Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain options for Blank Gameweek 28?

Liverpool and Leicester assets are at the centre of an intriguing captaincy debate for Blank Gameweek 28.

With Manchester City out of the picture thanks to the EFL Cup final, we have fewer options to draw on – but that does not make picking a skipper any easier.

As the Friday night deadline hurtles closer, we have executed a deep-dive into the Opta data to help you chose the best captain for Blank Gameweek 28.

As this article uses data from the Fantasy Football Scout Members Area, only those signed up for the 2019/20 season, the half-season package or a monthly membership can access it in full.

Captain Poll

After scoring in Monday night’s 3-2 win over West Ham, Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) tops the Blank Gameweek 28 captain poll by a considerable margin.

The Egyptian faces a Watford side that has lost the momentum of Nigel Pearson’s December appointment, conceding at least twice in three of their last four matches.

Returning to the scene of his first-ever Premier League goal for Liverpool, Salah has scored four times since Double Gameweek 24, more than any of his colleagues. That has led to 42.1% of voters lending him their support for the Blank Gameweek 28 captaincy.

However, Salah has struggled for goals on the road in 2019/20, netting just twice in league games outside of Anfield. In fact, Salah is still yet to score in an away match that Sadio Mané (£12.3m) has started this season.

The Senegalese international has scored in back-to-back games since returning from his Double Gameweek 24 injury and has a total of five goals away from home this year, compared to Salah’s two. Involved in three assists in such matches, admittedly fewer than the Egyptian’s five, Mané still has more goal involvements on the road than his colleague on the other flank of the attack (eight to seven).

Despite that, the former Southampton attacker is a long way off the top of the captain poll, with just 12.1% of our voters selecting him as the best option for the armband this weekend.

Ahead of him is Jamie Vardy (£9.7m), who, despite not scoring a Premier League goal since Gameweek 18, when Leicester were beaten 3-1 at Manchester City, has attracted the backing of 20.2% of the voters.

The Foxes face a Norwich side that, despite recent improvements at the back, were well-beaten by Wolves in Gameweek 27, conceding three times at Molineux.

Daniel Farke’s men remain in one of the worst sides defensive at home so far, averaging two goals conceded per match at Carrow Road after 13 outings there. That’s the second-worst in the Premier League.

The question is whether an out-of-form Vardy can capitalise on that this weekend. Interestingly, only 1.9% have leant their support to his team-mate Harvey Barnes (£6.0m), who has outscored the forward by 33 points to 14 from Gameweek 19 onwards.

That is good enough for fifth-place in the poll, just behind Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.7m) on 7.6%. The Liverpool right-back has not blanked in a game he has started since Gameweek 13, still on a remarkable run of reliability.

He did not even need a clean sheet to get two assists, maximum bonus and 10 points against West Ham, suggesting there could be more to come against Watford.

Despite his Gameweek 27 blank against Aston Villa, Danny Ings (£7.1m) has been backed by 1.6% of our voters as Southampton prepare to face West Ham. Meanwhile, his colleague Shane Long (£4.6m), who outperformed and outscored Ings last weekend, was chosen by 0.2%.

Roberto Firmino (£9.7m) comes into Blank Gameweek 28 with more away goals than any other Liverpool player this season but only 1.6% of the voters believe he is worth captaining against Watford.

James Maddison (£7.4m) and Ayoze Pérez (£6.2m) are the other alternatives in the Leicester attack for the trip to Norwich, pulling in 1.5% and 1.3% support respectively.

Teemu Pukki (£6.5m) and Bruno Fernandes (£8.2m) are the only other options backed by more 1%.

Player statistics – Last four matches

663 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Joe_Carman
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Ryan
    TAA, Robertson, Taylor, Kelly
    Mane, Traore, Bruno
    Vardy, DCL, Ings

    Button, Lundy, KDB, Saka

    With Lundstram, KDB and Saka without a game and Kelly unlikely to start, is it worth taking a 4-point hit to bring in either Soy or Boly for him? (I already used my FT to swap out Son for Bruno)

    Otherwise, I'll very likely only have 10 starters (at the best)

    Any helps appreciated!

  2. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What should I do? Both transfers are for a hit.

    A) Hayden -> Rich/ Barnes. No playing gk

    B) Button-> Pope and play Hayden and Traore

  3. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    People still have Adama Traore ? :S

    1. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Casuals

      1. Annie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        And me

    2. FPL Bond @ Twitter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I have. Since I don't have enough players for this GW, I'll have to hold..

    3. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Martial + Maupay to Traore & Ings a couple of weeks back (Adama had done 90, 90, 90, 90, 75 before I bought)

      Typical of my season tbh. Not a casual either just keep managing to jump on & off players at the worst possible time.

    4. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Got him in last week innit

    5. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No. He has 0% ownership.

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

    Bottomed on last page

    Team is poor for this gameweek and I want to have some fun.
    These moves for a double hit?...

    Digne, Mahrez, Grealish out
    4.6(Taylor?), Fernandes, Martial in

    Leaves me with

    McCarthy (4.0)
    Trent Gomez Lascelles 4.6 (Rico)
    Salah Fernandes Martial Cantwell (KDB)
    Vardy Ings (Auba)

  5. Esalman
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What to do with the following players?
    A. Kun
    B. Son
    C. Trossard
    D. Holgate
    E. Rico

    Doing Son to Bruno, should I take another hit? If yes replace whom?

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

      Kun to Vardy?

      1. Esalman
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I'd do it if I was sure C,D,E would start...

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero to Vardy
      Son to Martial

  6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Storm Jorge expected to hit UK this weekend.

    1. fc_skrald
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      oh no not again

  7. Drogba Legend
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    1FT, 3.1 ITB

    Pope
    TAA - VVD - Aurier - Soy
    Salah - Traore - Cantwell
    Vardy - Ings - Jimmy

    Button - Rico - KDB** - El Ghazi**

    Pretty set on El-Ghazi out for:
    A) Bruno
    B) Martial
    C) Maddison
    D) Alli
    E) Someone else?

  8. FPL Bond @ Twitter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Should I keep Aguero or sell?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'd sell now

      1. Gomolon
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Sold last week - feels weird having £5m in my bank lol

        1. FPL Bond @ Twitter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Any chances of a City DGW in GW 29??

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Time to sell now imo

  9. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Traore G

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

      Sell sell sell oh keep keep. Arrgh.

  10. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any storms lurking around the UK at the weekend?

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Villa-Sheffield could be postponed

  11. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    fplstatistics not working for anyone else ?

  12. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    2FTs and 1.3m ITB

    Guaita £4m
    Trent Soyuncu Stephens Rico Holgate
    Salah Traore Cantwell Grealish* KDB*
    Vardy Ings Auba*

    A) Auba > Jota
    Grealish > Mane

    B) Holgate > Doherty
    Grealish > Barnes

    C) Auba > Jota
    Grealish > Fernandes
    Rico > Robertson -4

    Opinions appreciated!

    1. Gomolon
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Personally if it was me I would go for C (everyone has TAA so it becomes a bit redundant, having Robbo as well gives you an edge and looks like a stronger team longer term)

  13. motit
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Draft mode -
    pick two players - :
    1. Steven Bergwijn
    2. Mount
    3. Willian

    THX

  14. Gomolon
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Martial vs. Bruno? Money is no object, and I have no other United players.

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      ............

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Bruno

    3. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Pick the good one

    4. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I think Bruno. Whoever is up front (martial, greenwood, ighalo) will get goals from his assists. But I think he'll be involved in a lot

    5. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Has to be Bruno

    6. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Martial for me

  15. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone looking at mason mount?

    Is he an option again?

    Thanks

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He's a good player not sure about him as an FPL asset.

    2. DeadStarComing
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Why are people considering him again? Fixtures?

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yes....and he seems to be playing regularly. .

  16. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Do we think Traore starts or he will be benched.

    Also. are we getting a dgw 29??

    1. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Benched ofc. Wolves plays 3-5-2 now.

    2. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Benched unfortunately

    3. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Benched I reckon

  17. GREEN IS GOOD
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Traore punishing the sellers

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Traore haunts owners with goal in wrong competition 🙂

  18. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Is it still possible for Arsenal to have a DGW in 29?

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Only possible if they get knocked out by Olympiakos tonight.

  19. BucketHead
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Would you for a hit get vardy and Pereira this week then go back to auba for free next week?

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

      Was thinking that move myself but I'll keep vardy now for Leicester's nice fixtures

    2. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No

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

    Ryan
    TAA Soyuncu Stephens Robbo
    Martial Salah Traore
    Ings Jimenez Vardy
    Button Holgate Dendo Kdb*
    2.2m 1ft

    Was set to roll but jitters over Traore etc.
    A. Holgate to R James.
    B. Traore to Barnes
    C. Something else
    D. Keep

  21. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Would love some feedback guys
    A) lundstram to doherty
    B) grealish to b.fernandes
    C) lundstram and grealish to boly and b.fernandes (-4)

  22. Mince n Tatties
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Traore isn't going to start against Spurs is he?...

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Unlikely

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No wouldn't have thought so

  23. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    If you still have one Liverpool slot free who would you go for:

    A) Robertson
    B) VVD
    C) Mane

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Mane

  24. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Barnes IN
    Grealish OUT
    For a hit
    Worth or not?
    *Keep in mind blank gw31

  25. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Yay or nay?

    KDB +Gomez TO Mane+6.0 defender =-4

    KDB back for Burnley

  26. Sloane426
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Traoré > Barnes -4?

    1. 'Broadsword Calling Da…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm probably doing this, Barnes next 3 look ripe for points; Traore looking like bench fodder i;m afraid.

  27. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Martial injured?

    1. grumpyman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like it. Hopefully there'll be some news after the game.

  28. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on the following:

    Lundtstram + Fleck -> Pereira + Barnes (2FT)

    GW28 Team:

    Ryan
    TAA VVD Robertson Dunk Pereira
    Barnes Traore Martial
    Ings Jiminez

    Button Aubameyang KDB Grealish

  29. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Fernandes starts. Hmm

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He's nailed 100 percent.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Might get injured

  30. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Could Brandon Williams get a rare start at the weekend?

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      What do you mean a rare start?

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        He hasn't started a game for a while now, only Chelsea away