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. tissae
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one
    A) DCL
    B) Antonio
    C) Bamford
    D) Son

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

      Wow, C

    2. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      One of your defenders.

      1. tissae
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        3 at the back already

        1. gart888
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Salah, Bruno, Gundo, Grealish the rest of your midfield?

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

      Logically it's A over C.

      But all logic flies week to game week.

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

      I think it would be really tough in your shoes, but y'know I might even say Son.

      We will not make it easy for Tottenham.

    5. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  2. shearer9
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain Cancelo, Bruno or Grealish? Tempted to go for Mane but not sure if he'll be back.

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

      Of those Grealish

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

    Correct first XI and Bench order?

    Martinez
    Cancell/Dias/Digne
    Salah/Bruno/Son/Gundo
    DCL/Bamford/Antonio

    Bench: Messlier, Soucek, Dallas, Targett

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

      Soucek to haul?!

  4. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which defender is worth a hit this week to play the next 3 before I wildcard.Money not a problem.

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

      I guess you have 2 ManCity defenders so Creswell or TSilva for me.

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No just Stones.

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

          It has to be Dias/Cancelo.

          1. DA Minnion (Former great)
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah I guess so. Cancelo more attacking but Dias more nailed. Might take a punt on Cancelo. Cheers

  5. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is this worth -4

    Rashford & Saka > Gundogan & Grealish

    Rest of the front eight

    Salah Fernandes Soucek xxxxxxx xxxxxxx

    Wilson DCL Watkins

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd say no on the hit. Could always do half that swap this week, half next week.

    2. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes i would say so

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

      Just do Rashford > Grealish this week and save 4 points.
      Strong enough team.

      Maybe City keep playing a striker and Gundo is playing deeper like last game.

  6. Trini Chelsea
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GTG or save FT??
    McCarthy
    Cancelo/Stones/Robertson
    Salah (c)/ Son/ Bruno/ Gundogan/Maddison
    Watkins/Bamford
    Johnstones/Dallas/Coufal/Wood

    1. Trini Chelsea
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      GTG or save FT??
      McCarthy
      Cancelo/Stones/Robertson
      Salah (c)/ Son/ Bruno/ Gundogan/Maddison
      Watkins/Bamford
      Johnstones/Dallas/Coufal/Wood

  7. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Son to who? Maddison or? - Have Bruno, Salah, Soucek,Gundo.
    (Upfront Antionia and DCL) - 1mib 1ft
    Thanks!

    1. gomez123
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      save

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

    Bench one :
    A) Digne
    B) Creswell
    I have Bamford so I'm leaning towards A.

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

      Really comes down to whether you think Villa score or not.

      Digne is a bigger differential and he's likely to be involved in chance creation vs. Leeds.

  9. DagheMunegu
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Werner ?

    Keep or sale for Antonio ?

    1. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Haven't people learnt their lesson re. Werner yet?

  10. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    TAA or Robbo? Somebody else here has recommended TAA as his form has picked up recently, which was my initial feeling too but looking at Robbo's stats, he has maintained his underlying stats which implies he has just been unlucky with respect to his returns (plus the team hasn't played well). Not sure which to go for.

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

      With Liverpool defense EO not being massive, it feels like the risk on TAA outweighs the scope for backlash.

      We know just how good TAA can be, so if you definitely want a Liverpool defender, I don't see why not.

      Also don't lie, we know you've read the Big Man's review 😉

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Hahah I have read it but I was already looking - I have found a free website which gives all the stats in the members area here so been using that recently. It is pretty good too!

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

          Very nice! Which is it out of curiosity?

          1. The Big Fella
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Not sure if I am allowed to say or not but it is understat.com (admins feel free to delete if not) I have never been a member of FFS but it seems to contain all the same info. Heat maps, xG, xA etc. as I see in peoples' analyses here and on Twitter etc.

  11. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Fairly sure I’ll get TAA in for Taylor, though do you think there are other priorities here?

    Martinez / Button
    Cancelo / Stones / Bednarek / Justin / Taylor*
    Gundo / Grealish / Bruno / Salah / Saka*
    Antonio / DCL / Bamford*

    1. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Why TAA over Robbo?

      1. Plagued by indecision
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Half-expecting him to rediscover last season’s form, and perhaps a bit of nostalgia? May change my mind by tomorrow of course.

        1. The Big Fella
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I am torn between the two

  12. gart888
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez Johnstone
    Robertson Dias Stones Coufal KWP
    Salah Bruno Gundo Grealish Soucek
    Kane Antonio Bamford

    1.2 ITB, 1 FT

    Feeling a bit of pressure with both Kane and KWP hurt. Having to sub in Soucek ad Coufal last week hurt.

    A) Kane to Ings
    B) Kane to Watkins
    C) KWP to Dallas
    D) KWP to AWB
    E) Save FT... Kane and KWP aren't out that long and the rest of this team is okay.

  13. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I have seen so many people selling Son........this will 100% come back to bite....

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

      Bigger fires to put out

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

      Probably. I will say as a Chelsea supporter, I think Son may have a tough time vs. us now.

      Quality player, but we kept them quiet last time & have been pretty defensively sound in the last two. Easier opponents for sure, but Kane out affects Spurs big time.

      Don't rule out a return but don't forsee an explosion. It's West Brom that will hurt if anything, but even then that doesn't really suit the counter-attacking plan Son is best at.

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

      i sold him for Salah who i'll cap this week, i'll do the reverse swap next week

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

    No one answereing no one, just pages flying by. Good old FFS

    1. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

        Agree

        1. mezza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          This

  15. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Robbo Cancelo Dias
    Salah Bruno Son Grealish Gündo
    DCL Antonio

    (Steer Cresswell Mitchell Brewster)
    1 FT & 1.0m

    Save FT this week?
    Or any transfers worth considering?

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

      Save

    2. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      That 11 looks pretty sweet. I"d save the FT to have more flexibility next week if something bad happens.

  16. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Tempted to get Alonso - and I don't really fear the failure, I have failed a lot already this season 🙂

    a. Douglas -> Alonso
    b. Antonio -> Wilson

    Martínez
    Cancelo, Digne, Coufal
    Son, Salah, Fernandes, Grealish
    Antonio, Bamford, Ings

    Button, Lowton, Burke, Douglas
    1 free transfer, 2.8 million in the bank

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

      A from those anyway.

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

    Martinez
    Justin Dias Stones
    Salah Son Gündo Fernandes Soucek
    Antonio DCL

    4.0 Zouma KWP Brewster

    Worth doing Zouma > TAA for free then play over Soucek?
    Any other ideas? 5.7m itb 1ft

    1. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I've got my eye on Dallas personally, but you seem to have the money to Justify TAA/Robbo. The only problem is that it will eat up your funds and make it harder to bring KDB/Kane back in after their injuries. You okay with that?

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

        That’s my only problem with going up from Zouma but I have to address my bench (or lack of it) and I feel like keeping that amount of money itb waiting for players to return is counterproductive.

  18. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Save the FT for the weekend?

    Martinez, Forster
    Stones, Cancelo, Chilwell, Coufal, Kilman
    Salah, Bruno, Gundo, Grealish, Soucek
    Antonio, Bamford, DCL

    1. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don't see any problems there and have cover. Save it if can carry forward.

    2. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Do you have much in the bank?

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        More than enough. 4.7, I believe it is.

    3. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I am not sure what to do will Chilwell. Alonso or Rudriger are tempting short term

      Also thinking Soucek to Zaha, his fixture are looking good

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Chilwell is the main concern--if you can call it a concern at the moment. I'd like to think he plays midweek, but who knows.

  19. Thomas Jerome Newton
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    When will we know of any upcoming double or blank gameweeks?

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I want to know this too

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        seconded

  20. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Johnstone,
    Robbo, Stones, Cancelo
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Grealish, Raphinha
    Bamford, Watkins

    Subs: McCarthy, Dallas, Adams, KWP

    2FT, 0.7 ITB - Any help?

    Johnstone to Sanchez and roll?

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

      Isn't Raph out injured?

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

        Bielsa says its minor. Check Scout Tweets.

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

        Dallas is bench cover, so all good

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

      Saving the Southampton guys for their double coming up I assume?
      Agree doing GK move seems smart. Can you get to Martinez?

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

        I can but the leader has martinez.

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Adams to Wilson or Antonio and save the other FR

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        FT

  21. noahzark22
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best short/medium term GK options?

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

      Pope. For bonus save points.

  22. offspinnersinahurry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I have McCarthy and Forster as goalkeepers, plenty of money and 3 Man City players already. What would you suggest with my free transfer please?

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

      I went from McCarthy > Martinez in the DGW and it hasn't really disappointed yet.

      Mixed fixtures, but with DGWs to come don't see where you can go too wrong with Martinez.

  23. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone know what’s up with mane?

    Got him in instead of son last week which actually paid off massively because it meant I had Bamford off the bench 🙂

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

      Lol jammy. He's got a minor injury. Didn't sound long-term, but check Scout Tweets.

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

        Jammy to say the least

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

      Minor injury picked up in spurs game, you'll have keep an eye on the presser tomorrow

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

        Fair play, cheers

  24. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Soucek to Grealish

    B) Play Soucek and save the transfer

    Cheers

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd go A.

      Soucek is actually quite frustrating to own. He's a borderline start that seems to return when on my bench and blank when I start him.

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

        Exactly

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

      My plan is to do A.
      Trying to be more aggressive. Got so much in the bank...

  25. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    No Salah, do I:

    A) Sterling to Salah (-4)
    B) Keep Sterling and no Salah
    C) Wildcard and get Salah plus Gundogan (no Sterling)

    Thanks

    1. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      B

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks all, he’s such a rank killer and scaring me lol

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

      B

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

      You can't offer C as a serious suggestion unless the rest of your team is an absolute state.

  26. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Brighton’s last 3 PL home wins have come in 2019,2020 and 2021....
    wow

  27. Dosh
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one:
    1. Barnes (fulham)
    2. Wilson (PALACE)
    3. Antonio (villa)
    4. DCL (leeds)

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

      Tough one, I’d do Wilson personally

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

      B

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

      On current form 4 but if you go by the who has the best defence out the opponents then 3

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

      Play all 4 and bench Son?

  28. VaVaVoom14
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Cresswell or Soucek?

    1. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Soucek just as I don’t think a clean sheet is likely (although I am a benching both)

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cresswell, cleanie chance. Feel Mings will handle Soucek.

  29. lekalatch
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What to do here?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Dias Holding
    Salah Son Gundogan Bruno
    Antonio Lacazette DCL

    4.0 - Saka Dier Dunne

    2.7 itb, 1FT

    1. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Save FT

  30. JohnnyRev7
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez (Steer)
    Cancelo Dias Justin (Bednarek Mitchell)
    Grealish Bruno Gündogan Rashford Souček
    Bamford DCL (Kane*)

    1FT ITB 5.4

    Salah is making me nervous and destroyed me in my MLs last GW.

    Can't do a straight Kane ---> Watkins as Steer is blocking. Will deal with it on WC prior to AVL's DGWs.

    Can do a straight Kane ---> Antonio but that will give me a benching headache which I always try to avoid.

    A) Rashford ---> Salah
    B) Save and have 2FTs next GW

    Thoughts? TIA.

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

      Save

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

      A

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

      A

    4. TheAbear53
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Save

    5. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks for yor input guys. Much appreciated. I'll ponder more.