but he is on penalties and it’s a good option to test the VAR waters with to start the season.

        Barkley looking good pre season and on pens.

        Robinson playing OOP and possibly the pick of the 5.5m mids.

        But that’s just my opinion. Thanks for input.

        1. The Man Pastore
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I can't argue with your points, it is more a personal feeling

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

    Hey guys asked this several times but last time for changes! What do you think about this?

    Doesn’t feel good that I’ve got 0.5 ITB...

    Score out of 10?

    Pope, Button
    Digne, VvD, Robbo, Montoya, Diop
    Salah, Sterling, Moura, Trossard, Dendoncker
    King, Vardy, Greenwood

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

      8

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

        What would you change?

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

      Confident in Trossard?

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

        Yeah actually I am. At Genk he was really great and on set pieces, new coach,.. Could work. Thinkering to change him to get Jota in.

      2. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I have no trust in Brighton after last season lol

        I understand Potter is in... I know him better than most as he managed my beloved ÖFK. But they’re so disappointing. Team full of garbage I can only see them going down.

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

      I’d give it an 8/11.

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

        That seems low? What would you change?

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

          It’s basically that I like 7 of your starting XI and then added a collective 1 more of the XI.

          I think it’s the commitment to the worst team in the league (Brighton). Even though their fixtures are green the teams that are green in their fixtures probably look at Brighton as an easier team to play against.

  8. chriscosta
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hi All i think am set, after a long 1 hour of fixing my team lol,
    please rate or if there is any advice : D

    Pope (Ryan)
    AAT Ake Digne Zinkco (Kelly)
    Salah (C) B-Silva Maddison Wilson (dendonker)
    Kane Rashford (wesley)

    Thank You And GL to All

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

      Lose Ake. Put VVD in and downgrade Rashford to 6.5

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

        thanks m8, : )

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Out of interest, why Kane over Auba? Particularly looking at the opening few fixtures.

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

      Will Harry Wilson get in ahead of Ibe?

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

        after reading afew sites, i was part of loan that wilson will get playing time, also i think at the start he will be playing in brook posistion, as for kane vs aubu i think kane fixture are slightly better than aubu and kane plays more as a forward than aubu who is an out and out forward... just my thought

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

    1) Sterling, Laporte, King
    2) KDB, Montoya, Kane

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

      1

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

      1

  10. Yordan Letchkov
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I think I am almost there:

    Pope, Button
    TAA, Zinch, Coleman, Cathcart, Rico
    Salah, Sterling, Siggy, Barkley, Dendoncker
    Vardy, King, Deeney

    I am currently thinking about to bring Ayew in. Is he a fix starter?
    This would allow me to reinvest 1.5 in to the defense....

    Thanks for your feedbacks.

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

    REPOST, opinions please:

    A - TAA & Wood
    B - Montoya & Vardy

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

      A easily for me

  12. Marmalade Forest
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thanks for taking the time to write up articles for us, but that really could’ve just said “Mo Salah”.

    At a push it could say

    “If you don’t have Mo Salah, then Harry Kane”

    And at an extreme push it could say

    “If you don’t have either Mo Salah or Harry Kane, what are you doing here?”

  13. Don Custard Rovers
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any glaring mistakes or GTG ?

    Ederson
    VVD Keane Montoya A.Smith
    Salah Sterling Siggy Moura
    Firmino King

    Button-Lund-Dendon-Greenwood

    Thank you

    1. Marmalade Forest
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Keane
      Smith
      Firmino

      Firmino could be gold mind

  14. No Totti No Party
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Maddison or M. Kean at the same price/ Have Siggy / ?

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

      Kean we would want to watch 1st. I would avoid both if I have siggy though

  15. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Am I the only person going 451 with Kane up top on his own???

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      2 x 4.5s with Kane?

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No Bou interest?

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

    A) TAA + VVD

    B) TAA + Laporte

    No other City or Pool defs.

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

    Good enough?

    Pope/Button
    TAA/Digne/AWB/Rico/Lund
    Salah/Sterling/Martial/Moura/Perez
    Wilson/Jota/Green

    Moura can be out with 2FTs after 2GW if needed and could then switch to 343

  18. tyiocoyg34
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Siggy / King
    B) Fraser / Keane

  19. semiconductor
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Few decisions to make it you would help. It is really appreciated

    1. Heaton or pope
    2. King or another 6.5m striker (besides Auba)
    3. Best 2 4.5m defenders (besides Robertson and VVD)

    1. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pope
      Jota
      No idea 🙂

    2. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pope
      King or Wood
      ?

    3. No Totti No Party
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm gonna say: Pope, King, Dunk

    4. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pope
      Jota
      Dunk / Guilbert

  20. My Name Is Prince
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Fraser or Moura? Currently on Fraser but mainly because of GW2 City for Moura and then Son comes to the picture as well...

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

      I'm going with Moura

  21. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Looking at those SoT stats for last season, Mitro really was the biggest faker of the season.

  22. SPorting
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    So, it's been a while.

    How is everyone? Busy?

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

      I'm doing very good. Thanks mate for asking? How about you?

  23. as33
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Last call on my team, do i need changes: Ryan
    Zinchenko, Robbo, AWB
    Salah, Sterling, Moura, Perez, Hojberg
    Auba, King?

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

      Similar front and midfield

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

      magiure for AWB better goal threat

  24. Acrux66
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hi wich one:

    1(more balanced).
    Fabianski/Button
    Robbo/VVD/KWP/ZInchenko/Lundstram
    Salah/Sterling/KDB/Dendocker/Perez
    King/Greenwood/Kean

    or

    2(risky).
    Pope/Button
    Robbo/VVD/KWP/ZInchenko/Lundstram
    Salah/Sterling/KDB/Fraser/Perez
    King/Greenwood/Wickham

  25. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Would you swap out Zinchenko for Cancelo in a draft league, or are they both much of a muchness?

    1. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah I'd take the risk in a draft league I think!

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No

  26. pljK_
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hello, A or B? thank you.
    A
    Ryan (BUTTON)
    VVD Robbo Digne ZINC (Lund)
    Salah Sterling Perez Siggy (Dendo)
    WILSON Jota (Greenwood)

    or

    B
    Ryan (POPE)
    VVD Robbo Digne LAPORTE (Lund)
    Salah Sterling Perez Siggy (Dendo)
    KING Jota (Greenwood)

  27. Azathoth
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who gonna start CBs for Eve tomorrow? Keane & .....

    1. Rigid Digit
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Mina?

  28. Clueless_91
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    4 5 1
    Ederson Button
    Robertson KWP VVD Montoya Rico
    Bilva Salah Sterling Martial Moura
    King Greenwood Wickham

  29. tjostolv
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I have 2 nailed defenders, but my 3rd has to be either Lundstram, Kelly (palace) or Guilbert.
    How likely are they to play?

  30. SOTHPAW
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    G2G?

    Ryan
    TAA, Van Dijk, Digne, KWP
    Salah, Sterling, Fraser, Martial
    Wilson, Jota

    Button, Greenwood, Dendonker, Rico