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. Gordon Cole
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Exciting one: Dunk or Montoya?

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

      Wingback vs CB. I chose wingback

      Although I feel this is the time to sell Brighton defence, not buy... Predicting one CS in their next 8 games

      1. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        3 pretty good fixtures in the next 4, seems an odd time to sell?

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Monty, as he’s slightly more exciting.

    3. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I prefer Montoya.

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

      Montoya

    5. A19
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Montoya

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

    Bottomed.
    What are we guys doing with Zinchenko next week? Zinch --> Laporte?

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

      why aren't we keeping?

      1. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Mendy’s back in training.

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

          Pep said a month though. He promised.

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

      What's happening next week?

      Pep said Mendy needs to train for a full month without issues to be considered for the squad. Mendy just resumed training

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

        Yeah, you tell em.

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

      Don't know what next week holds yet.

    4. Da Funk
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pep yesterday: "The first target is be fit rather than to play. To train regularly for a month then he has a chance to play."

    5. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure about next week but a month until mendy returns in fpl terms is just 2 to 3 games due to the IB.. So consider doing it soon

    6. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Why would you do that?

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

      'We'?

  3. rrcmc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Folks
    Current team 5-4-1 for this gameweek:
    Ryan
    Digne, VVD, AWB, Monty, Lundy
    Tielemens, Sterling, KDB, Martial
    Kane
    Subs: Wood, Dendoncker, Jota, Pope
    Should I sub out either Monty, Lundy, Tielemens for Wood, Jota or Dendonker
    thoughts very much appreciated.

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

      I'd play Wood and Jota over Monty and Lundstram.

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

        that's the other option isn't it but both Lundy and Monty seem so involved and attacking; Lundstrum is basically a mid with clean sheet potential. Jota on a european night out might not be so good. Wood has been anonymous on the goals front.

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

    As a more longer/ medium term option (played my wildcard) - which do people think is better combo?

    KDB + Pieters (or another 4.5), or
    Martial + Wan Bissaka

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

      Just got to get in KDB.

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

      Martial + Coleman

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

      Martial over KDB imo

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

        wow

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

      Thanks everybody - I do already have sterling so got city coverage.

      Alternatively could swap Son for Martial but haven't got any spurs, and he usually does well.

      Coleman is an interesting one though

  5. Sean
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    El Mohammedy (EVE)
    Dendoncker (BUR)
    Wood (wol)

    Have to play 1, any suggestions?

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

      Mohammedy!

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

      Wood

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

    A dendo Firmino (play 4-4-2)
    B Son Wikcham (play 4-5-1)

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

      I would go with A personally. Not a big fan of Wickham

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

    New to draft so unsure of best tactics. Would you get in Mendy for Boly? I have zinch so will cover any rotation now mendy is back in training

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

      Could be shrewd if you have other nailed starters in defence.

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

        I have Matip but rest are nailed

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

      you should easily be able to pick up one of Boly/Coady/Bennett later on if you want Wolves defence back, Mendy is obviously a significant upgrade if starting

  8. Drexl Spivey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Heaton or Pope?

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

      P

    2. A19
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pope

    3. Da Funk
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Heaton

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

    How many points do we think Salah will get this season?

    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Between 260 and 310

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

        So he's still a good option to keep?

        1. Valar(Keith)
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I'm keeping him until injury. Best option in the game imo and according to everyone else too until they got their memory erased by the MIB last week

      2. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I know where this is going.. I can see mane scoring under 250 and Sterling scoring around 250 due to a rest here and there.

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

          Mané will outscore Salah this season. Or at least be so close that he's better value.

          1. Valar(Keith)
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Cool. I'd agree about value if they were 2 million apart.. At 1 million apart that's a huge risk to take for me atleast. To each their own

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

      230+

    3. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      250ish. Highest scorer, again.

      Love him or hate him, he is Mr Consistent.

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

        Yeah - shame about the BPS but he is Mr Consistent

      2. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yup. This

    4. A19
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Keep him, he'll get 250+ points. Last year selling him killed my or as he kept scoring. Salah is just a set and forget in the team

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

        Sold him for Mané in January last season. Worked out great.

        1. A19
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Lucky you! I sold him for Sterling mid-December and went from 3k to 40k in two weeks time! It was not only him but he played a big part in that. GL for this year

  10. 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!

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

      I think B, Pukki looks solid performer and martial has OOP benefit. That being said Auba will have a good season ( but my only doubt is will Laca and Pepe have a better one)

      Recommend Cabellos as potential bargain into Arsenal.

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

    Am I right in thinking there won't be any further price changes before the deadline today?

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

      Also, is it locked until midnight tomorrow or points change around midnight tonight?

      1. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        There will be price changes tonight in the early hours.

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

        Price changes are never locked. Should be 2:30am again, and it seems likely there will be changes again as some players are close

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

          This

    2. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Correct.

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

        Cheers 82

  12. gunner1994
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which two to play out of:

    Perez
    Gudmundsson
    King
    Ceballos

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

      Perez and King

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

    salah / rashford , captain ?

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Salah over Rashford, IMO.

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

      Salah

  14. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Just 2 questions.

    Play Pope (wol) OR Heaton (EVE)?
    Play Diop (wat) or Wilson (MCI)?

  15. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Play 2 from:

    A) Zinchenko (bou)
    B) Wilson (MCI)
    C) Lundstram (LEI)
    D) Dendoncker (BUR)

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A &C

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

      A and c or d

  16. Efan Ekoku Pops
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I need to play one of these:

    A) Dendoncker
    B) King
    C) Lundstram

    Cheers

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Lundstram

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

      Agreed C

  17. Gaffa914
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Barkley to Mount for a FT?

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

      Yes

  18. korbendallas82
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ahmed ElMohamady 3 bonus points, in the game Aston Cilla lost 2-1. He did not get assist/goal. That is very rear i see. No clean sheet for defender, and bonus.

  19. psyurmh
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Morning guys, Maguire or Coleman?

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

      For now, Coleman.

      I think AWB is the Utd defender to get. Although I would be worried about his lack of attacking threat, and potential to pick up a fair few YC's.

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

        I thought attacking threat was improving - almost got an assist. Would say whichever team you think is going to get more clean sheets over next 4/5 games

  20. Energetics
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Heaton (Pope)

    Robertson AWB Coleman Zinchenko (Lundy)

    Salah KDB Martial Ceballos (Docker)

    Kane (C) Greenwood (King)

    Good to go?

    Considering Salah to Sterling -4, I really fancy Sterling to score a couple and would Captain him.

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Taking Salah out for a hit just sounds wrong, I'd keep.

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

      Don't take Salah out for a hit, sterling may do great but risk + point cost not worth it

  21. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Can't believe I forgot the fact that Everton defence has been fixture-proof in 2019. It's easy to think their two clean sheets so far have been down to "easy opposition"

    Seems I might double up soon

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

      Very good at home, but bench them against City.

  22. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I'm wild carding this week and it's just dawned on me that there being a Friday game has really screwed things up for me in terms of catching price rises and gaining team value. That one day less of price rises is potentially going to stop me getting the one more price rise that I need to gain 0.1m. Sucks!

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

      Well you would want to be engaging the wild card on Sunday, Today at the latest anyway.

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

        Eh?? Obviously I haven't triggered the wildcard only today! I did it on Sunday. None of the players I brought in have risen twice and won't now as the GW deadline is tonight.

  23. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    G2g for GWk 3??

    Pope
    Robbo/ VVD/ Digne/ Lundstram
    Sterling(c)/ Salah/ Trossard/ Perez
    Kane/ Pukki

    Bench:: Button/ Dendoncker/ Greenwood/ Kelly

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Looks good, all set.

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

    Robbo+B Silva+ Wilson to Pieters+KDB+Pukki for a -4 this week? Or keep Wilson and not do a -4?

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

      Cant you just do Robbo and Bilva to Pieters and KDB?

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

    Good to go? 🙂 Good luck everyone!

    Heaton
    TAA • VVD • Digne • Zinchenko
    Salah • Sterling(C) • Moura • Martial
    Pukki • Jota
    (Pope, Dendonk, Greenwood, Rico)

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      For sure, looks good.

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

        Pope vs Heaton too close to call. I’m going Pope.

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

          Yeah. Tough one that

  26. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I want to make up for all my wrong doings in life by taking a - 100 should I do it or not?

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

      "I want to improve my life via suicide"

      Scary post

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

      Yeah do it

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

      Yes

  27. Jack Kemp
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How is Doherty, Laporte, Shaw for a back three this week? Rate my team suggests good returns from all

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

      Why Shaw?

      1. Jack Kemp
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Higher expected points than other united defenders for this week going by rate my team.

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

    Need to choose 2 of Lundstram (LEI), Tielemans (shu), Dendoncker (BUR), Kean (AVL). Thoughts?!

    Currently going with Lund/Kean

  29. raymond_terrific
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    GTG?
    Ryan
    VvD KWP Digne
    Salah Sterling (c) Martial Moura
    Wilson Barnes Adams

    Pope Söyüncü Lundstram Dendy

    Both FTs used this week - cheers!

  30. Kizza_10
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Can I get people’s thoughts and advice on this team please:

    Ederson
    Wan B VVD Mina
    Ceballos Strerling Mane KDB Martial
    Pukki Barnes

    Subs: Button, Lundstram, Kelly, Greenwood

    My main concern is not owning Salah. Do you think it’s a viable option to have Mane as “cover” for Salah ?