Captain Sensible
31 March 2025 385 comments
Hibbo Hibbo
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Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers welcome the returning heavyweight captain Mohamed Salah (£13.7m) in an open armband conversation ahead of Gameweek 30.

In a classic case of risk versus return, Liverpool’s highly owned talisman faces tough competition. Manchester City and Chelsea boast strong home fixtures against Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

As usual, Captain Sensible highlights which assets have the best chance of delivering a big haul.

First, we will assess the fallout of the captain poll before analysing the player and team statisticsRate My Team (RMT) and the Premier Fantasy Tools ratings ratings ahead of Tuesday’s 18:15 BST deadline.

THE CAPTAIN POLL

Salah is at the summit of our captain poll after a brief hiatus caused by Liverpool’s involvement in the EFL Cup final.

He is a safe pair of hands in a topsy-turvy week for the armband, with superlatives barely scratching the surface of the Egyptian’s output this season.

With 44 attacking returns – 20 more than the nearest challenger – Salah has obliterated the Fantasy record total before the season’s copybook ink has dried. The right-winger has so far secured just over 40% of the vote ahead of Everton’s visit to Anfield but that figure is rising.

That’s because Erling Haaland (£14.8m) limped out of Man City’s 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final victory at Bournemouth. The Norwegian came off around the 60th minute after a heavy impact and jarring of his foot in the turf. He left the stadium sporting a protective boot and crutches.

His potential absence is a bitter blow for managers who moved early on the centre-forward ahead of facing Leicester.

Before this, Haaland was a close second in the poll but that approximate three-tenths is trending downward.

Omar Marmoush (£7.3m) is now in third place with a growing 7.9%, with Alexander Isak (£9.3m) and Bruno Fernandes (£8.6m) further back.

THE PLAYER STATISTICS – LAST SIX MATCHES

FPL team previews – Liverpool: Best players, predicted XI + more

Hibbo Author of Captain Sensible. I write Fantasy Premier League articles, focusing on stats and strategy. Four top 10k finishes. 22/23 Rank - 6123.  Follow them on Twitter

385 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Lav
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Differential (c)? On a -4

    A. Kluivert - IPS (H)
    B. Marmoush - LEI (H)
    C. Mateta - SOU (A)

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Has to be Mamoosh

    2. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      B

    3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      B

    4. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      B B B B B

  2. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Please pick 1 a) marmoush -4 b) pray wood or dango starts

    1. Men in green tights
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      I have done A

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        Cheers yeh me too probably

  3. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    there s no reason for gvardiol not too start v leicester is there? unless injured of course. i cant decide between him and kerkez...

    1. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Absolutely not, but then again it's Pep we are talking about here.

  4. Tambling5
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    A. Sels (Home to ManU) or
    B. Henderson (away to Soton) this week? Please.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      b

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      B

    3. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      B

      1. mr_jones
        • 6 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        A, im not tricked again on putting a keeper against soton and ending with a 2-pointer

  5. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Pickford
    Gvardiol gabriel munoz
    Salah palmer mbeumo kluivert semenyo
    Isak marmoush

    Fabianski wissa colwill n.williams
    0ft
    0.8 itb have am,bb,wc,fh left

    A)wc this week to am from 31 to 33
    B)wc next week and am later

    Is A worth since I have good team this week?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      b

    2. Zladan
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      A

  6. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    mateta or evanilson? on wc. cheers

    1. Bucket Man
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Mateta for me. Has 2 doubles and Bournemouth fixtures turn after West Ham

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        he didnt seem at ease with his mask though...thank you

        1. Bucket Man
          • 7 Years
          8 months, 10 days ago

          Yes I thought that but first game back I suppose. Can’t look by him, Marmoush and Isak. Watkins the next in line for me but cost a lot more then Mateta.

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 11 Years
            8 months, 10 days ago

            thanks again. if only we knew for sure if palace also has a dgw 33...i could always pick evanilson this week and sell for mateta gw32.

    2. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Mateta.

  7. Bucket Man
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Spent a while thinking about WC, have activated and ended up very template. Have money for AM Emery as triple Palace blocks Glasner but don’t see better pick at the money then Eze/Sarr

    Raya, Areola
    Gabriel, Gvardiol, Livramento, Munoz, X
    Salah, X, X, Kluivert, Murphy
    Isak, Mateta, Marmoush

    1) Kerkez brought at 4.4 and bench Gabriel or N. Williams and play Gab?
    2 Risk going Saka and possibly bench him for Murphy or Palmer?

    A) Kerkez, Palmer, Sarr
    B) N. Williams, Saka, Eze

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      1 kerkez
      2 palmer

      therefore a

      1. Bucket Man
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        Thank you, that’s what I’m on. Spent too long overthinking so can hopefully just leave it now haha.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      whats your plan with chips?

      1. Bucket Man
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        Thinking Emery AM if he gets bonus and BB when fixtures look good. Or if he doesn’t BB33 and AM36-38

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          8 months, 10 days ago

          gl 🙂

          1. Bucket Man
            • 7 Years
            8 months, 10 days ago

            Thanks. You too.

  8. Legohair
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Ratevmy WC team?

    Raya
    Gabriel-Munoz-Gvardiol-Ruben
    Salah-Kluivert-Sarr
    Marmoush-Mateta-Isak

    Martinez,Trippier,Saka,Murphy

    Too strong bench???or maybe Kluivert to Rogers and bench Rogers and then start Trippier/Saka???

    Please help!

    1. mr_jones
      • 6 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      I wouldnt double up City-Defense and there are plenty better options then Ruben. Would go for a forrest-defender instead.

      1. Legohair
        • 9 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        Actually citys fixtures is pretty danm good,and i am chasing

        1. mr_jones
          • 6 Years
          8 months, 10 days ago

          fixtures yes, but citys defense is not that good for cs this season. and i doubt, that ruben will bring you the points you need to chase. but your decision.

  9. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    A) Sarr Rashford
    or
    B) Eze Rogers ?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      B

    2. Bucket Man
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Agree B. Purely as Rogers more likely to start game IMO

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 6 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        Eze seems due too. He has 2 PL goals. Last 2 seasons he got 10 and 11.

    3. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      A

  10. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Start Kerkez or Munoz?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Munoz probably, but look at their home and away form, play the one with better form.

    2. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      I'm starting both, benching Gabriel.

      I trust Palace defence more than Bou though

      1. Bucket Man
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        Same with me. Out of the two. Munoz is more attacking to me so start him.

      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        that s a ninja move to bench big gab...

  11. have you seen cyan
    • 6 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Is it just me who thinks the predictions for 33 might be wrong? Ben Crellin was wrong earlier in the season and they moved a game or games to a week he hadn't even mentioned.

    I think for the most part he will be right, but it wont be surprising to see GW33 slightly different from what's predicted.

    1. mookie
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      I don't know about TV schedules and all that bureaucratic crap, but Forest-Brentford could move in 32 the way I see it.

      1. Zladan
        • 8 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        Too soon for it to move to 32

  12. mdm
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Who to play?

    A. Wood (MUN)
    B. Mitoma (AVL)

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Wood

    2. boroie
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Mitoma

    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      B

    4. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      B

    5. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      B

  13. boroie
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Had planned to WC31 but with the Wood and Haaland injuries, do I just bite the bullet and WC now?

    Verbruggen
    Gabriel Gvardiol THB*
    Salah Kluivert Bowen Mbeumo
    Haaland* Wood* Wissa

    Jose Sa; Rogers Castagne Hall*

    1. Zladan
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Do it.

      Verbrugg Sa Haaland Wood Bowen THB Castagne Hall Wissa all have to go - justifies a WC

      1. Kinder Mbueno
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        Bowen still has decent fixtures and playing up front, returning too. I'm keeping him in my WC draft

        1. boroie
          • 7 Years
          8 months, 10 days ago

          He does… although I think there are better options if on WC.

      2. boroie
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        Cheers! Think the latest Haaland news confirms it.

  14. mr_jones
    • 6 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Raya or Sels on a WC?

    1. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Raya as Arsenal are more likely to double in 33.

  15. klopp it guys
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    How's this for a WC?

    Ederson
    Saliba, gvardiol, Gabriel
    Salah, sarr, Kluivert, saka
    Mateta, isak, mamoush

    Bench, Martinez, Rogers, Munoz, livermento

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      It’s good - not a fan of Ederson though. City don’t keep clean sheets

      1. klopp it guys
        • 8 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        Mmmmm, I'm hopen that changes for the run in lol can't thank off another keeper

    2. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      I wouldnt double up on City defence so i'd move Ederson out. Rest looks good.

      1. klopp it guys
        • 8 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        What other keeper is there

        1. mr_jones
          • 6 Years
          8 months, 10 days ago

          I would go for Sels or Raya. Personally i prefer Sels. Fixtures say Raya.

          1. klopp it guys
            • 8 Years
            8 months, 10 days ago

            I already have 3 arsenal players, I'd drop saliba suppose,

            1. RamaJama
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              8 months, 10 days ago

              Yes, cheaper attacking defs like Kerkez

        2. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          8 months, 10 days ago

          Raya

        3. Snoopydog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 1 Year
          8 months, 10 days ago

          Why not go Raya (still gives you double Ars defence) and swap Saliba out for cheaper defender (eg Kerkez?)... or could swap Ederson for Pope if you want to have an alternative DGW keeper (would give you 3x Newcastle).

          1. klopp it guys
            • 8 Years
            8 months, 10 days ago

            Pope as to be number 1 surly

  16. XX SMICER XX
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    WC:
    A. Alisson & Timber
    B. Raya & Konate +0.5m

    1. Bucket Man
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      B. Ben White back in contention too so may challenge Timber for game time.

      1. XX SMICER XX
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        This is true, though isn’t Calafrori injured?

        1. mr_jones
          • 6 Years
          8 months, 10 days ago

          but Timber and White are both very versatile. We don't think, they fit in the same squad?

        2. Bucket Man
          • 7 Years
          8 months, 10 days ago

          I think I like B more anyway really. Saves money and not much between the two.

          1. XX SMICER XX
            • 7 Years
            8 months, 10 days ago

            Thanks

          2. mr_jones
            • 6 Years
            8 months, 10 days ago

            looks like i need to overthink timber in my wc-team again

  17. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Which one would you have?

    Two Palace players + Glasner

    or

    Two Newcastle players + Howe

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Glasner

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 6 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Table bonus

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        table bonus just feels so random though.

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      not sure yet but howe feels a safer bet. just cant see palace winning away at newcastle or city.

    4. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Same issue here, i like the 3 palace players more so leaning Howe for 2 weeks then Artete/Pep but that potential table bonus for Glasner is tempting.

      1. Bucket Man
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        I’m thinking Emery or do BB if no bonus for him. The triple Palace this week looks great. And Murphy and Livramento/Burn have great value. Don’t see a better alternative to Sarr/Eze at there price and want Mateta and Munoz as well.

    5. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Palace

  18. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    I still have WC, BB, FH, and AM left.

    Does holding the AM chip for GW35 or later make sense so that I can WC now and use BB in DGW32/DGW33 which are mostly confirmed?

    Or should I use AM from GW31 to GW33 for Glasner? And BB in DGW36?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 6 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Priorities utilising the chip with the highest ceiling

      1. Messiah Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        Glasner scoring more than a Palace midfielder or not is what I am worried about. 3 Palace players vs 2 Palace players + Glasner for the DGWs is what confounding me at the moment.

        1. Zladan
          • 8 Years
          8 months, 10 days ago

          31Howe 32 Howe 33 Pep is the play. Newcastle midfielders are overhyped. Isak Burn/Livra the worthwhile picks. City only really have Gvardiol Marmoush, so why not get their managers to triple up in their respective doubles.

          1. Messiah Hazard
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            8 months, 10 days ago

            Need to keep budget for Howe and Pep then

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      am wondering the same...bb for 32 or 33 just dont feel great...

  19. Jar Jar Winks
    • 12 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Surely you’d go emery am first before glasner in gw31

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      emery a good shout.

    2. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Sure, but that blocks you from BB in 33.

      1. Zladan
        • 8 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        The way the doubles fell, BB in 33 isn’t any better than any other week really given you can max have 12 doublers… and I doubt you’d even want that. Just pick the best remaining week where the XV is good - like GW35

  20. boroie
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Out of the loop here so apologies for asking what probably are much discussed questions but…

    So after the FA Cup games;

    1) Are we still expecting GW33 to be the biggest DGW?

    2) Who are we expecting to double in GW33?

    1. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      !) Yes
      2) High chance: Arsenal, Palace, Villa, City. Low chance: Forest, Brentford.

      1. boroie
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        Thanks mate.

    2. Zladan
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      4 doubling teams max in GW33. So BB really can just be played wherever your bench has good fixtures.

      1. boroie
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        Cheers!

  21. klopp it guys
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Best keeper on a WC?

    1. Big Mike
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      What is your chip strategy?

      1. klopp it guys
        • 8 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        Wildcard this week, bench boost next week then free hit 32

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Alisson is pretty safe tbh. Depends your chips etc, but Alisson will get you to 38 with no blanks I believe. Also covering one of the best defences when everyone else has no Pool defence. They have Leicester in 33.

    3. Zladan
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Raya and Martinez seem to be the best combo for doubles. Martinez could have 2 DGW. Rays just great fixtures and doubles 33.

  22. squ1rrel
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    WC team GTG?

    Henderson
    Gvardiol - Gabriel - Kerkez
    Salah - Palmer - Saka - Sarr
    Marmoush - Isak - Mateta

    Areola - Murphy - Burn - Neco

    No AM left, but still have BB, FH, and TC. Will probably BB33, FH34, unless there's a better strategy...not sure about TC

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      TC32 (Newc / Pal) or GW36 (City - would need a way to get Haaland)

  23. NotsoSpursy
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Those WC now and BB 33
    Finding a second keeper with Raya is hard! All seem too expensive to keep on bench.
    What you doing ?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Areola at home to sou

    2. squ1rrel
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Areola has SOU

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Alisson or Areola.

    4. Zenith UK
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      As above x3

    5. Zladan
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Why do you need to BB 33?

    6. Jrot94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Same dilemma, but I'm looking for best combined for week 33 and week 36 (Arsenal is at Liverpool). I'm leaning Flekken, has BHA (33) and @IPS (36), plus a shot of a double in week 33 I guess?

  24. XX SMICER XX
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    WC team - BB33, FH34

    Raya Areola
    Gabriel Munoz Gvardiol Livramento Konate
    Salah Saka Sarr Murphy Kluivert
    Mateta Marmoush Isak
    £1.1m ITB

    1. boroie
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Are you not better having a second keeper that doubles in GW33 if you are BBing rather than Areola. I thought the only attraction of Areola was that he played in GW34 but if you are FHing 34 then I don’t see the attraction of Areola other than price.

      1. Zenith UK
        • 9 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        SOU in GW33

  25. boroie
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Verbruggen
    Gabriel Gvardiol THB*
    Salah Kluivert Bowen Mbeumo
    Haaland* Wood* Wissa

    Jose Sa; Rogers Castagne Hall*

    1FT

    Is this a WC30? Or WC31?

  26. Kinder Mbueno
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    RMWC draft
    Raya / Areola
    Gvardiol / Gabriel / Munoz / Kerkez / Livra
    Salah / Saka / Kluivert / Sarr / Bowen
    Isak / Marmoush / Mateta

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Have the same draft.

      Is Kivra better than Burn?

      Maby Elanga over Sarr?

      1. Zladan
        • 8 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        Kivra?

        Burn has 8 YC

      2. Kinder Mbueno
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        8 months, 10 days ago

        I like Elanga but Palace got the doubles coming up

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Nice name and pic

  27. Flynny
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    How does this wildcard look? Thanks

    Raya martinez
    Gabriel gvardiol munoz livra burn
    Salah saka kluivert sarr rogers
    Isak marmoush mateta

    If saka isn't leaked to start i get palmer and verbruggen instead of martinez

    Verbruggen has Leicester gw32 for bb

  28. EWH2020
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    For this week only.

    A) Isak
    B) Marmoush

  29. zon
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Eze, Sarr or Munoz?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Munoz, Eze, Sarr in that order IMO

    2. Zladan
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 10 days ago

      Muñoz Sarr Eze in that order for me.

  30. Make FPL Casual Again
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 10 days ago

    Marmoush a bit hit and miss, Isaak more of a priority this gw?