Captain Sensible
6 January 2026 234 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Over seven million Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers were left scratching their heads once again as Erling Haaland (£15.1m) blanked for the third consecutive match in Gameweek 20.

However, the Norwegian remains, by some distance, the top-scoring player in Fantasy – and the go-to captain for many.

Once again in ‘Captain Sensible’, we consider whether there is a case to back against Haaland in the latest midweek round of fixtures. Players from Manchester United, Brentford, Arsenal and Aston Villa provide the competition this time, in what looks to be a wide field of alternative options.

First, we will assess the on-site captaincy poll. We will then analyse player and team statistics and Rate My Team (RMT) to determine the best captain for Gameweek 21 ahead of Tuesday’s 6.30pm GMT deadline.


Captaincy Poll

Best captain 21

Haaland sits at the top of the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll standings. Over half of our site users believe the Norwegian is the best option for Gameweek 21, despite six blanks in nine Gameweeks.

The highest-scoring player in Gameweek 20, Igor Thiago (£7.0m), sits in second place, currently boasting just over 15% of the vote. After a hat-trick against Everton, the Brazilian is unsurprisingly the most-transferred-in attacking player ahead of today’s deadline.

Elsewhere, Ollie Watkins (£8.7m) and Jarrod Bowen (£7.6m) are the only other players to garner more than 5% support. The England internationals come up against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, respectively.


Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks


price change predictions

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

234 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    3 days, 9 hours ago

    Really stuck here not sure what to do with VDB/Ekitike/7th mid

    Areola
    Timber Gabriel Keane VDB*
    Cunha Saka Foden
    Ekitike Haaland Thiago

    Verbruggen LeFee Andersen Devenny
    (3FTs & 0.1itb)

    1. JoeSoap
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 9 hours ago

      Downgrade Ekiteke & upgrade elsewhere. Better options in midfield.

      1. FDMS All Starz
        • 10 Years
        3 days, 9 hours ago

        To who? Burnley next looks plum though

        1. JoeSoap
          • 12 Years
          3 days, 8 hours ago

          It is but I would rather attack now. Cheap forward & get in Bruno G & Thiaw for example. Just a thought.

          1. FDMS All Starz
            • 10 Years
            3 days, 8 hours ago

            Cheers

  2. KostaK
    • 4 Years
    3 days, 9 hours ago

    Start DCL or Wilson?

    1. JoeSoap
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 9 hours ago

      Wilson if you think he starts

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 days, 9 hours ago

        Why shouldn’t he start?

        1. JoeSoap
          • 12 Years
          3 days, 9 hours ago

          Thinking of wrong Wilson. Definitely start Fulham Wilson

    2. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 9 hours ago

      Dcl!!!!

  3. JoeSoap
    • 12 Years
    3 days, 9 hours ago

    A. Ekiteke>Thiago (cover ML chasers)
    B. Ekiteke>Watkins
    C. Save (play Guehi v VILLA)

    Have Haaland & Guiu. Struggling with this position. Need to just set & forget for a while. Watkins has better fixtures but plays less minutes and probably not on pens. Would have went for DCL if fixtures were better.

    1. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 9 hours ago

      B medium term. Thiago has 4 really poor fixtures in the next 6.

  4. dansmith1985
    • 3 Years
    3 days, 9 hours ago

    Play Dorgu or bring in Thiaw or Keane?

    1. Cojones of Destiny
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 9 hours ago

      Dorgu

    2. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 9 hours ago

      Save FT

  5. The Knights Template
    • 12 Years
    3 days, 9 hours ago

    Rosenior confirmed Chelsea manager.

    1. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      BBC have a misprint on their website. They're saying a 6 year contract when it must surely be 6 months?

      1. MJF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        I wish him all the best and hope he does well, but the six year deal reminds me of when Ashley handed Pardew a 10-year version. The chances of him being Chelsea manager in 2032 have to be near zero.

  6. gomez123
    • 12 Years
    3 days, 9 hours ago

    Gordan to Rice? Already have Saka? Or maybe Gordan to Bruno G?

    1. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 9 hours ago

      Hold this GW

    2. MJF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Yeah I like both moves.

  7. Ruinenlust
    • 8 Years
    3 days, 9 hours ago

    Pick one to play

    A) Ekitike
    B) Dorgu
    C) Miley

    1. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 9 hours ago

      Dorgu

    2. Old Wulfrunian
      • 9 Years
      3 days, 9 hours ago

      a

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Dorgu

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      A

  8. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    3 days, 9 hours ago

    Gross is back.Just in case.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      34 year old pensioner

      1. Old Wulfrunian
        • 9 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        They shoot horses, don't they?

  9. Jigger & Pony
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 days, 9 hours ago

    Who do you think are the best 3 managers/head coaches in the Premier League?

    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      3 days, 9 hours ago

      Pep, Arteta, Emery

    2. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 9 hours ago

      Glasner, Slot and Pep

    3. tbos83
      • 5 Years
      3 days, 9 hours ago

      Howe, Pep, Arteta

    4. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Pep, Arteta, Emery and Glasner close behind.

    5. MJF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Well y'know I think if Dychey was called Le Dyche or Van Dyche he'd get the Real Madrid job y'know.

      1. Jigger & Pony
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        Lol

  10. tbos83
    • 5 Years
    3 days, 9 hours ago

    Sign of age when significant no of prem league managers are younger than you

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 9 hours ago

      Cheer! Is Roy still managing?

    2. MJF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Aye there's a few younger than me now, and a few I watch play in their heydey. Darren Fletcher Man Utd manager makes me feel closer to coffin than cradle.

    3. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Oh Lord, thanks for this; only Moyes is older than me now...

  11. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    3 days, 9 hours ago

    Which Chelsea players will you want for WHU wol LEE BUR?

    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      3 days, 9 hours ago

      Already have Sanchez so probably just Palmer - depends how Rosenior has them playing tbh

    2. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Enzo, Chalobah and maybe one of Palmer / JP. Let’s see how the new managers sets the team up.

    3. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Chalobah.

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Difficult to say as we don't know who Rosenior will prefer to start

    5. MJF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Chalobah, Palmer, perhaps Enzo or James. Double probably sufficient though given they are less than the sum of their parts as a team.

    6. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Currently have Palmer and Fofana miggt add Enzo

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        Might

  12. FCSB
    • 9 Years
    3 days, 9 hours ago

    Raya
    Hall Gabriel Dorgu
    Cunha Foden Rice Wilson
    Thiago Ekitike Haaland

    Dubravka Minteh O’Reilly VanHecke

    1FT, 0.5itb

    1. Save FT, play Minteh / O’Reilly over Ekitike
    2. Ekitike >> Watkins
    3. Ekitike >> Wissa / Woltemade

    Thanks

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      2

  13. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 days, 9 hours ago

    Hello guys. Would you save a FT here? Players I'm looking to get are the usual ones Palmer, Rice, Chelsea/Newcastle def

    Raya
    Gabriel, Keane, Alderete
    Rogers, Saka, Cunha, Wilson, Foden
    Haaland, Ekitike

    Subs: Dubz - Van Hecke, Rodon, Guiu -- 1 FT, 0.9 itb

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Cunha to Rice

      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        3 Arsenal so this is not an option this week. Not taking a hit for it

        1. The Knights Template
          • 12 Years
          3 days, 8 hours ago

          Sorry, overlooked Raya. Save.

          1. Jam0sh
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 days, 8 hours ago

            Cheers

  14. Sun God Nika
    • 5 Years
    3 days, 8 hours ago

    Which 3 would you bench out of the following?

    O Reilly, Senesi, Guehi, Mukiele, Bowen and Cavert Lewin?

    #Currently got Cavert , Mukiele and Guehi benched ?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      What on Earth is this!

      1. Sun God Nika
        • 5 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        It’s going to be a another week of regrets for me

        #rice bencher and Thiago seller

    2. Conners
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Senesi, Guehi & Mukiele I think.

      1. Sun God Nika
        • 5 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        I Should have worded it better my bad !

        Need to play at least one def out of the def options at a minimum

    3. Conners
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Senesi, Guehi & DCL in that case.

  15. Diles Mavis
    • 1 Year
    3 days, 8 hours ago

    Start Hincapie (LIV) or Heaven (bur)?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Heave n, if he plays

  16. OptimusBlack
    • 12 Years
    3 days, 8 hours ago

    For this GW
    Eketike >
    A- Woltmade
    B- Barry
    C- Brobbery
    D- Watkins

    1. tuturututu
      • 4 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      D ofc

  17. The Knights Template
    • 12 Years
    3 days, 8 hours ago

    James Milner turned 40 two days ago!

    1. golfboy
      • 8 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Same age as Rooney

      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        And doesn’t have a taxidermied ferret on his head!

    2. Conners
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      40 is the new 39.

  18. golfboy
    • 8 Years
    3 days, 8 hours ago

    Hi Chaps

    Raya
    Gab Dalot VDV
    Foden Saka BrunoG Wilson Wirtz
    Haaland Thiago

    1FT VDV to Tarkowski or Save it?

    1. tuturututu
      • 4 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      I would do it, Tark looking like a decfon monster, VDV good only with attacking returns if he gets any, small chances of CSs

  19. tuturututu
    • 4 Years
    3 days, 8 hours ago

    Please how do you rate my WC team?

    Raya
    Chalobah, Gabriel, Nunes
    Palmer, Rice, Cherki, Rogers
    Watkins, Haaland, Thiago

    Darlow, Alderete, Miley, Nallo

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Great

    2. golfboy
      • 8 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Palmer a bit of a punt. Maybe have Wirtz for now>

      1. tuturututu
        • 4 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        Will stick with Palmer, not liking Liverpool's form or fixtures, but thanks

    3. Mother Farke
      • 1 Year
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Said this yesterday, mate, but Raya is a waste of an Arsenal slot.

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        I agree. Downgrade him and upgrade Miley to KDH (when fit)

  20. Ruinenlust
    • 8 Years
    3 days, 8 hours ago

    Play O’Reilly or Dorgu?

    1. No Professionals
      • 8 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      O’Reilly

  21. No Professionals
    • 8 Years
    3 days, 8 hours ago

    Raya
    Gabriel Dorgu Anderson
    Saka Cunha Foden Rogers Wilson
    Haaland Thiago

    Dubravka Virgil Rodon Guiu
    0ft 2.2m

    A) gtg
    B) Wilson to Gordon (-4)
    C) Virgil to tarkowski (-4)

    1. Conners
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Save, no need for a hit

  22. Conners
    • 7 Years
    3 days, 8 hours ago

    Starting 11 and bench is a bit tricky this week.

    Does this look right?

    Henderson
    Tark - Timber - O'Reilly - Thiaw
    Semenyo - Rogers - Bruno G - Foden
    Haaland - Thiago

    Dub / Miley - Ekitike - Andersen

  23. Caesar Salahd
    • 12 Years
    3 days, 8 hours ago

    What to do with Lewis-Potter? Why didnt he start last game?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Who?

      1. Caesar Salahd
        • 12 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        Google

      2. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        Do you not read JK Rowling?

  24. BlzE_94
    • 11 Years
    3 days, 8 hours ago

    Any update on Paqueta injury?

  25. mad_beer ✅
    • 11 Years
    3 days, 8 hours ago

    Trying to save my FT this week so I need to decide to play Jimenez or Semenyo

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Raul

      1. mad_beer ✅
        • 11 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        Thanks!

        1. Bale11
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 days, 8 hours ago

          Semenyo does well against us

  26. Kabayan
    • 9 Years
    3 days, 8 hours ago

    Keane or Collins?
    (To buy, mostly for rotation)

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Keane

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        Actually I take that back - Collins

    2. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Collins

  27. Bale11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 days, 8 hours ago

    a) Hugo to Watkins
    B) Hold and go Foden and Mukiele out for Tarkowski and Cherki
    C) Hugo and Rutter out for Cherki and Bowen

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      C

    2. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Hold Foden’s still firing & don’t want to miss haul?

  28. boc610
    • 13 Years
    3 days, 8 hours ago

    An absolute one off hatty against a toffees side who will never be that open again and thiago sellers are going back to him for one of the meanest defences in the league. You sold him for a reason and that was 6 gwks without a goal

    1. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Shhhh spoonfeeders 😉

    2. JoeSoap
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 7 hours ago

      Would you sell Haaland if he blanks again?

  29. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    3 days, 8 hours ago

    Do we trust Slot on Ekitike, or play & await use of bench?

    Bench correct, DCL first if play Ekitike.

    Kelleher
    Timber O’Reilly Gabriel
    Foden Rogers Palmer HWilson Rice
    Haaland DCL

    Petrovic Chalobah Guehi Ekitike

    .2

    1. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      Yeah not sure, i'm tempted to move to watkins but might keep for Burnley.

      1. Bale11
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        I think he plays but might not be worth the risk if you have a good first bench

        1. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          3 days, 8 hours ago

          Will bench DCL & play Ekitike so if he does play (aka Rice) not gutted

      2. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 8 hours ago

        Cheers, he’s top form striker so would rather hold & let others sell.

  30. Danstoke82
    • 11 Years
    3 days, 8 hours ago

    Hi guys, which 3rd arsenal asset (doubling up on defence) for 1FT?

    A) Saka
    B) Rice

    1. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 8 hours ago

      B