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. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Who has best upcoming fixtures?

    A) Lascelles
    B) Ward

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

      A by far imo

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

      Las

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

      A

  2. Freund88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any thoughts on this Wild Card squad?

    Martinez Nyland
    Van Dijk Maguire Aurier Saiss Lascelles
    Salah Son Fernandes Mahrez Traore
    Jimenez DCL Ings

    Only things I am questioning is
    1) Mahrez - too influenced by current form?
    2) Maguire - is he the best Man Utd defender?

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

      I’d say yes to both.

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

    A, Son DCL
    B, Alli Richarlison

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

      A

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

      A

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

      A seems safer. B could outscore tho

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

      A

  4. Mufc202020
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Best striker to replace aguero?

    1. Mufc202020
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Already have rashford and Jota

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

        Then go Vardy

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

      Who are your other strikers?

      Jiminez, DCL, Rashford, Ings, Vardy

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

    Thoughts on this wc team? No mane means Vardy and Richarlison in. Risky but might be worth it as don’t plan on capping mane for the next two gws at least.

    ddg
    taa doherty aurier
    kdb bruno (c) son richarlison
    vardy rashford jimmy

    martin taylor guendouzi ngakia

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

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

    FH - Cheers

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

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

    Alonso & Jota > Kiko & Jimi (-4)

    Yay or nay

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

      Not for -4

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

    Better WC option?

    1) 'The Son':
    Martinez 3.9
    TAA Doherty Saiss Lascelles Holgate
    Salah KDB Bruno Son 4.2
    Rashford Jimi Greenwood

    2) 'The Sarr' (0.7ITB for upgrades)
    Martinez 3.9
    TAA Doherty Saiss Lascelles Holgate
    Salah KDB Bruno Son Saka
    Rashford Jimi DCL

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

      1

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

      2 and it really isn't even close. It has 3 starting strikers, quality mids, TAA and Doherty at the back etc.

      1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        He's goofed up, Son should read Sarr

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

      *Son should be Sarr in the second team!

    4. Bielsa's Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      2

      Only difference between me and you is Aurier, Femenia and Bergwijn

  9. FantasyTony
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    BIG Question Guys. First to 3 gets the pick.

    A) Martial + Jota
    B) Sarr + Rashford

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

      B

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

      B

    3. MGD
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

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

      Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

      Thanks folks

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

      B

  10. Totti
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    choose 1:

    A) martinez and mcarthy

    B) pope and button

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

      B

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

    On WC. GTG?
    DDG
    TAA Doherty AWB Aurier
    Salah KDB Fernandes(C) Son
    Jimenez(V) DCL
    Button Lascelles Saka Nketiah

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

      Yep

  12. 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

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

      I would probably play it this gameweek unless you just ride it out without a goalkeeper? With that much in the bank you may as well upgrade someone

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Free hit

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

      I'd save the FH til 37 / 38, get a keeper this week and mayyybe switch a forward for +4, tho aguero and tammy could do well

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

        *aguero to vards or rash

  13. Kroos Kontrol
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Play a bench boost on McCarthy, Grealish, Nketiah, Lascelles?

    They all doing alright, but they play each other.....

    Starting XI is:
    Pope
    TAA / Soyuncu / Boly / Aurier
    Salah / Mane / KdB / Fernandes
    DLC / Jimenez

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

      Playing each other puts me off a BB

  14. ebb2sparky
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Am I crazy to keep Lundstram on my WC? Will only get 4.4 for him if I sell

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

      Would you actively want him back though? Thanks for the memories

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

      Sell

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

      Exaclty the same position and I'm keeping

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

      Been one of the best in recent years, had him since gw1, cheers but ya gotta go

  15. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Best gk?

    1) de Gea
    2) Alisson
    3)?

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

      Foster

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

      3) Pope

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

    Really tempted to punt on Traore - man's a beast

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

      Not a very good player from an fpl perspective especially against weaker teams

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

        Why is he not a good player from an fpl perspective?

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

          Look at his goal assist stats vs those teams. When theyre not playing on counter its tough for him to get involved. Nearly impossible to score goals. Might nick an assist lile he did vs whu but even those a few and far between

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

            True he is certainly a counter attack player...

    2. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Same.. love the guy and I want 3 wolves. Jiminez and Doc are fixed. Making deafts with either Saiss or with Traore.. leaning rowards Traore..even with 30 minute runouts he is formidable.

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Even though my post says otherwise. No I am not drunk lol. Apologies for all the typos

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

      He's at an awkward price point, and not guaranteed to start. For me he'd have been a fifth mid and I'd have wound up frustrated benching him.

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

      If I knew he’d start...

  17. 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
    Bottomed

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      You'll only have to transfer them out next week if you free hit

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

    Aguero out for 5 weeks acc to twitter, can't find official source though?

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

      Sounds about right tho

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

      Jesus in.

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

        Aguero being out doesnt mean he will randomly start scoring. Dreadful player

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

          Of course. But if you are chasing it is worth a try maybe. Depends on your situation. I am keeping KdB anyways and got attack that I am happy with so wont be risking with Jesus.

  19. The_FF_King
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is De Bruyne needed if I’m playing free hit this week?
    Tempted to go without just for this week. Thoughts?

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

      just posted below - decided to go without as well

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

    On free hit

    A) Vdijk and Ings
    B) Digne and Rashford

  21. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Alonso or James to start vs Man City this GW?

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

      James. Azpi left back

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

    I was all set on Holgate as my first alternate defender (with starts on good fixtures) until Ancellotti announcing that Mina is back fit and ready to return after this GW. Will Holgate keep his spot?

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

      Barring rotation for fitness. Holgate has played 90 in all but one match since he came into the team (gw10) regardless of who else was fit.

  23. gaurava1216
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On Free Hit so 1 week option only:

    A) Traore ( Home to Bmouth) -- Rotation risk
    B) St Maxim ( home to Villa) -- he plays for Newcastle
    C) other up to 5.7?

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm going Maxim

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

    Ok time to lock it in - am i done??
    trying to avoid triple united

    FH team:
    Patricio
    TAA Doherty Ritchie
    Salah Son Bruno Alli
    Jimmy (c) Rashford DCL

    Button Lasc Duda Robinson

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

      Not sure about Duda (havent seen him) but other than that, Id lock it in.

  25. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Start one please

    A) Nkitieah

    B) Saka

    C) Lacelles

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

      C

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

      Easy C

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

      C

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

    Any suggestions:
    Pope
    TAA Doherty Maguire
    Salah KDB Son Fernandes
    Jimmy DCL Ings

    A bit short of Rashford, would've preferred him to Ings but it meant losing Doherty most probably.

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

      It's a really good team imo, can't have them all. Arsenal have probably got one of the worst defences in the league right now, ings could do well again.

  27. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    1. Ritchie or Aurier
    2. Barnes (talk of a rest on here) or Perez

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

      Both of 1 are good choice
      Neither of 2 is a good choice.

  28. GUSFRING
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    KDB or Son? Would lose £0.5m on KDB

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

      For me, the former. Despite the shorter time he will face.

  29. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Better to wildcard this week or free hit?

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

      Either would work.I have both and went WC but could have worked with either

  30. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A B or C to complete FH team?

    DDG Button
    TAA Boly Saiss Lasca Robinson
    Salah Bruno ××× ××× Guend
    Vardy ××× Jimi

    A) Barnes Son Rash
    B) Rich Son DCL
    C) Rich Bergwin Rash

    Thanks.

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

      I went with B) myself