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

    Leno
    Bellerin Holding Gabriel Cedric
    Partey Xhaka
    Saka Willian ESR
    Lacazette

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

      Bad top post but that’s the Arsenal starting xi tonight, not sure it’s been posted yet

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

        Wanted to bring Laca in on WC but now not sure if he will start next gw. What do you think?

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

      So this is good news for Aubameyang owners?

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

        Better news for ESR owners 😉

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

          How

  2. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    If Mane is dropped tomorrow Jota is on the left, much worse productivity from there. Him and Firmino in the team does not work but Klopp wont bench firmino twice in a row.

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

      Salah Firmino Jota is Liverpool’s best front 3 and they simply need to start together. Mane has been shocking all year round. Only scored 7 from 20 big chances. Jota’s best position is the left of the front 3. Him and Salah either side of Firmino who’s absence was one of the main reasons behind that shocking performance against Madrid.

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

        No his best position is down the middle or right

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

          He plays down the left for club and country. Mane moves the the right to let him play on the left.

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

            Reality is he is much more productive this season when coming on as a sub over when he starts. 270 mins FWL 0.1 xgp90 per understat.

  3. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would you WC this team? Possible WC team below... still got BB for possibly 32.

    Martinez
    Dias. Alonso. Digne. Coufal
    Bruno. Son. Lingard. Jota
    Kane. DCL
    (McCarthy. Raph. Bamford. Dallas)

    WC team;
    Mendy. Forster
    Rudiger. Shaw. Coady. Fofana. Phillips
    Bruno. Son. Lingard. Jota. Salah
    Kane. Iheanacho. Bamford

  4. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is my WC and starting 11 looking ok?

    Mendy
    Rudiger - Shaw - TAA
    Salah (c) - Jota - Bruno - Lingard
    Kane - Wood - Nacho

    Forster - Maddison - Holding - Fofana

    1. TRE2
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Looks good. Only thing would be just 1 spurs for the double?

      1. Jet5605
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Honestly Spurs are hit or miss under Jose. Been stung too many times with benched Son and Bale but thanks anyway.

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

      Has an identical team apart from Castagne, Cresswell and Coady instead of Shaw, Holding and Fofana. Do u have money itb?

      1. Jet5605
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Nope zero ITB. I like Cresswell but Masuaku is back in the team which put me off a bit.

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

          I got Cresswell at 5.1 and still hesitated to get him out on WC.

          1. Jet5605
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            You should definitely hold him if you got him at 5.1. Good luck.

  5. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A) Maddison + Watkins
    B) Neto + Ings

    A or B on WC plz

    1. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

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

    Gosh Auba becomes a good one week punt option.

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

      No. He's horrible

  7. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any improvements to this WC? 0.0 itb

    Mendy, Forster
    TAA, rudiger, coady, holding, massuaka
    Salah, Bruno, son, jota, gundo
    Kane, nacho, vydra

    1. cigan
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Looking great

  8. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hey fam!

    A. DCL & Raphinha to Iheanacho & Jota (-4)

    B. DCL to Iheanacho & play one of Watkins/Raphinha

    C. DCL & Maguire to Iheanacho & TAA(-4)

    D. DCL & Watkins to Jesus(C) & Iheanacho(-4)

    E. Save FT

    Areola
    Cancelo Alonso Dunk
    Salah(C) Son Gundogan Lingard
    DCL Watkins Kane

    Martinez Raphinha Maguire Targett

  9. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Antonio out? Wanted to do KDB to Sterling(C) but if he’s out for a while will swap to Iheanacho

    1. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Probably b

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

    ESR starts, lovely - great bench fodder even if not nailed. Holding too looks nailed without Luiz.

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

      Is there not a chance Pablo mari comes in for holding at the weekend??

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Auba now gold dust for a week 🙂

      Does anyone here still have him?

  11. The White Pele
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Laca likeley to benched vs sheffield?

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

      He is starting tonight, so it is a concern. Was going to bring him in on WC...now probably not.

      1. The White Pele
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        cheers.

  12. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Konsa,Veltman or Masuaku as 5th defender on WC?

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

      Konsa has a double and an easy game in 33 so, him.

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

    Would you WC now or after the Spurs double (TC in gw32 & still have FH) and take a hit for sth like Digne&Raphinha > Rudiger&Jota?

    Martinez (Johnstone)
    Dias James Digne (Coufal Dallas)
    Salah Bruno Lingard Gundo Raphinha
    Kane DCL (Bamford)

    Sorry for the repost, just looking for some insight/debate

  14. Bruno Commando
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    1 FT and split between these 2 options:

    1) Raphinha to Neto
    2) Bamford to Nacho

  15. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who would be your must have on WC? Finding it hard to balance the team when including TAA :s

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

      Mendy
      Bruno, Jota, Lingard
      Kane, Nacho

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

      Kane, Bruno, Salah priority 1 for me. Must have

      Then it's the Sterling (c) punt 31 - switch to Son DGW32 dilemma vs. Son right away. This decision is priority 2 ...

    3. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not on WC, but looking to get

      Salah, Jota or both
      TAA or Phillips
      Rüdiger
      Nacho

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

    A bit of tinkering, but this is the team I think I’m going for, what’s everyone’s opinions?

    Mendy, Forster
    Fofana, Rudiger, TAA, Holding, Michell
    Lingard, Sterling, Son, Fernandez, Jota
    Kane, Nacho, Davis

    What’s everyone’s opinions?

  17. footballcandy
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is there a tiny risk Ihenacho will gett signifcantly less minutes (even not start?) now that Maddison is back?

    Leicester-followers, please enlighten me!

  18. G00LI0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Really great scoutcast this week. Really enjoyed the analysis and different views from each of Seb, Karam and Joe. Good balance and differing opinions.

  19. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Why did Jota not start the last Prem game?

    1. The Hunt
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Same reason as he won't start at the weekend...Real Madrid.

    2. cigan
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Klopp said he played too much for Portugal

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

        Reckon he starts this weekend?

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

          Yes

        2. cigan
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Not sure but I think he'll rest Mane instead

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

        I follow LFC pretty close, and my opionon is that Jota will most likely be rotated - but still get minutes - regardless of PL / CL. Every game, as long as his fit. Will rotate with Firmino first and foremost, but also Mane probably. Also with Salah, if Salah sucks/LFC have a big lead.

        Most certain LFC-midfielder for minutes/starts will be Salah as long as his fit.

        1. cigan
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah I think that's pretty accurate

  20. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Drop Martinez for Leno on WC?

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

      Yes

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

      I'm keeping. Even without a CS he always gets points for loads of saves

  21. drughi
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Wildcard draft #2, any opinions ? vardy means alot of sacrifice but hope it pays of with the fixtures

    Mendy
    Rudiger Shaw Dias
    Gundogan Salah (C) Jota Fernandes
    Kane Vardy Nacho

    forster lingard phillips holding

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

    Who’d you rather lose on WC Salah or Son. Trying to take my team away from the template and would need to drop one to spread the funds

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

      Son

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mo

      The money goes further and there are a couple of possible City mids this week who could be great. If you're on WC you should at least have bench cover for a no show. There's the possibility I suppose of KdB/Sterling to Son next time and going without either this time around. Simply on form it's no great stretch and neither fixture is gold.

      ? Leno Forster
      Alonso TAA Shaw Rudiger fodder
      Sterling Bruno Mount Maddison Jota
      Kane Iheanacho Wilson ?

      AWB another option at the back. Despite cs run there's been more points in a United double up there than United.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        *than Chelsea

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

          Thanks! Really appreciate the feedback. I agree with what you’re saying and I like the way a team like that looks and works, tough selling Salah as genuinely nobody in my ML has him so he’s a differential now but selling him opens so many avenues

    3. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I wouldn't worry about this so-called template. If you think both will perform well, select them both.

  23. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On a WC. Which defensive option looks best?

    A - TAA, Fofana & Holding
    B - Dias, Castagne & 4.7

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

      A

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

      A, would you consider Coady and Masuaku instead of the latter two.?

      1. Jet5605
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Never thought of that but it's a good shout! Thanks

  24. 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.

    1. cigan
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

  25. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Does KDB get rested even though he was rested vs Fulham?

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      This site thinks so - see Predicted Lineups

  26. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How nailed are Holding and Masuaku? Thanks

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

      Holding playing tonight. That makes him nailed in my eyes as long as Luiz is out.

      Masuaku... who knows.. if they need to switch up the formation with Rice/Antonio(?) out, then probably yes - he will start.

  27. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Shaw starting in the Europa suggests he could be get rested for a game or two in the league.

  28. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best combo?

    A. TAA+Coady+Rudiger
    B. Dias+Shaw+Alonso

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A for more certainty about starts

    2. cigan
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

    3. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Hmm B I guess

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        How’s your team looking? I’m still not sure I will WC haha

  29. Oh Mane Mane
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Start one between Coady, Shaw and Holding?

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If you don't start Holding this week, when would you?

    2. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Shaw

    3. cigan
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not Shaw

    4. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Have the same dilemma and starting Holding

  30. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Ready to go on wc....any tweaks?
    Mendy forster
    TAA alonso shaw coufal veltman
    Salah Bruno jota gundo raphinha
    Kane iheanacho vydra

    Gundo will go to moura for dgw then anyone up to 7.6.
    Coufal best up to 4.6 def?