Captain Sensible

Who are the best captain options for FPL Gameweek 31+?

Fantasy Premier League managers are faced with a perplexing captaincy decision for Gameweek 31+.

With Manchester City playing Chelsea, and Liverpool preparing for the mean defence of Crystal Palace, there is no standout candidate.

But this is the sort of Gameweek that Fantasy Football Scout readers relish. The lack of a comfortably popular captain provides Fantasy managers with an excellent opportunity to capitalise on how widely spread the armbands will be in Gameweek 31+.

To identify the best options to do this, we have looked at every key option’s recent form as well as the weaknesses (or not) of their upcoming opponents.

As this article uses data from the Fantasy Football Scout Members Area, only those with a valid subscription can access it in full.

Captain Poll

The dilemma of the Gameweek 31+ captaincy is reflected perfectly in the results of our latest poll.

As you can see from the image above, no option has streaked ahead of the rest of the pack, indicating the massive opportunity Fantasy managers have to make real ground on their opponents.

Bruno Fernandes (£8.7m) is the man who tops the pile but not by much. 19.7% of the voters handed their support to the Manchester United midfielder, who continued his pre-lockdown form in the Gameweek 30+ draw with Spurs, scoring a second-half penalty.

Since joining the Red Devils, Fernandes has been involved in six of his team’s nine goals, averaging 7.8 points per game.

Throw penalties into the mix, plus a Sheffield United defence short of key personnel, and things look good for Fernandes. Dean Henderson (£5.3m) is ineligible to face his parent club, John Egan (£4.6m) is suspended following his Double Gameweek 30+ red card and Jack O’Connell (£4.6m) still a fitness doubt.

Despite the potential low-hanging fruit from this game, the interest in captaining Marcus Rashford (£8.9m) is comparatively low, just 4.9% backing the Manchester United forward for the armband in Gameweek 31+.

Despite missing out on Double Gameweek 30+ entirely, Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) sits second in the captain poll for the upcoming round of action.

15.3% have handed their backing to the Egyptian as Crystal Palace head to Anfield. His home form was certainly in fine fettle when lockdown struck the Premier League. Salah found the net in five of his last six Anfield outings, scoring six times, assisting once and averaging 8.7 points per game in that run.

However, Liverpool’s attacking assets will have to compete with a stubborn Crystal Palace defence midweek. The Eagles have now kept four clean sheets in a row. There may be some hope for Salah owners behind that statistic though. Those clean sheets kept by Roy Hodgson’s men between Gameweeks 27 and 30+ were recorded against Newcastle (home), Brighton (away), Watford (home) and Bournemouth (away) – hardly the same level of quality on offer at Liverpool. 

Raúl Jiménez (£8.2m) is fortunate enough to be the next forward to face Bournemouth, who looked exceptionally poor in their Double Gameweek 30+ defeat to Crystal Palace.

Their defence has been in poor shape both before and after lockdown, conceding at least twice in five of their last six and with just one clean sheet on the road since Gameweek 11.

By contrast, Jiménez has been the right kind of consistent. The Mexican’s goal at West Ham was his third in the last four Gameweeks, and sixth in the last eight.

Meanwhile, the Wolves forward has become increasingly reliable against the lesser sides in 2019/20. 12 of his 20 attacking returns this season have come against those outside the traditional ‘big six’.

Son Heung-min (£9.7m) heads up the differential options with 8.7% backing in the captaincy poll. 

The South Korean was in an excellent scoring groove before his Gameweek 26 injury, netting four times in the three matches before then.

Of course, he was occupying the centre-forward role vacated by the now-fit Harry Kane (£10.8m) at the time, but facing West Ham in Gameweek 31+ is certainly a favourable fixture. David Moyes men have kept just one clean sheet since Gameweek 21, conceding at least twice in six of their last eight. Furthermore, even though the Hammers are well-known for upping their game against their local rivals, they have conceded 1.8 goals per match against London opposition this season, more than their overall average for the entire season (1.7 goals conceded per game).

8.2% of our voters must have been pleased with what they saw of Jamie Vardy (£9.7m) against Watford, as they have picked him out as the best captain candidate for Gameweek 31+. The midweek round of action pits him against the Brighton defence, that has kept just one clean sheet on the road since Gameweek 7. But the question remains over whether Vardy can recapture his earlier season form. His two goals against Aston Villa in Gameweek 29, remain his only strikes since Gameweek 19.

Sadio Mané (£12.5m) remains a part of the discussion with his 6.2% backing and relatively decent form since return from injury pre-lockdown. While he could not carve out anything for his Double Gameweek 30+ owners, the Senegalese international still averages 6.2 points per game since returning to action in Gameweek 26. But, like Salah, he still has to contest with Hodgson’s well-organised Palace defence midweek.

Kevin De Bruyne‘s (£10.6m) Double Gameweek 30+ double-figure haul is enough to convince 6.1% of our voters to captain him despite a tricky (on paper anyway) meeting with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. But no FPL midfielder has more attacking returns against ‘big-six’ opposition than De Bruyne, his total of eight coming from four goals and four assists in seven matches.

Harvey Barnes (£6.2m), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m), Richarlison (£8.3m), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.5m) and Sergio Aguero (£11.8m) are the only other options with more than 1% backing for Gameweek 31+.

Player statistics – Last four matches

2,965 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Cruz88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    If chasing would you punt on Traore > Richarlison for a -4? Even though Wolves play Bou?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Since there is a chance of Traore starting, I wouldn't do that move

  2. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Who to captain?
    A) Son
    B) Salah
    C) Vardy
    D) TAA
    E) Jimmy

    1. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Good question, someone should take a poll. 😉

  3. Drexl Spivey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Jimenez edging it for (c), surely?

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He's mine atm

    2. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I think he's. safe option with a lower ceiling. Classic conundrum!

    3. butt0n1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I am with you!

  4. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What to do with this lot?

    Leno* Reina*
    TAA Lunds Targett Saiss Egan*
    KDB Mount Grealish Traore Saka
    Jimenez Auba Kun*

    1FT, 1.4ITB, WC available, FH available

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Use one of your chips and come back with a team

  5. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I think the fact that there are so many captaincy options this GW could work to the advantage of those playing FH or WC this week.

    Since there's no one big standout, having as many of the popular choices as possible could spread the risk of you captaining the "wrong" one. I won't be surprised if there's an even or close to even distribution of captains among the most popular captaincy options, at least within the top 10k or active managers.

    It's also for this reason I'm going without KDB this week. I just think that while his ownership is high, his EO won't be anywhere near someone like Salah, Mane, Jimenez, or a Man Utd player on the basis of them having better fixtures and potential rotation fears with KDB.

  6. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I'm surprised by how few people are getting Salah + Mane. This is still Liverpool we're talking about and they have nothing else to play for. Might as well field as strong a side as they can while they have competitive matches to play.

    On another note, in two weeks time I'll likely pick Mahrez back up. City looking free flowing and he's looked in good form and in Pep's good graces.

    1. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      This was my plan to swap KDB for Mane + Salah double up but with other attacking options I chose (Son, Bruno, Rashford, Jimi) I can no longer afford it

    2. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      What are your thoughts on captain this week? Bruno looks great option with SHU defensive problems.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        He does look good.

        But I'm gonna cap a Pool player. It's probably gonna be Salah. Him or TAA.

    3. JamTart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sums up my thoughts nicely. Mane and Salah will still score highly. I guess if you aren't going to captain them then a case could be made. Mahrez will likely be in my team either replacing Son or Mane after the liverpool match.

    4. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Too expensive for both.....means big concessions elsewhere

  7. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On WC, Choose 1 of these
    A) Patricio and Martinez as keepers, rotate James Justin and Lascelles in defence
    B) Pope as set and forget keeper, rotate AWB with Lascelles.

    1. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Toughest keeper decision i've ever had, Burnley not in good shape so Pat probably

  8. thepirates
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On WC:

    Martinez (3.9)
    Doherty - Taa - Lacelles
    KDB - Son - Bruno (C) - Salah (Vc)
    DCL - Jimenez - Rashford
    Bench: kiko, guendouzi, 3,9

    Would appriciate Your thoughts!!

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nice

  9. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Does Greenwood cover Rashford? Even just a wee bit? Can’t afford Rashy, can afford Greeny.

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I don't like the "covering" mentality, to be honest. But you get what you pay for with Greenwood.

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I really don’t think so

      Is he even likely to play now Pogba Martial and Rashford are fit?

    3. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Hmm i dont think so but Rashford without pens/alternate pens is an interesting one. Any preference between Rashford and Martial if you could have either?

      I do prefer Nketiah over Greenwood fwiw

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Rashford for me over Martial

    4. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm on Rashford but not overly convinced about him. It's herd mentality on here. Greenwood will get minutes .

    5. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nketiah covered Auba in the DGW 🙂

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Exactly my thinking....

    6. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He's a punt in my WC at moment, not sure If I'll start him though.

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah, first on my bench, but means playing Saka - could be worse I suppose...

  10. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    1 Ederson Traore Vardy

    Or

    2 Dubravka Son and DCL?

    ON WC

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      2

  11. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Final dilemma, please help:
    A) Aurier
    B) Maguire

    Thanks a lot in advance!

    1. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Mag

  12. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone else considering Kane over Rashford as an Aguero replacement?

    Could haul tonight v abysmal West Ham

  13. Ed
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone tempted to go KDB captain?

    Can see City putting a few goals past Chelsea

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      sold him

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Different.

    2. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm thinking about it. Between him and son for me

  14. dezille
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Pope, Simpson (3rd bench)
    B) Martinez, Saiss (Lascelles, Holgate being the other defenders)

  15. Rishi Sehgal
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hello FF Community. Thoughts on my team please (0.6 itb, 1FT)

    Pope
    TAA Boly AWB
    Salah Brunooo Alli KDB
    Jiminez Rashford DCL

    I'm currently 200k and want to finish under 50k so should I do KDB & Boly to Richarlison & Doherty?

    1. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I think so. im currently 22k and looking to push on. I think you have to bear in mind Man city play 3 games in 1 week, (Newcastle in FA cup and their 3rd game is Liverpool). KDB likely to feature in prep games, but could have his minutes managed.

      I would suggest AWB to Ritchie for 2-3 weeks, then back to a Man U defender.

      1. Rishi Sehgal
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I already have Fernandez as Newcastle cover and I'm not keen on doubling up on them. You're right about KDB tho but I think he might be rested for the FA Cup game so that he plays against Chelsea and Liverpool

  16. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Managers, TIA

    Would rather have:

    A) Jimenez and Lascelles + 0.2
    or
    B) Jota and Ritchie + 0.9

    Rest not my team:

    Pope (Button)
    TAA, Doherty, *, Taylor, Cahill
    Richarlison, Mane, Barnes, Son, Fernandes
    *, Rashford Nketiah

    Im leaning towards B as it affords me a little bit more flexibility. Ritchie can easily become a MANU defender in 2-3 GW's.

  17. C'mon the Fylde
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Why is everyone shipping Mahrez?
    Is it his fixtures?

    1. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Ficture and congestion. Lilley selling to enable Bruno or son or Martial

    2. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      That he's started twice already, albeit hour long excursions.

  18. MosF94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Think I'm set on this WC team (0.0 itb):

    Martinez (Button)
    TAA, Doherty, Maguire (Aurier, Lascelles)
    KDB, Son, Alli, Fernandes (Guendouzi)
    Vardy, Rashford, Jimenez

    gtg?

    1. Rishi Sehgal
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Too much of Spurs i reckon. Think you could drop Alli for Richarlison and upgrade martinez

      1. MosF94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I love their fixtures, whereas I'm a bit meh on Everton's (after this week) - triple Spurs is questionable, but that's why it's a differential! And both Son and Alli have demonstrable FPL pedigree

    2. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah, i have that team but Ive a better keeper (Patricio) and you have Maguire over my Lascelles.

    3. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sorry, you have Son as well as Alli. Didnt spot that. Agree with other poster. Too much Spurs. They are not THAT good. Two is plenty. I just have the one.

  19. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    As a playing 5th mid:

    A) Saint-Maximin
    B) Traore

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A for me. Will see more pitch time and there attacking outlets are fewer.

  20. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I can have this team with 2 transfers(-4)

    Nyland
    Lascelles-TAA-Boly
    Salah(C)-Mount-Grealish-Bruno-KdB
    Vardy-Jimenez

    Leno-Baldock-Nketiah-Lundstram

    Would you use FH or to save for last GW. I dont have 2nd WC.

  21. Chip Butty
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    First stab at WC team. Any good?

    Patricio (Button)
    TAA Laporte AWB Saiss (Lascelles)
    Mane Richarlison Fernandes (Foden) (Saka)
    Vardy Jimenez DCL

    1. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Decent, I wouldn't have laporte though

    2. The Road to Turfdom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Laporte's next two fixtures aren't great and he looks likely to be rotated - prefer Doherty. Otherwise like it

  22. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    All set for yet another 100+ GW... 😀

    Pope
    Aurier VVD Doherty
    Salah KDB Bruno Bergwijn
    Rashy Jimmy DCL

    Martinez Saka Lascelles Taylor 0.3

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Any reason you specifically aren’t going for TAA?

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        funds and stubbornness

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Salah-> Guendouzi not give you the funds?

          1. TheDragon
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Saka!!!! Obviously not Salah!

          2. Chucky
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            can fit him in if I want to...

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Awesome team....but get TAA....

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        will survive without him just as I have done all season 😉

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          GL Chucklly....

          1. Chucky
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            just borught TAA in for VVD... 😀 now nothing can stop me from finishing inside top 10k...

  23. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    G2G? I know I'm hedging with Pope and Masina.

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Masina
    Salah Son Bruno Martial
    Vardy D(C)L Jota

    Leno Saka Taylor Stevens

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      DCL captain is ‘brave’....!

      Presume you have no FTs? Looks good to me though

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Did KDB > Son with my FT, scary. Really not sure about captain but DCL gets a lot of chances and got nothing to lose.

    2. The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah nice, just ashame no Jimi I'd say

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah, very much so, no way to get him for Jota.

        1. The Mantis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Or pulisic over Martial?

          1. The Ejiptian King
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            This isn't a WC team but I like the Utd double up with the fixtures.

    3. The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Downgrade Salah to KDB and son to bergjwin?

  24. Mikha In A Tutu
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    RMT:
    Pope, Button
    TAA, Lascelles, Saiss, Taylor, Robinson
    Fernandes, Son, Mané, KDB, Saint-Maximin
    Jimenez, Ings, DCL
    G2G?

  25. cescpistols111
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    4 spots left to fill on FH, 26.9 ITB.

    Pope Stekelenburg
    Robbo Doherty xxxx J.Robinson Kilman
    Salah Son xxxx xxxx Guendouzi
    Rashford Jimenez xxxx

    1. Lilac Breasted Roller
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Robbo instead of TAA due to price?

  26. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any love for Ederson as GK for the rest of the season?

    1. Lilac Breasted Roller
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Considered it, think it's a good option if you have cash spare.

    2. tokara
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Next two games nahh

  27. The Mantis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Question; why is DCL in so many teams? I know he had a good run of form, but are people not put off by his fixtures? They're ok but not that generous

    1. Lilac Breasted Roller
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      vs norwich is a very good fixture
      Currently have both DCL and Richarlison in my WC but I'm thinking that may be overbetting it

      1. The Mantis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I hear ya

  28. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A.Saiss and Vardy or
    B.Doherty and Rashford
    Have Bruno as utd cover if that matters.

    1. The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B for me. Doherty every time, business end too

  29. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Changes to this WC Team?

    DDG/Martin
    TAA/Doherty/Lascelles,Holgate/Kiko
    Salah/Son/KDB/BrunoF/Guendouzi
    Rash/Jim/DCL

    0.0ITB.

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      It is in my opinion the perfect t template team (I’m about £2m off it though)

    2. The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Decent

  30. Wheyyyy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    WC dilemma - 1st and 3rd on bench for the next 2/3 GWs

    A) ASM & Kiko
    B) Traore & Simpson

    1. Cahill
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      a

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

    3. Wheyyyy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks both, any other votes?

    4. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

    5. TIME TO VARTY
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

    6. WALOR
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Traore for me