Captain Sensible

Who is the best FPL captain for Gameweek 31?

Fantasy Premier League managers may have to look past this season’s most reliable assets for the Gameweek 31 captaincy.

Son-Heung min (£9.4m), Harry Kane (£11.7m)and Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m) have been among the most reliable skippers in 2020/21 but Sunday afternoon’s meeting between Spurs and Manchester United has blown the latest debate wide open.

A number of alternative options have emerged including Diogo Jota (£6.9m)and Mohamed Salah (£12.4m)who starred in Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Arsenal and face Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Manchester City’s starting XI for their lunch-time meeting with Leeds. While this is a favourable fixture for Pep Guardiola’s men, it is sandwiched between two key UEFA Champions League ties with Borussia Dortmund.

As always, the Captain Sensible article is here to help you with this week’s captaincy conundrum. Given that this text includes plenty of analysis backed up by the extensive data from the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area, only those with a valid subscription can access it in full.

CAPTAIN POLL

As shown above, Salah is the leader of this week’s Captain Poll, having gained 27.4% of total votes so far. The Egyptian scored in his last two appearances for the club (against Arsenal and Real Madrid) and looks to be getting back to his goalscoring best, just in time for the final stretch in the Premier League Golden Boot race.

Just behind him in the poll sits Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) with 17.7% of votes from our users. The Belgian was unlucky to come out without any returns against Leicester City in Gameweek 30, but played a crucial part in his team’s win over Borussia Dortmund midweek, opening the scoreline in the first half and providing a crucial pass in the build-up for the late winner. The match-up against Leeds United could be a great opportunity for a big haul, although there is heavy uncertainty over the likelihood of him starting.

This season’s top goal-scorer, as well as the top assist provider, Kane has gained 9.0% of total votes. The England international has been in outstanding form in this campaign, often winning games for his team single-handedly. 

That said, in Gameweek 31, Kane will face a tough opponent in Manchester United. He may have scored 16 points in the reverse fixture but the chances of another double-digit haul are not too strong considering the Red Devils have improved significantly since their 6-1 thrashing at Old Trafford.

The top-five list is closed by the aforementioned Jota (8.6% of votes) and Raheem Sterling (£11.3m, 5.2%), who could turn out to be a shrewd one Gameweek captaincy punt.

KEY MATCHES

Liverpool v Aston Villa

Jota continues relentless form as Klopp manages Salah's minutes
1,428 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pompey5
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Its WC time thoughts?

    Leno, Forster
    Shaw, TAA, Rudiger, Phillips, Mitchell
    Jota, Salah, Bruno, Son, Lingard
    Kane Nacho Davis

    Avoiding the City roulette

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Like it. Also planning to phase out city assets. Might choose Bam or Watkins over Nacho personally.

      1. Pompey5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Tough fixtures for Villa.

    2. jbenny1107
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Too many Liverpool.

      1. Pompey5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        That was my concern. Previous version had TAA, Salah and Phillips which was better as Phillips would be a good bench.

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You have 4 Liverpool players here- can you get Holding or Masuaku over Phillips perhaps?

      1. Pompey5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        D'oh - Phillips is Holding!

        1. jbenny1107
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Good to go assuming no bench boost.

          1. Pompey5
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Thanks - BB gone.

    4. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wouldn't want double ARS defence - anything ITB (I'd get Schmeichel instead of Leno)

    5. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Magnificent! Prefer Mendy to Leno, though.

      1. Pompey5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks, nothing left in bank - agree Mendy would be better...

  2. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Gundogan

    A) Sell to Jota for -4
    B) Give him the Leeds game

    1. Pompey5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not sure its worth a hit

    2. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

    3. jbenny1107
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

    4. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B: gw33 is the time to sell or bench. The strategy is will you want him back for a good run of fixtures beginning in gw34 with cpl?

    5. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

  3. jbenny1107
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Son/TAA or Sterling/Phillips

    1. Pompey5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Son/TAA

    2. Donny_Rover
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Son/TAA

    3. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Son/TAA

  4. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    https://twitter.com/NeymarJrSite/status/1380114488108724228

    I don't really like Neymar but what an assist that was.

  5. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Not sure whether to do KDB -> Salah or Raphinha -> Lingard this week. Which scores more?

    A)
    Salah Captain (AVL)
    Raphinha (mci)
    Salah (lee)

    B) KDB Captain (LEE)
    Lingard (LEI)
    Lingard (new)

    Leaning towards A for a safe captain pick this week!

    Cheers

    1. Pompey5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Like A. And you never know with Leeds always a chance they could score.

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers!

  6. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    If only Raúl Jiménez was fit and available for those matches. Dammit!

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Amen. Hope to see him back soon

  7. Donny_Rover
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Current WC:

    Mendy, Forster
    Dias, Phillips, Rudiger, Shaw, Coady
    Salah, Son, Jota, Sterling, ESR
    Kane, Vardy, Nacho

    Alternative thinking is to swap Vardy, Phillips, Shaw & ESR to Vydra/Silva, TAA, Coufal & Saka. Essentially Vardy vs TAA...any thoughts on which is better (or alternatives?)

    Sterling’s just a one week punt, will be out for Fernandes next week.

    1. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I prefer TAA to the Leicester double up I think. It's going to come down to a bit of luck either way though I think.

      1. Donny_Rover
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah I’d really like TAA in there but not convinced by Iheanacho. I feel like Vardy is very close to coming good and getting a haul or two.

        1. Thomas Magnum
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I agree with this cause all it ever takes is one counter attack for vardy. In saying that same can be said about TAA possibly going off soon. Maybe downgrade Iheanacho to a fodder then have a play with the extra funds maybe

  8. School of Poch
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would appreciate some thoughts on this WC draft?

    Mendy Forster
    TAA Shaw Coady Masuaku Holding
    Salah Bruno Son Jota Lingard
    Kane Iheanacho Davis

    0.1ITB

    1. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I’ve seen lots of WC

      There’s no love for mount ?

      I know fixtures are not the best but he’s on fire

      1. School of Poch
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Lots of love for Mount as a CFC fan. But I always feel still that he is under risk of rotation or getting less minutes than other players at his price point, I prefer both Jota and Lingard atm.

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I like it, few template picks there but should work. I’ll ask what do you think separates your side from the other WC sides?

      1. School of Poch
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah it is very template. It's hard to say what separates it for that reason.

  9. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone plan on keeping Dias on WC?

    1. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Need every player I can get for BGW33 so I'll be going without......

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I'd keep. Pretty easy to plan with 1/2 of either City or Spurs

      2. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Interesting, thought I’d get responses about rotation, price etc but not because of week 33. Didn’t really think of that

    2. Donny_Rover
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      See my post a couple above 😉 He’s a keeper for me, if he doesn’t play he won’t come on and I’ll have a playing bench so happy to take the risk.

    3. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He’s the only city I’ve kept

    4. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I really want to keep him but can't really get the midfield/attack I want with TAA and him.

    5. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Punting on Alonso instead

      1. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        What's a punt about it?

  10. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    So kdb with new contract signature is essential now ?

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He will be rested.....

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      😆

    3. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      When did Auba sign his new contract 🙂

      Pick the best players for your own squad - I'm not ditching City, just benching for 33

  11. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Dias worth keeping? I've already got Shaw, TAA and Rudiger - is there a better option out there for 6.1 & under?

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If you don't have Mendy then Dias > Azpi is worth it.

    2. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Keep if you're able to still have the team you want built around him. I think I'm having to get rid on WC to afford TAA alongside the midfield and attack I want.

      1. Oooo Matron
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        What do we think about Leicester defenders? Great fixtures to come.

  12. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Do we think Reguilon is nailed on now?

    1. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes I think so but spurs concede not worth it for DGW

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I think so too, but don't know

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nope. Still thinks he gets rotated occasional with Bdavies but idk when he’ll be back from injury. Don’t trust Reguilon myself, he looks like he can haul any week but never anything to show for it

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers. Would only be for a dgw punt but it's not a dgw if he doesn't start both!

        1. Thomas Magnum
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Exactly, same thing happened last DGW he played 1 game did well then didn’t appear the other

    3. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Regardless and because we can't nail a Spurs def is enough reason to discount a Spurs def. The fact that they concede regularly should cement it. Surely City & Che are safer bets for the money?

  13. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A) vydra and cresswell or
    B) wood and coufal

  14. borispkpk
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Need Wildcard for this team?
    1 FT
    Mendy
    Coufal Digne Dias
    Son Bruno Salah Gun
    Antonio Kane Iheanacho

    sub: Martinez Raphinha Dunk Dallas

  15. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    G2g for GW31 (No WC)?

    Forster
    TAA / Rudiger / Shaw / Cancelo
    Salah(c) / Bruno / Son / Gundo / Raph
    Kane

    Bench:: Martinez / Watkins / Dallas / Davis

  16. Pandastar5
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hi all, wondering about your thoughts on what I should do with this team for the GW:

    (1 FT, $6.1m itb; 1 WC, 1 BB)

    Martinez
    Cresswell Cancelo Shaw
    Gundogan Son Bruno Raphinha Lingardinho
    Kane Bamford

    4.0m GK, Dallas, Coufal, Brewster

    I was thinking of Dallas/Cancelo --> TAA since I have to either deal with leeds' tough upcoming schedule or the Pep roulette at the back.

    Another option I was also thinking is going for Cancelo --> Saiss/Nat Phillips and then having enough funds to bring in Salah either this GW for a hit or a later one.

    Also going to try to bring in a competent bench so I can fully use the potential of the BB.

    Lmk what you think, any thoughts appreciated!

  17. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What to do with this horror show?

    Pope (Sanchez)
    Dias, Digne, Coufal (Targett) (Dallas)
    Fernandes, Gündogan, Lingard, Son (Raphinha)
    Kane, Calvert-Lewin, Lacazette

    1 free transfer and 0.4 in the bank.

    Thank you!

  18. Vovhund
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A) Salah & Ihenacho
    B) Jota & Vardy

    ???

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'm going for A

    2. b91jh
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

    3. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

    4. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

      1. Vovhund
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks, guys. I leaning towards A myself, although my biggest rivals in my ML will surely go for Jota - and I'm leading 🙂

  19. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which combo is better? On WC

    A) Cresswell+Maddison+Wood
    B) Shaw+Son+Davis
    C) Coufal+ESR+Vardy

    1. popey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      prefer B assuming third player here will be benched

    2. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      C

  20. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Holding or Amartey?

    How nailed is Holding?

    For the time being with Luiz injured?

    Either will mainly be a bench option. Exciting decision!

    1. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I had Amartey in a draft but wasn't sure how nailed he is. Any ideas on that? Ended up going with Holding because I didn't know if Amartey would get game time.

      For me it's basically

      A: Masuaku Holding
      B: Coufal Amartey

      with the former rotating playing alongside Coady

      1. School of Poch
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        That's rotating with Coady not playing as well as.

        1. PascalCygan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I'm a current Coufal owner, looking to get rid on my WC probably. He does get forward well, though. I think B out of those options.

          Amartey seems fairly settled at the moment but maybe Pereira comes back in soon? Hard to know.

  21. Pedaso Pirates
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC fatigue setting in, so would welcome feedback/ideas on this lot:

    Mendy/Forster
    TAA/Alonso/Shaw/Phillips/Holding
    Salah/Bruno/Son/Neto/Lingard
    Kane/Nacho/Davis

    £0.2m in the bank

  22. fplking14
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Sterling or Jesus as 1 week punt?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I am going Sterling C this week, god he is DUE!

      1. fplking14
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Currently on Sterling as well.

  23. Flair
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Own 3 attackers with a combined worth of 30M in a Jose vs Ole game, what could go wrong?

  24. fplking14
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC team:

    Mendy Forster
    TAA Coady Rudiger Soyuncu Shaw
    Sterling Bruno Jota Lingard Neto
    Kane Nacho Watkins

    Thoughts?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Like it, who you benching this week & C?

      1. fplking14
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Watkins Neto and Fofana. Made a mistake i have Fofana and not Soy.

  25. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A Raphinha Dallas to Jota Philips (-4)
    B Auba Digne DCL to Salah TAA Ihenacho (-8)
    B means would have to play Veltman and Raphinha or Bamford

  26. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Fabio Silva to punty as a pick ?

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      His lack of minutes and lack of goals put me off. Wish he had some form

    2. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes, because it's not clear that Nuno will play him enough. If he were a reliable starter he'd be a great choice.

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

      I don't like it at all. Too many cheap strikers available to consider him.

  27. jimbobmij
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Auba or Havertz for my draft team?

    1. popey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      top 10 picks before the season! probably Auba

  28. popey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC considrations - trying to overall haul 93 pts in ML or 44 to top 10k;

    1) Have Mendy - James or Alonso (have strong bench to cover rotation)
    2) 10.6M for Mid and Def (one likely to be first bench but have a few rotation risks)
    a) Saka & Shaw
    b) Lingard & Veltman/4.4

  29. GE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Keep Dias on WC or bring in Azpi/James/Rudiger?

    1. Mork calling Orson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Rudiger if the extra funds improve your team

      1. GE
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        It does

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Bonus

  30. Mork calling Orson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Straightforward question:
    A) Dallas to Coady
    Or
    B) Raphina to Neto

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Of those B

      Jonny out makes defenders less appealing