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. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    And liverpool out. Yes! less matches for them 🙂

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

      Played their reserves pretty much anyway

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

        Wouldn't have done so in the semis or final tho

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

          Yes they would. Absolutely pointless trophy.

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

            Then why did salah start

    2. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      deservedly out after that blatant Arsenal pen at 92 mins was ignored

  2. Limbo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Haha. Excellent.

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

    Captains this week??

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

      Stay true to yourself martial. Have faith!

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ings

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

      tony martial

  4. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Meh who needs the cup anyway 😉

    Alisson would’ve saved that last one though 😛

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

      Best off out of it. Good run out for the reserves, focus on important stuff.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Oh definitely mate

  5. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Liverpool looking increasingly likely to go trophyless this season

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

      What by going out of a trophy nobody cares about? LOL.

      Sorry Pep cares about.

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

      They'll end up winning the league again probably

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lol jog on

    4. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Defintely mate

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

      Didn't know Curacao Cup was the only trophy to play for this season.

    6. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Technically completely correct

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

        Liverpool fans in charge of understanding basic logic

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

      Haha. Sensitive Liverpool supporters "Happy to be out".

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

      Amen

  6. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Lol @ Salah... Just seen he couldn't even score in the Micky Mouse cup as Klopp does his best to give him some easy stat padding

    1. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      this

    2. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      The latest penalty merchant

    3. Goonsquad245
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Awful sell ASAP

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

      Salah's job was to play 60 minutes and not get injured. Win.

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

        Strange target.

  7. SMOOTH
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A. Soucek TAA
    B. Trossard VVD
    C. Foden digne

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

      A

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

      Trent is too hard to go without but not gone on playing Soucek on a 4th mid. As a 5th mid then A.

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

        soucek is 4th mid - i think he will get 7-8 goals this season. having him as a 5th is a waste, rather get 4.5 then

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

          Bench is going to be very important this season. Not just due to COVID but the shorter season also. I’d rather be rotating Soucek and a 4.5def than the likes of Stephens personally.

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

      A

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

      A

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

    Harvey Barnes or Phil Foden on WC?

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

      Barnes plays regularly

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

      Barnes is as good at shooting as the bad guys in a Rambo movie

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

        or a Stormtrooper.

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

          Harsh but funny

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

        Leicester scores 12 goals in 3 games and he is getting plenty of chance. Put 5 past city. Even the bad guys in Rambo movies manage to hit at some point in the movie.

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

        Cue Barnes hat trick

        1. Geriatric Unathletic
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Yes please.

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

      Foden

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

    good to go?

    McCarthy (Meslier)
    Digne James Saiss (Lamtpey Mitchell)
    KDB Salah Rashford Hamez Podence
    Jimenez (c) DCL (Brewster)

    1 FT 0,5 ITB

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      GTG

  10. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A. Salah to Sterling (-4)
    B. Havertz to Foden (-4)
    C. No hit

    Play 1
    1. Justin
    2. Ayling
    3. Bissouma

    1.4itb 0ft
    McCarthy
    TAA Robbo Taylor Justin
    KDB Salah Podence Havertz
    Jimenez DCL
    (Peacock Ayling Bissouma Vassilev)

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C2

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

      C1

    3. Geriatric Unathletic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C.1.

  11. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sell Werner for...

    A. Ings
    B. Jimenez
    C. Keep Werner and save FT

    ???

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B just edges it due to upcoming fixtures

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

        V close allright but I went A

  12. suddenorgan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Wilson or Werner to Jimenez? Probably wouldn't spend the money from Werner this week

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson

    2. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Werner.

    3. cheezymouse
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Werner

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

    Doherty 0 attacking returns
    Fulham lose to Brentford and don't score even one goal.

    Doherty + Mitro - - - KWP + DCL (-4)

    Yes?

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yep

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

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

      No brainer

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

      Fulham B team. Pay no attention . . .though Mitro couldn't hit a barn door the other day he DID have lots of chances.

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

        You mean I should hold?

    5. cheezymouse
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Fan of sot defence and got dcl on wildcard. I think it's a good move

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

        Thanks cheezy, will pull the trigger

  14. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I just want to know why none of Leno's youth coaches in Germany taught him how to deal with a cross

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Poor Leno

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

        Do people in UK get this reference?

  15. SMOOTH
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A. Robbo and KWP
    B. VVD and Saiss

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

      A

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

      A

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

      A yes

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

      B

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

      A

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

    Werner and Doherty to Jiminez and Robertson -4?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

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

      Just do the first move if you want rid of Werner

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

      No, just Doherty out. Keep the 4pts

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

        Assuming he can’t do that one without the other

  17. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any injuries to FPL players tonight?

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

      Denis odoi had an allergic reaction after making a tackle

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He'll not try that again.

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

    What would you do here? Torn. 1FT, 0.1itb

    A. Werner >> Jimenez / DCL
    B. Davies >> James / Lamptey
    C. Save FT

    McCarthy
    TAA, Saiss, Justin, Davies
    Salah, KDB, Rodríguez, Zaha
    Werner, Ings
    (Nyland, Bissouma, Mitchell, Davis)

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

      Davies>Lamptey and.......Arise, Sir Raffa the Gaffa!

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

        Haha. Thanks mate

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

      C. Team looks okay and 2FT sounds to have after the IB

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

      I’d save personally

    4. AlpoShearer
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C. team is good

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

    Good to go?

    Martinez
    Digne Saiss James
    Salah KDB(C) Son* Foden Podence
    Jimenez(VC) DCL

    (Steer Justin Ayling Brewster) 0FT 1.7M

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

      I’d say so

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

        Thank you sir

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

      Very nice. Nice first sub too. Reckon above matey?

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

        Cheers. Responded (:

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

      GTG

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

    McCarthy Steer

    TAA Justin Mitchell Saiss Davies**

    Son Bissouma Salah KDB Podence**

    Werner** Mitrovic DCL

    0.4 ITB - initial thoughts were Son to Mahrez but thinking might be better to save so 2FT after the IB.

    Thoughts guys?

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

      Son** of course too

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

      Arise, Sir Aidmata! Save that trade.

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

        Sometimes your Knight in shining armour is just an idiot in tin foil

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

          Mine armour is oft rusty, but you should save the trade nonetheless.

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

            Hahaha cheers mate

          2. cheezymouse
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Thou art indeed both rusty and wise! Not sure if it's true but hearing Mourinho expects son back after the international break. If you can confirm that, then holding on to the transfer might be a good plan

  21. Ian J
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    With the ridiculous penalty rules, you feel you need
    Salah over Mane
    KDB over Sterling
    even though Mane & Sterling will probably have more chances.
    Anyone bold enough to go Mane & Sterling, captaining one of them?

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

      No, they're not on pens.

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

      Sterling over KDB I can understand because of Raheems explosiveness. KDB is the one for me though.
      Mane over Salah I can not understand.

  22. Arsenal97
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    fourth modfielder ?

    A) klich (for penalties)
    B) Podence
    C) Trossard (but downgrad taylor to Dunne)

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

      Trossard, exciting player

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

      Trossard would make an excellent mod

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

      A. Wolves suck and penalties like you said is massive this season.

  23. B Sharp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Evening. Big decision...Who would you pick and why?

    A) Klich

    B) Podence

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

      Klich, penalties

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

        This

  24. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best 4.5 defenders to add as starters?

    Thinking Dallas, KWP or lascelles / lewis

    1. Arsenal97
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Dallas

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

        Dallas certainly on my radar.

        Charlie Taylor from Burnley also a good 4.5 shout

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

      Forgot to add holding

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

    Barnes/Rashford/Trossard for Son -4?
    or hope Podence plays, Mitchell next sub

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

    I want to make the following moves to bolster my team in the coming weeks, which should I prioritise?

    A) Wilson to DCL*
    B) Digne to Robbo
    C) Son** to Pereira
    D) Bruno to KdB/Sterling
    E) All 4 for a -12

    *Could be priced out tonight with A
    **Son injured

    I’m thinking of doing A & C for a -4.

    Thoughts?

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

      Other option is to ignore DCL completely and keep Wilson, and instead for a -4:

      Son to Pereira
      Buur to Robbo (bench Dallas this week)

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

      Who would play if Son doesn't play at all?

      I'd prioritise getting DCL in, so A. Then maybe C if you have no city players and you have an okay bench player to cover Son

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

        Mitchell/Davis

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

        Thanks

  27. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is barnes actually any good as an fpl option? He has such a high number of shots and has only the one goal. Doesn't that say he isn't good enough?

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

      he looked really dangerous against City and has two good fixtures next

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

      I don't think Barnes is appealing.

  28. RealSocialDads
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    GTG? Or is Doherty -> Robbo/ASM -> Foden worth a bit?

    Mccarthy
    Doherty TAA KWP Taylor
    J.Rod Sterling (c) Salah
    DCL Mitro Jimi

    Steer ASM Mitchell Bissouma

    0FT 2.4 ITB

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

      Arise, Sir Realsocialdads! Just ASM out.

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

        Thank you good sir.

        That would mean benching a defender (probs Doherty) so got to ask which scores more: Foden - 4 or Doherty

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

          Wish I had a good answer for you.

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

    Stuck on this one folks.

    A) Salah and Foden
    Or
    B) Mane and Barnes

    TIA !

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

      A just because of Salah over Mane

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

      I'm probably going to do A. Already have Salah and can afford Foden by losing ASM.

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

      A

  30. Lestat
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    as a Son and Werner owner my original plan was 4 pt hit to Mahrez and Jimenez........now im thinkin of keeping Werner and doin a 4 pt hit to Foden and Jimenez (Mitrovic Out)....front line will then be Werner, DLC, Jimenez........better move?

    My midfield would then be Salah/KDB/Foden