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. ItOnlyTook9Years
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son + Davies OUT
    Barnes + Robertson IN
    -4
    ?

    1. ItOnlyTook9Years
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very proud of my first top post ever 😀

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

        I like it personally

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

        pity you wasted it

        1. ItOnlyTook9Years
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Waste is only in the past

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

    Son:
    1: Son to Barnes
    2: Son to Mahrez
    3: Son to Foden
    4: Hold

    1. ItOnlyTook9Years
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      As you can tell from above, Barnes for me

    2. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'll probably do 1.

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

        Fair enough. Probably the best move!

    3. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      4

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

      I did 2 and it was a bad move. 90 mins midweek, good chance he gets a full rest (ideal scenario), but a 1 point cameo is more likely.

    5. Manani
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      i did barnes

  3. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mccarthy
    TAA Semedo* Justin Dunne*
    Salah KDB Hamez Zaha
    Vardy Jimi DCL

    Button Mendy Mitchell Stephens

    Should I change Semedo Dunne to Saiss Taylor so as to have more nailed players?

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

      saiss ain't any more nailed

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        oh boy, vinagre?

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

          worst of the lot

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

      Aim for Lamptey, Coady, Webster. The nailed on ones.

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks mate

        1. baines is god
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Semedo is fairly nailed on for now at least

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

    Anyone keeping Son ?

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

      he can be a little s hit but yep

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

        😆

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

      With an unlikely double drop (at least today), I’m aiming to keep so I can have 2FT
      Soucek good enough sub

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

        Yeah, Soucek is good sub. I have Bissouma, Mitchell and Ayling, and that's reason why i have to ditch Son

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

      Not sure. Can’t decide. I do want Spurs attack after the break but I guess Werner could become Kane if I do sell Son.

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

        Same. If Son doesnt feature vs United, i doubt he will start in the first game he's back...

        Kane is good option, but plenty good strikers who are cheaper

    4. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Keeping. Fair chance he'll be gtg after the break.

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

    What to do with this team guys? After wc last week leaning towards saving...
    1) Son-> Barnes
    2) Werner->Ings/Jiménez
    3) save

    Martinez
    Saiss - James- Justin - Robbo
    KdB - Salah - Foden - Podence
    Dcl - Werner

    Subs: Mitchell, Son, Brewster

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

      I’d save. Barnes would come in for Justin who might be in the points anyway. Werner to Ings looks nice but 2 transfers over the IB possibly nicer.

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

      Save, it’s fine

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

    G2G?

    4-4-2
    Mccarthy
    TAA KWP Justin Coady
    Sterling© KDB Rashford Barnes
    Jimenez DCL

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

    Leeds vs Man City, score predictions?

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      2-2

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

        I'm thinking 3-1, depends on if City defend like United or Pool lol

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

      1-4

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

      1-6

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

        If it is that, I'm getting Sterling in

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

          problem is you have to make that call before the game

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

          Problem is, you won’t know it’s going to be that until it’s already been that, at which point it’s too late.

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

        yes please

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

          oops thoughr you said 1-0

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

      3-5

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

      2-5

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

        Traitor haha

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

          Main reason to raise it, is Salah, seems to have been a homer last season, so is it worth taking him out for Sterling?

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

          im a season ticket holder. There's a difference between what I think will happen and what I want to happen

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

            Haha....season ticket holder at the Stadium of Light...want to swap? Can't even go to watch erm... rubbish football...we'll go with that

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

      1-3

    7. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1-5
      Sticky*

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

      1-5

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

    Sterling or KDB for (C) mates?

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

      What is it with people using the word mates? Seen it a few times recently and it just seems weird haha.

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

      Coin toss

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

      For me I'd have to say KDB as that's who I own - if I thought Sterling was better (C) option I'd have him instead.

  9. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    pick one.

    A) use and waste wildcard
    B) take a hit and don't waste wildcard
    C) get drunk and forget about fpl
    C go to sleep

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

      D) go to sleep

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

        Get drunk and then sleep haha...I've looked at GW 8, wondered if it is better to wait till GW 9

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

          I was thinking the same

    2. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      4

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

    WILDCARD

    McCarthy
    TAA - Saiss - Justin
    Salah - KDB - ______ - ______
    Jimenez - DCL - ______

    (a) Ings, Barnes and Zaha (or Podence to keep a flexible 1.5m ITB)
    (b) a Bruno/Rashford option without Ings

    What do you think?

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

      A with Podence ( but wait for Wolves presser to make sure Podence OK)

  11. AD2110
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Bruno injured?

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

      The Mirror says he is a doubt with a thigh injury but is expected to play

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

    Chances of Foden starting?

    They have Bernardo, Ferran, Mahrez all fighting for that position now sterling should play up front. So which two miss out?
    Foden did get a rest midweek, but Ferran impressed so may keep the LW position with Mahrez right

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

      i think he misses out but you may as well play pin the tail on the donkey

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      If he can't start now, he may as well go to another club.

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

        Probably should. City have too many wingers, and that’s clearly the only place pep wants to play him. Not gonna get a look in minefield if they keep playing 4231 double pivot

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

      After rest if does not start then should move clubs

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

        * after posting see I have repeated previous comment by TM

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

      Foden to start instead of Fernandinho this week

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

        double pivot didn't work for them

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

          Yes it is an early experiment, we will see if pep is persistent with it

  13. Jolly Good
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Play
    a) KWP (wba h) or
    b) Justin (whm h)

    Feel like sou more likely to get CS. Both equally atracking?

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

      KWP

  14. Skogen89
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    play Lamptey or Taylor?

  15. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mccarthy
    TAA Semedo* Justin Dunne*
    Salah KDB Hamez Zaha
    Vardy Jimi DCL

    Button Mendy Mitchell Stephens

    Should I change Semedo Dunne to Coady Taylor so as to have more nailed players?

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

  16. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    team g2g?

    KDB
    KDB KDB KDB
    KDB KDB KDB KDB KDB
    KDB KDB

    subs: KDB,KDB,KDB,KDB

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

      Who's your captain?

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

        KDB TC

  17. rozzo
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Martinez Steer
    TAA Saiss Lamptey Mitchell Johnson
    Salah KDB Son Rodriguez Anguissa
    Jimenez DCL Mitrovic

    1ft
    0.2 itb

    A). Son and Mitrovic to Pereira and Ings - 4
    B). Son and Johnson to Pereira and Robertson - 4
    C) . Son to Mahrez
    D). Anything else

    Cheers

  18. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which Wolves defenders are the most and least nailed on?

    Vinagre, Saiss, Coady, Semedo etc

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Coady, Semedo, Saiss, Vinagre.

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

      Saiss, Coady and Semedo for me

      Vinagre seems to be back up...but we need a Wolves fan

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

      Saiss is in trouble and im a bit worried as an owner. Wolves fans calling for Marcal at LCB or even Dendonker.

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

    Does anyone use the rate my team? If they have, do you find it pretty accurate? Need to win a league at work haha

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I mainly just use it to try and talk myself out of badly misguided hits. If it doesn't think some move will pay off even over a 6-week period, then I figure I should probably not do it.

  20. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    When does the members area get the update?

  21. GOONER
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any news on Podence/Son?

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

      Poddy trained and called up to Portugal squad. Presume he's fit

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

    Opinions please guys.

    Which one?

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

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

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

      Why does C not have Jimi in when he's cheaper and a better option than Werner anyway? Don't just spend all the money for the sake of it.

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

        Transfers, already have Werner. Don't want to take an 8pt hit

  23. PapaWengzz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Play:
    A) Taylor (new)
    B) Lamptey (eve)

    Thanks

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  24. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mates, one question over my WC team:

    Mccarthy
    TAA Semedo* Justin Dunne*
    Salah KDB Zaha
    Vardy Jimi DCL

    Button Mendy Mitchell Stephens

    Should I change Semedo Dunne to Coady Taylor so as to have more nailed players?

  25. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hold and wait for pressers or make a move?? 2.9m itb

    McCarthy
    KWP Doh TAA
    Podence KDB Barnes Hamez
    Ings Werner DCL
    (Martin, Burke, Egan, Mitchell)

    Maybe Podence to Foden or Egan to someone??

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

      Foden isn't a great option (owner), in hindsight i should have gone someone nailed and important like Periera or Trossard.

  26. MrFlibbles
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Wildcard Question: Castagne + Barnes or Rodriguez + James?

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

      A is better imo

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

      A

    3. GOONER
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

    Has there been any more news on Ferguson? He was in my original team and I want to keep him in on WC as looking for 2 4m defenders for my team. I'll be playing Lamptey, Robbo + Trent most weeks.

  28. GOONER
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Harvey Barnes is my captain and he will score a hat-trick

    You heard it here first

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

      it's football anything can happen. Will you link to this post when it doesn't happen like i'm sure you will if it does?

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

        It will happen believe me. He has great stats but not scoring enough. He is due to haul. He is playing West ham at home. He has a great home record last season. Everything is pointing to a hattrick.

  29. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who scores more this weekend..

    Torres or Mahrez?

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

      Torres will because I have Mahrez...who will get 1pt.

  30. LucasMoregametime
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Need suggestions for what to do
    Pickford (ryan)
    James, Sais, VVD, Justin (mitchell)
    KDB, Hamez, Zaha (podence, reed)
    Jiminez (C), Kane, Werner
    0.9 in bank

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

      Werner to Ings