Captain Sensible

Who are the best Captain options for FPL Blank Gameweek 1?

Jan Sienkiewicz was the king of the Fantasy Premier League captaincy in 2019/20, scoring a whopping 657 points from the armband, the second-highest in the whole world. We asked him to help out with the captaincy debate ahead of the new campaign’s Gameweek 1 deadline.


Quite an unprecedented 2020/2021 pre-season is drawing to a close, as we are eagerly waiting for the new FPL campaign to start. Hundreds of drafts, multiple formations, Wildcard strategies and planning early transfers; we have all been there and, in fact, we are all living in this world right now.

There is one common denominator in our efforts; trying to find the best captain. Getting the right skipper is usually a crucial component to having a successful season and Fantasy managers are looking to start the campaign strongly with the right choice. Let’s evaluate the options available for us in Gameweek 1.

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

Captain Poll

Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m)  tops the Fantasy Football Scout captain poll with 53.3% of votes, as he faces a newly-promoted Fulham side in Gameweek 1.

The Arsenal striker, who has been reclassified as a midfielder for this season’s edition of FPL, is currently owned by 44.1% of Fantasy managers – which is more than the combined ownership of Sadio Mané (£12.0m, 13.3% ownership) and Mohammed Salah (£12.0m, 29.8% ownership).

The Gabonese international starred in Arsenal’s Community Shield victory two weeks ago (scoring a long-distance goal in a 1-1 draw that the Gunners won on penalties) and then netted twice in a 3-2 friendly defeat to Aston Villa behind-closed-doors.

Aubameyang’s great form is accompanied by a favourable Gameweek 1 fixture too, as Fulham’s defensive vulnerabilities are still fresh in people’s minds from the 2018/19 campaign. The Cottagers conceded a league-high of 81 goals the last time they were in the top flight, which included nine goals over two games against Arsenal (5-1 and 4-1 defeats).

Metrics

The second most popular pick for the armband among the Fantasy Football Scout users this week is Salah (25.6%). Considering that the runaway 2019/20 champions are hosting newly-promoted Leeds United, and Manchester City and Manchester United are without a fixture, it seems to some extent surprising that the Fantasy-proven Egyptian midfielder is struggling to attract more interest for the armband.

Even more of a surprise, Mané sits at third in the poll with only 3.9% of votes. The Senegalese winger, who scored 18 goals and provided 10 Fantasy assists last season, showed glimpses of class in pre-season and will be looking to improve on his impressive home record against newly-promoted opposition on Saturday.

Behind the podium we can find Chelsea’s new striker Timo Werner (£9.5m, 3.5% of votes), Liverpool’s defender Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m, 2.1%), as well as Tottenham Hotspur assets – Son Heung-min (£9.5, 2.1%) and Harry Kane (£10.5m, 1.8%).

Based on the poll, the main decision managers will have to make regarding captaincy will involve comparing Aubameyang with Salah. We will therefore mostly focus on the Liverpool and Arsenal options.

Best players by position:

3,881 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Salah

    1. Rivers
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I say will be Mane

  2. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Salah home fixture is an easy pick.

  3. Freund88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Players that appeared in all the early RMTs but seem to have fallen out of favour...

    I’ll start..

    Sheffield Utd defenders. I still have Egan in draft

  4. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ready? 🙂
    Last minute suggestions?

    McCarthy - 4.0
    TAA - B.Davies - Lascelles - C.Taylor - Mitchell
    Salah - Auba - ASM - JWP - Bissouma
    Kane - Werner - Mitrovic

    1. Mouldmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very good - nothing to suggest other than do you have a plan for Utd GW2?

      1. Mouldmaster
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I say that as Kane to Ings and JWP to Ali (or Son if you can stretch) gives a slightly more flexible squad.

        1. LewanGOALski
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          not a fan of Alli, but... Son+DCL is what also have crossed my mind couple of times. I love DCL fixtures from GW2 to GW4 (WBA, cry, BHA)

          1. LewanGOALski
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            would you swap to that..?

            1. Mouldmaster
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              I probably wouldn’t just because I’m one of the fools that stayed with DCL post lockdown and fell from 2k to 7k pretty sharpish! I realise that shouldn’t put me off, but I’m waiting to see.

              I like the team, the only challenge will be getting to three big midfielders, but if Kane isn’t firing then him and Auba to Martial and Bruno leaves 3m to turn JWP into Havertz or Pulisic.

              1. LewanGOALski
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Yup, you’re right - exact strategy is on the paper if - like you said - Kane and/or Auba or Salah ain’t delivering 😉

                thx for the input and GL!

      2. LewanGOALski
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        if Kane pi***s me off like he has last previous seasons, it’s him to Martial 😉

    2. Captain Fozzy
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good, JWP just never excites me as a pick

  5. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Aubameyang will be captain. Not gonna rock the boat GW1. No other standout options.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Does Salah play golf?

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He’s developed a severe shank with that left peg

      2. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I don't have Salah so he's not an option for me 😀

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

      Obviously biased post. it's just silly to claim that auba is the only captain option.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I didn't word it right. I meant no other standout options in my team. I don't have Salah who is the other fairly good choice.

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

          Fair enough!

  6. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    1. Is Johnson likely to start any GW1?

    2. Who will be at RWB for Wolves in GW1?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      in GW1**

  7. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Bruno, Davies, Ryan

    B) Martial, Doherty, Ramsdale

  8. thepeen555
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Salah might be playing at home but he hasnt done anything preseason

    1. thepeen555
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pressed send early. My money will be with Mane

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

      He's due unlike auba

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

    RMT - / 10?

    McCarthy
    TAA Coady Justin
    Auba Son Willian JW-P
    Richarlison Mitrovic Werner
    Taylor Ward Bissouma

    2.5 ITB

    1. headfried
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Why 2.5 in bank?

  10. nicecat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you rather have Michy B or Rodriguez in your Draft team?

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Jay or James?

      1. nicecat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Jay, from Burnley.

        1. Zladan
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Mmm neither are great but probably JRod.

          No chance for any of:
          Mitro
          Rodrigo
          Adams
          Nketiah

          1. nicecat
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Nketiah is available. You think he will play?

            1. Zladan
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              I think there’s a good chance he starts. Arteta seems to like him. He even started CS.

              1. nicecat
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Great, thanks for the shout!

  11. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Am I right that Davies is considered the preffered option over dier in spurs defence?

    Thanks

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      They are both equally good/bad. I'm starting to doubt Spurs defenders.

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Why's that?

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

          I think 5m for a reasonably nailed jose defender is worth a shot, surely

        2. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Europa League, Eve/Sot/Mun in first 4 games and Dier/Davies lack of attacking threat.

          1. LewanGOALski
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Mourinho is capable of tactically closing any of those rivals

  12. Fpl_Juggernaut
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Currently set on this
    Mccarthy
    Taa Davies kwp justin
    Auba mane havertz son
    Werner adams

    Good to go?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What’s your bench to afford that?

      1. Fpl_Juggernaut
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Steer Mitchell Stephens davis

        1. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          My worry would be being tied in to kwp and Justin. Bad Soton fixture, and Justin dropped and you’ve got nowhere to go.

        2. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I’d be tempted to start Mitchell and have Charlie Taylor instead of kwp

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Would you not rather Mitro and not use up all 3 Southampton spot? Ings might bang and you may need him for his streaks.

      1. Fpl_Juggernaut
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I somehow feel Adams is these seasons ings at 6m. Just a gut feeling, but I agree with your point

  13. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA Davies Saiss
    Salah Aubameyang(c) Havertz Alli Soucek
    Werner Adams

    Steer Mitchell Taylor Davis

    Taking a gamble with Mitchell as only sub, but prefer Taylor to any other 4.5 going forward.

    Nervous about havertz and alli, looking out for team hints, might bottle it and go son + ASM.

    1. Rigid Digit
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Alli will be playing further forward than Pochetino played him. Probably through the middle behind Kane

  14. Rigid Digit
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    James Rodriguez @ 7.5?
    Could be worth a punt as Ancelotti's tactics are likely to be "give the ball to James"

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      could well be an early wagon.
      echoes of VDV at Sp8rs

    2. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’m sure I’ll own him at some point, just not from the start...

  15. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    TAA - Davies - Saiss - Ayling - 4.0

    Playing three at the back but I'm not entirely confident about this defence but many have opted for something similar.

    Dier/Davies don't offer attacking threat and Spurs face Everton, Soton & United in the first 4 fixtures which is a bit overlooked.

    Want a Wolves def but some doubts around Saiss starting spot with Marcal signing. Coady is a very boring pick but maybe sensible?

    Worth downgrading one of the 5.0m def to upgrade 4.0 to 4.5 def?

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      IMO Davies is the one im not sold on. Is he really a starter? Just not convinced unless there some info I've missed. I would get TAS & 3 4.5’s and keep 0.5 ITB to jump on the ones that look good early doors.

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        TAA & 3 x 4.5s would free up one mil for me but I don't like the look of too many 4.5s. Ayling & Taylor I like but they don't have good GW1 fixtures although I don't mind having them long term. Really want a Wolves def so I'm ready to spend 5m there.

      2. Front 442
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Egan or Taylor at Burnley

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I see what you're thinking karan.
      I like 2*4.5m option.
      Taylor & KWP

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yup I'm considering exactly that or Justin over KWP as I have McCarthy in goal. But I can see the sense behind having a Spurs & Wolves def too.

    3. Ballistics
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not many people mentioning Zouma. I think at 5.0 he’s a bargain.

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Assuming he starts

  16. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you make changes here??

    Ryan
    TAA/Davies/Egan/KWP
    Auba/Salah/Son/ASM
    Werner/Ings

    Nyland/Brewster/Bissouma/Mitchell

  17. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Auba - form.

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Auba form & more points this season. 😀

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It's GW1. Form isn't a thing yet.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        When do they release the form then ?
        😛

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

          Gw 3

    3. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      of course there is form - the season ended a few weeks ago.
      and the charity shield and pre-season as well

  18. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you have Havertz or Alli?
    Have already Werner and no Spurs attack.

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Alli for a couple the. Hav if he looks good.

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Havertz

  19. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi Guys. Just need a final opinion in this lot please.

    McCarthy
    TAA Justin Vinagre KWP
    Salah (C) Auba (vc) Soucek
    Wilson Mitrovic Werner

    Button Brewster Mitchel Bruno 0.5ITB

  20. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anybody else thinking batshuayi is a really good pick now?

    Surely will start for Crystal Palace and will score goals

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Never convinced watching him

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not in Woy’s team.

  21. Hazardous1983
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son or havertz

    Mitro or adams or ny other 6m

    Is soucek available

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Proven from the start so Son. You can easily jump on Son if he looks great.

      Mitro’s fixtures are quite enticing, Arsenal included.

  22. wycombewanderers
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Egan
    B) Davies

    Thanks

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  23. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    In your opinion who is the best 4.5-5m DF to have for the first 4 - 6 GWs for this back 7

    McCarthy Nyland

    TAA Justin Davies Egan xxxxxx

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Saiss

  24. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Auba (c) maybe a fiver on a Salah brace (cue 3 assists)

  25. Amey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Reminds me of Wakanda Forever !!

  26. Madfox
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi guys just hoping some serious managers would be interested in joining my H2H league. Looking to make it a strong standard. Code is f4zxo5

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      IN

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Also interested in a draft league, wonder if somebody could start

    3. Yip Jaap Stam
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Just joined

    4. GGMU11
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Joined.

    5. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      As much as I hate H2H with a vegeance (pure luck!)... I'm in.

  27. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who's the best pick?

    A. ASM

    B. Mitrovic

    C. Adams

    1. Yip Jaap Stam
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Who is ASM? I keep seeing this but can’t figure out who it is

      1. Z
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Sain Maximilian (or something like that) Newcastle 🙂

        1. Yip Jaap Stam
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Ah, yes. Thanks!

      2. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Allan Saint-Maximin. Newcastle.

  28. Ceefax Page 302.
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Do FPL Family have a mini league?

    1. Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      That is rly nice pal....(if you have it)

  29. Red Red Robins
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else tmepted to switch to Salah from Auba?

    1. Rigid Digit
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Got em both - wondering which to switch tor De Bruyne in GW2/GW3.
      Maybe keep both and hope De Bruyne is playing so deep he can't score and assist as the same rate as last year (unlikely though).
      At the moment Salah is nearer to the exit as post-lockdown and pre-season he's looked a bit meh.
      Which means he'll have another storming season and I'll burn a free transfer switching back.
      And then Salah will hit a purple patch and Auba will be anonymous
      (and do it goes on ...)

      Seriously considering a Salah-less season

      1. Red Red Robins
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Ive got Auba no Salah. Really not sure on who to go for 1st game. GW2 KDB comes in

  30. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any comments on this lot guys? Any thoughts much appreciated.
    0.5 itb

    McCarthy
    TAA Doherty Vinagre
    Salah Auba Havertz Soucek
    Werner DCL Mitro

    (Steer Lascelles Bissouma Ferguson)