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

    A) Rashford + Maguire (442)
    B) Calvert-Lewin + Martial (352)

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

      B

  2. grooveymatt65
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    do people think Leno is defo out for the rest of the season then?

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

      Yes no doubt IMO

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

      Yes

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

        Season is only a month left and i think he'll be out way longer than that

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

      99%

    4. grooveymatt65
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      ok thanks guys!

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

    Which option scores more this week?

    A) Alisson & Wan-Bissaka
    B) Martinez & Richarlison

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

      B

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

    Barnes or Sarr?

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

      Sarr

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

        Thanks

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

      Barnes

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

      Barnes

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

    Play
    A.) Lundstram
    B.) C.Taylor

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

      B

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

      A.

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

      B

  6. Lucas8406
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Best goalkeeper 4.9?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Pope or Foster

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

      Must be Martinez, if you use the cash saved up wisely

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

        This.

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

      Foster prob

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

      Pope

  7. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Asking again becuase i am super confused!!

    A: DDG + Aurier + Sarr + Rashford + 0.5m
    B: Pope + Aurier + Sarr + Son
    C: Pope + Saiss + Alli + Martial

    For B and C, my bench will be Kiko, Ngakia, Guendouzi

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

      They are all good.

      Pick one and back it!

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

      B.

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

    On a WC. Best route to go for?

    A) 352 (can do Pogba to martial then upgrade Ngakia/holgate to Saiss)
    Pope, Button
    TAA, Doherty, Ngakia, Lascelles, Holgate
    Bruno, Salah, Son, Pogba, Richarlison
    DCL, Jimenez, Nketiah

    B) 343 - No liverpool
    Pope, Martinez
    TAA, Doherty, Saiss, Lascelles, Holgate
    Bruno, KDB, Son, Richarlison, Foden
    DCL, Jimenez, Rashford

    C) 343 - No City
    Pope, Button,
    VVD, Doherty, Saiss, Lascelles, Holgate
    Bruno, Salah, Son, Richarlison, Guendouzi
    DCL, Jimenez, Rashford

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

      C

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

      TAA plays for Liverpool...

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

        Ah sorry meant No pool mid!

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

      I like B from these.

  9. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    if i have fernandes and mcguire - should i have :

    A martial
    B richarlison

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

      B

    2. Chip fat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Rich this game week, maybe martial longer term

  10. Chip fat
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    a) Doherty + Bergwijn
    b) Saiss + Son

    1. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      a

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

      A.

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

      B. Bergwijn could be rotated

  11. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Your opinions on any changes with this FH team? 0itb.

    --Pope
    --VVD--Doherty--Aurier
    --Salah--Son--Richa--Bruno
    --Vardy--Jim--DCL

    --Martinez--Saka--Kiko--J.Rob.

    Thanks all people.

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

      Looks good! Who’s your captain?

    2. Red Rock
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Looks good! Maybe downgrade Saka to Guendouzi and upgrade Pope to Patricio?

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

    GTG on WC ?
    DDG
    Doherty Ritchie Aurier
    Mane Fernandes(c) Richarlison Son (vc)
    Rashford Jimenez DCL
    Button Holgate Foden Robinson

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

      Yeap.

  13. Red Rock
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Seeing more Rashfords in teams over Vardy, worth me getting in Rash as it allows me to spread cash on Free Hit?

    Pope
    Trent Doherty Holgate
    Mane Son Richarlison Bruno
    Vardy Jiminez DCL

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

      Nope.Vardy is better.

      1. Red Rock
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks Aleksios, just getting twitchy with unlimited transfers this week

      2. JELLYFISH
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I'm going Vardy mate, Bruno sufficient Man U cover imo

        1. Red Rock
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          That's what I want to hear

  14. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Martinez, Saiss, Salah
    C) Patricio, Robinson, Mané
    D) Foster, Robinson, Salah

    Button 2nd keeper, rest of defence is Doherty, TAA, Lascelles and Holgate

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

      Sorry, no B today 🙂

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

      A.

  15. ABCDEFC
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On WC.

    A) Pope, Doherty, Richarlison
    B) Patricio, Saiss, Son

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

      Tough.B.

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

    G2G?

    WC

    Pope
    TAA, Doherty, Lascelles
    Richarlison, Son, Fernandes, Martial, Mane
    DCL, Jimenez

    Button, Nketiah, Taylor, Cahill

    0.6 ITB

  17. RVP20
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any changes to make to this FH team?

    Patricio
    Wan-Bissaka - TAA - Doherty
    Salah (VC) - Son - Fernandes(C) - Barnes
    DCL - Jimenez - Rashford
    (Button - Femenia - Guendouzi - Simpson)
    0itb

    1. Kryptonite666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Great team! bench slightly weak though. Perhaps Pope and strengthen one bench defender ?

      Fernandes captain is interesting.

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

        Bench is fine for a 1 week FH IMO

  18. ailton91
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A. Doherty,Maddison,DCL
    B. Coady,Richarlison,Ings

  19. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Bottomed.

    How’s this team looking ? Forgot BB last week so still remaining.

    Pope (Martinez)

    Doherty Gomez Holgate (Lascelles) (Ward)

    Mane KDB Son Bruno (Foden)

    Rashford Ings Jimenez

  20. Gunner1290
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Chillwell or Digne?

    1. ailton91
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Chilwell

    2. mccormibar
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I think this will be Digne’s big week.

  21. PlayPercentage
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Not many people going for Jesus.
    But it seems an obvious move, now Aguero is probably out for several weeks.
    Only played 45 mins last night, so should be nailed on for the next match.

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Will get more time.

      As may sterling in false 9

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

      Sterling could play false 9

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

      watching brief for me.....may switch to him GW33 if he starts firing (owning Vardy makes this switch easy too)

  22. james 101
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Final final final WC team

    Marty
    TAA Doherty Ritchie
    KDB Son Fernandes(vc) Salah(c) Martial
    Rashford Jimmi

    Button Taylor Nk Robertson

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I mean. This could change. Obviously.

    2. Lav
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      GL

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Deciding? Thanks!!

      2. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        You too mate

    3. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I blame berbs for my late defensive swap

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

      Best I've seen yet. Great team!

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

        is that robertson from pool?

        1. james 101
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I wish.

      2. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Cherrs

  23. Lav
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    -4. GTG? WC + FH in tact.

    Dubravka
    TAA Justin Saiss
    Mane KDB Son(vc) Barnes
    Rash Jimi(c) DCL

    McCarthy Cantwell Stevens Lund

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      V nice. You’ll do well

  24. Big W
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Chilwell or AWB?

    Or what is the best def for 5.5 other than aurier and ritchie

    1. Big W
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      On FH

  25. afs2239
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Done - 8
    Should i use FH or not worth

    Rashford, digne, de gea in
    Egan, aguero., leno out

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

    Wildcarded this team. All good?

    Patricio, (Button)
    TAA, Doh, Lascelles (Holgate, Williams)
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Alli (Saka)
    Jiminez, Rashford, DCL

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

    A) Ings, VVD & Patricio
    B) Vardy, Gomez & Pope

    FH - Cheers.

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

      A of that lot

  28. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    a. Play Nketiah and Grealish
    b. Aguero to DCL (-4)
    c. Grealish to Son/Alli (-4)
    d. Both transfers (-8)

  29. Dubores
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is Pope the best GK under 4.9m?
    I have him right now and 0.0ITB and I don't fancy making changes anywhere else.

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

      Yes he is, people forgot he played City in first game after the break. Certainly much better then Martinez

    2. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Could be

      Or Marty and use the cash elsewhere

  30. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Saka nailed? thinking of getting him on wc instead of Cantwell for my 5th midfielder slot

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not nailed but preferable to can’t in my opinion.