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. Catsandhats
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Really struggleing with this year - some tough choices... how is this looking:

    Pope
    VVD Robbo Zinc Digne
    Slash sterling Siggy Perez
    Wilson Jota

    Cheapies on bench (one starter) - not concerned about this as I’ve always had success this way at the beginning

    Any thoughts? I was happy with king instead of wilson but 1.5 itb seems crazy.

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

      Looks good. Lock it in.

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

      Almost the same as mine so I’m a fan!

      Only difference is I’ve gone for Moura instead of Siggy to free up 0.5 to have a bit of leeway to make transfers elsewhere once the season starts. Just something to consider.

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

      Only template players? Are u questioning the template?

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

    Does anyone have any insight on the 4.0 defender bracket after deadline day? Lundstram's (4.0) place in jeopardy? Rico (4.0) a viable alternative? Or security in starts in pre season minutes with Hanley (4.0) Gibson (4.0) Kelly (4.0)?

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

    A - Ryan,Pope,Heaton vs Leno
    Or
    B- Allison vs Leno(extra £1)
    Seem Leno comes out tops for me

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

    A. Auba, KDB, Perez, Trossard, VVD plus 0.5 ITB

    B. Jota, Sterling, Maddison, Martial, TAA

  5. luk46
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ryan (Heaton)
    Robbo VVD Zouma AWB (Lundstram)
    Salah Sterling Richarlison Fraser (Dendoncker)
    Jimenez King (Greenwood)

    GK pair any good?
    Digne in for anyone?
    Richarlison + Jimenez/Jota or 4.5 + Auba?

    1. lifes a pitch
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Anyone planning on starting Dendonker or other 4.5 every week?

  6. lifes a pitch
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Captain Salah or Kane ?

    1. Mike82
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Salah

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

      Kane

  7. Mike82
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Right, think I've settled;
    Pope, (Heaton)
    VVD, Robbo, Walkers Peters, Femenia, (Kelly)
    Salah, Sterling, Perez, (Stephen's, Drinkwater)
    Kane, Deeney, King

    Any thoughts?

  8. lifes a pitch
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    ....Anyone planning on starting Dendonker or other 4.5 every week?

  9. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which combo?

    A. Pope, Perez, Jimenez
    B. Ederson, Trossard, Jota

    1. tricpic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

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

      B

  10. Cocoon Aguero
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Good morning all, here is what I have so far:

    Allison (Button)

    Van Dijk - Digne - Wan Bissaka - Ake (Lundstram)

    Salah - Sterling - Fraser - Dendoncker (Hayden)

    Kane - King (Greenwood)

    My initial feelings were that 3 BOU players is a bit too optimistic, but the fixtures are relatively decent for them early on. Also, having a premium keeper instead of a 4.5/4.0duo should allow an easy transfer should the LIV defense fail to hold. Please feel free to share your thoughts on any changes you would make to this lineup, thanks!

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

    RMT Tool
    I really like the RMT tool. Very useful for forward planning and realising when I'm about to make a muppet of myself. However what would be considered a reasonble "score" on the RMT? For GW1 my team has a projected score of 60.44. Is that a good enough target score? I guess multiplied by 38 it's not bad....

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

      I looked around for a similar answer and could not find one. I could not even find historical "actual" gameweek/season averages. I settled on 60 being a solid target based on my private league which has no sharks, but guys put in work week to week. In that league 1800-2200 for the season is respectable to winning.

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

        Thanks Habs. I have a similar view. If I could make 60 points each week I'd be very happy!

  12. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Opinion on this team?
    Strong goalkeeper and 3 tough defenders
    4 attacking minded midfielders
    3 6.5m reliable strikers

    Ederson
    Robbo VVD Digne
    Salah Sterling Richarlison Perez
    Wood King Jota

    1. tricpic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      It’s good but I’d got Siggy over Rich

      1. tricpic
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        *go

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

    Help me out please:

    A - Montoya, Robinson & Aubameyang
    B - TAA, Trossard & Wilson

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

      B

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

      A

  14. allthewine
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    RMT please.

    Pope

    TAA Dinge Robbo Rico

    Sterling Perez Barkley Salah

    King Kane

    Subs:

    Lund/Denocker/Greenwood/Button

  15. tricpic
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Trossard or Barkley?

    Ross seems a bit more of a punt but might come off. Trying not to be too template...but keep reading here...tinkering...and getting more and more templatey

  16. ameisin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Fill the gap for 7.5m

    Pope
    VVD | TAA | Digne
    Salah | Sterling | ______ | Perez | Tross
    Wilson | Wood

    1. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Moura or Fraser

  17. lumzy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Do you think you have what it takes to top a fpl mini league then join mine for a chance to share a #fpl prize pot of £100!
    Fantasy.premierleague.com
    League code: rhgh89

    T&C Kindly follow us on twitter @fpl_rocks and RT

  18. Hops91
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hey guys which silva do you guys think?
    Bernardo or David?

    1. Djemba12
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Bilva

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

      David

  19. lumzy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Doubling up on Liverpool's defence might just be fatal mistake. I rather go with one and he is Robertson. Double up on man city's midfield

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

      why ? Easy transfer if it goes wrong

    2. Djemba12
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’m on double Liverpool defence and double city in midfield. Not a lot up top though

  20. lumzy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Think you have what it takes to top a fpl mini league then join mine for a chance to share a #fpl prize pot of £100!
    Fantasy.premierleague.com
    League code: rhgh89

    T&C Kindly follow us on twitter @fpl_rocks and RT

  21. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    My final problem is : Everton or City attack ?

    A : Richarlison
    B : Bilva

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

      Rich for ceiling, Bilva for floor

    2. Djemba12
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Bilva

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

      Both or none

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

    Got time for any thoughts on this lot for first couple weeks?

    Heaton (4.0)
    Trent VVD Digne Rico (Söyüncü)
    Salah Sterling Fraser Trossard (Donker)
    Wilson Kean (Greenwood)
    1.5 ITB

    Leaves options on Vardy Pérez Chelsea-mid Haller by wk3. Zouma Cancelo even new Capt D Silva as a punt. Or KDB / Pepe with 0.5 downgrade on the forwards.

    Cheers

  23. claretparrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    AWP and Zinch (+0.5)
    or
    Laporte and Montoya

  24. Tchalla
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Final draft before tonight's kick-off, good to go?

    Pope
    TAA, Robbo, Zinc, Digne
    KDB, Salah, Perez, Trossard, Sterling
    King

    (Button, Lund, Wickham, Greenwood)

    Any thoughts?

  25. Groß Point Blank
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How nailed is Moura? He’s definitely going to start the first 2 games right?

    Or should I just get Fraser instead?

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

      I’m going with Pérez and Martial for a longer run of starts but if your considering Moura I’d put in Lamela - should start tomorrow and 1.5 mil cheaper

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

    Rico or Daniels to start tomorrow? I see their new left back picked up an injury but now Daniels is fit?

  27. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best 4.5m defender?

  28. Djemba12
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Last minute tinkering!

    A - Sterling, Jota, King
    B - Auba, Dendonka, Che Adams

    Thoughts?

  29. jc001
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    not quite sold on this yet but... please RMT

    pickford, button
    VVD, AWB, digne, robertson, lundstrom
    salah, kdb, grealish, robinson, dendonker
    auba, wilson, greenwood

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

    GTG?

    Pope (McGregor)
    TAA VVD Digne Zinch Lund
    Sterling Salah Siggy Perez Dend
    Wilson King Greenwood