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

736 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. DavvaMC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    For a few weeks now I have been on defense number 1. But now thinking of defense 2? Which one?

    1.
    VDV | William | Ait-Nourri | Andersen

    2.
    Murillo | Porro | Andersen | Dorgu

    1. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      If William is Saliba, then B

    2. AAAFootball
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Its Neco, and probably still b

        Lacroix and esteve another option for the cheap ones

    3. uzbeque
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Bowen+Fernandes or Watkins+Mbeumo?

      1. koppite1210
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        2 for me, Bowen fomo for GW1 then fixtures get rough. Watkins a hold for opening weeks

    4. seanm92
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Could I get away with playing a 4-5-1 every week with this team?

      Sels (Dub)
      Neco PP Cucu Diouf (Dorgu)
      Salah Palmer Gakpo Bruno PM Sarr
      Watkins (Chido Guiu)

      Still 1m in bank but not sure what to do

      1. AAAFootball
          3 months, 23 days ago

          probably save it for upgrading pms or diouf
          could splah it now on murillo from necoo and reinders for pms though if you wanted

      2. koppite1210
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Bottomed

        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!

        1. AAAFootball
            3 months, 23 days ago

            B1 IMO
            or judus if you dont already have him

        2. Pomp and Circumstance
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          is Kelleher viable as main GK? (know he's a doubt for GW 1; but other than that); many were considering him until recently

          was planning to go with Sels, but thinking having one of NFO DFs for DEFCON might be better

          1. Club-De-Belon
            • 4 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            I recommend you to take a look at Jose Sa. I think he is best 4.5 GK available

            Except City in GW1, he has best fixtures up to GW11: BOU (A), EVE (H), NEW (A), LEE (H), TOT (A), BHA (H), SUN (A), BUR (H), FUL (A).

            He plays in a terrible defence, so he should be getting save points regularly anyway, but with fixtures like this
            - he could get occasional clean sheet
            - he probably won´t play against your own team players often

            After GW11
            - it is around wildcard time
            - you get capped on max 5FT for AFCON after GW15
            so you can feel free to move him out by then, even with regular transfer due to afcon impact

            He is 2,3% owned as well.

            1. Pomp and Circumstance
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              do you think it better to have Sels and Neco Williams rather than having one either of Murillo or Milenkovic?

              1. Club-De-Belon
                • 4 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                I think also Williams covers your CBIT well enough, to save +0,5 from M/M upgrade. So I would (and do) have Williams only.

                They are certainly best team to have +1 defender from. If you want +2, stats + fixtures are there.

                But I like narrating my picks, so I am avoiding NFO double-up as I think they are defensively strongest when pushed and compact.
                But their good fixtures require them to expand, which is not their tactic, not forcing their defensive strengths, and therefore they could concede each time they leave shape?

                Good luck even with double up

              2. AAAFootball
                  3 months, 23 days ago

                  Yes absolutely

              3. Boz
                • 13 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Good info. I never considered him

              4. The Pretender
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Only issue I have with your view, which is a great call, is that I think 3 of the first 4 are tough offensive matchups, as are 5 of the first 7. The only games I am excited by our EVE and LEE (H). The rest are good attacking sides. Then sure, the SUN, BUR and FUL games are nice but that's a long way away. The teams he plays aren't amazing, but they are all very attacking and I think he may get some save points, but very few likely CS.

                Other thing is their defense looks a bit flimsy on the edges, CB's are sound but I can see a lot of traffic down both wings.

                1. FPL Brains
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 14 Years
                  3 months, 23 days ago

                  Agbadou would be a better pick.

          2. _Gunner
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            Who is a better option?

            A- Welbeck
            B- Strand-Larson

            1. Mother Farke
              • 1 Year
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Strand-Larsen. At least he's nailed.

            2. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Wellbeck not predicted to start

              1. Philosopher's Stones
                • 5 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Who'll start upfront for Brighton then?

                1. Mother Farke
                  • 1 Year
                  3 months, 23 days ago

                  Rutter.

            3. Club-De-Belon
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              B
              nailed
              so far seems like central point of WOL attacks

          3. SpaceCadet
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            Better option?

            A. Haaland Wirtz
            B. Salah Bowen

            1. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
              • 13 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              A for this GW. But how have you not already got S&W?

              1. SpaceCadet
                • 12 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Going gakpo over wirtz.

                Still undecided between Salah v Haaland after all the tinkering

            2. vincentwsho
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              A

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

              B

          4. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
            • 13 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            How would Guehi joining Liverpool affect your team selections?

            1. Tommy Template
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              I'd be reconsidering Munoz probably although I suspect they'll sign somebody else just need time to get them used to the league assuming they arent already here

            2. Ausman
              • 2 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              It would have no bearing.

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

            Is Fullkrug nailed or is he a Halfkrug?

            1. b91jh
              • 8 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Potter will inkrug him in the starting XI.

          6. Jullepuu
            • 6 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            Any thoughts on this? 0.5 in the bank to do Sarr to Rogers if the latter is fit

            Sels Dubravka
            Murillo Porro Diouf Andersen Esteve
            Salah Palmer Wirtz Sarr Anderson
            Watkins JP Guiu

            1. Philosopher's Stones
              • 5 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              You shouldn't have 2 5.5m or below midfielders in your team if you don't own both Salah and Haaland imo.

              1. Jullepuu
                • 6 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Its Ismaila Sarr, who might become Rogers

              2. The Pretender
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                I think having 2x 5.5 or below mids is fine if you aren't going Guiu. Your comment above is right just a broad comment on other team balances. Some teams going a front 3.

            2. Winston.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Nice…I would prefer Milenkovic and Reijnders in those 5.5&5.5 positions…

              1. Jullepuu
                • 6 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Cheers. Yeah those two are pretty much coin tosses at this point

          7. Club-De-Belon
            • 4 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            I am trying to fix my strategy problems from last seasons.
            I always start with balanced team, do well in first few GWs and then fall of due to structure and need to make lots of transfers.

            I decided to go BOLD with two 4.5 MIDs and "booked transfers" strategy.

            Sa - (Dubravka)
            RAN - Porro - Saliba - Williams - (Ekdal)
            Palmer - Saka - JWP - King - (Potts)
            Haland - Watkins - JSL

            GW3/4 : Saliba to Lacroix and possibly JWP to I. Sarr (if he is fit and in form after all those mid-week games)
            GW5: Saka to Gakpo (or Wirtz) so now I have 2 or 3 extra mill to upgrade Potts/Kings a MID on the rise

            Oh and this page hates JWP. I do not care, he fits in well.

            1. Tommy Template
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Midfields far too cheap. They're the best points scorers in the game most seasons. Does JWP even start?

              1. Club-De-Belon
                • 4 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                "they are best point scorers in the game most seasons" -> I would not care since this is not a set and forget team.

                I am playing in iterations and before I strengthen in midfield with I.Sarr and one 5,5-7,5 MID (from the 4,5s I mentioned) I am simply playing heavy iteration on strikers/defenders.

                About West Ham.
                - Paqueta and JWP are nailed
                - Potter wants a third midfielder to play a box to box role with strong defensive qualities - Edson looking to be sold, Potts was tried to play in there and could get some minutes, Soucek is bench option and not part of the plan anymore
                - JWP is used in CM role with either drifting wide on defensive transition, covering for Bowen, or in position he inverts back in to support attack. He might not have pace or physicality, but Potter seems to like him as a focal point in build up.
                - but JWP could be replaced with another transfer after the defensive BBM they are looking for (Bissouma?)

                1. Tommy Template
                  • 11 Years
                  3 months, 23 days ago

                  Fair enough. Good luck its certainly different

                  1. Club-De-Belon
                    • 4 Years
                    3 months, 23 days ago

                    thanks mate, same to you

            2. Club-De-Belon
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              btw BB in GW8 seems likely

              2 Burnley players with Leeds at home
              and lots of cheap enablers that weak have good fixtures (from WHU/SHU, WOL/BRE, city face EVE, ARS face FUL, etc.)

              1. FPL Brains
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Leeds were the top scorers by far in the Championship and they'll be playing a Championship level defence. You'll lose the cleanies.

                1. Club-De-Belon
                  • 4 Years
                  3 months, 23 days ago

                  I am aware, I think Leeds are actually strongest promoted team.

                  I am just forcing narrative, that if I am bench boosting with Dubravka against LEE at home, I might as well pick a defender they will likely play in that fixture (who will not lose value by then).

                  What is alternative, 4,0 def from LEE and hope for 1-1 in that game?

                  Also I do not have to BB. Dubravka might not even be number 1 in Burnley...

            3. Bluetiger1
              • 3 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              GTG

              Makes a change to see a different line up

          8. tristanabc
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            G2G with this BB1 team?

            Perri
            Murillo Tarkowski Williams
            Palmer Wirtz Gakpo Xhaka
            Haaland(c) Watkins Pedro

            Dubravka KDH VDV Rodon

            1. AAAFootball
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Xhaka not much IMO but looking good otherwise

              • FPL Brains
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Tbh. Xhaka pick is interesting. Hope it works for you.

            2. Ninjaa
              • 15 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              A. Wood and Damsgaard
              Or
              B. Guiu and Marmoosh

              Current Team

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

              Is lack of Arsenal a worry

              1. AAAFootball
                  3 months, 23 days ago

                  Nah bro live life on the edge

                  I have no Arsenal, United, or Liverpool

                  Play your own game

                  1. FPL Brains
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 14 Years
                    3 months, 23 days ago

                    Respect this.

              2. BerryMaze
                • 8 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Sanchez Dubravka
                Murillo VdV Andersen Dorgu Esteve
                Salah Palmer Wirtz Cunha Reijnders
                Watkins JP Guiu

                Any thoughts?

              3. Winston.
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Which one ? Your opinion ?
                A. BrunoF + Mateta + Evanilson or
                B. Watkins + Sarr + JoaoPedro

                1. AAAFootball
                    3 months, 23 days ago

                    Its B IMO but i would say kudus if you dont have him already

                2. DavvaMC
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 4 Years
                  3 months, 23 days ago

                  Rogers or Rutter?

                  Rutter would enable a much stronger defense.

                  1. Winston.
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    3 months, 23 days ago

                    Rogers

                  2. FPL Brains
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 14 Years
                    3 months, 23 days ago

                    Rutter if you feel like the defensive upside is there.

                3. EL tridente
                  • 8 Years
                  3 months, 23 days ago

                  Good to go?
                  Sanchez, Dubravka
                  VVD, Neco, Van De Ven, De Cuyper, Esteve
                  Salah, Palmer, Wirtz, Georginio, Sarr
                  Watkins, Pedro, Guiu

                  1. FPL Brains
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 14 Years
                    3 months, 23 days ago

                    Looks decent yep

                  2. AAAFootball
                      3 months, 23 days ago

                      Yeah probably

                      Van Dijk looked off his game in the last friendly though

                    • Lallana_
                      • 11 Years
                      3 months, 23 days ago

                      Solid team!

                  3. EL tridente
                    • 8 Years
                    3 months, 23 days ago

                    Kudus or Sarr?

                    1. Winston.
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 12 Years
                      3 months, 23 days ago

                      Sarr (CPL)

                    2. AAAFootball
                        3 months, 23 days ago

                        Defo kudus

                      • Lallana_
                        • 11 Years
                        3 months, 23 days ago

                        Sarr and save 1.5M

                        1. Lallana_
                          • 11 Years
                          3 months, 23 days ago

                          if Palace Sarr, then him

                      • Ausman
                        • 2 Years
                        3 months, 23 days ago

                        Ismaila Sarr

                    3. Rollercoaster
                      • 12 Years
                      3 months, 23 days ago

                      Grealish or Kudus?

                      1. AAAFootball
                          3 months, 23 days ago

                          Kudus

                        • Lallana_
                          • 11 Years
                          3 months, 23 days ago

                          Kudus

                      2. Lallana_
                        • 11 Years
                        3 months, 23 days ago

                        Good to go? Thanks and good luck 🙂

                        Sánchez
                        N.Williams | Van de Ven | Diouf
                        M.Salah (C) | Palmer (v) | B.Fernandes | Wirtz | Dewsbury-Hall
                        Watkins | João Pedro

                        Bench: Dúbravka / Marc Guiu / Richards / Estève

                      3. uzbeque
                        • 15 Years
                        3 months, 23 days ago

                        Wirtz or Fernandes?

                        1. FPL Brains
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • Has Moderation Rights
                          • 14 Years
                          3 months, 23 days ago

                          Wirtz

                        2. Lallana_
                          • 11 Years
                          3 months, 23 days ago

                          Honestly, I couldn't decide and went for both ^

                          Easier to do Bruno>Wirtz than vice-versa if you're unsure

                      4. Timon
                        • 14 Years
                        3 months, 23 days ago

                        Why no love for Cherki here? Twitter doesnt seem to love him either.

                        1. Lallana_
                          • 11 Years
                          3 months, 23 days ago

                          Cherkira needs to lose some weight first

                      5. Fpl_Ludwig
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 4 Years
                        3 months, 23 days ago

                        Current BB gw1 team:
                        Vicario / Verbruggen
                        Frimpong / RAN / N. Williams / Porro / Gudmundsson
                        Fernandes / Palmer / Wirtz / Johnson / Anderson
                        Füllkrug / Ekitike / Watkins

                        Any changes you would make to the team except for Salah and Haaland?

                      6. Pomp and Circumstance
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 14 Years
                        3 months, 23 days ago

                        how does this look?

                        Sels
                        Porro, N. Williams, RAN
                        Palmer (v), Wirtz, Gakpo, Reijnders, Ndiaye
                        Haaland (c), Watkins

                        subs: Dubravka; Guiu, Diouf, Rodon

                        and questiona: is Amad (at 6.5) a viable choice? and overall, who do you think are best MIDs in 6.0-7.0 range?

                        1. The_FF_King
                          • 12 Years
                          3 months, 23 days ago

                          Well balanced, I’d stick with that

                        2. PEP G
                          • 9 Years
                          3 months, 23 days ago

                          best mid within 6.0 to 7.0 is either Ndiaye or Rutter right? am I missing anyone else

                      7. The_FF_King
                        • 12 Years
                        3 months, 23 days ago

                        I fancy doing something that isn’t too template so here is my bench boost GW1 team. I’m happy to wildcard next week if I have to.

                        BB: ACTIVE

                        Sels / Verbruggen

                        Virgil / RAN / Pedro / Konsa / Diouf

                        Palmer(c) / Gakpo / Wirtz / Mitoma / Kudos

                        Bowen / Watkins / Wood

                        1. Casual Player
                          • 5 Years
                          3 months, 23 days ago

                          Which part isn't too template?

                        2. Timanfaya
                          • 2 Years
                          3 months, 23 days ago

                          Looks to me like a team designed to actually score some BB points, unlike many I've seen.

                      8. Mirec007
                        • 2 Years
                        3 months, 23 days ago

                        A) Fullkurg
                        B) Strand Larsen

                        Which one?

                        1. PEP G
                          • 9 Years
                          3 months, 23 days ago

                          B clear

                        2. Casual Player
                          • 5 Years
                          3 months, 23 days ago

                          I'd go B

                      9. Casual Player
                        • 5 Years
                        3 months, 23 days ago

                        Happy FPL everybody!

                        Is there any info about career hall of fame updates to include 24/25 ranks?

                      10. PEP G
                        • 9 Years
                        3 months, 23 days ago

                        a) Georginio Rutter + Gvardiol
                        b) Ndiaye + Munoz

                        which one?

                        1. Casual Player
                          • 5 Years
                          3 months, 23 days ago

                          I would say A

                      11. The Night Trunker.
                        • 2 Years
                        3 months, 23 days ago

                        Marmoush out Bilva in.
                        Scouts predict Marm. does not start as does half the Blue Moon forum and just can't deal with any doubt in g/w1.
                        New captain Bernardo feels like a great anti template diff. as well.
                        Locked.

                      12. Mane Mane Mane
                        • 5 Years
                        3 months, 23 days ago

                        What defenders are most likely to score this season, playing a game at work where you have to choose 4 defenders from separate prem clubs to score and once they do they’re ticked off, along with 8 midfielders and 8 forwards. have Gabriel and Romero but need some other names for defender options please. Any help is appreciated

                        1. FPL Brains
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • Has Moderation Rights
                          • 14 Years
                          3 months, 23 days ago

                          Cucu, VVD, Gabriel,

                        2. Boydinho
                          • 10 Years
                          3 months, 23 days ago

                          Frimpong, Ait Nouri, Cucurella

                        3. Casual Player
                          • 5 Years
                          3 months, 23 days ago

                          Just look at top goalscorers from last season, see which ones you don't think are a fluke? Schar might be good. Chalobah?

                        4. HelmutCool
                          • 3 Years
                          3 months, 23 days ago

                          Munoz, milenkovic, gabriel, frimpong (Collins, VVD, tarkowski)