Captain Sensible
23 January 2026 478 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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It’s four blanks in five Gameweeks for Erling Haaland (£15.1m) – so is it time to back against him with the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) captaincy?

That’s what we’re considering in ‘Captain Sensible’, despite Manchester City’s favourable home fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Brentford, Liverpool, Arsenal or perhaps even alternative Man City players are other 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

Unsurprisingly, Haaland is the runaway leader at the top of the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll standings. Over 60% of our site users believe the Norwegian is the best option for Gameweek 23, despite him scoring just one goal in five Gameweeks.

Another Man City player, Antoine Semenyo (£7.6m), sits in second place, currently boasting just over 12% of the vote. The January signing, who already has two goals for his new club, was ineligible to feature in the Champions League in midweek.

Elsewhere, Igor Thiago (£7.2m) is the only other player to garner more than 5% support ahead of Brentford’s clash with Nottingham Forest. The Brazilian sits second in the Golden Boot race and bagged a brace in his last home match.


Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks


price change predictions

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

478 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    Foden to Bruno for free?

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      If going to be priced out- yes - otherwise wait a week.

    2. XX SMICER XX
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Not this week

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Wait a week

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 14 hours ago

      Yes why not

    5. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      1 day, 14 hours ago

      Next week

  2. The FPL Units
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    1 day, 15 hours ago

    G2G? 1ft 2.3itb

    Kelleher
    Timber Guehi Gab
    Saka Foden Cunha Anderson Garner
    (H)aaland Thiago

    Dubs Kroupi Andersen O'Reilly

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Might aswell do the Cunha to Bruno move now before price rise

      1. Mr Turnip 1
          1 day, 15 hours ago

          Agree

        • Pep Roulette
          • 8 Years
          1 day, 14 hours ago

          This

      2. FPL Sanky
        • 2 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        I would play Kroupi ahead of Cunha....LIV are so bad defensively and Cunha might not even start

    2. FPL Sanky
      • 2 Years
      1 day, 15 hours ago

      Play one
      A) Alderete (WHU A)
      B) O'Reilly (WOL H)

      1. XX SMICER XX
        • 7 Years
        1 day, 15 hours ago

        B

        1. FPL Sanky
          • 2 Years
          1 day, 15 hours ago

          Thank you...it's tough to decide.... O'Reilly might not even start and SUN can easily keep a CS against WHU (they did it in GW1)

      2. Mr Turnip 1
          1 day, 15 hours ago

          A

          1. Mr Turnip 1
              1 day, 15 hours ago

              I think the minutes risk us too much for NOR

        • Moneymar
          • 3 Years
          1 day, 15 hours ago

          I’ve got 4 City players in Haaland, Foden, Guehi and Donnarumma. Keep or sell Foden to Wirtz/Rogers/Enzo?

          1. XX SMICER XX
            • 7 Years
            1 day, 15 hours ago

            Keep this week

            1. Moneymar
              • 3 Years
              1 day, 15 hours ago

              Cheers

          2. The FPL Units
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            1 day, 15 hours ago

            Keep and assess next week

            1. Moneymar
              • 3 Years
              1 day, 15 hours ago

              Cheers. I will still get my extra transfer next gameweek, right?

              1. Mr Turnip 1
                  1 day, 15 hours ago

                  Yes you should do

            2. Mr Turnip 1
                1 day, 15 hours ago

                I’d do Foden to Enzo personally

                1. Moneymar
                  • 3 Years
                  1 day, 15 hours ago

                  Been thinking about this actually

                  1. Mr Turnip 1
                      1 day, 15 hours ago

                      Better minutes, data, and fixtures. Maybe not that last one this week, but Wolves have tightened up, Palace look a shambles. I think the minutes risk outweighs any difference in fixture difficulty there is

                2. Pep Roulette
                  • 8 Years
                  1 day, 14 hours ago

                  Imagine City winning 4-0 and you had all those players. Hold for this week and have a little fun.

              • Mr Turnip 1
                  1 day, 15 hours ago

                  I wanted to bench boost this

                  Sanchez

                  Gab Timber Tark

                  Saka Foden Enzo Wilson

                  Haaland Ekitike DCL

                  Dubs Alderete Anderson Andersen

                  Because I doubt I’ll have 15 doublers later this season (doubt DGW 33 will be big enough). It seems like a good week for my budget guys and I want to move off three up front soon, which night mean a non-playing forward. Foden just giving me a little bit of doubt now though.

                  I have exact money for Foden to Fruno, and wanted to do it next week. Do I

                  A) get Fruno now and BB
                  B) keep Foden, don’t BB, and use two transfers to get Fruno next week
                  C) keep Foden, do BB, and use 2FT for Bruno next week

                  And why?

                  1. I have no Wirtz
                      1 day, 15 hours ago

                      Just drop bb. You have 15 weeks left for that

                      1. Mr Turnip 1
                          1 day, 15 hours ago

                          And keep Foden?

                          1. I have no Wirtz
                              1 day, 15 hours ago

                              Reconsider without bb in mind. Foden BrunoF good move regardless. But you can also save FT. And have your bench cover Foden.

                      2. XX SMICER XX
                        • 7 Years
                        1 day, 15 hours ago

                        Decided I will make the Cunha to Enzo move

                        Cherki to Semenyo for -4?

                        Have a feeling Cherki is warming the bench, small chance Foden is benched instead?

                        1. Pep Roulette
                          • 8 Years
                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                          I'd hold Enzo for another week and get Semenyo for free and captain him this week

                          1. XX SMICER XX
                            • 7 Years
                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                            Don’t have the MITB to do Cherki to Semenyo annoyingly

                            1. Pep Roulette
                              • 8 Years
                              1 day, 14 hours ago

                              Cunha to Semenyo?

                              1. JohnnyB10
                                  1 day, 14 hours ago

                                  Imo yes, even though Cunha could still do decent, just with everyone back in contention, he could be used as a super sub in the upcoming weeks.

                          2. JohnnyB10
                              1 day, 14 hours ago

                              I am doing that move! Got exact money itb, Cherki to Semenyo for a hit. With UCL Semenyo is probably the only nailed City mid now, maybe even on pens if Haaland rests sometimes. I cannot think anymore if Cherki will play or not, too much of a risk going forward.

                          3. I have no Wirtz
                              1 day, 15 hours ago

                              Pick 3 to start and what bench order,
                              currently start ABC bench DEF

                              A)Palmer*
                              B)Cherki
                              C)Watkins
                              D)BrunoG*
                              E)Thiaw
                              F)Kroupi

                              1. Cruyff's Eleven
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 7 Years
                                1 day, 15 hours ago

                                High upside Cherki, but I'd play E or F as better FPL assets.

                                1. I have no Wirtz
                                    1 day, 14 hours ago

                                    Thank you

                                2. Mr Turnip 1
                                    1 day, 15 hours ago

                                    Start ABC bench order FED

                                    1. I have no Wirtz
                                        1 day, 15 hours ago

                                        Thank you

                                  • Cruyff's Eleven
                                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                    • 7 Years
                                    1 day, 15 hours ago

                                    Mbuemo or Enzo?

                                    This week, or next week?

                                    1. Mr Turnip 1
                                        1 day, 15 hours ago

                                        Enzo this week or Mbeumo next week, who you selling?

                                        1. Pep Roulette
                                          • 8 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          This

                                      • I have no Wirtz
                                          1 day, 15 hours ago

                                          Both good in both weeks. So sit tight

                                        • Cruyff's Eleven
                                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                          • 7 Years
                                          1 day, 15 hours ago

                                          I'm selling Wirtz and Bruno G, have Rice, Rogers and Wilson.

                                          Bruno F and......

                                          Might wait a week. No Saka, money is not an issue.

                                      • IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                                        • 9 Years
                                        1 day, 15 hours ago

                                        Bebchboost, yes or no?

                                        Roefs
                                        Gabriel Chalobah Tarkowski Mukiele
                                        Palmer(V) Bruno Rice Enzo
                                        Haaland Thiago(C)

                                        Dubravka Rogers DCL Alderere
                                        0FT 1.9ITB

                                        1. Pep Roulette
                                          • 8 Years
                                          1 day, 15 hours ago

                                          Why not wait for a DGW

                                        2. Onz
                                          • 8 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          Yes . imo. I am doing the same only with Garner in the place of Rogers, all others the same.
                                          Waiting DGW's does not look promising, I would like to move the cash from the bench sooner rather than later.

                                      • Pompel
                                        • 11 Years
                                        1 day, 15 hours ago

                                        How do you reckon O’Reilly chances of starting? Seeing he is in predicted lineup, but I guess Ait Nouri could start instead?

                                        1. Cruyff's Eleven
                                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                          • 7 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          It's NOR or Alleyne. Guehi, Lewis and Ake will start. My 2 cents.

                                          1. Kingy109
                                            • 4 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            Khusanov too at RCB so if Ake plays he's LB and no NOR???

                                            1. Cruyff's Eleven
                                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                              • 7 Years
                                              1 day, 14 hours ago

                                              Either way, no O'Reilly

                                      • Jolly Good
                                        • 10 Years
                                        1 day, 15 hours ago

                                        Choose 2 of
                                        Enzo
                                        Rice
                                        Ndiaye
                                        Rogers

                                        1. Pep Roulette
                                          • 8 Years
                                          1 day, 15 hours ago

                                          Enzo & Rice 100%

                                          1. Jolly Good
                                            • 10 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            I was leaning towards Ndiaye and Rice

                                        2. Magic Zico
                                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                          • 7 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          Enzo and Rice

                                        3. JBG
                                          • 7 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          Ndiaye and Rice

                                      • Pep Roulette
                                        • 8 Years
                                        1 day, 15 hours ago

                                        Hey fam! Save FT & GTG?

                                        Roefs
                                        Gabriel Timber Tarkowski
                                        Saka Rogers Enzo Garner
                                        Haaland Ekitike(C) DCL

                                        Dubravka Guimaraes Alderete Konsa

                                        1. Vazza
                                          • 5 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          Great team. Roll for sure.
                                          Haaland (c) against Wolves, no?

                                          1. Pep Roulette
                                            • 8 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            Cheers mate. I think Haaland has a very high chance of getting rested this week.

                                        2. Magic Zico
                                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                          • 7 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          Yes GTG apart from Ekitike [c] not entirely sure

                                          1. Pep Roulette
                                            • 8 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            Cheers fam! I'm not 100% sure on Ekitike as well. Very limited options for captaincy in my team this week.

                                      • Freshy
                                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                        • 15 Years
                                        1 day, 14 hours ago

                                        bench proper?

                                        Sanchez
                                        Gabriel-Chalobah-Guéhi
                                        Saka(VC)-BrunoF-Rice-Cherki
                                        Haaland(C)-Watkins-Thaigo

                                        Dubravka-Rogers-Cash-Gudmundson

                                        Maybe bench BrunoF over Rogers?

                                        1. tmstrand
                                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                          • 1 Year
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          This is a toss up for me between Bruno, Cherki and Rogers. I think I'd be leaning towards Rogers out of those three, but any one of them could blank and any one of them could bag massively

                                        2. I have no Wirtz
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            No, don’t bench BrunoF

                                          • Freshy
                                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                            • 15 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            Cheers

                                        3. GC123
                                          • 4 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          What are Cherki and Foden owners doing please guys? Looking like only one starts? Was going to do Cherki > Semenyo this week and Foden > Bruno F next week

                                          1. Flynny
                                            • 10 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            I am holding both and hoping

                                            Will also look for leaks but hard to know who to trust.....

                                            I have seen so many predicted lineups and each is different

                                            Also a chance haaland is benched. If so ill start him but captain ekiteke or saka

                                            1. GC123
                                              • 4 Years
                                              1 day, 14 hours ago

                                              Thanks Flynny. Yes I found the same. Looks like Pep Roulette is a thing again so don’t know which to sell for Semenyo who surely starts after not playing in Europe

                                          2. tmstrand
                                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                            • 1 Year
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            Sold Foden 2 GW's ago and happy to have done so. I'd lose him. As of now not worth his price tag

                                            1. GC123
                                              • 4 Years
                                              1 day, 14 hours ago

                                              He’ll become Bruno F next week regardless. I might just do it now and reshape my midfield. Foden, Cherki, Gordon > Bruno F, Semenyo, Wilson

                                              1. tmstrand
                                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                                • 1 Year
                                                1 day, 14 hours ago

                                                Not too bad. I don't think I'll be looking towards Citys midfield myself, simply because of rotation risk...

                                                1. GC123
                                                  • 4 Years
                                                  1 day, 14 hours ago

                                                  Even Semenyo?

                                        4. Magic Zico
                                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                          • 7 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          Virgil to:
                                          A. Chalobah
                                          B. Guehi
                                          C. Save FT

                                          1. tmstrand
                                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                            • 1 Year
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            C

                                        5. Tonyawesome69
                                          • 7 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          Pep Guardiola: "Do you think [Jeremy] Doku would have not played in Bodo if he would have been fit?"

                                          https://x.com/i/status/2014830408735560177

                                          1. Tonyawesome69
                                            • 7 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            Doku and Ake were both not fit to face Bodo.

                                            https://x.com/i/status/2014829154336714969

                                          2. Tonyawesome69
                                            • 7 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            Assuming Doku is still not fit, I think its Semenyo plus one of Foden/Cherki for the 2 wing spots

                                          3. Tonyawesome69
                                            • 7 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            Pep's embargoed presser

                                            https://youtu.be/ayeuh4532JE?si=i5BAUtHjXtIvjB0n

                                        6. C0YS
                                          • 10 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          Sell Cunha for Mbeumo or Bruno F and why?

                                          1. Tonyawesome69
                                            • 7 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            It's not a close decision...

                                          2. tmstrand
                                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                            • 1 Year
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            Yes, preferably Bruno

                                          3. Pep Roulette
                                            • 8 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            Bruno for sure. Pens, set pieces, back to #10, Def Con potential, bonus magnet. What else do you want?

                                        7. tmstrand
                                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                          • 1 Year
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          Bench one please:
                                          A) van Hecke (ful)
                                          B) Caicedo (cry)
                                          C) Rogers (new)
                                          D) Watkins (new)
                                          E) Rice (MUN)

                                          Thanks guys!

                                          1. CoracAld2831
                                            • 5 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            A

                                          2. Pep Roulette
                                            • 8 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            A obviously

                                        8. FPL Blow-In
                                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                          • 13 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          Foden, Gordon and Haaland to Salah, Schade and Ekitike/Thiago -4 ?

                                          Been in freefall from 80k to 600k anyway. I’ve only had a few drinks but have to have fun right?

                                          1. FPL Blow-In
                                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                            • 13 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            Leaves 2.5 itb for Bruno in next gw for

                                          2. tmstrand
                                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                            • 1 Year
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            I wouldn't sell Haaland..

                                            1. FPL Blow-In
                                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                              • 13 Years
                                              1 day, 14 hours ago

                                              It’s so booooring though

                                        9. KostaK
                                          • 4 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          Best defenders other than Gab to bring in from next week?

                                          1. tmstrand
                                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                            • 1 Year
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            I'll be looking at Chelsea and Villa

                                          2. Freshy
                                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                            • 15 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            Chalobah
                                            See how Guéhi fits tomorrow

                                        10. w00ton
                                          • 3 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          Hi All, 1.3itb 2FT - Move Foden now for Bruno or wait for GW24?

                                          Pickford
                                          Gabriel Timber Dorgu Thiaw
                                          Saka Foden Wirtz Wilson
                                          Haaland (C) Thiago

                                          Dubravka VdV Minteh Guiu

                                        11. Flynny
                                          • 10 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          If we get reliable leak that haaland is benched who to captain.

                                          A...haaland
                                          B...saka
                                          C...ekitike

                                          Thanks

                                          1. Pep Roulette
                                            • 8 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            Why is A an option in that scet

                                            1. Pep Roulette
                                              • 8 Years
                                              1 day, 14 hours ago

                                              scenario

                                            2. The Bandit
                                              • 15 Years
                                              1 day, 14 hours ago

                                              😆

                                              1. Flynny
                                                • 10 Years
                                                1 day, 14 hours ago

                                                Cos he can easily outscore the others in 20 mins!

                                                1. The Bandit
                                                  • 15 Years
                                                  1 day, 14 hours ago

                                                  But not 90 mins

                                                2. The Bandit
                                                  • 15 Years
                                                  1 day, 14 hours ago

                                                  Seriously, nobody in their right mind would captain a player we know isn’t starting. Give your head a wobble.

                                        12. jeffa79
                                          • 12 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          Pick 3 from:

                                          A) Cash
                                          B) Tarkowski
                                          C) Lacroix
                                          D) Andersen
                                          E) Kerkez

                                          I have Alisson as my keeper.

                                          1. tmstrand
                                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                            • 1 Year
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            B D E

                                        13. OffsidePenalty
                                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                          • 5 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          Foden to:
                                          A) Cherki
                                          B) Semenyo
                                          C) Roll ft. Start Foden.

                                          1. Pep Roulette
                                            • 8 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            B and captain him

                                        14. marcus2704
                                          • 15 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          I am tempted to WC to this team, with 1.2M remaining ITB.

                                          Pickford (Dubravka)
                                          Gabriel | Timber | Chalobah (Dorgu, Mukiele)
                                          Bruno F | Rice | Rogers | Semenyo | Wirtz
                                          Haaland | Thiago (Mane)

                                          Any feedback would be appreciated.

                                          1. The Bandit
                                            • 15 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            Some expensive players with tough games this week. Hard to say without seeing your current team, but can’t it wait a week?

                                            1. marcus2704
                                              • 15 Years
                                              1 day, 14 hours ago

                                              It could, I have Nunes who I doubt will start and incoming would be Dorgu. I also have Foden who I could just swap out for Semenyo and reassess next week.

                                        15. hariv
                                          • 2 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          Start Leno (BHA) or Pope (AVL)?
                                          Thanks

                                          1. FPL Blow-In
                                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                            • 13 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            Pope. Both teams score but Villa will take 20+ shots from outside the box so more chance of saves

                                        16. G Banger
                                          • 7 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          NOR to Guehi too sideways? Worried about minutes this week and probably the move makes sense long term, also have exact change to pull the trigger

                                        17. Cruyff's Eleven
                                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                          • 7 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          Will Marmoush start over Haaland?

                                          1. The Bandit
                                            • 15 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            I doubt it.

                                        18. Ajax Hamsterdam
                                          • 11 Years
                                          1 day, 14 hours ago

                                          play one please

                                          a dorgu ( i have rice and saka)
                                          b hall ( i have pope)
                                          c alderete ( i have bowen)

                                          cheers and gl!

                                          1. JohnnyB10
                                              1 day, 14 hours ago

                                              I ditched VVD for Dorgu and am playing him 🙂

                                          2. andymck
                                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                            • 9 Years
                                            1 day, 14 hours ago

                                            Roefs (Dubravka)
                                            Gabriel Timber Dorgu Alderete (Richards)
                                            Saka Foden Rogers Wilson (Tavernier)
                                            Haaland Ekitike (Guiu)

                                            Just roll FT or anything worth changing?