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. KGFC
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Better to go with:

    1. Rotating 4.5 defenders
    2. Montoya + Guilbert (attacking cheapies)

    1. DeathoftheParty
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Don't hate either

    2. Toby Lerone
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Do Brighton and Villa rotate well?

      1. KGFC
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Nopes, don't rotate well and hence the conundrum!

    3. BERGKOP
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Why the Guilbert love?

      1. KGFC
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Plays full back for an attack-minded team, assisted thrice in PS and has decent fixtures in first 9 GWs. Also, Villa conceded 61 goals in Championship and therefore feel they will have to rely more on their attacking than defending.

  2. CloudSky
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Just seen that Wolves play Torino in the playoff for EL. Means there's a good chance they won't even see Europe.

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Wolves will beat Torino but if Nuno is smart he’ll knock himself out

      1. DeathoftheParty
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        You mean if Nuno plays FPL he'll knock himself out? How would that be smart?

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Can be tiring unsettling all this travelling around playing games all over Europe. A game every 3/4 days is hard to manage with the squad depth he has. It’s either do well in the league or knacker your players out trying for Europe

          1. DeathoftheParty
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Yep, definitely heard the rumours that footballers hate testing themselves across Europe at the top level not to mention all the extra money for making the group stage and winning games... Much smarter to get knocked out and focus on domestic like last year...

            Don't be silly.

    2. CloudSky
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Torino scored 48 goals in the last 6 matches, albeit some of that to Italian lower leagues. Belloti, Zaza and the likes have really started to click. Should be a good match.

  3. Mooster©️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    My team is nearly finished.

    I have Wilson and Fraser as mid-price players, and 11m left in the bank.
    I need to decide if I want a 6.5 midfielder or 6.5 forward.

    So what option, and which players, would you choose:

    A 6.5 midfielder + 4.5 forward
    B 4.5 midfielder + 6.5 forward

    1. UnluckyXI
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Do they both need to play or is one on the bench?

      If they need to play you're more likely to get a 4.5 playing mid.

      Right now at 6.5 Perez or king I preferred mf and fwd picks.

      1. Mooster©️
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        4.5 can sit on the bench.

    2. Regin
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      b. king, jota, wood all good options

    3. Kiwi Don
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

    4. Squib
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      If both need to start then probably B

      1. Mooster©️
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        4.5 can sit on the bench

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

    Who do we think will actually start, Barkley or mount??

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Barkley

      1. AandyzZ
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        How can we be sure though?

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          We can't

    2. KGFC
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Its Barkley's spot to lose atm

      1. AandyzZ
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Why? I want to have him but mount has played equal if not more in pre season and lampard really likes him

    3. Kiwi Don
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Barkley

    4. Andrew
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Barkley would be my guess

  5. LanMi
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is Lamela nailed?

    1. Kiwi Don
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No

    2. DeathoftheParty
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No. But I reckon he'll start GW1

  6. Liastro ⭐️
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Why are people obsessing with 4.0m defenders that don’t play instead of getting 4.5m ones that do?

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      It's weird

    2. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I'm guessing it's budget-related..

    3. Royal5
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      One defender is usually never need. Use the money elsewhere.

  7. Hödi
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    A Trossard
    or
    B Barkley?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Trossard. Greedy shooter.

      1. Hödi
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thnx!

  8. Addecadabra
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    A: TAA, KWP
    B: VVD, coleman/zin
    C: Robbo, KWP

    Cheers

    1. UnluckyXI
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      C for me but I also have vvd and zinc

    2. Squib
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A or C

  9. kolejorz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    a. wilson & peres
    b. king & siggy

    1. Toby Lerone
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. UnluckyXI
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

  10. Toby Lerone
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    KDB + Cathcart

    Or

    Moura + VVD

    TY!

    1. selig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      b

    2. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

  11. HAMMERTIME107
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Best £5.0mil midefielder?

    A | Camarasa
    B | Wilshere
    C | Mooy

    1. Squib
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I have taken a risk on A. Really not convinced. Wanted to go Morrisin at Sheff U but big doubts there too.

  12. Siggy Azalea
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    What do you think guys? Am I g2g? Thanks!

    Pope
    TAA - Digne - Cathcart - Walker-Peters
    Sterling - Salah - Perez - Pereya
    King - Kane

    Heaton - Greenwood - Simpson - McGinn

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Simpson 100% not in the starting mix. Might as well burn a spot

      1. Siggy Azalea
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        In pre-season he played quite a lot of minutes - who's a better 4 mil defender?

  13. Meccano
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Help, please...!

    A. Digne, (Soyuncu)
    B. Laporte (Rico)

    Other subs: Dendo and Greenwood

    Thanks!

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

  14. evolve89
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Coleman or Zinch? No other Eve/City cover in def.

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Zinch

  15. Rhodes your boat
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Gtg guys?

    Heaton
    Robbo taa digne Zinchenko kwp
    Salah (c) sterling Fraser Perez
    Haller

    Button joelinton greenwood dendoncker
    0.0 itb

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Would swap Joelinton for Jota/King and play over Haller

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        No funds remaining sadly

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Love the Haller punt..want him in gw2

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks with him and joelinton quite a punty front line

  16. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hey guys, can’t decide between Heaton or Pope. Whose the better pick?

    Cheers

    1. RomeluStormzy
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I went both.

    2. dr. Phil
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Flip a coin. If both healthy all season Pope will have more points, but he's injury prone.

      1. Royal5
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        This. Also Burnley defense was poor last season. Heaton for me.

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Flip a coin 😉

    4. Siggy Azalea
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I've gone both

    5. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Both or Heaton

  17. Hanso Lo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hey Everyone...just a quick RMT. Hoping you guys can settle my mind. Kinda feel like this team is a bit safe/boring until trends/form start to appear...yes/no?

    GK: Pope, Heaton
    DEF: VVD, Coleman, Taylor (Bur), Guilbert, Lund
    MID: Salah, KDB, Fraser, Perez, Donck
    FWD: Kane, Wilson, Jota

    Questions:

    1. I’m fine to rotate a combo keeper/defender set to begin with hence the double-up. Do you think Taylor and Guilbert ok?

    2. Is KDB really worth it to begin with or should I look at others...maybe Moura or Pulisic? The idea is to get Son when he returns.

    Open to any suggestions...

    Thanks Everyone!

  18. have you seen cyan
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Poch is going to mould Sessegnon into a world class player. Can’t wait to see him in a spurs shirt 🙂

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      World class? Steady on 🙂

      Looking forward to see him develop under Pochettino tho, can see him in time being their first choice left back.

  19. JRO093
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Rico or Charlie Daniels have that lb spot nailed?

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Nobody knows for sure.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Rico short term

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Nonsense

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Bournemouth forum a lot have Stacey RB Smith LB

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Now that’s nonsense

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          How?

        2. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Up the Cherries. See for yourself

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Might be what fans want but no chance that makes any footballing sense whatsoever

  20. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Which option?

    A) Barkley, Sterling, King
    B) Drinkwater, KDB, Auba

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Pauntley
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A for me

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B, but Sterling is a must for me

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Also when you have Salah and Kane in addition to Auba?

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

      Would Drinkwater be benchfodder?

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        yes

  21. Pauntley
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Morning all! I’d really appreciate some feedback on my team:

    Pope/Heaton (rotate)
    TAA/Robertson/Digne
    Salah/Sterling/Fraser/Pérez
    Wood/King/Jota

    Subs: Dendoncker/Dunk/Lundtsram

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Like it. Wood differential will do you well

  22. AC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Apologies its been asked many times before, who is the best non burnley 4.5 m defender? Many thanks

    1. antis0cial
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Montoya at Brighton or maybe Guilbert at Villa

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Mings is nailed.

    3. AC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Many thanks for your thoughts

  23. Eleven Hag
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I think this is the final one

    Ryan
    Digne VDK Ake KWP
    Salah Sterling Fraser perez
    Aub King

    Subs - Kelly Dendoncker Greenwood
    G2G?

  24. antis0cial
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Best 6 striker? On Adams but fixtures not great

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      On joelinton at the moment, punty but he should be their main man

      1. antis0cial
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Newcastle have some tough early fixtures too though

  25. FPLMatt
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Has anyone heard if Mark Sutherns has posted his team at all? Curious to see how he's lining up

    1. Little fekirs
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Keeps his cards very close to his chest.

  26. PRENO
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    You quite simply shouldn't be playing FPL if you firstly don't have Salah in your team GW1 and secondly don't have him captain at home to Norwich without their 2 first choice CB's - Darwinism at it's finest

  27. frielly
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Any 4-5-1 fans out there? Surely a goalscoring midfield compensates. Please RMT.

    Alisson

    Digne, Cathcart, VVD, Van Aanholt

    KDB, Perez, Strerling, Salah, Moura

    Deulofeu

    Button, Rico, Greenwood, Parrott

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Bad 1 up front not guaranteed GW1 and entire bench good chance not starting

    2. frielly
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Free beer for every comment 😉

  28. jack7
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    ATM team is:

    Alisson (Button)

    Digne Zinchenko Robbo (Rico, Lundstram)

    Salah (C) Sterling Barkley Perez Fraser

    Wilson Jota (Greenwood)

    OR

    Ryan (Button)

    Coleman Zinchenko Robbo (Rico, Lundstram)

    Salah (C) Sterling Barkley Perez KDB

    Wilson King (Greenwood).

    Should I choose option 1 or option 2?

    1. frielly
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      2

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Rico and Lund huge chance neither start

      1. jack7
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Not really an issue as both bench fodders

      2. Jambot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Gulibert

  29. The Bad Seed
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I just think I might have it good to go.

    Thoughts? Any particular problems you think i might face with fixtures, values, nailed starts, etc...?

    Pope (Heaton)
    Digne TAA KWP (Duffy) (Lundstram)
    Trossard Salah Perez Martial De Bruyne
    Auba King (Greenwood)

  30. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    How long is Mendy supposed to be out?

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Back in September / October

      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers