Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain candidates for Gameweek 21?

Fantasy Premier League managers will have to start 2020 making another tough captaincy decision.

Liverpool host a stubborn Sheffield United side while a resurgent Everton travel to face Manchester City.

To help you make the right choice for your team, the Captain Sensible article is back once again.

We will compare the top candidates’ statistical form over the last four matches and compare them against the opposing defences they are about to do battle with.

Captain Poll

Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) returns to the top of the captain poll for Gameweek 21 having earned 36.6% of the vote.

Leicester travel to face Newcastle on New Year’s Day, who have just one clean sheet at home since Gameweek 9 while Vardy himself has only blanked against Liverpool since Gameweek 6.

In distant second place is Kevin de Bruyne (£10.5m), who has accrued 13.1% of the vote.

The Belgian has been in excellent form of late, registering attacking returns in each of the last four Gameweeks, two of them ending up as double-figure hauls.

This week de Bruyne faces Everton who, despite recent improvements under Duncan Ferguson and new manager Carlo Ancelotti are still short of clean sheets on the road.

They are without one on their travels since Gameweek 1 and have conceded 19 goals in such matches this season, only Watford (20), Newcastle (21) and Aston Villa (22) have shipped more.

10.6% of the voters are backing Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) for the Gameweek 21 meeting with Sheffield United. Despite two blanks in a row, the Egyptian has been unfortunate not to have rewarded his owners recently and still has two double-digit returns since Gameweek 16.

Sadio Mané (£12.3m) is not far behind his colleague, backed by 9.1% of the voters in the poll, having returned in each of his last four starts.

Amid all the clamour for Spurs midfielders of late, Harry Kane (£11.0m) has proved the steady option recently, registering attacking returns in both of the last two Gameweeks.

That makes him the most popular of Jose Mourinho’s men going into a Gameweek 21 trip to Southampton, backed by 5.1%, while Dele Alli (£8.9m) has just 1% of the vote.

Tammy Abraham‘s (£7.8m) winning goal for Chelsea at Arsenal has put him back in the captaincy conversation to some extent.

Ahead of a trip to Brighton, who have just one clean sheet since Gameweek 8, Abraham has been backed by 4.3%, while his opposite number Neal Maupay (£5.8m) has the support of 2.9%.

Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s (£7.4m) recent resurgence has led to 2.3% selecting him as the best captaincy option for Gameweek 21 when Sheffield United come to Anfield.

Sergio Aguero (£11.7m), Marcus Rashford (£9.1m), Raúl Jiménez (£7.5m) and Danny Ings (£6.6m) are the only other options with more than 1% support.

Player statistics – Last four matches

768 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Fleggster
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Why are the overall and country percentages for captain always the same in these articles? What do they even mean?

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

      That's something I'd like to know, also.

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

    Zaha + Alli to Traore + Kdb for -4, worth it?

    Really need Kdb I feel, got a red arrow because of him last gw :/. Was around 49k before he played, dropped down to 110k or something, just because of him(live rank).

    1. timski8000
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes he’s definitely the go to guy for city at the moment.

      Helps that D Silva is out but he’s meant to be back soon.

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

    How is this Wild Card?
    Fabianski (Button)
    Arnold, Van Dijk, Lundstram, Soyuncu, Rico
    Salah, KDB, Maddison, Traore, Dendoncker,
    Vardy, Rashford, DCL

  4. Arse Craic
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    John Stones and David Silva are back

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      does it matter?

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

        Yes

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          oh ok then.

          🙄

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

      Dilva back may dampen KDB’s recent fire

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Dilva back is good for Sterling and bad for KDB

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

        Hope this really is the case, Kdb has annoyed me lately.

    4. Dank Squid
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kun back is good for KDB, to make things even trickier

  5. PMz
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    2FT’s and 1.3 ITB. Seems a shame to waste a free transfer but I can’t see any obvious moves. Maybe Gazz out?

    Gazz

    Soy TAA Saiss

    KdB Mane Grealish Maddison

    Rashford Kane Ings

    Subs: Holgate Lundstram Nakamba

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Fab

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Who is your other keeper?

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I’d do Gazzaniga to Fab

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

      Nakamba to Cantwell

      Or
      Maddison to Traoré
      &
      Grealish to Martial

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

    Draft switch made

    Ozil to Fornals
    Lo Celso to Sarr
    Rico (bench) to William's! The one and only

  7. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Team in tatters with 3 big hitters?

    Hendo
    TAA Soy Holgate Lund Rico
    Salah Mane KdB Grealish Cantwell
    Vardy Ings DCL

    0.1 inb. 0FT

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

      Looks good

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

      4 big hitters.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        5. Trent

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

          6. Lundstram

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

      Team is similar tho need to change up my attack getting Ings in.

      Who your captain armband on this gameweek?

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Probs Salah.

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

    Gtg?

    Schmeichel (Button)
    Taa Pereira Aurier (Rico Lundstram)
    Mane Alli Zaha Martial (Cantwell)
    Vardy(c) Ings Rashford

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

      Without city player ?

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

        Did Grealish - Martial

        I plan to move Zaha/Alli/Aurier next week.
        I could do it now , but i think Zaha + Alli will outscore KDB and Traore next gw.

        What you think?

  9. checkit_j
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Really struggling to use a transfer here? Any suggestions?

    2ft 0.7itb

    Gazza

    Soy Rico Kelly Taa Lund
    Salah Maddi Moura Kdb Dendo
    Vardy Ings Rash

    I'll be doing Gazza to Ryan next week.

    1. B Sharp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Gazza to fabianski now

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

        Agree

      2. checkit_j
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        He has three good fixtures and westham are leaky. Ryan has 8.

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

      Dendonkey to Cantwell.

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

        Thought about it but doesn't feel like I'd play either for a use of a ft

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

    Does anyone think there is a chance TAA could be rested this week, due to all the games he's played over the Christmas period?

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

      Ofc there is

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

        Really want to bring him in but I also want to bring in Traore. Don't really want to do a -4 so was thinking I could possibly wait and bring TAA in next game week instead and hope he's rested this week and just bring in Traore for now.

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

          Think Id just bring in Trent anyway

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes it's possible

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

      Yes. I think Liverpool will rotate tomorrow.
      Origi and Shaq may start the game.

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

      Yes he could be rested any week

    5. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Obviously there's a chance but I doubt it.

      • Dank Squid
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Gomez usually replaces him in that case. With both Matip and Lovren out, how would they line up in that case? Not sure ...

    6. Origal73
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Play:
      1) Zaha (nor)
      2) Grealish (bur).

      Both will be out of my team after this gameweek...

      1. Villa Velour
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        1

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

      GTG? Correct players on the bench?

      Fabianski
      TAA Rico Kabasele
      Salah Mane KDB(VC) Martial Cantwell
      Vardy(C) Ings

      (McGovern DCL Digne Lund)

    8. sthelenslad92
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Pope
      TAA - Soyuncu - Aurier
      KDB - Mane - Maddison - Traore
      Vardy - Rashford - Abraham
      (McGovern, Grealish, Rico, Kelly)

      A) Abraham to Jimenez
      B) Grealish & Abraham to Martial & Ings
      C) Start Grealish, bench Tammy and save the FT

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

        Probably C

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

      Keep or sell Otamendi?

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

        Depends on your team, how many FT

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

          1.
          Gazza
          Ota Trent Soy
          Alli Kdb Mane Grealish
          Abraham Vardy Rashford
          4.0, Cantwell, Kelly, Lund
          1.1m in bank

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

            Save for me or Ota -> Gomez
            Depends what your plan is for the DGW

      2. woodboy76
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Against Everton at home?!!

    10. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Could a relegation be the best thing that could happen to Arsenal? Complete reset from top down incl. Kroenke.

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

        0% chance

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          More like 20% chance/risk of that happening right now. Auba to Giroud this winter and I’d say it’s 50%.

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        No haha

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

        They’re closer to relegation than a Europa league spot in points terms

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          6 points from relegation zone is not to be taking lightly. Especially when your top goal scorer wants to leave in a few weeks with half a season to play.

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

        KRONKE would just hold until they came back up the next year. It would make no sense to sell if they got relegated (which is only wishful thinking).

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Maybe he thinks it’s time to cut his losses while there’s still any value to sell? But yeah, he will probably rather run it further into the ground.

        2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Also, not so sure Arsenal would bounce right back up if they were relegated.

    11. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Best move guys? Thanks 🙂

      A. Rich >> Martial
      B. Grealish >> Traore
      C. Save & reassess with 2FTs

      Pope
      TAA • Soy • Aurier
      Salah • Mané • Richarli • KDB • Grealish
      Vardy • Maupay
      (McGov. Greeny. Rico. Lundy)

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        A

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I thought you were a big Rich fan? You were one of the ones who talked me into him 😆

          1. ShaunGoater123
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            I’d save of those options. Having 2 freebies where possible is always good

          2. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah, could well get returns. But Martial and Utd seems to be on the right way

    12. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      2FTs and 0.4 ITB:

      Guaita
      Soyuncu Rico Kiko
      Salah KDB Alli Grealish
      Tammy Kane Vardy

      Button Cantwell Holgate Lundstram

      Think it is time to get Trent in so considering the following for free:

      Kiko > Trent
      Kane > Jiménez

      Opinions appreciated!! A bit unsure of losing Kane for a decent fixture

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Don’t like it. I’d downgrade Tammy or Alli

        1. Garfield1001
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          To who?

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Alli to Traore

          2. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Tammy to Ings/DCL/Maupay

      2. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Trent

        1. Garfield1001
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          What about him?

    13. ShaunGoater123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Roll the transfer this week?

      Gazza

      Soyuncu / Rico / targett

      Mane / kdb / grealish / alli

      Vardy (c) / Aguero / rashford

      Button / Kelly / lundstram / dendonker

      0.2 ITB

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        If your happy with Jack

        1. ShaunGoater123
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah think so for this week. Plan on moving him on for traore next week

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Why not this week?

            1. ShaunGoater123
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              Think there fixtures are pretty even and grealish is absolutely central to villa. Just feels like a transfer that would be primed to backfire this week

              1. RAFA THE GAFFA
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Fair Point. Villa just seem lost to me. Can see a 1-0 Burnley. What you think I should do above pal?

                1. ShaunGoater123
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 3 months ago

                  Save for sure

    14. pol
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      - bottomed -
      A- holgate + mane + cantwell + rashford + mousset
      B- sidibe + mane + traore + dcl + ings
      C- robo + alli + cantwell + rashford + dcl

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

        B easy C 2nd

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

      Laporte back to training in 10 days apparently

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

        Will be good to see him playing again

      2. Dank Squid
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Good to know, means I can´t target Man City with my captain picks anymore

    16. Clarity
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Gazza
      Ota Trent Soy
      Alli Kdb Mane Grealish
      Abraham Vardy Rashford
      4.0, Cantwell, Kelly, Lund
      1.1m in bank 1FT

      Any suggestions please?

    17. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ryan
      TAA | Soyuncu | Gomez
      Salah (c) | KDB | Maddison | Martial | Alli
      Vardy (vc) | Rashford

      McGovern | Saiss | Greenwood | Reid

      GTG? Any changes to captain or bench order that you'd recommend?

      1. Netley Lucas
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Bump Greenwood to B1, very nice.

    18. AD2110
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling to Mane (already have Salah)?

      or

      Keep Sterling?

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Mane

      2. Bunk Moreland
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Keep imo

      3. Dank Squid
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I would keep Sterling and double up on defense instead

    19. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Would you play Greenwood over anyone here?

      Henderson
      TAA, Digne, Soyuncu, Rico
      Salah, Kdb, Maddison, Grealish
      Vardy, Rashford

      Button, Greenwood, Cantwell, Lundstram

      0ft 3.5itb

      1. Netley Lucas
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        No but I'd play Cantwell over Rico.

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          This

        2. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Thanks

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

      Rate this WC please:
      Fabianski, Button
      Arnold, Van Dijk, Soyuncu, Lundstram, Rico
      Traore, KDB, Salah, Maddison, Dendoncker,
      Vardy, Rashford, Maupay

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Looks good, Dcl instead of Maupay?

    21. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Quick one for the armband?

      Salah
      Mane
      Kev

      Currently on Mo.

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Salah

      2. Netley Lucas
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Kev, the Mo & Mane lottery is a killer, having both is enough v Blades.

    22. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Right benching order?

      Henderson
      TAA Soy Kelly
      Mane Salah KDB Traore
      Vardy Rashford DCL

      Button Cantwell Lund Rico

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Looks great mate, GL

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Cheers, same to you!

    23. Bunk Moreland
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Bench one:
      Ings (TOT)
      Traore (wat)
      Maddison (new)

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Maddison

      2. Netley Lucas
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Traore, tight game.

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

        Traore

      4. Bunk Moreland
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks all. Happy new year!

      5. Dank Squid
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Traoré - has hauled against top teams (Spurs and Man City), many blanks vs the rest

    24. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Laporte back soon. Liverpool have learnt that a champions scoreline is 2-0.

      I might switch to five at the back. The timing seems right.

      TAA, Van Djik, Mendy, Laporte, Sidibe

    25. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      To get both Salah and Mane by GW 24 you will eventually have to drop a good midfielder, who will you drop? e.g. Alli, Maddison, Martial

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Maddison