Captain Sensible
16 January 2026 412 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Following three consecutive blanks, Erling Haaland (£15.1m) did at least find the back of the net in Gameweek 21 to reward the millions of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers who captained him.

But is the Norwegian the cut-and-dried top choice for Gameweek 22?

Once again in ‘Captain Sensible’, we consider whether there is a case to back against Haaland as the Premier League returns following a domestic cup hiatus. Liverpool, Chelsea or perhaps even alternative Manchester City players are options ahead of Saturday’s 11am GMT deadline.

In this piece, we will assess the on-site captaincy poll, analyse myriad player and team statistics, consult the Rate My Team (RMT) points projections and settle on a top three for the armband.


Captaincy Poll

Haaland sits at the top of the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll standings. Close to half of our site users believe the Norwegian is the best option for Gameweek 22, despite him scoring just one goal in four Gameweeks.

Despite being sold by over 350,000 managers, Hugo Ekitike (£8.9m) sits in second place, currently boasting just under 19% of the vote. The Frenchman notched a goal and an assist off the bench in the FA Cup on his return from injury.

Elsewhere, Antoine Semenyo (£7.6m), now of Man City, is the only other player to garner more than 5% support. Bruno Fernandes (£9.1m) is teetering around that mark after picking up an assist on his comeback last time out.


Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks


price change predictions

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

412 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Nightf0x
    • 10 Years
    8 hours, 32 mins ago

    Alison (dub)
    Richards mukiele gabriel (clyne keane)
    Saka rice foden gordon (king)
    Tiago haland watkins

    Intial thoughts, 2ft, which ?

    A) saka clyne to wilson timber, bench richards/tiago
    B) foden king to enzo wilson, bench tiago
    C) saka king clyne -4 to enzo wilson timber
    D) roll ft, g2g

  2. Pughy9
    • 4 Years
    8 hours, 32 mins ago

    Who in for cuhna?
    A.Wirtz
    B. Rogers

    Cheers

    1. kempc23
      • 11 Years
      8 hours, 30 mins ago

      I think Wirtz is a great shout for the next two. Dont know about longer term than that. But he has outscored Saka over the last six GWs, and is only a few points of Gruno.

  3. MarcusAurelius
    • 10 Years
    8 hours, 32 mins ago

    Would you bench boost this?

    Roefs
    Thiaw Gabriel Tarkowski
    BrunoG Rice Wilson Rogers
    Haaland Thiago Bowen

    Kelleher Cherki VDV Bijol

    If not bench who?
    A) Cherki (MUN)
    B) Bowen (tot)
    C) Thiago (che)

    1) Tark (avl)
    2) VDV (WHU)

    1. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      8 hours, 15 mins ago

      Very similar position but waiting for dgw, hate the chip

      1. MarcusAurelius
        • 10 Years
        8 hours, 9 mins ago

        Same. Wanna get rid so I can get some cheap subs. Who would you bench out of those options out of interest?

  4. Atwood
    • 15 Years
    8 hours, 30 mins ago

    What are Minteh owners doing? Been wanting to sell for a while but Bou(H) is a nice fixture if he's fit enough to start

    1. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 hours, 53 mins ago

      I've sold (early in the GW). I may regret it, but they seem to have plenty of players to choose from and I can't see Minteh playing 90. Their fixtures are ok, though, so knowing he's fit aid be tempted to hold and see.

  5. Moneymar
    • 3 Years
    8 hours, 29 mins ago

    Xhaka/Le Fee or Garner as a 5th mid?

  6. adstomko
    • 9 Years
    8 hours, 29 mins ago

    From GW24, who do you think would likely be best to own?

    A) Thiago
    B) Šeško

    1. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 hours, 52 mins ago

      Thiago. Nailed and pens.

      1. adstomko
        • 9 Years
        7 hours, 52 mins ago

        Thought so, cheers

  7. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    8 hours, 26 mins ago

    Currently on this, but debating whether or not I'd be better swapping Semenyo our for Wirtz instead?

    Sanchez
    Gabriel - Tarkowski - Chalobah
    Saka - Rice - Bruno F - Enzo - Semenyo
    DCL - Haaland

    Dubravka - Kroupi - Mukiele - Senesi

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 hours, 25 mins ago

      Looks pretty solid

      1. Kodap
        • 8 Years
        8 hours, 8 mins ago

        debating swapping semenyo for Wirtz tbf

        1. Better off with a pin and a…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 hours, 46 mins ago

          I prefer Semenyo, but I do get the Burnley fixture appeal. Is that a WC?

  8. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 hours, 26 mins ago

    Sorry, reposting, struggling a bit here

    3FT

    Verbruggen
    Timber O'Reilly Alderete
    Saka Semenyo Foden Garner
    Ekitike Haaland Thiago

    Dubravka Anderson Truffert Dalot

    Need to shift one or two City players

    Timber to Gabriel
    Semenyo to Wilson
    Roll the third or Dalot to Van de Ven?

    Something else I could do?

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 hours, 20 mins ago

      Timber to Gabriel id hold the rest this gw your squad looks good for this week, attack it next

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 hours, 16 mins ago

        Need to do a 2nd move to afford that first one sorry, didnt say ive 0 ITB

    2. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 hours, 49 mins ago

      I'd lose Foden before Semenyo and he's more expensive. Does Foden - Wilson and O Reilly to Gab work?

  9. Bobkat
    • 3 Years
    8 hours, 24 mins ago

    Help appreciated with who to bench

    A Wilson
    B DCL
    C Foden
    D Semenyo

    1 O’Reilly
    2 Mukiele

    1. Punned It
        8 hours, 21 mins ago

        C1

      • nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        8 hours, 21 mins ago

        A1

      • Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        8 hours, 20 mins ago

        C1

    2. Jstap94
      • 2 Years
      8 hours, 23 mins ago

      Milenkovic to:

      1) Mukiele
      2) Alderte
      3) Van de Ven
      4) Frimpong

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        8 hours, 22 mins ago

        4

      2. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        8 hours, 21 mins ago

        4 failing that 1

    3. Klip Klopp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 hours, 22 mins ago

      Play one:

      Gordon (away to Wolves)
      Wilson (Leeds away)

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        8 hours, 21 mins ago

        Gordon for sure

      2. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 hours, 21 mins ago

        Wilson better form
        Gordon better fixture

        Probably Wilson for me

    4. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      8 hours, 21 mins ago

      4FT & 0.3ITB. Please help if you can.
      Verb
      Andersen O'Reilley Timber
      Foden Saka Cunha Rice
      Watkins Haaland Thiago
      (Alderete-Dalot-Devenny)
      A. O'Reilley + Cunha - Mukilele + Bruno F
      B. Cunha - Wirtz or Mbuemo
      C. Roll

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 hours, 19 mins ago

        If you do A you'll have 2 Sunderland defenders, not sure thats ideal, as good as they've been

        I like B with wirtz

        1. nico05
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          8 hours, 16 mins ago

          Thank you mate, great caution there! I'll just do that transfer this GW then? Any idea how long Saka will play tempted to C forest are very leaky imo

          1. Van der Faart
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            8 hours, 15 mins ago

            Not a clue but big CL game Tuesday night so wouldnt be surprised if his minutes are managed

            1. nico05
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              8 hours, 14 mins ago

              Yeah, I'll not risk that then ha ha. Thanks for the advice

    5. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      8 hours, 21 mins ago

      Best Keane replacement

      A) Senesi
      B) Cash
      C) Mukiele

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        8 hours, 19 mins ago

        C

      2. boroie
        • 7 Years
        8 hours, 19 mins ago

        C

    6. boroie
      • 7 Years
      8 hours, 19 mins ago

      Thoughts on these two transfers?

      O’Reilly & Cunha
      ->
      Chalobah & Rogers

    7. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
      • 14 Years
      8 hours, 19 mins ago

      Foden > Wirtz?

      1. boroie
        • 7 Years
        8 hours, 16 mins ago

        Yes

    8. boroie
      • 7 Years
      8 hours, 16 mins ago

      Which 3 of these are the most urgent to get rid of?

      A - Dorgu
      B - Virgil
      C - O’Reilly
      D - Cunha
      E - Cherki
      F - Saka
      G - Gordon

      1. Punned It
          8 hours, 15 mins ago

          CBA

          1. boroie
            • 7 Years
            8 hours, 12 mins ago

            Trying to work out whether this is your answer… or an abbreviation for something else…

        • The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          8 hours, 14 mins ago

          D

          1. boroie
            • 7 Years
            8 hours, 13 mins ago

            Thanks… who would you say after that?

          2. The FPL Units
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            8 hours, 13 mins ago

            AE

            1. boroie
              • 7 Years
              8 hours, 11 mins ago

              Thanks mate…

              Maybe Cunha and Dorgu to Mukiele & Rogers?

      2. Moneymar
        • 3 Years
        8 hours, 16 mins ago

        Is Frimpong nailed this weekend?

        1. Bunk Moreland
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 hours, 13 mins ago

          Yeah. Got subbed at 60 in cup so he is saved for the weekend. I’m capping.

        2. Stranger Mings
          • 5 Years
          8 hours, 11 mins ago

          Yeh good option

      3. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 hours, 15 mins ago

        Cunha to

        A Wirtz
        B Bruno F
        C Bruno G
        D other
        E Roll and have 2ft

        Kelleher
        Timber O'Reilly Gab
        Saka Foden Cunha Anderson
        (H)aaland Thiago Kroupi

        Dubs Garner Guehi Andersen

        1. boroie
          • 7 Years
          8 hours, 14 mins ago

          D - Rogers

        2. nico05
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          8 hours, 14 mins ago

          I'm leaning A with view to go B in a couple of weeks

      4. boroie
        • 7 Years
        8 hours, 15 mins ago

        Who do you bench from this lot…?

        Saka Cherki Rogers Wilson Gordon
        Haaland Ekitike Thiago

      5. FDMS All Starz
        • 10 Years
        8 hours, 13 mins ago

        Thoughts on these moves? 4FTs & 0.1itb

        Gw22: VDB & Cunha —> Alderate & Rogers/Tavernier (2FTs)
        Gw24: Saka & Foden —> Bruno & Palmer (2FTs)

        Verbruggen
        Gabriel Timber Andersen
        Saka Cunha LeFee Foden
        Haaland Ekitike Thiago

        Dubravka Devenny VDB Keane*

      6. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
        • 14 Years
        8 hours, 13 mins ago

        Play 1 DEF
        A Tark
        B Senesi
        C Anderson

      7. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        8 hours, 11 mins ago

        Who do I bench, Palmer, DCL, or another.

        Bus team has Palmer but if playing headache.

        Kelleher
        Timber Gabriel Chalobah
        Foden Rogers HWilson Rice
        Haaland DCL Ekitike

        Dubravka Palmer Guehi O’Reilly

        .2

        1. Ray85
          • 8 Years
          8 hours, 10 mins ago

          DCL

          1. g40steve
            • 7 Years
            7 hours, 56 mins ago

            Thx

        2. boroie
          • 7 Years
          8 hours, 8 mins ago

          Awesome team… but lots of benching headaches. I’d probably bench DCL but very difficult decision.

          1. g40steve
            • 7 Years
            7 hours, 55 mins ago

            Cheers, yes but rather thevcash on players than bank.

        3. MarcusAurelius
          • 10 Years
          8 hours, 6 mins ago

          I’d bench DCL over Palmer

          1. g40steve
            • 7 Years
            7 hours, 56 mins ago

            Thx

        4. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          7 hours, 56 mins ago

          Cheers guys, will await any leaks as first game

        5. aguerodontblankonme
          • 10 Years
          7 hours, 48 mins ago

          Play Palmer if you already have him.

        6. Better off with a pin and a…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 hours, 42 mins ago

          Very hard, but I'd bench Wilson away to Leeds.

      8. Ray85
        • 8 Years
        8 hours, 10 mins ago

        Evening lads. Tarkowski v Villa or Reinaldo v Palace?

        1. boroie
          • 7 Years
          7 hours, 59 mins ago

          Rein

      9. boroie
        • 7 Years
        8 hours, 7 mins ago

        Start 1…

        A - Mukiele (CRY)
        B - O’Reilly (mun)

        1. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          7 hours, 54 mins ago

          Think both concede

        2. Better off with a pin and a…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 hours, 40 mins ago

          Mukiele. Don't have a lot of faith in O'Reilly's minutes, though I doubt either get much. Palace could be in quite a state this weekend and Sun at home are pretty good.

      10. abaalan
        • 9 Years
        8 hours, 6 mins ago

        Cunha to
        A. Rice
        B. Wirtz

        1. boroie
          • 7 Years
          8 hours ago

          B easy

        2. aguerodontblankonme
          • 10 Years
          7 hours, 44 mins ago

          Yeah, A easy for me, atleast long term

      11. Garfield1001
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        8 hours, 3 mins ago

        Who to transfer in for Cunha?

        A) Rogers
        B) Enzo

        1. boroie
          • 7 Years
          7 hours, 59 mins ago

          A. Wait on Enzo until we see what Chelsea do under Rosenior.

        2. aguerodontblankonme
          • 10 Years
          7 hours, 45 mins ago

          Enzo sucks, so Rogers

      12. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        7 hours, 53 mins ago

        Anyone going against Haaland or play safe?

        1. Better off with a pin and a…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 hours, 40 mins ago

          Ekitike for me.

      13. R Whites
        • 10 Years
        7 hours, 53 mins ago

        Frimpong or Van de Ven for short-medium term?

        1. aguerodontblankonme
          • 10 Years
          7 hours, 47 mins ago

          Frimpong

      14. aguerodontblankonme
        • 10 Years
        7 hours, 49 mins ago

        Need a keeper. Sanchez or Roefs?

      15. Jstap94
        • 2 Years
        7 hours, 46 mins ago

        Which player to Rice:

        1) Cunha
        2) Cherki

        I like 2 because of the Wolves game but are minutes too risky?

        1. aguerodontblankonme
          • 10 Years
          7 hours, 46 mins ago

          Bye bye Cunha