Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain options for Blank Gameweek 18?

Fantasy Premier League managers face a difficult choice for the Blank Gameweek 18 captaincy.

Even before Monday’s fixture rearrangements for Spurs, Fulham and Aston Villa, differentiating between Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) and Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) was proving challenging for many.

Now that Harry Kane (£11.0m) and Son Heung-min (£9.8m) have been handed a favourable home fixture against underprepared opposition the debate has been thrown wide open.

More than ever, Fantasy managers need some help with the armband, which is where the Captain Sensible article comes in.

As always, we will look into the best options’ underlying statistics, comparing them against the defensive data of their upcoming opponents using the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area.

CAPTAIN POLL

Poll results before Spurs’ Aston Villa fixture was replaced with hosting Fulham

Captain poll results after Monday’s fixture rearrangements

KEY MATCHES

Manchester City v Brighton and Hove Albion

3,604 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Putting out this team and not FHing - good luck

    Dias Cancelo Tierney
    KDB Bruno Son
    Kane (c) Brewster Wood

    1. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Brave. Brewster wont play and Wood will blank.

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You’ll be fine for one low scoring midweek

    3. PapaWengzz
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Solid

  2. Sharkytect
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any press conferences?

  3. BurnMyBread
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Cavani a good punt for this week and the double gameweek?

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      as punty as it gets might work

    2. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Will get max 2 games, if that. Look how many minutes he's got uo to now

  4. Trovsmash
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Manchester united supporters, do we expect Lindelof to come straight back into the united backline?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No Bailey is our first choice now

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

      Bailly been better, expect him to continue if injury free.

      1. Trovsmash
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        To both of you, when fit Shaw is nailed at full back?

    3. DD
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lindelof and Shaw will both play in my opinion. Bailly has been consistently dropped whenever Lindelof is fit and I do not see that changing unfortunately.

      1. Trovsmash
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        thanks for the info mate!

  5. Wally711
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hey guys

    I have 8 players for this GW, do you guys think I should take a -4 hit for a Man U defender. Replacing targett

    1. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably not. Always wary about taking hits for defenders. And united’s don’t offer much in the way of attacking returns

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not for United

  6. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    would you do DCL to Wilson for a hit to field 8 and save FH?

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would. Prefer Laca if fund allows.

      1. Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        nope cant stretch but thx and GL Sunzip

    2. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Newcastle away attacking stats are grim. Wouldnt be surprised if Wilson blanked. Im backing Sheffield united for the win

      1. Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        who d you suggest? budget 7,9

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      As good as you can get this week

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

    Any thoughts on my Free Hit Team? I guess it's fairly standard.
    Lloris.
    Dias, Stones, Wan-Bissaka, Tierney.
    De Bruyne, Son, Fernandes.
    Wilson, Lacazette, Kane.
    Bench is Henderson, Smith Rowe, Yedlin, Gordon.

    1. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      get Cancelo

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

      I can scrape together 0.5 with zero bench, but any upgrades that I'm not seeing?

  8. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you change anything on this FH team?

    Lloris
    AWB Tierney Stones
    Saka Son KDB Bruno Rashford
    Kane Wilson

    Subs: Steer Brewster Lascelles Mitchell

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Think Cancelo will outscore Wilson

    2. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      AWB and Tierney -> Cancelo and Holding

      Cancelo by far the best def imo

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

      Awb --> Cancelo

    4. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks All

      Will squeeze Cancelo in then

    5. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe 3 City? Even Gundogan?

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

      Double City D and play Kane as lone striker. Downgrade Wilson to get Cancelo and play 451.

  9. ExpressoMySonny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    a) Dier and Neto
    b) Gundo and Regulion

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  10. tuturututu
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hey guys, can you RMFHT?

    De Gea
    Cancelo, Stones, Tierney
    KDB(c), Bruno, Rashford, Son, Smith Rowe
    Kane, Lacazette

    Fodder, Yedlin, Mitchell, Fodder

    1. BremerHB
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good to me!

    2. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Saka is worth more over ESR. Saka’s stats are great atm.

    3. GoonSquad
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd rather have Holding and Saka vs. ESR and Tierney by a small margin.

  11. Trovsmash
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    United supporters again, Shaw, when fit, is nailed?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Eh...

  12. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which combos would you rather have on your FH team?

    A) Rashford + Emile Smith Rowe
    B) Wilson + Saka

    1) Lloris + Stones (double city defense)
    2) De Gea + Dier

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A1

  13. Wild Card this!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Wilson OK to play now?
    I think I missed that news...

    1. Trovsmash
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Where have you seen news of a knock?

      1. Wild Card this!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        News have been circulating around here for days...at one point all RMTs dropped him out and I can see him back in RMTs now...I knew I missed something.

        1. Trovsmash
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          All i'd seen was he trained today, i must have missed the initial knock news

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

      Trained yesterday.

      1. Wild Card this!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks.

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Missed Cup game, was an excuse for a rest imo

  14. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do we think Kilnan will start? Or will Nunes stuck to a back 2?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He will keep chopping and changing most likely

  15. Wally711
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    -4 for a Man U defender to field 9 players worth it?

    1. Trovsmash
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I saw on twitter they have a 43% cs chance, so probably not

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Negative

    3. Vlekz
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Depends on who goes out. If it's someone like a Southampton player you are essentially getting 2 extra games over the next 2 weeks and that's definitely worth it

    4. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Are these moves worth it in your opinion? Not using FH.

      GW18: Stephens, DCL > Saka, Brewster (-8)
      GW19: Son, Holding > Salah, Robertson (-4)

      Current team:
      (Martinez, Steer)
      Dias, Stones, Holding, Mitchell (Cresswell)
      KDB, Son, Bruno, Stephens (Soucek)
      Kane (DCL, Bamford)

      1. Bleh
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Saka should be Smith Rowe

      2. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        -12 to sell son for Salah? No thanks

        1. Bleh
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Salah has the double and I think is due. Also have Kane.

        2. Bleh
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Could just do DCL > Brewster this week (-4) and Son, Holding > Salah, Robbo (-4) next week?

          Saves one hit.

          1. The Suspended One
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Better than the alternative

            1. Bleh
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Cheers

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

      FH19 tempts

      1. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Want this as well. How many DGWers do you have currently? I have 6 (DDG, KDB, Bruno, Coufal, Justin, Grealish?)+ 3 Spurs (Kane, Son, Dier), Wilson and Holding. Plan was always to FH but will it be more valuable if kept for later?

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

          5 SGWers - Meslier, Bamford, Kane, Son, Dier. 6 DGWers - Watkins, Grealish, KDB, Fernandes, Cancelo, Dias. If Everton vs Villa gets called off I will most likely FH. If it doesn't I will save.

      2. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That was the plan before Villa got sick

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

          That's the plan because Villa are sick

      3. ivantys
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ignore the possible high downside from Son, Kane, Bamford and perhaps Neto?

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

          Neto? Relax.

          1. ivantys
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Arsenal have newcastle as well.

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

      Morning all. Before things get too hectic here...

      A) Stones, Rashford, ESR (3-5-2)
      B) Cancelo, Saka, Lacazette (3-4-3)

      1. Bleh
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        B

      2. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A

      3. Angus
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        B

      4. BremerHB
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks all!

    7. kelvint93
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      DDG
      Stones Dier Clark
      Fernandes KDB (C) Saka Son Rashford
      Lacazette Kane

      Changed Davies > Dier
      Dias > Stones
      Darlow > DDG

      Last comment promise haha

      Keep Darlow or get DDG, Leno, or Patricio?

      Cheers all!

      0.1m ITB

      Free Hit activated

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

      If you're not captaining him, Fernandes should be your VC - plays sooner after the deadline than any of the other candidates.

      1. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        nice tip

    9. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Morning guys. Would really appreciate some help filling in the blanks on FH:

      Leno
      Stones Dier Tierney (Clarke Mitchell)
      Smith Rowe (K)DB Bruno Son _______
      Kane _________ (Brewster)

      A) Sterling and Wilson
      B) Rashford and Lacazette

      1. DAZZ
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        C) Rashford + Wildon

        1. Going Home
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Cheers. Would deffo see Sterling outscoring Rash this week. Just a tad worried about both Wilson and Sterling’s minutes.

      2. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I’d be on a

        1. Going Home
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks. I am at the moment; minutes are the concern...

      3. Angus
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I would go b. Sterling injury risk and Lacca over Wilson on form.

    10. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A) Watkins to Wilson roll 1 play 8
      B) Watkins/Grealish/Neco to Kane/SmithRowe/Cancelo -4 play 10
      C) Bamford/Watkins/Grealish to Martial/Gundogan/Wilson -4 play 10

      1. Going Home
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Of those, probably B. Difficult without the full team, but having those three going forwards are better than the three you have. Make sure you can het Jack back for the THW tho!

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Not counting on any villa playing their 3 games in 2 weeks outside the keeper

          1. Going Home
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            There’s 9 I’d agree with. But Grealish makes Villa tick (even when he’s not getting the returns)

      2. Angus
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        B

    11. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Might flip a coin on Saka or Wilson. I will get it wrong for sure.

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Season over if you are wrong

      2. DAZZ
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Im going for both because of budget but have a look at Sakas stats they are good. And wilson plays for a team who are poor away from home

        1. Fudgy
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I prefer Saka but everyone seems to have Wilson its scaring me and it gives me money in the bank I cant use

      3. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        My coin said Wilson 😀

        1. Fudgy
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          🙂

    12. VICTORIOUS SECRET! !
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Salah +wood ----> KDB + martial (-4)
      Worth a hit ?

    13. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Seeing so many of the exact same free hit teams when free hit is arguably the one time you can afford to punt on a few differential players. Makes things so much more fun. Do it. Don't be boring

      1. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        FFS users are only a small portion of FPL players.

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

        I keep seeing this hatred of the template FH team all over Twitter and I think it’s a bad take. Four big teams with reasonably priced attacking and defensive assets play in fixtures that appeal from a fantasy perspective. When players can have most of the likes of Son, Rashford, Bruno, Kane, KdB, etc. why would you turn down the opportunity to select them in fixtures that you would have considered captaining them otherwise. For me the free hit chip isn’t meant to separate you from other free hitters it’s meant to separate you from those who are keeping their squad as is.

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

          Harder to justify differentials for a one off good fixture when four major teams have good fixtures to target. Why make an off the wall Wolves or Everton pick when there’s a lot less probabilistic certainty in that match than the ones with the big 6?

      3. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Sure to end in tears

      4. DAZZ
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        If 25,000 fantasy football scout users all played the exact same free hit thats 0.3% of the whole game base. Thats differential enough for me. If 3-5% did it, it would still be massively differential. I dont know how many will use the FH but it’s still going to be relatively low based on the whole number of people who play.

      5. DAZZ
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        But just for reference, what would be your ‘different’ and ‘differential’ FH team for this GW be?

    14. Salahlulijah
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Morning all, would you FH this team?

      DDG
      Cancelo Taylor*
      KDB Bruno Rashford Son
      Wood

    15. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Any data for use of FH, WC chips this week? Maybe an algorithm?

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

        Probably 5:1 FH over WC

      2. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A squared plus B squared equals flip a damn coin

    16. Vlekz
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Should I do

        A)grealish to rashford (-4) [1 week punt as this spot gets upgraded to salah next week](I also have bruno if that matters)

        B)DCL to laca(-4)[a permanent transfer so laca stays for the next few weeks]

        C)both moves for a total of -8

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          A

          1. Vlekz
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Thanks

        2. Sultan-Gemy2121
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          any changes needed fot this FH team?
          thanks in advance

          Loris
          Dias..Cancelo..Tierney
          KDB (C)..Son..Saka..Fernandes
          Kane..Wilson..Cavani

          Maguire..Burke..pieters