Metrics

Salah set to polarise top 10k FPL managers with Gameweek 31+ captaincy

Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) has the power to single-handedly define Gameweek 31+ for a much of the world’s top 10,000 Fantasy Premier League managers.

The Egyptian was the subject of much debate in preparation for the latest round of action and, after Tuesday’s 17:00 BST deadline, he was revealed as the most popular captain.

That fact is particularly ominous considering that Salah is currently only owned by half of the top 10k. Knowing that so many armbands have been handed to the Liverpool man will surely make the rest of Gameweek 31+ a tense affair for those that have avoided him.

As expected, the Gameweek 31+ captaincy has proven a fractured affair, with no asset managing to build up more than 30% support, even among the top 10k.

In fact, the gap between first and second place at that level stands at just 5.7%, opening the door for potentially sizeable green and/or red arrows depending on what transpires.

As already mentioned, it was Salah who emerged as the most captained option for the midweek round, but he managed only 27.2% backing from the top 10k.

A blank for the Egyptian combined with another haul from Bruno Fernandes (£8.7m) could see a sizeable change in rank for the 21.5% who captained the Portuguese international.

Likewise, any slip-up from Salah and Fernandes could leave the door open for the brave 12.6% of top 10k managers who skippered Raúl Jiménez (£8.2m) jumping for joy as well.

Sadio Mané (£12.5m) was backed by 8.3% while the 6.7% who went for Son Heung-min (£9.7m) were rewarded with an assist and clean sheet on Tuesday night – although they will be smarting at seeing his first-half goal disallowed for offside.

Not surprisingly, the Wildcard was the most fashionable chip for Gameweek 31+ after the Bench Boost and Free Hit took prominence for the Double Gameweek last time out.

43.2% of managers inside the top 10k pulled the trigger on new squads for the midweek round of action, taking the total usage of this chip at this level to 77.7%.

Interestingly, it means just under a quarter of them are holding fire before spending the second Wildcard, perhaps hoping to accumulate more data of football in the new post-coronavirus world.

The Free Hit also received some attention for Gameweek 31+, deployed by 8.5% of top 10k managers.

In the most part, those in the upper echelons of the Fantasy world rankings are keeping that chip in their back pocket.

As you can see from the graph above, it is the only one to have been used by less than half of those in the top 10k with seven Gameweeks left of the season.

For all the Wildcard’s attention in the top 10k, that did not make much of a dent on the overall usage of the chip.

As you can see, only 3.4% of managers worldwide deployed the second Wildcard for Gameweek 31+, and just under 70% still are yet to use it.

That goes some way to highlighting the drop-off of active players but also encourages those languishing in unfavourable rankings as it could theoretically mean green arrows are slightly easier to come by than usual.

The top 10k are proving to be big fans of Wolves and their upcoming fixtures, with three of their assets present in the ownership template.

The most popular of these Jiménez, owned by 83.6% at this level, nearly double that of the second-most-fashionable forward Marcus Rashford (£8.9m).

The England international forms one half of the double-up on Manchester United assets enjoyed by a sizeable chunk of the top 10k.

43.8% of them are invested in the centre-forward but it is Fernandes who is the more fashionable option. Having played just six matches in Manchester United colours, the Portuguese international already finds himself in close to 80% of squads in the top 10k.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.5m), who has excelled since Carlo Ancelotti took over at Everton, completes the forward line in the top 10k template, acquired by 43.6% of managers at this level. They will be hoping for big things from the Toffees forward when they travel to Norwich on Wednesday evening.

Exciting full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.8m) and Matt Doherty (£6.4m) are owned by 82.6% and 57.2% respectively, acting as a premium double-pivot in defence.

Therefore, it is no surprise to see the value offered by Jamaal Lascelles (£4.3m) taken up by so many as well, 43.5% of the top 10k including him in their Gameweek 31+ squads.

Interestingly, just under a third of managers at this level showing continued faith in John Lundstram (£4.9m) despite Sheffield United’s tough fixtures between now and Gameweek 38.

Considering the Wildcard was so heavily deployed by the top 10k this week, it is no surprise to see some level of overlap between the most popular players in such squads and the main top 10k template.

There are a total of 13 players sat in each template, but it is interesting to note where these two groups differ.

Bukayo Saka (£4.7m) appears to have become the new favourite fifth midfielder after his promising displays for Arsenal in the Double Gameweek.

Meanwhile, Serge Aurier (£4.9m) has been turned to as a replacement for Lundstram and immediately provided a reward in the form of a clean sheet against West Ham.

1,009 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Grealish to Sarr is tempting

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

      Sarr looked very good

  2. Greek Freak
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What's happening with Auba's contract?

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

      His contract is until 30.06.2021. What do you mean?

      1. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Ah, I thought it was expiring this year.

  3. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Today I did the most stupid move ever in my FPL career 🙁

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm sure you've made worse. What was it?

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

      Well my snap last minute decision this week
      Was KDB and Rashford out
      For Vardy and Rich and to upgrade bench player to Ritchie. Sometimes you gotta laugh or get more sleep.

    3. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I had one FT so about 30 minutes before deadline I decided to remove Hendo and get DDG. My other keeper is McCarthy who I wasn’t too happy to play against Arsenal.
      I don’t like Shu Utd fixtures.
      On the other hand, Man Utd fixtures are so good that he could be a nice keeper to set and forget. But... here is whete all went wring... I put him in the starting team and... forgot to press the save button. So now I have DDG in the bench and McCarthy laughing at me in the pitch 🙁 So according to Murphy’s law DDG will save 2 penalties and McCarthy score negative points 🙁

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

        Wow that's horrific mate! I've done something similar before believe it or not... In my best season ever too!

      2. Whats the Huth
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Blessing in disguise

        DDG is awful

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

    I am looking for two 1 week punts for GW 32 before a WC in GW 33.
    Pope.
    TAA, Saiss, Maguire.
    KDB, Fernandes, Salah, Barnes.
    Aubameyang, DCL, Jota.
    Stek, Holgate, Stephens, Dendoncker.
    2 ft's, 3.2m ITB.

    Barnes -> Son leaves me with 0.4 to make up elsewhere.
    Any ideas?

    1. Origi-nal
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      TAA to Chilwell

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

        Playing Everton? I think TAA may score more points v City.

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Pope to Patricio

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

        Have 3 Wolves already unfortunately.

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          yeah sorry - my eyes slid over the Dendocker pick

          1. The FPL Units
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Barnes to Foden

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

      Maguire to Fernandez or Lascelles would do the trick

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

        Or Aurier, but that might be only 0.3 ...

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

    Ings and Lascelles over Aurier and DCL has utterly punished me this week and weeks to come. Feel sick.

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

      Why are you already saying this?

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

        Aurier hauled and looks set for even greater mega monster beast hauls

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

    Loads of price changes today..

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

      And price falls!

  7. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Have a feeling Jota will be benched for Neto tomorrow, would be shame as he’s my only real differential
    Getting to that stage in the game where everyone has the same players

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

      I am hanging on with him. Just hope he can match Jimenez this week. Not likely though.

  8. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Who wants a hot topic?

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

      Have price changes been posted?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Not yet, I'm on strike.

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

          Fair enough. Gonna play WC anyways.

        2. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          boo

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

      yes please

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

    I am apart of the brave 12.6% with Jimenez(c). No Salah. Also on 12(-4) right now. Im very worried.

    1. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No Salah either, have Sterling instead. I guess I love having 11.7m on the bench at unexpected times 😀

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

      Jimenez is fully fit and in great form. No need to worry.

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

        Hope so. Trying to get back inside 1k.

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

        Any idea when his wife is due?

    3. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      There with you but I do have Salah.

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

    Already thinking of a -8...

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

    McCarthy, Stevens, Lord, Cantwell, Barnes, Justin, Saiss (want Doherty) all players in my side ahead of 33+. Time to activate that WC and shift some assets around for the final push.

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

      Meant 32+

  12. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Put Soy and Aurier in 1 minute prior to deadline.

    Switched captaincy from Salah to Vardy at exact deadline time.

    This is an example of winning some and losing some for all of you out there.

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

    Vardy,Kane,Son,Doherty,Pope went 0.1 up??? Am I right ??

    1. Cake by the pound
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yes

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

    Vardy over Mane went off well. Tempted to dump him after this gw.

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

      Yeah, and Jesus is a potential option now.

  15. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Would you BB this next GW?

    Martinez (NOR) - Ayew (BUR) Ward (BUR) Lascelles (BOU)

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

      Yes

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

        Thanks bro

  16. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Did a last min change of chilwell to soyun and bench him just to start bergwin.. wellll

  17. ZimZalabim
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Price Changes

    Rise
    Traore, Patricio, Doherty, Bergwijn, Son, Kane, Kdb, Vardy, Chilwell, Pope

    Fall
    Bellerin, Pepe, Grealish, Loftus-Cheek, James, Gilmour, Aguero, Rodri, Duda, Rupp, Egan, Sharp, Norwood, Henderson, Mcburnie, Snodgrass, Podence

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

      Tyvm.

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

      Wow I'm losing money... gotta make some quick transfers.

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers 🙂

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

        cheers for the 100s of other times

    4. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nice one!

    5. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers Zimzalabim.

    6. UpTheCherries
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      HI!! *inhales* okeh

    7. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers.

    8. Mortal.Swinbat
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Egan not price locked?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Only when Sheffield play Utd.

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

      Vardy rise ?
      Lol

    10. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Vardy to punish the sellers......
      Oh.... wait

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

      Where did that KDB rise come from ?

  18. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Went balls out Richarlison (c) and I'm already sweating over my entire mini league putting the armband on Fernendes and Salah. Make or break!

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

      Relax, they're playing Norwich.

    2. Mortal.Swinbat
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Great shout, I put it on DCL but forgot to confirm it so it’s on Salah, but I wish it was on DCL.

    3. Tired and weary
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Did the same. Had to do it really, chasing and need to take calculated risks

    4. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Everton do have off-days, I understand your worry.

  19. MidTableFantasy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Henderson + Vardy -> Patricio + Rashford?

    Current team:
    Henderson
    TAA Saiss Lascelles
    Salah Mane Bruno Sarr
    Vardy Ings Jimenez

    McCarthy Snodgrass Stephens Egan

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

    Thoughts on Doucoure? Looking for a sub-6m mid that will start regularly (so not Traore).

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

      ASM for the next two then swap to doucoure

    2. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sarr more explosive for me but Doucoure edges it in the stats and he's playing in the number 10, so might be a safer bet.

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      ASM

  21. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Salah/Mane look essential for GW33 & GW34!

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      And beyond that!

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Minimino will play equal mins

  22. Phil's Stamps
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Captain is a tricky one next week with the FA cup mixed in. Jimi will be popular but how about a punt on Doherty? Villa look a little better at the back but even more toothless than ever up front. It's also a derby so could get scrappy, I can see it being a 1-0 Wolves victory with someone other than Jimi scoring.

    1. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      The armband is firmly on Auba, Jimenez is the vice-captain for sure though - need someone without the risk of cup games to cover all bases.

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Oh yeah obviously Auba if you have him. I was thinking more of the post-WC crowd.

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I´m not english but wolverhampton is from the city of wolverhampton and not birmingham right?

      midlands derby then, yeh?

      and i agree with you with Villa, looked a little bit better defensively even if they conceded twice vs Chelsea, Chelsea did not produce much besides the goals and SHu barely had a sniff. Nyland or one of the cheap def could actually be a decent bench option.

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

    Thankfully I have a habit of choosing the next gw's captain & team whenever the deadline of the previous gw has passed as practicable.

    I totally forgotten about the gw31+ deadline.

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

      Anyone still keeping Jota?

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        yes

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

    Points predictions for tonight?

    A. Mane
    B. Salah
    B. Richarlison

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

      7, 7, 8

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

      2
      16
      2

    3. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A. Mane 3
      B. Salah 8
      C. Richarlison 10
      D. DCL 6
      E. TAA 9

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        sorry I chucked in some more.

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

        Best answer so far

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

      AWB 6.

    5. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sarr 10

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

        Ddg?

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

          14, pen save?

    6. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      9 (goal + 2 bps)
      7 (goal + 0 bps... as per normal)
      2

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

    AWB 6

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

      Control bro

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

        lol sorry, procrastinating from work

  26. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    McCarthy
    Taa,Sais,Soy
    Mane,Kdb,Son,Bruno
    Ings,Jota,DCL

    Good to go for GW31+?

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      sorry for 32+*

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        yes gtg

        1. Chelsea91
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          thanks mate

  27. I Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    1 pen touch and 0 shots for Son. Is he worth it or playing too wide?

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I have low TV so have decided not to stretch for him atm

    2. chaser123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He had a goal disallowed....

    3. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Look at ppg. Plus good fixtures. Has to be a few golden bounties.

    4. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      It depends who you have to sacrifice to get him in.

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I already have him.

  28. The FPL Units
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone like the look of this WC?

    McCarthy – Martinez
    TAA – Aurier – Siass – Holgate – Lascelles
    Salah – KdB – Bruno – Foden – Richarlison or Martial?
    Jimi – DCL - Rash

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      *WC then BB the following week or 2.

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

      Nice.
      Gks - I would look at Patricio/Button.
      Prefer Son and Ings to Foden and DCL.

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        TV is low and can't make those picks happen.

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

        Lol, I prefer salah and mane

  29. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Has anyone put together a draft freehit for this week? Trying to decide whether it’s worth it....

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Does it change much from this GW? Just City vs Pool is the changer.

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

      Nah wasted chip this week unless your team is rubbish

  30. Phil's Stamps
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    That Arsenal Norwich fixture is already starting to concern me.

    Who wins between these two?

    A) Salah (mci) +4
    B) Pepe (NOR)

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Don't you dare do Salah to Pepe for a hit.

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah, post-WC blues, still in unnecessary tinkering mode.