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. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Had a tragic FPL week, leaving 26 on the bench and crashing out of the top 10k. What to do here moving forward, no idea who to bench these days?

    Martinez
    Dias - Stones - Coufal
    Salah - Bruno - Rashford - Grealish - Gundogan
    DCL - Antonio
    (Johnstone) (Bamford - Dallas - Bednarek) 1FT - 3.3 ITB

    A) Dallas/Bednarek -> TAA
    B) Save and offload extra £ on bench next GW
    C) Any other moves?

    Cheers!

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

      I'd play Dallas over Coufal and Bamford over DCL, so B) but from personal experience there's nowhere to offload the extra $$$ at the moment.

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

        Agreed

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

        Cheers. That's very helpful but feels wrong to bench DCL

    2. shakeyjake
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don't like Rash and Bruno, maybe Rash > Sterling this week, bench Gundo and play Bammers, then look at Sterling > Son week after or even Gundo > 7m if Sterling looks good... I'd play Dallas over Coufal for the attacking threat.

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

        Already have 3 City. Could do Gundo -> Son

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

          I have a feeling Gundo is getting benched but not sure its worth dumping for Son this week as Chelsea look solid... I'd probably hold as it gives you more flexibility next week

  2. mwa1t
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which 3 defenders do I play out of Dias (vs Burnley), Coufal (vs Villa), Dier (vs Chelsea), Furlong (vs Sheff Utd), Bednarek (vs Man Utd)?

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

      Dias, Coufal and Furlong

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

      Wow someone else owns Furlong! I think Dias, Dier, Furlong quite easily.

  3. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is this bench order correct?

    A) Wood B) Mitchell C)oufal

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

      Wood is flagged and I wouldn't expect him to get anything against MCI even if fit. Mitchell probably benched after PVA's MOTM performance last GW. Coufal first sub.

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

    What transfer would you do this week:

    A) Mccarthy to Martinez/Leno
    B) Dier to Trent
    C) Soucek to Saka

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

      A Martinez because he’s got A dgw 24

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Villa has a DGW in 24? Thought only City has one

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

      Martinez

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

    Which move this week?

    A) Rashford to Grealish
    B) Saka to Grealish
    C) Save

    DDG
    Dias Stones Digne
    Salah Bruno Gundogan Rashford
    DCL Watkins Antonio

    Steer Saka, Coufal, Holding

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

      Saka to Grealish looks good to me

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

      A or C

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

    Priorities bringing in Grealish or Antonio or roll the FT? Thanks

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

      A

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

        Cheers, who would you bench if I start Antonio?

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

          Dcl or Soucek

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

            It'll have to be a Soucek. Got to start DCL after getting him and take advantage of a leaky Leeds def

  7. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I'm takinga hit, and there's nothing you can do to stop me. You can however help me decide:

    A. Kane and Soucek > Salah and Vardy (Watkins autosub if he's not fit)

    B. Kane and Soucek > Salah and Bamford (Watkins on bench)

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

      It's already been confirmed Vardy won't be fit for the Fulham game. Might have a chance for the Wolves game at the weekend. I wouldn't risk bringing him in until he had at least a game under his belt after his hip surgery

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

        Just seems like a good differential. Didn't realise he had been ruled out, though. Saw that he was in contention for the weekend.

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

          He’s not been ruled out I don’t believe - just unlikely - may as well give him a chance...

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

            Reason
            Groin/Hip/Pelvic Injury
            Further Detail
            Feb 01: "We're hopeful that Jamie, towards the weekend, won't be too far away, which will be great news for us."
            Potential Return
            07/02/2021

            Ben Dinnery website
            https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I read it was a hernia.

    2. Jimjam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Take a hit but at least bring in players who aren’t injured

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

      Bringing in a player that does not play this week huh.. Explain?

  8. Mr. Chimes
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who gets benched?

    A. Bamford
    B. Antonio
    C. DCL
    D. Gundo

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

      C

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

      B

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

      Gundo or DCL

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

      Probably Gundo if City start Jesus instead of false 9

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

      Gundo

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

    First on the bench:

    a. Burke, home against West Brom
    b. Coufal, away against Aston Villa

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

      B

    2. tom_p77
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      B - Burke can get something at wba

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

        A*

  10. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah to break the Bruno(C) record this week?

    And then flop like him 😆

  11. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Can't believe I'm benching Antonio

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

      I’m playing him over DCL and Watkins

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

      Season over

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

        GW over before it's even begun!

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

    2ft’s so need to use or lose. . Current squad…

    Martinez Forster
    Dias Shaw Stones Struijk Mitchell
    Salah Son Bruno Gundogan Grealish
    Antonio Bamford Kane

    Considering:
    A) Kane > DCL/Watkins & Stuijk/Mitchell > TAA
    B) Stuijk/Mitchell > 4.4 def and carry 1ft

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

      Kane to Watkins only..

  13. Jersey Boy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    1FT 3.0 ITB

    McCarthy (Forster)
    Dias Cancelo Dallas Coufal R.James
    Bruno Salah Son Gundo Soucek
    DCL Bam Adams

    A few options here...

    A: Adams > Watkins
    B: Soucek > Grealish
    C: Forster > Martinez
    D: R. James > any def
    E: Save

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

      C

      1. Jersey Boy
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Saw you mention above that Martínez has a DGW24..dont think that’s right is it?

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

          I must be mistaking, sorry

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

    Mendy
    Dias / Dier / Konsa
    Salah / Fernandes / Sterling / Son / Grealish
    Bamford / Watkins

    Peacock-Farrell / Coufal / Struijk / Brewster

    2FT, 0 in the bank. Happy with the team but don’t want to waste a transfer. Thinking of doing Sterling -> Zaha.

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

      Son to Zaha.

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

    Martinez ¦ Forster
    Cancelo Maguire Holding
    Bruno Rashford Grealish Barnes
    Jesus Ings Wilson
    ¦ Saka Coufal Lascelles

    1 FT, 4.6 ITB

    A) Rashford -> Salah
    B) Save FT?

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

      A

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Jimjam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    4. jesus jesus
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Good to see an non-template team

  16. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Souceck to salah and have room for Antonio next week

    Or

    Esr to salah and move toward 3/5/2 (bench souceck this week)

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

    Can someone explain the logic of why DCL appears to be the favoured pick over Bamford for gw22?

    When Leeds are home to Everton and following the weekends mixed fortunes.

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

      Leeds defense is still bad. Both are decent options this week.

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

      I wouldn't say DCL is favoured over Bamford especially after GW21 performance. Leeds sill concede chances and vulnerable to set prices. Hopefully a big performance from Everton after that let down against Newcastle

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

        I agree.

        Just been checking in every few hours when taking a break from work and seen many opting for DCL to start and bench Bamford.

        I know it's unpredictable but my logic at least suggests the other way around.

        1. Studs Up
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Many can be a few hundred, which in itself is meaningless. Probably just a general feeling amongst those who comment imo.

    3. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Playing both, there was SOME logic to dcl last week, it wasn’t the worst make her but it hasn’t paid back so far and they looked bad

      Of course everyone here happy to laugh at everyone who got him in with hindsight

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

    How much will King be priced at?

    6.5m?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Joshua? Whoz getting him?

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Fulham I think

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is it confirmed? Who will he replace?

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

      Nothing confirmed but there's multiple Premier League teams interested.

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

      Around that, maybe 6 because its fulham?

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

    I thought that DGW24 should be announced before the GW23 deadline but I'm now thinking there's a decent chance that it will be announced in the midweek before the GW24 deadline if Man City beat Swansea next Wednesday evening.
    If MCI lose to SWA then DGW24 doesn't need to happen.

    https://twitter.com/BenCrellin/status/1356312551974461441?s=19

    Not great news for DGW planning!

  20. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Saka flag changed to Orange... Is he expected to be out more than a couple of weeks.

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’ve heard mixed messages. One said he wouldn’t make it for this weeks game another said he was back in training. Either way doesn’t sound like a long injury.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Scout tweets

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

      Further Detail
      Feb 01: "Returned to full training and his availability will be assessed ahead of Tuesday's match."
      Potential Return
      02/02/2021

      Ben Dinnery website
      https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php

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

      Training today and every chance of playing.

      I'm holding him.

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

      I think he will play based on latest update but its hard to say, I have him first on the bench for now so he will probably bag a brace...

  21. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would anyone consider playing BB with this lot?

    McCarthy
    Soucek
    Coufal
    Mitchell

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No

    2. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mitchell not assured of starts... Otherwise maybe I would have.

  22. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start 3 of these 5

    A) stones
    B) cancelo
    C) Dallas
    D) Digne
    E) Coufal

     

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      ABD

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A, B and D

      1. Jimjam
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Agreed

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

      ABD

    4. Netters2018
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks All i was swaying towards that. Just cudnt decide between Dallas or Digne

  23. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez (Steer)
    Stones, Shaw, Dier (KWP**, Coufal)
    Salah, Fernandes, Son, Gundogan (Stephens)
    Kane**, Calvert-Lewin, Bamford

    1FT, 2.6 itb

    (A) Stephens --> Barnes (3-5-2, hold Kane for now)

    (B) Kane --> Antonio (3-4-3)

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Easy A

  24. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play one
    1. Johnstone vs SHU away
    2. DDG Southampton home

    1. Jimjam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DDG

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        David. Literally a must win game for Sheffield

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

    McCarthy (Johnstone)
    Castagne*-Cancelo-Stones
    Salah-Bruno-Son-Barnes-Soucek
    Bamford-DCL

    Coufal-Mee-Adams

    1 FT 2.1 ITB
    What to do?
    1- Castagne to Digne/TAA/Robbo (Really stumped on who to bring in)
    2- Adams to Antonio/Watkins
    3- Save FT
    4-Other?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Save I think

  26. Alejo - CFC
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Foden replacement?

    A) Grealish
    B) Maddison
    C) Barnes
    D) Gundogan

    Cheers

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Grealish

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Foden

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

      On form its
      D
      C
      B
      A

      On fixtures?

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

        Sorry

        D
        B
        C
        A

  27. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start 3 of these 5

    A) stones
    B) cancelo
    C) Chilwel
    D) AWB
    E) Coufal

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A, B and D

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

      Probably ABD

  28. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Saving my ft. Line up correct here folks?

    Martinez
    Cancelo, Digne, Justin
    Salah(c), Sterling, Grealish, Zaha, Gundogan
    Dcl, Richarlison

    Mendy, Reid, Chillwell, Mitchell 1ft .4itb

  29. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Cancelo the best captain?

    Everyone will go Salah due to this weeks results but surely Cancelo starts and City usually destroy Burnley

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      McBurnie with a brace is the best captain this week 🙂

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is captain him.

    3. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Good option I guess

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

      If they destroy burnley 5-1, No cancelo attack returns and a yellow the thing of destroy gets another meaning to you. Logic of csp cancelo must be that you are safe on his cs and hope for either bonus points or assist/goal.

  30. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one out of Bamford, Antonio, Watkins and Son

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

      If you have grealish , Watkins

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

      Son, controversial as it sounds

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

      Just hope bamford does not show UP