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. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Robertson Stones Cancelo
    Salah Fernandes Gundogan Soucek Raphinha
    DCL Bamford

    Forster Coufal Brewster Ferguson

    1 FT, 8.9 itb

    1. Brewster >> Antonio (bench Soucek)
    2. Soucek >> Grealish
    3. Save FT

    Thanks.

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

      1

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

      Basically same as me, I'd go 1 and I think I've now answered my own question

  2. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Dias | Targett | Dallas
    Sterling (c) | Gundogan | Son | Grealish | Bruno
    DCL | Bamford

    1FT, 8.9ITB

    Get Salah? For from?

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

    1ft 7.1itb

    Martinez
    Dallas, Stones, Cancelo
    Son, Salah, Gundogan, Bruno, Soucek
    Bamford, Antonio

    Steer, Coufal, Mitchell, Brewster

    Brewster>Wilson and bench soucek or roll?

    Cheers

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

      Might just roll

  4. Lexi2014
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Major surgery needed. 2FTs available and happy to take a hit.

    Thoughts?

    Martinez
    Cresswell / Konsa / Justin
    Fernandes / Son / Salah / Foden / Soucek
    Antonio / DCL

    McCarthy / Taylor / KWP/ Welbeck

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

      Anything itb?

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

      City defence seems a priority

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

      Seems like you should aim for 2 City defenders, got any money itb?
      Front 8 is fine, but if you need money maybe Son > Gundo/Saka/Barnes/Grealish etc. to upgrade the defense.

      Son, Taylor, Justin > Grealish, Dias, Cancelo?

    4. dark91
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A city defender for KWP if you have money itb

  5. Heisenberg W. W.
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah for Gundogan?

    1. j16
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I did 🙂

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

    Marty
    Dias Stones Robbo Digne
    Grealish Salah (c) Bruno (vc) Gundo
    DCL Bamford

    Steer Son Dallas Brewster

    Good to go guys?

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

      I'd play Son ahead of Digne

      1. King Kun Ta
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        +1

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

          +1,000,000

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

        Thats the one I’m on the femge about. Brought Digne in last gw so kinda feel like I ”owe” it to him but thats just stupid.
        Maybe I should just go with Son.

        Cheers both!

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

          *fence. New phone doesn’t correct my English yet.

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

            Cheeky new phone brag 😉

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

              Hah!

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

              Lolz!

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

        But tbh Spurs looked abysmal. Like horrid. No creativity, speed. Nothing. Can’t see Son blowing up but maybe it’s more about effective ownership.

  7. Sergeant Slaughter
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I can just feel it
    Hamez

  8. Jimmer887766
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    1 of Barnes, Zaha or Grealish?

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

      Jack

    2. 'Broadsword Calling Da…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd like to hear an answer on this too, as I can't quite figure it out. Thinking Barnes short term (only as Grealish has been better Away than at Home and Zaha is Zaha)! Barnes on fire.

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

    Almost 'everybody' has the same midfield line up and with the lack of striker options how can one make a ground/climb? Even defenders, with double City occupying 2 spots then very limited space to manoeuvre? Any advice?

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

      Been like that all season in my opinion. Dull FPL season. I guess the best way is to ignore the bandwagons that are forced on you like DCL, Digne etc... and look for the alternatives.

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

        Got you, but these spells with Kane Vardy KDB injured and CHE out of form (hopefully picking up soon) that's really limit the dynamics even further

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

          Agreed. It's not been easy.

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

      True, I have been shielding too much recently. Feeling a Zaha punt coming

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

        I picked and backed Rashford as differential since few weeks ago where MUN looked good and good fixtures but backfired badly ... really boring transfer Rashford > Salah for safety and will climb just tiny bit!

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

      I don't know about that.

      Bruno, Son, Salah, Zaha, Grealish, Barnes, Maddison, Soucek, Saka, Gundo, Rash, Sterling....lot's of genuine mid options.

      DCL, Bamford, Watkins, Antonio, Wilson, Ings, (Vardy back soon)....

      It's about the right combinations...Seems enough variety to make big ground.

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

        Captaincy I guess one thing that can make up, I agree. Really people flog in Salah Bruno Gundo Son Grealish ... so only a spot or two plus captaincy punt which you may not want to do at this stage ...

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

      Try having Trashford like me.

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

        Hey got him, disaster!

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

      As I found out last week, don’t try be too clever for the sake of it. Set n forget if you own Martinez who is highly owned (I played Areola).
      Getting Captaincy right always helps
      Maybe have at least 2 playing bench options for the inevitable rotation
      Otherwise go with your gut feel for which players to target. I went sterling over Gund which actually worked out ok with some luck last week (Salah vc)
      Back your differential picks with the likes of Barnes Saka Soucek doing well

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

        Thanks - I've got 6 or 7 red arrows in a row some weeks back although the rank was stagnant just trying to hard overmanaging the team. Playing sensible and simple as you described rank shoot up consistently. Then I refused to bring in Salah for Rashford and you know the story ... damn so boring game this is I realised!

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

          *too hard

    6. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Easy. Pick the highest cpt.

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

        Yeah easy 😉

        1. Free Hat
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          😀

          Ive learned the hard way this gw : play your highly owned players. Let others make mistakes. Some cpt luck. That will do.

  10. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Nice article, based on 5 low scores in a row, i'm playing the odds and going with Bruno.

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

    Rashford and Foden to Zaha and Barnes? 2ft

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

      Not for me, personally, i'd just keep Rashford for the next 4 now.

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

    After Burnley, city face Liv away Spurs then Arsenal.
    Would you sell Sterling to capitalize or better fixtures?

    If so who are the best options. Maybe Son if they get a dgw

    Midfield is Salah Bruno Sterling Grealish Soucek

    1. dark91
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A bit too early to think about this especially with the lack of alternatives. Maybe get Vardy by GW23 for him

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

        He doesn’t usually perform vs old club Liverpool and with Son facing wba that’s what I’m leaning towards but will wait and see.
        Even more reason to save transfer midweek to have options

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

      See how he does and reassess. Right now would be tempted to ditch if someone jumps out.

  13. Dotherightthing
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hi all, how to check the upcoming double gameweeks, cheers

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

      They need to be scheduled first

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

        Thats what i thought lol .. just around here I read people talking about some doubles for city etc .. i might have misunderstood then.
        Thanks for replying anyway

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

          For GW 26 ..

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

    Would you start Coufal or Dallas this week?

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

      Dallas

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

      Dallas

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

      Dallas for me

  15. No Kane No Gain
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah captain worth -8?!

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

      Nope

      1. No Kane No Gain
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Is -4 for sterling worth it instead?!

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

          Sterling has been rested. So almost sure to start next game. I am captaining Sterling. So I wouldn’t do it for a -4 for Sterling either.

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

    DDG
    Cancelo Stones AWB
    Salah Bruno Gundo Barnes
    Antonio DCL Bamford

    Johnstone Chilwell ESR Coufal

    1 FT and 4.3 in the bank

    1. ESR to Zaha
    2. Chilwel to PVA
    3. Save

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

      1 as 2 isn't nailed either

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

        Zaha or Grealish?

  17. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Save ft here?

    Martinez
    Dias, Stones, Dallas
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Grealish, Gundo
    DCL, Bamford

    Johnstone, Antonio, Coufal, Bednarek

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

      Yes unless you fancy Rudiger for the next 3

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

      save for sure

  18. seanie3
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Am I crazy to get rid of Bruno for Barnes? Bruno not done anything of note for 5 PL games and Barnes is on fire

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

      Yes in terms of FPL ownership it would be crazy if he hauls for your rank. I did that move last week and capped Barnes and it worked out for me. But I also shifted a very template team to a very differential team....it is risky when heavily owned players haul like those that ditched Salah and Bamford last week.

      1. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        True, trying to chase down my ML who has him, salah and son as do I. So thinking one of these to move on should be Bruno

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

      Got to play for points

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bold statement, but he is on fire.

  19. FPL_Hazards
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Tired of losing value on Alzate.

    Best MF for £5m?

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

      A) Smith Rowe 4.4
      B) Lookman 5.0
      C) ?

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

        C Saka if you can stretch

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

    Martinez (McCarthy)
    Chilwell, Cancelo, Dias (Dallas, Coufal)
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Gundogan, (Soucek)
    DCL, Bamford, Antonio

    A) Soucek to Zaha
    B) Chilwell to Rudiger
    C) Chilwell to Alonso
    D) A+B for -4?
    D) Hold FT (wait on Chilwell)

  21. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any ideas here?? 1ft 4.9m

    Martinez
    Robbo Dias Cancelo Dallas
    Grealish Salah Bruno Gundogan
    Antonio Bamford

    Forster Soucek Coufal Adams

    A) Adams to DCL
    B) save FT

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

      Depends on FA Cup results. If Everton loses they will play DGW 24??

  22. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guys, which one long term?

    A) Grealish
    B) Maddison

    Thanks in advance!

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

      A. Look at his record. Bang for buck.

      1. Danstoke82
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks both

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

      Grealish 100%

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

    Anyone know when Charlie Taylor is expected back for Burnley?

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

    Best defender for next 3 gameweeks?

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

      I also want the answer to this.

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

      Rudiger?

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

        Not nailed yet imo. I’d say Dias. I’d pick Chilwell if I knew he was nailed on.

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

      Alonso has the highest ceiling for sure.

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

        Yeah, but Chilwell will surely play

  25. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone going for TAA?

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

      already have hime and all he's given me is Spain without the s

      1. Babit1967
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Haha, no luck mate, I’m going to bring him in, money to spend and a nice differential

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

          yea that one haul was on the bench

    2. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not until I’m convinced by their central defence for the clean sheets.

  26. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    with nothing else pressing and some of my rivals likely to captain Cancello this week, am I crazy to be considering Dias or Stones to Cancello for free?

    If so who would you lose? Feels like Dias benching is coming soon?!

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

      Haha I basically asked the same question below. I think he starts Stones and Laporte next game. Just a hunch

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

    2FT but can’t literally can’t think of a transfer I can make and have never burnt a transfer before. Any Ideas?

    Was maybe thinking Dias to Cancelo seen as he’s just been rested.

    2FT and 0.4mil in the bank

    Martinez
    Stones Dias Justin
    Salah Sterling Bruno Son Grealish
    Bamford Antonio

    McCarthy Dallas Alioski Brewster

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

      Alioski to holding.

  28. Chrisitis
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Dier
    B) Holding

    Currently on Dier. So many low scoring top matches. Wolves often score home as well.

    1. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’d fancy Arsenal for a clean sheet, Wolves attack looks dreadful still without Jimenez.

  29. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hi....what to do here please....feel rotation will be a factor

    A....save ft

    B...chilwell to rudiger

    C....something else (5mitb)

    Thanks

    Martinez (Johnstone)
    Cancelo dias dallas (chilwell coufal)
    Salah Bruno gundog grealish (soucek)
    Antonio dcl watkins

    1. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’d save, Chilwell may come back into the team of Chelsea revert to a flat back 4 again.

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

      Save and enjoy your strong bench

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

        Cheers

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

    Saka giving me a headache...

    Injured, do not know if he will start. If he does not play at all, it is not much of an issue, because Soucek can come off the bench. But it is an issue if he gets 15-20 mins.

    1. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just bench Saka and play Soucek then.

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

        Whenever bench someone, they score 2-3 goals lol.

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

      trained today - should start

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

        We do not know the intensity of his training though...