Captain Sensible
16 May 2025 284 comments
Hibbo Hibbo
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Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers are bracing themselves for the penultimate weekend of Premier League action, with Ollie Watkins (£9.0m) seemingly the favourite captain ahead of Gameweek 37.

As usual, Captain Sensible highlights which assets have the best chance of delivering a big haul. Perhaps someone from Brentford, Chelsea or Liverpool can challenge the Aston Villa sharpshooter.

First, we will assess the fallout of the captain poll before analysing the player and team statistics*, Rate My Team (RMT) and the Premier Fantasy Tools ratings ratings ahead of Friday’s 18:00 BST deadline.

THE CAPTAIN POLL

Watkins sunk Bournemouth last week, boosting the top-five hopes of Unai Emery’s men. Surprisingly, the England international registered just a single shot on target but his 0.36 expected goals (xG) effort setlled the tie.

This performance piqued our electorate’s interest in time for Tottenham Hotspur visiting the West Midlands. After all, Ange Postecoglou’s side is short on energy and domestic motivation.

Therefore, Watkins secures a 36.32% poll majority, heading into this battle of motivation versus lethargy.

As for Bryan Mbeumo (£8.3m), his in-swinging corner provided a decisive assist in Brentford’s 1-0 win at Ipswich Town. It’s enough to have Thomas Frank dreaming of European qualification.

Four shots and one big chance created put the Cameroon international high in both metrics, and the Bees also had a couple of legitimate penalty claims turned down.

Mbeumo is backed by approximately one-eighth of voters ahead of Fulham’s short trip to the Gtech Community Stadium.

Mohamed Salah (£13.7m) sits third with 8.62%, closely followed by Cole Palmer (£10.5m) and Morgan Rogers (£5.7m).

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

284 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. The Hunt
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    7 months, 18 hours ago

    😀

  2. Manani
    • 14 Years
    7 months, 18 hours ago

    A. Isak > Watkins
    B. Marmoush > Watkins (-4)
    C. neither

    1. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      7 months, 17 hours ago

      A

  3. Jack Frost
    • 15 Years
    7 months, 18 hours ago

    In defence, Jake O’Brien should be fit and UK return to the right-back role he’s made his own under the Scotsman. Goodison News
    by ,Pranav Shahaney
    Thu 15 May 2025 11:10, UK

    Hope this is right or my bench boost is late and not great.

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 10 Years
      7 months, 15 hours ago

      With Ashley Young's contract extension, Moyes can play O'Brien at right back if he's fit, which he seems.

  4. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 months, 18 hours ago

    Play Dias or Konsa?

    1. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      7 months, 17 hours ago

      Tough one. I think in this instance Konsa.

  5. Manani
    • 14 Years
    7 months, 18 hours ago

    more likely to keep a CS for forest (Sels + Milenkovic)
    A. whu
    B. CHE

    1. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      7 months, 17 hours ago

      B

  6. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 17 hours ago

    Will u just capt rogers or beto?

    1. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      7 months, 17 hours ago

      Rogers.

      1. Letsgo!
        • 9 Years
        7 months, 17 hours ago

        And will u sell raul for watkins instead and capt him

        1. The Iceman
          • 3 Years
          7 months, 17 hours ago

          Definitely.

  7. Vasshin
    • 6 Years
    7 months, 17 hours ago

    Chasing a league with 20 points and 15 points gap. Both of the managers above me don’t have Isak and rest of the teams are almost the same.

    Is it too much risk to captain Isak or go safe with Mbuemo?

    1. The Iceman
      • 3 Years
      7 months, 17 hours ago

      Go safe with Mbeumo (or Watkins if you have).

    2. Yankee Toffee
      • 10 Years
      7 months, 15 hours ago

      I'd cap Isak, its now or never

  8. D_R_S_PORT_S
    • 8 Years
    7 months, 17 hours ago

    Why delap isn’t playing regular 90 minutes past few weeks ? I want to punt on him as a differential(C) or Enciso(C),think lei/Ips will be open game,more than two goals each.

    1. C0YS
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 15 hours ago

      Vardy may be the better option, needs 1 more goal to get to 200 goals with Leicester, in a game that has no significance apart from the home send-off of Leicester’s all-time GOAT

  9. Bruno Commando
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 16 hours ago

    Anyone thinks that the below equation holds true over the final 2 GWs?

    Watkins > Isak + 4 points

    1. C0YS
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 15 hours ago

      It’s a yes from me

    2. Manani
      • 14 Years
      7 months, 15 hours ago

      On paper yes. But can’t help but feel Isak will score at least 1 against Arsenal but that’s just gut feeling. And I don’t think Watkins will have a big haul

      1. Bruno Commando
        • 11 Years
        7 months, 15 hours ago

        I think the moment Isak scores a goal, this move will likely be a failure. Don't think Watkins is gonna haul as well.

  10. rainy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 10 Years
    7 months, 16 hours ago

    A big thank-you to everyone who’s engaged with this hot topic over the season. Appreciate every upvote and (most of the) comment(s) 😉

    Best of luck this GW and next, and enjoy the break!

    1. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 10 Years
      7 months, 16 hours ago

      Rises: Bowen 7.8, Branthwaite 4.9

      Falls: Salah 13.6, B.Fernandes 8.4, Mitoma 6.3, Strand Larsen 5.2, Christie 4.8

      1. Andy_Social
        • 13 Years
        7 months, 16 hours ago

        0-1, NTIM
        Double-plus cheers, Rainy

    2. Mozumbus
      • 4 Years
      7 months, 16 hours ago

      Cheers rainy. It was helpful. Here in Pakistan, it's usually first thing I'd check after waking up around 6:30!
      Have a good time ahead.

    3. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 5 Years
      7 months, 14 hours ago

      Thanks Rainy.

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 5 Years
        7 months, 7 hours ago

        Also, thanks Ragabolly.

    4. Eze Really?
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 13 hours ago

      The first thing I wake up to each morning. I have spoken to the FFS chiefs and asked you to get a final written warning for failing on those 5 occasions out of 200 (SMILE)

    5. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 months, 13 hours ago

      Cheers mate.

    6. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 months, 12 hours ago

      Thank you Rainy. An invaluable service

    7. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 months, 12 hours ago

      Well done Rainy, you've been doing this for a long while. Many thanks for all your efforts.
      Job1 to check after getting up at 6:15am

    8. Merlin the Wraith
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 10 hours ago

      Marvellous job you've done fella, many thanks.

    9. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 10 Years
      7 months, 7 hours ago

      Isn't there another week of price changes left?

  11. C0YS
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 15 hours ago

    Am on WC and just about done finalizing my team, possibly my final dilemma.

    I plan to play the following attackers this GW:
    Palmer Bowen Mbeumo Eze Rogers
    Watkins Wissa

    Would you rather bench 1 of the above for:
    A) Haaland (instead of whom?)
    B) Vardy (instead of whom?)
    C) Nah, keep as-is

    Cheers all and best of luck these last couple GWs!

    1. Lav
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 15 hours ago

      Keep as is

    2. Yankee Toffee
      • 10 Years
      7 months, 15 hours ago

      Who are your def and GKs?

      1. C0YS
        • 9 Years
        7 months, 12 hours ago

        Martinez
        Cucurella Gvardiol Ruben (Collins Munoz)

        Wbu?

  12. Lav
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 15 hours ago

    Start 2:

    1. Salah - BHA (A)
    2. Elanga - WHU (A)

    A. Kerkez - MCI (A)
    B. Milenkovic- WHU (A)

    1. C0YS
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 15 hours ago

      Definitely 1B

    2. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      7 months, 15 hours ago

      1B easy

    3. Yankee Toffee
      • 10 Years
      7 months, 15 hours ago

      1 and I think City and WHam both score so no CS imho with those two defs

  13. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    7 months, 15 hours ago

    Best option here? 1ft, 0.3m itb

    A. Savinho > Enzo (bench Isak)
    B. Isak > Watkins
    C. Save ft

    Raya
    Gvardiol Konsa Munoz
    Salah kdb mbeumo rogers
    Isak wood wissa

    Areola Saliba savinho bradley

    1. C0YS
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 15 hours ago

      Easy B

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        7 months, 15 hours ago

        Think Watkins outscores Isak in gw38?

        1. Manani
          • 14 Years
          7 months, 15 hours ago

          Don’t think Everton is an easy fixture? Man United is easier

          1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 9 Years
            7 months, 14 hours ago

            This

        2. C0YS
          • 9 Years
          7 months, 15 hours ago

          I think so. Can easily see the Newcastle game being a relatively low-scoring affair, but would expect the Villa game to have 3 or more

    2. Yankee Toffee
      • 10 Years
      7 months, 15 hours ago

      B

  14. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 15 hours ago

    If u are chasing, capt mcneil or rogers?

    1. C0YS
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 15 hours ago

      Rogers

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 10 Years
        7 months, 15 hours ago

        This

  15. Yankee Toffee
    • 10 Years
    7 months, 15 hours ago

    This season has got away from me with PhD and family commitments.

    RMWCT GW37 and BB GW38

    Pickford, Areola
    Cucu, Gvardiol, Mykolenko, Kerkez, Faes
    Salah, Palmer, Mbeumo, Bowen, Rogers
    Beto, Watkins, Wood

    0.0 itb

    I still have 2 transfers for the BB GW38. Will prob bring in ARS (for SOU game).

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 14 hours ago

      Good, but why not start with Arsenal and bench them this week

      Trossard/Martinelli over Bowen and Kiwior over Faes, for example

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 months, 12 hours ago

      PhD more important long term. FPL can wait a year.

    3. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 months, 12 hours ago

      and family is always more important.

  16. SomeoneKnows
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 15 hours ago

    Raya
    Gvardiol, Collins, Munoz
    Salah, Saka, Mbeumo, Elanga
    Marmoush, Isak, Mateta

    (Verbruggen, Sarr, Kerkez, Milenkovic)

    Would you make any of these transfers for a -4 hit?

    A) Isak > Watkins
    B) Marmoush > Wood
    C) Sarr > Rogers (bench Marmoush)
    D) Team is G2G as is

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 10 Years
      7 months, 14 hours ago

      Targeting Villa, you'll want to keep Isak, so maybe C is you're feeling maverick. Or safe the -4 if feeling steady.

  17. Slam
    • 10 Years
    7 months, 14 hours ago

    Start 1:

    A) Marmoush(BOU)
    B) Isak(ars)

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 14 Years
      7 months, 14 hours ago

      I'd start Moosh. But I'm also hedging with Kerkez. Which is probably why I'm ranked 3M.

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 14 Years
        7 months, 14 hours ago

        That said, I'm starting both A and B. Who are your other alternatives?

  18. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    7 months, 14 hours ago

    Have Rogers, captained Palmer. If Villa feast and Chelsea flop, at least my boys will be going into the UEL final in better spirits.

  19. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 14 hours ago

    Barnes to mcneil
    Or raul to beto

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      7 months, 13 hours ago

      I’d prob go Beto

  20. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    7 months, 14 hours ago

    Marmoush to Watkins (FT)?

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 8 Years
      7 months, 13 hours ago

      Other forwards?

      1. Connor's Calling
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        7 months, 13 hours ago

        Isak and Wissa

        1. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 8 Years
          7 months, 13 hours ago

          That's tough. Do it if you want Watkins

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 13 hours ago

      Yes

  21. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 8 Years
    7 months, 13 hours ago

    Play:
    A) Bradley (bha a)
    B) Milenkovic (whu a) have Bowen

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      7 months, 13 hours ago

      B

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 13 hours ago

      A

  22. George James
    • 10 Years
    7 months, 13 hours ago

    Best one move?

    A) Isak >> Watkins

    Playing - Watkins / Marmoush / Sarr

    B) Mateta + Marmoush >> Watkins + Vardy -4

    Playing - Watkins / Isak / Vardy

  23. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 8 Years
    7 months, 13 hours ago

    Sels to Pickford for free? Have Raya for gw38

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      7 months, 13 hours ago

      no other position to upgrade?

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 8 Years
        7 months, 13 hours ago

        Can't see it...

        Raya
        Bradley Munoz Gvardiol
        Bowen Salah Mbeumo Rogers
        Warkins Isak Marmoush
        Sels Murphy Saliba Milenkovic

        1. Holmes
          • 12 Years
          7 months, 13 hours ago

          yep, Sels to Pickford makes sense here.

          1. My heart goes Salalalalah
            • 8 Years
            7 months, 13 hours ago

            Cheers Holmes

  24. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 13 hours ago

    Thoughts on Isak, Sarr/Murphy to Watkins, Bowen for a hit this week and then KDB to Saka for gw38 for free?
    It would mean keeping Marmoush though

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      7 months, 13 hours ago

      can you sell Marmoush instead of Isak?

      1. Wolfman180
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 months, 13 hours ago

        Doesn't leave me enough funds for KDB straight to Saka id have to take a hit. Which could be Isak to Evanilson potentially

        1. Holmes
          • 12 Years
          7 months, 13 hours ago

          not ideal

  25. dansmith1985
    • 3 Years
    7 months, 13 hours ago

    Play Wood or Rogers?

  26. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 months, 13 hours ago

    play Rogers or Marmoush?

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      7 months, 12 hours ago

      Rogers

  27. BlzE_94
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 13 hours ago

    Who would you captain here? Have I benched the right players?

    Martinez
    Gvardiol Munoz AWB
    Salah KDB Mbeumo Elanga
    Haaland Wood Wissa

    Raya Rogers Saliba Livramento

    1. BlzE_94
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 13 hours ago

      Sorry Konsa instead of Saliba on bench

  28. Dollyems15
    • 3 Years
    7 months, 13 hours ago

    Best tc option?
    A. Mbuemo
    B. Wissa
    C. Watkins

    Can see Brentford going well against Fulham, need to catch a break to make up ground in my mini league

  29. Kitman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 12 hours ago

    Who would you bench from

    Saka (NEW H)
    Cunha (PAL A)
    Rogers (TOT H)

  30. DavvaMC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    7 months, 12 hours ago

    Who would you bench. I also have Saka.

    A. Trossard
    B. Elanga

    Thanks