Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 8?

Fantasy Premier League managers have been presented with another tricky captaincy debate for Gameweek 8.

Liverpool host a Leicester side looking very committed to breaking into the top four while rotation and injury fears plague our Manchester City assets.

We’ve assessed the key candidates for the armband this weekend using individual and team data.

As this uses information from the Fantasy Football Scout Members Area only those signed up for the 2019/20 season can access it in full.

Captain Poll

After ending his Premier League goal drought in Gameweek 7, Raheem Sterling (£12.1m) has returned to the summit of the latest captain poll.

The Manchester City midfielder comes into the weekend backed by 28% of those that have voted so far (as of Thursday lunch-time).

His owners will have been encouraged by two things they saw of Sterling midweek.

Firstly, he was rested for the majority of the win over Dinamo Zagreb, emerging only as a 56th-minute replacement for Bernardo Silva (£7.9m).

Secondly, Sterling was involved in both goals after he arrived on the pitch, reminding his owners what he is capable of.

Playing in a much more central location than we have seen in recent Premier League outings, the England international scored the opening goal and provided the assist for Phil Foden‘s (£5.2m) stoppage-time strike.

Meanwhile, Wolves come to the Etihad Stadium with just one clean sheet in their last six and a goals conceded tally that reads 11 in that time – an average of 1.8 per game.

We thought that Sterling might have to fight off some interest in Kevin de Bruyne (£10.0m) for the Gameweek 8 captaincy but his recent groin problem has drastically affected the poll results.

Before the injury was confirmed, the Belgian ranked third with a 15% share of the vote but in the last few days, he has dropped to eighth and the backing of just 3.2%.

Currently second in the poll is Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) who is still yet to blank this season.

He has scored in all but one Premier League match in 2019/20, and in all three at the Emirates Stadium so far.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth come to north London with no clean sheets on the road yet this season – which is why 20% of those who have voted in the poll fancy more attacking returns from Aubameyang on Sunday afternoon.

Sergio Aguero (£12.1m) has a fairly strong hold on third place in the poll, garnering the support of 12%.

His benching for the trip to Everton is probably enough to put some Fantasy managers off the Argentinian, especially given he registered 88 minutes against Zagreb.

However, if he does start, which he often does at the Etihad Stadium, Aguero is also without a blank this season. In three home matches, he has a total of four goals and two assists.

Teemu Pukki (£7.2m) may be without an attacking return on the road since Gameweek 1 but the Norwich forward has scored five of six Premier League goals at home.

Aston Villa come to Carrow Road this weekend having conceded seven times in their last three away matches in the top flight.

That combination of statistics will be why Pukki is the best of the rest in the top this week, pulling in 7.2% of the vote in the captaincy poll.

In fact, the Finnish striker has more support than Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) for the Gameweek 8 armband.

The Egyptian does arguably have a trickier fixture as Leicester come to Anfield in good form and praised for recent defensive displays.

However, Salah has been in exceptional form at home this season. In his first three Premier League matches at Anfield he has registered four goals and one assist, for an average of 12 points per game.

Should that form continue, the 6.7% of managers who captained him for Gameweek 8 will feel very happy indeed, especially with many looking elsewhere both for the armband and for transfers.

Son Heung-min (£9.7m) now has attacking returns in each of his last three league outings, and was one of the few players to score for Spurs in their absolute humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich midweek.

That has led to 4.7% of our voters backing him for the captaincy in Saturday’s lunch-time kick-off at Brighton.

Harry Kane (£11.0m) also found the net in that 7-2 defeat and has scored or assisted in each of his last four Premier League matches – hence the 3.2% interest.

Tammy Abraham (£7.6m) may have blanked in each of his last two at Stamford Bridge but he travels to Southampton on Sunday afternoon with six goals in each of his last three away matches in all competitions.

Therefore, 2.9% fancy him as an outside bet for the captaincy in Gameweek 8.

Sadio Mané (£11.6m) and Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) are the only other options with more than 1% backing.

Player statistics – Last four matches

Lessons Learned from Gameweek 7

1,395 Comments Post a Comment
  1. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Need to replace Hayden on FT with whom?

    1. Saka
    2. Dendo

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

      2

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

      Saka can start for you in KDB's place this GW, then ride the price rise if the punt works, and get Dendo with a FT when Laca returns

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

    Am I screwed? 1FT 0ITB!

    Pope
    TAA VVD Otamendi Lundstram
    Mane KDB Mount
    Aguero(c) Abraham Pukki
    Button James Geundouzi Soyunca

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

      No, as you have James to come in

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No

    3. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

    4. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Why would you?
      Good team good luck!

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

      Fully invested in the Pep roulette. Best of luck 🙂

      But no, you aren't screwed

    6. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Definitely not two good subs

      1. fr3d
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        What’s wrong with his subs?

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          🙂

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

            Good punctuation is the difference between helping your Uncle, Jack, off a horse and helping your uncle jack off a horse.

            1. Ask Yourself
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              I love animals I wouldn’t help a horse rider i don’t need punctuation there

    7. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      This a ridiculous post. Of course you aren’t screwed and I think you know that.

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Agree it's utter nonsense .

        1. Not again Shirley
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I mean it’s almost a template WC team lol

  3. Starlydon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What are the thoughts on lamela starting this weekend???

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Get rid!

    2. pitstop1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      50:50

  4. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Play:

    A) Lundstram (wat)
    B) James (new)

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B for me

      1. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        scratch that

        A could be better

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

      A
      B has been poor points wise, plays for a poor team, played midweek, lower ceiling, lower ownership etc

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

        Think Lundstram ownership could be very high this GW with KDB autosubs potentially

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

      B

  5. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    How much Martial dropped until last international break, something like 0.1 right ?
    KDB the same ?

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      If any, KDB depending on Pep´s presser

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

    Have 2 FT

    Sterling, Mane, Mount Cantwell*, KDB*
    Kane, Pukki*

    A Cantwell > Mcginn
    B KDB & Kane > Auba & Son
    C KDB & Pukki > Yarmo & Auba

  7. HAMMERTIME107
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who's better to play instead of Aurier this week? or I can take -4 to swap Aurier out??

    A | Kelly vs. West ham
    B | Rico vs. Arsenal

    Adrian
    Tomori | Aurier* | Cresswell
    Mcginn | Salah | Mount | Sterling
    Haller | Aubameyang | Vardy

    Button | Rico | Kelly | Cantwell

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

      1. HAMMERTIME107
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Surely more attacking threat from Rico as don't think either will keep clean sheets?

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Dont know if Kelly gonna play though...

  8. George Sillett
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Fair few on here dismissing Liverpool attackers on here due to "difficult fixtures". But are they actually difficult ?
    Leicester - tricky but should be a few goals
    Man Utd - in my world this is an easy fixture against a bad team.
    Spurs - in disarray with a defence which is highly questionable
    Villa - poor defensively
    Man C - as above .

    Mane or Salah a keep for me.

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Too many "one heres"

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      100% - some people just look at the pretty colours on the ticker.

    3. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Man utd have been poor for a good few years and pool havent beaten them at OT since Gerrard scored 2 pens.

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        But they are a whole new level of shite now

    4. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      None of the fixtures except for City will be difficult. City match at Anfield too.

      GW13 to 21 = Salah auto captain.

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Apart from their blank week of course 😉

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Actually, Salah 53 points so far. If you had captained him each GW so far = 106 points.

          Your captain first of all needs to be a guaranteed starter and consitent. Salah tick both those boxes.

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            *consistent*

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

            Liverpool has a suspended match in that run. GW18 or 19. That's what Jarv meant

            1. FOO FIGHTER
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              So that means double GW on the cards. Captains paradise...

          3. Now I'm Panicking
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            He ain't scoring any points when they don't have a fixture 🙂

            1. Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              But yes - interesting stat on Salah - I doubt many on here have scored more than 106 captaincy points so far.

              1. davidfromkent
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                No, 106 exactly with 2 of those weeks being Sterling misfires, gameweek 4(6), gameweek 5(4).

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

      I actually think there'll be more goals in Liverpool vs City than Liverpool vs Leicester

      This might be the first time I'll be tempted to cap a City or Liverpool asset against the other. Both defences currently crumble under the high press. Didn't happen last season... Maybe Alisson's return would change a few things for City assets, but it's not that bad a game for Salah, Mane and Firmino with City's current defensive issues

  9. Jässi
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    With Fabianski out, would you consider their 2nd goalkeeper Roberto at only 4.4m price? I have currently Ryan/Button, but could switch Ryan to someone else when I use wildcard.

    1. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      i dont know why but i never wanna get rid of ryan

  10. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Anthony Martial (thigh), Luke Shaw (hamstring) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (illness) are also set to sit out the Newcastle game and Jesse Lingard is out with a hamstring strain he tweaked at Alkmaar.

    https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-team-news-newcastle-17029210.amp?kop=&__twitter_impression=true

    Latest MEN article says AWB will miss out.

    1. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Newcastle on 4/1 home win Banker

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

        That is a great price.

      2. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Wow - getting on that!

    2. Squeakybum99
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pogba as well.

    3. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Ole is wheely unlucky

  11. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope
    Digne TAA Ota
    Mount Salah Sterling KDB*
    Abraham Pukki Greenwood
    (4.0 Soy Rico Dendoncker)

    0.4ITB & 1FT

    Concerns with KDB probably out, a weak bench and Greenwood starting. Any suggestions?

    1. Rbyrne95
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      same issue, I can't decide whether it will be better to swap KDB to Mahrez or not. Maybe even the option to change Dendoncker to Saka

  12. Rbyrne95
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Need some help with this issue here and wondering what folks are on KDB this week?
    If KDB & Cantwell are both out, which option is better?
    A) KDB > Mahrez
    B) Cantwell > saka

    Mahrez would free up more £ for maybe vardy soon. Could always -4 Aguero to take in Auba too but dont think thats worth a -4

  13. trinzoo
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) Greenwood (new)
    B) Guilbert (nor)
    C) Montoya (TOT)

    Who to play or put 1st sub with KDB in the team?

    1. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      guilbert , could get attacking returns

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

  14. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    So i have Kdb (will play Cantwell or Mings)

    Should I do

    Mane➡️Sterling(c) for free???

    Or save FT?

  15. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Just looked at my 1st 7 weeks teams. I am averaging 2 non starters a game so far and Citeh are culprits.
    Sterling KDB and Mahrez triple up provided 2 decent benchers a good call?

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      yep, sounds reasonable with bench players like cantwell, lundstram, etc...

      1. Jebiga
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        tomori

      2. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I have them and Soyuncu my third. That is why it is so tempting.

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      The trouble is with that the bench players in most cases won’t get on because of cameos.

      1. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Depends which.

        Sterling always sits out.

        I think it's as good a tactic as any

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Sterling,KDB look pretty safe. All or nothing.

          Probably means picking one of Mahrez,Dilva and Bilva along with the 2 stars.

      2. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Very true but there will always be risks; especially Mahrez. It is what is putting me off ATM

  16. HaffNanner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any thoughts on this WC?
    Plan to swap Auba back to Salah after GW12.

    Pope (Button)
    TAA Otamendi Tomori (Soyuncu Lundstram)
    Sterling KDB Mount McGinn (Dendoncker)
    Aubameyang Vardy Abraham

    Current team:

    Pope (Button)
    TAA Digne Lundstram (Soyuncu Rico)
    Salah Sterling KDB Mount (Dendoncker)
    Pukki Barnes Abraham

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

      4 players is about the lower limit I would consider a wildcard. Could you not do it over 2 weeks for a -4 or -8, then wildcard around 12 or later to take advantage of the Liverpool / City fixture shift?

      1. HaffNanner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yes that's probably the more sensible approach. Looking at it again I probably shouldn't shift Pukki before Villa at home either. Thanks.

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

          I have Auba, Barnes & Pukki, I'll be moving Son + Barnes to Vardy + Maddison after the IB. Although Auba, Vardy & Abraham would definitely be my preferred front 3. You have a nice team going forward.

      2. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        City don't have fixture shifts.

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

          In that case you could reasonably argue that neither do Liverpool. Yet a number of people are shipping their Liverpool assets for the next 5-6 weeks. From 12-17 City have Liverpool & Arsenal away, Chelsea and United at hime with 2 more away games at Newcastle & Burnley. Only 28-32 is tougher for City.

          1. George Sillett
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Agree with this too. I just wouldn't be swapping out any City or Liverpool players for reasons other than injury.

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

              Yes I think that's a sensible strategy. Their players will probably occupy most of the top scoring slots by the end of the season. Like a number of people I started with 2 Liverpool defenders. I felt too much money was invested in my defence and I was losing out on KDB, Pukki etc so I moved the money forwards. I can see myself ending the season with 2 liverpool defender and definitely a liverpool triple up in the coming weeks.

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      same same
      same same Rose same same
      same same Son same Cantwell
      Firmino Pukki same

      Very little difference
      Likes Vardy and Auba
      Find a way not to use the WC

  17. fakelund
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    GTG?

    Pope
    TAA, Lundstram, Zinchenko
    Cantwell, Mane, Mount, Sterling
    Abraham, Auba (c), Pukki

    Heaton, McGinn, Tomori, Kelly

  18. Aftermath
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Team gtg?

    Heaton
    TAA Otamendi Lundstram
    KDB Son Mahrez Yarmolenko
    Auba(C) Vardy Tammy

    Button Rico Aurier Hayden

    Saving ft and risking a KDB no show

    1. CelticBhoy1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Nice team

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

      I would use it kdb is very unlikely to feature and rico likely to get 0 and the other two on ur bench are out so i would use the ft to get atleast one decent sub if u comfortable with playing 10 and rolling the ft then go for it

  19. Jeremy Corbyn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Even at 50% chance of playing, RMT suggests fielding KDB over Ceballos LMAO

  20. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    In regards to KDB

    Let Cantwell come in as first sub or a -4 to get Mahrez?

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

      cantwell might be out as well wait for news

  21. Michu 9
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who to captain?

    A)Aguero
    B)Salah
    C)Pukki
    D) Aguero—> Aubameyang (c)

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

  22. ohoracon
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Barnes & Cantwell -> Yarmo & King for a hit?

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

      no

  23. Squeakybum99
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Play Kelly to cover Kdb or do dendo to Saka to cover Kdb?

  24. LochineFDC
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hello everyone,

    Would you rather do,
    Kane - > Aubameyang
    or go
    Cahill -> Otamendi for this week please.

    If i go Auba route I'm bringing back Kane for next week. Do you guys think its worth it or save it for the next week.

    Thanks

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

      hokey cokey rarely ever works
      kane has brighton this week if u want him next week might as well keep

  25. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Long term
    Yarmolenko Or Maddison?

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Maddison

  26. trinzoo
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I think I decided on KDB/Barnes > Yarmo/Auba for a hit...

    KDB always needs a few matches after an injury to get back to the top form he had, still have Sterling and Salah and WC to play as well.

    1. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Do we actually know anything solid about his injury.

      Seems very risky to think he'll 'need a few games' based on, well, almost nothing

      Look what he's done in a 'few games' so far

      1. trinzoo
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Ofc, I will wait for Peps presser!

        Just thinking Auba is a must this gw and the next few as well

  27. Dybala10
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    No Sterling, Aguero or Auba makes (c) very tricky.

    Not sure I'm happy captaining any of: Salah, Abraham, Son or Pukki.

    God damn KDB.

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Salah performance midweek = he is about to explode.

  28. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Dendoncker, Montoya or Soyuncu first on bench? (I've got KdB)

  29. ryacoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Looking to downgrade Digne and make Lundstram a starter most weeks. Just need someone to cover GWs 9, 12 and possibly 13. Best option?

    A) Tomori (NEW, CRY, mci) - would have to play Lund against MUN rather than Tomori vs mci.

    B) Guilbert (BHA, wol, NEW)

    Someone else?

    1. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I looked into this in detail and arrived at the conclusion that it just wasn't worth it. Rotating Lund with a 5th mid, he'll likely come off the bench on occasion anyway

      Went Digne to Pereira and paid off handsomely

      1. ryacoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        The performance against Liverpool confirmed it for me - Lundstram always involved in some key attacking moments each game and Sheff Utd continue to look capable of a CS in most games.

  30. nadman89
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    how many people are looking at buendia ? i dont have pukki and can do kdb to buendia i guess as cover , what do you think?

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

      Buendia’s ICT stats look exceptional.

    2. Wiseguy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Umm... not for me. If you are going to sell KDB, you can add premium.

    3. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Cantwell and Pukki in the way for me. If I had no Cantwell i would consider it if I had the extra money. But not for KDB