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. Ams3014
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone know what the score is with Podence?

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He's been called up to the Portugal squad, so it's looking positive.

      AZ mentioned he was in training photos but I don't have a source

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

    Any thoughts on this WC team?

    Martinez
    Saïss James Justin Holding Mitchell
    Salah KDB Barnes Pereira Anguissa
    Kane Jimenez DCL

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

      Like it apart from Justin Holding

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

        Salah KDB Kane makes it a bit unbalanced

      2. Ams3014
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Justin is an query for me too..not sure he will keep his place. Holding seems a shoe in for an Arsenal defence that is looking a lot more solid

    2. Ams3014
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Interesting team. Looked at upcoming fixtures?

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

      Good team. I’d have Ings over Kane. If you desperately want Kane just leave the money in the bank and switch them back after the West Brom game

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

    What do you make of this hit?
    Son and Brewster to Barnes and Wood?

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

      Yay

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

        Ok thanks!

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

      Yes, also want Wood

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Don't like wood much, Burnley aren't exactly spanking anyone are they, but as an upgrade from Brewster, why not. Wouldn't do this for a hit though no way.

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

        Fair enough thanks very much!

  4. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What's the story with Dunne for Burnley, straight out when Mee returns?

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think he's out when Tarkowski returns. Which is now...

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Ah, cheers for that.

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

      Out already, no? Tarkowski and Long will be the partnership.

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

      Think he will be out this week now Tarkowski is back

    4. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks all, appreciate it.

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

    Is it bad taking a -4 after a wildcard?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      hehe, welli'm considering doing the same but it is what it is, it's only one hit if the moves are more than justifiable, in my case, i reckon they are.

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

      Whats the move?

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

        Just above but son and Brewster to Barnes and Wood or a striker 6.5 and below.

    3. Ams3014
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nope, seems most of the best players are willing to...ironically, thinking of the same. Game Week 8, looks horrendous for me

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

        Ok thank you!

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

      It is worse not taking a -4 only for a matter of pride. If you think your -4 is good, go for it.

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

      if u feel u have made a clear mistake and u feel u have identified that and can correct it then taking a hit is the best play it all depends on ur team and ur decisions there are no hard and fast rules

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

        Fair enough, thank you!

  6. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mark signing AZ for Blackbox was a clever transfer. Great partnership, they bounce off each other well.

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

      Black box was Az' podcast to start with

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Mark emailed AZ proposing to do a podcast together. They decided to use AZ's channel to host it.

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I think... that's what i remember them saying in the first episode.

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

      no one will will ever replace Granville

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

      was always AZ plan to have a clackbox thinking related pod

      but yes I agree Mark and AZ are a great duo that bonce off each other very well.

      I think the key is that both are open minded to their flaws in decisions or thinking and dont get stubborn in a certain ways of thinking which I think is Joes biggest problem. which has made the scoutcast quite a frustrating watch.

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

        blackbox* even

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

          clackbox is a better nane

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

    Bench one.

    A. Taylor (new)
    B. KWP (WBA)
    C. Doherty (mun)

    Playing Mccarthy already

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

      C

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

      C

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

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

      B

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

      A

  8. i am jose mourinho
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone injured from tonight's matches ?
    Jimmi in Werner out
    McCarthy
    Justin Davies Robbo
    Salah Raz Lundstram Djenepo
    Jimmi Kane Mitro
    Thoughts ?

    1. Breaking FPL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No injuries that I know of.

      Why do you have Lundstram...?

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

    Who to captain:

    1. KDB (lee)
    2. Salah (avl)

    Thanks

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

      2

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

      KDB

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

      kdb

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

      both great options obviously but am going kdb, villa look a bit stronger defensively and kdb has a good record away i believe.

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

        Salah

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

      Tough one and probs best to with your gut. KDB for me

    6. Ams3014
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      How many goals has Salah scored away from home?

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

        I don't think home away should be factored the same with no fans just my opinion.

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

    Two options Im looking at

    1. Rich + Davies to DCL + Robbo

    2. Rich + Son to Wood + Sterling

    I will be priced out of 1 if I dont make the move tonight before price rises tonight but I cant decide what to do

    Can anyone help out ?

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

      1

  11. Dannyb
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son and Werner to Kane and Barnes/Zaha?

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

    Im getting Auba out. Which do you prefer?
    A) Mane
    B) Sterling

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

      Sterling

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

      B

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

      Raz

    4. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  13. HellasLEAF
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Vardy or Jimmy, or hold Werner

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

      I've gone Jimmy, but holding could pay off

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Jimmy

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

        Vardy has bagged 5 goals this campaign to Jimmy's 2. Both on pk. only hesitation is Vardy nagging injury. Leicester fixtures are are decent too (not as good as Wolves. Tough one

  14. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Worth a -4 ?

    Werner, Wilson --> Jimenez, DCL

    Tnks.

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

      Yay

    2. SKENG
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No, just do Werner > one of those

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

    What’s more important 4 points or 0.1m?

    Likely to be Vinagre’s last game this week and is falling in price

    So I could do Vinagre -> Semedo (-4) this week even though I expect them to get the same amount of points and avoid the 0.1 drop

    Or do it next week for free?

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

      4pts is worth way more than .1

    2. SKENG
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Of course it's 4 points

  16. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA Robertson Vinagre
    KDB Havertz James ASM
    Adams Werner Vardy

    Nyland Ayling Mitchell Bissouma

    0 FT, 1.8 itb

    Anything worth -4 here??

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

      well I would get ASM out soon, but not for a hit

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

    Sorry I know I have posted this before but what do you make of this -4?
    Son and Brewster to Barnes and C Wood?

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

      Brewster about to move - will be cheapest nailed striker in prem - perfect 3rd striker rotation therefore and TV increase potential.

      Son - sounds like he'll be back soon. Will you want to take hits to buy him back? Sum up I would stick with those you have.

  18. ymx
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Barnes...DCL + Jimi + Ings
    OR
    Barnes...Vardy + DCL + Ings
    ??? (For a -8)

  19. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    1 FT and 1.5 ITB, thoughts appreciated.

    Ryan
    TAA Vinagre Lascelles
    Salah KDB Bruno JWP
    Jimenez Mitrovic Wilson

    (Nyland Bissouma Mitchell Douglas)

    A) Mitrovic to DCL
    B) Sort Douglas
    C) Something else
    D) Save

  20. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I'm farting about with a few bits and pieces.

    A) werner & Vinagre -- DCL & Robbo -4
    B) werner -- Vardy/Richarlison
    C) Bruno -- Sterling(c)

    Probably wildcard in the IB.
    Thank you

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

      C

    2. upforgrabs
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Out of those options, deffo C.

    3. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A for me, fantastic moves long term

  21. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    My team for this weekend (cost -4)

    Guiata
    James Justin TAA
    KDB Sterling(c) Podence Willian
    Werner DCL Bamford

    Nyland Mitchell ASM Egan

    Problem is, I was planning to WC over the int’l break and have the exact funds for the squad below but 4-5 of my planned picks are on the cusp of a price rise. Do I stick with the current team or activate my WC? Thanks for the steer.

    Guiata
    Robbo* Justin TAA
    KDB Mane* Podence Trossard*
    Wilson* Vardy* Bamford*

    Nyland Perreira* Mitchell Lamptey*

  22. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who to move out? WC next week
    Podence or Davies

    1. Garam MOSALAH
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Davies

  23. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Werner + Son > DCL + Bruno
    B) Mitrovic + Son > DCL + Zaha/Barnes

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

      B with Barnes

  24. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Barnes or Maddison?

    1. Garam MOSALAH
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Barnes

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks

  25. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Konsa, Dallas and Taylor?

    Who would you pick and why?

    1. Garam MOSALAH
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dallas more attacking

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

        Fixture proof?

    2. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dallas long term, short term Konsa. Wouldn’t touch Burnley defense, they look awful so far

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

        Only issue with Dallas is their fixtures, but yes it would be long term

  26. upforgrabs
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    On a WC...
    A) Mahrez and Justin in a 3-4-3
    or
    B) Robertson and R. James in a 4-3-3
    ?

    1. Garam MOSALAH
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B looks stable

    2. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

    Sorry I know I have posted this before but what do you make of this -4?
    Son and Brewster to Barnes and C Wood?

    Just unsure what to do with son!

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

      horrible

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

        Fair enough, thanks for the input!

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

          why sell Brewster the week before he moves i dont get it

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

            Just fancy having the option of a wood to alternate between a 3-4-3 or a 3-5-2 and to jump on any budget strikers in form.

            1. FPL Blow-In
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Makes sense. Wood will do much better than Brewster even if he gets his move. Son is obviously a great option if fit though, that’s the real dilemma.

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

                well obviously Wood better than Brewster but you need a bench player

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

      Just do Son to Barnes, no need to reinvest the money straight away for a hit.

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

        Okay thanks!

  28. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Pereira and Ings
    Or
    Klick and Jimenez

  29. Sloane426
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Do you think Son will drop before start of the Gw?

  30. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    wouldnt be suprised if Son plays vs United