Captain Sensible
24 May 2025 266 comments
Hibbo Hibbo
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Captain Sensible returns for the final time this season as we assess the best armband candidates for Gameweek 38.

A favourable home fixture for Mohamed Salah (£13.6m) makes this season’s stand-out performer the early armband favourite.

But can anyone challenge the Egyptian, and who is the best player to back for differential seekers and rank chasers?

In this article, 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 Sunday’s 14:30 BST deadline.

THE CAPTAIN POLL

Gameweek 38 captain

Mohamed Salah drew his third consecutive blank as Liverpool were brought back down to earth in their 3-2 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Egyptian, however, had chances. Salah’s six shots in the box, two attempts on target, and 14 touches in the area against Fabian Hurzeler’s side were all Gameweek leading totals.

This performance, and his gold-standard vintage in a record-breaking campaign, attract the interest of our users before Crystal Palace’s visit.

Salah secures almost 30% of the captain poll vote ahead of ‘The Ibiza Derby’, with both sides very much on the beach!

Meanwhile, Jarrod Bowen (£7.9m) makes a rare foray into the upper echelons of this article. He has six attacking returns in his last five Premier League matches. 

Just under 13% of our voters back Bowen ahead of his visit to Ipswich Town’s Portman Road.  

Evanilson (£5.8m) and Bukayo Saka (£10.3m) are neck and neck, each with over 8% of the vote, with Ollie Watkins (£9.1m) not far behind them.

THE PLAYER STATISTICS – LAST SIX MATCHES

Finally, I’d like to extend a special thanks to all Fantasy Football Scout users over the last season. I hope you’ve enjoyed the weekly analysis in Captain Sensible, and best of luck for Gameweek 38. 



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

266 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Count Olaf
    • 1 Year
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Is there a way to see how many players have a chip left?
    According to LiveFPL, I am 5 points off 100K. Bench boost should give me at least 8 points.
    I need to know if I should play defensively or take risks.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Yes

      Click on their team and scroll down to game week history and below that shows chip usage

      On a browser.

      Love FPL does too I think

      1. Count Olaf
        • 1 Year
        6 months, 16 days ago

        Thanks, but I meant how many players in total, not a specific player.
        My minileagues have been decided, overall rank is my target.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Livefpl only shows top 10k and overall for chip usage

      https://plan.livefpl.net//chips

      1. Count Olaf
        • 1 Year
        6 months, 16 days ago

        Thanks, 100k should be similar to 10k, so I'll plan based on that.

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          6 months, 16 days ago

          GL!

  2. hogree
    • 8 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Eze Wissa or Rogers doing my nut in

    1. hogree
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Which to bench

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        Play Wissa and Rogers with Eze first bench

        He could well score again in a 2-2

    2. Bobby Crush
      • 11 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      rogers

    3. Oasthouse FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Bench Roger’s from those 3

      See below, im starting Eze I reckon

  3. Jullepuu
    • 6 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    I have 1ft and 2.0m in the bank. I am really not sure what to do for the final game week. Any suggestions?

    Raya Verbruggen
    Gvardiol Milenkovic Munoz Trippier* Saliba*
    Salah Mbeumo Rogers Murphy Sarr*
    Watkins Wissa Isak*

    Right now I'm leaning towards taking a hit to get players like Saka, Evanilson, Bowen, White or Kerkez

  4. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    If it's confirmed that Cunha starts:

    A. KDB > Saka
    B. Cunha > Evanilson
    C. Ruben > Schar

    (Or select 2 if worth a hit)

  5. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Better option this gw?

    A. Saka
    B. Bowen

    1. Oasthouse FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Bowen

  6. Oasthouse FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Not really sure what to do here! 1ft and 0.3 ITB

    Make sense to do saliba to white, and play instead of konsa?

    Raya
    Gvardiol, Livra, konsa
    Eze, Salah, Bowen, mbuemo
    Watkins, evanilson, Wissa

    Subs: areola, KDB, Williams, saliba.

    Could always swap KDB or Eze for someone else, but can’t afford Saka

    Any ideas appreciated!

  7. FootballRookie
    • 3 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    KDB to Rice, and
    I.Sarr to Bowen

    Yay or nay?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Yay

      Good moves I say

      For a hit tho?

    2. Oasthouse FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Good moves for free, yep

  8. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    With the Ipswich team news and illness, is that enough reason to play Areola over Sels?

    1. Ruinenlust
      • 7 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      What team news?

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        Team affected by a bug

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Maybe yes

    3. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      They way he played against Forest no, passed an easy clearance to MGW, CS gone

      1. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        I wonder if he did it so Fab wouldn’t get a cameo

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        True this

        I played Sels and came out with 3 points to the Areola 2 pointer.

    4. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Can’t trust any team playing at home not to do their utmost to score on the last day and give the fans something to cheer about. I’d stay clear of that. Not even sure Arsenal can keep a cleanie this weekend. My mo ey would be on possibly Newcastle to keep a cleanie this week

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        I think Everton score

        I'm not sure Ipswich do or Chelsea for that matter

        Would expect an Arsenal clean sheet tho.

  9. YoungPretender
    • 11 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Current team;

    Raya
    Gvardiol Dias Konsa
    Salah Rogers Kudus Mbuemo
    Marmoush Wood Isak

    Martinez Sarr Munoz Saliba

    A) Saliba & Marmoush > Kerkez & Evanilson (bench Dias)
    B) Kudus & Marmoush > Saka & Evanilson
    C) Kudus & Saliba > Saka & Kerkez

  10. klopp it guys
    • 8 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    49 pts clear in my mini league, so I'd say Iv it all but won, so in saying that would I be silly to take a -4?? I'm planning on doing, marmoush and kdb to palmer and evanilson, SHOULD I A OR B

    A. TAKE THE -4

    B. DO 1 TRANSFER MARMOUSH TO EVEANILSON

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      B

      1. klopp it guys
        • 8 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        Thanks 🙂

  11. The FPL Units
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    KdB & Palmer to Bowen & Saka? For free.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Yes

  12. Ruinenlust
    • 7 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Saka or Bowen?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Bowen for me

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Bowen

    3. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Bowen

  13. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Sarr to

    A semenyo
    B kudus (My choice just now)
    C Martinelli/odegaard

    Cheers

    1. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Keep in mind it's a pick for just one week, meaning the variance is huge, so better go with your instinct, Kudus in your case.
      Personally, I like Kudus and Martinelli from your list, but if I could buy a midfielder this week it would be either Diaz or Gordon.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        Thank you 🙂

    2. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      A or Gruda but honestly very open category, Kudus tends to flop tho

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        Thank you:)

  14. ididnt
    • 14 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Trying to make up 20 points.

    A. Kdb > Bowen
    B. Elanga > Minteh
    C. Kdb > Saka
    D. Marmoush > Evanilson
    E. Kdb > Gordon

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      A but captaincy will be crucial gl

    2. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      6 months, 16 days ago

      B and E look the most differential, my choice between those two would depend on whether KdB starts or not.

    3. Positive vibes
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      A

    4. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      A/D

    5. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      A or E.

  15. ronpateluk
    • 8 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Happy last day of the season all

    Raya (Martinez)
    Munoz Gvardiol Bradley (Saliba Myolenko)
    Salah Mbeumo Eze Rogers (Murphy)
    Watkins Isak Wissa

    1ft 2.2itb

    Think isak plays so will keep him.

    Can't get Bowen unless I sell Eze.

    Captain salah?
    Saliba to Kerkez?

  16. Captain Vantastic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Are we overlooking Luis Diaz as an option this week?

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      I’ve said it a couple of times mate!! Check our his returns for the last 7 home games Pool have had, hasn’t blanked at all

    2. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Yeah!

    3. Drizzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      I'm going to buy and captain him.

      1. EWH2020
        • 11 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        Aren't his minutes a massive issue?

        1. Drizzle
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 2 Years
          6 months, 16 days ago

          Massive issue - no. Slight chance he doesn't start, but I'm betting Slot goes full strength with this one.

  17. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Schar or Calafiori folks???

    1. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Feels like a 50/50 call. Both have good clean sheet odds and decent attacking threat. Maybe Schar based on Tarkowski/Branthwaite missing and Everton being weaker on defending set pieces.

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        Really close Isn’t it mate!! Thankyou, have been leaning towards Schar all week so should go with my gut there, would also imagine it will be the first time arsenals back 4 have all played together too

  18. EWH2020
    • 11 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Sounds crazy but anyone thinking about Bruno captain?

    -Home fixture
    - United team might be fired up
    - Bruno talisman potentially playing his final game for the club.
    - on pens

    Am I overthinking this as a massive differential punt?

    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      There’s differential and there’s madness. We’re going to get absolutely pumped on Sunday, first game in my life I’ve actively decided not to attend

    2. Herger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      You’ll be bringing Hojlund in next

    3. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Never

  19. AF90
    • 13 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Cucurella, Ait Nouri, Murillo.

    Would you play one of these or get in an Arsenal defender? (Own Wood & Mbeumo so direct oppos

    1. Positive vibes
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Get ARS def

  20. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Any chance of Trippier starting?

    Also, about Wood ..
    A. Bench
    B. FT to Evanilson
    C. Start Wood but use FT for Livramento or Arsenal defender

    Chasing down 19 and he has AM this week, will need a lot of things to go right! Thanks!

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 7 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      50/50 and I’m starting him over Muñoz in hope

      1. No Kane No Gain
        • 7 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        In regards to trippier starting*

      2. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        Yeah, but a 1-point cameo would hurt lol

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Low chance based on he hasn't trained for 2.5 weeks and Howe can stick with 343 to start Murphy/Barnes/Gordon and 3CBs

  21. Positive vibes
    • 9 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Hi, which is better options?
    A. Evanilson, Rogers, Konsa
    B. Watkins, Rogers, AWB
    C. Watkins, Kluivert/Semenyo, Konsa

    Thanks

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      B

    2. Powers106
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      B for me

  22. Bubbles1985
    • 8 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    My front 8 is:

    Salah, Saka, Bowen, Rogers, Kluivert
    Wissa, Wood, Isak

    With my 1FT I plan to move Isak > Watkins if Isak is out and bench Wood.

    If Isak is fit, Wood > Evanilson and bench who???

    I think that I am stuck with Kluivert now unfortunately...

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Rogers

      1. Bubbles1985
        • 8 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        Bench Rogers regardless which striker I replace?

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      I reckon Wood scores tomorrow fwiw

      1. Bubbles1985
        • 8 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        You could be right, but the bench choice is not easy this week!

        Final GW pressure!

  23. simong1
    • 7 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    ML rival who is 13 points behind has Saka and may bring Bowen in this week for Murphy.

    I have the choice of bringing in either Saka or Bowen for Sarr. Best option? Is it safest to just get Saka to cover him off?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Cover unless team leaks suggest Saka is benched

  24. COYR
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Would appreciate some input on my selection headache! Pick 2 to start please:

    A. Wood
    B. Rogers

    1. Konsa
    2. AWB

    Thanks!

    1. Supersonic_
      • 4 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      That is really tough.

      I'm a United fan, but would start Konsa. We're God awful.

      Maybe Rogers over Wood, I see Chelsea NFO being a 1-1 or 1-0

      1. COYR
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        Thanks! Yea that's the way I'm leaning, got Watkins also so didn't know if it felt like too much Villa

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      AB
      2

    3. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      B1

  25. Supersonic_
    • 4 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Only 8 points ahead in ML.

    But have half decent Bench Boost Areola, Burn, Murphy and Gvardiol.

    Would you do Rogers to Saka for -4?

    I'm so torn, I THINK he'll bring Saka in... but I'm not sure.

    I've got Bowen, unsure whether to Captain him?

  26. El Copo
    • 11 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Was always my intention to captain Bowen, why is everyone so keen on Salah? Just because he’s chasing this record?

    1. Powers106
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      I have both but yeah, currently on Salah for a Hattie possibility — but Bowen is probably safer if you aren’t chasing

  27. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    If there's news that KDB and Isak start, would you still transfer KDB to Bowen?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      No

    2. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      For sure you have someone else to remove

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        I've only got 0.1m itb.

        And playing Salah and Mbeumo.

        Sarr or Murphy won't stretch that far £££

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Maybe

      Fulham away isn’t so easy

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        That's sort of what I think too.

  28. JPSpurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Having seen the state of Spurs players yesterday, any good Brighton players to target?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      All of the starting ones

      1. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        Ha ha ha 🙂

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        6 months, 16 days ago

        Welbeck, mitoma the obvious ones

        Great c picks too

  29. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    What about RAN and he has not exactly been a star - I have Cunha already, maybe FT RAN to???

    I currently am starting : Gvardiol - Kerkez - RAN (Trippier - Sessegnon)

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Good pick

  30. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 months, 16 days ago

    Start Livra or Kiwior?

    Playing Raya

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Libra

      Not sure arsenal are going to be 100% focused and could let a goal slip

    2. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Livra

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 months, 16 days ago

      Cheers