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. BlzE_94
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    Best option on WC? (Newcastle player will be on the bench this gw)

    A) Murphy + Sarr

    B) Gordon + Eze

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

      Can you do Gordon + Sarr? They’re the best midfielder from each side

      1. JJeyy
        • 9 Years
        8 months, 8 days ago

        dont sleep on Barnes, does well next couple could keep his place

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

          Barnes gang!

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

          GW32 is too soon to fix if he’s not starting.

          I’m already gambling on Rashford as a differential, so can’t afford too many when FTs are so valuable to navigate the busy schedule for the rest of the season.

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

    Bad news for ManCity. Erling Haaland ruled out for indefinite period with an ankle injury. Further consultation required for exact extent of problem. Positive news is club expect him back to play some point this season (inc Club World Cup).

    https://x.com/sistoney67/status/1906783587094941920?t=kJEQL3eGpDQVlPXLmx7r7A&s=19

    1. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 8 days ago

      Thanks for the info.

    2. mookie
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 8 days ago

      Cheers!

    3. mookie
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 8 days ago

      All the Salah seller to buy Haaland last week will be hitting the WC button.

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

        sellers*

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

        wtf does/did something?? 😀

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 6 Years
      8 months, 8 days ago

      Haaland being referred to a specialist for further consultation probably suggests he won't be back for GW33/34

  3. sirmorbach
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    I was set on AM Glasner, but that would mean ditching one Palace player. Team looks better now, and exact money to go Howe AM instead. Too many downsides?

    Raya / Verbruggen
    Gabriel / Muñoz / Kerkez / RAN / Neco
    Salah / Saka / Sarr / Kluivert/ Murphy
    Isak / Mateta / Marmoush

    What do you think?

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 8 days ago

      As folks hinted, could be also Emery first in GW31, anyway, that fwd line picks itself right now really

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

      Sounds like you have also seen the light.

      Palace have 4 actual solid picks in Munoz Sarr Mateta Eze. They can all return but still Palace might not get results in the tricky games.

      Whereas Newcastle have easy easy games but not the players to pick outside of Isak Burn/Livra. You could go a midfielder, but they aren’t amazing and Gordon who could be a pick is still a doubt. Murphy Barnes Willock - Meh.

      Similar to Newcastle, City don’t have the players outside of Gvardiol and Marmoush in 33.

      Howe Howe Pep is the way.

      1. sirmorbach
        • 9 Years
        8 months, 8 days ago

        Many thanks, Zladan.

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

          Instead of Verbruggen RAN Kerkez Murphy Neco

          I have Martinez Livramento Milenkovic Gvardiol Rashford (also £1.5m itb for Howe/Pep)

          I’m doing AM31-33 FH34 BB35.

          Which GW will you BB with those players we have different?

  4. davewg59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    Are Forest players essential on WC?

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 8 days ago

      No.

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

      have some though fixtures but still are in good form. defense looks very good. i still see Sels, Aina, Milenkovic and Murillo as valid options, especially when all go for other clubs on WC.

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

      I’m going Milenkovic as my 15th player. Forest are good for a BB35. Also if their fixture gets rearranged anywhere outside 34, I have one ready.

      Decided to BB35 as that is the week my bench will be strongest, even better than the DGWs as all benched players only have one fixture anyway.

  5. JBG
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1906785522527158532

    Erling Haaland, set to miss most of the final part of the season due to ankle injury.

    Haaland’s expected to be fit in time to play a further part in final stages of season, including Club World Cup.

    After initial tests today, Haaland will seek specialist consultation.

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

      Ah, annoying.

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

    Best wildcard option?

    A....saka and martinez

    B....palmer and verbruggen

    If saka leaked to start it's hard to turn down. Thanks

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 8 days ago

      A

  7. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    1.6 ITB for AM. Good to go?

    Raya
    Gvardiol Kerkez Munoz
    Salah Kluivert Eze Sarr
    Isak Marmoush Evanilson

    Flekken Saka Trippier Konsa

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

      Chip strat?

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 9 Years
        8 months, 8 days ago

        31, 32 AM Howe. 33 Arteta/ Pep/ Martinez. 34 FH. BB later.

  8. Nightf0x
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    Sels
    Gabriel munoz konate (timber myko)
    Bowen palmer mbeumo kluivert salah
    Wissa isak (wood)

    No clue what to do ? 4 fts & all chips except the TC.

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

    So Haaland is out injured, then.......

  10. Sandy Ravage
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    Haaland injury enables Cunha + Saka in GW32

  11. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    Marmoush Time

  12. sirmorbach
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    RAN or Konsa/Digne?

  13. FCSB
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    OK how’s this please:

    Raya Martinez
    Gvardiol Gabriel Munoz Burn Williams
    Salah Sarr Murphy Fernandes Saka
    Marmoush Isak Mateta



    Plan is: BB33 FH34 AM35 or 36

    ??

  14. Who Ate All Depays?
    • 12 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    Who would you suggest to replace both Wood & Haaland this gw with other forward being Evanilson who in turn will be replaced in gw31 with the left out option?

    A) Mateta & Isak
    B) Mateta & Marmoush
    C) Isak & Marmoush

  15. MetallicaJack93
    • 2 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    Tinkering done, how does this look? Bench okay?

    Areola
    Gvardiol Munoz Kerkez
    Salah (C) Palmer Kluivert Sarr
    Isak Marmoush (V) Mateta
    Raya Murphy Gabriel Trippier

  16. Ask Yourself
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    If you could have one for now, who would you choose ? x

    A) Marmoush
    B) Saka

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

      A for 30

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

      A the safer pick, kind of.

    3. FCSB
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 8 days ago

      A x

  17. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    1ft (wc fh bb tc left).

    1-2 transfers and wait for dgw info for wc31 or wc30? Wc30 mainly maximizes Palace coverage, otherwise team is ok with 1ft (except Pickford).

    A) WC
    B) Wood to Marmoush
    C) Wood to Mateta
    C) Wood, Wissa to Marmoush, Mateta -4
    D) Wood, Greaves to Marmoush, Munoz -4

    Pickford
    Milenkovic Huijsen Timber
    Kluivert Salah Bruno (nfo) Palmer Mbeumo
    Isak WOOD

    B: Wissa, Colwill, Greaves

  18. Zladan
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    If you’re doing an RMT, please state your chip strategy. I like to give feedback, but it’s tough to know if you have the right players without knowing if you’ll BB or AM or TC and when.

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

      Also goes for folks asking about chip strategy without giving their full team

    2. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 8 days ago

      My main thinking point is that how much I trust that dgws will happen as the most predictors expect. Thus there is a big if for the chip strategy in my case since my only decision now is that shall I wc now (=build team on the most probably dgw schedule) or wait for one week for potentially valuable info and pay the opportunity cost for not maximizing Palace etc.

      1. BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        8 months, 8 days ago

        E.g. I can have without hits Kluivert, Huijsen and Marmoush/Mateta for the tasty gw30 fixtures - but not more.

  19. SomeoneKnows
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    G2G or should I change bench order?

    Sels
    Timber, Munoz, Kerkez
    Salah, Bruno, Palmer*, Mbeumo, Kluivert
    Wood*, Isak

    (Fabianski, RAN, Beto, Robinson)

  20. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    Even if this week only, would it still be Mateta over Evanilson?

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

      Yes

  21. Meta12345
    • 1 Year
    8 months, 8 days ago

    Would you rather have wan bissaka home vs southampton or konsa double gw home vs newcastle and away vs man city?

    1. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 8 days ago

      In isolation WB.

  22. FCSB
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    Best option for 2nd GK and 5th DEF, plan BB33:

    1. Martinez Williams
    2. Sels Konsa

    Thanks

  23. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    Is Wood likely to start?

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

      Low to zero % chance of starting imo

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

        Starting/ playing*

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

          Thanks Tony

  24. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    RMWCT

    Raya - Verbruggen
    Konate - Munoz - Burn - Colwill - Williams
    Salah - Palmer - Saka - Kluivert - Sarr
    Isak - Mateta - Marmoush

    Plan is -

    GW 31 - Kluivert ➡ Murphy
    GW 32 - Save FT and BB
    GW 33 - FH
    GW 34 - Mateta + Marmoush ➡ Wood + Cunha (fielding 11 players)
    GW 35 - Palmer + Cunha ➡ Haaland + 4.3m mid for -4.

    This draft covers every aspect imo.

    Haaland plan in place. Good fixture runs covered. Great SGW fixtures for BB 32. Optimal DGW 33 with FH. Fielding 11 players in GW 34 without hits.

    Thoughts? 🙂

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

      Scrap the Haaland plan lol

  25. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    City pen taker now?

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

      Probably increase Marmoush pen share

  26. AzzaroMax99
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    People, what ate you doing with Wood? Keep or sell?

    I have Wissa and Haaland to sell so Wood isn’t a must to sell but is he worth keeping? Injured for this one, bgw34…

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 9 Years
      8 months, 8 days ago

      what are* lolz

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

      Sold was planning to get rid of as I think more points now from forest mids then forward

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 6 Years
      8 months, 8 days ago

      Easy sell - Isak, Mateta and Marmoush all above him with fixtures and doubles

  27. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 8 days ago

    Do people think Mateta is fine after his injury? Aren't you worried he's still affected?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 months, 8 days ago

      How affected to you have to be to blank against Southampton?

  28. Gohn
      8 months, 8 days ago

      Hi everyone!
      Need to bench 1 from current team. Please help:

      A- Gabriel
      B- Milenkovic
      C- Rogers
      D- Wood

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

        D

    • Khalico
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 8 days ago

      Thoughts on Timber? I can only stretch to him for Arsenal defence coverage

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

        UCL and Ben White are the issue with Timber potential starts in PL

    • Nightf0x
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 8 days ago

      Sels
      Gabriel munoz konate (timber myko)
      Bowen palmer mbeumo kluivert salah
      Wissa isak (wood)

      No clue what to do ? 4 fts & all chips except the TC

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

        Konate - Kerkez
        Palmer - Saka
        Wood - Mateta