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. Boydinho
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Last two spots between Wirtz + Fullkrug or Rogers + Pedro? Thoughts?

    1. Downtown
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      2

  2. Downtown
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Milenkovic or Murillo?

    1. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Murillo

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

      Gone for the latter. Small margins though.

    3. SpaceCadet
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Mil

  3. NZREDS
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Thoughts appreciated for the three final drafts before it gets late NZT:

    A)
    Sanchez (Dubravka)
    Neco VdV Diouf (Konsa Esteve)
    Salah Palmer Rogers Kudus (Reijnders)
    Watkins Bowen Pedro

    B)
    Verbruggen (Dubravka)
    Neco VdV Diouf (Konsa Esteve)
    Salah Palmer Wirtz Reijnders (Anderson)
    Watkins Bowen Pedro

    C)
    Sanchez (Dubravka)
    Porro Milenkovic Diouf (De Cuyper Esteve)
    Salah Palmer Wirtz Kudus Reijnders
    Watkins Bowen (Guiu)

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

      C, any particular reason you like Diouf so much? Im considering but havent seen much of him tbh

      1. NZREDS
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        To be perfectly honest I have no idea who the best 4.5 in the starting team is!

    2. blacky7475
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I'd be happiest with C I think.

    3. Tabasco
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Hello mate yeah 05:30 deadline is rough for us.

      I think A as that’s basically my team!

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

        Sorry C

        1. NZREDS
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Cheers!

  4. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Who would you go for:

    A) Palmer(C), Bruno, Bowen
    B) Salah(C), Gakpo/Rogers, Fullkrug

    1. uzbeque
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      B

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I slightly prefer B but both will score well

    3. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      You won't go without Salah this evening.

      1. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        He's only just (very reluctantly) entered my thinking today.

    4. Ausman
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      B

  5. uzbeque
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Sanchez Dubravka

    Milenkovich VDV Frimpong (Dorgu Rodon)
    Salah Palmer Wirtz Kudus Reijders
    Watkins JP (Guiu)

    Any comments?

    1. Drizzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Looks good. Your defence has some tough fixtures in gw2 though.

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

    Which is better?

    1) Neco + Anderson
    2) Murillo + PM Sarr
    3) Murillo + KDH

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

      1

  7. blacky7475
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Morning folks.

    I personally have just an hour left to tinker, so some thoughts would be appreciated...

    I'm currently sat with this:

    Sels (Dubravka)
    Milenkovic, Porro, Tarkowski (Munoz, Rodon)
    Wirtz, Saka, Palmer, Bruno, Anderson
    Watkins, Pedro (Guiu)

    £0.5m spare. I'm OK with that, but is Rodon to AWB/Diouf more sensible?

    GW1 armband: Palmer (CRY), Watkins (NEW) or a cheeky punt on Wirtz (BOU)?

    Any other general comments or suggestions?

    Thanks.

    1. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Nothing wrong with keeping 0.5 in the bank, might help you with future moves. I wouldn't invest any more in defence, you already have 4 top defenders, it's unlikely you'll need Rodon outside the week you BB.
      Palmer is probably the safest, he is expected to score the most points, but if you are uncomfortable because of the fixture, as Palace tends to show up in big games, the other two are reasonable alternatives. Personally, I'd lean towards Watkins.
      My general comment would be that you'll have to be prepared to deal with similar dilemmas each week. Captaincy is the trickiest part in non Salah/Haaland teams. But of course high risk comes with high reward if you get it right.

      1. blacky7475
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Cheers CM, really useful comments.

  8. Tassen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    RMT!
    Would be very helpful, overthinking it as always. Too heavy on defenders?

    Sels (Dubravka)
    Murillo Tarkowski RAN (Konsa, AWB)
    Salah (C) Palmer Wirtz Reijnders PMS
    Watkins J.Pedro (Guiu)

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

      Too light in mid

      1. Tassen
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Thanks, thinking the same. Maybe upgrade Sarr, but to who? And RAN to a 4,5 to get the funds?

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

          You don't need 2 4.5s on the bench so downgrade one of those. One of the other premiums down too. Then Sarr to Rutter or Ismaeila

          1. Tassen
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Thanks for the help! Another round then..

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

    There seems to be more variation in defense to start this particular season

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      CB's getting more attention with the new rules helps I guess. Good for the game imo

  10. Thomas Magnum
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Semenyo and Evanilson too much Bournemouth? Either of them can be benched any week, but interested to hear if people think all the players Bournemouth have sold will negatively impact the attack.

    1. Downtown
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Neither

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Think they'll really struggle?

    2. Boz
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Just Semenyo imo

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

      Just Semenyo

  11. Boz
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Frimpong or VVD?

    1. Downtown
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      B

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

      B

    3. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I'd lean Frimpong but just not sure how nailed on he is

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

        If I knew Bradley was out for the first 5GW it would be Frimpong. The doubt is there though

        1. Thomas Magnum
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Agreed, but Liverpool look so attacking, I feel a nailed on fullback is basically another midfielder but I just am not so confident without knowing how long Bradley is out

  12. Downtown
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Is Pedro Porro worth the extra money over Romero or Van de Ven?

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

      Yes

    2. Boz
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Yes over Rom. Maybe over VDV

    3. Dybala10
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      He won’t play RWB every game

    4. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Cool kids have both

  13. Dybala10
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Morning.

    A or b?

    A) Sanchez, Neco & Rogers (own Watkins)
    B) Sels, Tarko & Sarr

    1. Downtown
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A

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

      B) if it's Ismaila Sarr

  14. Sid07
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    1st RMT of the season, pls help

    Sanchez Dubravka

    Murillo VDV Frimpong (Diouf Esteve)
    Salah Palmer Wirtz Reijders (Sarr)
    Watkins Pedro (Guiu)

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

      Play Sarr. Like it

    2. Ball Ake
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Nice team, I'm personally not convinced by Pedro but rest looks good

  15. Ranger3
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Any Everton fan can confirm if Beto will start ? Want to BB gw1

  16. PEP G
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Sels
    Munoz Murillo Tarkowski
    Salah(C) Palmer Reijnders Ndiaye Wirtz
    Mateta Watkins

    Dubravka Gudmundsson Esteve M.Guiu

    0.0 ITB
    Good to go lads?

    1. The Mighty Hippo
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Great team. You're all set, good luck!

      1. PEP G
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        thank you and good luck to you too Mighty Hippo 🙂

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

      Great team, very light bench but you already know that. Your 3 cbs are the 'play every week' types so it's worth the risk perhaps

  17. speardrops
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Fresh off the press, with 11 hours to deadline - my defenders guide on YouTube:
    https://youtu.be/pJg1wfGZWz4

    Good luck for the opener!

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

      Good luck mate!

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      The best FPL content on youtube that I've come across. Keep up the great work!

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

        100% agree

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

          Cheers guys, good luck!

    3. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Good stuff, thanks!

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

    Rutter apparently playing OOP and only 6.0. flying under the radar?

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

      Shhhhh

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      How nailed is he though ?

      1. Ball Ake
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Not very, he'll be rotated

        1. Thanos
          • 4 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          With whom? He is versatile and can play as 9 or 10.

  19. doppelganger
    • 6 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Rogers or Kudus?
    Got Watkins and PP from Spurs

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

      Easy Rogers

      1. Mother Farke
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 22 days ago

        He's an easy Rogerssss
        He'll get a hold on you, believe it.

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

    Diouf or Dorgu?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Diof

  21. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Why isn´t Aina rated higher this year, no longer nailed?

    1. Ball Ake
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Neco apparently has better Defcon potential. I've got Aina over him as I think he's less injury prone plus rumours are that Notts F are looking for a new LB

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

        Neco can play RB

        1. Ball Ake
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Good point, apparently Forest have also made a bid for Nico Lewis too to complicate things further

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

      Eclipsed by Mil & Mur.

  22. n-doggg
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Seem to be a few 4.0 viable defender options. Esteve and Rodon most popular from content creators. People think that i viable option? Would allow a team like this:

    Sanchez, dubrav
    Williams, VdV, anderson, rodon, esteve
    Salah, palmer, wirtz, Bruno, reijnders
    Watkins, Pedro, Guiu

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Considering the same, Williams nailed?

    2. Thanos
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Reinaldo too

    3. Tommy Template
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I'm not sure it'll be viable if you actually need to play them. They become more viable as bench options with defcon but if you're conceding goals which you'd imagine they probably will be then that ceiling comes right down. If you lose 4-0 but get defcon thats still only 2 points i think?

    4. Ausman
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I think they're viable as bench options, but if they leak points could drop in value quickly. Make sure you stay ahead of the curve and be ready to transfer them out quickly by having a couple of alternative options in mind.

  23. _Gunner
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Who is the best 5.5 midfielder to rotate with Guiu?

    A- Anderson
    B- Adingra
    C- Someone else?

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

      Or even Riijnders?

    2. n-doggg
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Anderson but reijnders could be fun and worth a punt

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

      Guiu if not playing can't rotate him

  24. Roshen
    • 3 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    gtg?

    Kelleher – Valdimarsson
    VdV – Nico – AWB – Esteve – Dorgu
    Salah – Palmer – Ndiaye – Reijnders – Minteh
    Haaland – Solanke – Guiu

    1. n-doggg
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Really like this salah palmer and haaland team

  25. sayer20
    • 3 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Was there any news on Rogers yesterday?

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

      Pictured in training

  26. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Why are Forest buying so many players?

    1. Tommy Template
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Small squad, european campaign. They dont really have known depth anywhere in the team if there is an injury. They've signed some lads from Brazil but who knows when they are ready for the league

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

        Thanks bud you too. Hopefully I can stick to this till deadline

  27. SpaceCadet
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Thoughts on this draft? Still not sure about kudus, pretty set on the rest.

    Sels
    Cucu Milenkovic porro
    Salah palmer gakpo kudus Reijnders
    Watkins pedro

    Dubravka konsa esteve guiu

    1. Ausman
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Gtg Spaceman 🙂 Good luck!

  28. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Happy new season DZ

    Why Wirtz instead of Ekikite

  29. Ninjaa
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Think I'm set lads. Thoughts??

    Sanchez ( Dubravka)
    Vvd VdVen Aina De Cuyper (Konza)
    Salah(c) Palmer Kudus (Anderson Ndiaye)
    Watkins Pedro Fulkrug

  30. Barphilona
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Thoughts? Aware the bench isn’t great but it’s still got 3 starters (inc keeper) and last year I had a good squad and it cost me points from picking the wrong ones to start.

    Sanchez (Dubravka)
    Murillo, Milenkovic, Porro, Diouf (Esteve)
    Salah, Palmer, Bruno, Wirtz, Anderson
    Watkins (Guiu, Barnes)

    1. Steve
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      love it. I've had exactly that draft. It's bold to go to 4.5 fwds, but money on the bench cant score you points.