Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 22?

Fantasy Premier League managers are looking to Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United for the Gameweek 22 captaincy.

The pressure is high for the latest round of midweek matches after a number of the popular options blanked over the weekend and there could even be more rotation to consider too…

As per usual, the Captain Sensible article is here to highlight which assets have the best chance of posting an explosive score in Gameweek 22.

We assess the individual statistics of the key candidates and compare them with the defences they are about to face.

As this uses extensive data from Fantasy Football Scout’s Premium Members Area, only those with a valid subscription can access it in full.

CAPTAIN POLL

Fresh from a long-awaited double-digit haul against West Ham. Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) tops the Gameweek 22 captain poll.

He may have gone six Premier League matches without a goal but the Egyptian looked back to his best ahead of Liverpool hosting Brighton.

As a result, 35.4% of Fantasy Football Scout voters have chosen him as their skipper for Gameweek 22.

That is close to double the size of Bruno Fernandes’ (£11.4m) following, who is the current runner-up on 18.5%.

The Manchester United midfielder has been on a dry spell of his own, registering just an assist in his last five league matches.

His support is likely based on the fixture, which pits the Red Devils against a Southampton side without a clean sheet in each of their last three matches and currently suffering an injury crisis.

Despite a Gameweek 21 benching, Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) remains in the captaincy conversation. With his rest out of the way, it seems likely the Manchester City midfielder will start for the trip to Burnley on Wednesday.

Sterling has two goals and two assists across his last three away trips which has helped him achieve the support of 13.5% in the Fantasy Football Scout captain poll. 

João Cancelo (£6.0m) is arguably in a similar boat. Having missed out against Sheffield United, his return to the team looks likely for the trip to Turf Moor. His 17-point score at West Bromwich Albion is clearly fresh in the memory, here 4.3% of our voters backing him as a differential Gameweek 22 captain.

Ilkay Gündoğan (£5.8m) was also a big-scorer at the Hawthorns but his blank against Sheffield United appears to have tempered the enthusiasm around the budget midfielder. Just 3.8% have backed last Gameweek’s most popular captain for the armband this time around.

Alexandre Lacazette (£8.4m), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.6m), Callum Wilson (£6.7m), Marcus Rashford (£9.5m), Son Heung-min (£9.8m), Jack Grealish (£7.7m) and Patrick Bamford (£6.6m) are the only other options considered by more than 1% of voters.

KEY MATCHES

Liverpool v Brighton and Hove Albion

Why FPL managers should focus on the short-term this season
1,342 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to bench?

    A) Son
    B) Gundo
    C) Antonio

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Son

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

    3. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Out of those, probably Gundo

  2. Rash
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any news about Harold?

    1. Hooky
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Died. 1066

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        😆

      2. Rash
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        😆

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like it will take atleast couple of weeks before he returns

  3. sfsfsfe
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Dows transfering out Rash for Grealish sound like a stupid idea? Getting really tired of him and Fernandes looks like enough coverage on United...

    1. Hooky
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sounds like a good idea on current form

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Given where he's playing don't see much value

  4. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane to Antonio and Gundogan to Sterling for free is tempting...

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      With Gundo on penalties? I mean I have both City players but . . .

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Was not really interested for more than 2-3 weeks anyway.

  5. Mikey44
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Johnstone
    Cancelo Dias Dallas
    Salah Fernandes Sterling Raphinha
    DCL Antonio Bamford
    Subs: Mccarthy Soucek Justin Mitchell

    1 FT and 2.4 itb, what would you do? Thanks

    1. scubasmithy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      hold

  6. Gudge
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Benching headache please help!!

    Mendy Johnstone
    Cancelo Stones Digne AWB Coufal
    Salah Bruno Son Gundogan Grealish
    Bamford Antonio DCL

    1. Dele
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio

    2. nonsoROX
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      this is only a suggestion but how about bamford and antonio upfront, salah, bruno, son, gundogan and grealish in midfield and, cancelo, stones and coufal in defence, but i am uncertain fon a goalkeeper for you sorry. you can also decide between grealish and dominic to bring in but grealish has been performing more recently compared to dominic

      1. toerag
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        id do this

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

      Bench Antonio, AWB and Coufal

  7. flippetyflop
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A, B or C please guys - I have 2 FT.

    My side looks pretty good for this weekend

    Martinez/Forster
    TAA/Robbo/Stones/Dias(Semedo)
    Salah/Son/Fernandes (Burke) (Bissouma)
    DCL/Antonio/Bamford

    A - Semedo to Stephens and carry 2ft for GW23 ( Southampton may have DGW in 24)
    B - Stones to Cancelo + Semedo to Stephens
    C - Semedo to 3.9 + Bissouma to Gundogan (god knows who I would bench this week)
    D - Other

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

      Stones to Cancelo only and roll the 2nd FT

  8. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Priorities bringing in Grealish or Antonio or roll the FT?

    A. Rodrigo to Antonio
    B. Raphinha/Soucek to Grealish
    C. Roll FT

    1FT 7.5itb
    Martinez
    Stones Cancelo Digne Cresswell
    Salah Bruno Gundo Soucek
    Bamford DCL
    (Johnstone Raphinha Holding Rodrigo)

    1. Agbonlahorse
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Get Jack the lad in. He's on a other level!

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

        Cheers, if both Soucek and Raphinha are fit who would you lose?

        1. Agbonlahorse
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Tricky. Soucek edges it for me, but can defo see Raphs appeal.

          Have you either Antonio or Bamford? I'm still a big believer in coverage.

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

            Have Bamford. Proposed transfers in are Antonio or Grealish. Very difficult choice between Soucek and Raphinha. Both are great options at the moment at their price range

  9. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Everton’s xG per game since GW16 is 0.41, the worst in the league.

    Who’s selling DCL & Co and admitting their mistakes?

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

      Keeping - I'm sure they will get chances against Leeds and hope they get DGW24

    2. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I am assuming that when you bought them, their XG since gameweek 16 was not one of your considerations. Therefore it should not undo what you previously thought

    3. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Agree, Villa assets a better option imo

    4. Gudge
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I did Dallas> Digne and vardy> Dcl last week I wish I did vardy> Watkins and Dallas> TAA priced out of it now!

      1. JELLYFISH
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Why sell Dallas?

        1. Gudge
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          God knows too tempted to get digne for the Newcastle fixture

  10. DRIZ ✅
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling > Salah for free?

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

      Not for me when Sterling has been rested a very good captaincy option

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

        rested and a very*

  11. CoracAld2831
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If you would be looking to change Soucek (away game at Aston Villa) out in exchange for a Leicester MD (away game at Fulham) who would be the best option?

    A: Barnes
    B: Maddison
    C: Tielemans
    D: None of them, keep Soucek

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

      D but if I had to pick a LEI player then Barnes

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Keep

  12. Agbonlahorse
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Those who've used their FREE HIT and WILDCARD

    What are your plans for the DGWs 26/28 and BGW29?

    Any strategies would be a.welcome read.

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Current plan is

      WC25
      BB26
      FH29

      That could change when the picture becomes a little clearer

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

        he said already used FH and WC

        1. Pep's Money Laundry
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Lol, I misread. Probably down to transfer deadline day overload

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      GW28 is not a DGW. Surely you will have to use FTs to set-up for BB26 but try to manage BGW29. TC on a smaller GW with Spurs

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

        on a smaller DGW with Spurs

  13. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Johnstone Pope
    Cancelo Dier Justin Coufal Alioski
    Bruno Salah Sterling Raphinha Gundogan
    Martial Bamford Antonio

    1ft., 1.2m in the bank

    a) roll ft
    b) Dier to Rudiger/Targett
    c) Raphinha to Neto??
    d) Dier to Digne/Chilwell
    e) Alioski to Creswell
    f) another option

    1. Apwilkin
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’d move Dier to Rudiger or Digne (confused about Chillwells position at the moment).
      Or consider moving Martial.

  14. Apwilkin
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sounds like Castagne might be out a couple games at least. My back line is Stones-Cancelo-Castagne (Coufal, Mee). Don’t really like Coufal or Mee this week.

    Who to replace castagne with:
    1- Justin (a little worried about Leicester defense without Ndidi and potentially Fofana)
    2- Digne
    3-Rudiger
    4- Just go for the triple city back line and bring in Dias.
    5- Other?

  15. FPL_Rooks
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I fell into the Digne trap last gameweek...

    This week, do I play Digne or Dallas?

  16. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    G2G?

    Martinez
    Dias Cancelo Dallas
    Grealish Fernandes Sterling Salah Son
    Watkins Antonio

    Subs: Brewster, Dier, Mitchell

    1. Apwilkin
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good. Who has the C?

      1. Oooo Matron
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Was one Salah, but I think Brighton are a tough nut to crack. Sterling is tempting me after his rest

  17. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Benching headache - help!

    Martinez
    Stones cancelo awb
    Salah Bruno son soucek gundo
    Dcl bam Antonio

    Who drops to 1st bench?

    1. Apwilkin
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Probably soucek.

  18. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Will Bamford and Raphinha play?

  19. sfsfsfe
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How do you usually reason when u own 3 defenders on 2 different teams who face eachother? Im currantly sitting on ogbonna, Coufal and Targett and got Coufal and Targett in my starting XI and ogbonna on the first benchspot. Do you think it is better to start the pair in one team and hope that they keep a cs or starting one from each team, spreading out the chances for at least one of the teams keeping a clean?

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

      I can see both teams scoring so pick the ones that have attacking potential. Coufal and Targett

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would def start targett. So i would prolly go for that you suggest.

    3. Mr Bird
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Start Target over double WHM def

  20. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best defender up to 5.0?

    1. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Coufal, Shaw, Rudiger

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Holding

  21. Going Home
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane replacement

    a) Watkins
    b) Antonio
    c) Wilson

    Going after three weeks for Kane and/or Vardy

    1. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio

  22. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play this gw:
    a) Dier
    b) Alioski
    c) Coufal

    1. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cou

  23. InvertedWinger
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Stones or Dias to Cancelo for free?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dias is the most nailed on city defender, so keep him

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

      Stones if you must.

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

      Stones

  24. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Rashford to Salah, for free?

    1. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Or Sterling?

    2. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes.

  25. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez/Nyland
    Cancelo/Stones/Coufal/Alioski/Mitchell
    Salah/Son/Bruno/Gundogan/Soucek
    Kane/Bamford/DCL

    1 FT 5.8 ITB.
    Kane to which forward? & who'd you bench?

    1. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo to Sterling and captain or Kane to Antonio and bench Soucek

  26. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to move Kane to? Got Watkins and Bamford so Antonio and DCL are up there. Any others?

    1. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Those 4 plus Ings are probably the only strikers worth considering

  27. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Out of Antonio, Gundog, Rashford. Who should I bench?

    Salah-Bruno-Grealish-xxx-xxx
    Bam-Dcl-xxx

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

      Probably Trashford

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tough. Rashford probably since you have some United cover.

    3. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thank

  28. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Cancelo / Stones / Digne
    Salah / Fernandes / Gundogan / Soucek
    Kane* / DCL / Antonio

    Forster // Raphinha* / Coufal / Mitchell

    I'm probably, annoyingly, going to get Bamford straight back in for Kane. Make sense or something else I should be looking at.

    Also, bench Soucek or Raphinha?

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

      Villa have a some games to rearrange so Watkins. I have the same dilemma with Soucek and Raphinha and currently benching Raphinha as I don't have Antonio but have Bamford.

  29. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ozan Kabak, about to sign for Liverpool from Schalke.
    https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/12205212/ozan-kabak-transfer-liverpool-racing-to-agree-deal-for-schalke-centre-back

    I have followed a lot of Bundesliga this season to help with my Fantasy Bundesliga team.
    Schalke have had a nightmare season so far and out of the 14 games Kabak has started in the league, Schalke have lost 10, drawn 3 and won 1.
    In those 14 games Schalke have conceded 38 goals.

    I understand he's just 20 and its not all his fault. But if Liverpool need a defender to address some weaknesses in their defence now, is he the right guy?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Playing him at CB means Hendo (and sometimes Fabinho, if needed) don't have to play at CB & slot into midfield where they've been missed.

      I'll just go with the scouts on this, no idea if it's his or the teams fault. It's usually a bit of both.

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Their senior defenders Nastasic, Stamboulli and Sane have been in and out with injuries all season. So he has been put in the deep end prematurely IMO.

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      They have a policy and stick to it - hasn’t done them too badly unfortunately

    3. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just because a defence is leaky doesn’t mean the player isn’t good. That’s down to the whole team, the style of play, etc

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Agreed. He has done well for Schalke even with the senior defenders being injured. But mentally he might lack some confidence.

  30. bring_on _the_fantasy
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    With Mane and Firmino rested last Game.....Anyone think it will be Salahs turn this week?

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

      Was Mane rested though if he was injured?

      1. bring_on _the_fantasy
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I thought he was on the bench?

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          nope

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

          He wasn't.

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yep, slight muscle strain from the previous game.

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mane wasn't rested, he is out injured

      1. bring_on _the_fantasy
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        My bad

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

      Mane was injured rather than rested. Difficult to say, you would think Klopp wants Salah to keep up his form but he has played 3x90mins in a row and may be in the red zone

    4. Mo Mane Mo Salah
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      nope. not without jota/mane available...