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

    Who is better for short to medium:

    A) Barnes and Rashford
    B) Martial and Vardy

    TIA

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

      Both really close. B

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

      I have A. But Party is always a good pick

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

        Rodgers comments about Gray coming on and doing well is a concern. But he'll play, its just how many minutes.

    3. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

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

      B

  2. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Play one:

    a) Holgate (Nor A)
    b) Lascelles (Avl H)
    c) Kiko (Bur A)

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

      B

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

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

    My (hopefully) final WC draft. Thoughts? 🙂

    Patricio
    TAA | Doherty | AWB
    Salah | Alli | Richarlison | Fernandes
    Rashford | Jimenez | DCL

    Martin | Lascelles | Kiko | Guendouzi

    Alli too risky? Chasing in mini-leagues atm.

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

      Not at all, great team.

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

      Very strong.

    3. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not sure on Alli myself

    4. Tinkertank
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks, locked it in now ^^

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

    How secure is Ritchie's place in the team?

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

      After last week I would say he is nailed.

  5. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Jimenez or Vardy for captaincy?

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

      Jimmy

    2. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Vardy

    3. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Jim, I think.

    4. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Jim

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

    Chasing in ML. Trying to break the template... how does this WC look?

    DDG (Martinez)
    Doherty, Holgate, TAA, Chilwell, Lascelles
    Alli, Pogba, Richarlison, Traore, Foden
    Vardy, Firmino, Jesus

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

      Not good sorry. Too much risks.

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

    Those with Aguero (c), Egan (vc) who miss the deadline are going to be spewing....

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

    Bruno captain ?

    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      As good a choice as any.

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

      I am probably going Rash myself

  9. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Who is the cheapest playing defender these days?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Robinson for the time being

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

      Robinson, Ngakia

    3. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Robinson

  10. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Whom to captain?

    A) Salah
    B) Jimenez

    Thanks in advance

    1. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Or
      C) Fernandes

      1. sully29
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        C, probably.

      2. Tinkertank
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        C

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

      Jimmy

  11. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On wildcard. Thoughts please chaps??

    DDG Button
    TAA Ritchie Saiss Holgate Kiko
    KDB Salah Fernandes Sako Hayden
    Rashford Jiminez Ings

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

      Downgrade DDG and upgrade elsewhere.

    2. built_this_city
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      why DDG

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

        Good fixtures. Hopefully blip on Friday will make ole sure up defence?

  12. Nando7
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Which Team on Wildcard guys...
    A)
    De Gea
    VVD Doherty Aurier Ritchie
    Son Fernandes Traore
    DCL Rashford Jiminez

    Bench:Martinez KDB :/ Saka Robinson

    B)
    De Gea
    TAA Doherty Aurier
    Son Fernandes Traore KDB Martial
    DCL Jiminez

    Bench: Martinez lacselles Ayew Robinson
    Any suggestions appreciated

  13. YuvalFPL
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    This article has made me change my mind.

    Jimenez (C) it is.

    Come on Mr Postman.

  14. Cruz88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    The article mentions Fernandes having penalties in his locker, but didn't we gather that Rashford is due to take the next one (at least)?

    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Might have meant that if there's two in the same match Bruno wouldn't take both, rather than Rash taking the next one.

      1. Cruz88
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Probably, though slightly misleading for those who don't realise. Got to be a slim chance of two penalties in the match

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

    Should get two from Lascelles - Holgate - Kiko to start each week right?

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

      You'd imagine so.

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

        Cheers...

  16. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Which gk would you go for on WC?

    A) Schmeichel
    B) Foster
    C) Pope
    D) De Gea

    My current defence is TAA - Doherty - Saiss. Feel Saiss's value is just too good to ignore. Only just considered De Gea as I noticed his price has dropped a fair bit this season, and Ole has backed him in the press.

  17. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    X - 3.9
    X - lascels - sais - lowton/kiko/robinson - holgate/kabasele/masina
    Kdb - mane - bruno - son - X
    Rash - jimi - X

    Which?
    A) martinez - taa - guendozi - vardy
    B) pope/foster - gomez - richar - ings

    1. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Add taylor to the mix with holgate/.....

  18. Fuddled FC
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Would you do

    a) Alonso & Jota > Lascelles & Jimi (-4)
    b) Alonso > Saiss
    c) Alonso > Maquire / AWB
    d) nothing, just keep Alonso

  19. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On FH:

    A) Rashford, DCL, Salah, Lascelles (Guendouzi) - no Vardy or Ings
    B) Vardy, DCL, Martial, VVD (Aurier) - no Ings
    C) Ings, DCL, Salah, AWB (Lascelles) - no Vardy or 2nd United attacker
    D) Rashford, Ings, Richarlison, VVD (AWB) - no Vardy

    Rest of Team:.

    Pope
    TAA, Doherty, X
    Mane, Son, Fernandes, X
    Jimenez, X, X

    Cheers

  20. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Aurier, Martial and DCL
    B) Taylor, Sarr and Rashford

    1. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Taylor benched for Fernandez most weeks in B

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

      Like a a lot more.

  21. Rash
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    When best to play FH in the remaining game weeks?

    Tempted by this week as my squad is not in good shape.

    Leno Henderson
    Trent doherty lascelles lundy Steven's
    Kdb grealish son bruno cantwell
    Aguero tammy martinelli

    2.9itb

  22. Paddy Gooner
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is the general consensus that Salah is going to play instead of Mane this week? Is it worth shifting my team around for the extra 0.2m (WC)?

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

      Reckon both start.....

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

      Same dilemma. I always fear not owning Salah but clearly isn't 100% and we don't know how sharp he'll be. He is on pens with Milner out though. I think he will start and get 60 mins, with Mane getting more. I'm currently on Mane

    3. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      They will both play, the next game is more then a week away

  23. DIMITRIS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I just went -4 for Leno and Aguero OUT for Pickford and Kane in. Gave Kane armband.
    Stupid or vise ?

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

      I mean it's a big risk. Swinging for the fences, good luck!

  24. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A team without KDB seems ridiculous considering he's the highest scoring player in FPL...

    I blame Pep.

  25. Are you Shaw?
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    De Gea - Alli

    OR

    Lloris - Pogba

    Keep in mind I already have Aurier - Son and Maguire - Fernandes

  26. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    If ever there was a week to punt on captaincy it's this one.

    Think I might go for DCL. There was something about Ancelotti's eyebrow this week that suggests he's going to demolish Norwich.

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Solid shout. Has a big haul in him for sure.

  27. gomez123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Nyland
    TAA Doherty Lacscelles
    Bruno(vc) Mahrez Barnes KDB Mount
    Jimmy(c) Auba
    Leno* Egan* Lundstram Nketiah

    No WC..Still got FREE HIT....GTG or FH??

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

    A) Calvert-Lewin (3-4-3)
    OR
    B) Sarr (3-5-2)

    Much appreciated!

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

      A

  29. HaffNanner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Best defender under 4.9 to rotate with Lascelles?
    (Already have 3 Wolves so Saiss is out)

    A. Holgate
    B. C Taylor
    C. Dunk
    D. Justin

    1. Nando7
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Holgate

  30. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    No WC

    Auba >
    1. Rash
    2. Vardy

    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Rash

    2. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

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

      1

    4. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      1

    5. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

    6. Your Man With The Hair
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Could you keep one more GW?

    7. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks lads. I'll go see the Doctor.

    8. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

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

      2