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

    Finishing WC: Which looks best?

    A )Vardy, Mount
    B) Wood Sterling

    1. FPL-Albion
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

  2. ow00019
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Cedric more nailed than holding?

    1. Sho-kun
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      after tonight, nah..

  3. Sho-kun
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    how is this WC looking?

    Mendy
    TAA/Rüdiger/Coady
    Lingz/Bruno/Son/Jota/Saka
    Kane/DCL

    Forster/I-Nacho/Shaw-Coufal

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

      Like it

  4. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Oh no, Shaw off at HT - injured?

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

      Tactical I guess

  5. ‘Tis the Season
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Play Son in 352 or Nacho in 343 ❓

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Son

  6. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Pope Johnstone
    Cancelo Rudiger AWB Coufal Lowton
    Gundo Bruno Son Raphina ESR
    Bamford kane DCL

    1 FT and 5.3 in the bank.
    Can someone please fix this mess. Please.

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

      Open to one Hit too

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

    Is Fofana nailed on?

    1. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I have no insight to LC whatsoever, but I'd lean toward nailed, if healthy. He was before injury, at least

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

        Yes, nailed

  8. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Not sure who all to start in my backline
    Martinez/Sanchez
    Phillips/Shaw/rudiger/stones/dunk

  9. beric
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    seems mad that rashford is the 8th highest scoring player this year

  10. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Template-heavy current WC draft. What changes to consider?
    fwiw - Lead ML and have BB left.

    Mendy, Forster
    TAA, Rudiger, Coufal, Holding, Struijk
    Bruno, Lingard, Salah, Son, Jota
    Kane, Vydra, Iheanacho

    1. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      When are you planning to bb?

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        With a few moves in between, I'm looking at 36 or 37.

    2. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I’m BB next week so went with 3 good strikers and dropped TAA for Phillips

      1. mr messi
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Who are your strikers?

        1. ‘Tis the Season
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Kane DCL 🙄 and Nacho

          1. mr messi
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Not fussed on DCL but not many alternatives. Maybe Wood.

      2. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Starting to think of dropping TAA, too. After that CL game, who knows which Trent we'll get.

        1. ‘Tis the Season
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          It seems he has lost his head. Not a fan of Rio as a pundit but he is right that Trent needs to go back to basics

  11. For Fuchs Sake
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    TAA is really restricting my WC, is he worth the 7.3m considering L'pool form?

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

      I'm struggling with this as well. The extra 3.3m from getting Philips instead is so very useful

    2. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I don’t think so. Better to get Phillips and spread the funds around. Others will probably disagree.

    3. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Depends on who it allows you get. Who do you need the extra money for?

    4. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No imo, Phillips doesn’t cover his attacking points but he hasn’t been pulling those in of late. He was shocking against Madrid.

    5. FPL-Albion
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Attacking wise he looks great. Ironically probably be his fault Liverpool concede

      1. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Totally agree. He must of passed to Madrid 10 times in the first half. Terrible half for Trents stds

    6. Honker Muddlefoot
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      For what it’s worth, Trent’s form is 10.5 (has returns of 9, 2, 9, and 12 in his last 4 starts), and LFC are coming into really favorable run of fixtures. I think finding the right balance in your team is more important than trying to squeeze one player in at all costs, but TAA has played well of late. Good luck, mate!

  12. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Coady or Fofana on a WC?

    1. FPL-Albion
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Coady between them

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Coady

    3. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Coady Great fixtures

  13. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Cavani washing his hair before he goes on.

  14. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Help is needed please

    Best use of -4 for this team

    Aina > Coady
    Watkins > Ihenacho

    Rest of Team

    Martinez Johnstone

    Dias Mee Stones Dallas

    Jota Sterling Fernandes Lingard Odegaard

    Kane DCL

    No FH or WC

    Any ideas would be welcomed

  15. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is the general consensus that Iheanacho is nailed until Barnes is back at the end of April?

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Seems to be ... if he was dropped it would be incredibly harsh given his form. I think the potential threat would be from Maddison but seems he would likely slot in behind the front two and Perez would drop out.

      1. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I hope ... as I have Nacho and want Maddison in too.

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Would’ve said Yes until Saturday (Thinking Perez would make way for Maddison)

      Then Rodgers leaves Perez on & subs Nacho for Maddo

      But Shirley that won’t be the norm & Maddison comes in for Perez rather than Nacho

    3. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks guys

    4. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I've just had a look through all Leicester's PL fixtures this season, and Vardy, Nacho and Maddison are very rarely on the pitch at the same time.

      I'm hoping Nacho's form will force Rodgers to adapt (as I have him in WC), but it's not a good sign

  16. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Evening all, which trio on a WC?

    A) TAA + Iheanacho + Castagne
    B) Phillips + Vardy + 4.6 defender

    Current WC team;
    Mendy
    Castagne TAA Dias
    Salah Son Bruno Gundo Jota
    Kane Iheanacho

    Subs: Forster, Rudiger, Vydra, Holding

    1. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

      1. Danstoke82
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers!

  17. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which one to start this week:

    A) Shaw
    B) Philips

    1. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

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

      B

  18. Russell
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Torres likely to start as a one week gamble before brining in Son?

  19. Tambling5
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Are my subs right? Including Keeper

    Forster (Martinez)
    TAA, Cancelo, Stones, (Shaw, Lowton)
    Jota, Bruno, Son, Lingard, Mount
    Kane, DCL, (Bamford)

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

      Yea

  20. Pointless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Auba to Salah... or Antonio to Wood?! Auba has SheffU so feels like surely he’ll want to prove something?! Wood has Newcastle and is in form? Yet... if I can get Salah with my one FT!?!?! Any thoughts please?!

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

      I’m in the same boat. Liverpool’s stats aren’t that great for attack in the last 4 GW’s. Is Salah worth the money?

  21. timawflowers
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    bring in sterling or salah?

  22. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bale and Struijk -> Jota and TAA?

    1. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      In a heart-beat

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

      Yes. Even if for -8.

  23. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Rate my wildcard (please)!

    Mendy | Forster
    Dias | Shaw | Rudiger | Coady | Phillips
    Salah | KDB | Son | Gundogan | Jota
    Kane | Iheanacho | Vydra

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

    Haha, it's such a joke that City is playing Leeds at home and the ONLY certain starter is...... Ederson.

    10 (!) other spots is uncertain at best, most of them just PURE gamble, regardless of minutes in PL/CL last few matches or what ever.

    "Sterling haven't played for while, surely will start?" - yes.. sureeee,.. no doubt in my mind! Truth is, we know nooooothing - just like Manuel in Fawlty Towers!

  25. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Start one:

    A) Iheanacho
    B) Vydra

    1. FPL-Albion
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

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

      Just get Davis and forget about this at all :).

      It has to be Nacho I think, West Ham concede a lot recently and he's in form.

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

    Maguire YC means he also misses next week's return EL game.

  27. Tinfoil Deathstar
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Martinez
    Dias - Cresswell - Reguillon - Alonso
    Salah (c) - Gundo - Bruno - Son
    Kane - Iheanacho

    Subs: Fabri; Raphinha; Antonio; Burn

    Already used my FT to move Maja to Iheanacho this week, before the Antonio injury. I've got £0.1 ITB and need to free up some funds to get Jota in next week.

    What is the best -4 here?

    A) Cresswell -> Rudiger
    B) Antonio -> Vydra

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

      Why make a transfer? The realistic BEST case scenario is you break even on option A (and Cresswell could haul) , and a - 4 for bench fodder is mad (Option B).

      Roll it and save the - 4 loss.

      1. Tinfoil Deathstar
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah I realise both are risky but it’s about funding potential move for Jota next week really.

  28. FPL-Albion
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Really struggling what to do this week

    Forster (Martinez)
    Rudiger Dias Vesta (taylor konsa)
    Bruno Son KDB Gundo Mount
    Kane Watkins (Diagne)
    2ft 1.4itb

    A) KDB to Salah
    B) Gundo to Jota
    C) Diagne to Ineanacho
    D) something else

  29. FPL Mentor
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC locked in I think.

    Leaning towards No Salah until GW33 & using the funds to punt on Lacazette & Vardy.

    Plan is to use 2FTs for GW33 and do Son (after DGW) & Lacazette (after SHU, FUL) >> Salah ( captain vs NEW) & Vydra.

    Forster
    TAA Coady Rudiger
    Bruno Jota(C) Lingard Neto
    Lacazette Kane Vardy(vc)

    Lloris / Son / Holding / Mitchell

    0.2 itb

    How we looking?

  30. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which City mid to consider from the Pep's roulette this weekend?