Captain Sensible

Kane and Sterling headline Gameweek 3 captaincy debate

Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are the three teams being considered for the Gameweek 3 captaincy.

They face Bournemouth, Newcastle and Arsenal respectively, and the lack of clean sheet potential for each of those opponents has some Fantasy Premier League managers scratching their heads.

In one sense there is plenty of choice for the armband in Gameweek 3, but a spread of potentially viable options can also increase the risk of falling behind.

As ever, we have assessed all the candidates based on their individual form and the defensive capabilities of their upcoming opponents in Captain Sensible.

As this article includes data from the Fantasy Football Scout Members Area, only those who have signed up for the 2019/20 campaign can access it in full.

Captain Poll

Captain Poll results as of Thursday morning

Harry Kane (£11.0m) is the people’s choice for the Gameweek 3 captaincy after he won the latest poll.

The Spurs forward claimed a 38.8% share of the vote this week ahead of Newcastle’s trip to north London.

It seems likely that his backers were swayed more by his Gameweek 1 display than the largely anonymous outing against Manchester City.

That is completely understandable given a meeting with Aston Villa is likely to bear more resemblance to a clash with Newcastle than visiting the reigning Premier League champions.

Against Villa, Kane topped the Gameweek 1 charts for shots in the box and scored twice.

This week’s runner up is Raheem Sterling (£12.2m), as Manchester City prepare for an away match at Bournemouth.

The England international currently shares the summit of the Premier League goal-scoring charts with Norwich’s Teemu Pukki (£6.8m) on four goals, having failed to blank yet so far this season.

That has led to 29% of the voters in our poll backing Sterling for the Gameweek 3 captaincy.

Bournemouth are certainly favourable opposition too, having failed to keep a clean sheet in either of their 2019/20 matches.

Furthermore, both of these were against newly-promoted sides Sheffield United and Aston Villa. That should see Manchester City prove too much for the Cherries.

Salah’s stock has fallen somewhat after Liverpool’s poor display at Southampton

Some way off in third place in the poll is Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Salah (£12.5m).

The fixture is definitely a favourable one for Liverpool’s attackers given that Arsenal kept the fewest number of clean sheets, but the captain interest looks to be elsewhere.

While Sterling and Kane are both sitting on more than 30% in the poll, Salah has just 6% backing at the time of writing.

It seems likely that the Gameweek 2 blank, in which Liverpool were severely tested by Southampton, has played a part in this.

Just behind Salah in fourth place is Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne (£9.6m) who has a 3.8% share.

After a seven-point haul in Gameweek 1, the Belgian international registered two assists and maximum bonus the following weekend to take home 11 points.

De Bruyne’s creativity is the key factor in his appeal, as well as reliability of returns for someone who seems nailed-on in this Manchester City side.

De Bruyne is seen as the alternate Manchester City option at this stage

However, the fact that he is not viewed as much of an ‘explosive’ option compared to Sterling, is probably why on a handful of Fantasy managers are considering him for the Gameweek 3 captaincy.

Creeping into the conversation already is Pukki, who lit up the transfer market this week following his hat-trick against Newcastle.

3.4% of the voters believe that he can continue his hot form against a Chelsea side still searching for its first clean sheet of the season.

Another in-form option is Anthony Martial (£7.7m), who scored his second goal of the season against Wolves in Gameweek 2.

The returning Son Heung-min (£9.5m) has been selected by 2.3% in the poll, although what role he will play on Sunday afternoon remains to be seen.

Lucas Digne (£6.0m), Sadio Mané (£11.5m) and Marcus Rashford (£8.6m) are the only other assets with more than 1% support in the poll.

Player statistics – Last two Gameweeks

Lessons learned from Gameweek 2

1,460 Comments Post a Comment
  1. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Gtg guys? Yes taking a gamble on Moura and Perez. Would you take another hit to change anything? Thank you so much.

    Ryan
    VVD Coleman Lund Laporte
    Salah Sterling Moura KDB Perez
    Pukki

    1. TRE2
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Gtg

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

    I’m on Pope on wc but just doesn’t feel right.

    Tempted to De Gea and AWB -> 4.5 as I already have 3 good defenders

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

      Choice of:
      5.5 keeper + 4.5 defender

      Or vice verca. Seems lots of value in defence and less in gk

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

    How im looking? Sadly for -8

    Pope
    Robertson, Coleman, Zincenko, Lundstram
    Salah, Sterling, Martial, Perez
    Kane(C), Pukki

    Dendoker, Greenwood, Kelly

    1. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      One Kane goal and the rest is gravy...
      G2G..!

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

        Hope so

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

    B.Silva + Auba + King -> Sterling, Rashford, Andone for (-4) ?

    If not, what do you recommend? Already have KDB, Salah, Moura and Perez

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Who on Earth is Andone? Guessing a very cheap striker with a couple of points.

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Brighton.

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      if 5m is the bracket for striker fodder why don´t you just go Wickham as he is a sub for Palace who will come in for some minutes every now and then. Andone is third choice for striker spot. Save 0.5 and get that fodder to actually play more (or at least consistently).Benteke not THAT good either so could even get starts

    3. De Gea is GOAT
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not worried about Moura and Perez?

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

        Worried, but need to fit in Sterling, he is a must. Perez has nice fixes for next two games, I am gonna ditch later for Cantwell. Thx - did not realize Andone is coming from bench.

  5. Pirlø's Pen
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Opinions please!

    A. Rashford, Montoya/Soyuncu rotation.

    B. Haller, Digne.

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Long term I like B, but A feels a bit safer this week.

  6. Unai123
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope or Heaton this week?

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

      I am stuck with this too

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

        same

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

    Hope the Grealish hoodoo continues tonight. 0-2 Everton 🙂

  8. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best option here:

    A: Salah + Kane + Perez + Pukki
    B: Salah + Vardy + Martial + KDB
    C: Kane + Martial + Vardy + Siggy
    D: Kane + Martial + KDB + Perez

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

      D

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

    please help = GTG?

    Bit worried about Ings or Cabellos vs. Cantwell:

    Team:

    lloris

    Robbo / VVD / Digne / Zinchenko / Lunstrum

    Sterling (c.) / Salah / KDB / Ceballos

    Ings

    Subs: Button / Cantwell / Greenwood / King

    1. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ings i would play no matter how, Brighton not that defensive unit they once were, and he is on pens. Between the two mids it´s difficult. My thinking is that both Norwich and Arsenal will score, but whom of those two, actually i am more inclined to think Cantwell in, Ceballos out. Partly because he is stationed higher on the pitch, home, vs away, Pool def better than Chelsea and while Ceballos had a great game vs Burnleyi would not be 100´% sure he starts away at Anfield.

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

        mate, this is gold and hugely appreciated. thank you! Ings missed a sitter tho and i suspect, wont start

  10. benpurser
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Perez + Che Adams > Martial + Wickham for -4

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

    Which option?

    A) Walker + McGinn
    B) Mina/Zinchenko + Mount

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

      Well, Walker could be Digne (on WC)

  12. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Play 2...
    A. Dendoncker (BUR)
    B. Lundstram (LEI)
    C. King (MCI)
    Or..
    -4 to switch King to sub 7.8m. Note - already had a hit 🙂

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

      A & B
      I wouldn't take a hit

  13. Snipez21
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I’m ready 2 FTs used, WC Still in pocket...

    Pope
    Zinchenko / Boly / Walker / Robbo
    Salah / Sterling / KDB / Tielemans / Martial
    Pukki

    (4.0 / Lundstram / Greenwood / Wickham)

    Captain on KDB right now!!!

    GL all.

  14. Lebowski85
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What's the deal with Soyuncu. Nailed?

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

      Yes has played well and was bought as a Maguire replacement

      1. Lebowski85
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sorted

  15. welshyoo
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Stupid to start lundstrem over VVD right?

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      ...

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

      Right

    3. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He who dares wins

  16. LMFAO
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    On a WC and wondering which is best..

    A) Kane, Martial, Montoya
    B) Rashford, Son, KWP

    Cheers

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

      Probably A for me...

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

      Definitely A

  17. Strangelove
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thinking of doing

    Robertson to AWB (current defence TAA-Robertson-Coleman)
    Then either
    A) Perez to Martial
    B) Lucas moura to Martial

    Worried that LM may not start and debating whether Perez needs one more week to prove himself...

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Tricky. Gambling on stick might be sensible but Perez hasn't been too influential and Sheffield are tough to beat.

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

      B

      Son back for Spurs

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

      Cheers... will dwell on it some more before pulling the trigger!

  18. evilfish
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Please put the following players in order. Playing, 1st Bench, 2nd Bench:

    a) Dendoncker
    b) Lundstram
    c) King

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

      Cab

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

        Thank you, you beautiful bovine.

  19. andres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A 4-5-1

    ryan (pope)
    awb Laporte kwp Lundstram (Pieters)
    sterling mange kdb Martial SON
    pukki (greenwood WICKHAM)

    B 4-4-2
    ryan (pope)
    awb Laporte kwp Lundstram (Pieters)
    sterling mange kdb Martial DENDO
    pukki FIRMINO (greenwood)

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

      mane in midfield 🙂

  20. Enes_Sahini1
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who to play?

    Deondecker McGinn Lundstram???

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

      McGinn

    2. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      McGinn

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

    Any help appreciated!

    A) Mount & Rashford
    B) Lamela & Vardy
    C) Trossard & Vardy

  22. zizoo10
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    This is for the non Kane owners.

    Hypothetically speaking, if Kane bangs in a hat trick and is brought in by managers at pukkis rate this gw, is that enough reason to activate wc immediately and bring him in?

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

      No, it's a sign we should bring in Deulofeu and Gray as clearly anyone scores against Newcastle.

      1. zizoo10
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        200iq

    2. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No, you're bringing him in for next week's fixture, not this week's.

      1. zizoo10
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        But they have a sea of green fixtures regardless

    3. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Probably not because as a premium forward Kane will never have a high enough long-term points/GBP.

  23. ITFC96
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hi all,

    WC team. Defence isnt the strongest but attack I am happy with.

    Pope

    Montoya, Söyüncü, AWB, Alderweireld
    Mane, KDB, Sterling, Martial
    Pukki, (K)ane

    4.0, Lund, Dendoncker, Wickham

    Gtg or should I try to upgrade a 4.5 defender?

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

      I've been toying with very similar. I'm still undecided between something like that (would have Zinc over Alderweireld) or Rashford Digne KWP.

      1. ITFC96
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I'm tempted by Zinch, just worried about rotation and wanted someone nailed. If i was to get digne in id probably downgrade martial to mount.

    2. zizoo10
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I tinkered with that attack on a potential wc but the defence is just not good enough. Perhaps go with 2x4.0 defenders and rotate Lund/Dendoncker or Cantwell.

      1. ITFC96
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Could go Martial & 4.5 for digne & Mount?

  24. dylano21
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Will Haller and Kean Start?

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

      Maybe - No

      (As a guess)

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

      Yes and 50-50.

  25. Hutchiniho
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A. Aubameyang and Lanzini

    Or

    B. Martial and Pukki

    Set and forget, rest of season. Not just W3

  26. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    G2G?

    Pope
    Robbo, Digne*, KWP
    Salah, Sterling(C), Martial, Trossard
    Vardy, Pukki, Jota

    Button, Montoya, Dendo, Hanley

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

      personally would ditch vardy asap

      1. AzzaroMax99
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Keeping for next two vs shu & BOU, then planning to swap with Barnes.

      2. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        because of no points vs wolves and united or that the next two fixtures is horrible?

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

    G"G?

    GTG?

    Bit worried about Ings or Cabellos vs. Cantwell:

    Team:

    lloris

    Robbo / VVD / Digne / Zinchenko / Lunstrum

    Sterling (c.) / Salah / KDB / Ceballos

    Ings

    Subs: Button / Cantwell / Greenwood / King

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Play King and bench Lundstrum. He won't get you points every week.

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

        king versus city?

        1. AzzaroMax99
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yep. He is on pens also.

  28. Strongylad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pick A or B
    A - TAA, Digne, Mane, Trossard
    B - Montoya, Zinchenko, Salah, Martial

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

    If you are persisting with 2 Liverpool defs, do you play both (VVD, Robbo) or benching one for Lund?

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

      Play both

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

      i like it but i am an arsenal fan so it's an emotional hedge. Post WC i most likely wont have two pool defenders

    3. Turns
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Think i'll play both. Arsenal still shoddy at the back, so attacking returns for both are possible

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

    Pick one to play:

    A. Lundstram
    B. Zouma
    C. Dendoncker