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. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Final dilemma to complete team:

    A) Son DCL Egan/Bavies
    B) Alli Martial Mitchell/Burr

    McCarthy Steer
    TAA Justin Vinagre Taylor xxx
    Salah Aub xxx ASM Bissouma
    Werner XXX Mitro

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B but go for Ings for one week and then switch to martial?

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

    Now that Buur, Vinagre and useless LWB from Lyon are main stays in Wolves' backline, will Wolves be relegated?

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

      They won't be relegated if they sign a right back and Telles. The window is open for another 25 days

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

        And they wouldn't be relegated even if they didn't

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

      They are chasing Telles, who is top 5 LB

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

      Buur likely to start in GW1?

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

        According to professionals on here, yes

      2. Steve
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        No. adama likely to be wing back

    4. Steve
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Is this just a massive troll? Surely their “mainstays” are boly, coady and saiss.

    5. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Doherty, Otto, and Vinagre

      Are defenders in name only. They are not worth anything in the football world as defenders. They are wingers.

      WFC should just play Traore as “defender” and let him run the width of the field. Probably what they do to replace the slow and unathletic Doherty.

      Doherty has a nose for goal, that’s what makes him 6.0M in FPL but that’s not real life value

  3. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    First draft. Any thoughts much appreciated.

    McCarthy/Steer
    TAA, Egan, Davies. (Taylor, Mitchell)
    Salah, Auba, Son, ASM, (Soucek)
    Werner, Mitro, Antonio

    Would like 0.5 in bank to make transfers, maybe Soucek>4.5
    Would like Ings but would mean 2x4.5s and Mitchell

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah go 4.5 in mid. Also I would get Wilson over Antonio. With your defence you will play 4 a lot of weeks which means no need to 5.0 fifth mid

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

        Thanks. Had Wilson in at one stage but that would mean two Newcastle, same as two West Ham, same as comment below.

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

      Steadily template - nothing wrong there at all.

      Maybe double WH is a bit rich but there both decent picks. I'd be tempted to go just one and get Bowen! That would get you 0.5

      1. zotter
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Bowen a shocking price

      2. JoeSoap
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks. Forgot about double West Ham, will rethink. Bowen is 6.5.

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

          Was thinking if you put Bowen where Soucek is and dropped Antonio for Davis you'd have 0.5. Think I've done the sums right.

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

            You would be spot on, thanks.

    3. Indio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very solid. Go to a £4.5 mid to free funds, or you could consider Adams instead of Antonio? (Doing both might just free enough cash to do Son > Bruno once MANU are up and running, unless my maths is out - though you may want to keep the Spurs man).

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

        Thanks. Maybe 0.5m short of that move. Will probably be doing Auba>KDB week 3, that will free up 0.5.

  4. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Does Bielsa think that by staring at the floor people will actually think that it’s him talking? 😀

  5. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Just found out Mitro is 25.. seemed a veteran to me.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks 35

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

      Yeap...he is not even in his prime

    3. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wait whaaaat?! I thought he was ancient 😆

    4. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The hard gangster life of kidnapping American tourist girls to sell in Sudan will age a man

  6. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Vardy party anyone?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Absolutely

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

        Welcome aboard

        You might be amused to k now I've been tinkering so hard I almost switched Jamie out for Ings and Mitro 😀

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Lol he's since gone out of my team 😆

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hard pass; I’ve seen the BR show

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      can't afford to attend 🙁

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

      Wanted, but no money, so i took Barnes

    5. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I dono, they looked disastrous at the end last season

    6. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Been overlooked, will be a few moans on here of “casuals pick” when he does well. Those fixtures are so good

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

        Tasty and run for quite a time too. Could be in for a week 2 dilemma when I decide how to get Martial in.

    7. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      yep big time. he s perfect for the opening fixture(s) imo, so easy to move to martial for example. plus i think he ll do well too.

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

        Think I will have Vardy and Werner scrapping between them for who goes for Martial. If they both do well its a happy headache

    8. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Can’t seem to shake him out of my team

      In for a penny in for a pound

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

        Know what'll happen. I shift him on after 3 blanks - you hold and the rest is history 🙂

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Let’s hope we don’t have to endure that again fingers crossed...

          Fun fact - my GW1 forward line last season contained Vardy & Ings...

          My GW1 forward line this year contains... Vardy & Ings! (At present...)

  7. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Werner Son Lescelles
    B) Nketiah/Mitro Salah Davies

    I guess it has to be B..

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B just

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

      B with Mitro....and mby Dier insted of Davies

  8. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    That bald Sky transfer news guy is a proper tool, talks for ages and says nothing

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He should have been on here over the summer

    2. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I remember transfer deadline day where Setanta had Dave Bassett in the studio. They just let him go off on one about each deal. After a few minutes he had contradicted and argued with himself that there was no point to anything he said other than filling time.

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

    1. Saiss
    2. Egan
    3. Dier

    A) ASM
    B) Saka

    Which two?

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      4. Davies
      A. ASM

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

      1
      A

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

        3
        A...my bad

    3. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      3.
      A. Only because i don't know if Saka will start.

  10. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Che Adams actually good? Never really watched him play.

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not really.

    2. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Lol I’m stumped too

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

        Its not really a position i want to keep wasting transfers on.

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No

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

      A really bad player who struggled to displace shane long from the team

    5. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Adams has the highest per90 xGI (0.44) of all the 19/20 6.0 forwards (900 minutes or higher). Consider Batshuayi as well - he has potential imho.

  11. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which one if these to go with?

    A. TAA Dier Ward-Prowse Wilson
    B. Robertson Ayling Soucek Ings
    C. TAA Doherty ASM Adams...

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A with Davies

  12. JackQualt
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Have we got any thoughts on the starting arsenal keeper yet? Martinez got the charity, but is that because he was the FA cup keeper last year?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes, it’s Leno

  13. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Settled on this. Thoughts please?

    McCarthy
    TAA // Davies // Egan // Justin
    Salah // Auba // Havertz // ASM
    Werner // Ings

    Bench: Steer // Mitchell // Bissouma // Davis

    0.5 ITB for potentially Ings > Martial (GW2)

    1. Pocky
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Solid

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

        Thank you 🙂

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

      I prefer KWP to Justin but its a toss up really. Looks solid.

  14. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Arsenal in talks with Villa for Martinez.

    Batshuayi on loan at Palace with a permanent option at the end of the season.

  15. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Could Jan Sienkiewicz please just tell us who he is captaining in the article.....

  16. For Fuchs Sake
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Not seeing Calum Wilson mentioned much, Newc have decent fixtures and he's the striker they've needed for years

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Seen him in quite a few teams. Have a few options in 6-6.5m now

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I’m thinking about ditching Werner now with pulisic back and so many 6s I could play

    2. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He will come good, and they’ll finally get that striker that‘s gonna deliver 15 goals.
      Fraser, asm and almiron around is gonna feed him with chances.

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        If he stays healthy that is

    3. Gingerman
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Could be an absolute steal at 6.5, I'm very tempted. Him or Mitro is just about my final decision.

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

      He’s in a fair few now

  17. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Making the captain article members only insults our intelligence tbh.

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      what intelligence?

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

      spoiler alert, its not that helpful

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I didn’t need to read it, that’s my point

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Captain who you think is most likely to score most points. Done.

  18. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Why Davies over Dier? Dier with a full season has 3 or 4 goals in him,

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Doherty will repay the extra easily

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

        Aurier is still there. Expect rotation.

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Mou signing v player he had no option but to play? Don’t think so

          1. The Suspended One
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Lots of minutes to go around

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

            Maybe mou wants depth?

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Been several years since he played a full season

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not much in it, Davies used to be a great pick but doesn’t seem to get forward much now. Dier probably the better pick but not exactly got great goal threat either

  19. MoSalalalalalalalalah
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Fellas I'm stuck. Do you guys believe that is my strongest line-up, or are they changes I can make? Thanks

    Ramsdale
    TAA | KWP | Davies | Saiss
    ASM | Auba (C) | Diangana | Mane (V)
    Ings | Werner

    GK: Steer | DCL | Buur | Bissouma

  20. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Fully expect Spurs to score 3 or less goals in those juicy first three fixtures. #MourinhoBall

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not for me. Maybe Newcastle.

      Everton know how to defend. Saints away is tricky could lose

      1. TheSteel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah, i meant 3 goals combined in the first 3 lol.

  21. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best option in your view to start season?

    A Wilson
    B Adams
    C Mitrovic
    D Nketiah

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitro far and away most nailed.

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C is probably gonna send Holding to the Championship

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      D or A

    4. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A and D in my team atm

  22. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Think ive settled on a bench boost team (followed by wc)

    lose interest very quickly if i dont start with above avg scores so thats the price i have to pay

    Mcarthy Fabianski

    Mitchell Dier Justin Robbo TAA

    Auba Salah Zaha Son Noble/soucek

    Adams Ayew Antonio

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bb with 100 tv and no info seems wasteful

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

        Probably but it shd get me an okay score otherwise i just start take ridiculous punts once i go behind

        Finished 200k last year after saving the chips. Top 5k in each of the two seasons before that with a week 1 BB followed by WC

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Not necessarily causal but to each his own

  23. AD105
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 4.5 mid?

    Bissouma/Gordon/Stephens, other?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      bissouma

    2. Steve
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bissouma or Reed I think.

    3. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’m on lemina

  24. DavidKent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Will Doherty start GW1?

    1. Steve
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Surely?

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

      Just started training with spurs yesterday... Aurier still there. Really doubt it, the two of them will be fighting for the spot unless Aurier is sold

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

      Highly likely.

  25. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Lloris or Leno?

    1. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I have no knowledge about goalkeeping.

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Emi and Leno combined for 147 last season and their defence has improved - Leno

      1. Lev Yashin
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Noice

    3. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Lloris. Leno might not play.

  26. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on the following team & strategy...

    McCarthy (Button)
    TAA, Davies, Justin, Mitchell (Taylor)
    Salah, Auba, Son, Havertz (Bissouma)
    Werner, Mitrovic (Davis)

    GW2: Salah > Rashford
    GW3: Son > KDB (assuming no price fall)

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Why would you want Auba v Liverpool away and no Son home v Newcastle

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

        I think Auba is a season keeper and fixture proof... Call it a punt if you may

    2. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The team is sound. I would change Justin to lascalles tho

  27. Knallie
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy/Ryan (Steer)
    VVD - Davies - Justin - 4.5 (4.0)
    Salah - Aura - Son - Soucek (4.5)
    Vardy / Ings (4.5)

    1.5m ITB to get United and City players

    Final decisions:
    - McCarthy or Ryan?
    - Best 4.5 defender after Justin?
    - Best 4.0 defender?
    - Best 4.5 midfielder?
    - Best 4.5 forward?

    1. Steve
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      McCarthy,
      Kwp, but not if you go McCarthy maybe
      Mitchell
      Bissouma or Reed
      None.

  28. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which two are better for the long term?

    A) Robertson and Foden

    Or

    B) Gomez and Pulisic

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Probably b

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

    Soucek and 4.5 def (Dallas or Taylor)
    Or
    Bissouma and 5m def (Egan or Dier)

    Seems more places to go on the 5m def but obviously 4.5m def are better than the 4.5m mid. I’ll only need to play one each week

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Go for the first only if you have plans to play Soucek/Bissouma in more games than the first gw. If not Spurs def is nearly essential.

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

        How comes it’s essential? Can see Everton and soton scoring

  30. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son Auba X
    Ings DCL X

    Playing 4-3-3 and having 17.5 mil available to spend which duo (starting every gw) to give me the most pts?