Captain Sensible
19 September 2025 1111 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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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. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 16 days ago

    Start Pope or Dubravka?

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

      I'd go with Pope

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

      Pope

    3. Shark Team
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 16 days ago

      Dubravka imo, can see Burnley defending well again

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

      Does Dubravka sh*t in the woods?

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

        Probably if no one is around to see

        1. The Son-dance Kid
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 15 days ago

          If Villa were to play a game in the woods, and no one was around to see it, would they score a goal?

    5. Snoopydog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Pope

  2. agueroooooney
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 16 days ago

    Would you start Richards (and/or Reinildo) over anyone here?

    Kelleher
    Gabriel - Virgil - Milenkovic
    Salah - Wirtz - Cunha - Mitoma - Kudus
    Watkins - Wood

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

      No gtg

  3. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 16 days ago

    Getting Haaland before Arsenal on a transfer should be written in the books of worst FPL decisions ever made

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 16 days ago

      Never a bad time to get Haaland in .

      1. Shark Team
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 16 days ago

        I mean you have to lose Salah to get him that’s the problem

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

      Scored in both fixtures against them last year

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

        And for how many matches has he scored at least one goal in EPL, CL and national team?

        1. Gazwaz80
          • 6 Years
          2 months, 15 days ago

          Haha, Sharks comment bookmark ed for future use…

    3. White Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      no chance. I once did Sanchez -> Hazard and then Sanchez got a hattrick v West Ham.

  4. Shark_Sandwich
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 16 days ago

    Henderson - Tark - Livramento - King

    bench boost Yay or Nay??

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

      Yes

  5. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 16 days ago

    Start Guiu over Reijnders?

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

      No

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

        Feel like he could get some decent minutes today against crappy Yanited

    2. Ibracadebruyne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      I do

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

      no,

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

      No

    5. Snoopydog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 15 days ago

      No

  6. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 16 days ago

    Salah
    Palmer
    Haaland
    Mateta

    No Semenyo in the captain sensible conclusions.

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

      Newcastle defence is best so far in terms of xGc

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

        That's only because they haven't faced Big Tony yet. After the match their xGc will be bad

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 15 days ago

        They've only beaten Wolves in recent games.

        Nil nil against Leeds and Villa.

  7. Here is Cash, give McGinn
    • 6 Years
    2 months, 16 days ago

    What to do here? Kind of Lost
    2 FT 2.2.m ITB

    Sels
    Murillo, Konsa, Tosin
    Salah(c), Palmer, Kudus, Rogers
    Wood, Richarlison, Pedro
    Dubravka, Reijnders, VdV, Esteve

    Leaning toward saving and doing Salah+Richa-> Xavi+Haaland next GW and maybe WC after

    1. SharkyT
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 16 days ago

      Roll

  8. SharkyT
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 16 days ago

    Morning campers.

    Pretty standard decision today that I’m sure a lot have:

    1) Sanchez
    2) Dubravka

    A) VdV
    B)Esteve
    C) Reijnders

    Currently on 2B with Reijnders first sub.
    Tempted to BB Sanch Reijnders VdV Guiu

    1. Here is Cash, give McGinn
      • 6 Years
      2 months, 16 days ago

      1A

    2. Kingy109
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Don't BB with Guiu. The other 3 are fine.

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

    Start Kdh or Reijnders and what to do with captain?

    Salah first match curse! Might have to go with Haaland!

    1. cuppatea78
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Tough choice. I think start KdH as Liverpool haven't looked great in defence so far.

      Either Salah or Haaland are good choices IMO. Tough call. I've gone with Haaland but I don't have Salah so don't have to worry. If I had both of probably just about go with Salah.

      1. tim
        • 16 Years
        2 months, 15 days ago

        Cheers!

  10. cuppatea78
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 16 days ago

    I want to get Palmer in my team next week but already have 3 Chelsea players. It's a choice between selling Sanchez or Cucurella. Would either of these transfers make sense this week or just carry the transfer over and make 2 changes next week?

    A) Vicario (BHA) for Sanchez (MUN)

    B) Senesi (NEW) for Cucurella (MUN)

    C) Romero (BHA) for Cucurella (MUN)

    D) Roll the transfer

    1. Kingy109
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Do it next - injury could affect your plans and none of these are amazing upgrades this week.

      1. cuppatea78
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 15 days ago

        That's exactly my thinking.

  11. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 16 days ago

    Bench boost this?

    Dubravka - Gabriel - Grealish - Gudmondsson

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

      Yes

    2. cuppatea78
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Yes mate

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Just start Gabriel

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

      Yeah

    5. Kingy109
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      It will be better on paper than most but I doubt you have 10 better players than Gabriel in reality. I still would

      For context mine is Dubs Reijnders Porro Rodon.

    6. Kodap
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Thanks guys, appreciate the responses

    7. Snoopydog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 15 days ago

      I would. Much better than my bench!

  12. seanm92
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 16 days ago

    Would you swap Bruno to Palmer this week? Potentially WCing next week but feel like he could score big

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

      Yeah Palmer looks back in his grove and think he’ll get a lot of joy vs that United backline

    2. cuppatea78
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      I would

    3. Ibracadebruyne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      No

  13. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 15 days ago

    Play Reijnders instead of these 5 defenders?

    Cucu, Senesi, Guehi, VDV, Gudmund

    Captain?

    A, Semenyo

    B, Haaland

    C, Salah

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

      Reijnders or Guehi
      Salah

    2. Kingy109
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Reijnders over Gud surely

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

      over gud, the only right decision

  14. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 15 days ago

    Best two picks of these midfielders on wildcard ? Sarr, Ndiaye, Xavi or Eze ?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Eze and Kevin.

      But not certain starters yet.

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

        Kevin who…

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 15 days ago

          At Fulham

          V attacking midfielder

    2. Kingy109
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Ndiaye and Sarr
      Xavi is closer in 3rd
      I wouldn't touch Eze with a barge pole with Champions League plus rotation options

    3. Brazooka
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Eze, Sarr

  15. Ibracadebruyne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 15 days ago

    Play 2 of:

    A. Porro
    B. Senesi
    C. Rodon
    D. Neco

    1. cuppatea78
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      A & C

    2. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      A and C

  16. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 months, 15 days ago

    Anyone without Salah captaining BruNo?

    https://x.com/robtFPL/status/1969302565352292733?t=TqIPPwQOejJ3vnOeomUDzg&s=19

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

      Wirtz 4th.. lol @ models

    2. Ibracadebruyne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Bruno (C) and Mateta (VC) here

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 15 days ago

        Bold

  17. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 15 days ago

    Sanchez
    Andersen, Porro, Richards, Neco Williams
    Salah (c), Wirtz, Fernandes, Semenyo
    Mateta, Watkins

    Dubravka, KDH, Rodon, JSL

    1ft 0.1M ITB.

    Would you BB with this?

    1. Kingy109
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Depends on how many minutes you think JSL gets. Not sure if it's 20 or so.

  18. dshv
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 15 days ago

    WC

    Vicario 4
    Calafiori VDV Guehi Cucurella 4
    Xavi Gakpo Enzo Semenyo 4.5
    Gyokeres Haaland J.Pedro

    2.2 itb .. what to change here? 2 mil more to fit Palmer to find from somewhere?

    1. Kingy109
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      And selling one of Cucu Enzo JP
      Enzo to Reijnders Gakpo to Palmer??!

  19. el polako
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 15 days ago

    So do we have consensus regarding the best captain?

    Poll says Salah but but but early KO plus Mo have been really more lucky than in form.

    Semenyo gets a lot of mentions but but but Newcastle seem solid defensively.

    So many questions.

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

      Salah

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

      Between Pedro, Semenyo and Ektike for me, leaning Semenyo because hes fresh, nailed and Schar is out

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

        I dont have Salalah*

    3. cuppatea78
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Are Trippier and Schar fit to play for Newcastle? If not, okay Semenyo.

      1. The Mentaculus
        • 4 Years
        2 months, 15 days ago

        Schär is definitely out

        https://x.com/fabianschaer/status/1969027908116058510

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

      He looked back in form in mid week though

    5. tim
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Should be on Haaland but currently on Salah.

    6. Snoopydog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Captained the Norwegian last week, currently on Salah (mainly because of his mid-week performance) but a bit torn still.

    7. el polako
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Pretty much agree with all of you hence flip flopping between the two.

      No doubt whoever I choose will bit me in my Polski a…

      1. el polako
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 15 days ago

        *bite

  20. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 15 days ago

    Would you bench boost this?

    Sanchez
    Esteve
    Reijnders
    Dewsbury-Hall

    1. el polako
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Aye

    2. cuppatea78
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Yes

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

    Bench ok?

    Raya
    Ekdal Vvd Senesi
    Gakpo Semenyo Paqueta Mbuemo
    Haaland Pedro Ekitike

    Dub Elliott Cucu De ligt

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

    I know the answer looks obvious based on fixtures, but play:

    a) Anderson BUR (A); or
    b) Ndiaye LIV (A)

    Thanks!

    1. Kryptonite666
      • 6 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      You know the answer!

      1. TalingtonFC
        • 3 Years
        2 months, 15 days ago

        Haha. Cheers!

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

      B, Liverpool not exactly solid, I expect a few goals

      1. TalingtonFC
        • 3 Years
        2 months, 15 days ago

        Thanks!

  23. Kryptonite666
    • 6 Years
    2 months, 15 days ago

    Please tell me this threemium draft isn’t terrible

    Vicario (Dubs)
    Senesi Lacroix Andersen VdV (Ekdal)
    Salah Palmer Caicedo Semenyo (King)
    Haaland Pedro (Barnes)

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

      Looks good, I'd go with it.

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

      Honestly that isnt terrible

    3. Dannyb
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      That's actually really good

    4. Kingy109
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Are you happy swerving Arsenal completely?

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

      King > Anderson and that's looking v hot.

      He's got the mix of defcons, mins and set pieces.

      Assume you'd need to free up a mil to do that. Would downgrade Vicario to a 4.5 (or a 4.0 and play Dubs every week). Lacroix to Guehi/Richards maybe.

  24. krumcake
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 15 days ago

    Any midfielder 8.5 or lower for one week? I plan to sell Sarr and play bench boost. Might WC next week.

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

      Ndoye?

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      Kevin at Fulham could be the answer.

  25. Sid1891
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 15 days ago

    Poor start this year and WC early:

    Martinez
    Lacroix Senesi Konsa
    Mitoma Salah Kudus Rejiders Semenyo
    Haaland Gyokeres

    Dubravka, VdV, Reinidlo Guiu

    Thoughts?

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

      Change Konsa to a DC magnet. Ditch Reijnders, otherwise great.

      1. Sid1891
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 15 days ago

        Tweaked a bit and put Andersen in instead of Konsa

    2. Pedersen
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      I am looking to get out of Kudus. Good player but not FPL asset

    3. Glasner Ball
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 15 days ago

      All looks good apart from Konsa

  26. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 15 days ago

    Is this Bench Boost worthy?
    Dubravka (NFO)
    Reinildo (AVL)
    King (BRE)
    Dewsbury-Hall (liv)

  27. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 15 days ago

    What are Strand Larsen owners doing?

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

      Holding, other fires to put out

      1. Garfield1001
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 15 days ago

        Starting or benching?

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

          Benching

          1. Garfield1001
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            2 months, 15 days ago

            Not concerned he starts?

  28. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 15 days ago

    GTG?
    Keeping FT to get Haaland next week or WC.

    Sanchez
    Porro/Munoz/Neco
    Salah(c)/Bruno/Semenyo/Kudus/Reijnders
    Watkins/Pedro

    Dub/Gudmu/Kroupi/Dorgu

  29. Danstoke82
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 15 days ago

    Really can’t decide on this, any help much appreciated

    Gakpo > Palmer 1FT

    Yay or Nay?

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

      I'd do it. Palmer again United is captain material imo

      1. Danstoke82
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 15 days ago

        Many thanks

  30. AD105
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 15 days ago

    Who starts?

    A) Dubravka (NOT)
    B) Sanchez (mnu)

    1) Rutter (TOT)
    2) VDV (bri)