Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain for Gameweek 5?

Liverpool and Manchester City options are the key figures in the Gameweek 5 captaincy debate.

It’s a familiar story for Fantasy Premier League managers as the first international break of the season comes to an end.

There are favourable fixtures for both of last year’s top two sides, meaning that we must dig right down into the statistics to work out who the best captain option is.

In this latest Captain Sensible article, we will assess the results of the poll, assess the form of the key candidates and compare them against the defensive performances of their upcoming opponents.

As this uses data from the Fantasy Football Scout Members Area only those who have signed up for 2019/20 will have full access.

Captain Poll

The captain poll as of Thursday morning

After a relatively promising start to the campaign, Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) tops the captain poll ahead of Gameweek 5 when Newcastle will visit Anfield.

As of Thursday morning, the Egyptian has the support of 34.5% in the vote, 11% more than any other option.

Salah has been particularly impressive at home so far this season, scoring 12 points against Norwich on opening night before netting a brace for 15 points in a Gameweek 3 meeting with Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have conceded three times in away matches so far.

The current poll runner-up is Raheem Sterling (£12.3m) with the support of 23.5% of our voters.

That makes him the most popular Manchester City man for the captaincy ahead of a hugely appealing trip to Norwich on Saturday evening.

Despite a surprising blank at home to Brighton in Gameweek 4, Sterling remains the second-highest FPL scorer so far this season.

His 37 points have come from five goals, two clean sheets and four bonus and, as things stand, he is behind only Sergio Aguero (£12.1m) in the race for the Premier League golden boot (five goals).

Despite the Argentinian’s current goal-tally (six), having netted in every match so far, just 14.8% are considering him for the captaincy in Gameweek 5.

However, deciding between Aguero and Sterling this weekend could prove to be much of a muchness when you consider Norwich’s defence.

The Canaries have conceded more goals than any other side so far this season (10) and have a number of personnel problems in key areas with a handful of defenders and defensive midfielders out injured.

It is no surprise then, that Kevin de Bruyne (£9.8m) is also in the picture as the most popular of the differential options.

Just 4.3% voted for the Belgian in the poll but that small number may be on to something here.

De Bruyne has firmly re-established himself in the Manchester City team following a torturous 2018/19 campaign and has been in excellent form thus far.

He assisted in each of the first four matches and scored against Brighton to boot averaging nine points per game over that period. Against a ragtag Norwich defence, that trend could easily continue.

Pushing his way back into the differential thinking is Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.1m) who was backed by 3.9% for the Gameweek 5 armband.

Newcastle have not been particularly ruthless in front of goal this season, scoring three goals in four matches, while Liverpool showed signs against Burnley that they had solved some of their defensive problems from earlier in the campaign.

Fantasy managers will fancy Alexander-Arnold for a clean sheet this weekend then, while the right-back has been the most creative of his defensive colleagues, registering three assists so far.

Sadio Mané (£11.5m) is also considered among the left-field options, garnering 3.4% support in the Gameweek 5 captain poll, although he is yet to record any attacking returns at home this season.

Despite underwhelming in his last two outings, Harry Kane (£12.5m) is still in the picture to some extent, with 3% backing him for the armband ahead of Crystal Palace’s short trip to north London.

Sébastien Haller (£7.5m) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) are the only other options with more than 1% support.

Player statistics – Last four Gameweeks

1,336 Comments Post a Comment
  1. mad_beer ✅
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    I've been back in forth on this for the last week and a half.

    Lloris and Maguire to Pope and TAA for free?

    Yes or no?

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ya

    2. Blunder fc
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

    3. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yes for me

    4. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Without doubt

    5. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No brainier

    6. DOG GOD IT - KEANE 15
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yup

    7. mad_beer ✅
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks all!

  2. Digne do well
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Considering WC

    Tarkowski, Digne, Otamendi, Robertson
    Salah, Sterling, KDB, Mount
    Haller, Pukki

    Button, Lundstrom, Cantwell, Greenwood

    leaves 0.0 ITB
    Any opinions?

    1. Digne do well
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Cut off POPE in goal

    2. mad_beer ✅
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I like it but I always worry about double defense.

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Decent. Tarko down to one of the Burnley fullbacks and Robbo up to TAA?

    4. DOG GOD IT - KEANE 15
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Are you going to play 3 at the back?

      if yes, then Dig, Ota & Rob are generally regulars, and Lund can fill in once in a while. I would get another uber instead of Tark, and use the funds to upgrade Greenwood to a playing forward (Ayew?)

  3. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    which option is most important to fit in on a wildcard?

    A) TAA, Digne, Ota - Haller, Pukki

    B) Haller, Pukki, Barnes - TAA, Ota

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Barnes or Digne basically
      Digne

      1. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah, Barnes/Pukki or Digne

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Digne and Barnes?

      1. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Just don't want to miss out on Barnes or Pukki but I know it's the most sensible thing to drop one of them.

  4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Tempted to play
    Soyuncu(mun) over Montoya(BUR)
    Yay or nay?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Still leaning to Montoya, just

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

  5. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Decided I could keep WB this week, play Lund and get rid of Martial.

    Would you get DSilva as last City spot or look somewhere else? James, FAnderson, Mount?

    Have Sterling and KDB now.

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

      Maybe even Maddison?

    2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Between Maddison and Lanzini for me

  6. Vlad Tepes
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    So martial is 100% out?

    1. Party time
        4 years, 6 months ago

        No, 99.9%

      • Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Oui oui

      • FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        101%

    2. Mikha In A Tutu
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Team for this week:

      Pope
      Arnold Zinchenko Lundstram
      Mané Sterling (V) Ceballos Mount
      Aguero (C) Haller Pukki

      Heaton Cantwell Kelly Hanley

      Thoughts? I have a transfer available.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Until a few weeks time:
        Iwobi Lanzini rather than Ceballos Mount

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      1FT & 0.6ITB. Best move?

      A. Save
      B. Moura >> Dilva / James
      C. Moura+VvD >> KDB+Lowton

      Pope
      TAA • Digne • VvD • Zinch
      Salah • Sterling • Mount • Moura
      Pukki • Haller
      (Heaton, Greenwood, Dendonk, Rico)

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        B

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Who with?

          1. Fulchester's New Centr…
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Dilva deffo

    4. Geordie19
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Have 1.7 million in the bank. Is it worth taking Martial out for a -4 to buy a 9.3mil midfielder?
      Or shall I just play Cantwell or Soyunco? Thank you!

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        . 1 short of Pepe. Harsh

        1. Geordie19
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I know...fuming. Because I did Laporte to Ota. Can’t have em all I guess

        2. Klein
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Exactly thought this

    5. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      For people saying Sterling will be rested who do you think will start ahead of him ?

      Sterling Aguero Bilva
      Silva Rodri KDB

      I think he's a vital on citys left and more likely Mahrez will come in for Bilva who played 2 international matches for Portugal as well

      1. Klein
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Mahrez in for sterling. Walker providing width on one side and bilva on another. Just a thought.

      2. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Anyone's guess.
        I stopped trying last year

      3. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Really want you to be right but it's a fools errand predicting pep roulette once it starts

      4. ryacoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I think Sterling will start, it's more a case of how long he will stay on for for me.

      5. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Think is if Sterling starts he could easily score a hatty as almost norwich entire defence is injured and has been leaking goals for fun

        Can go safe with salah captain but newcastle back 5 has been tight this season

    6. Klein
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Dawson has the highest shot of any defender this season. With defensive manager back in action should be a great option once fixtures turn.

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Agreed

      2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah and a tried and tested player as well

      3. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Have to see them tighten up a bit first, else £5m is too steep for Watford defender despite attacking returns.

    7. Mini Mahouse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Otamendi, Guendouzi --> Lundstram, James

      Would this be a g ood move? On WC, team curerntly:

      Pope
      Otamendi Digne TAA Pieters
      Salah Sterling KDB
      Haller Barnes Pukki

      Button Cantwell Guendouzi Rico

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Don't do it.

    8. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      should i play AWB or transfer him out? I could just play Maitland Niles and bank the FT to use 2 FT next week.

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Play M-N

    9. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      What are the chances that Martial drops in price now? 3%?

      Will be funny to see him holding another week 😀

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I care less now that he is out.

    10. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Well fpl's plan failed.. They'll have let martial drop now 🙂

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

        Have some faith. They can easily hold for another week. 😉

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

        An algorithm failure. Clever.

      3. El-Kloppico
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        If they could wait for 2 weeks.. I guess they can still wait..
        but the number of people who'll ditch him today would warrant a -0.2 at once

    11. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Sheff Utd fans, any inside knowledge on Robinson's situation?

      Currently going into the GW with Greenwood/Dendo on the bench as the only cover for him and wondering whether to take a hit (selling Martial, who's also on the bench)

    12. Dilzy
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Time to get rid of Jota

      Best striker 6.0 and below?

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

        Might as well keep and save a transfer if you've hold this far. Get Haller or somebody in next week with 2 FT's.

      2. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        If you still have him, I would play this week but: Wesley - ok stats and fixtures. Ayew - cheap as chips.

    13. simong1
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      1FT, 0ITB.

      Worth a -4 to do AWB & Martial > TAA & Cantwell (would bench Cantwell this GW) with a view to replacing Jota with Haller next GW?

      Pope - Button
      AWB - VVD - Digne - Zinchenko - Lundstram
      Sterling (c) - KDB - Salah - Martial - Dendocker
      Pukki - Jota - Greenwood

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yes, would pay for itself straight away.

    14. FPL Bielsa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      To replace Martial should I do James or Mount ?

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Utd look shot. Mount.

    15. Yoshioka
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Have 3 city so can’t go Dilva

      (A) Lanzini
      (B) Ceballos
      (C) Richarlison
      (D) Iwobi
      (E) Mount
      (F) James
      (G) Other (if so who?)

      1. Klein
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I am going ceballos. All option look great.

      2. El-Kloppico
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        One player i'd love to own for the coming fixtures is Richa.. He's on fire and great fixtures. Ceballos, still not nailed and Lanzini, with the number of MID WHM have, I just can't decide.
        Mount a great prospect, so is James. But ManU looking woeful.

      3. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        G maddison

      4. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Listened to a bit of "Philharmony" yesterday after your post. "Funiculì, Funiculà" is awesome.

        I liked James until OGS presser, but now Ceballos.

        1. Yoshioka
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Awesome

    16. Klein
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Feels like haller is a trap. 2 games against norwich and watford, two of the worst defense in league have made him the best in all game. Gonna drop like a stone.

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        No. He is an excellent pick. Nailed talisman type player, really decent player and good team attacking stats

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

        Tammy feels more lika a trap than Haller to me.

        1. El-Kloppico
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Batshu got himself a brace for Belgium.. Might warrant a place from Lampard.

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

        WHU has more xG than Liverpool, lol.
        And they played with City.
        What are u talking about?

      4. Soto Ayam
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Agree...I'm not sold on haller hype either...need at least 10 games to judge him

    17. OneDennisBergkamp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Pope (Button)
      Pieters / Alexander-Arnold / Lundstram (Rico / Kelly)
      Salah / Sterling / De Bruyne / Martial (Cantwell)
      Barnes / Pukki / Abraham

      Is this a good wildcard?

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Martial red flagged.

      2. Mikha In A Tutu
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Rico going to be a starter or just bench fodder?
        Good team though. I always like to have rotating keepers but your choice!

    18. tibollom
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      worth taking a hit or hold Martial for now? I have used my FT but have 1.4 ITB so could upgrade elswhere for -4

      Heaton
      Ota Zouma VVD Lunds
      Salah Sterling KDB Dedocker
      Haller King

      Button, Greenwood, Rico, Martial

      1. soup natsi
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Good team this week, I’d hold. Have my FT but will keep Martial and play Soyuncu instead, can see a cheeky Lei cs

    19. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ryan button
      TAA digne AWB lundstram Kelly
      Sterling mcginn Salah cantwell dendonck
      Aguero Greenwood pukki
      1 FT 2.2 ITB

      Greenwood and AWB to barnes and Pieters (-4)? I'll bench cantwell & start lundstram
      Or something else?

    20. mlm
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Play pukki or mina?

      1. El-Kloppico
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        P

      2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Pukki going up against Stones & Ota - very likely to get chances, unless they have finally eradicated the lapses in concentration from their respective consciousness

    21. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Thoughts on Dilva as a Moura replacement? Or am I best taking a hit to get KDB involving a VVD downgrade?

      Pope
      TAA • Digne • VvD • Zinch
      Salah • Sterling • Mount • Moura
      Pukki • Haller
      (Heaton, Greenwood, Dendonk, Rico)

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        can you afford Richarlison instead? If so I would do that over Dilva

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Yes, got upto 8m to spend

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            IDK about anyone else but Richarlison looks like a good idea to me, many put off by the fact they either had him or Siggy at the start and Everton didnt do well in regards to returns for them.
            So they are a bad taste in the mouth round here, but he got a brace last week maybe he is going to have some form now.
            Out of all players I could want this week he is right near the top of the list personally

    22. Mr. Mystic
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      After seeing Martial is out, shall I go for Martial -> Mount (1 FT) , My bench player coming in for Martial would be Ings.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Tough one

        Ings can always haul - id play him personally

    23. KneejerkJoe
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      1FT

      A) Martial -》7.6m Mid (who?)
      B) Martial + Emerson -》TAA + 6m Mid (-4)
      C) Kane + Martial -》Wilson/Barnes/Pukki + Pepe (-4)
      D) Emerson -》Otamendi and Play 4-4-2, keep Martial

      Pope
      Lundstram KWP Digne
      Martial* Sterling KDB Ceballos
      Kane Firmino Haller

      ...Button Emerson* Cantwell Kelly

      1. KneejerkJoe
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        D* 4-3-3

    24. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      And the armband goes tooooo....

      A guero (excellent form, had a rest, weak defence fighting him, pens & less points for goals/no for clean sheet)

      Or

      B Salah (had a rest as well, good form, at home, pens (when Milner benched) & more points for goals/clean sheet)

      What to do lads? Ta and GL!

    25. Party time
        4 years, 6 months ago

        It is just stupid to sell Martial now after holding for 2 weeks

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          no its not. it was a mistake holding. sell.

          1. Party time
              4 years, 6 months ago

              I don't have him. I am referring to Mark & his disciples

            • FOO FIGHTER
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              This!

              Bit like egg in the face if you hold on any longer.

          2. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            no, that was the plan wasnt it? Wait until its 100% confirmed Martial is out and then remove him. Plus you had no drops, its perfect. I need to find out if Trossard is out

            1. Party time
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Trossard is out

            2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              What you talking about? It was stupid to wait to gather the info from pressers before selling him? Crazy talk

              1. Party time
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Hahaha... Martial would be fit next gw tho, so why sell 🙂

              2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                I'm looking forward to bringing him in when he's fit

                This injury buys me another week or two

                1. Party time
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Lol... That's what I will do also. Already gained value after selling 2 weeks ago, should bring back in & enjoy the ride 🙂

                2. My heart goes Salalalalah
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Not stupid. No value lost at least