Captain Sensible
15 August 2025 736 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Once again, as we begin a new Fantasy Premier League season, the question for FPL managers is whether or not to back Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) as captain in Gameweek 1.

The Egyptian faces Bournemouth at Anfield on the opening night, while the most-selected player in the game, Cole Palmer (£10.5m), hosts Community Shield victors Crystal Palace. There are other potentially tempting assets with decent fixtures, too

To do this, we assess the on-site captain poll, the player and team statistics and Rate My Team (RMT)  ahead of Friday’s 18:30 BST deadline.

Captaincy Poll

Gameweek 1 captain best

It will come as little surprise that a certain Mohamed Salah tops the captaincy poll. What is perhaps surprising is that his lead is a whopping 1,500 votes, or 44%. At the time of writing, 55% of voters intend to captain last season’s top Fantasy points-scorer.

Salah’s Gameweek 1 record in a Liverpool shirt is nothing short of incredible. He has never blanked on the opening day. In eight appearances, Salah has notched 99 points, including six double-figure hauls.

Despite Manchester City’s truncated pre-season, Erling Haaland (£14.0m) sits in second place in the standings with just over 11% of the vote. The Golden Boot favourite is away at Wolves, a team many pundits are tipping to be involved in a relegation battle.

Florian Wirtz (£8.5m), Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins (£9.0m) are all backed by more than 5% of responders, with all three players impressing in pre-season. Jarrod Bowen (£7.5m) and Hugo Ekitike (£8.5m) are the only other players to pick up more than 2% backing among Fantasy Football Scout users. 

Player Stats (2024/25)

 

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The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

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FFScout Tom <p>Partnerships &amp; Community Manager. Previously Multimedia Manager and Deputy Social Media Manager.</p>

736 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Thoughts on this draft pls ?

    Sels
    Diouf, RAN, VdV
    Palmer, Salah, Bruno, Reijnders
    Watkins, Pedro, Fullkrug

    Dubra, PM Sarr, DeCuyper, Gudmundson

    Feedback appreciated.

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Looks good, only consideration for me is RAN & VdV to Porro & Lacroix.

      1. The Pretender
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Absolutely agree, well said!

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Would you BB this team?

  2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Alright, last check. BB, likely early-ish WC:

    Verbruggen | Bizot
    N.Williams | VdV | Diouf | Tosin | Konsa
    (S)alah | Palmer | Kudus | Paqueta | Reindeer
    Watkins | Ekitike | JP

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Nice

  3. The FPL Units
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Which one?

    A Rice/6.5 and Verbruggen
    B Tielemans and Sels/Sanchez

    1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I prefer Sels but out of those A

  4. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Who are the best short term picks who are being overlooked because they're not good in the longer term?

    1. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Piroe and Leeds Def

  5. Manani
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    best 4.5m def?
    got Diouf, but he won't play this week, so make little sense

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Andersen is my best pick

    2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Why won’t he play?

    3. I Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Why won't Diouf play?

      1. Manani
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        sorry i meant i already got 3 defenders playing this week and will be benched

        1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          So why would you need a different 4.5 defender?

          1. I Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            To rotate with Diouf I assume.

            I'd look at Andersen, Dorgu and Richards. Not exactly sure how the fixtures line up.

        2. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          You buy players for longer than 1 week

    4. AAAFootball
        3 months, 22 days ago

        I get what you mean. Konsa is the answer or Andersen.

        For the rest ill explain:

        Manani has a full XI already for this week. Will not Bench Boost.
        They want a 4.5 bench defender as cover. Thought Diouf but it did not make sense to buy and then bench for his best fixture.

        1. b91jh
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          I'm having the same issue and I'm trying to play Diouf over Reijnders. Not sure if it will backfire. Going Dorgu eases the benching dilemma for this week but he just looks less appealing.

      • The Pretender
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Surely Diouf plays this week v SUN??

        1. AAAFootball
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Hes a bit confusing but see my above post

      • LangerznMash
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Aina would have still outscored Neco Williams with the DefCon points added, so why is no one on Aina?

        1. Freshy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Was Aina hurt a couple of GWs

        2. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          He played 360 more mins

      • Koflok
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        I have Wirtz + Bowen right now

        Worth doing either
        A) Wirtz > Gakpo + save 1m (can do Bowen > Gyokeres next GW with no hits)

        B) Bowen > Pedro + save 0.5m (can do Wirtz > Bruno next GW with no hits)

        C) Stay as is

        1. Boxwoods
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          C. Or if you want Gyokeres or Bruno, just get them now.

      • hazza44
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Last decision..
        A) Porro & Anderson/Rejinders
        or
        B) VDV & Ndiaye

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          A easily

        2. Boxwoods
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          A. Not close.

      • Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Seeing as how I'm not starting with Dubravka or Guiu I might as well upgrade 4m def to good fixture 4.5 and play BB

        1. Tsparkes10
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Exactly what I’m thinking mate. See below… Esteve to Konsa, Spence or Diouf is tempting

      • Juventusfan4life
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 22 days ago

        5.5 for a defender

        1. Tarkowski ( even though Brainwaithe is injured)
        2. Murillo - forest
        3. Milenkovic - forest.

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          2

      • Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        2

      • Crazy RedDevil
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Milenkovic or Murilo?

        1. LangerznMash
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Congratulations! You are the 10,000th person asking this question!

        2. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Milen needs several goals to match Murillo with DC added

      • lilmessipran
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        The sub 7m striker bracket looks really dire.. makes me go back again and again to start with 4 atb instead

        1. The Pretender
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Evanilson looks pretty good to me.

          1. lilmessipran
            • 13 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Does he though? Long term maybe, but Bou look set for a slow start with all these departures.

      • AAAFootball
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Just looking at my team and Sarr+Hoever to Lacroix + Reijnders seems so obvious now

          Can't believe i missed it.

        • Pomp and Circumstance
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          which is best 6.0 or 5.5 DEF to have: RAN, Frimpong, Cucu, Porro, Milenkovic, Murillo?

          1. the dom 1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Any of those really 😉

          2. The Pretender
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            I think the 5.5's are better value than the 6.0's for the first 3-4 weeks. NFO boys and Porro.

        • Dutchy
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          1) Sanchez / Van DV / Rogers

          or

          2) Sels / Cucurella / Reijnders

          1. the dom 1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            2

        • Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Another mark against Salah is Frimpong. Guy is goal hog

          1. Tsparkes10
            • 7 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            I’m going without him and Haaland 🙂 no big ML helps but really like my teams balance

          2. rjcv177
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            if he keeps scoring everytime he tries to cross..yeah

        • Tsparkes10
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Been pretty set on this for a week or so… 0.5m itb and Bbgw1. Thoughts? Worth upgrading Esteve?

          Sanchez
          RAN Murillo Neco
          Wirtz Palmer Kudus Bruno
          Watkins Pedro Ekitike
          (Patterson, Reijnders, VDV, Esteve)

          1. b91jh
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            I won't be bench boosting with Esteve vs TOT, rather save it for another week, or use the 0.5 to get Diouf.

        • b91jh
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Think that's my final team to go. 0.5 in the bank

          Sels
          Cucu Porro Milenkovic Diouf
          Palmer Wirtz Rogers
          Haaland Watkins Fullkrug

          Dub Reijnders Gudmundsson King

        • AAAFootball
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Lacroix or Richards/guehi plus 0.5 ITB?

            WOuld not use the money for anything, probably to immunise me from price changes.

            1. LangerznMash
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 22 days ago

              Lacroix's value is probably worth more than the £0.5m over Richards.

              1. AAAFootball
                  3 months, 22 days ago

                  Thanks 🙂

                • The Pretender
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  3 months, 22 days ago

                  I actually think that Richards is excellent value. Over the final 3-4 months last season, Richards averaged more DC/90 and similar enough attacking returns (within 0.05 xGI/90, Richards became more attacking).

                  Full season, I agree with you, but Richards turned a corner back end of last year once he was well and truly nailed. With Guehi likely out, I think Richards at 4.5 is actually slightly better value. I would value Lacroix close to the 5.5's, lets call it 5.3 or so. I would value Richards closer to 5.1 or so. I think he's better value, but Lacroix will slightly outscore him.

                  1. AAAFootball
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      True

                      WHere can i find those stats?

                      (suddenly contmeplating last day change)

                      1. The Pretender
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 10 Years
                        3 months, 22 days ago

                        Sorry for the slow response I am at work. Create your own stats table in the FFS Members Area, can pick any number of stats to view, and can then filter by gameweek period.

              2. klopptimusprime
                • 9 Years
                3 months, 22 days ago

                Draft Question?

                Best 5th Mid - will rotate this spot regularly based on fixtures/form
                a) Rice
                b) G.Rutter
                c) Malen

                Best 3rd FWD - Longer term pick
                a) Igor Thiago
                b) Füllkrug

                Salah - Marmoush - Semenyo - Sarr - xxx
                Bowen - Wood - xxx

                Thanks!

                1. LangerznMash
                  • 9 Years
                  3 months, 22 days ago

                  Rice and Fullkrug your safest bets

                2. b91jh
                  • 8 Years
                  3 months, 22 days ago

                  Rutter and Fullkrug

              3. LangerznMash
                • 9 Years
                3 months, 22 days ago

                Name two players that you hope will blank GW1:

                1. Tsparkes10
                  • 7 Years
                  3 months, 22 days ago

                  Salah & Haaland 🙂

                  1. LangerznMash
                    • 9 Years
                    3 months, 22 days ago

                    lol what do you think the odds are on that happening? Bet the bookies would offer you 100/1

                    1. rjcv177
                      • 10 Years
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      thats how u get rich

                      1. Moon Dog
                          3 months, 22 days ago

                          It's how you get poor

                  2. More Tragic
                    • 10 Years
                    3 months, 22 days ago

                    watkins & forest D

                  3. AAAFootball
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      All arsenal and liverpool

                      Plus Bowen and AWB

                    • Moon Dog
                        3 months, 22 days ago

                        Haaland and Gyokores. Sweet spot of large ownership combined with large price. Should that investment fail, that's a huge chunk of their owner's budget down the toilet for a week.

                    • ball c
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 5 Years
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      Which one makes the team:

                      A) Mateta
                      B) Pedro
                      C) S Larsen

                      Have already Cucurella and Palmer for Chelsea cover.

                      1. rjcv177
                        • 10 Years
                        3 months, 22 days ago

                        cant believe people going for Strand Larsen...

                      2. AAAFootball
                          3 months, 22 days ago

                          a or b

                          either good.
                          JSL non option before gw4

                      3. Pomp and Circumstance
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 14 Years
                        3 months, 22 days ago

                        if had EXACTLY 1 of NFO DEF/GK, should it be--Sels, Milenkovic, Murillo, or N. Williams? have been on Sels for while, but trying to figure this one out based on the different factors; thanks!

                        1. rjcv177
                          • 10 Years
                          3 months, 22 days ago

                          honestly...go for one defender.
                          U can have Sanchez from Chelsea as a good option at 5.0, and get the DefCons from those Forrest defenders

                          1. AAAFootball
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              Do i get sanchez or sels

                              Sanchez would make it a triple

                              Sels would be a double

                              I dont like any other keepers except 5.5s and i dont have that much money

                              1. LangerznMash
                                • 9 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                Does AAAFootball = Pomp and Circumstance's sister account?

                                1. AAAFootball
                                    3 months, 22 days ago

                                    no lol i just have a similar dillema

                                    1. AAAFootball
                                        3 months, 22 days ago

                                        Not a MCO model

                              2. LangerznMash
                                • 9 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                are you asking who we think will offer the best value?

                                1. Pomp and Circumstance
                                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                  • 14 Years
                                  3 months, 22 days ago

                                  yes; also question on Sanchez--what possibility is there of Chelsea signing another keeper?

                              3. Kiwivillan
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 11 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                Sels is avoid for me as taking up team spot of similar priced def that can get DC

                              4. The Pretender
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 10 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                Murillo is the guy for me, I think. Much of a muchness with Milenkovic, but Milenko far outperformed his xG last year whereas Murillo underperformed, and is a BP & DC darling. It's basically neck and neck to me.

                            • Bleh
                              • 8 Years
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              Are you BB’ing this week?

                              A. Yes
                              B. No

                              1. Boxwoods
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 8 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                B

                              2. the dom 1
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 11 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                Undecided

                            • AAAFootball
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                Do I Bench Boost this?

                                Dub, Lacroix, Rogers, Esteve

                                Or guehi would let me get a better keeper
                                (But would they get more than 2 points?)

                                1. Kiwivillan
                                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                  • 11 Years
                                  3 months, 22 days ago

                                  I'm considering BB but I'll be changing my nicer 4.5 gk rotation for 2 x 4.5 with best chance of CS this week

                                2. Boxwoods
                                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                  • 8 Years
                                  3 months, 22 days ago

                                  No. BUR play promoted sides at home GW2 and 8.

                                  1. AAAFootball
                                      3 months, 22 days ago

                                      Did think that but now have convinced myself to play based on MCI vs TOt that week and wc7

                                      Here is the team if you want to see

                                      Sels Dub
                                      Murillo Porro Lacriox Diouf Esteve
                                      Palmer Rogers Ndaiye Kudus Reijnders
                                      Haaland Watkins JPedro

                                      BBGW1

                                      Good luck lads

                                      1. Boxwoods
                                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                        • 8 Years
                                        3 months, 22 days ago

                                        Cheers. Still don’t think your GW1 bench is boost-worthy. Rogers the only one who looks like scoring. Would bench one of the other mids.

                                3. b91jh
                                  • 8 Years
                                  3 months, 22 days ago

                                  10.1% TSB for mighty Morgan Rogers. Spicy.

                                4. LangerznMash
                                  • 9 Years
                                  3 months, 22 days ago

                                  Would love to see the reaction on here if Malen scores and Reijnders blanks GW1 ;D

                                  *I say this as a neutral as I don't own either.

                                  1. AAAFootball
                                      3 months, 22 days ago

                                      Or worse if neither start and Mbuemo scores a hattie

                                      1. Albrightondknight
                                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                        • 10 Years
                                        3 months, 22 days ago

                                        Mbeumo completely overlooked he probably should have been priced higher to be fair

                                    • Moon Dog
                                        3 months, 22 days ago

                                        I can see that happening easily.

                                    • AAAFootball
                                        3 months, 22 days ago

                                        Well Cole Palmer has more owners than J Pedro

                                        I have both and hoping for a haul

                                        1. Kiwivillan
                                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                          • 11 Years
                                          3 months, 22 days ago

                                          I was thinking about owning both earlier. Palace is actually a horrible fixture and West Ham away next not great either

                                          1. Moon Dog
                                              3 months, 22 days ago

                                              There are very few nice fixtures in this league. Plenty worse that those two.

                                            • AAAFootball
                                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                                I agree palace quite good but i feel 3-2 chelsea would see me benefit hugely

                                                West ham? you have to be kidding me

                                                Their last 3 meetings had a combined score of 10-1 Chelsea

                                                1. The Pretender
                                                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                                  • 10 Years
                                                  3 months, 22 days ago

                                                  I am with you AAA, I think West Ham is on the easier end, comfortably.

                                                  1. AAAFootball
                                                      3 months, 22 days ago

                                                      Man its weird to have people call me AAA

                                                      It was just a username ive had from way back

                                                      Is it ok to give my real name?

                                            • Albrightondknight
                                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                              • 10 Years
                                              3 months, 22 days ago

                                              I am going with this if it’s an early WC who cares
                                              And will Rogers start? The back 5 is extreme I will remove some cash as cheaper options emerge

                                              Would you change Frimpong to Konza
                                              And Kroupi.Jr to Fulkrug?

                                              Sanchez

                                              RAN Frimpong Cucurella Porro Milkenkovic

                                              Palmer Wirtz Gapko Reinjders

                                              Haaland

                                              Dub Rogers Guiu Kroupi.Jr