Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 38+?

Fantasy Premier League managers are faced with a wealth of viable choices for the captaincy on the final day of the 2019/20 season.

With so much riding on the Gameweek 38+ fixtures, knowing that any number of armband candidates stand a chance of exploding may take the pressure off the decision and allow more focus on the ownership of each asset.

To help you pick the best captain for your team, the Captain Sensible article is back for one last hurrah, analysing the statistical form of players over their last four matches and comparing them with 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

Raheem Sterling (£12.0m) is the clear winner of the captain poll for Gameweek 38+ pulling in the support of 35.6% in the final vote of the season.

There is very little surprise about the Manchester City midfielder topping the charts here, considering he has five double-figure hauls since the Premier League returned and recently claimed penalty-taking duties from Kevin De Bruyne (£10.6m), who is backed by just 6.6% of our readers.

David Silva (£7.5m) is also set to play a part in the captaincy conversation after 13% of our voters deemed him the best option for the final Gameweek of the season. It also happens to be the Spaniard’s last Premier League game for Manchester City, suggesting he could go out with a bang. That seems likely when we consider he has averaged 10.5 points per appearance at home during Project Restart.

De Bruyne and Foden unlucky as Silva and Sterling score big for Man City

The backing for both Sterling and Silva is, of course, underpinned by Norwich’s obliging defence. The Canaries have let in 18 goals since Gameweek 30+, an average of 2.3 per game.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) may have blanked in each of his last three outings, but there is still an outside chance he can wrestle the Golden Boot trophy away from Jamie Vardy (£9.7m). Watford come to the Emirates Stadium having conceded three goals in three of their last five away matches, while Aubameyang has scored six times in as many home Premier League appearances.

With the same amount of the support in the poll (11%), Harry Kane (£10.9m) comes into Gameweek 38+ with a brace in each of his last two games. That has convinced a portion of the Fantasy community that the Spurs forward will have an enjoyable trip to Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon. 

using-the-top-10000-ownership-to-increase-your-fpl-rank-andys-article 8

Crystal Palace have found themselves in the middle of a rotten defensive crisis as the 2019/20 campaign comes to a close. They have at least two goals in each of their last five Premier League matches, and will face Spurs short of Patrick van Aanholt (£5.6m), Gary Cahill (£4.3m), James Tomkins (£4.9m) and, most likely, Mamadou Sakho (£5.0m).

Another team in disarray at the back are Newcastle, who have flags against seven different defenders ahead of hosting Liverpool on Sunday. That could be good news for Mohamed Salah (£12.5m), who clearly has a been under his bonnet having not scored in each of his last three despite a whole host of opportunities. The Egyptian has arguably been the most exciting Liverpool player recently and a beleaguered Newcastle defence could be exactly what he needs to get that explosive haul he has been promising.

Christian Pulisic (£7.4m), Bruno Fernandes (£9.1m), Riyad Mahrez (£8.6m), Gabriel Jesus (£9.9m) and Anthony Martial (£8.5m) are the only other options with more than 1% support in the poll.

Player statistics – Last four matches

2,265 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Side note: Lloris has had an insane number of bonus points (for a top 6 keeper) under Mou

    Possible set-and-forget next season?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He's been statistically the best keeper in the league when he's played this season.

      Possible. But it depends on price. I'll likely go for a 5.0m keeper set and forget.

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I'm willing to pay 5.5 if I can forget the spot all season, especially since this dude has gotten bonus points + saves while conceding: "fixture-proof"

        But you're right there. Prices will determine a lot. And GK prices are definitely going to be wild...

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nah, has to be Pope for me. I will probably get Aurier as a staple tho, unless it goes horribly wrong

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        If Pope is 5.5m same as Lloris, isn't Lloris just better under 2nd season Mourinho?

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Too expensive for relying on save points.
      Doesn't keep CS for his price.

      Should be either Pope or Ederson. Constant flow of points 😀

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Their defence is getting better. Can only expect better reinforcements soon

      2. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        He does keep clean sheets

        13 games since GW24: 6 CS, 13 save points, 13 bonus points, 1 pen save

    4. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Depends on Spurs signings too for me.

    5. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      If they can tidy up their away form, sure

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

    Pope (Martinez)
    TAA, Pieters, Saiss (Lascelles*, Holgate*)
    KDB, DSilva, Salah, Fernandes, Martial
    Vardy, Rashford (Connolly)

    1FT + 0.2 itb

    A) Vardy > Jesus
    B) Lascelles > Stephens
    C) Other ideas?

  3. Statsson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    if I use the free hit, can I confirm a few transfers now, and a few others later this week - i.e. use it in a few goes instead of one go? if it's only possible in one-go then I'll need to wait until very last minute which I'd like to avoid. Help please

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      You can keep tweaking until the deadline

      1. Smell the Lavender
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I can confirm this is correct as I played my FH yesterday and have been tweaking to see how different things can fit. Annoys me that FPL don't make this clear in their rules as it's quite important when you come to play it.

  4. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    If you had no Burnley defence, would you just go without and hope for the best? I have Trent Aurier Alonso anyway. Henderson isn't a great keeper choice this week but a keeper switch feels a waste at this stage.

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      betting on Burnley conceeding is not a bad idea as so many have put faith in it. I have triple Burnley -_-

    2. Rover
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yes, I would either double-up or go without.

  5. The Brummie
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    See a lot of views about players going for golden boot and most assists records etc.

    What about highest point scoring player in fantasy football this year? Both KDB and Salah on 232, you telling me this won't be on their minds when they walk out tomorrow? I expect both players to be going for it.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I doubt either give a crap about FPL

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Salah obviously doesn't care about assist points or bonus.

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      It would be great if this was their motivation!

    3. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Haha some how I don’t think they care too much about FPL

    4. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      😀

    5. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      You might be onto something here. Everyone knows that Pep bases his lineups on what would annoy us the most.

    6. Martial Matas
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Surely we can have a whip round so there's a bonus for them?

  6. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I may be wrong but does anyone think Mahrez is being overlooked for this gameweek. Feel he will start and could get some joy against a poor Norwich back line! He is in my FH draft. Watch him get a 2 pointer now!!

    1. Smell the Lavender
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I heard him mentioned a lot. He plays for City and has been tested recently.

    2. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yes I agree, think he's flying under the radar a lot considering he's well rested

    3. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He won't get 2 points. Might get 3 though

    4. Martial Matas
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah I reckon he starts. Think it depends what you're chasing in this last week - Sterling clearly the best pick, but Mahrez great if you need a diff I think.

  7. Vpan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    1FT, lots of options

    Salah-KDB-Foden-Martial-Bruno
    Vardy-Greenwood-Ings

    a) Vardy -> Kane

    b) Salah -> Sterling

    c) a+b -4

    d) Foden -> Sterling, Vardy -> Nketiah -4 (3-4-3 -> 3-5-2)

    e) Bruno/Martial -> DSilva

  8. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    So with Pep confirming that the team got two days off feeling confident to C Sterling.

    GTG?

    Ederson
    Digne, Lamptey, Boly,
    Salah, D Silva, Fernandes, C Sterling, Martial,
    Ings, VC Kane

    Button, Greenwood, Stevens, Taylor

    1.7

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yep looks good

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers

  9. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Sell one (Blocking, one I Don’t sell will be benched)

    A) Alonso
    B) AWB

    Buy one

    C) Aurier - will he start?
    D) Bardsley

  10. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    This gw without playing any chip I was 35pts above average. Hoping this gw with Free Hit to be 50pts above average.

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      50 is way too much to expect

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Don’t bet on it.

    3. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nonsense

  11. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Bench boost for GW38+

    Pope Martinez
    TAA Doherty Mendy Lamptey Digne
    Bruno KDB Salah (C) Pulisic Dilva
    Vardy Ings Greenwood

    Last roll of the dice...
    A Vardy/Mendy to Kane/Pieters -4
    B Salah to Sterling
    C Fernandes/Vardy to Antonio/Kane -4
    D Mendy to Pieters

  12. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    After Leicester played last everyone was saying triple up on United attack Leicester are awful so many defensive players missing and then United look average at West Ham and suddenly the best attacking player since restart in the league is a must to get out on a hit?

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm ditching Bruno

      1. TheDragon
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        He hasn’t blanked in a single away game in the league this season

    2. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Agree. The MUN attack could have a great day ...

  13. Bob B
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A. Vardy & Doherty to Kane & Aurier (-4)
    & Play
    1. Foden
    2. DCL

    B. Vardy & Foden to Ings & Dilva (-4)
    & Play
    1. Doherty
    2. Azpilicueta

  14. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this FH
    Martinez
    Aurier Pieters Bardsley
    Salah Sterling David Silva Martial
    Ings Auba Kane

    (Williams Watts Guendouzi)
    Thx

  15. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Trent or Robbo? Robbo would allow me to upgrade the bench just incase there are any unexpected benchings.

    1. Goooo Rickie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Gta go TAA

  16. Cak Juris
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    My Free Hit Team. What you reckon?

    Martinez
    Van Dijk - Pieters - Ben Johnson
    Sterling (C) - KdB - Salah - David Silva - Bruno
    Kane (VC) - Ings
    Sub: Stekelenburg - Nketiah - Branthwaite - Williams

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      VVD -> Aurier and use the cash to do Martinez -> Pop or Johnson to Gomez

  17. SomeoneKnows
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Vardy > Jesus

    Yes or No?

  18. ALegendJ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    If you know both are starting, who would you go for? already have two other city and no FH

    A) Jesus
    B) D.Silva

    1. Rover
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

  19. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    If Jesus doesn't start, which transfer is best if Iwant to make up 19 points?

    a) Jesus, Bruno, Pulisic ----> Wood, Salah, Mahrez

    b) Jesus, Rashford, Bruno ---> Kane, Auba, Dilva

    1. Tozier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'd go for B

  20. TheDragon
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Final FH question. Would really appreciate help

    Who gets the last 2 spots?

    Pope
    TAA, Aurier, Pieters
    Salah, Sterling, DSilva
    Ings, Greenwood

    A) KDB & Son
    B) KDB & Fernandes
    C) Mahrez & Kane

    1. Will J 256
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      C personally

    2. Goooo Rickie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

  21. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    When does the game reset for next season?

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      When indeed

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Whenever it does isn't soon enough.

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Going to be easier this year as we now know some excellent budget enablers who are nailed?

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Gonna be more difficult to make an initial team I think, lots of potentially expensive options, no Lund.

  22. Tozier
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Rate these please (this is for draft):

    A) C Wilson
    B) Deeney
    C) Che Adams

  23. Goooo Rickie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Foden cameo off the bench a better option than any of Doherty, AWB or Egan?

    HELP!

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yus

    2. Tozier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Also struggling with this. I think from Foden's minutes he will get at least 20, which against Norwich is enough to play him for me over any of those.

  24. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Some interesting options...

    A) Vardy + Rashford + Son
    B) Kane + Rashford + Fernandes
    C) Vardy + Ings + Fernandes
    D) Rashford + Ings + Fernandes

    What's best?

    If I do C/D I can also do Foden > David Silva

    1. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Kane Ings Son?

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Can't. I'm not on FH. That would cost me 12 points.

        1. Long ago I drew a walrus
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          At the end of the day it all boils down to your reading of the United Leicester game. I'm struggling to call it atm, likewise Chelsea Wolves. That will determine Vardy vs Rashford for you I guess although Rashford is imo a better option than Fernandes according to the above article

    2. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Kane Ings Fernandes/Son

      1. TheDragon
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I’d go B then

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

      I like B

    4. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      D with Dilva

    5. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      C and get Silva.

  25. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Who would you captain if you'd were chasing 29 point deficit? Assuming leader captains Sterling

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Pulisic 😮

      A player he doesn’t have - Kane, Son, Auba, Salah all options

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

      Kane

    3. Tozier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Kane, Auba or Salah.

      Also look to make up the deficit in other ways - buy defenders who play his attackers, as long as their fixture is half decent. You will need the points swing, might be the only way.

    4. Goooo Rickie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Son or Richarlison?

    5. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Still Sterling. Most likely points this GW. That's why the leader most likely captains him too

      Work on cutting the deficit with your other players

  26. Releasebreaks
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Foden Kane Doherty -> (C)Sterling J.Rodriguez Mendy/Walker -8

    Yes or no

  27. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Ffs just missed the deadline

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Jokes are hard

  28. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this FH
    Martinez
    Aurier Pieters Bardsley
    Salah Sterling David Silva Martial Son
    Ings Kane

    (Williams Branthwaite Conolly)
    Thx

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Lovely stuff - weak defence but great attack

      1. Tabbara
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Have 1.3 in the bank. Bardsley to Pope ?

        1. MrZ
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Not sure pope can get save point when playing as defender

          1. Tabbara
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Sorry meant Mendy lol

        2. TheDragon
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Martinez -> Pope
          Bardsley -> Gomez is worth considering

    2. Releasebreaks
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Martial Son -> KDB Antonio

  29. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Final week, this is the situation:

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Fernandez
    Salah KdB Bruno Dilva
    Rash Ings Greenwood

    3.9 Kiko Holgate Guendouzi

    1ft, 2.2m itb

    Would you do?

    A) Salah to Sterling(TC)
    B) Rash to Auba (DilvaTC)
    C) Rash to Kane (Dilva TC)
    D) Salah + Rash to Sterling + Auba or Kane for -4

  30. Warbling Wendy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Martinez, Mccarthy
    Taa, van dijk, laporte, (pieters, long)
    Salah, sterling, KDB, fernandes, martial
    Jiminez, Greenwood, (Nketiah)

    Not sure who to transfer out/in this week,o have one FT. Currently sat at 3k on the world, would love to make a move that pushed into the top 1k.

    1. Warbling Wendy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Any obvious ideas?