Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain candidates for Gameweek 22?

The captaincy debate for Gameweek 22 may not be as simple as Fantasy Premier League managers are hoping.

Heading into the first round of action since the FA Cup third round, we now embark on the second half of the current campaign.

Every season, the January transfer window proves a major landmark for change and shifting templates.

For example, Southampton spent much of 2019/20 as whipping boys but they come into Gameweek 22 much improved at the back – perhaps the biggest issue with this week’s captaincy conundrum.

To help guide you to the right skipper for your team we will analyse the recent statistical form of each candidate and compare them with the defensive performances of their upcoming opponents.

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

Captain Poll

Despite missing the last two Gameweeks, Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) has returned to the Captain Poll’s summit once again.

Just shy of 39% of you had voted for the Leicester City forward ahead of Southampton’s trip to the King Power Stadium.

The last time the two sides met saw Vardy bag a hat-trick and an assist in a 9-0 win and it appears that a large number of Fantasy managers are hoping for something similar.

It may feel like a while since Vardy truly rocked the Fantasy world but if we forget his last two absences, influenced by paternal duties and a subsequent injury, he is still a reliable option. Between Gameweeks 9 and 19 he started every match and blanked only once.

However, the chances of another 9-0 drubbing for Southampton do look unlikely. Their defence has improved of late, resulting in two clean sheets in their last four, one at Chelsea and the other at home against Spurs.

A long way off in the poll’s second place is Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne (£10.6m) who faces Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.

Despite a spirited EFL Cup semi-final first-leg performance against Leicester on Wednesday night, Dean Smith’s defence has been in recent Premier League displays.

In their last four outings, they have conceded three times on two occasions, while across their last three at home, Villa have let in an average of 2.3 per game.

De Bruyne himself has attacking returns in four of his last five, two of them double-digit returns.

It appears that the Belgian remains the most trustworthy asset in Manchester City ranks considering the rotation and patchy nature of some of his colleagues.

Sergio Aguero (£11.7m), with just one start and one goal since Gameweek 14 is the next most-popular among Pep Guardiola’s charges, backed by just 3.5% in the poll.

Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling (£11.8m), with two double-digit hauls but four blanks in his last seven, has the support of just 2.9%.

Marcus Rashford (£9.2m) looks set for third place in the vote, backed by 9.1% ahead of Manchester United’s meeting with Norwich City.

The Canaries have kept just one clean sheet since Gameweek 10 although have largely fared better on their travels than at home.

Each of their last three at Carrow Road has seen Norwich concede twice, but they have let in just one goal in each of their last three on the road.

Rashford is in good form at Old Trafford though, blanking there just once since Gameweek 4.

John Lundstram (£5.1m) has been considered an outside captain option by many this season but Gameweek 22 sees him get more support than usual.

5.1% of the voters are backing the Sheffield United man ahead of a meeting with West Ham.

The Hammers may have scored four times against a hapless Bournemouth last time out but it’s still early days in David Moyes’ second spell as manager.

Meanwhile, only Leicester (eight) have kept more clean sheets than Sheffield United (seven) this season.

Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) is the most fashionable captain option at Liverpool as they prepare to face Spurs, although the Egyptian is backed only by 3.9%.

Jose Mourinho has struggled to turn around the defensive fortunes in north London, conceding in all but one of his matches since taking charge – which could open the door for Salah and his colleague Sadio Mané (£12.3m).

The latter has accrued just 2.7% of the votes but has outscored Salah over the last three matches by 8.3 points per game to 5.3.

Tammy Abraham (£7.8m), Raúl Jiménez (£7.5m), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m), Anthony Martial (£7.9m), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.9m) and Richarlison (£8.0m) are the only other options backed by more than 1%.

Player statistics – Last four matches

881 Comments Post a Comment
  1. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Maddison update?
    Chances of starting?

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      High I think but Lampard Press Conf at 13:30 may give an indication.

      1. farmerfat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Lampard ? :p

        1. antis0cial
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Oops, yeah maybe Lampard will know as little as me! Rodgers might be a better shout!

      2. linkafu
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Wait Lampard for Maddison infos?

        1. antis0cial
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          See above 😛

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

      Wait for presser

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

    Please be fit to play madders

  3. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Are there press Conferences today. Want the Word on maddi

    1. Binny
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yes full schedule

    2. Le Bluff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rogers at 1.30pm according to Scout Tweets.

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      They were tweeted earlier:

      Bruce - 8:45am
      Howe - 9am
      OGS - 9:30am
      Klopp - 10:30am
      Smith - 1pm
      Hodgson - 1pm
      Mourinho - 1pm
      Nuno - 1pm
      Farke - 1:15pm
      Lampard - 1:30pm
      Ancelotti - 1:30pm
      Rodgers - 1:30pm
      Guardiola - 1:30pm

  4. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Mount a starter this GW?

    1. Le Bluff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      He usually is.

  5. amit1964
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    if maddisons out, who do you prefer:
    a) martial
    b)grealish
    c) someone else

    *** i have salah kdb dilva

    thank's

    1. balint84
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      a

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

      A - just look at this week's fixtures.

  6. drughi
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How sexy does she look ? saving my transfer

    Ryan
    TAA Soy Lundstram
    Mane Salah(vc)KDB(C) Traore
    Vardy Ings Jiminez

    button rico dendoncker targett

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Looking good, I have Guaita/Madds over Ryan/Jimi, rest the same, so hope you have a great week! Can't decide on Cpt between Salah, KDB, Vardy. If KDB was guaranteed to start in attacking position it would be KDB.

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        yeah it is a tough decision between those you mention, just feel city will steamroll villa and hopefully kdb is heavily involved

        1. antis0cial
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I have a feeling Pool may do the same to Spurs!

          1. drughi
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            yeah could be mayhem but having both salah and mane feels sufficient

  7. OFord
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Can someone talk me into doing Kane & Madds to Ings & Mane please. (Already have Salah)

    Is it not mental to double up on both??

    1. farmerfat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Dont take Madds out this week unless confirmed injured.

    2. Le Bluff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Points last 4 GWs:

      Mane: 6, 6, 11, 8
      Salah: 13, 3, 3, 10

      Double up is good if you like points.

      1. OFord
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Can’t argue with that simple logic haha

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nobody else you can lose instead of Mads?

      1. OFord
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I could get rid of Richarlison instead but leaning towards keeping him as he’s a bit more of a differential

    4. drughi
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If its for free it is a no brainer for me, the double up is a must for the dgw and now the up against a shaky spurs defence.

      1. OFord
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yea i have got 2 FT’s, definitely want the triple up on Liverpool and can’t really make a defensive double up work

  8. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is Jimenez a sell after the 2 good fixtures?

    Fixtures from GW24:
    LIV, mun, LEI, NOR, tot

    From GW29 though they have another great run of fixtures.

    1. balint84
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      plenty of options, good forwards are, better to have a free tansfer

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

      He’s more or less fixture proof wolves typically play well against top teams, mun nor and tot defences are not the best either

    3. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I need to sell to afford Salah for the DGW. Will probably buy him back pretty soon though.

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

      I'm planning to get him after Manchester game

    5. drughi
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      jimenez loves a hard fixture

  9. Le Bluff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Points last 4 GWs:

    Mane: 6, 6, 11, 8
    Salah: 13, 3, 3, 10

    Double up is good if you like points.

    1. Le Bluff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      *Reply fail to OFORD

  10. Aubamazette
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    GTG? 0FT

    Gazza
    TAA Chilwell Lund
    Salah(c) Mane KDB Maddison Doucore
    Vardy Jiménez

    Button Martinelli Williams Hanley

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

      Maybe do something radical if Madds out

  11. Rock Papiss Cissès
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hello great minds of FFS, would you please use said great minds to help me out a little?

    Pope McGovern
    TAA Lord Chilwell Rico Reid
    Mane Grealish Maddison KDB Cantwell
    Kane Tammy Vardy
    0.1 ITB, 2 FTs

    A) Chilwell, Grealish Kane -> Holgate, Salah, Maupay +0.5
    B) Chilwell, Maddison, Kane -> Sidibe, Salah Maupay +0.6
    C) Reid, Chilwell, Kane -> Sidibe, Robertson, Maupay +2.4
    D) Suggestions? preferably that don't include a hit like the above

    Thanks in advance and good luck for GW22

    Bottomed last page sry

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Kane> Greenwood and Grealish to Salah maybe?

      1. Rock Papiss Cissès
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        That would force me into playing Cantwell or Rico every week

  12. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Mane or Jimenez (c)?

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      mane

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

      Mane

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

      Jimmy

    4. The Legend Squad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mane

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

      I think Jimmy is a nice shot

  13. zdrojo187
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pick one to play please:
    A Tomori(BUR)
    B Gomez(tot)

    1 Grealish(MCI)
    2 Cantwell(mun)

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A2

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

      B2

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

      A2

    4. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A1

  14. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Choose two To play ?
    A- Grealish MCI (H)
    B- Cantwell MUN (A)
    C- Traoré NEW (H)

    1. Aubamazette
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      BC

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Def play C. Then probably B

    3. The Legend Squad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Bc

    4. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      AC

  15. Farns Foxes
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Lundstram or Grealish this week

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lund

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

      Lund

      1. Farns Foxes
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks guys

    3. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      lund, can get cs and attacking points

  16. The Legend Squad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Last check. Bench looking okay?

    Gazza
    TAA Chilwell Lundstram
    Mane KDB Maddison Martial
    Jimenez Ings Vardy (c)

    Button Grealish Gomez Kelly

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      gazza out

  17. ResultatFar
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is Lacazette worth a punt, not for captaincy but in general?

    1. The Legend Squad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      It would be a proper punt. I’d avoid

    2. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Currently on a goal drought, so depends if you think that will end this gw

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No I don't think so. So many better options at that price point and below

  18. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pretty Set WC team

    Allison
    Lund,Soy,Holgate
    Mane(c),Kdb,Salah,Traore,Martial
    Vardy,Ings

    Good to go guys?

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

      Allison???
      Find a way to get Trent.

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'd say on a WC TAA is pretty essential (rather than Allison), other than that it's good.

  19. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    If You Have Salah Who to get Till GW 24 ?

    1. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mane

  20. quayle99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Maddison or Perez?

    If I choose perez I can swap Martinelli (3rd benched striker, I use Vardy and Tammy) to Maupay or DCL next week.

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      maddy

  21. Old Fashioned Parisian
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Maddison >> Martial?
    Anyone think that's a goer this week?

    Thanks

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      wait for press

  22. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Save FT this week?

    Guaita Martin
    TAA Aurier Rico Kelly Lundstram
    Salah KDB Alli Grealish Cantwell
    Vardy Rashford Ings

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

      Defence and Dele looking a bit iffy.

      1. corderz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Alli > Martial?

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

          Oh, yeah.

  23. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    This article fails to mention Saturday is Vardy's birthday.

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

      Also fails to mention that it is also the birthday of Emile Heskey, Mary J Blige, Rachel Riley and Alexander Hamilton.

      1. teneighty
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Heskey (TC)?

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

          Quite fancy Riley

          1. teneighty
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            She always scores so good option!

      2. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Journalistic oversight

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

          FFS turning into a bit of a rag nowadays.

      3. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Rachel Riley(tc)

  24. teneighty
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Damn, didn't think Alli would drop until tonight. Now I can't afford Salah + DCL. Will have to settle for Salah + Maupay instead.

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

      Surprised it wasn't earlier in the week. Don't think there is much between Maupay and DCL after this weekend.

  25. There's Always One!
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone considering Haller as 3 gw punt? I've to replace kane and I need a forward around 8m to free funds for Salah. Jim is obviously the stand out pick but I'm so tempted to all get Haller for the dgw

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      not bad at all, might go jimenez>haller for dgw 24 and west ham also have a nice gw 25

    2. Hands Guber
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      There are too many strikers firing at the moment cowboy.

      I'd be going Felipe Anderson if I'm going West Ham attack and while Haller could spark there is fierce competition with Ings/DCL/Jiminez firing at the moment to gamble on Haller.

      1. There's Always One!
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I've no room for Anderson and I have to get a forward this week to replace kane. So if I am to get Haller for the dgw it has to be now or not at all

        1. Hands Guber
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I would say not at all then my chief, but I have had Haller for 8 weeks this season already waiting for him to fire and with little to nothing to show from him. The West Ham double return potential is paltry at best, I would be inclined to say don't let a poor DGW cloud your mind.

          1. There's Always One!
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Sound advice. Thanks

  26. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any of the 3.9 defenders better than the others? Or, as I expect, all as bad as each other?

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

      Nope. Not sure any would start even with a serious injury to one of the current starters.

      1. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thought so. Cheers

  27. olidooley
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hey guys...gtg?

    Gazzaniga
    Robertson TAA Söyüncü Lundstram
    Salah KDB Maddison Grealish
    Rashford(c) Vardy(vc)

    McGovern Greenwood Dendoncker Kelly

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

      #PrayforMaddi

  28. Johnny Drama
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How did Vardy look yesterday?

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Not sure. Stalking footballers on non-matchdays isn't my thing.

      1. Johnny Drama
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Haha, Friday morning...

        Wednesday's game of course!

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          He was ok. Had one or two chances but Nyland was pretty good for Villa.

  29. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone got the guts to captain Doherty this week

    1. Hands Guber
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      You got this, cowboy.

  30. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Rumours and whispers among Saints fans and sources that KwP is very close to joining Southampton on loan. Deal in principle is set between the two clubs, now down to player to agree. Palace is the other club who are interested, but Southampton have popped them to his signature, apparently.

    1. Hands Guber
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I think you mean 'pipped' there cowboy.

      I'm an idiot, I have no idea who KwP is though. Kevin Wince Poateng?

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Haha, Kyle Walker Peters. And yes, pipped. Friggin autocorrect xD

        1. Hands Guber
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Ah, interesting.

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

        Me too. Couldn't get Hula Hoops and Space Raiders out of my mind.