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. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Castagne, Dias or Azpi? (have Mendy, Shaw, Holding & Rudiger)

    1. HaveYassineChikhaoui
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Castagne. Dias will probably get rested vs Leeds and a triple up on Chelsea defence is a bit much.

    2. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Dias prob (he always seems to start!?)

  2. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Start one-
    A- Martinez
    B- Sanchez
    Bench 2-
    Stones
    Shaw
    Phillips
    Dunk

  3. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    No chips left, 2FTS & 2.9ITB

    Martinez
    Shaw Cresswell Stones (Dallas Burn)
    Salah Son Lingard Raphina Gund
    Kane DCL (Bamford)

    Dallas & Raphina > Rudiger & Jota the best option?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Solid

  4. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    GTG?

    Mendy,
    Rüdiger, Shaw, Dias,
    Son, Sterling C, Lingz, Jota, Bruno,
    Kane, Watkins,

    Martinez, Bamford, Dallas, Cresswell,

    .9

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      G2G mate

  5. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Hey fam

    A. Keep DCL, play him & save FT

    B. DCL to Iheanacho for free

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Prob A

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Probably A also

  6. Aaaatsu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Why is there so little love for Masauku on WC? Is he not now nailed oop cheap def?

    1. Amans94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      I wanted to ask the same thing, is he nailed?

    2. Louis Van Gaalstones
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      He played for the first time in 19 gameweeks and only for 66 minutes

  7. Blue Moon Rising
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Is double Chelsea defence overkill after last weekend?

    1. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Who are nailed of those?

      1. Blue Moon Rising
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 11 days ago

        Mendy and Rudiger (?)

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      No not in my opinion.

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      No. I think you ignore that. Mendy + one defender is good I reckon ... prob Rudiger ... if you have the cash Azpi.

    4. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      I considered the triple with Alonso

      1. Blue Moon Rising
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 11 days ago

        Maverick!

  8. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Is Maddison fit enough? Could be great option again with upcoming fixtures.

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Watching him ... likely in next week

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Wait and see for me

    3. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Thanks. On wc now so if I know myself it is probably now or never. So never 😀

  9. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    No. I think you ignore that. Mendy + one defender is good I reckon

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Soz reply fail

  10. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Hi....would you make any changes to this wildcard please?

    An is Sterling to bruno gw32

    Leno forster
    Taa alonso rudiger (shaw coady)
    Salah Sterling (c) son jota lingard
    Kane iheanacho (davis)

    Thanks

  11. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Bamford + Raph to Ihnancho + Jota (-4)

    Yes or NO

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Yes

    2. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Prob yes Leeds have awful fixtures next few

  12. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Fairly template WC here if I go for it. Thinking BB32 so slightly spreading my funds for now. Thoughts?

    Mendy. Forster
    Rudiger. Shaw. Coady. Fofana. Phillips
    Bruno. Son. Lingard. Jota. Salah(C)
    Kane. Iheanacho. Bamford

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Looks good - I'm looking at something pretty similar as only have a TV of 103.m

  13. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    A or B, mates?

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

    A) Neto, Coady
    B) Lingard, Diop

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      B

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      B

  14. niaz1982
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Current WC team G2G??

    Leno
    Coady Dias Holding
    Salah (c) fernandes son Jota
    Iheanacho kane lacazette

    Forster Dias Phillips Dendoncker

    1. niaz1982
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      I mean shaw on bench d’oh

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Yes

  15. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Gone off captaining Lacazette after tonight.

    Captain one of TAA,Alonso,Fernandes?

    Mendy
    TAA,Alonso, Rudiger,Cresswell
    Fernandes, Son, Lingard, Jota
    Kane,Lacazette

    Lloris,Raphinia, Bamford,Shaw

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      I'd go with TAA out of those to be honest.

  16. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Trying some different ideas.

    Thoughts on this?

    Mendy Forster
    Dias Shaw Rudiger Phillips Holding
    KdB Fernandes Son Jota Gundogan
    Kane DCL Iheanacho

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      All solid picks

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Brave with 3 City and slight rotation risks in Holding,Jota and Iheanacho.

      It’s a nice set up though.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 11 days ago

        I've picked the 3 most nailed on City imo. KdB (c) this week.

        But generally, the trend I'm noticing is a lot of people going without City which I think could be a big mistake. This would capitalize on that.

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 11 days ago

          Fair enough, good luck

        2. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 11 days ago

          Like the approach

    3. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Lovely

    4. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      FH in 33? Because you got five blanking and only 2FT to do anything about it

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 11 days ago

        KdB/Gundo + Son out in GW33. Roll FT in 32.

  17. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Phillips or Ridiger ?

    1. nims076
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Philips - less risk of rotation and saves you .7 to use elsewhere

    2. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Rudiger Chelsea much better defensively

  18. Wheyyyy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Who are your top 3 players that you're 100% confident will shoot you up the ranks in the next 8 gameweeks?

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Vardy

  19. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Are you going to keep Shaw in WC team if tomorrow there isnt an update?

    1. nims076
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Nope, I’ll take him out

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      was he taken out for the yellow card? was there an injury?
      haven't been looking to find out what happened.

  20. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Would love your thoughts on my WC draft

    Mendy Forster
    Rudiger TAA Shaw Fofana Konsa
    Salah Jota Son Lingard Bruno
    Nacho Kane Davis

    Cheers!!

  21. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    How come so many are going double Chelsea defence? Their fixtures aren’t all that great until the end of the season?

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Arsenal home, Leicester home, Villa away, City away (may have won the league by then). And the next 4, are not that difficult, plus they’re keeping clean sheets against Man United, Liverpool, Spurs.

    2. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Because on current form they have the best defence in the league (baring last week)

  22. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Gtg or shall I WC?

    Lots of players i want to bring in tbh...

    Pope
    Digne Cresswell Stones
    Son Salah Jota Lingard Gundo
    Kane Antonio

    Martinez Alonso Bamford Raph

    0ft .4itb

    1. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      My entire def and bench could go, both keepers, Bam and Raph AND maybe even Gundo.

  23. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    WC team
    would you change anything, mates?

    Mendy,
    TAA, Rudiger, Shaw
    Salah, Bruno, *Gundo, Jota, Neto
    Kane, Iheanacho

    Foster, Holding, Coady, Davis

    32: Gundo to Son

    1. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Template

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 11 days ago

        Cant decide Neto Coady or Lingard Diop
        As I also have a BB to play at some point

      2. HD7
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 11 days ago

        Cant decide Neto Coady or Lingard Diop...

        As I also have a BB to play at some point

  24. bjarnia87
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Aubumeyang to salah for -4
    Or wait until next week?

    1. nims076
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Not for a hit
      Auba was benched tonight so should start against a poor SHU

    2. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Do it. Not convinced with Aubameyang at all

  25. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Which keeper on a WC?

    A) Mendy
    B) Schmeichel

    Thanks in advance!

    1. nims076
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Using my BB next week so I’ve gone with Mendy and Leno

  26. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Dumb question -
    If you take hits early in the game week and then hit the WC card later in the week does the WC refund the points hits from earlier?

    1. nims076
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      Yes it does
      You won’t lose any points for this GW

      1. RogDog_jimmy
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 11 days ago

        Cheers - that's what i thought but i just panicked thinking about a -8 to beat a price change...but not ready to commit to the WC

  27. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

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

  28. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    What’s the news on Antonio?

    1. davewg59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 days ago

      He’s a goner

      1. George Agdgdgwngo
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 11 days ago

        How long

  29. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    Anyone for a game of WC Fill in the Blanks?!
    (basically, TAA vs. Spreading the wealth a bit)

    1) TAA, Struijk; Vydra, Iheanacho
    2) Phillips, Stones; Wood, Iheanacho
    3) Phillips, Coady; Vydra, Lacazette

  30. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 11 days ago

    On a WC:

    Dallas, Digne, KDB, Lookman, Watkins out

    Saiss, TAA, Salah, Neto, Iheanacho in.

    Yes or no?