Captain Sensible

Who are the best captain options for FPL Gameweek 36+?

Fantasy Premier League managers have been invited to take risks with left-field captaincy choices in Gameweek 36+.

That’s according to the latest figures from our recent poll, which features no clear standout candidate.

In Gameweeks like this, the risks attached to going with your gut rather than the crowd are much lower than usual. So now is the time to be as pragmatic as possible with your decision.

To help you make this tough choice, the Captain Sensible article is back once again, here to analyse the form of the individual options on offer and compare them against the defences they are about to face.

As this uses data from the Fantasy Football Scout Members Area, only those with a valid subscription can access it in full.

Captain Poll

Christian Pulisic (£7.3m) is the current leader of the Gameweek 36+ captain poll, although it has been a close-run thing since we published the options on our site.

It was not until late on Monday evening and into the early hours of Tuesday morning that the Chelsea man climbed to the top of the pile and even now, he has the support of just 18.8%.

The American and his Chelsea colleagues have the most favourable fixture of the Gameweek as they host Norwich on Tuesday evening.

Pulisic may have blanked last time out but, since Project Restart began, he has produced an attacking return in all but one match while Norwich have conceded 15 goals in that time, more than any other side.

However, that is not enough to hand Pulisic any kind of large majority, Raheem Sterling (£11.8m) sitting just a few percentage points below him in the poll.

The Manchester City man currently sits on 16.6% support, although he led the standings until late last night.

It has been an explosive few rounds of action for Sterling who recorded double-figure hauls in three outings since Gameweek 32+. Crucially, he has been in devastating form at the Etihad Stadium, averaging 12 points per appearance there since the Premier League returned.

Norwich are the only side to concede more goals than Bournemouth (13) in that time, which is probably why Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m) also finds himself in the captaincy conversation, backed by 13.9% of the voters.

These managers will be hoping for an upturn in the Belgian’s fortunes after a recent distancing from Manchester City’s attacking exploits. De Bruyne has managed just one assist in connection with the former champions’ last nine league goals.

Willian (£7.4m) will also play a part in the Gameweek 36+ debate with his 10.9% support from the captain poll. Obviously, he also gets to face that obliging Norwich defence on Tuesday night and has outscored Pulisic since the restart by 48 points to 39.

Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m) rather let down his horde of backers in Gameweek 35+ with just an assist against Southampton but the Manchester United man has a decent record on the road ahead of a trip to Crystal Palace.

The Portuguese international has produced attacking returns in every away match since the Premier League restart, averaging 12.7 points across the three he has played in that time so far.

Even though only Norwich have conceded more goals than Palace since Gameweek 30+ too, only 9% are looking to captain Fernandes in Gameweek 36+.

Gabriel Jesus (£9.8m) and Phil Foden (£5.5m) are the differential captain options for those backing Manchester City, boasting 5.9% and 2.9% of the vote respectively. 

The Brazilian has four attacking returns in the last two matches, while Foden has delivered in all but one home appearance made since Project Restart began.

With Norwich scoring just once in that time, Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.1m) has been considered by 2.7% while Olivier Giroud (£6.7m) netting four goals in his last five outings is enough to earn the support of 2.5% in the captain poll.

Mohamed Salah (£12.6m), David Silva (£7.3m), Danny Ings (£7.5m), Anthony Martial (£8.4m) and Michail Antonio (£7.0m) are the only other options chosen by more than 1%.

Player statistics – Last four matches

1,724 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy to Giroud-4 and captain is madness isn't it?
    Have a sneaky feeling about this beautiful man

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He hardly ever gets two attacking returns in a game.

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        true true.
        Just really want Foden for Mahrez instead of Pullisic too as most of my rivals have him. Torn whether to just avoid Chelsea game all together

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          The possibly avoid - couple of tricky games after too. Think Giroud maxes out at 7 points today

      2. BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Antonio has not scored four before.

    2. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      has not scored double digits all season. is this the day?

    3. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Guaranteed to start?

  2. jaywills
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hi guys, need some help!
    A) Jiminez and Mahrez out -> Jesus and Antonio in
    B) Jiminez and Aurier out -> Ings and Digne in
    C) Jiminez, Mahrez, Aurier Out -> Jesus, Pulisic and Eric Garcia in (-4)
    D) Jiminez, Mahrez, Aurier Out -> Jesus, Pulisic and Egan in (-4)

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      D

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

    Need some help here guys please :

    2FT 1.5 m ITB , still have FH

    Patricio (Martinez)
    TAA Doherty Aurier (Holgate Lascelles)
    Mane KDB Foden Martial Bruno
    Jimenez Greenwood (Nketiah)

    was thinking maybe Jimi -> Ings and Foden ->Willian ?

    1. Distinctly Average
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don't transfer foden out

  4. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Why is no one talking about Salah/ Mane against a laughable Arsenal defence?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They look tired but we all get influenced by the last game.

      The future is to be determined!

    2. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They’ve actually been pretty solid and kept a few clean sheets + Liverpool haven’t looked incredible since the restart.

      I’m thinking Salah is a good pick but not 100% sold

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        They also assisted Son's goal.
        Defence with David Luzi in it cant be called solid.

        1. TomSaints
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Absolutely capable of an epic brain fail but that in a way highlights they’re pretty good.

          As opposed to just being bad and conceding lots of goals

    3. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Their defence has actually been decent recently

      1. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Other teams have made them look solid I think so...if Tottenham can beat them...they are vulnerable

    4. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      While they make some awful mistakes, Arsenal defence is actually not that bad overall.

  5. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    GTG?

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Aurier
    Salah KDB Bruno Mahrez Pulisi(c)
    Vardy Greenwood

    Reina DCL Saiss Taylor

    Cheers - good luck lads.

  6. rhino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy to Jesus yay or nay for rest of season also have Auba and Rash.
    20 points behind in ML and he has Greenwood Ings and jimi.

    1. jaywills
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yay

  7. MGD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    DDG
    TAA - Doherty - Aurier
    Salah - KDB - Bruno - Foden
    Vardy - Jimmy - Greenwood

    Fodder - ASM - Saïss - Lascelles

    0.3 ITB 1 FT

    Feel pretty clueless but looking at either Salah to Sterling or Vardy to Jesus.

    No Chelsea coverage either...

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wouldn't want to ditch Salah away to Arsenal against whom he/Pool always score goals

  8. NOSLEEPTILLBROOKLYN
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any changes required? Am on a FH

    Ederson
    Azpi Digne Doherty 4.2 4.2
    Sterling KDB Martial Bruno Pulisic
    Greenwood Vardy 4.2

  9. cescpistols111
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bottomed, 1FT, 1.4 ITB. Chasing a big ML lead.

    A. DCL -> Ings
    B. DCL + Mane -> Vardy + Son (-4)
    C. Mane -> Sterling
    D. Davis -> Foden
    E. Save FT

    Current team is:
    Martinez Stekelenburg
    Doherty AWB Garcia Kabasele Simpson
    Mane KDB Martial Pulisic Davis
    Rashford Jimenez DCL

    1. Ceebes
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      D and bench DCL.

  10. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would you take a punt on Alonso on a FH?

    Since restart he has started 3, benched 2 & got 45 minutes last game.

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Only with early team news

      1. Tcheco
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Where can I find this?

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Possibly with FPL Rockstar

    3. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I would if its leaked he starts

    4. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah. Only his attacking prowess will be needed against Norwich

  11. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bottomed and chasing...

    De Gea
    TAA - Doherty - Holgate
    Mane (c) - KDB - Mahrez - Fernandes - Foden
    Greenwood - Vardy

    DCL - Lascelles - J.Robinson [2FT + 0.0m ITB]

    A) Mahrez + Vardy --> Pulisic + Jesus (FT)
    B) DCL + Mahrez + TAA --> Jesus + Pulisic + 5.1m DEF (-4)

    1. jaywills
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. Ceebes
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A.

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thnaks, All. Much appreciated.

  12. Klaren
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Need funds to do KDB to Sterling. Would you do:
    A) Bruno to Foden
    B) TAA to James (if he starts)

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nope

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wouldn't sell Bruno so B maybe.

    3. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      None

    4. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sorry just to be clear I wasn’t asking if I should do it, but just which one to do 🙂

      Thanks to everyone who responded though!

  13. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    NEED HELP.

    Would you take -8pts hit for..

    Saka -> Willian
    Jimenez -> Ings
    TAA -> Digne

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not for -8

    2. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No

  14. Aaa
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Free hit thoughts (if can confirm Alonso and Giroud start):

    McCarthy
    Robertson/Alonso/Digne
    KDB/Sterling/Fernandes/Martial/Pulisic(c)
    Jesus/Giroud

    Button/Greenwood/3.9/3.9

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Lose digne

    2. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not sure KDB starts?

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        In fact I’m very confident he doesn’t and even if he does it’s likely with D Silva in team which means he’s super deep

        1. tokara
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I think kdb will starts but agree w u with dsilva in the tean, kdb will be deep

        2. tokara
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          But dont be surprise dsilva plays FA Cup, look at the past line up for FA Cup

  15. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Could ARS-LIV finish 0-0?

    1. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Any match could finish 0-0 but I’d say unlikely for that fixture.

  16. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ings or Giroud on FH?

    1. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Same question

    2. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      For FH, giroud

  17. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    If I FH this is the 11...

    Phew!

    Pope
    Digne Alonso Taa
    Antonio Silva Foden Willian Pulisic
    Vardy Jesus

  18. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Why is Aurier a doub

    1. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      doubt

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Brother murdered in france

    2. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      His brother was killed in Toulouse yesterday.

    3. abaalan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      bro died.

    4. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bereavement

    5. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      His brother died....

      Was shot, awful ....

  19. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which is better this week?

    A. Doherty & Jimi > Pieters & Jesus
    B. Jimi & Mane > Ings & Sterling

    1. Areyouthereyet
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      b

  20. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    on FH, how does it look (0 ITB)??:
    Pickford
    Maguire, Digne, Azpi (Kiko, trash)
    Salah, Pulisic, David Silva, Antonio, Bruno
    Jesus, Kane (Greenwood)

    1. poulteren
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Kane?! Lol. Absolutely not.

      You only have two city players and they're playing bournmeouth at home. Could be carnage

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        The only caveat to it is Bournemouth coming off a great result, city don’t care about result and FA cup at the weekend.

        The way this seasons gone, I wouldn’t be shocked at a useless 1-1 draw

        1. poulteren
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Fair enough. I thnk they will win 4-0. A draw would be a massive massive shock

      2. abaalan
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Why not. New are pretty bad and near bottom of all def stats. Nice differential since im miles behind

        1. poulteren
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          because spurs have barely had a shot in the past few games. They're awful and struggling. Newcastle at home (after a long journey) will be tough

    2. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Two from Everton defence?

  21. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    what to do here guys? mane to sterling or keep vs arsenal defence? 1FT 0.5 iTB

    Patricio Button
    Aurier TAA LAscelle Doherry Robinson
    Mane kdb bruno willian luiz
    rash greenwood vardy

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Keep. Dont think sterling starts and liverpool will score at least a couple vs arsenal

      1. tibollom
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        thanks mate, maybe get rid of Aurier? given I have only 2 playing defenders

  22. seanie3
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    so do we think the city front 3 this week will be foden jesus and sterling (likely mahrez) is benched, then sterling comes off after 60 mins or so..

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      That would be ideal for my FH team but only Pep knows...

      1. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        yes many think Steling won't start, I think he will but comes off after 60 mins..then mahrez comes on for last 30.. KDB managed minutes also to keep him fresh he won't be sitting on the bench for 90

  23. Robson-Canoe
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which pair on FH:
    A) Martial + Alonso
    B) Willian + AWB

    I have DDG, Bruno, Pulisic and Azpi from both teams

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  24. Siggy in the Middle
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anything interesting from the Pep presser?

    1. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      🙂

    2. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      seems like the only questions he got were about FFP/CAS

    3. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Just talking about the judgement so far..

  25. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Why no info from Pep PC yet?

    1. Siggy in the Middle
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Apparently it was basically all about the FFP thing

  26. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Think I might finally get round to Foster-Pope after around a 30 point loss on it from WC. No justification to lose any others really.

  27. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Current front 7 is
    Bruno Foden Kdb Pulisic
    Greenwood Rashford Vardy
    Would it be worth a -4 to do dendo> Willian and benching one one of the above ?

  28. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jose is saying Aurier is a ”big question mark”..? What does that mean? Any news about him leaving to France?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He isn't going to be in the right frame on mind to play football is he after what happened. I doubt he plays in the weekend too

    2. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He’s probably leaving it to the player to decide if he is right to play. That would be the decent thing to do.

    3. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hmm. Maybe he want’s to play and honour his brother that way. Not sure. Think I will start him if he is not ruled out.

  29. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So the whole Pep presser is going to be about the ffp ruling and not about pre game?

    1. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He doesn’t usually give away anything useful anyway. He could praise a player but he is still just as likely to bench him.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It's arguably a bigger story than whether or not Sterling starts

  30. bigbudgie
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    This week only :
    A) Giroud or Ings
    B) Martial or Salah

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ings, martial

    2. FISSH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Giroud
      Martial