Captain Sensible

Who is the best FPL captain for Gameweek 12?

Liverpool and Manchester City’s Sunday afternoon clash has complicated the Gameweek 12 captaincy debate.

Fantasy Premier League managers are largely steering clear of their table-topping premium options this weekend, with a greater focus on the cheaper assets in their teams.

Leicester, Chelsea and Wolves appear to be three sides at the heart of the discussion according to the polls.

As ever, we’re here to assess each candidate on both their own merits over the last four Gameweeks as well as their opponents’ defensive form.

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

Captain Poll

It’s been tough keeping this to ourselves and making no comment at all, especially when some of the results have been leaked. Now we know for certain which player has won the captain poll.

We have saved and screenshotted the results which clearly show just one player has emerged as the winner.

It’s ………Jamie Vardy (£9.4m).

The results of this week’s captain poll

The Leicester City forward has been in exceptional form this season and currently sits top of the Golden Boot race with 10 goals.

Seven of those have come since Gameweek 7, where his form has really raced into life from a Fantasy perspective.

Since that 5-0 win over Newcastle, Vardy has averaged 9.6 points per game.

In Gameweek 12 he goes up against an Arsenal defence that has conceded an average of 1.4 goals per away game this season.

Furthermore, Vardy has scored eight times in as many Premier League starts against the Gunners.

All of that has contributed to 39.7% of voters in our poll selecting him as the best captain option for Gameweek 12.

Abraham is the second-most-popular option in the Gameweek 12 captain poll

Tammy Abraham (£7.9m) has his hands on second place with 23.4% of the vote.

This weekend, Chelsea host Crystal Palace in a match that could finally see their number one centre-forward even out the balance between his home and away form.

In the last four Gameweeks, Abraham has four attacking returns although all of those have come on the road.

Will some Fantasy managers be put off by the fact that just two of his 11 attacking returns in 2019/20 have come at Stamford Bridge? Perhaps. We recently did an analysis of this subject in a Members article.

Jiménez (left) is on course for a bronze medal in this captain poll

A long way off in third-place in the captain poll was Raúl Jiménez (£7.2m) who pulled in the support of 5.9% before hosting Aston Villa.

This Midlands rivalry contest could see plenty of goals, especially considering that Dean Smith’s men have conceded an average of 2.2 goals per away match this season.

Meanwhile, Jiménez is enjoying something of a Fantasy renaissance of late with four attacking returns (two goals, two assists), since Gameweek 8.

Despite going six league matches in a row without a goal, Teemu Pukki (£6.8m) is currently fourth in our captain poll with 3.3% of the vote.

That support is probably almost entirely influenced by the fact that Watford have conceded 23 goals this season – the third-worst.

However, it must be highlighted that Quique Sanchez Flores has been slowly improving the Hornets’ back-line recently.

In the last four matches, they have kept two clean sheets and went close to a third against Spurs.

Mané is the most fashionable asset for the captaincy from Liverpool’s next fixture

Sadio Mané (£12.0m) is the most popular asset from Liverpool and Manchester City’s encounter as far as captaincy is concerned.

2.9% of our voters have backed him for the armband and, on closer inspection, it hardly seems a strange decision to do so.

You have to go back to Gameweek 3 for the last time that Mané failed to register attacking returns in a home game.

Since then he scored 15 points against Newcastle, notched up a 12-point haul when Leicester came to Anfield and earned a penalty against Spurs in Gameweek 10 for five points.

Meanwhile, Manchester City’s defence has raised some eyebrows of late and they could also be without goalkeeper Ederson (£6.1m) on Sunday afternoon after he picked up an injury midweek.

There isn’t much backing for other cast members for this potentially title-deciding clash. 1.7% have voted for Sergio Aguero (£12.0m), 1.3% for Raheem Sterling (£12.1m), 1.1% for Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) and 0.9% for Kevin de Bruyne (£10.2m).

Harry Kane (£10.8m), Anthony Martial (£7.6m), Christian Pulisic (£7.3m), Todd Cantwell (£4.7m), John Lundstram (£4.8m), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) and Marcus Rashford (£8.5m) are the other options on more than 1% support.

Player statistics – Last four Gameweeks

1,114 Comments Post a Comment
  1. YEAH PITCH!
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Choose 2 to play

    A) Rico away to Newcastle
    B) Aurier home to Sheffield Utd
    C) Van Dijk home to Man City

    1. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Mmm. I think actually Liverpool Man City could be goalless. Plus always the chance VVD can get attacking returns. So I'd go A and C

      1. YEAH PITCH!
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Thank you. Think Spurs will concede?

        1. bigbudgie
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I expect you'd get decent odds on a Spurs CS

      2. bigbudgie
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        that actually is a stupid comment. But you probably get what I mean

    2. Francescoli
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A and B

    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A and B

    4. Party time
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Aurier ofcourse! If he starts I am very sure he should boss the baps, get attacking returns & a likely cleansheet. Just need him to start this weekend

        1. Party time
            4 years, 4 months ago

            A&B

        2. Big Al Stankovic
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Aurier and vvd.

      • Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Morning lads, what do I do here? Got 2FT, prolly wanna use one FT and 0.7 ITB, cheers!

        Heaton,Button
        Otamendi,TAA,Chambers,Rico,Lundstram
        Sterling,Salah,Kdb,Mount,Cantwell
        Pukki,Wesley,Abraham

        1. fridge
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Pukki > Jiminez?

        2. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Pukki to Jimi

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

          No Leicester. Plus Ota. I’d move OTA to Sky and pocket extra to upgrade attack in future or move for Perreira for ‘the run’.

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

            Soy not sky

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

              Thx

      • Daghe Munegu
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Hello everyone. Who would you bench guys?

        A Rico
        B Ayew
        C Yarmolenko

        1. Francescoli
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          A

        2. Capi44
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I have Yarmo and I'll bench him; after last week's performance, I think Pellegrini will start with Lanzini tomorrow.

      • snowman
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Guys have 4.1 ITB where to invest?

        Pope Gazza
        TAA Tomori Rico Lundstram
        Mane Pulisic Tielmans Dendoncker
        Abraham Vardy Jiminez

        1. Francescoli
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          You’re missing a defender, so I guess buy one of those?

          1. snowman
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Oops it’s Soy

        2. Another Hoops
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          You're also missing a midfielder but I dont think you can get anyone decent for 4.1 pal

      • Francescoli
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Can’t pick between Jimenez and Vardy for the armband...

        1. SpoonPants
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I am going with Jimi if that helps sway you

          1. Francescoli
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Yep currently on Jimi. Vila conceding so many shots in the box is swaying me towards him.

        2. Another Hoops
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          If you're chasing Jimmy. If youre leading Vardy.

      • Farke in hell
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Bench one:

        Trent, Robertson, Lord Lund

        1. SpoonPants
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          No thanks

        2. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          None.

        3. Another Hoops
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Any chance you could just bench the other 2 defenders

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

          No, play them all

      • J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        What’s spurs RB or LB is nailed for this weekend?

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

          Like trying to figure out Pep defence selection.

        2. Big Al Stankovic
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Not so sure about nailedness, but I’d assume it will be aurier and rose.

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

          aurier should start

        4. Me Spurs
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          My guess is aurier and Davies

        5. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Thanks all

      • CostaCoffee
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I want to captain CHO but I don’t think my balls are big enough

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

          8 goals in last 4, 10 goals in last 6 scored by Chelsea versus palace home and away. Do think Cho will start, so is there enough upside?

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

          Christ no!

      • fridge
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Anything worth a hit here with 4m in the bank?

        Pope
        Soyuncu. Tomori. Lundstram
        Salah. KDB. Mount. Maddison
        Jiminez. Vardy. Abraham

        Button. Dedonker. Maitland. Montoya

        1. CostaCoffee
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          No

        2. Another Hoops
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Your team looks great and I've only got £37.16 in my bank. Stop bragging.

      • AD2110
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Which 3 to play this weekend:

        A) TAA
        B) Robbo
        C) Soy
        D) Lund
        E) Rico

        1. CostaCoffee
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Trent Robbo Rico

        2. Daghe Munegu
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          ABE

        3. fridge
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          First 3 for me

        4. bigbudgie
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          A,B, then toss a coin, although Spurs likely to score

          A and B pretty much the only defenders in the game where a clean sheet is irrelevant and they still have a great chance of getting points

          1. Another Hoops
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            ABD.

      • snowman
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Tielmans or Maddison long term?

        1. bigbudgie
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Whichever one you don't pick will do better

        2. fridge
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Was trying to decide this and went Maddison, unless you need the cash...

      • Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Team and subs in the right order here? OFT btw

        Ryan
        TAA Lundstram Soyunchu
        Mane Sterling Mcginn Mount*
        Jimi Abraham Vardy (c)

        Subs Tomori Rico Dendoncker

        1. CostaCoffee
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Start Tomori over Soy or Lund

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

          I'm playing Rico over Soy

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

          I'd start Tomori

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

        Which two to bench from
        A: Taa
        B: Rico
        C: Tomori
        D: Lundy
        E: Lascelles

        Thinking of starting ABC with Lundy 1st sub if Mount doesn’t play

        1. CostaCoffee
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Play ACE

        2. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I agree

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

          ACE

      • FPL ElasticO
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Is Vardy a must have even in expense of Salah & Sterling??

        1. Party time
            4 years, 4 months ago

            I would pick Vardy over Sterling all day long

          • Another Hoops
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Not a must have but I dropped Aguero for him and feel a lot more comfortable.

        2. Kiwi Don
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Who is the best Spurs asset?

          A) Kane
          B) Son
          C) Alli

          1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            B

          2. Party time
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Sonny

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

              B

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

            Have following question regarding my team, all thoughts appreciated

            1) Mount to Pulisic for free or keep FT?
            2) Changes to bench and (c)?

            Pope
            TAA/Tomori/Rico
            Mane/KDB/Maddison/Mount*
            Auba/Vardy(c)/Tammy

            Button/Lund/Soy/Hayden

            1. Another Hoops
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Save. Mount is tagged but I believe he more nailed than Pulisic. If he doesn't play this week you have God coming off your bench.

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

                God? Haha!

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

            Any news on Mount, will I start him or bench him for Tomori??

            1. Burger_and_Chips
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              He's been back in training and Lamps loves him so I reckon Mount is good to go

          5. Burger_and_Chips
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Morning chaps,

            I've got Ederson in goal with Button back up.

            A. Shall I risk it and keep him? Doubt he's gonna be fit to play.

            B. Swap him for someone else and take a -4 hit? Alisson?

            Thoughts?

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

              Expensive GK's = waste of funds.

          6. Jinswick
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Mendy to go first here?

            Ryan
            TAA, Digne, Mendy
            Salah, Sterling, Mount, Dendoncker
            Abraham, Pukki, Wilson

            Button, Cantwell, Soyuncu, Lundstram
            Bank 0.0m, 1FT, WC available

          7. Azathoth
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            CP hasn't got a CS away but
            Chelsea have scored 18 times on the road this season compared to just 7 at Stamford Bridge, and of the 9 goals Tammy has scored,only 2 have come at home.

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

              Cheers, plus 8 goals in last 4 / 10 goals in last 6 scored by Chelsea versus palace home and away.

            2. CostaCoffee
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Chelsea just scored 4, (+2 disallowed) at home

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

            Think it is crazy not to cap Vardy gor GW12.

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

              *for*

            2. Jealous Viper
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              I'm capping Kane:)

          9. dunas_dog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Is it worth playing WC for

            Salah to Mané
            Greenwood to Jiminez
            Sterling to Martial
            Diop to Robertson
            Cancelo to Lundstram
            Pope to Gazzaniga
            Cantwell to Dendoncker
            Mount to Pulisic ( if out)

            Gazzaniga
            TAA Rico Robertson
            Mane KDB Martial Mount ( or Pulisic)
            Abraham Vardy (c) Jimenez

            McGovern Lundstram Söyüncü Dendoncker

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

              Nice wildcard!

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

              yeah its a very good team you are getting there

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

              Not a fan of having no City but it's a sexy looking squad

            4. ‘Tis the Season
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Nice team

            5. In a Rush
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Pull the trigger good luck

          10. Sharkytect
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Wildcard help much appreciated

            A) Soyuncu + Reid + Martial
            B) Chilwell + Williams + Tielemans
            C) Soyuncu + Janmaat + Tielemans + 0.6 itb

            Gazzaniga McGovern
            TAA, Lundstram, Rico, ___, ___
            Sterling, Mane, Pulisic, ___, Hayden
            Vardy, Jiminez, Abraham

            That spare 0.6 could go towards something like Mane > Salah

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

              I actually like B for attacking potential of defenders Chilwell and Willems. Like the WC too!

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

                Thanks, though i should clarify that that is Williams of man utd, not willems of Newcastle. can't afford him!

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

                  Ah - A then!

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

              I like A

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

              B

            4. Shineonme
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Easy B

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

                Oh no not B then. I thought is was willems from.Newcastle

          11. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Play two DEF from
            A Soyunchu
            B Lundstram
            C Tomori
            D Rico

            On AB atm...

            1. Motty FPL
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              B c and d!

            2. Motty FPL
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              If u have to.. drop lund.. but at ur peril..

            3. yer old da
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              BC

          12. Lingard’s Shin Guards
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Gtg?

            Pope
            TAA Janmaat Lund
            Mane KDB Maddison Mount
            Kun Vardy (c) Abraham

            Button Rico Cantwell Soy (2ft 0.7m itb)

            Don’t see anything that needs addressing, should I just burn the transfer? Would only make 1 move at most as I’ll need 2ft’s to get in Salah next week

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

              Pope -> Gazzaniga?

              1. In a Rush
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                I would be tempted by this

          13. yer old da
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            A. You hate my transfers
            B. You love them
            C. Somewhere in between

            KDB and Connolly > Martial and Jimenez

            1. CostaCoffee
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Somewhere between A and C

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

              C

            3. Sharkytect
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              c

          14. Tower Bridge
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Current situation for GW12
            Pope
            TAA Lundstram Söyüncü Tomori
            Mané Stirling De Bruyne Mount
            Vardy Abraham

            Button Cantwell Connolly Cancelo

            0.2 ITB and 1FT

            Very much open to suggestions. I’m minded to roll the transfer until after the break.
            A) Roll
            B) Cancelo (5.3) out for ManU defender
            C) Stirling out for Maddison/Son

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

              Roll

            2. yer old da
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Clearly just roll

            3. In a Rush
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Yes save

              1. Tower Bridge
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                Thanks

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

            Can I get some thoughts on the below team and bench order? Thanks in advance!

            Pope
            Chilwell Rico Janmaat Lunds
            Mane KDB Pulisic (c)
            Vardy (vc) Tammy Jimmy

            Bench: TAA Mount Saka

            1. Ozzy smith
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              I'd play TAA over all of those defenders personally.

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

                I think City will definitely score. Don't think TAA will haul this week. Just dont want to play him coz he is assumed an "essential". Thanks for your thoughts!

                1. Ozzy smith
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 4 months ago

                  Fair enough. He's far to capable of getting bps and assists for me though, plus ownership.

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

              Play TAA and Mount

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

                Mount yes if he is fit. I think City will score, it's a must win for them. TAA has attacking potential but this week I'd rather play my bets with team with greater CS potential.

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

                  Fair enough. Just remember TAA is a brilliant attacker aswell!

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

                    No doubt about that. But he loses 4 points if the "team" concedes but gains only 3 if he assists. Against any other team I'll take this chance but against City, I'd rather be more cautious.

                  2. In a Rush
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 4 months ago

                    Taa in for Rico, I think Newcastle will score they played well last weekend and obviously taa is a much better player.

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

            Pope
            TAA Rico Lundstram
            Mount* Mane Kdb CHO*
            Vardy Abra Jimenez
            Button Soy Dendo Boly*
            5.7itb 1ft

            Now it sounds like holding Mount might be the safest course of action, time to get planning.
            A. Stick to plan. CHO to Mads/Martial/Son (state your preference)
            B. Save ft.
            C. Something else.

            All allow for Boly to Robbo next week (Son - exact funds), only Mads allows Kdb to sterling if that floats boats.

            1. CostaCoffee
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Selling CHO this week would be daft

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

                I'm all ears. What would you do?

          17. CostaCoffee
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Would Auba to Jiménez be a sideways move?

            1. Jealous Viper
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Hope you're looking at Aubas next 2 fixtures after Leicester

            2. La Vida Latte
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              No.