Captain Sensible
17 October 2025 496 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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After Erling Haaland (£14.5m) scored for the fifth consecutive Premier League match in a row against Brentford and bagged yet another Norway hat-trick over the international break, the Gameweek 8 captaincy decision will once again be straightforward for the majority.

But in Captain Sensible, we wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t ask if there was a case to look beyond the Norwegian this week.

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


Captaincy Poll

Best captain Gameweek 8

As expected, Haaland’s stunning early-season form sees him top the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll yet again. Among site users, the Norwegian is the runaway leader in the poll, currently sitting on over 62% of the popular vote. 

For the second week running, Antoine Semenyo (£7.9m) occupies a distant second place, with a little over 7% of the vote. The Ghanaian international outscored Haaland in Gameweek 17, scoring twice and assisting against Fulham.

Chelsea duo Joao Pedro (£7.7m) and Enzo Fernandez (£6.7m) complete the top four ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Nottingham Forest at lunchtime on Saturday. Nick Woltemade (£7.2m) is the only other player to pick up more than 5% backing.


Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks

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

496 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. _Greg
    • 15 Years
    1 month, 19 days ago

    Tom and Az going live on YouTube in twenty mins if you want to ask them any questions:

    https://www.youtube.com/live/z8A1mSil2FY?si=rKamcP5ufxCNL4V1

  2. GE
    • 9 Years
    1 month, 19 days ago

    1) Bruno -> Sarr
    2) Bruno -> Enzo
    3) Roll

    (2FT, 0.2 itb, BB active)
    Pope (Dubravka)
    Gabriel/Chalobah/VdV (Senesi, Rodon)
    Bruno/Foden/Semenyo/Reijnders (Xhaka)
    Haaland/Pedro/Gyokeres

    1. Moon Dog
        1 month, 19 days ago

        3.

        Keep rollin'. A lot can change in a week.

      • _Greg
        • 15 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Bruno is gonna score this week anyway why would you take him out?

      • Ha.
        • 10 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        1

      • Ausman
        • 2 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        1

      • DavvaMC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Think Enzo not likely to start

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      How do we think all the Chelsea's injuries/ non availability will affect Joao Pedro?

      1. Malkmus
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        It's hard to say, certainly no palmer is a big miss but Chelsea do have good fixtures over next 5. He has to deliver over next 2 for me though or he's out. Quite a few good forwards decently priced.

      2. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Nah he's a bit of a loose cannon. He's just there to distract others whilst the other players demonstrate passing near their opponents box.

      3. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Can't get excited about a guy that doesn't take shots

    3. Fpl_Juggernaut
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      Why no mention of Garnacho or Estevao, good fixtures they are surely gonna play with palmer injury and estevao has good underlying data too

      1. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Nacho has Gittens to worry about. Now Estêvão...

        1. Fpl_Juggernaut
          • 5 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          Garnacho is clearly first choice...Gittens will sub on late on the left hand side

          1. _Greg
            • 15 Years
            1 month, 19 days ago

            If you say so. I happen to agree with you but it's not as clear cut based on the available evidence.

            1. Fpl_Juggernaut
              • 5 Years
              1 month, 19 days ago

              I understand the worry about garnacho but Estevao is definitely an exciting high upside punt who can play rw as well as palmer role if enzo or neto are out

    4. Gudjohnsen
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      Ramsey, Gyokeres to

      A. Paqueta, J.Pedro
      B. Enzo, Woltemade
      C. Hold

      Would use BB if I do A and B

      1. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        B and BB

      2. mcsteely
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        B

    5. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      ‘Reece is fully fit’!

      1. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Kyle Reece died at the end of the film mate!

      2. Ball Ake
        • 1 Year
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Reece's in pieces

    6. The Son-dance Kid
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      Saka and Palmer could be the biggest traps this year. Both seem to be very injury prone at this stage in their careers. Palmer already struck down twice this season, Saka once. Both had injury issues last year too.
      Saka a calculated avoid due to this

      1. Malkmus
        • 14 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Disagree. He looks in great form so keep until any injuries imo. I think with this year's pricing is very generous, so it's quite easy to fit saka in.

      2. Sun God Nika
        • 5 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        yep , hopefully they get back to 100% one day

        but just like last season i shant be going for saka - either eze or rice for me when i do bring in a mid

        and hoping they strike gold for me like trossard did for me

      3. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        I reckon Palmer can't resist playing out with his mates so his groin never heals lol.

      4. EDEN THE MAN
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Not sure about the broad sweeping-ness of this take

        1. The Son-dance Kid
          • 7 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          Better than RMTs or A vs Bs

      5. White Pony
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Any player can get injured anytime. I don't think Saka has historically proven to be injury prone.

    7. Moon Dog
        1 month, 19 days ago

        No mention of Tosin by Maresca... So I guess I just assume he's fit?!

        Which 3 would you play from:

        A. Lacroix (BOU)
        B. Senesi (cry)
        C. Andersen (bur)
        D. Tosin (nfo)

        1. _Greg
          • 15 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          Tosin is fit, so is Fofana.

          1. Moon Dog
              1 month, 19 days ago

              Ah okay thank you. Nice boost before a good run of fixtures...

              1. _Greg
                • 15 Years
                1 month, 19 days ago

                I'd have both if I could! Might be getting Tosin next week. Or Sesko...

          2. The Mentaculus
            • 4 Years
            1 month, 19 days ago

            Andersen plays Arsenal, not Burnley. I'd start the other 3

            1. Moon Dog
                1 month, 19 days ago

                Oops that was meant to be Rodon

                Yeah Andersen is on my bench for sure. Must have been thinking about him as I wrote that 😆

          3. Malkmus
            • 14 Years
            1 month, 19 days ago

            Is it necessary to have any liverpool players? I'm struggling to fit any in. Salah is way overpriced, it's tough to fit Isak in and not convinced on gakpo, ekitike etc

            1. White Pony
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              1 month, 19 days ago

              Is your FPL team called Slanted & Enchanted?

              1. Malkmus
                • 14 Years
                1 month, 19 days ago

                Ha, no unfortunately not

              2. _Greg
                • 15 Years
                1 month, 19 days ago

                That makes me think of fancy va-jayjays

            2. Sun God Nika
              • 5 Years
              1 month, 19 days ago

              its not necesary to have or to not have any players

              as long as your players chosen are returning for you is all that matters

              1. Malkmus
                • 14 Years
                1 month, 19 days ago

                Indeed. Just seems odd not to have any players from a team in second place.

                1. Snoopydog
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 1 Year
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  Not got any for this GW (or for last) but keeping flexibility in the team (FTs and funding) to jump back in as/when they "click"... Thinking likely to be Isak (unless Salah returns to form)

                  1. Malkmus
                    • 14 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    Thanks. Yeah you would think a 130m striker would come good at some point. He will be a big differential if he does. I think Salah is not worth it, no trent = no party

                    1. Snoopydog
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 1 Year
                      1 month, 19 days ago

                      Think lack of Trent has had a big impact. Does feel weird not having Salah for MUN and will probably bite me on the bum, but hey ho.

                      1. Malkmus
                        • 14 Years
                        1 month, 19 days ago

                        Yeah, no trent has been massive, Salah really misses those quick 30-40 yard passes to find him in space. Can see Mo scoring on sunday, prob a pen, but no way is he worth the 14.5m

            3. The Hunt
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              1 month, 19 days ago

              No Liverpool needed. This could be a disappointing season for them.

          4. Jinswick
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            1 month, 19 days ago

            Best move here? BB Active.

            A) Save FT
            B) Alderete -> Mukiele
            C) Alderete & Gyokeres -> Calafiori & Wolte

            Pope, Dubravka
            Timber, Senesi, Richards, Rodon, Alderete
            Saka, Semenyo, Sarr, Gordon, Xhaka
            Haaland, Gyokeres, Mateta

            Bank 0.1m, 3FTs, BB & FH left

            1. Ha.
              • 10 Years
              1 month, 19 days ago

              A

              I think Alderete will play

            2. Moon Dog
                1 month, 19 days ago

                A.

                Keep Rollin'

            3. mcsteely
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              1 month, 19 days ago

              A. Wood to Woltemade
              B. Wood to DCL
              C. Wood and Bruno to DCL and Saka -4

              1. Malkmus
                • 14 Years
                1 month, 19 days ago

                What about Bowen?

              2. Ha.
                • 10 Years
                1 month, 19 days ago

                A

                Bring in Saka next week

            4. Sun God Nika
              • 5 Years
              1 month, 19 days ago

              Any fellow hive members going to bench boost this GW with their burnley and leeds players

            5. Lx789
                1 month, 19 days ago

                Pope (Dubs)
                Gabriel Esteve VDV (Lacroix, Virgil)
                Semenyo Mbeumo Reijnders Minteh (Grealish)
                Haaland (c) J Pedro Richarlison

                A. GTG
                B. WC
                C. Richarlison to Wolt

                1. Tsparkes10
                  • 7 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  A but start VVD

              • Tonyawesome69
                • 6 Years
                1 month, 19 days ago

                Andersen v Tarkowski for first sub to potentially cover Alderete no-show

                - Fulham and Everton have 17% and 12% CS odds respectively
                - Man City and Arsenal are projected to score 2.1 and 1.8 goals respectively (-1 per 2 goals conceded)
                - I think Both players are likely to hit defcon

                Any other factors to consider?

                Which team is more likely to concede a goal from a set piece?

                *data taken from Robt

                1. Ha.
                  • 10 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  Tark

                2. Moon Dog
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    Andersen

                    Ain't no one stopping that City attack.

                  • Ausman
                    • 2 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    I'd go with Andersen.
                    Fulham have conceded 2 goals in three home games and have 1 CS against Leeds. They also haven't lost at home.
                    Everton have failed to keep a CS away, conceding 5 goals in three games. They haven't won away.

                    While I expect Man City and Arsenal to both win, Fulham could make life hard for their opponent, while I expect Man City to belt Everton.

                  • _Greg
                    • 15 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    Did you check the ace graph from a week ago which detailed which teams got Defcon against?

                3. Bobby_Baggio
                  • 14 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  Morning all - 1FT and 0.1m ITB. Save FT or get P.M Sarr out?

                  Raya
                  VDV - Virgil - Richards
                  Salah - Semenyo - Sarr - P.M Sarr
                  Woltemade - Wood - Haaland

                  (Valdimarsson) - Rodon - De Cuyper - KDH

                  1. Tsparkes10
                    • 7 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    Save

                    1. Bobby_Baggio
                      • 14 Years
                      1 month, 19 days ago

                      thanks

                  2. Ha.
                    • 10 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    Save for now

                    Sarr and Wood > King and Bowen next week

                    1. Bobby_Baggio
                      • 14 Years
                      1 month, 19 days ago

                      Cheers

                4. Tsparkes10
                  • 7 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  A) Is Mbuemo to Saka worth an FT this week?

                  B) Bench VDV or Richarlison

                  1. Ha.
                    • 10 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    Yes

                    VDV

                  2. Bobby_Baggio
                    • 14 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    A) Yea

                    B) VDV - Spurs will concede

                5. The Final Boss
                  • 8 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  So wildcarders are you going with Enzo especially after Maresca's comments?

                  1. Ha.
                    • 10 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    No

                  2. Tonyawesome69
                    • 6 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    He's a pick beyond this GW anyway. Just have a good bench to cover

                6. RamaJama
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  With Enzo not certain to play, would you still bring him in on WC?

                  1. Ha.
                    • 10 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    No

                  2. The Pesci challenge
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    No, I’ve gone for Caicedo instead

                    1. Ha.
                      • 10 Years
                      1 month, 19 days ago

                      ...who is also a doubt

                7. Amartey Partey
                  • 6 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  J Pedro to Bowen or hold?

                  I’m kind of sick of JP now.

                8. Tonyawesome69
                  • 6 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  Maresca did not rule Enzo for this GW.

                  I don't see why folks on WC would not have Enzo in their team, just have a strong bench. Non WC teams can wait until GW9.

                  "And then we have Moi [Caicedo], Enzo [Fernandez], Pedro [Neto], they didn't take part in the session yesterday, and we'll see if they can train today, otherwise they're going to be out."

                  https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/news/every-word-enzo-maresca-said-32694882

                  1. Tonyawesome69
                    • 6 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    Rule out Enzo*

                  2. The Mentaculus
                    • 4 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    Aye, a poor transcription on the initial 'live' article then to just say "out" rather than "otherwise they're going to be out"

                  3. Tonyawesome69
                    • 6 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    For info - Maresca presser from 2:39 onwards

                    https://youtu.be/mwAHNf2HAkE?si=gCbkpRzekIs817wW

                9. Powers106
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  Why no love for Gravenberch? On WC I’ve gone no-Salah but wouldn’t he be a bit of LIV cover, or is he just not nailed or something else?

                  1. AC/DC AFC
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 10 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    He's the inform auto pick into midfield atm.

                  2. Ausman
                    • 2 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    He's not a noted goal scorer and needs to show more consistency before I consider him. Liverpool cover is not essential IMO.

                10. thewhitepele
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  Got 1ft and 3.1 itb.

                  Sels (Dubs)
                  Gabriel Munoz Gudmund (VDV Diouf)
                  Bruno Semenyo Foden Kudus Reijnders
                  Haaland Pedro (Guiu)

                  A) GTG
                  B) Guiu -> Woltemade (bench Reijnders)
                  C) Foden -> Saka
                  D) WC

                  1. AC/DC AFC
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 10 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    C

                    Will Munoz start in Saturday?

                    His match finishes at 1am on Wednesday morning.

                    So arrived back late Wednesday/ Thursday and rested today??

                    1. thewhitepele
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 10 Years
                      1 month, 19 days ago

                      Cheers, I think he will start, he was rested on Wednesday

                      1. AC/DC AFC
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 10 Years
                        1 month, 19 days ago

                        Yeah, you're probably right

                        It's just the travel time

                11. AC/DC AFC
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  Will Senesi start on Saturday?

                12. aaroncfc
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  Would you bench boost this:

                  Dubravka (LEE)
                  Senesi (cry)
                  Dewsbury-Hall (mci)
                  Gudmundsson (bur)

                  Have 3 FT and 0.3 ITB so could increase bench strength if needed

                  1. AC/DC AFC
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 10 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    Switch KDH up? Have you got Sarr?

                    Is Senesi predicted to start?

                    1. aaroncfc
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 9 Years
                      1 month, 19 days ago

                      Palace Sarr is too expensive for me to fit in. What is up with Senesi?

                      1. AC/DC AFC
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 10 Years
                        1 month, 19 days ago

                        He's probably fine but just returned in the last two days I think.

                13. -GK22-
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  WC marks out of 10?

                  Pope
                  Timber, Gabriel, Munoz
                  Saka, Semenyo, Sarr, Reijnders
                  Haaland, Bowen, woltemade

                  Dub, Longstaff, Senesi, Rodon

                  1. CFC1990
                    • 14 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    It's amazing. I am a bit put off with Enzo with the injury doubt

                14. CFC1990
                  • 14 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  Who is the best 5m midfielder?

                  I'm between Xhaka and Dewsbury Hall.

                  1. Tonyawesome69
                    • 6 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    Xhaka ticks more boxes than KDH as an FPL pick

                  2. aaroncfc
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 9 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    I currently own KDH, was thinking of swapping him for Xhaka this week and then BB

                  3. Ausman
                    • 2 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    Josh Cullen from Burnley.

                15. Gizzachance
                  • 11 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  Bruno?
                  A keep
                  B eze
                  C enzo
                  D sarr
                  E gakpo

                  Cheers

                  1. Ausman
                    • 2 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    B

                16. trinzoo
                  • 11 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  On WC
                  Bought Pedro for 7.5, can sell today for 7.6 and if he drops, will buy tomorrow for 7.6 - I guess I should pull the trigger, right?

                  1. Tonyawesome69
                    • 6 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    It doesn't matter assuming he drops

                    1. trinzoo
                      • 11 Years
                      1 month, 19 days ago

                      I can sell him later for 7.6, not 7.5 😀

                    2. Tonyawesome69
                      • 6 Years
                      1 month, 19 days ago

                      Actually...

                      If you sell at 7.6 then buy back at 7.6, you don't gain anything.

                      However, if you hold and he drops to 7.6, you have an additional 0.1m buffer for another price drop. Also if he increases in price, you will gain profit quicker at 7.5 purchase price

                      1. No Luck
                        • 14 Years
                        1 month, 19 days ago

                        Logic fail

                  2. AC/DC AFC
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 10 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    You can't

                    You need two increases to profit

                    You make half

                17. Wayner9
                  • 3 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  Who to bring in for Muniz?
                  a) Bowen
                  b) Woltemade

                  1. Ausman
                    • 2 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    Wolt

                18. Tinmen
                  • 12 Years
                  1 month, 19 days ago

                  Given Slots comments on Isak.
                  Do we expect him to start this weekend ?

                  1. EDEN THE MAN
                    • 9 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    What were the comments

                    1. Tinmen
                      • 12 Years
                      1 month, 19 days ago

                      That he is now fit and he can be judged fairly from here on

                      1. EDEN THE MAN
                        • 9 Years
                        1 month, 19 days ago

                        Then yes

                  2. Malkmus
                    • 14 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    Yes

                  3. Ausman
                    • 2 Years
                    1 month, 19 days ago

                    No