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

    How long is Ait Nouri nailed for, who is he replacing, Jonny?

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

      Think Marcal’s still an option, and probably other possibilities too. I’d stick with Coady

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

    Coady or Dallas on a wildcard?

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

      Coady for the next few weeks. Get Dallas when their fixtures improve

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

    Just another WC team:

    Mendy - Forster
    Dias - Coady - Targett - Holding - Phillips
    Salah - Fernandes - Son - Jota - Lingard
    Kane - Iheanacho - Vydra

    £1.9m itb, Bench Boost yet to be used

    Thoughts? I'd have loved Neto but oh well. Money is a safety net if Phillips/Holding stop playing, or the eventual upgrading of Vydra.

  4. 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. Bamford + Raph to Laca/Ihnancho + Jota (-4)
    yes or no

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

    Any word on Grealish?

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

      Not expected to start/play this GW. Source? No, I don't have any good source.

  6. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Think my transfers come down to this:

    a) Jota and TAA
    b) Salah and Philips

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

      A

      It’s tough ....

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Really tough. A is better value I think but just wonder if you lose a captaincy option without Salah.

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

      B for me

  7. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Biggest priority to transfer in this GW?

    a) Jota (AVL)
    b) Salah (AVL) - means losing Bruno
    c) TAA (AVL)
    d) Nacho (whu)

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

      A

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

    Would you play Triple captain on Son or Kane this GW??

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

      There is good dgw soon.

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

        sorry I mean next GW. But I have FH for 35

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

          FH 35 makes TC Kane 32 even easier.

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

      sorry next gw

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

      This, no, next probably, Soton and Everton, I don't think it gets better than that.

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

        yes next gw

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

      Kane .... NEXT week

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

        Kane TC DGW32 ... must be the best option on paper for the final run

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

    A) Dias to TAA
    B) DCL to Lacazette

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

      A - good chance Dias rotated out v Leeds. Certainly City forums think almost certainly will be rested

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

        Ok, thx. I was thinking about that, since I have no idea when he could be rested if not now, but with Pep guessing is never easy.

  10. BENOIT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone fancy guessing who starts for Chelsea in attack this weekend?

  11. Jones Kusi
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would you WC this team GW 31 or 33?

    1 FT 1.3 ITB

    Johnstone McCarthy
    Stones Cancelo Targett Dallas Mee
    Raphinha Neto Son Gundogan Salah
    Bamford Kane DCL

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

    Bamford + Raph to Laca/Ihnancho + Jota (-4)
    Yes or no

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

      No Laca

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

        Soz ... yes to nacho and Jota

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

    Would you WC this team? Possible WC team below... 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

  14. Hotdogs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who will you bench this week out of these three? Thanks in advance

    A) Iheanacho (whm)
    B) Lingard (LEI)
    C) Vydra (NEW)

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

      It's a good fixture but I'd still bench C

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

      Vydra

  15. Vjm6891
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Totally confused whether to use my WC this game week or keep it. I still have FH, BB & TC.

    Assuming no injuries etc, I'm planning on using:-

    TC on (probably) Kane next week (GW32)
    WC for GW33 when we hopefully may have more details on DGW's?
    BB in GW 35/36/37 whenever a DGW is
    FH - Whenever, probably the last GW?

    OR could do the WC Now. I think GW31 I don't have great players, but GW32 I should be fine.

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

      Same boat as you. Will probably do this:

      WC GW31
      TC Kane DGW32
      FH BGW33
      BB best DGW of the rest GWs...

      1. Vjm6891
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I was full prepared to WC this week, but that double spurs in 32 has changed a bit.

        Going to see what a wildcard looks like and then decide haha

    2. Johnny 8
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If I was in your position with the option to TC Kane in GW32, I'd definately hold the wildcard until GW33.

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

    Which two on WC?

    A) Schmeichel and Shaw
    B) Mendy and Castagne

    Thanks in advance!

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

      Think Shaw offers better value than Catagne so A for me.

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

        Cheers!

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

    Pen for Man U ....

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

    Best option?:

    A) Salah + Ihenacho
    B) Jota + Vardy

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

      A

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

    Another Bruno pen scored just ... one at the weekend please too Bruno ...

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

    Lacazette started and played 78 minutes whilst Auba was rested or dropped. Is Laca going to start? Was planning on two week punt for him with Shu next, but now I am not too happy with those minutes.

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

      They play Sunday night, it's not too short of a turn around. Surely he can play 78 minutes in that game too

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

      I don’t think Laca will start. He was so poor tonight. Aubameyang was needed today and he needs to start playing up front.

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

      Was thinking the same. I feel Auba will play up top against Sheffield now

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

    Arsenal has conceded lolz

  22. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Pope
    Azpilicueta Alonso Veltman Dias
    Gundogan Raphinha Salah(c) Fernandes Son
    Kane

    Martinez Shaw Antonio Davis

    Gtg??

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

    Loool did Bellerin just deny that Slavia players his shirt 😆

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

    G2G? Not sure on C yet..leave it on Kev or choose someone else?

    Martinez
    Dias Digne White
    KDB(C) Bruno Son Mount Jota
    Kane Nacho

    Steer Bamford Aina Dallas

  25. 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

    1. Vjm6891
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Personally I wouldn't want Bamford and Maybe get another spurs player (or 2) for GW32?

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

        I'm in a mini-league with rules, so I only have limited options and can't get rid of Bamford.

  26. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Evening guys, Given the news that Rice, Ogbonna and Antonio are all out for a few weeks.
    Would you do Lingard > Madison on a WC ?

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

      Sure why not. Leicester have good fixtures

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

      Never thought of that. Great idea

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

      No, I wouldn't.

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

    Do we think KdB starts vs Leeds?

    Y/N

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

      No

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

      I hope that he will :/

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

      No

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

      I have keys but no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter, but can’t go outside. What am I?

      A bit like Pep’s team sheets, your guess is as good as mine ....

  28. Dele
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Start Forster or Martinez?

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

      Forster

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

      2

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

    Raphina to Jota yes or no?

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

      Yes

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

      Yup.

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

    Play Son in 352 or Nacho in 343?

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

      Both

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

        Who do I leave out
        Salah Jota sterling (C) lingard Son*
        Kane DCL Narcho *

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

      Bench DCL ... useless charlatan

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

        😀