Captain Sensible
22 August 2025 153 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Over 5,000,000 FPL managers backed either Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) or Erling Haaland (£14.0m) with the armband in Gameweek 1. They were duly rewarded as both players maintained their 100% record of returning on the opening weekend. 

Attention now turns to Gameweek 2, where Arsenal assets in particular come to the fore as the Gunners match up against Leeds United at the Emirates. It promises to be an interesting split among engaged Fantasy managers. 

As ever, the Captain Sensible article is here to help with those captaincy conundrums.

First, we will 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

captain best Gameweek 2

Following Haaland’s brace against Wolves in Gameweek 1, it will come as little surprise to learn that he sits atop the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll among site users. Despite blanking on the opening weekend, Cole Palmer (£10.5m) currently ranks second with West Ham’s 3-0 defeat to Sunderland no doubt fresh in Fantasy managers’ minds. 

Mohamed Salah’s stoppage-time goal against Bournemouth and subsequent bonus point is enough to tempt about one in seven of respondents into giving the Egyptian the armband. Bukayo Saka (£10.5m) is the fourth and final player to garner more than 10% of the vote ahead of a favourable fixture against Leeds United. 

Player Stats: Gameweek 1

price change predictions

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

153 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Hartman better than Esteve for long term bench option?

  2. Clintymints
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Best 4.0 def apart from Esteve?

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Leeds and rather Hartman over Esteve

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Thanks for answering my question as well Kisi

    2. Ruinenlust
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Goodmundson

    3. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Alderete

  3. SKENG
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Current FH, would really appreciate some feedback/ideas.

    Petrovic
    Gabriel Munoz Senesi
    Saka Mbeumo Semenyo Reijnders
    Haaland Gyokeres Watkins

    (Dubravka Esteve Acheampong King)

    Thanks!

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Salah will haul now I've sold him

      1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Why did you do that?

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          I had Haaland no Salah 2 days before first game and listened to too many content creators so went back to Salah. Fixed with -4

          1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
            • 1 Year
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Content creators are not your friend

    2. Ruinenlust
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      No Chelsea?

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        I only have Palmer and wish I had started without him as well as going to Wood instead of Pedro last day

        1. Ruinenlust
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Id rather have Palmer over Sakass this week

          1. Kiwivillan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Are you being Sakasstic?

    3. Nanook
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      You have two Bournemouth in defense. I think Petrovic + Munoz to Sels + Lacroix will score more long term. Also, Ache unlikely to be a reliable starter and think I’d pick a different 4.0 defender there, maybe Guds from Leeds.

    4. Full ham tragic
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Looks good

    5. Jackie Moon
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      On a FH I’d definitely have Palmer and Cucurella this week. I’d go without Haaland and Reijnders to get Palmer in.

  4. Billy Whizz
    • 2 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Is anyone having trouble substituting players on FPL? I’m trying to swap a player but it keeps coming up TRY AGAIN and to check my connection??

    1. ☈☾
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Use the desktop website

  5. Diva
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    FPL Price Changes
    22 August 2025

    1. Diva
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      FPL Price Changes 
      22 August 2025

      UP
      Richarlison 6.6

      DOWN
      Damsgaard 5.9
      March 5.9
      Hinshelwood 5.4
      Colwill 4.9
      Branthwaite 5.4
      McNeil 5.9
      Smith Rowe 5.9
      Andreas 5.4
      Elliott 5.4
      Ederson 5.4
      Savinho 6.9
      Rodrigo 6.4
      Højlund 6.4
      Roberts 5.4
      Bissouma 5.4
      Bowen 7.9

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Wow algos very wrong. Haaland Kudos Very Likely

        Richarlison Unlikely

      2. Mozumbus
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Thanks

      3. rainy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Cheers Diva

  6. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    is it crazy to have a defence of Gabriel / Lacroix / 4.0 / 4.0 / 4.0

    and rotate one of the 4.0s in every week?

    Likely Hartman, Gudmundsson & Reinildo.....

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Probably. Why cheap at back when Palmer and Salah don't look like must haves carrying on end of last season form. What if the template becomes 4 x premium defs

    2. Ruinenlust
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Gabriel has terrible fixtures

    3. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      yes because youre stuck with them

    4. Jackie Moon
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Yes! Lots of good 4.5 options if you want to go cheap and still doesn’t cost much more.

    5. JohnnyCroat
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Hard to say. You'll need to track def con now as well, and that adds value for sure. 3 or 4 always better than 1 or 2.

      But, in a vacuum, I see nothing wrong with your plan.

  7. Philosopher's Stones
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Start

    A: Rodon
    B: Esteve

    1. Ruinenlust
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      The one playing Arsenal away obviously

  8. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    anyone playing Dubruvka everyweek and doing 2 x 4.0m keepers?

    1. Hubert
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      3 x 4.0 defenders and 2 x 4.0 keepers is asking for trouble

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        If there was ever a season to do it, it's this one with the new rules. You'll be a pioneer.

  9. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    So damn nonsense. Before that damsgaard ownership was just 1.2 percent. Now he is 0.9 percent. How did he even drop price??

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Price drops always extremely harsh on differentials.

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        and more difficult to predict (Ragabolly put the ownership threshold at 3%(?), below which the algorithm was less reliable)

  10. sozopol
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Why is Palmer a much more popular captain choice than Watkins this week? Both on pens. Brentford and West Ham both look awful. What am I missing?

    1. Letsgo!
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Yeah i even wanna sell palmer . Lol

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Not sure why you think Watkins is on penalties

    3. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Ever seen Watkins take a pen? Highly doubt he's on them. Tielemans first choice imo. Basing this on no hard evidence.

    4. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Watkins isnt guaranteed to be on pens

    5. Casual Player
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      FPl Review

    6. Jackie Moon
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      If I had Watkins I would consider him as captain over Palmer. Might not be on pens though.

    7. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      You don't know for sure that Watkins is on pens.

    8. Riverside Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      So did Villa

  11. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Okay then, locked my wildcard, out with my friends tomorrow. GTG?

    Sels
    Cucurella Dorgu Hartman
    Salah Rogers Kudus Reijnders
    Haaland(C) Ekitike Wood

    Dubravka King VDV Gudmundsson

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Why a Burnley 4m Def over a Sunderland one?

      My wildcard very similar. I have Semenyo and Mayenda to your Ekitike and King.

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        I expect Burnley CS at home in this game, plus Hartman has set pieces as well as DefCon potential, plays wingback in 5 man defence. Also, he is more secure long term over someone like Reinildo at Sunderland.

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Fair play.

    2. A Trout
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Kneejerk FC

        1. Pep Roulette
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Hoping to get my team sorted early for a long run.

          1. Kiwivillan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Don't you WC after game 1 every season or am I thinking of another poster?

            1. Riverside Red
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 months, 15 days ago

              You said I was chasing last week's points with a similar WC team....

        2. Mr. O'Connell
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Depends what the original team was. Could have had Palmer, Frimpong, Bowen, João Pedro, Ndiaye etc.

          1. A Trout
              3 months, 15 days ago

              Only one of those is injured

        3. lilmessipran
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Maybe downgrade Ekitike to a 7.5 and shore up defence? Rest looks good

        4. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Seriously though, we only have 3 players the same and I prefer my team and have no intention of WCing. I did -4 because good score GW1 BB felt I could afford it

          1. Riverside Red
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Good on you

        5. Jackie Moon
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Pretty good. I’d probably want some Bournemouth though. Maybe in place of Ekitike.

        6. Riverside Red
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Shared my wildcard team yesterday on here and there was a lot of distain for using it so early....

      • lilmessipran
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        A lot of close calls in my team, what are people's thoughts on these?

        A Start one: Sanchez or Dubravka
        B Start one: Neco or J Andersen
        C Captain: Salah or Palmer

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Sanchez
          Neco
          Salah (although tempted to say Palmer after I captained last week and have sold)

        2. Four Letter Wirtz
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          A. Sanchez (you spent the $ on him)
          B. Neco (Crystal Palace looked flat today and will be on short rest)
          C. Salah (no Palmer c for me until he actually does something)

          1. Full ham tragic
            • 3 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Yep agree
            Sanchez
            Neco
            Salah

      • Koflok
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Surely start Murillo Porro Guehi over Esteve?

        1. Full ham tragic
          • 3 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Yeah I would

        2. RICICLE
          • 3 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Esteve over Porro

      • Sz21
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Team starting from GW 2.

        Anything staring out to change..

        Sanchez.
        Ait- Nouri, Gabriel, Diakite.
        Fernandes, Reijnders, Gakpo, Semenyo.
        Haaland, Gyokeres, Wood.
        Dubravka, Van Der Wen, Cash, Anderson.
        0.5m ITB

        1. Pomp and Circumstance
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          looks nice; Arsenal have some tough early fixtures, but they were of course the top defense last season and are title contenders

      • Sz21
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Team starting from GW 2.
        Anything you'd change?

        Sanchez.
        Ait- Nouri, Gabriel, Diakite.
        Fernandes, Reijnders, Gakpo, Semenyo.
        Haaland, Gyokeres, Wood.
        Dubravka, Van Der Wen, Cash, Anderson.
        0.5m ITB

        1. Full ham tragic
          • 3 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Gtg

      • Casual Player
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Was there a Career HoF update this off-season? Can't find it, every other year there's been an article.

        Similarly any updates of the H2H leagues? I know that one is a huge undertaking. Just good to know an ETA.

      • Full ham tragic
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Was hoping to save free trade but Frimpong injury has me rattled. Who to trade him to this week ?
        Or play
        Vdv (mci)
        Diouf or fullkrug (che)
        Any suggestions appreciated
        Cheers

        1. bso
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Play Fullkrug. Defenders could easily get two points like him. And he may surprise you with G/A

          1. Full ham tragic
            • 3 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Thanks was leaning that way , just wasn’t sure if diouf was attacking enough for same reason, didn’t see there game last week but from all reports it wasn’t great attacking?

      • Pomp and Circumstance
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        captain--Haaland or Palmer? these are choices considering; don't have an Arsenal player or Salah and not really considering Watkins though do have him

        1. bso
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Definitely Haaland.

          1. Full ham tragic
            • 3 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Haaland 100%

      • bso
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Phew..so glad Haaland price did not rise. Quite a surprise. In he comes next round

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Don't you think he will rise tomorrow?

        2. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          I pulled the trigger -4 in case he rose. Quite happy to have Elliot Anderson instead of Piroe in my 15

      • Tibbs
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        When in doubt I normally do nothing, but thoughts;

        1) Wirtz > Cunha, Mbuemo or Bruno
        2) Watkins > Gyro (and Captain)
        3) do nothing and Captain Salah, Watkins or Palmer.

        Cunha and Mbuemo looked lively against Arsenal while Gyro didn’t have the best audition in his first game.

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Mbuemo seemed to be priced to low if you look at his points from last year. I think I will get him but will leave it a few weeks. It would probably be for Wirtz too if I do it but also want to give him a few weeks.

      • Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        I nearly made it to not not use the FT but Frimpong to Garbriel now seems resonable ?

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Actually hit me up the best 4.0 mil defender for a few weeks I want to leave the option to get Salah to go with Haaland and will need the 2 mil

          1. Kiwivillan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            See how Bijol goes if starts for Leeds after carry over suspension

            1. Albrightondknight
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              3 months, 15 days ago

              Cheers if you had to have a Che defender that was not Sanchez or Cucurella who would it be?

              1. AAAFootball
                  3 months, 15 days ago

                  Nobody tbh

                  1. Albrightondknight
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 10 Years
                    3 months, 15 days ago

                    Thanks went around in circles and just did Frimpong to Munoz. My defenders are all 5.5 or 6 - no point in cheaping out now 🙂

        2. Tsparkes10
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          A few pondering decisions…
          1) Bench Kudus or Wirtz
          2) Bench Reinildo or Williams (Playing Murillo)
          3) Captain Palmer or Watkins

          1. Mother Farke
            • 1 Year
            3 months, 15 days ago

            1) Kudus
            2) Reinildo. Spread your bets.
            3) Watkins.

          2. Mother Farke
            • 1 Year
            3 months, 15 days ago

            2) Williams* Spread your bets.

          3. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Kudus
            Williams
            Watkins

          4. Lav
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            1. Wirtz (if you have Salah)
            2. Williams
            3. Tough, I would lean Watkins

          5. SpaceCadet
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            3 Ws

        3. the dom 1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Ok need your thoughts on this move below;

          Palmer > Saka (have J Pedro)

          Don't have any ARS cover in my team...

          Y or N

          1. Lav
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Will you captain Saka?

            1. the dom 1
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 15 days ago

              Either Saka or Watkins.

              1. Lav
                • 9 Years
                3 months, 15 days ago

                I think if you get Saka in you have to captain. Otherwise hold off

          2. 824545201
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            I'd rather have Semenyo than Saka. Both short and long term.

          3. AAAFootball
              3 months, 15 days ago

              Stick tbh

              Not much point either way. I will stick and reevaluate, consider bruno

              1. the dom 1
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 months, 15 days ago

                Have bruno 🙂

            • SpaceCadet
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 15 days ago

              Same dilemma, will most probably end up making the move and capping saka.

          4. Lav
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Good (early) morning those in the UK! Two questions…

            Captain:
            A. Salah - NEW (A)
            B. Palmer - WHU (A)
            C. Watkins - BRE (A)
            D. Evanilson - WOL (H)

            Start two:
            1. Murillo - CRY (A)
            2. Guehi - NFO (H)
            3. Porro - MCI (A)
            4. Esteve - SUN (H)

            1. AAAFootball
                3 months, 15 days ago

                Good afternoon here
                C1 and you pick the other

            2. dansmith1985
              • 3 Years
              3 months, 15 days ago

              Sels
              Williams Porro Cucu
              Salah Palmer Wirtz Reijnders Anderson
              Watkins Pedro

              Dubravka
              Diouf
              Guiu
              Konsa

              G2G or should I trade Konsa/Diouf to Senesi so I can bench Porro?

              1. Lav
                • 9 Years
                3 months, 15 days ago

                Good to go, just hope for a Porro attacking return vs burning a transfer

              2. the dom 1
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 months, 15 days ago

                G2G

                thoughts on my question above?

            3. NZREDS
              • 12 Years
              3 months, 15 days ago

              Start:

              Diouf (CHE)
              De Cupyer (EVE)
              Esteve (SUN)

              Was thinking Esteve but Sunderland looked decent last game.

              1. the dom 1
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 months, 15 days ago

                De Cuyper

            4. 824545201
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 15 days ago

              I'm seeing several asking about Saka/ARS coverage.
              Saka is a horribly overrated and overpriced FPL asset, especially without pens. Arsenal coverage is done with double defenders, not their useless attackers.

              1. SpaceCadet
                • 11 Years
                3 months, 15 days ago

                Saka tc activated

            5. TochanMama
              • 13 Years
              3 months, 15 days ago

              Guys,
              Which one seems like the better pick here? Getting rid of AWB.

              A) Alderete
              B) Diakite
              C) Reinildo
              D) Dorgu

              This is going to be a short term pick, so I'm leaning towards either of the Sunderland guys considering their fixtures.

              Thoughts and suggestions please!

              1. Miguel Sanchez
                • 9 Years
                3 months, 15 days ago

                Dorgu

            6. AC Pilkington
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              3 months, 15 days ago

              Which combo is best for FH2?

              A) Evanilson and Rogers (no Bou defence)

              B) Watkins and Petrovic

              1. Miguel Sanchez
                • 9 Years
                3 months, 15 days ago

                B

            7. WVA
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 15 days ago

              Best captain?

              A. Semenyo
              B. Palmer
              C. Salah

              1. NZREDS
                • 12 Years
                3 months, 15 days ago

                C - captain reliable; set and forget - from those 3 anyway