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. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Aubamayang or Vardy?

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

      V

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

      Auba imo

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

      Vardy. Auba so lost

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

      Auba

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

      Why are you not considering Laca?? or Ihnancho??

  2. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    If you were on WC which would your triple city be?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      FH****

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Here is a complete list of the City players I'd pick:

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

      Man City? Dias, Sterling, Gundogan.

    4. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      With a free hit this week I’d go Laporte, Sterling & Aguero.

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

        This looks good ... maybe Jesus ahead of sterling

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

          Sorry Jesus ahead of Aguero

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

    Chasing all MLs...

    WC draft 1 or 2? TY in advance!

    #1:
    Martinez/Forster
    Rudiger Phillips Coady Shaw 4.4
    Bruno Son Salah Jota Lingard
    Kane DCL Wood

    #2:
    Martinez/Forster
    Rudiger TAA Coady Shaw Coufal
    Same MF
    Kane Nacho Brewster

    Question really is how far do I go to get in TAA I guess..

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

    Which WC squad?

    A) The TAA version

    Mendy, Forster
    Coady, Holding, Rudiger, TAA, Amartey?
    Salah, Jota, Bruno, Neto, Son
    Vydra, Kane, Iheanacho

    Leaves 0.2 itb

    B) The non TAA version

    Mendy, Forster
    Coady, Holding, Rudiger, Phillips, Dias
    Salah, Jota, Bruno, Lingard, Son
    Vydra, Kane, Iheanacho

    Leaves 0.8 itb

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

      A

    2. Oggle22
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Your team value must be good

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

        lol I wish

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

    Bamford to
    1. Laca
    2. Ihnancho

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      2

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

      2

  6. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC G2G?
    Leno
    TAA Holding Coady
    Salah Son Bruno Jota Neto
    Iheanaco Kane

    Forster Amartey Fabio silva Mitchell

    Cheers

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

      So similar to mine (see above) Looks good to me. Liking the Fabio Silva pick.

      1. Oggle22
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yer looks similar how have you afford Vardy as well as that lot! I could get Rudiger but would have to downgrade silva to a non playing forward

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

          I have vydra. Not Vardy.

  7. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Guys mark sutherns activated his wc?

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

      Think he has. Watching Blackbox now.

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

      Says he’s 60/40 to activate ... so sounds like not quite ...

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

    Salah->KDB(c)?

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

      fantastic move

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

        😀

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

    My wildcard team: Thoughts?

    Martinez, Button
    Cancelo, Digne, TAA, Rüdiger, Coufal
    Pereira (WBA), Mahrez, Maddison, Neto, Salah
    Kane, Bamford, Ings

    have 1 transfer plan if mahrez would rarely play anymore: --> Mahrez to Rodriguez?

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

    Evening.....which wildcard set up is best here please?

    Xxx forster
    Taa alonso shaw xxx coady

    A.....mendy holding

    B.....Leno rudiger

    Worry I may have too much rotation with holding option.

    But option B means I play arsenal keeper every week and probably only 1 Chelsea defender......thanks

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

      I'm going B I think. Holding should play while Luiz is out and should sit on bench well but he's not first team so a transfer waiting to happen. I think Rudiger mainly plays and when he doesn't, just got to rely on that first sub!

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

        Thanks . Feel like this is tough.

        Not sure I want arsenal keeper every week. But having holding adds rotation risk when I already have alonso!! Cheers

  11. Kevtheotter
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hey guys a quick one for you

    A) Dias and Davis (3rd sub)
    B) Fofana and Vydra (3rd sub)

    Cheers

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

      A

    2. RichRover
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

  12. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on this GK combo:

    31 - Johnstone - SOU
    32 - Lloris - eve / SOU
    33 - Johnstone - avl
    34 - Lloris - SHU
    35 - Lloris - lee
    36 - Lloris - WOL
    37 - Lloris - AVL
    38 - Johnstone - lee

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Should get about 4 clean sheets. Think you could do better on wc

  13. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Tierney to Bellerin worth (-4) ?

    Would play over Konsa this week

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

      Not worth 5m, better off going Fofana or someone else.

  14. jai1212
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Auba a good shout for the armband if I'm chasing the mini leagues?

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

      Not a bad punt.....

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

      Yep

    3. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Two problems -

      1.) He's in horrific form.

      2.) H plays for Arsenal.

  15. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How’s this WC looking: 0.0ITB

    Mendy Forster
    TAA Rudiger Shaw Coady Holding
    Salah Bruno Son Lingard Jota
    Kane Nacho Davies

    Any concerns?

    1. HD7
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I have the same team. thinking to start with Gundo and next GW get Son for 32...
      What do you think?

  16. Mookty
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    G2G or swap Leno for Mendy and downgrade Veltman to Holding? I have Bench boost to use and £0.0m ITB with the below.

    Leno, Forster
    AAT, Rudiger, Coady, Coufal, Veltman
    Salah, Fernandes, Son, Lingard, Jota
    Kane, Iheanacho, Vydra

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

    On WC.
    TAA or Vardy? (If I go TAA I'll have Nacho)

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

    Who is better now for a long-term?

    a) Mahrez
    b) James Rodriguez

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

      Not a fan of either. If Mahrez was nailed he'd be a great pick but he isn't. JRod could be an interesting differential but not one I'm going for.

  19. AD105
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC squad?

    Mendy
    TAA Shaw Rudiger
    Salah Jota Bruno Son Lingard
    Kane Iheanacho

    Forster, Holding, Coufal, Davis

    0.5 ITB

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

      Template.

    2. MGMT
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      100% template

  20. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    So who's capping KDB despite the benching threat?

    I'd say he's pretty unlikely to come on if rested, so a good vice captain will suffice.

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

      Doing KDB to Sterling(C). Why would KDB play? Game means nothing to City and they have their biggest game of the year so far on Wednesday

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

    Best Leicester defender?

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

      I’d take the punt on castagne ... he’s really the only one I’m looking at on the WC ... but might avoid their defence completely

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

    Quick one:

    Which option do you like? Already have Mendy as keeper

    a) Shaw and Rudiger?
    b) Dias and Holding?

  23. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who to start folks????
    A- Areola
    Or
    B- Martinez
    Cheers!!!

  24. HD7
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mendy, Forster
    TAA , Shaw, Rudiger - , Holding
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Jota, - ,
    Kane, Nacho , Davis

    A) Neto, Coady
    B) Lingard, Diop

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

    Grealish and Antonio to Salah and ?

    A. Mitrovic
    B. Wellbeck
    C. Another 5.5 or under?

  26. Blue Moon Rising
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On WC

    Forster Sanchez

    Rudiger Shaw Coady Holding Williams

    Bruno Jota Son Lingard Salah

    Kane Ineanacho Vydra

    1.2 ITB

    1. Blue Moon Rising
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not convinced by Salah

      Salah to Maddison and upgrade keeper?

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

        Yes if you dont need points

        1. Blue Moon Rising
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Spreads the bet a bit. Got a lot of eggs in the, very suspect, Liverpool basket in the current draft

  27. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Grealish pain free and back on the grass according to Dean smith

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

      Dean Smith is a plonker.
      We would be all pain free if we were on grass.

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

    a) Bamford + Gundogan + Dias to Vydra + Lingard + TAA -4
    b) Bamford + Gundo to Wood + Lingard

  29. davewg59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Why are people goin for Coady over Saiss?

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

      Likely hood of starts.

  30. Big Hands Barry
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Will Mitchell get back in the starting 11?

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Go to bed mate