Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 4?

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. He’s here to help once again, this time assessing the Gameweek 4 options.


For a second consecutive Gameweek, there is no standout favourite for the captaincy – which presents an opportunity for Fantasy Premier League managers to make real strides ahead of the international break.

The pool of armband candidates seems to be growing after an unpredictable start to the season, epitomised by Gameweek 3 which featured several unexpected outcomes.

They included Manchester City’s heavy loss to Leicester City, Chelsea’s struggles at The Hawthorns and Wolves’ capitulation at West Ham United. Such results have created enough caution among Fantasy managers to eradicate the possibility of a runaway favourite captain for Gameweek 4.

It is time to take advantage of that development and use it to get some big green arrows. In this latest Captain Sensible article, we will look into some of the top contenders, examine the defences they are about to face and try to identify which players might be worth avoiding. 

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

CAPTAIN POLL

The Fantasy Football Scout Captain Poll for Gameweek 4 sheds some light on the early trends, as Kevin De Bruyne (£11.6m) and Mohamed Salah (£12.1m) are sitting quite comfortably in the top two spots with 22.6% and 19.0% of votes, respectively.

However, those household names account only for 41.6% of the so-called electorate. The majority of our users have decided to choose their captains from a large group of other options. 

Perhaps surprisingly, Raúl Jiménez (£8.6m) is currently the third most-popular choice with 10.2%. Despite an underwhelming performance at the London Stadium last week, which featured an own goal, many Fantasy managers are hoping the Mexican can make amends against a struggling Fulham side. 

In-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.4m) sits in fourth position, as the midweek hat-trick hero nods just ahead of Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) and Danny Ings (£8.4m). Each of this English strike-force trio gaining over 5.0% of the votes.

The top eight most-popular is closed by Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) and Chelsea’s Timo Werner (£9.4m), with both of those players receiving over 4.0% of votes. 

Further down the list, despite delivering in two of the opening three Gameweeks, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.9m) and Sadio Mané (£12.0m) have been considered for the captaincy by only 3% and 2.8% respectively. 

With these figures in mind, let’s have a look at some of this week’s most important encounters…

KEY MATCHES

Leeds United v Manchester City

1,487 Comments Post a Comment
  1. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A) Son + Lascelles -> H. Barnes + Robertson -4
    B) Son -> Sterling

    Also got Havertz, Werner, KDB, Martial

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Got to be b

  2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Werner to ings on ft or save?

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Save

  3. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Head and gut feeling says KDB, but what 's the point in having Sterling if not captaining him against Leeds, right?

    1. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Could say the same about Kdb.

      Literally flip a coin!

    2. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      If i had both id put it on sterling

  4. Az
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    FPL BlackBox is live in 13 mins friends

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kUPGCmvSo8

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers Az!

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A lad sold me on it on the previous page. I was considering going to bed early this time

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

          Haha, hope it won't disappoint.

          1. Az
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            did it?

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

              I was talking about Daniel, kind of prompt him to watch today's episode so I hope he wasn't disappointed.

              My opinion is constant - top notch work, keep it up! I'm not watching it live as I like to listen to it while walking with my dog. So tomorrow afternoon, promise.

        2. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Sleep is very important

  5. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ben Davies man 😆

  6. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Looks like Ben Godfrey is on his way to Everton.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      What do we know of him, Sir The 12th Man?

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nice signing, rated highly on FM. Surely more reliable than Mina which is what I guess Carlo is looking for.

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Considering he spent last year in the premiership, that might be more reliable than FM.

        1. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Both are very reliable.

          1. Gnu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            I have only two words for you.
            Freddy Adu. 😉

            1. Flair
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Neymar, Veratti, Dybala, Aguero 😛

              1. Gnu
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                Freddy Adu is the equivalent of a Royal flush.

                1. Flair
                  • 3 Years
                  3 years, 5 months ago

                  I wouldn't know, never played poker.

  7. woodles
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is salah to sterling (C) for -4 madness?

    1. ilikewud
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      probably

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

      Why sell Salah

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        This

    3. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm debating it for a FT, wouldn't do it for a -4. I'll probably pull the trigger as I see Leeds as a hat-trick opportunity for Raz

    4. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes pure madness

  8. Abhishek Chitre
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Son to Sterling? Thinking of captaining Sterling.

    1. FPLMACKEM
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      That's a no brainer.

      1. Abhishek Chitre
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        But will Sterling start for sure?

        1. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          100%

        2. FPLMACKEM
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Why would he not? They have no striker. Of course he'll start.

    2. RichRover
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Do it, before you talk yourself out of it

  9. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez
    Semedo - Saiss - James
    KDB - Foden - Havertz - Son*** - Salah
    Jimenez - DCL

    Button - Lamptey - Brewster - Mitchell

    1ft, 0.0m itb.

    A. Son to Harvey Barnes. Gives me 2m to do Saiss/Semedo to Robertson the following week.
    Guess one Pool fullback is essential. Too good.

    OR

    B. Keep Son. Bench this week if he doesn't start because he's likely to be back after the IB with good fixtures.

    Thanks!

    1. edz35
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Similar position to me, going for B as I'll thank myself after break

    2. Neevesy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A for me

    3. bjarnia87
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

    4. Big Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Exactly the same team as me and I’ve done A.

  10. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who else is doing Salah to Sterling this week to captain him?

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I was going to do this but the Son injury has stopped me

      I think it’s a great attacking move

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      This is a terrible move imo

    3. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Me me me

    4. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It's certainly appealing

    5. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      With an FT and a hokey kokey back for the Salah home game, maybe

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

      Not me

    7. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not a chance ; but then I have both!

    8. shiraz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B. That what i am doing toi

  11. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any news on Vardy and Podence today?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Apparently Podence trained and it's called for the Portugal

  12. Dark_Knight_braces
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is it good choice to cap Barnes? Do not have Vardy?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Too puntu with all the other great options imo

      1. Dark_Knight_braces
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Have been captaining those great options for all these weeks. Apart from GW1(salah cap) i do not get good returns. Had Auba gw2, Now KBD, Salah, Kane

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I brought in barnes but will be cap salah

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

      KDB v Leeds seems good

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

    If City stick with the 4231 double pivot, I am sure De Bruyne will be highest scorer again

    1. Dark_Knight_braces
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He will be their highest scorer in terms of points whatever the formation. Without him they cannot score many goals.

  14. mcmd11
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Doherty and Werner to Robo and Jimenez -4?

    1. Dark_Knight_braces
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Just one transfer only save -4.

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      dope

      1. Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        sorry meant nope

  15. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bench one:

    A) Foden
    B) Podence
    C) Maupay

    1. thewakka
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Maupay. They will just sit in bush against Everton

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks, I just haven't really seen Brighton sit back with Potter

  16. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Can we all agree that Hary Kane currently is the best midfielder in the PL?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      And why is Jose still playing him?

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        No recognised striker on the bench but I think he’ll come off around 60.

        New striker flying to London tomorrow for medical apparently

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Who is the new striker?

    2. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I love a good repeat.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Hary De Bruyne Kane

    3. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Based on Southampton and M.Haifa performances.

  17. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Makes sense that, with all the fixtures spurs have, and being 4-1 up, that they keep Kane on the pitch.

    No sympathy for some of these managers.

    I don’t own Kane by the way.

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

      Getting match fitness 🙂

      I own Kane by the way.

    2. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm sure if he needed a rest he'd get one. He does't have to put in a lot of effort now they're 5-2 ahead - could he get injured? sure. But it's no more likely he gets injured because he played the last 25+ mins in this game compared to in training or the next match.

  18. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What are/have Son owners doing/done?

    Tempted to keep with Mourinho saying he could play Sunday

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Done son for barnes and pocketed 2mill for next gw

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Tempted by Barnes myself

    2. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wild carding

      1. Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        You can always bring son back if he's back next gw

    3. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Keeping as not inspired by other options

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mou said that for Ole. No one else.

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

      I am keeping him, hopefully he will be fit and ready after ib

  19. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Dale Stephens is nailed right?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Probably. In my squad too

      1. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Hmm 'probably' makes me nervous. Anyone else?

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Well it is a new team for him. He made a transfer so probably he will get minutes. We can't be so sure since it's a new team for him

  20. Shineonme
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    thats good salah off after 60 min

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Didn’t realise he was on the pitch

      1. Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        youre know sunday 😉

    2. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He played away or at home?

  21. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best 4m defender folks. Have had Dunne but seen people suggesting Ferguson. Is he safer than Mitchell?

    1. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Once he's back from injury yes, safer.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Dunne is only short term most probably

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ok, thank you both.

  22. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ramsdale Steer
    TAA KWP Mitchell Taylor Justin
    Salah Sterling Son Romeu Bissouma
    Vardy Werner Davies

    2ft, 0.5 itb

    Choose one:

    A) Son + Werner to Bruno + DCL
    B) Son + Werner to Rashford + Jimenez
    C) Son + Werner to James + Martial
    D) Son to Rash
    E) Son to James
    F) something else?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A all day

      That rhymes and you know that rhymes

    2. shiraz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

  23. giroudsgirlfriend
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play Vinagre (FUL) or Soucek (lei)?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Vinagre for me

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Soucek

      1. thewakka
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Soucek will disappoint you again, good sir

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I believe in him

  24. Kante Touch This
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    March and J.Rodrigez or Trossard and Zaha? (On WC)

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      the one with zaha in

      1. Kante Touch This
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        yeah I'm liking his fixtures

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I’d say the latter by some distance

    3. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Second by light years

      1. Kante Touch This
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        would you start Trossard over Foden?

        1. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Nope, not a chance

    4. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Foden, Podence and JRod

  25. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Kane scores a penalty. Here we go

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

      I wanted to sell him for Jimenez this week but I just can't, he's the best.

    2. JURGENAUT
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      How was the penalty awarded? Handball or foul?

  26. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Does Werner have an minor injury? Is anyone keeping injury or not?

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No he hasn't. It was cramp he had.

  27. Nibbsy
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bit of a mess of a team, would appreciate some advice:

    HENNESSEY Nyland
    TAA Tierney Walker-Peters WHITE SANCHEZ
    Salah Sterling Rodriguez Podence MCCARTHY
    Kane Mitrovich NKETIAH

    1FT, 0.1 ITB

    Players in CAPS are the ones I think are priorities to go.
    Options I'm considering:

    a. Hennessey --> Martinez (to get a playing GK)
    b. Nketiah --> Adams / Bamford
    c. Sanchez --> Justin & Nketiah --> Maupay (-4) (still no playing GK)

    Also - thinking of wildcarding after this week. Good plan?

    1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A keeper would be a start

      1. Nibbsy
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I know, I do think that's a priority, just hate using a transfer on a keeper especially when I can't get one with a decent fixture this week.

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Well mitro and nketiah has to go. How dod you end up with them two?

      1. Nibbsy
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Mitro can stay for now as at least he has pens.

        I didn't actually pick the team, just been called in to help out!

    3. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      having second look at you're team id WC

      1. Nibbsy
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah I'm leaning that way, just too much fixing needed to do it week by week.

        1. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Playing you're WC now you're end up with the term you want and i guarantee you're WC team will outscore this team you have now by quite a few pts.

    4. shiraz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      First look and i feel that this need to wc. However looking again, i'd think it just require a few tweaking. But i would rather cut the hassle and wc, save that ft for future use

  28. OleBall
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Opinions guys?

    A) Doherty Bruno Jimi Mitro
    B) Doherty Barnes Werner Jimi
    C) Saiss Bruno Werner Mitro

  29. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Really torn between ings or Jimenez in for Werner.

    Does that mean I should just stick?

  30. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Rank 4.4m and on WC.

    Trent, Kdb, Salah and Dcl in my team all owned by about 40% in the game. How am I to climb the ranks?

    Sterling and Manè over Kdb and Salah could shoot up the ranks or dare I say plummet even further...

    Finding it really difficult.

    1. Salalalalah
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Just get the players that you think get more points, don't worry about rank at this time