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. GoonerByron
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Best combination for Bench Boost?

    A) J Pedro + Dewsbury Hall
    B) Fulkrug + Kudus

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      B

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

      A. I like KDH over Fulkrug and Pedro over Kudus.

    3. thorvaldsson
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Have all 4 lol

  2. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    A) Sánchez Porro Anderson(mid)
    B) Sels Cucurella KDH

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

      B

    2. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      B

  3. Bavarian
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    A- Rogers-Lacroix
    B- Sarr (CRY)-Porro

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      B

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

    does anyone have Cunha in their teams? should have him or use funds to strengthen defense?

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

      I don't get the pick. Would have to see some returns first.

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

      I have him. Expect a lot from him. Class player.

  5. Raiser153
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Why are people considering Bench Boost? Would it not be better to save it for a double game week?

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

      You get same chips twice. No. Dgw before 31st Dec likely

  6. Philosopher's Stones
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Starting to think it's safe to start the season with Salah rather than Haaland. Can't be falling behind straight away in case Salah explodes.

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Of course it's safer to start with Salah. It's also harder to start with a good rank with him. Risk v reward

  7. FPLAnon
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Does anyone know if you can leave any mini league before the season starts or is it locked until the season starts?

      I tried leaving at the end of last season after GW38 was finished and it was locked.

    • Philosopher's Stones
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Anyways. Which scores more?

      A: Wirtz + Larsen/Welbeck
      B: Gakpo + Wood

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

        A, but I prefer Fulkrug to Larsen

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

        Wellbeck played in second string team last friendly

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

        Wish I could Gakpo and Wood without sacrificing elsewhere so has to be Gakpo and Piero for BB

    • Jude Rooney
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Morning,

      Will the DEFCON points show live in-game or after the 90 mins?

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

        Live

      2. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        I don't know, but expect it's like goalkeeper saves and therefore updated during the match.

    • The Final Boss
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Guys, looooong time.....Need your help now.

      Sanchez Dubravka
      Porro Williams Anderson Dorgu Esteve
      Salah Palmer Bruno Wirtz ****
      Watkins Gui ****

      A) Strand Larsen Dewsburry- Hall
      B) Fulkrug Andersen

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

        A

    • Ian Davis
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A) Frimpong/Ait-Nouri / A Ramsey (bench) / Mateta

      or

      B) Aina / KDH (5th mid on bench) / Bowen

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

        B

    • Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Verbruggen (Dubravka)
      Williams Vdv Diouf Konsa _________.
      Salah Palmer Reijnders Kdh ________.
      Haaland Larsen (Guiu)

      Ok I'm set in stone with the rest. Just need help with these last 2 spots

      A) Milenkovic + Rogers

      If Rogers is declared fit this is my safety option. Can go 4-5-1, 5-3-2, 4-4-2, 3-5-2 etc depending on if Larsen/Reijnders/Kdh end up being failed punts . Rogers could match the likes of the 8+ mids considering their fixture run in the short to medium term. Milenkovic could be the highest scoring defender by GW 6 due to their fixture run+defcons+goal threat

      B) Esteve + Wirtz

      Explosive option with literally all the big hitters id want with Wirtz in there. Could still go 4 at the back if needed here and there but would mostly be a 3-5-2 every week with only one good sub. Would need to rely on transfers if Reijnders, Kdh, Larsen fail first few weeks

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

        I'm only getting Verb as GK for 2nd keeper BB. Don't want him with Brighton defence long term

        1. Valar(Keith)
          • 16 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Ideally I'd want kelleher. But waiting on his injury update /may swap him in post Gw5 . Don't mind verbruggens first 5 tbh

        2. Valar(Keith)
          • 16 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Actually I could get aina and sels for Milenkovic and Verbruggen. Those 2 should outscore the latter 2 over the first 6

          1. Valar(Keith)
            • 16 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Or even konsa to Esteve and Verbs to Sels(and keep Milenkovic). Could work. Cheers

      2. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        B

    • C_G
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      pick a combo (have Rogers):

      Saka + Bowen

      OR

      Watkins + Bruno

      1. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Watkins. I think Saka could be a sleeper, but was injured a lot last season and Arsenal have tough opening fixtures.

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

          Arsenal’s opening 2 fixtures are very blue?

          1. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            2nd is great. Away to MU is probably good.

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

              Next 4 are tough.

    • b91jh
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Diouf vs Dorgu gives me headache...
      Who to go for? Likely will be 1st sub at usual times.

    • Wonderful Wizard Hazard
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A) Kudus and Cucurella
      B) Rogers and Tarkowski

      Sels
      Porro Neco ___
      Salah Palmer Wirtz Reijnders ___
      Watkins Joao

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

        A

      2. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        A

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

      BB gives me Verbruggen Diouf Stach De Cuyper.

      Worth it? I always hate BB and playing now because get another 2nd half of season

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

        I don't really rate BB1 when a 4.0 keeper is available very soon while we force to bring a 4.5 for a one-week chip.
        Re the question: I prefer Xhaka over Stach. The rest looks fine.

    • sjhuk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Last minute crisis

      1. sjhuk
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Emoji ruined message

        a wirtz, Richard’s, Diouf
        b Anderson, aitnouri, frimpong

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

          A, allows you to free up funds easier when needed

    • Ruinenlust
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      KDH or Reindeer?

      Saka or Wirtz?

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

        Rejijijiiindreeres and Wirtz

    • Somar
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      What is wrong with the design of the fpl website? the team name, leagues and player list are all on the left side of the screen? is that normal or is it just my computer

    • Lav
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Template FC, but I cant see much better...thoughts on what to maybe change?

      Sels
      Cucu Porro Diouf
      Salah Palmer MGW Kudus Ndiaye
      Watkins JP

      Dubravka DeCuyper Esteve Guiu

    • vincentwsho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      KDH or PM Sarr?

    • Lallana_
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      So Man City are projected to score the most goals and have the second most cleansheets in the first 6.

      Is Ait Nouri still too risky?

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

        If he was nailed to play all 6 he would be a must. The concern is whether he plays 4, 5 or 6. I expect 5.

        1. Lallana_
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Even 5 games would be good but if he got benched during the BUR(H) game that would be annoying

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

            Correct - and its completely unpredictable, hence why I am avoiding. Upside is elite and wouldnt shock me, but the unpredictable rotation is what kills me.

    • Stap
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Thoughts?

      Sels (dubravka)
      Williams - Konsa - VdV - Diouf - Esteve
      Palmer - Salah (c) - Wirtz - Fernandes - KDH
      Watkins - JP - Guiu

      Fernandes doesn't have great fixtures.
      Could downgrade to Rogers and upgrade defense (VdV to Porro) or KDH to Reijnders

    • jaxxden
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Are both van den berg and Richards (palace) nailed for gw 1-8? Thought

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

        Richards is.

    • Ninjaa
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Thoughts on this please chaps? Criticism welcome

      Sanchez Dubravka
      Vvd VDVen De Cuyper Diouf Konza
      Salah Palmer Ndiaye Damsgard Anderson
      Watkins Pedro Wood

      Any way I can beef up the midfield, would be willing to lose either Anderson or Damsgaard,. Not fully convinced on my front 3 either. Thanks

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

        Wood to Guiu gives you 3M.

    • _Freddo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Question. Does the new defensive actions benefit the more cheaper defenders than the 5.5 range?

      At 5.5 you expect CS with it but will teams like Everton really keep a lot of them?

      The 4-4.5m defenders who excel at it surely extract the most value from the rules, you’d take 3/4 points from a 4m defender & be happy more than you would 5.5 no?

    • HelmutCool
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Bad case of morning Salah fomo....

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

        Start him and move off if needed.

    • _Freddo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Morning all, would you BB Verbruggen, KDH, Spence & VDV/Roden?

    • koppite1210
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I've gone Saka over Palmer.

      A) Bruno, Strand Larsen
      B) Gyokeres and Ndiaye or Sarr (Palace)

      If B, 1) Ndiaye or 2) Sarr

      GL all!

    • Kristobal
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A) Dubravka, Diouf & Strand Larsen
      B) Martinez, 4.0 & Bowen

      1. Club-De-Belon
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        I hope you are talking about back up goalkeeper, not your main one.

        A easy

      2. Kristobal
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        No sorry 🙂

        A) Dubravka, 4.0 & Bowen
        B) Martinez, Diouf, Strand Larsen

        Too early 🙂