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

    So if you were to have a team containing
    Sterling KDB and Salah
    Would you be thinking

    A. Constant C headache and a good chance of getting it wrong
    B. Getting C wrong occasionally don’t matter - lots of points coming from those 3 anyway.

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

      B

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

      B

      Captaincy is secondary, overall points matters...

    3. davies
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What would the rest of the team look like though?

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

        Ryan

        TAA Castagne Lamptey James

        Salah KDB Sterling Barnes Podence

        DCL

        Steer Taylor Brewster Davis

        Dependent on Brewster move. The problem is I wanted Robertson too and can’t see how I make that work.
        James from Chelsea I probably don’t want just placeholder so I put someone in that spot in the draft.

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

      K.cheers about .5 off the team I really want with those 3 in it but that’s always the case 🙂
      If it worked I would want to upgrade someone else by .5 🙂

    5. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C - money wasted on non captain that could be used better elsewhere

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

        Good point I have a lot more balanced team right now than that would be.
        But in essence it boils down to something like
        A. Werner + James Rodríguez
        B. KDB + Lamptey

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I would just sell Werner for one of Jiménez, DCL, Bamford, Maupay, Ings, Wilson etc and keep James Rod

          Basically we can’t afford 3 top priced mids, the rest of the team becomes too weak

          Maddison will be taking Barnes points and minutes soon 😉

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

            That’s what everyone is doing.
            Either the rest of the team is ok or I am trying to convince myself it is fine with those 3, but realistically is playing a 4.5 def and 2 * 5.5 mids all the time so I am still not sure but it’s better than I thought it would be.

    6. Najoman86
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

    Best 4.5 defender to rotate with Soucek?

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

      Lamptey is 4.6 so probably Taylor is the the best 4.5 defender I think.
      Don’t know if rotation comes into with Soucek as I don’t think there are any good fixtures but maybe he could be played against teams not good any defending in the air.

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

        Already got Lamptey

        Would play Soucek every week just wanna bench in GW’s 6/7 (MCI/liv)

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

          Fulham top the fixture rating for those 2 weeks but I don’t think you want to go there 🙂

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

      Walker-Peters has a nice run of fixtures

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

    For draft waivers tomorrow:
    A Semedo
    or
    B Dias?

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

      A

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

        Cheers Holmes!
        That's how I have it set.

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

    Interesting, a rumor about Mane coming down with COVID, along with 6 other players. Would make sense after Thiago and Allison but it's still a rumor at this point.

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

      Uh oh

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Seen this rubbish ‘rumour’ with not even a source... the person has just assumed all players that weren’t playing the cup game have covid, good logic right?

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not really helpful at all - I could start a rumour and it would be meaningless

    4. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Allison confirmed to have it?

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

        Nope. Absolute nonsense.

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

    Crazy before the season that Liverpool were 3.7 or 27% underdogs to defend their title.
    Now into 1.96 or 51% but I think they'll defend it by miles.
    City do so well in data and stats like Xg but actually look vulnerable and defend badly every game. Plus have no striker and attack can look blunt

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

      If Laporte and Diaz form a good partnership that could all change. I know it’s if buts and maybes but surely the defence will be much improved with those two playing.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah, I agree. I think Liverpool will make a strong start and keep going for most of the season, but City, once over their injuries, will put in a stronger challenge - vastly reducing the gap if not catching 'Pool.

  6. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mou's comments about Son are really making me think twice. Feels like he's trolling us (although, probably more like trolling United).

    Still, probably worth dumping Son? Would be for a hit.

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Would wait until tomorrow

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

    Thinking of changing bruno + werner to jimenez + sterling for a hit, is it worth it?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No

  8. Ghost86
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you sell Werner to Jiménez -4?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not for a hit

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      yes for sure, especially if the other transfer is a necessity

      1. Ghost86
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        The other transfer will be Son to KDB/Sterling currently no city

        Just thinking maybe Jiménez can outscore Werner in the next 4 and pay off the hit and also back some cash.

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I think I will be doing something similar

          Moutinho & Werner to Mahrez/Foden & Jimenez

          Jimenez next two fixtures are great

    3. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      i did the same moves this week too, also for a hit

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        actually i got Ings as striker, already had Jimi, but seen enough of Werner not to want him any longer (cue hat-trick this weekend lol)

    4. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      nah

  9. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    On top of the Pool COVID rumors, supposedly Bruno picked up a thigh injury in training? Anyone heard about this?

    1. Cousin Greg
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      timing

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I wouldn’t be listening to rumors without any source.

  10. Cousin Greg
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Bruno injured? Read that he pick up thigh injury in training.

    1. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Cred

      1. Cousin Greg
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        They marked him with 75% chance of playing https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          No warnings now

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

    Hello DZ. Just wanted to wish everybody GL.

    I'm set and ready:

    McCarthy
    Semedo — TAA — Justin — Digne
    Rodriguez — KDB — Havertz — Salah
    Werner — Adams

    Few red flags I'm aware of looking to see it out until after international break. 🙂

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

      axe Havertz for a 6.5 mid and upgrade Adams to DCL or Ings

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

        It's fine for now. Besides I have no FT and I arent taking a hit when Adams faces WBA and Havertz has Palace. Very good chance both perform v well.

        1. SAY MY NAME
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          this

      2. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        don't do this imo, not worth 2 x transfers, straight swap from Werner if necessary but only if 2 fts in reserve

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

          Agreed. There's a good chance Werner outscores any other fwd this week in my eyes. Adams also could nab one or two. It's a funny ol game. Bit of patience.

          1. SAY MY NAME
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            indeed, Adams may well score, Havertz could, Werner could get a couple, nothing to do barring injuries (that being said i have far less patience myself and swapped Werner for Ings against West Brom, and i'm sure i'l be punished for that move 🙂 )

    2. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Best of luck hope Havertz comes off for you

  12. Oliver Tockman
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Captain:

    A) De Bruyne
    B) Mane
    C) Ings

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

      A

    2. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      a

    3. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B for me

    4. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      KDB or Salah, not sure yet..

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

    Would you prefer A or B for this GW?

    A. Mahrez (lee), -4 (sell Son)
    B. Taylor (new) (keep Son)

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      if i felt more confident in mahrez starting it would be A but I think B might be the better call

    2. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      a more fun, b the sensible move, so i say A

  14. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Have all 5 of the Top Captain picks this GW as per the poll.. red arrow incoming

  15. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Good to go all?

    McCarthy (Steer)
    Alexander-Arnold Walker-Peters Robertson
    Rodriguez De Bruyne(C) Pereira Fernandes
    Calvert-Lewin Adams Werner(VC)

    1st Sub: Shaw
    2nd Sub: Bissouma
    3rd Sub: Ferguson

    1FT, 1.0ITB

    Shaw vs KWP is the big dilemma this week

    Cheers!

  16. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best move here chaps?

    A) Son -> Mahrez/Rashford
    B) Holding -> Saiss/James
    C) Bissouma -> 5.4 (to cover Son)
    D) Save FT

    McCarthy
    Trent, Virgil, Bellerin, Holding
    Salah, KDB, Foden, Son
    Jimenez, Antonio

    Steer, Bissouma, Mitchell, Davis
    Bank 0.9m, 1FT

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would save unless you feel very confident in one of the players you'd bring in for Son

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

        I prefer Son to Mahrez/Rashford, but if he's out then my bench is pretty terrible. Always the risk that these hammy problems stretch out for longer than first thought too.

        1. Nice to Finally Michu
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Hm I might keep Son for the week and play Bissouma this week, think Son will be alright by the end of internationals

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

          If that's the case you shouldn't go Mahrez.
          Rashford a sure starter

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

      B

    3. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      i'd want to swap Son out, i got Mahrez but who knows if he'll get 90 mins, maybe consider Barnes or even Zaha

      double Arsenal defence is brave! i say that as a lifelong Gooner 🙂

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

        Yeah I'm currently favouring Son -> Mahrez. Expecting a response from City and Leeds are usually fairly obliging.

        One of the Arsenal defenders likely makes way next week. Not a bad fixture this week, in theory anyway! 🙂

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          will Mahrez start ?

        2. SAY MY NAME
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          true, although i thought it was a good fixture too about this time last year until they scored 🙂 but SHU do look a little less potent so far this season

          i've somehow ended up with triple city (already had foden+kdb, then got mahrez after Son injury) so hoping for a 8-0 to city 😀

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Son to James Rod or cheaper
      Davis to DCL, Ings, or one of the cheaper options etc
      -4

      Bellerin, Holding, Steer, Bissouma, Mitchell, Davis ;(

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

      A with Mahrez, if you believe he gets minutes...great fixtures coming up. Did Mahrez play midweek? BSilva is getting fit too, so Pep has got a lot of midfield options...

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

        ...btw, you could have 6 penalty takers by switching Son+Davies to Zaha+Maupay. Worth it or not, I don’t know.

      2. Nigel Tufnel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Looks like Mahrez played 90 mins in the Cup this week. Debating it.

  17. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    hoping ASM to start vs burnley...

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

      And dribbling from half line to final third, then giving it to the players who will get points

  18. nibby
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which 1? Timo to:
    A) Vardy (C)
    B) Ings (C)
    C) Jimi (C)

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

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

      C but I won't captain Jimenez
      Rarely scores a brace.
      No other captain options?

  19. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Podence fit to play? Thinking of getting Mahrez In.

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

      Press conference today

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

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

        As if Nuno will tell us anything

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

          He will
          Hopefully 🙂

    2. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nuno is the new bald fraud.. didn't say anything about Podence in his press conference last week

  20. cylus11 ( Manager) - Russia…
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    My team for, Gw4
    Martinez
    TAA, Robbo, Vinagre
    Salah, KDB, Klich, Sterling
    DCL, Mitro, Bamford.
    Subs: Button, Dunne, Mitchell, Angiusa
    Which one should I captain.
    Punt on TAA captain?
    Thoughts for the same

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

    Mane + 6 other LIV players COVID positive rumour: https://twitter.com/fpl_elite/status/1311796945678151683?s=12

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

      I don’t know anything more than this, sorry.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Interesting. Can't act on a twitter rumour of course - awaiting further news, if there is any.

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

          Interesting ... 🙂

  22. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Morning guys.Thougts on this wc?0.1itb.

    --Martinez
    --TAA--Robbo--KWP
    --Salah--KDB--Zaha--Jrod
    --Ings--Dcl--Bamford.

    --Nyland--Mitchell--Lamptey--Burke.

    Thanks all.

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good..will try to get Jimi or a Wolves defender though

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

      I'd get Jimenez instead of Ings.

      Like it overall. Kind of thinking about Bamford too. He's not very popular here tbh

  23. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best one week midfielder punt upto 9.0 on a wc? Will transfer him out for Son next week

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Just this GW? Got to be Mahrez.

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

        Played 90 mid week, could be in for a full rest or 1 pt cameo? I got him in so hope not but wouldn't recommend him personally

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

      Podence if fit

  24. Andy_Social
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    "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."

    Anybody know his record for captaincies for the first 3 GWs of this season? Gone curiously unmentioned in this article.

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

      Mane blank, Rashford blank, Sterling blank

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Ha ha, as I suspected!

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Should have a pro pundits captain pick vs a community member each week and see who gets the most points for the season.

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Rotating thru the community a bit like the picks each week.

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

    captain Salah or Auba?

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

      Salad

  26. tc93
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is zaha nailed on pens?

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

      Nope

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Well with Millipede starting on the bench, I'd say he is for now - and so long as he converts them.

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

          Ayew gave it to him after a discussion.
          I don't see him staying on them.

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I expect Zaha to 'trip' over Silva to win a pen, so we'll know soon enough!

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

              Ha ha

  27. tc93
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    On WC... coleman or saiss??

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

      Coleman

  28. KUN+10
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What are everyone’ thoughts on Rich?? Risk it and keep?

    Ancelotti:

    “I think it will not be too bad. Kenny and Richarlison have ankle twists and Allan had a slight abductor problem. We will see tomorrow but it seems not too bad.

    “Richarlison had a twist on his ankle. Jonjoe Kenny the same. It seemed not so bad. I hope they can recover soon... Richarlison I think can recover for Saturday. Allan & Kenny, more difficult.

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I panicked and did Rich for DCL. Maybe I should have waited although I've caught last night's price rise.

      1. KUN+10
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I was about to do the same but never pulled the trigger. I guess I’ll hold for now and see if we get amy news tomorrow. Good luck to you

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

    would you be cheeky and captain Barnes?

  30. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Great detective work from Kun Karam. Podence apparently back in training and called up for Portugal.