Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain candidates for Gameweek 18?

Fantasy Premier League managers are set for perhaps the trickiest captaincy debate of the 2019/20 season so far.

Gameweek 18 features a blank for Liverpool while Manchester City and Leicester go head-to-head at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.

That has all but ruled out most of the usual candidates for the captaincy, forcing Fantasy managers to look elsewhere for the armband.

With a whole host of options mentioned this week, the Captain Sensible article is here to help you work out who you should be backing.

We’ll be assessing the statistical form of Premier League players over their last four matches and will compare them against the defensive numbers posted by their upcoming opponents.

As this article uses data from the Fantasy Football Scout Members Area, only those who are signed up either through a monthly or season-long package will be able to access it in full.

Captain Poll

After weeks of domination by Jamie Vardy (£10.1m), the captain poll is topped by Marcus Rashford (£9.1m) for Gameweek 18, although it’s not a particularly large lead for him.

The Manchester United forward has earned backing from 18.1% of the voters ahead of a trip to Watford on Sunday afternoon.

Despite a blank against Everton last time out, Rashford has attacking returns in five of his last six Premier League outings, amassing a total of five goals and two assists in that time, helped, of course, by his role in Manchester United penalties.

Watford may have shown some defensive improvement against Liverpool, in their first match with Nigel Pearson at the helm, but they have still struggled against the so-called top-six this season.

In six matches against such opposition in 2019/20, the Hornets have conceded at least twice on five occasions, including most recently at Anfield in Gameweek 17.

Not far behind Rashford is Son Heung-min (£10.1m) ahead of Spurs’ meeting with Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

Despite blanking at Manchester United and Wolves in his last two away trips, the South Korean has attacking returns in every home match under Jose Mourinho so far.

He registered two assists when Bournemouth came to north London in Gameweek 14 and got himself a goal and assist in the Gameweek 16 crushing of Burnley.

Chelsea make the short journey north in Gameweek 18 still without a clean sheet on the road this season. In fact, they have conceded 17 times on the road, only Everton (18), Watford (19) and Aston Villa (19) have let in more goals on their travels so far.

Kevin de Bruyne‘s (£10.3m) incredible 19-point haul against Arsenal means he is the only asset from Saturday evening’s hard to call clash between Manchester City and Leicester receiving much consideration for the Gameweek 18 captaincy.

13.6% of our voters have declared the Belgian the best candidate for the armband this week in spite of the Foxes’ defensive record.

Brendan Rodgers’ men will come to Manchester having still conceded the fewest goals this season (11) and the highest number of clean sheets (seven), three of which were secured in their last four away trips.

Raúl Jiménez (£7.5m) heads up the chasing pack as Wolves travel to Norwich. The Canaries have the second-worst defensive record this season, having conceded 35 goals in the first 17 matches of the campaign.

That said, Daniel Farke’s men did manage to restrict Leicester to a 1-1 draw last time out. Either way, Jiménez, backed by 7.9% of the voters, has attacking returns in eight of his last 10 Premier League outings, a fairly impressive level of consistency.

Richarlison (£7.9m) is not far off the Wolves man, with the support of 7.6% ahead of Arsenal’s visit to Goodison Park. The Gunners remain defensively poor while the Everton man has goals in four of his last six.

Jack Grealish (£6.2m) has certainly not alienated Fantasy managers after missing a penalty at Sheffield United last week. 5.4% of our voters have backed him for the Gameweek 18 captaincy as Southampton, without a clean sheet since Gameweek 5, come to Villa Park. The midfielder has four attacking returns in his last three home starts.

4.5% is where we find Vardy ahead of the clash with Manchester City. It is possible that the forward has been somewhat unfairly overlooked by voters this time around.

Vardy has attacking returns in each of his last nine outings while Manchester City have kept just one clean sheet at home since Gameweek 8, Wolves, Southampton, Chelsea and Manchester United all finding the net at the Etihad Stadium between then and now.

Dele Alli (£8.7m) and Harry Kane (£10.9m) are both backed by 3.8% ahead of facing Chelsea. The midfielder has proved more reliable under Mourinho, returning in all but one match, while Kane has blanked three times.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m) has four attacking returns across his last two away matches (Norwich and West Ham), which has encouraged 2.9% of our voters to back him for the captaincy when Arsenal travel to Everton.

Danny Ings (£6.4m) was arguably unfortunate not to get a hat-trick against West Ham so has been handed the backing of 2.9% in the poll for a meeting with Aston Villa, who have conceded more penalty box shots than any other side this season.

Raheem Sterling (£11.8m), John Lundstram (£5.2m), James Ward-Prowse (£5.9m) and Tammy Abraham (£8.0m) are the only other options with more than 1% support in the poll.

Player statistics – Last four matches

1,007 Comments Post a Comment
  1. nalas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Tielemans -> Grealish (or anyone else

    1. nalas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      or anyone else below 7.6 for a hit)?

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      For free? Great transfer

  2. Up the tics
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I have 2fts 0.2itb and need to use one of my transfers

    Gaz
    Lundstram - Rico - Kelly
    Kdb - Alli - Grealish - Cantwell
    Kane - Vardy - Tammy

    Mane - TAA - Soyunca

    1. Kane to rash (c)
    2. Tammy to Jimenez
    3. Other

    1. One Wheels Enough
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Mane to Son (c)

      1. Up the tics
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Think i want to keep mane and i already have 3 spurs players

        1. One Wheels Enough
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Oops

  3. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which transfer to make?
    A) Diop to Kelly
    B) Diop to Fernandez
    C) Robbo to Maguire

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  4. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    GTG?

    Pope
    Lundstram Guilbert Rico
    Son Alli (c) KDB Maddison
    Vardy Abraham Mousset

    Button Kelly Tomori Salah*

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Exquisite

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

    Ryan
    Rico Kelly Lundstrum (Soy TAA)
    Son (c) KDB Maddison Mount (Dendonker)
    Vardy Rashford Tammy

    1FT, 2.3 ITB. Mount > Alli worth it? Will then have to save 2FT up again to even consider getting Mane or Salah back

    Cheers lads

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

  6. Rash
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who would you prefer out of dunk and Willems?

    Will be wildcarding gw20 fwiw

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Dunk

  7. T.Henry14
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Richarlison or Sterling for next two games?

    1. Link
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I have this choice too. Going with Richa purely due to fixtures. Have KDB and Leicester/Wolves aren't exactly 2 fixtures that a double up seems worth going for.

      1. T.Henry14
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        You are right. Don Carlo is a strong factor too.

  8. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I guarantee you a brace or hatty against chelsea and a lot will be in a rush to get in a certain forgetten Harry in

    One thing for sure. He'll be eyeing up (BHA nor sot wat NOR) in 5 of next 6 to get back in the race for golden boot

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Keep in mind that Kane and Son started all 4 games from dec 22 to january 1 last season

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Still doesn’t look to be the main man in that squad. Son and Alli look far more dynamic and better stats to boot

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      His historical uptick in productivity around christmas is a worry for non owners

      His 3 Blanks in 5 under Jose is a worry for owners

      1. Rash
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Years gone by his high ownership would punish non owners. This season, not so much.

    4. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nothing to indicate that, son is the better pick with more shots, shots in box and big changes in last 6 than kane. He’s also improved creativity and is right up there for chances created as well - only thing I can see in Kane’s favour is having pens

    5. Aftermath
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tempting for sure and if my memory is right, kane tends to go on a scoring spree around Christmas?

      1. aborg
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Son you mean !

    6. The Gambler.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A brace or a hatty from DM? impressive

  9. Andrew
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Does this get my through this GW sufficiently?

    Ryan (Button)
    Soyuncu Lundstram Rico Kelly (Tomori)
    KDB Alli Grealish (Mane Dendoncker)
    Vardy Ings Rashford

    Also can't decide who to captain?

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Dendoncker over Soyuncu that’s for sure. Rashford, Alli or KDB are your captaincy shouts

      1. Andrew
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers mate

    2. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Alli

      1. Andrew
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks

  10. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best attacking trio before i WC in gw20 (so only looking at 2 gw options)

    A: Son + Martial/Rich/Grealish + Tammy (in gw19)
    B: Sterling + Grealish + Tammy (in gw19)
    C: Sterling + Pulisic + Tammy (in gw19)...Added benefit of getting Maguire (and Kelly 1st sub) as opposed to Kelly (with TAA 1st sub)
    D: Son + Pulisic + Kane (in gw19)

  11. simong1
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Do you think Mane to Son worth it for a hit? Would bring in Salah for Maddison next week then. Already have Ali.

    Will be playing Dendoncker this week otherwise.

    1. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I would say so, but then I don't mind the odd hit.

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      They were good vs Liverpool

      They don't look like whipping boys anymore

      Pearson set up Leicester for winning the league, he seems relatively competent

  12. Stevie Boy 30
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    De Brynne or Martial for Mane?

  13. Link
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Been toying with Richarlison (c)

    But do we think new manager in the stands will affect Arsenal? Likely to step up or play with a spring in their step?

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Great shout this week

      1. Link
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Feels logical and surprised more don't fancy it, considering both sides form and obvious OOP.

        Think he's a better bet than Rashford or Son?

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nah. I'd be happy enough with having him.

      I don't like captaining a differential generally. It often ends in tears.

      1. Link
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I'd normally agree, but I'm not comfortable with any captain choices this week really.

        Rash, Son, Alli the other contenders but not convinced any are the stand out.

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I'm on KdB right now. Was very impressed with his play as one of the front 3. In fact, he was the furthest forward of any City player and they won 3-0. Leicester are tired too. They fielded a basically full-strength team against Everton midweek whereas City rested the bulk of their team including KdB.

          KdB at home is also ludicrously formidable with just 2 blanks and 3 double digit hauls.

          1. Link
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Not a bad shout at all. But Leicester are not Arsenal - both teams desperate to win and can see it being low scoring. Also no guarantee KDB continues playing that far forward.

            To be honest, every captaincy pick has it's downsides this week and it feels a bit of a lottery

    3. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Took a one week cap punt on him against Nor at home. Never again.

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

      I'm doing it.

  14. villian-ty
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Grealish captain anyone?

    1. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I was considering this but will probably go with Son or Alli to be safe.

  15. RedJive79
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    GTG?

    Pope
    Lundstram - Evans - Kelly
    KDB - Alli (C) - Pulisic - Donk
    Rashford (vc) - Vardy - Jimi

    Mane - TAA - Simpson

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nice. Green arrow incoming!

      1. RedJive79
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks! Hope so.......

  16. Party time
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Haaland flying to manchester according to reports in Norway. Back up for Martial? never seen him play

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Could be paving the way for the sale of martial in the summer

      2. Rash
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Replacement longterm perhaps

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

        Don't rate Martial as a number 9. Reckon he'd start if he went to MUN with Martial as 2nd striker or Rashford backup.

      4. Party time
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Wow...Thanks Lads, I've got to sell Martial in January most likely

        • ice-cold aubameyang
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Hahahaha...That lad is going straight into the XI bro

        • KingOllie
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Haaland is a MUCH better 9 than martial

      5. Hands Guber
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Well cowboys, stats be damned, it's 'Arry (C) for me.

        Heaton

        Rico // Lundstram // Guilbert

        DeBruyne // Maddison // Alli // Zaha

        Abraham // Vardy // Kane (C)

        Good luck!

        1. CONNERS
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Could work, depending on whether we get centre-forward Kane or central-midfield Kane.

          1. Hands Guber
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Yup, it's a big concern and I know it's more than likely set to fail but I have a hunch and it's just a game and I often have to remind myself of that!

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

        As a one week punt would u go for sterling or son

        1. BellyKlopp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          own KDB and alli

        2. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Son

      7. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Salah to who? Can get Salah or Mane back week after if needed (plan is to go double ManC next 4)

        A) Sterling
        B) Son
        C) Save (play Kelly)

        Guaita
        Aurier Lundstram Kelly Rico
        Alli KDB Mount Cantwell
        Tammy Vardy

        Martin Greenwood Salah Trent

        Cheers

        1. Link
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I'd probably save in your shoes

          1. Pukki Party
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Cheers

        2. AzzaroMax99
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          No Pukki in Pukki Party team? 😀

          1. Pukki Party
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Not at the moment

      8. Plagued by indecision
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        2 FT, 2.5 ITB. WC intact, playing GW20

        A) Pulisic > Alli, play Soyuncu and save FT
        B) Pulisic > Son, Connolly > Greenwood
        C) Pulisic > Traore, Connolly > Rashford
        D) Pulisic > Alli, Connolly > DCL

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          C looks best to me. I think Rashford is worth shifting a lot of stuff for.

      9. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Abraham out calvert in?

        1. CONNERS
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Not for me.

        2. Evans
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          No

      10. Evans
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Any good GW20 wildcard strategies?

      11. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Sead Kolasinac out till January. Big blow for Arsenal, who now have no fit left-backs. With Bellerin a doubt for Everton could be Chambers and Maitland-Niles at full-back.

        Who is playing on right side for Everton?

        1. Rash
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Theo waggon against old club

      12. The Wizard of Ozil
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Good to go?

        Henderson
        Kelly - Lundstram - Rico (Soy, Lowton)
        Son - KDB - Maddison - Cantwell (Mane)
        Vardy(C) - Kane(VC) - Mousset

        1. CONNERS
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Not sure on captain pick but fine otherwise.

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

        Spoiled for choice this gw..

        Capt

        A) Vardy
        B) Kdb
        C) Alli
        D) Grealish
        E) Richarlson
        F) Rashford??

        1. Evans
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          G) Kane

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

            Will nvr own him again. Pure nightmare for me..

        2. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          KdB

      14. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Baines for soyun or rico for soyun?

        1. CONNERS
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Short term Baines, long term Rico.

      15. Bouncebackability
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Bournemouth Echo published an article on Diego Rico an hour ago, nothing mentioned about missing training, expected to retain places. Whether it was written before yesterday is another matter

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Nothing mentioned in presser either

          1. Bouncebackability
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Howe is a known fiend though. Mentions nothing half the time.

        2. CAPA
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Where does any doubt come from?

      16. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Leicester defence owners...
        A. Benching
        B. Playing
        C. Selling

        1. Klein
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          A

        2. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Playing one and benching other.

          Not sure whether to sell or not, thats why sticking for now

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

          A.

      17. Klein
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Almiron expected to be featured against crp. Kelly(c) anyone?