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. Evil Genius
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Too much LEI?
    Martial -> Fraser?

    Ryan
    VvD, Digne, KWP
    Salah, Sterling, Martial, Perez, Trossard
    Vardy, King

    Button, Greenwood, Diop, Mings

    1. Evil Genius
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wow. Top of the page and still no love.

      Tough crowd in today.

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

      I would rather do Vardy to Wilson and upgrade Tossard.

      1. Evil Genius
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        to whom?

        1. The Count of Monte Cristo
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Moura?

      2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        this

        1. Evil Genius
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          this again

          to whom?

  2. Net Gains
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone else here on 4-5-1?

    1. Celt Abroad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes. Just don’t think the forwards offer good value, and there’s loads of mids I want.

    2. Silicon Vialli
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yep!

    3. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I've looked at that but the problems the subs, your two forwards on the bench are unlikely to play

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

        Not if you have wicham and Ayew i think.

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

      Yep, i am. Didn't like any 6.5 strikers.

  3. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    My first RMT, good to go?

    Henderson
    KWP - TAA - VVD - Digne - Adam Smith
    Salah (C) - Sterling - Robinson
    Kane - King

    (Button) Barkley - Greenwood - Dendoncker

    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'd play Barkley over Adam Smith

    2. How I met your Mata
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think there is better options than smith

    3. moz_1983
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Team is fine, looks good.

    4. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks all.

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

    https://www.arsenal.com/news/team-news-lacazette-pepe-bellerin-holding

    Here's the latest update from our medical team ahead of our match at St James' Park:

    Alex Lacazette
    Right ankle. Will continue to be assessed ahead of Sunday’s match at Newcastle.

    Nicolas Pepe
    Regaining full match fitness following late return from African Cup of Nations. Decision to be made on participation for Sunday.

    Hector Bellerin
    Left knee. Continuing with on-field rehabilitation. Aiming to participate in full training in October.

    Rob Holding
    Left knee. Continuing with on-field rehabilitation and now participating in full training with the first team.

    Dinos Mavropanos
    Groin. Continues to receive treatment and further assessment. Will be out of action for at least 6-8 weeks.

    Emile Smith Rowe
    Groin. Progressing well in training and aiming to re-join the first team squad in 1-2 weeks

    Mohamed Elneny
    Regaining full match fitness following late return from African Cup of Nations. Decision to be made on participation for Sunday.

    1. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers Ozil

      1. Boris Bodega
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Worth mentioning Tierney is out injured to around the end of September also.

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      So looking like no starts for Pepe or Laca currently?

      1. Boris Bodega
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Probably see a front four of Ozil, Nelson and Mikhi behind Auba.

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Cringe at least Auba will be main man and have pens for this week

    3. Evil Genius
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Where's Özil?

  5. How I met your Mata
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    GTG fellas??

    Henderson
    KWP VVD Robbo Digne
    Salah McGinn Lucas Sterling
    Vardy King

    Subs: Mcgovern Greenwood Deknocker Targett

  6. JRO093
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A. Kane+King+Cathcart
    B. Wilson+Jota+Van Dijk/TAA

    ??

    1. jimmyabs1987
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B for sure over medium term but A might get more points in GW1

    2. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

  7. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on ceballos and moutinho as 5.5 options?

    1. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Prefer McGinn, Neves and Robinson

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Moutinho is a highly underrated one but ceballos doesn’t look like starting GW1

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

        I have Mou in my team.

        Want Jimi or Jota but early fixtures are putting me off, whereas Mou looks de ent value in the 5.5 range.

  8. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    (A) KDB + McGinn
    (B) Bernardo + Perez + 0.5

    Thinking with Sane out Bilva will be playing mostly in the front 3...

    1. Silicon Vialli
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

  9. Felix Navidad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is it worth going VVD instead of Digne?

    Team look like this
    Pope (button)
    TAA, VVD, KWP (diop, Rico)
    Salah, Sterling, Robinson, Trossard (Dendoncker)
    King, Kane, Deeney

    G2G?

    1. How I met your Mata
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      bit too many punts for me...but could pay off just as well

    2. Silicon Vialli
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes VVD

  10. Please Help I Don't Kn…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Chances of Cancelo starting?

  11. sentagoda
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Folks URGENT help needed.

    Pope

    Rico Kelly VVD Zinc Walker-Peters

    Siggy Salah Bilva Dendocker

    King Vardy Kane

    I need a 7 mill mid.

    Please help a brother out.

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Barkley?

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

        Maybe is he nailed? that leaves me with 1 mill in the bank

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

      Perez

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

        struggling with going double Lei

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

      Get Perez and invest the extra 0.5 into your totally rubbish defence. Ideally, get a 5.5mid and invest the rest into your totally rubbish defence.

  12. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    GTG?

    Heaton / pope

    Robbo / zinchnko / digne / soyuncu / lundstrom

    Salah / sterling / Barkley / Perez / dendonker

    Kane / king / 4.5

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

      Pretty much like mine 9/10 !

    2. Ronaldo 7
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I've gone zouma

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

        Good shout.

  13. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Zinchenko & Rico? Or Diop & Duffy rotating (+0.5m)

    1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      morning mate....firstly great news for Andy Carol, and I really hope it works for him..........secondly I would look at doing Zouma and Montoya

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Hi mate. How you all set? I torn on this decision. Might just leave it as is with Zinc. Yeah interesting one with Carroll, time will tell but his injury record is terrible! Good luck for the new season

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

    Alisson
    TAA, Zinchenko, KWP, Digne
    Salah, KDB Perez, Siggy
    Jiminez, King

    (Button, Rico, Martial, Greenwood)

    Thoughts?

  15. Ronaldo 7
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kwp still the best 5m def?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      he s really short term though aint he ?

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

        i dont see the love... has tough fixtures short term too

  16. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    last rmt i think

    gtg ?

    ryan (button)
    vvd digne targett/taylor (lundstram)
    salah kdb siggy maddison (dendon)
    kane abraham king

    thanks a lot and good luck all!!

  17. Crump
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How's this looking?

    Pope - (Heaton)
    Digne - Söyüncü - TAA - Zinchenko - (Kelly)
    Sterling - KDB - Salah - Perez - (Dendoncker)
    Wilson - King - (Greenwood)

    Thanks!

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      who is Söyüncü ?

      rest looks template

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

        Leicester 4.5 CB, think he'll play

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          ok . good team

  18. Silicon Vialli
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Final piece
    A. Jorginho & Digne
    B. Pereyra & Wan-B

  19. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    any two good rotating 4.5M defenders?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Diop and Dunk it seems

    2. Your Mum Zohore
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      BUR and AVL rotate quite well

  20. footballcandy
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    GW1, play Jota or Trossard?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      i d say both or you have too much money on your bench 🙂

      jota otherwise

  21. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hey Guys.

  22. some witty pun
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    why the love for Trossard?

  23. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    i prefer Jota to King over the season but should I start with King (SHU AVL) and switch to Jota later?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      i d say so

    2. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      My exact plan, have to start King for those first two, GW3 is switch to Jota or maybe even another forward depending on knowledge gained first two fixtures?

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

    Out of 10?

    Pope, Button
    Digne, VvD, Robbo, Montoya, Diop
    Salah, Sterling, Camarasa, Trossard, Dendoncker
    King, Vardy, Jimenez

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

      5 for me because of the week midtfielder.

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

      5, like the defs but tough to jump on value mids early with those price points. I'd have Fraser/Moura/Martial/Maddison/6.5 to keep as many options open with 1 move as possible.

      Jota over Jimmy saves you 1 milly.

  25. Felix Navidad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any thoughts about Harry Wilson at Bournemouth? Is he a starter?

  26. Polar_Bear
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    RMT please?

    Pope (Steklenburg)
    TAA, Robertson, Digne, Montoya, Lundstram
    Salah, Sterling, Barkley, Trossard, Dedonker
    Vardy, King, Jota

    And better 4.5 defenders or 5.5/6 midfielders?

  27. mcgrejam
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Please help...

    Heaton
    VVD, Digne, TAA
    Perez, Fraser, Salah, Sterling
    Wood, Wilson, Jota

    No playing subs - good enough/any changes please?

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

      Same as mine, except Moura for Fraser

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

    Siggy and Digne in the same team still a good option? Not the best preseason

  29. Cabra
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Don't like any 6.5 strikers so switched to 4-5-1.
    Rmt please.

    Pope
    Taa - Vvd - Digne - Zinchenko
    Fraser - Sterling - Salah - Perez - Barkley
    Wilson

    Ayew - wicham - rico
    0.5itb

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

    Pick one please:

    A) Guilbert
    B) Diop

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

      A don't like any WH def.

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

      Montoya?