Captain Sensible
5 April 2025 119 comments
Hibbo Hibbo
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Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have a thin pool of armband alternatives to challenge Mohamed Salah (£13.8m) in Gameweek 31.

A possible injury casts doubt over the best of the rest, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak (£9.5m).

Still, we run the rule over him and a host of differential and alternative assets from Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Manchester City, amongst others, in this week’s Captain Sensible.

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 ahead of Saturday’s 11:00 BST deadline.

THE CAPTAIN POLL

Isak limped out of Newcastle United’s battling 2-1 win over Brentford during the midweek round of fixtures.

The former Real Sociedad marksman opened the scoring for the Magpies before his eventual withdrawal with a tight groin.

Despite being restricted to a 65-minute display, Isak mustered three shots, all from inside the box, and two big chances in a lively return to Premier League action.

Currently, in the bronze medal position for this season’s Golden Boot, Isak has secured just under 30% of the Captain Poll vote ahead of Newcastle’s visit to Leicester City.

Meanwhile, Salah misfired in Liverpool’s slender 1-0 win over Everton in the final Merseyside derby of the season.

While we will save the Egyptian the ignominy of dubbing this a generational stinker, Salah’s sum contribution was one big chance on target without a single one created.

Nevertheless, Salah’s quality is uncontested, and his demise is greatly exaggerated. The Liverpool wideman has overtaken Isak in the poll on Friday, backed by just over a third of our voters.

Bukayo Saka (£10.3m) is in third place with 13.2% of the vote. Omar Marmoush (£7.5m) is a long way further back, with no one else garnering more than 2%.

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

119 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Viper
    • 15 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Gabriel -> Saliba or roll, playing Gvardiol.

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Roll and keep ur FT until DGW 33

      1. Viper
        • 15 Years
        8 months, 4 days ago

        Cheers for the reply. Yeah im thinking while I have cover it might be best to wait and see what options open up

    2. The Tonberry
      • 1 Year
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Same dilemma. Likely to do the move as Gabriel was my only defensive cover for Arsenal.

      Plus Gvardiol playing CB is not as appealing as doesn't get as forward much

    3. boroie
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Roll. Can be done later if needs be.

  2. Tiamani Warrior
    • 12 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    I usually avoid watching City so not to clued up on them. Is Ederson nailed when fit or is there rotation with Ortega? Chances of playing both GW33 fixtures?

    1. The Tonberry
      • 1 Year
      8 months, 4 days ago

      I would say Ederson's more nailed than he had been previously. Ortega really has not been good when he's played this season

  3. yanky
    • 15 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Bench one

    a) Savinho
    b) Sarr
    c) Saka
    d) Rogers
    e) Mateta
    f) Isak
    g) Marmoush

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      C

    2. The Tonberry
      • 1 Year
      8 months, 4 days ago

      A or B.

      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        8 months, 4 days ago

        or C

        1. The Tonberry
          • 1 Year
          8 months, 4 days ago

          C

    3. No Kane No Gain
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      How people are saying bench Saka is beyond me.

      A or C

    4. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      N

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 12 Years
        8 months, 4 days ago

        B*

  4. boroie
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Bench one…

    A - Sarr (BHA)
    B - Mateta (BHA)
    C - Saka (eve)
    D - Murphy (lei)
    E - Rogers (NFO)

    1. The Tonberry
      • 1 Year
      8 months, 4 days ago

      A

      1. Strike me a Gakpose
        • 12 Years
        8 months, 4 days ago

        Sarr got 17 points in the reverse fixture ignore this guy

        1. The Tonberry
          • 1 Year
          8 months, 4 days ago

          So by that logic Sarr will score 17 points every time he faces Brighton?

          Haven't heard your suggestion mate

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      E

    3. Viper
      • 15 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      E

    4. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      A

  5. boroie
    • 7 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Gtg?

    Raya
    Gvardiol Livramento Munoz
    Salah(C) Saka Murphy Sarr
    Isak(VC) Marmoush Mateta

    Areola; Rogers Konsa Gabriel*

    1. yanky
      • 15 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      not tempted to play rogers over sarr?

  6. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
    • 14 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Is Digne nailed?

    Seems like most on here are going for Konsa

    1. boroie
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Not nailed. Konsa most nailed Villa def.

      1. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
        • 14 Years
        8 months, 4 days ago

        Cheers. Shame he has no attacking threat

  7. Aye
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Who to play?

    A. Konsa (NFO)
    B. Gvardiol (mun)
    C. Burn (lei)

    Thank you!

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Burn

    2. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      C

  8. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Raya
    Saliba, Gvardiol, Libra
    Salah, Palmer, Murphy, Foden,
    Isak, Mateta, Marmoush
    (Areola, Sarr, Munoz, Konsa)

    GTG or change line up?

    Saka in for Palmer not worth a -4 right?

    1. Aye
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Gtg

    2. Viper
      • 15 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Definitely not. Palmer is an outside captain bet

  9. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Please asist:
    A) Munoz, Savinho, Asensio
    B) Konsa, Eze, Rashford

    1. Aye
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      A

    2. Wet Bandits
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      I think A

  10. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Bench 1 pls

    a. Merino
    b. Bowen
    c. Sarr
    d. Bruno

    Other mid is Salah who is def playing..

    Cheers

    1. Wet Bandits
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Bruno for me

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      A

    3. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      D

  11. Wet Bandits
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Thoughts on Eze & Sarr no Mateta?

    Solanke for GW31 vs Southampton, funds to bring in Watkins for GW32 vs Southampton, the keep Watkins for DGW33?

    Raya, Martinez
    Livramento, Gvardiol, Saliba, Munoz, Konsa
    Salah, Saka, Murphy, Sarr, Eze,
    Isak, Marmoush, Solanke.

    Also, thoughts on

    1. Martinez & Munoz
    2. Henderson & Cucurella

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Not using any chips then?

      1. Wet Bandits
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 months, 4 days ago

        This is WC

        I'd BB 33
        FH 34

        Tempted to hold my TC, do city not double again later?

  12. jonnybhoy
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Bench one

    A) Gordon (LEI A)
    B) Sarr (BHA H)
    C) Savinho (MUN A)

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      c

  13. Viper
    • 15 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Brentford vs. Chelsea - Last 6 meeting

    Brentford wins - 3
    Draws - 2
    Chelsea - 1 (this season)

    Frank a good option too

    1. yanky
      • 15 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      howe howe arteta for me, itll cost -4 but i think its worth it

  14. Fred the Red
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Rashford or Morgan?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Asensio

      1. Wet Bandits
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 months, 4 days ago

        This

  15. McGurn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Thoughts on Foden? Obviously an horrific decision to pick him, of that there is no doubt. But the fact that he got zero minutes? Even out of form players on the bench get minutes. Injury, rested or out of the picture completely? Crucially play or bench v Man U?

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      I'm playing him. Got to give him a chance. If he doesn't get decent minutes in this one he's gone for me.

    2. For Beto or Wirtz!
      • 1 Year
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Who's 1st on your bench?

  16. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    A) Ederson + Saliba
    B) Raya + Gvardiol

    Thanks!

    1. OneDennisBergkamp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      B

  17. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Gabriel > Dias?

    has a double, cant really see anyone else to pick.

  18. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Was going to do Kluivert > Merino but now thinking Bruno > Saka?

    Thoughts?

  19. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 10 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    On wc, pick one from each

    Gvardiol or Dias (I save 0.6 with Dias)

    Milenkovic or Konsa/Digne - (top defence & attacking threat v dgw player)

  20. liboo
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Defender from villa

    A. Konsa
    B. Digne
    ???

    1. For Beto or Wirtz!
      • 1 Year
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Konsa more nailed

  21. 1314
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    play Raya (eve) or Sels (avl)?

    1. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Raya

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Raya

    3. For Beto or Wirtz!
      • 1 Year
      8 months, 4 days ago

      I have Sels but I'd be Raya if I had the choice for this GW

  22. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Is Saliba best Arsenal defender if price no issue?

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Yes.

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Yep. Scored a few goals when Gabriel out too iirc.

    3. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Cheers fam

    4. For Beto or Wirtz!
      • 1 Year
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Ineed

  23. Philosopher's Stones
    • 5 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Which seems better for BB32?

    A:: Henderson + Dunk
    B: Sanchez(1)/Brighton goalie(2) + Munoz
    C: Sanchez + Dunk

  24. 420king
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Is Son expected to start? Looking for a punt nobody will risk.

    1. The Tonberry
      • 1 Year
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Son has been poor all season.

      He may get rested because Spurs pick up too many injuries and their priority is now the Europa League

  25. Clintymints
    • 16 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Munoz, Gvardiol and Konsa...

    Gotta play 1... who's your money on

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Munoz for attacking potential

      1. Clintymints
        • 16 Years
        8 months, 4 days ago

        Same thoughts. Hard to bench Gvard and Konsa good returns lately.

        However, this is the pre BB post WC game we play

  26. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Hey fam! GTG?

    Pope
    Saliba Neco Munoz
    Salah Palmer Mbeumo Murphy
    Isak(C) Mateta Marmoush

    Fab Sarr Konate Gvardiol

  27. Joyce1998
    • 9 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Best option here

    Gabriel>>

    A- Timber
    or
    B- Milenkovic

    1. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      B

  28. Postman Ty
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Assman
    Palace for 3 weeks or roll the dice on United getting a result against City and then Palace for the double double?
    Really upset Brighton lost to Villa last game cause Palace don't get table bonus vs Brighton now...

    1. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      I'm considering Glasner for the next three game weeks. But, because I also fancy triple Palace in the Eagles vs Seagulls derby, I'm tempted to go Potter in 31 (potential Hammers table bonus against Cherries), then Glasner for double game weeks 32 and 33. Will cost a couple transfers though, to ditch Muñoz and switch managers (keeping Eze and Mateta).

  29. SpaceCadet
    • 11 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Bench one

    A. Sarr
    B. Savinho
    C. Murphy
    D. Mateta

    1. For Beto or Wirtz!
      • 1 Year
      8 months, 4 days ago

      B - Sav

  30. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 months, 4 days ago

    Does Gordon start every game when fit? Or is he always a risk with Barnes?

    1. Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      8 months, 4 days ago

      Gordon is nailed