Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 37+?

There are a number of viable options for the Fantasy Premier League captaincy in Gameweek 37+.

Favourable fixtures for Manchester United, Manchester City, Wolves, Burnley and, according to some, Liverpool, have widened the spread of those considered for the armband by the Fantasy community.

As ever, the Captain Sensible article is here to help you sift through all the different candidates using each player’s underlying statistics from their last four matches compared 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

Manchester United options top the captain poll for Gameweek 37+ with Bruno Fernandes (£9.1m) and Anthony Martial (£8.5m) the two most popular for the armband.

They both face West Ham on Wednesday evening, each asset on a reliable run of form.

The Portuguese international has now hit 105 points across his first 12 Manchester United matches, averaging 8.8 points per outing; good enough to convince 20.9% of our voters to deem him the best captain for the penultimate Gameweek of the season.

FPL lessons learned as Martial and Rashford outscore Fernandes

Meanwhile, Martial has delivered a double-figure haul in every home appearance since the Premier League returned, registering five goals and three assists in just three matches at Old Trafford. Therefore, the Frenchman is not far behind Fernandes for armband support, 17.7% voting for him ahead of Gameweek 37+.

Danny Ings‘ (£7.6m) impressive scoring run was extended against Brighton, his total of five goals more than any other forward since the Premier League restart. During that period, Bournemouth have been breached 15 times, the second-worst in the division. That combination of statistics is clearly enough for 6.9% of our voters to go with the differential tactic of sticking the armband on Ings.

The same number of managers have declared their support for Kevin De Bruyne (£10.7m) as he prepares to face Watford at Vicarage Road. Manchester City options are somewhat problematic in Gameweek 37+ as the next deadline occurs several hours before they play Arsenal in the FA Cup, and roughly three days before their actual Premier League fixture.

 1

Following a complete rest against Bournemouth, De Bruyne feels the most likely to start at Watford but he could always get injured in the Cup. Either way, the awkward schedule has put paid to much captaincy consideration for Pep Guardiola’s men, the Belgian midfielder the only one of only two Citizens to be selected by more the 2% in this poll.

Completing the top five in the latest vote, Nick Pope (£5.1m) makes a rare appearance in the conversation for the goalkeeper’s union. The 5.7% support for Burnley’s shot-stopper does make a lot sense considering his team’s defensive record this season. He has 14 clean sheets to his name, the joint-highest of any goalkeeper in 2019/20 while Norwich have scored just once since the Premier League restart. 

Raheem Sterling‘s (£11.9m) one-point cameo against Bournemouth will be enough to put some Fantasy managers off, but some are prepared to take the risk on Manchester City’s number seven. Provided he can come through the FA Cup semi-final unscathed, the rest last time out does stand Sterling in good stead of starting at Watford, where he could extend his Project Restart record of six goals and three assists. It is that explosive capability which has convinced 5% of voters to go with the premium midfielder.

using-the-top-10000-ownership-to-increase-your-fpl-rank-andys-article 7

Chris Wood (£6.1m) has been a much-discussed option in the Fantasy community this week as he prepares to face Norwich, the team that has conceded the most since the Premier League returned (16 goals). 4.5% of our voters believe Wood will be the one to make the most of that, as he enjoys his best-ever Premier League season in terms of goals scored (12) and FPL points (120).

There is a similar level of support for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) as Arsenal prepare to travel to Aston Villa. Dean Smith’s men have made improvements at the back of late but with the Premier League season winding to a close, they may have to come out of their shell in the final two matches, which could leave room for Arsenal’s Golden Boot chasing striker to exploit.

Perhaps the most striking result of this latest captain poll is the lack of backing for Mohamed Salah (£12.5m), chosen as the best captain by just 4.1%. Yes, the Egyptian has blanked in each of his last two outings, but most would agree he was unlucky to do so on both occasions. With Salah ramping up his shot output in recent games, and Chelsea’s defence conceding an average of 1.8 goals per away match this season, there already appears to be opportunity for big gains offering itself to anyone willing to captain Salah.

Raúl Jiménez (£8.1m) has a favourable fixture in Gameweek 37+ as well, as Wolves host a Crystal Palace side that feels either on the beach, on its last legs, or both. The Eagles have conceded 15 times since the Premier League restart, only Norwich performing worse in that department (16), and they are now short of Patrick van Aanholt (£5.6m), Gary Cahill (£4.4m) and James Tomkins (£5.0m) at the back.

Despite a double-figure haul against that Palace defence on Thursday night, which had been coming for a while, Marcus Rashford (£8.9m) has not received the same attention for the Gameweek 37+ captaincy than Fernandes and Martial, chosen by just 3.6% of our voters. But he is just as reliable as his midfield counterparts at Old Trafford, although less explosive thus far, averaging 7.3 points per game there since the Premier League returned.

Harry Kane (£10.9m), Son Heung-min (£9.6m), Gabriel Jesus (£9.8m) and Jamie Vardy (£9.8m) are the only other assets considered by more than 1% in the captain poll.

Player statistics – Last four matches

1,634 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Are you going make a lot of changes on your Free Hit in GW38? I have a feeling many managers will probably not have to make many changes after GW37.

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

      Auba and Salah will be very popular

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

      Indeed... So free hit gw37 could be more valuable like last week but people's minds are set.

      1. Puncheon Guly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        FA Cup muddies the water this week. Dont want to free hit then have no-shows

    3. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      My defence is a disaster, think United have a tough fixture, Liverpool unreliable and I like the look of Auba and Kane. So yes, I will make lots of changes!

    4. Lilac Breasted Roller
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      My defensive line is entirely broken to injuries and in sore need of complete overhaul

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

      probably, trying not to do it just because I can though

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

      38,
      Kane, Auba, Dilva, Antonio, and a whole new defence

    7. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Lots!!

      1. Old Gregg
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        What Rafa says and maybe son

        Definitely

        Son or Kane
        Salah
        Antonio
        Dilva and maybe one more city.
        Currently have 3 Man Utd May reduce that to 1/2

  2. XX SMICER XX
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is TAA & Giroud out for Auba & Saiss (or Lund) good idea? Would be -4.

    I would captain Auba and bench Foden!

    1.4M ITB, Free Hit W38+, current team below:

    Ederson
    TAA, Alonso, Doherty
    KDB, Foden, Pulisic, Martial, Bruno
    Rashford, Jimenez

    Button, Giroud, Lascelles, Lowton

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

    For last 2 gws
    Kane or Auba?

    1. StellaMan
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Auba

    2. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I prefer Auba, simply because I put weight in competing for the Golden Boot.

    3. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Kane

    4. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Auba.

  4. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Son or Wood..?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wood

    2. There's Always One!
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Son

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      This week Wood next week Son.

  5. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Tempted to go full madness, go all out and BB this bad boy for a 24 point hit:

    Kane for Vardy
    Auba for Connolly
    Son for Sterling
    Stanislas for Fernandes
    Pieters for VVD
    Lamptey for Lascelles
    Reina for Button

    McCarthy | Reina
    Pieters | Lamptey | Kiko | Saiss | El Mohamady
    Salah | Son | KdB | Martial | Stanislas
    Kane | Auba | Greenwood

    Madness or potential genius?

    1. Lilac Breasted Roller
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Madness. Getting a 24 bonus from BB is pretty decent, and you would need to match at least that

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

        He's messing... No intention of following through.

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I’m really tempted....

      2. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Fair, could leave the last 2 transfers and not play BB and do a 16 point hit:

        McCarthy
        Pieters | Saiss | El Mohamady
        Salah | Son | KdB | Martial | Stanislas
        Kane | Auba

        Button | Greenwood | Kiko | Lascelles

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

      Is Kane in or out?

      Go for it

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Kane in

    3. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Assuming you have nothing to play for, go for it. It's all about the fun right?

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

      Is this FPL team really your own? Or asking for a friend

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Mine...

    5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mad

    6. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      One step beyond

    7. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      In my first season playing I went full crazy in GW 38, hits for -16, I was so proud and full of hope for my team, got some great players with amazing fixtures. They scored me whooping 28 pts! And I'm not talking after deducting hits 🙂
      That 28(-16) still hurts...

  6. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Debating whether to start Foden or Greenwood.

    People who have opted for one over the other, what swung the decision for you?

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

      Greenwood on better form

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

      Greenwood is playing home for a start.

    3. HD7
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Greenwood

  7. maratus
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Predictions, will Aurier play on sunday? Important game for eurospot..

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No one knows but Aurier himself, could go either way, prob 60/40 that he won't imho.

  8. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    AWB + Mahrez > Tark + Martial (C) for -4?

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

      Do it.

  9. gomez123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martinez
    TAA Boly Egan
    Salah(c) KDB Bruno Martial Mahrez
    Vardy(vc) Greenwood
    Nketiah Aurier Lascelles 1ft & 0.1m in bank
    Chasing an 8 point lead in mini league hence the Salah punt...
    Gtg and roll Ft ?

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

    Best replacement for Taylor?
    Sub 4.5m defender needed for my bench

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Lamptey or Long

      1. Dion D's Solo Shower
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Or Bardsley

      2. StellaMan
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers, Diop was other on my shortlist

  11. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Lads I am worried about my benching decision, can anyone see bellow and advise is everything right or changes are needed?

    Pope
    Doherty VVD TAA
    Sterling vc KDB Bruno c Martial
    Greenwood Jimmy Ings
    Bench: Henderson in goal, Foden, Digne, Eagan.

    Please help.

    Thank you

    1. StellaMan
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Difficult one. Think is right onlybcoin toss is foden/greenwood

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I suspect Foden is benched and Greenwood ownership is so high so it is good rank protector. Top 7K now.

        On the other hand the defense is driving me nuts, from keeper to defenders

    2. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'd be surprised if liverpool keep a clean sheet

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        But Kepa is in goal and we are terrible at defending set peices. Surely VVD and TAA deliver pts imo

    3. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tough. Id probably play Egan over VVD though Chelsea are notoriously poor at defending set pieces.
      Foden in for Greenwood, for me. Rest looks good.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks mate. We being so bad at set pieces made me consider playing VVD.

        No one for playing Digne?

  12. Lexi2014
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Greenwood -> Wood for free

    Yay or nay?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nay for me

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

      Nay

    3. BrutalLogiC
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      not for me but some seem to think he's quid's in for a goal (Wood)

    4. There's Always One!
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      nay

  13. Gazwaz80
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is that the original Magnus Carlson in 5th place overall or just a copycat?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      The original

    2. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      The real OG

    3. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      OG
      Copycat has Magnum dong in his name somewhere

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers chaps, I’ve just scraped into top 100,000 and I’m ecstatic, sort of puts things into perspective:)

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

    Debating whether to start Foden or Greenwood.

    People who have opted for one over the other, what swung the decision for you??

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

      Phil

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Phil for me. See above. Can you pleade advise on my benching dilemma too ?

    2. FC nelo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Can't decide, but on Foden atm.

  15. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Gayle to JRodriguez worth a -4?

    On BB

  16. Jonesfromthere
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Time go big, who else is captaining Wood?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Go for it. Good luck

      1. Dion D's Solo Shower
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        It worked out, when some people captained Antonio against Norwich, you might as well go for it

  17. JenkoJunko
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I have a 12 point lead in my ML do I use my FH this game week or 38? Thanks all and GL

    Squad:
    TAA Doherty Stevens Kiko Holgate
    Salah KDB Foden Bruno Martial
    Nketiah Jesus Greenwood

    I have 1FT this week and will potentially thinking Jesus to Jimmy.

    A. 37
    B. 38

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

      Squad looks strong this week so FH38. If cash itb upgrade Nketiah/Greenwood to Chris Wood/Maupay for a punt

      1. JenkoJunko
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah thanks! I'm thinking 38 as well. I like the sounds of that and have 1.5ITB but just a bit worried about punting as not chasing. But then i guess its only a 12 point lead

  18. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mahrez > Martial(c) or keep 2 ft’s for GW38?

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think 2 FTs for GW38 could be prudent

      It’s rock n roll to do a transfer now though of course

      But when you think of the amount of players that could get injured in the cup fixtures - most teams will have 2 or 3 each from Utd City Chelsea arsenal - so much potential for unforeseen chaos

      Throw in Jimmy baby watch & FTs May be a god send by next week!

      1. Weasel51
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        That’s what I’m thinking too.

        Cheers

  19. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Rodriguez has been passed fit for Burnley. Which striker would you go for?

    Getting Rodriguez in for me would mean I'm flexible to get either of Mahrez or Dilva in for Foden in gw38 depending on early team news. Wood in would mean I can only get Dilva in.

    Thoughts?

    1. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wood vs JRod seems pretty even for tonight.
      I would definitely want DSilva next GW, so maybe pick Wood. He's on penalties, mind

    2. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wood is better option than J Rod imo

  20. mdm
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Need to bench one:

    A. Greenwood
    B. Dilva

    Thanks.

    1. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  21. Thunder Warrior
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jimi or Rashford?

    1. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Marcus

    2. Kno
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      rash if pushed, both looking really good to own this week.

  22. Limbo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    WC team with BB next week - GTG?

    Martinez (Pope)
    Saiss, Bardsely, Egan (Pieters, Walker-Peters)
    Salah, Bruno, DSilva, Sterling, Martial
    Auba, Ings (Greenwood)

    (Think double Burnley this week is a risk as leading ML, so picked Martinez... stupid?)

  23. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Repost. Any thoughts appreciated please

    Going without Wood and holding Greenwood.

    Taylor to max 5.4 defender? Tarkowski best for this week with FH next? Got 2FT so wanted to use them but cant see anything else to do?

    Ederson (Martinez)

    TAA Tark Egan (Boly, Kiko)

    Salah(C) KDB Bruno Foden (Puli)

    Greenwood Ings Rash

    G2G or use the 2nd FT? Chasing so willing to punt

    1. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looks good to me.

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers think the bench players are correct too?

  24. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mahrez > Martial(c) or keep 2 ft’s for GW38?

    Thanks

  25. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    AWB + Mahrez > Tark + Martial (C) for -4?.

  26. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy and Lascelles ➡️ Wood and Tark -4??

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      yeah

    2. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Can you just do Lascelles to Tark (or Pieters/Bardsley)?

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        No only have 1 FT unfortunately

  27. Kno
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bruno, Martial or Kevin for the big (C)?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bruno

    2. DF
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tony

  28. Fantastic11
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Have I missed the scout selections?

    1. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not up yet

      1. Fantastic11
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Leaving it v late!

  29. Bojaninho
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Free hit team..

    Patricio
    Pieters, tarkowski, Doherty
    Sterling, Salah, Fernandez, Martial
    Jiminiez,Wood,Rashford

    current team and team for gw38 with BB

    Pope,
    TAA,Laorte,Doherty
    Dilva,Fernandes,Martial, Antonio
    Jesus,Deeney,Greenwood

    Martinez, Willian, Azpi, Soy

    Soy and Deeney out for not sure who yet for the bench boost.

    Thoughts?

  30. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    will saka play? or is he FA cup