Captain Sensible
19 September 2025 1111 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
Share:

In Gameweek 4, FPL managers who targeted the fixture and captained Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) were rewarded in stoppage time. All three of the Egyptian’s attacking returns have come after the 90th minute!

Erling Haaland (£14.2m) bagged his fourth and fifth goals of the season to continue his stellar record in the Manchester derby, while Cole Palmer (£10.4m) returned from injury against Brentford to remind us of his enduring quality.

Attention now turns to Gameweek 5 and whether there is a case to look beyond Salah, who hosts Everton in the early kick-off, in favour of a differential option.

Captain Sensible is here to help!

First, we will assess the on-site captaincy poll. We will then analyse player and team statistics, Rate My Team (RMT) and the Premier Fantasy Tools ratings ahead of Saturday’s 11am BST deadline.

Captaincy Poll

Gameweek 5 captain best

Among Fantasy Football Scout site users, Salah is the runaway leader in the captaincy poll, currently sitting on just over 50% of the vote. A goal and assist in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday has only increased his appeal. 

Haaland sits in second place once again with a little under 10% backing ahead of Man City’s heavyweight clash with Arsenal at the Emirates. The Norwegian scored in both league fixtures against the Gunners last season. 

Elsewhere, Antoine Semenyo (£7.5m) and Joao Pedro (£7.8m) are the only other players with over 5% of the vote.

Player Stats

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

  1. sminkypinky
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 16 days ago

    Vicario or Raya on wc?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 16 days ago

      Raya

      1. sminkypinky
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Here’s me atm:

        Dubravka Vicario
        Senesi Tarkowski Andersen Guehi Vdv
        Gakpo Palmer Semenyo Sarr King
        Haaland JP Mateta

        Enough itb for Mateta -> Gyokeres/Isak next week

        Opinions?

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Really good team! Think Gakbo will continue to start?

          What do you think about my team below?

          1. sminkypinky
            • 14 Years
            2 months, 15 days ago

            Probably not after Isak cements his place.
            Gakpo in for now to ”cover” Mo. Thinking he could become Foden soon.

        2. Dynamic Duos
          • 12 Years
          2 months, 15 days ago

          Looks good, think i would downgrade a def and get Raya

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 16 days ago

      I do actually think Vicario is the better option at a little cheaper and more saves potential but if you have no other Arsenal defence I would say go Raya

      1. sminkypinky
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        This is my thinking exactly.

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 16 days ago

      Raya

    4. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 16 days ago

      I went for Donnarumma..

      Can't wait for GW11 and see him save Salah's penalty in 90+10 minutes. 🙂

  2. Kun Fu King Cantona
      2 months, 16 days ago

      Is it crazy benching Cucu and having thisdouble up defense ?
      Sels
      Virgil - Pedro Porro - VDV
      Sarr - Fernandes - Gakpo - Semenyo (c)
      Haaland - Pedro - Ekitike

      Bench : Cucu - Anderson - Diouf

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Makes sense

        1. Kun Fu King Cantona
            2 months, 15 days ago

            Cheers - hope I have the balls to keep Cucu on the bench. I fear so much this weak United attack but hoping it clicks today and they put 2 past Chelsea 😀

      2. Sid1891
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        Xavi and Kudus in the team too much ?

        Thanks

        1. Kun Fu King Cantona
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Think it's too much! Kudus has not lit up FPL yet. I would not have both in my team. Sarr the better option atm.

        2. Jstap94
          • 2 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Play 2 of:

          1) Gabriel
          2) VdV
          3) Senesi

          Have double city attack

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            23

            1. RamaJama
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 months, 16 days ago

              This

          2. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            13

        3. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 12 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          (c) Pedro or Semenyo or Gakpo?

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Semenyo

          2. Jstap94
            • 2 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            I'm leaning Pedro as Utd can't defend

          3. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Semenyo

        4. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Would you WC

          A) This week
          B) Next week
          C) Try to fix team week by week (have only 1 FT)

          Feel I’m lacking Defcon defenders, Arsenal and Chelsea attackers

          Dubravka
          Williams VdV Cucurella
          Salah (c) Semenyo Dango Kudos Rejinders
          Haaland (VC) Watkins

          Subs Verbruggen Diof Esteve Guiu

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            A

          2. Jstap94
            • 2 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Dont worry about Arsenal attackers the next two weeks.

            Team looks decent otherwise. Maybe bute the Watkins bullet with Pedro?

            1. RamaJama
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              Leaning towards giving Watkins one more week, but know I will regret it

              1. Jstap94
                • 2 Years
                2 months, 15 days ago

                Depends when you decide WC but IMO Pedro looks a much better long term pick (cheaper, starting in a team that actually creates chances). And utd can't defend

              2. Jstap94
                • 2 Years
                2 months, 15 days ago

                Or of course you could roll and look to get Isak in next week with 2 ft

                1. RamaJama
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  2 months, 15 days ago

                  Here’s, good idea, Salah and Watkins to Palmer and Isak

          3. Dancing Glen Kamara
            • 14 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            c

          4. denial
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            2 months, 15 days ago

            Don't think this is a great week to WC. GW6 looks ideal

          5. sminkypinky
            • 14 Years
            2 months, 15 days ago

            Maybe B for me.

          6. Shultan
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 15 days ago

            B

          7. mr_jones
            • 6 Years
            2 months, 15 days ago

            im doing it next week

        5. juicewagz
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Roll this? 1FT, 1m ITB

          Dubravka
          Esteve, Murillo, Munoz, VdV
          Salah (C), Bruno, Reijnders, Anderson
          Haaland, JPedro

          Bench: Verbrug, Dewsbury-Hall, Tarkowski, Guiu

          1. denial
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Yes

          2. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 15 days ago

            Yes

        6. Dancing Glen Kamara
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          should I or should I not
          bench boost this week
          when why bench is
          Dubravka, van de Ven, Dewsbury-Hall + Hartman

          1. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 15 days ago

            Do it

        7. Pornchef
          • 1 Year
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Would you bench boost this lot?

          Dubravka
          Rejinders
          Diouf
          Reinildo

          1. denial
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            I'd be very tempted yes

          2. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Not really but maybe just get it player and take the extra 10 points

          3. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Yes

        8. denial
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Morning all. Tempted to BB still. Would you do it?

          Raya / Reijnders / Grealish / Gudmundsson

          1. juicewagz
            • 10 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            yes

          2. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Yes

          3. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Yes

            1. denial
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              Thanks all

        9. Jstap94
          • 2 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          What to do with Dubravka and Esteve? Feels like Forest at home is actually a plumb fixture but also feels like a classic overthink. Sels, VdV, Cucu, Senesi, Gabriel my other options

        10. timPgoodwin
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Any thoughts on my WC?

          Raya - Dubravka
          Richards - Senesi - Anderson - Gabriel - Mukiele
          Palmer - Ndiaye - Xavi - Semenyo - King
          Haaland - Gyokores - Pedro

          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Ideal - Captain?

            1. denial
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              Palmer cap surely

            2. timPgoodwin
              • 11 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              Probably Haaland tbh, he’s on fire

          2. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Palmer

            1. timPgoodwin
              • 11 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              Haaland I think

            2. timPgoodwin
              • 11 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              Thinking Haaland - he’s in a purple patch

          3. sminkypinky
            • 14 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Balanced although personally I’m not too keen on Ars triple up just yet.

            1. timPgoodwin
              • 11 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              I can do Pope GK and take that 0.5 elsewhere

          4. Jstap94
            • 2 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            I dont like the Xavi pick personally, i think given you are going to play 3-4-3 you want some more secure minutes and points. Otherwise looks very good

            1. timPgoodwin
              • 11 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              Who’s that in the 7m price bracket? Don’t want to double up on Chelsea or Everton

              1. Jstap94
                • 2 Years
                2 months, 15 days ago

                Yeah this price bracket is terrible atm. Possibles:
                1) Enzo
                2) Schade
                3) Minteh
                4) Grealish

                I dont think a double up is bad, especially Grealish and Ndiaye (Grealish gets fouled a lot, Ndiaye on pens)

        11. philc
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 16 days ago

          Bench one:
          A) Grealish
          B) Elliot

          1. denial
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            A

          2. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            B

          3. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            A

          4. Drizzle
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 2 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            B

          5. Kun Fu King Cantona
              2 months, 16 days ago

              B

          6. Drizzle
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 2 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Play Sanchez or Dubravka?

            Agonising 50/50 decisions, argh.

            1. denial
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              I reckon Utd will score fwiw

              1. Drizzle
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 2 Years
                2 months, 15 days ago

                I'm going to OT later and can see us making a few good chances, but our ability to actually put the ball in the net has deserted us for years....

            2. RamaJama
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              Dub

            3. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              In that case prioritise home.over away games and who plays last of both.

              For example, if Liverpool.blanks today, it will ruin all Salah captainers' weekend. If that happens to Haaland on Sunday the grief will be shorter and less painful.

          7. Thanos
            • 4 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Play one:

            1. Rutter (H) vs Spurs
            2. Ndoye (A) vs Burnley
            3. KDH (A) vs Pool

            1. RamaJama
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              2

              1. Thanos
                • 4 Years
                2 months, 15 days ago

                Thanks

            2. Dynamic Duos
              • 12 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              2

          8. juicewagz
            • 10 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            play one:

            A) Esteve (NFO H)
            B) Tarkowski (LIV A)

            1. Drizzle
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 2 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              A

          9. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Anybody else feeling the change of weather?

            Winter is coming.

          10. Dynamic Duos
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Waiting on weather reports

          11. Wirtzle Gummidge
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            On free hit. Which of these two scofes more:

            A. Semenyo and Isak
            B. Bruno D and Ekitike

            1. Dynamic Duos
              • 12 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              I believe Semenyo and Isak are big eaters

            2. RamaJama
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              A

            3. Wirtzle Gummidge
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              *Bruno F

              Not sure why I specified in the first place

          12. dansmith1985
            • 3 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Hey anyone else playing Dango? It’s him or Reijnders for me

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

              I have those two and benching Dango, not sure on minutes for him after last week.

          13. EL tridente
            • 8 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Please rate this WC
            Raya, Dubravka
            VDV, Truffert, Richards, Rodon, Esteve
            Palmer, Mbeumo, Deesbury-Hall, Reijnders, Semenyo
            Isak, Pedro, Haaland

            1. sminkypinky
              • 14 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              Very balanced. Too early for Isak? See my thoughts below. 😉

            2. Shultan
              • 9 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              I dont isak starts this week
              If happy for him to come of bench
              Think he starts mid week then benched again next week

            3. Jstap94
              • 2 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              Yeah I think you'll want to bench Isak this week. Not bad to have him in there as will be ahead of the game but need contingency

          14. Shultan
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Which 3 defenders to start
            A) calafiori B)senesi C) munoz D) VDV
            E) redone

            Start
            A) paqueta or B) Reijnders

            1. Shultan
              • 9 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              *rodon

            2. Jstap94
              • 2 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              Do you have Haaland?

              If not then A, C, B (toss up with D but defcon) and B

              Is so then B, C, D and B

              1. Shultan
                • 9 Years
                2 months, 15 days ago

                No Salah only premium

          15. sminkypinky
            • 14 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Do you think Isak gets 30 mins at Anfield today? And gradually more each week.
            Because if this is the case I find him a bit appealing already. 😀

            1. Shultan
              • 9 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              Think 20-30 mins
              Starts midweek in cup & then benched again v CP

              1. RamaJama
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                2 months, 15 days ago

                20

            2. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              At least 30 minutes...

            3. Jstap94
              • 2 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              Yeah I can't see him starting today in an intense Derby when still presumably still well short of proper match fitness

            4. mr_jones
              • 6 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              i can see him getting injured

          16. EDEN THE MAN
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Play 2 of 3?

            1. Reijnders
            2. Diouf
            3. Cucu

            1. ball c
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              1 & 3

            2. Il Capitano
              • 5 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              13

          17. Dynamic Duos
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Thoughts of this breakfast?

            Salt and chilli belly pork, french toast and maple syrup

            1. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              Are these all code names for Villa players?

          18. abaalan
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Quick fire questions
            Is Gakpo likely to start?
            Dubravka or Sanchez?
            Esteve or Neco?

            1. JT11fc
              • 7 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              Yes
              Dub
              Neco

          19. Henning
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Bench two

            1 Cucurella
            2. Rodon
            3 Senesi
            4 Paquetta
            5 Lacroix

            1. Dynamic Duos
              • 12 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              25

            2. Jstap94
              • 2 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              2 definitely.

              Then very tough, maybe 4?

            3. Count of Monte Hristo
              • 12 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              23

            4. Henning
              • 11 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              Thanks all

          20. JT11fc
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Big dilema here chaps, help appreciated

            1. Make an irrational decision in selling Liverpool assets to fund Palmer (c)

            2. Make a rational decision in selling Liverpool assets to fund Palmer (c)

            1. Count of Monte Hristo
              • 12 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              1 please

              1. JT11fc
                • 7 Years
                2 months, 15 days ago

                Thanks, much appreciated

            2. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              1

              1. JT11fc
                • 7 Years
                2 months, 15 days ago

                Perfect thanks

            3. sminkypinky
              • 14 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              Pick one

              1. JT11fc
                • 7 Years
                2 months, 15 days ago

                Correct

          21. Letsgo!
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Start damsgaard or kudus?

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

              Kudus

          22. SpaceCadet
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 16 days ago

            Start one

            A. Reijnders
            B. Gudmundsson
            C. Johnson and hope he starts

            1. JT11fc
              • 7 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              C even off the bench he cam score, prob a sell tho

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

                Sell for Enzo or Xavi?

                1. JT11fc
                  • 7 Years
                  2 months, 15 days ago

                  Depends if Enzo blocks a Chelsea spot, Xavi could be nice but will be interesting to see his mins after ucl

            2. Shultan
              • 9 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              A

            3. mr_jones
              • 6 Years
              2 months, 15 days ago

              i have johnson and bench him