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. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    That's it! Set. Gtg??? No United in my league rules cheers.

    Dubravka
    Taa Doherty Aurier
    Salah(c) KDB Richarlison Son(v)
    Dcl Ings Jimenez

    3.9 Lascelles Foden Ward

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

      Yup

  2. Johnnyboy UK
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Kane and captain?

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

      Could be golden this GW. Mourinho was speaking about his strikers scoring goals as an answer to some journalist probing at Kanes lack of goals und him. So maybe Kane will be extra motivated to score?

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

    A. Saiss + Bergwijn + Rashford
    B. Doherty + Son + AWB

    Please suggest, thanks.

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

      A

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

      Is that a formation change too?
      I'd go B

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

        yes

        4-4-2 for B

        3.9 | Saka | Kiko | Greenwood on bench

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

      B

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

      B

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

    Best Grealish replacement:
    A) Sarr
    B) Barnes
    C) Traore
    D) ASM

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

      D, C could be gold

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

      A makes most sense I think but D is spicier.

  5. nygunner
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    RMT (Wildcard)

    Martinez - Dubravka

    Lacelles-Robinson-Aurier-VVD-Doherty

    Traore-KDB-Mané-Fernandes-Saka

    Vardy-Jiminez-DCL

    Thoughts/Improvements appreciated

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

    Changes to this WC Team?

    Maybe Guendo DCL to Maximin Ayew?

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

    0.0ITB.

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

      Good as it is.

    2. Patrick Bateman
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I like it. Probably wouldn't do your proposed transfer(s) as it'll leave you a benching headache?

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

        Right!

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

    Bottomed.

    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. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A or D

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

      A for me

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

      A and pocket the change.

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

      I’d probably go with Kiko or Dawson from Watford if rotating with Lascelles

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

      Thanks all

  8. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Guys,

    Need some help. Play A) Saiss OR B) Justin this GW. **(Already have Doherty)**

    Thanks.

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

      Saiss

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

      A

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

      A

  9. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Need help deciding 2nd GK and 5th Mid.

    1. Martinez + Foden
    2. McCarthy + Saka

    (Bench Boost still available)

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

      Not much in it. Like the Foden pick, don't like Martinez...

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

      1 as it's your 2nd keeper.

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

    Current WC, anything obvious I've missed?

    Pope (4.0m)
    TAA, Maguire, Lascelles (Saiss, 4.0m)
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Son (Cantwell)
    Jimi, Rashford, DCL

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

      Nothing obvious. Personally prefer AWB to Maguire and probably still Saka to Cantwell.

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

        Cheers. Only two assists from AWB all season, so don't see the appeal.
        Definitely have a point on Saka, but prefer someone on the bench nailed.

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

          Yeah fair points. AWB is certainly more threatening but I guess the stats dont lie. Cant see Norwich improving and Saka is looking fairly decent for 4.7 perhaps mostly due to how diabolical his team mates are i think. Coin flips really.

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

      You can get a 3.9 instead of a 4.0 secondary GK

  11. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Son, Doucoure/Maxim, Boly
    B) Bergwijn, Sarr, Doh

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

      a (but close)

  12. 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!

  13. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Best 4.7 keeper?

    A. McCarthy
    B. Ryan
    C. Other

    Best def?

    1. Holgate
    2. Masina/Cathcart

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

      A,1

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

      A1. Not sure about Southampton fixtures mind.

  14. finnish92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Taa + Lascelles
    B) VVD + Ritchie?

  15. Jaok
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    WC team, what do you think?

    Patricio
    TAA Maguire Doherty
    Son KDB Fernades Richarlison
    DCL Rashford Jimenez

    3.9 Kiko Lascelles Hayeden

    No Liverpool mid because of low team value.

    1. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Upgrade richa to mane/Salah
      Downgrade Rashford

    2. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      & downgrade Maguire too, hope it allows the upgrade

  16. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pope.
    TAA, Maguire, Saiss.
    KDB, Fernandes, Salah, Barnes.
    Auba, Jota, DCL.
    Stek, Holgate, Dendoncker, Stephens.
    1 ft, 3.2m ITB. WC, BB left.

    1. Save the FT. BB later possibly after the WC (likely GW 33+). Use 2ft's next week before WC.

    2. Stek-> Allison/DDG + just use BB this GW.
    May not get as good a chance.
    Allison/DDG, Holgate, Stephens, Dendoncker for BB.
    This allows me to just focus on 12/13 starters instead of 15 when I WC in GW32 or 33

  17. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Over the next two GWs
    Pick a pair
    Son+Mahrez
    Or
    Bergwijn+kdb

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

      Son + Mahrez

  18. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on Aurier?

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

      risky, medium risk medium reward. I'd prefer Boly/Saiss to him even if it meant double wolves def

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

        He has easier fixture so whats the risk then

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

          rotation

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

            and a red card

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

            ok thanks

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

      Like him for this week. Not sure about Spurs backline for the rest

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

      Think it's worth a punt given their fixtures. Don't have to start him every week either so have a good rotation to bench him.

  19. Henning
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Do we expect any more dgws?

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

      Can't see it.

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

        Thanx

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

      no .. FA Cup matches are planned well and no CL to worry till end of league

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

        Thanx

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

    A) Doherty & Richarlison (already have DCL)
    B) Saiss & Son

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A)

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

      What about Doherty with either Alli or Bergwijn

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

        Bergwijn I think may be too much risk. Going to keep Richarlison for now and then swap to either in later GW

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

      Close, probably A. Prefer Martial to Richarlison if you have DCL and no Rashford.

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

        Have rashy, so I think I may be overcommitting with Richie and DCL. Can always swap later GW

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

      thanks all, going to keep a

  21. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    If on a FH, which one to go with assuming I have Rashford already?

    a) Vardy

    b) Bruno

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Vardy for me

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

    REPOST

    De Gea - Alli

    OR

    Lloris - Pogba

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

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

      Wouldn't double up either defence. Get Patricio instead at that price? Or Dubravka.

  23. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pope
    TAA Saiss Taylor
    Salah Fernandes(c) KDB Barnes
    Vardy Jimenez DCL
    McCarthy Saka Egan Tangana
    2.1m

    A) Barnes to Bergwijn
    B) Egan to Doherty
    C) Salah to Son

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

      B for sure....

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

        And play him of course...

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

    Quite enjoying FPL now, after the long break and odd end to the season.

    A lot less ‘give a sh1t’ in my selection.....

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      same

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      although some advice on the above would be nice ha

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

    Fernandez worth the 0.3 over Lascelles? Goal threat and bonus

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

      Yes.

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

      Not for me

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

      I picked Fernandez earlier in season, I'd say its worth. Only 0.3 more than youre getting at least 3 more points on average. He's a BPS magnet and better goal threat, also more nailed

    4. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Trying to fit him in my WC
      But otherwise lascelles it is

      Ritchie Fernandez lascelles
      This would be my preference for Newcastle defenders, budget permitting

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

      I would if I could...

  26. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Wc gtg? 0.0itb

    Martinez
    Taa Doherty lascelles
    Mane(c) kdb son(vc) fernandes
    Vardy jimi dcl

    Button kiko guendouzi simpson

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

      Like it, also considering Martinez, see below.

      Could give me Salah/Saka/Holgate for Mane/Guendouzi/Kiko

  27. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Would you change anything in this team to get Salah for Mane?

    Pope (Martin)
    TAA, Doherty, Aurier, Lascelles, Kiko
    Kdb, Fernandes, Mane, Son (Guendosi)
    DCL, Jimenez, Rashford

    0 in the bank

    Dcl to Ayew, Son to Alli or Pope to Martinez would free up cash to upgrade 2-3 spots

    Other suggestions?

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

      I'd just keep Mane.

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

    Is Kane a worthy candidate for C this GW ?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      if i had him i would go for it (chasing)

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

        Im chasing too. Need to take risks at this point of season

    2. Feanor
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not if he's going to play in midfield.

  29. BUZZBOMB
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    If Im chasing and rivals above all have Bruno as do I, is it madness to captain Son over Bruno? I think theyll go with the popular option.

    Are other alternatives who I have better options (DCL, Jimi, KDB, Mane, TAA, Rashford) ?

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

      I just see Bruno doing better. At the end of the day, you should captain whoever you think will get most points

  30. Muller Reus Corner
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Vardy and Richarlison in for Aguero and Grealish for a hit?

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

      Yea

      1. Muller Reus Corner
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers. I think Richy will be a great differential despite a -8 hit.

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      yeah

    3. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yep