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

    Is Martial ded again

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

      No 🙁

    2. Willmissudimitrypayet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Why?

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

        Rest tonight.

        Will be fresh on sunday.

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

          Not even in the squad? Seems odd

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

            Nah, Solskjaer thinks they can win the game without him. Just a rest. Don't overthink it.

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

              Don't own him and to be honest don't have much interest in owning him, but fair point

            2. Willmissudimitrypayet
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              It does seem a bit weird, yes. Probably he will get some questions about it

          2. The 12th Man
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Not even at the Hotel.

        2. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Injured

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

      Hopefully it’s a rest and they’re just freshening him up for Sunday

      Not in the squad looked odd at first

    4. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Strange he’s not in the squad, Ole should shed some light before/after KO

    5. Roy Rovers
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Injured in training OGS said he doesn’t know how long he is out for. (BBC)

  2. 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.

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

      Not worth the hits. KDB could yet have a double next week

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      That is if KDB plays vs Burnley 3 days before Madrid.

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

      Mate if there is one game id be nervous about KDB being rested its against Burnley...when they play Real on the Tuesday after.

      Surely Pep wont risk him.

      Thats a few blanks over next few GW for him

      Im taking him out myself depsite risk of being hurt on the high ownership

      Will wait though to see on DGW news tomorrow though, but even then ill prob still do it

  3. 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

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

      c

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

    Hope this is just a rest for Martial.

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

      Wouldn't make sense as it's a knockout game

      Think it's time to sell for Bruno

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

        I tend to agree with you, just said I'm hoping.

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

      Course it is. Isn't it? 🙂

    3. Roy Rovers
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Injured in training OGS said he doesn’t know how long he is out for

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

    If you owned both of Auba and KDB and had to sell one who would it be?

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

      Auba

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

      Auba

    3. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      so many other factors to think about it

      Value? team set up? number of FTs?

      For me its KDB

      1. 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*

        Thoughts?

        1. Scholes Out For Summer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Id just sell Grealish and Rico for Gomez + Barnes/McNeil/Mount/Perez etc

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

            That’s the other route. Gomez is just not very inspiring though. Also don’t love the midfield options

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

    I was smug and ready to roll a FT.
    Now I might sell Martial and Traore 🙂

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

      Why sell Martial?

      He ticking over quite nicely

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

        Only if he was injured - happy to keep

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

    Hi lost a bit of intrest this season after bad results.

    Have 2ft and dont know what to do. Any help would be appreciated!

    Henderson (martin)
    Gomez, Soy, Lascelles (Lund, Rico)
    Maddison, Mane, Salah, Dendoncker (KDB)
    Jimenez, Vardy, DCL

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

      Lund or Rico out

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

    Good luck all

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

      It's only Thursday but GL to you too.

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

    Will Auba rise tonight?

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      If his missus is wearing the correct lingerie he's odds on with Ladbrokes. Other than that i wouldn't know as fplstatistics is down?

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

    What to do this week ? Any suggestions?
    1FT 0.1 ITB

    McCarthy
    TAA-Aurier-Williams
    Salah-Martial-Traoré-Cantwell
    Vardy-Firmino-Ings
    (McGovern / Rico / KDB / Stevens)

    Thanks

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Save or sell Traore to Barnes

  11. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Traore yellow = early sub 😉

  12. Zinedine Kilbane
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thinking about;
    KDB & Firminho to Mane & Jiminez? Would get me 11 players out this week

  13. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Pope
    TAA VVD Soyuncu Dunk
    Salah Traore Dendoncker
    Ings Jimenez Vardy

    Henderson KDB Grealish Lundstram

    0 FT, 1.5 ITB

    Is anything worth a hit here to play over Dendoncker??

    Thanks all

  14. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Kicking myself for bringing in Traore in last week. Oh well,

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Same.

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I’m thinking about shipping him for a gw 31 blanker now and using the FH then.
        WC gone maybe I need to concentrate on getting DGWers in.

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

          Leaning that way myself

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

        Selling mate?

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

          For Ed sorry

        2. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Nope, I think he has a chance of starting against Spurs, was their best player in the reverse fixture, only remember because even Kane got booked for chasing back and hacking him down. I couldn't sell even if I wanted to though, too much to do elsewhere. Remember me saying that I wasn't convinced about him as a pick? Wish I'd been wrong!

          1. The 12th Man
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            I’m keeping for Spurs.
            I may sell Digne though for Periera

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

            I was happy enough before these games. Bloody Martial possible injury now and a 1pt threat on Traore. Bairy hollocks I say!

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

      samee

  15. Willmissudimitrypayet
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Doherty or Pereira?

    Anybody know who has a better chance at double in either 31 or 34?

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

      Doherty for me

  16. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this:

    Grealish -> Mount

    Already have three Leicester so Barnes isn’t possible. Other options are Sarr or Armstrong.

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Mount best pick but I do like Armstrong though

    2. Geordie19
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sarr is good as he’s back but they have Liverpool. Is Mount nailed?

  17. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this lot ?

    1 FT 2.6 ITB

    McCarthy
    TAA Fernandez Stephens Taylor
    Salah Bruno Barnes Hayden
    Jimenez Ings

    Henderson, O'Connell Mahrez Aguero

    A) O'Connell to Robertson and bench Hayden
    B) O'Connell to Robertson and Aguero to Vardy -4 and bench Hayden and Stephens
    C) Save

    1. Mind över Mata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B actually

    2. Young Lingard
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A
      Risk it and monitor Vardy v Norwich (on tv)
      As you can opt for auba as an option if you find that preferable

      Good luck

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

    Martial has a slight thigh injury which he sustained against Watford. He hopes to be fit for Sunday's game against Everton #mulive [rmc]

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

      Just sharing - don't know about the source

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Lea & Perrins

  19. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who to transfer in?

    Richarlison or Martial

    1. Geordie19
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rich now, martial injured but if he wasn’t, I’d have said him

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

    If you owned both of Auba and KDB and had to sell one who would it be?

    Cheers

    1. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      auba

    2. Geordie19
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Auba

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Auba was on fire this past weekend and has the fixtures.

  21. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Martial slight injury i heard

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

      He's done this before. Very annoying if so because ole led us astray then from memory

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        He does it with every injury we get, Martial, Rashford, Pogba.

  22. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Solskjær: "He [Martial] didn't feel right after training. He walked off. He's injured. Hopefully it won't be too bad. I don't know how long it will be." #mulive [mutv]

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

      Cripes that doesn't sound good

    2. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Is there anything he does know?

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      For Fuchs sakes.

  23. Geordie19
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Tempted to put either Perez or Barnes in this week but they will blank in 31
    Or go Sarr who will play (but has Liverpool this week). Thoughts?

  24. Salarrivederci
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Gtg? Right starting 11 and bench?
    WC, FH & BB left to use.
    1 FT - 3.5 ITB

    Ryan
    TAA - VVD - Stephens - Lascelles
    Salah - Maddison - Traoré
    Vardy - Jiménez - Ings

    (Button, Doucouré, Rico, ***Mahrez***)

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

    The ref in this Wolves is ignoring Espanyol fouls

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

      *Wolves game

    2. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Probably a remainer

  26. Goonsquad245
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hey guys - bit of advice needed! Pretty set on taking a hit I think..

    A) Aguero, Grealish, Lascelles -> Vardy, Barnes, Pereira (-4)
    B) Aguero, Grealish, VVD, Traore -> DCL, Mane, Bruno, Saiss (-8)

    Pope
    TAA VVD Lascelles Stephens
    Salah Traore Cantwell
    Ings Jiménez

    Hendo KDB Aguero Egan

    Thanks!

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Would not take the hit, just Aguero and Traore out should do it

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

    Martial -> Fernandes -4

    Who's with me?

  28. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Martial crocked again. Nothing new or seen here 😀

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

    What are Aubameyang owners doing this week? Keeping or selling?

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

      Would just bench and keep if no other issues

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      not an owner but I would keep

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

        Benching

  30. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    The egotistical Egyptian is the obvious pick again. The selfish Senegalese is a good runner up. Imagine if those two played for the team instead of playing for themselves

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

      Yawn

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

        Do you disagree? Deluded

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Absurdity hits a new unprecedent level. Are you spouting out these nonsens Just to troll or do you not watch pool games,?