Captain Sensible

Who is the best captain for FPL Gameweek 31?

20 March 2026 186 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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Four different players were captained by over one million Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers in Gameweek 30, only the second time that has happened in 2025/26.

Our pick, Bruno Fernandes (£10.2m), was the big winner, and the only one of the four to return. The Portugal international recorded his sixth consecutive double-digit haul in home matches.

Attention now turns to Blank Gameweek 31, with usual suspect Erling Haaland (£14.5m), his Manchester City team-mate Antoine Semenyo (£8.3m) and Arsenal’s resolute defence all without a fixture. With the many millions of Haaland backers looking for an alternative, is there a case to look beyond Fernandes? That’s what we’re considering in ‘Captain Sensible’.

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, ahead of Friday’s 6.30pm GMT deadline.

Captaincy Poll

Best captain 31

In a result similar to Haaland’s early-season dominance, Fernandes boasts a clear lead in the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll. The in-form Manchester United talisman has picked up well over 50% of votes cast ahead of the Red Devils’ trip to Bournemouth. In the reverse fixture, Fernandes returned a 13-point haul.

In second and third spot are Harry Wilson (£6.0m) and Joao Pedro (£7.8m), respectively. Both players blanked last time out but have been in brilliant recent form

Elsewhere, Hugo Ekitike (£9.2m) is the only other player to garner more than 5% support, currently sitting just ahead of Anthony Gordon (£7.3m) in the standings. The former scored in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, while Gordon notched a double-digit haul in Gameweek 30.

Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks

price change predictions

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

186 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. BR510
      1 month, 3 days ago

      1. Salah to Gordon
      2. Salah to Palmer, Rayan to Gordon
      3. Salah to any mid below 8millin, Rayan to Gordon, Barnes to Joao Pedro
      4. Haaland out? Haapy wit team excepet Rayan Salah Haalnd (Barnes is bench fodder)
      3ft

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    • OverTinker
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      1. Play Keane and save FT
      2. Keane to VVD for free

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    • Alli
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Chalobah, Semenyo, Mané > Thiaw, Gordon, J.Pedro for -4?

      Sanchez
      Hill - Esteve - VVD
      Bruno F - Semenyo* - Wilson - Mbuemo - Rice*
      Haaland* - Thiago

      Dúbravka - Gabriel* - Chalobah* - Mané*

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    • Gudjohnsen
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Should I use FH?
      No FT

      Kelleher
      Alderete, Van Dijk, Van De Ven
      Rogers, Bruno, Gordon
      Ekitike, Tiago

      Subs: semenyo, Haaland, Bajetic, Gabriel, Dubravka, M.Nunes

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      1. OverTinker
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        Never. Just get one more player if it's worth the hit

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    • Three Badgers on a Shirt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 3 days ago

      What to do with this team? I have 2 FT, no WC, so my plan is to just do Mane to Thiago, as I can just afford it, and save 1FT. Planning to Free Hit in DGW33. Looking at my mini league, the players that could hurt me in the current GW are H Wilson, Joao Pedro and DCL. Any other suggestions?

      Kelleher, Dubravka;
      Maguire, Konsa, Andersen, Virgil, Gabriel*
      Fernandes, Stach, Dango, Mbeumo, Semenyo*;
      Ekitike, Mane*, Haaland*

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      1. GCHILD2K16
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        Replace mane for 31 or play with 10 given great fixture run in.

        Can you upgradd stach from 34 aka j.gomes or garner etc

        Replacd mbuemo with Goron or Bowen

        Not sold on konsa but fixtures are good

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    • Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Finally came to the decision of saving transfer, play with 10 men and having 3 FTS to help with the uncertainty of FPL over the next few weeks. Gl all

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      1. OverTinker
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        Thinking the same but I don't have Gordon and Thiago so I might save only one

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        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          1 month, 3 days ago

          Depends of your plans . Am planning FH GW32 so I won't get Gordon. Gl

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    • Eric Banternaaa
      • 12 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Dubravka
      Shaw | Hill | Andersen
      Palmer | Sboz | Bruno | Wilson | Rogers
      Ekitike | Thiago

      Raya | Esteve | Haaland | Munoz

      2FT 0.5ITB. All chips left.

      Correct decision to roll transfer or bring in a newcastle defender?

      Chip Strategy: WC GW32, BB DGW33, FH BGW34, TC GW36/DGW36

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    • how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      One week only - Harry Wilson or João Pedro?

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      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        Hw

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        1. xtremesid
          • 10 Years
          1 month, 3 days ago

          This

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    • Rbyrne95
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Weird to think a -4 for a def could make more sense than a Mid/Str now due to probability of defcon.

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      1. Sir Michael Taker
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        Still only a net zero transfer potentially. Despite last weeks craziness there are typically only 4-5 teams cleaning in a given week and 50% of the time that includes Arsenal. Wouldnt shock me if there are zero cleans this week

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        1. Rbyrne95
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 3 days ago

          Yeah that’s very true. Seems to be frustrating with 0 cleans but then only 1-2 goals

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    • BusbySwede
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      I've made my FTs, would you take a -4 hit to get Wilson or Gordon and sell Rice/Rayan?

      Dubravka
      Virgil, Thiaw, Senesi
      Bruno, Mbuemo, Rogers, Rayan
      Thiago, Pedro, Etikite

      Raya, Gabriel, Rice, Gudmundsson

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      1. xtremesid
        • 10 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        I would get Wilson. But depends when you plan to wildcard as well.

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        1. BusbySwede
          • 8 Years
          1 month, 3 days ago

          Forgot that small detail.. I already used my wildcard

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    • Taegugk Warrior
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Start Cash or Hill:.?

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      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        Cash

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        1. xtremesid
          • 10 Years
          1 month, 3 days ago

          This

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    • xtremesid
      • 10 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      I have 10 starting players. Any hits worth it?

      I plan to Wildcard in 32, BB in 33 and FH 34.

      Dubravka
      VVD-Anderson-Van Hecke
      Bruno(C)-Wilson-Gordon-Anderson
      Thiago-Joao Pedro

      Others are not playing.
      Donnarumma-Semenyo-Strand Larsen-Saliba-Gabriel

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      1. cfc_andrew4
        • 3 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        Stick as is

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        1. xtremesid
          • 10 Years
          1 month, 3 days ago

          Cheers

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    • Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Best use of my FT here?

      A) Save FT
      B) Guehi -> Andersen (bench Keane)
      C) Semenyo -> Gordon (bench Stach)
      D) Something else

      Verbruggen
      Thiaw, Keane, Alderete
      Bruno, Palmer, Wilson, Stach
      Ekitike, Pedro, Thiago

      Dubravka, Gabriel, Guehi, Semenyo
      Bank 3.3m, 1FT, all chips
      32WC, 33BB, 34FH

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      1. xtremesid
        • 10 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        A

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      2. Podorsky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        Depends on your chip availability and who you want to buy next coupe of weeks. I would only use FT if I was not able to filed 11 players.

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        1. Jinswick
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          1 month, 3 days ago

          Still have all chips and planning 32WC, 33BB, 34FH

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        2. Jinswick
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          1 month, 3 days ago

          If I knew for sure my 11 all start then I think A makes most sense. But having 1 bench player this week could be handy.

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      3. cfc_andrew4
        • 3 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        C if all chips to play

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    • Podorsky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      If chasing, is Thiago (leeds) over Bruno a risk worth taking? Others offensive players are: Ekitike, Mbuemo, Enzo, Dewsbury Hall.

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

        I think alot of people will captain Bruno, so leaving him out is not a risk I would take.

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    • TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Got £4.8m for a defender for one week only (already got Andersen). Any suggestions?

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      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        IMO quite hard to recommend a defender that price this week that isn't another Fulham player.

        Lewis-Potter is 4.8m exactly. He should play, but as a LB. Does get the odd goal involvement, and Leeds haven't scored in the last three. But Leeds defenders have better clean sheet odds, and likely better for DefCon!

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        1. TheBiffas
          • 5 Years
          1 month, 3 days ago

          I was just looking at him actually! Seems like as good a punt as any

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    • Chrisaa87
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Not sure what to do here, Salah injury was not part of my plan. Thinking of Salah and kroupi to szabolslai and jp. Or any other ideas? Rayan?

      Kelleher (dub)
      hill Rodon vvd (gab guehi)
      Rayan Salah b. Fernandes Anderson o.dango
      Thiago kroupi (Haaland)

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    • Whiz40
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Is Dan Ballard expected to play this weekend??
      Or is he still injured

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      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        He's a doubt. So not sure currently.

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    • Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Surprisingly/luckily well set-up for this gameweek with how the cards have landed:

      Dubravka
      VVD Thiaw Hill Alderete
      Bruno Mbeumo Wilson KDH
      Pedro Thiago
      Raya* / Haaland* Gabriel* Rice*

      Can field a full XI assuming no random benchings, but only really lack Fulham defense/Liverpool attack from a big EO perspective. Even KDH looks appealing now given how poor at the back my Chelsea are 🙁

      Considering:
      - Rice > Gordon (bench Alderete)

      Covers me if any random benching. Good odds, on pens, at home. Could be a cagey game again is the only worry.

      Would you do anything different?

      Note: I have WC, FH, BB chips remaining.

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      1. Sir Michael Taker
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        Would you not say the chance of the odd benching is highest for Gordon of your proposed squad?

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        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          1 month, 3 days ago

          Don't think so. Gordon and his positional change has been a big part of the uptick in Newcastle's recent form. It's a derby match at home, he's in decent form - there's no reason why he shouldn't start.

          If anything, a minor doubt on Mbeumo or Pedro (due to mins accrued) but I doubt either play 0.

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    • Sam (Team Sam)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      One free hit. Need to choose 2 from this list for the final positions:

      A) Joao Pedro
      B) Bowen
      C) Ekitike
      D) Rogers
      E) Szoboszlai

      Which two?

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      1. Sam (Team Sam)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        *on free hit

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      2. Hibbopotamus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        A + E for me.

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    • Hibbopotamus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      I'm one of the morons who punted on Salah last week. Now stuck with him + 2 playing DEFs, with only 1 FT.

      A. Richards + Salah > Thiaw + Wilson (-4)
      B. Salah > Wilson, just play with 10 men to avoid hits

      Do we trust Newcastle's defence enough for Thiaw to make up for a -4?

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      1. Qaiss
        • 10 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        Wasn’t moronic. He got injured

        A

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      2. Sir Michael Taker
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        Thats bad luck regards Salah. I don't personally trust that no but I'm a pessimist and a Thiaw owner and I'm more pessimistic about players I own. What do you think about his chances? Obviously more routes to points now than previous to consider too. I'd make him fairly likely to DC at least

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      3. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        I mean the answer to your last question is "no" considering they played midweek and shipped 7.

        But it's likely effectively -2 vs. playing 10 men. Decent clean sheet odds, DC is possible. Personally I would probably at least roll the dice. If it doesn't work out, you'll only be a couple of points worse off really.

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      4. Hibbopotamus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        Cheers guys

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    • -GK22-
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Semenyo and Summerville (assume injured)

      To

      Gordon and Iwobi -4

      Rest of mid is Wilson, Bruno and Dango

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    • Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Is Keane going to start?

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    • Traction Engine Foot
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      What striker should I get for GW31? WC32 so don't mind taking a punt.

      A Thiago
      B Bowen
      C Jimenez
      D Richarlison

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      1. Lenred
        • 10 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        Depends how punty. I’d be keen on C though. Huge upside and best fixture even with possible low ish mins.

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    • Kante Touch This
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Just did Munoz > Thiaw, now have 2FTs left over

      Should I transfer out Guehi or play with 10 men and roll the 2?

      No WC, Plan to FH in 34

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      1. Traction Engine Foot
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        I would get 11 if you can do it for free

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    • MGMT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Who would you start, Hill or Rodon?

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      1. JBG
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        Hill, Bournemouth might frustrate MU and actually get a CS

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    • dansmith1985
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Pick one from each

      A)Gordon
      B)Szobo

      1)Thiaw
      2)Andersen

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      1. JBG
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        A2

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    • Fuddled FC
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Which 3 priority to target?..no WC left
      I can have a combination but need at least 1 defender...any other suggestions?

      Defenders
      a) Thiaw
      b) Andersen

      Mids
      a) Gordon
      b) Wilson
      c) Szoboslai

      Forwards
      a) Etikite
      b) Bowen

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      1. G Banger
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        A b b

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    • JBG
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Eid Mubarak to everyone that celebrates!

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    • G Banger
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Need DEF / MID / FWD combo to field 11, which one:
      A) Thiaw / Palmer / Thiago
      B) Anderson / Gordon / Pedro
      C) Recommended better mix of the above

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      1. Hibbopotamus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 3 days ago

        B for me

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    • Lenred
      • 10 Years
      1 month, 3 days ago

      Have 11 players but no Wilson or Gordon.
      Enzo to Wilson is a no brainer right? Only 1 FT but all chips left.

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