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

    Justin Rose tearing it up at the Masters.

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

      He grew up playing at my local course across the train tracks from where we live. Good on him, he’ll likely collapse in the final round as always.

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

    Is Cedric more nailed than holding?

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      They both probably play the next few games so about the same nailed-ness short term. Long-term outlook depends on Luiz and Tierney recovery time

  3. Bushwhacker
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    So have United splurged the bung budget into Europe ... worried about Bruno returns ...

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

    Wildcard thoughts? Any glaring mistakes or anyone missing? 0ITB. Cheers guys

    Mendy Forster
    Philps Rudiger Coufal Holding Stones
    Salah Bruno Son Lingard Jota
    Kane Lacazette Nacho

    1. nims076
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Looks good and similar to mine
      My only concern would be the rotation to Stones

  5. nims076
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A. TAA and Moura
    Or
    B. Phillips and Son

    1. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

  6. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Rudiger and Leno or Mendy?

    1. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mendy

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

      Mendy

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

    Mendy (Button)
    TAA Coady Azpi (Holding Shaw)
    Salah Jota Sterling (C) Saka Neto
    Vardy Kane (Davis)

    Thoughts on this WC? Sterling to Son nxt GW

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

      Immense team

  8. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would you WC this team?

    Forster
    Alonso Reece Cresswell
    Salah(C) Auba Mount Raph
    Kane Wood Bamford

    WC next week anyways. Would you do it this week so that you can TC Kane in the next?

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Or bb

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

      Think i'm going to leave WC this week, TC Kane 32 and then WC GW33

      Your team is pretty good for this week really?

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Not really. Next week my team would be even worse with bad fixtures and triple Chelsea rotation worries.

  9. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Of course I'm 0.1 off my WC team and of course there were no price changes this week, how to shave 0.1 off this team?

    Lloris Leno
    TAA Castagne Shaw Coady Rudiger
    Sterling Bruno Jota Lingard Neto
    Kane DCL Kelechi

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe kdb ?

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

        KDB?

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

      Goalies obviously imo.

      Lloris > Forster.

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

        Want a strong BB in 32, Forster not an option

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

          Is it really worth carrying 1.0m in the GK position for one week of Leno over Forster?

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

        This - don't need that much money in the GK's

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

      neto

    4. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Goalkeepers need out, martinez sit in forget

  10. Sloane426
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Trent or Jota?

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      This 🙂

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

      I prefer jota, salah, pihillips

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

      Jota

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

    Can you get any more WC BB pending template than this?

    Mendy, Forster
    AAT, Rudiger, Coady, Coufal, Holding
    Salah, Fernandes, Son, Lingard, Jota
    Kane, Iheanacho, Vydra

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

      BB with Forster Holding Vydra? Yuk

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

        Which players do you think would be better for the same price with the BB anytime between now and the end of the season?

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

          Do what I'm doing and BB 32 so you don't have to think too far ahead.

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

            Bear in mind I've taken the WC suggested on the FFS YouTube channel 😀

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

          I'm in a similar position (I have a horrible TV) and I'm looking at those guys too. Nothing really better around

    2. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Looks good, except AAT.

  12. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What to do with this horror show?

    Pope (Sanchez)
    Dias, Digne, Coufal (Targett) (Dallas)
    Fernandes, Gündogan, Lingard, Son (Raphinha)
    Kane, Calvert-Lewin, Lacazette

    1 free transfer and 0.4 in the bank.

    Thanks!

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

      Team is not bad for this week. Hold and reassess next.

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

    Cant decide Neto Coady or Lingard Diop for my WC team?

    As I also have a BB to play at some point

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

      Are both starters? If yes, A if no, B

  14. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Wouldn't be surprised if Liverpool lost vs AV.

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

      They've look rubbish for weeks

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

        Liverpool or AV?

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

          Both but especially Liverpool

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

            Right. Were you watching them demolish Arsenal last week out of interest?

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

              Were you watching Arsenal's defending?

    2. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yeh, this triple Liverpool WC everyone seems to be on could well be a train crash. Great if it works though

  15. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Gtg or WC time?

    Pope
    Digne Cresswell Stones
    Son Salah Jota Lingard Gundo
    Kane Antonio

    Martinez Alonso Bamford Raph

    0ft .4itb

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

      Looks good to be fair. No need for WC really

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Ta!

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

    Guess a lot are considering this question...Which combo would you rather have on a WC?

    TAA + Nacho
    Philips + Vardy

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

      The first one

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

        Vardy's form versus Pools run-in?

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

      TAA + Nacho easily.

  17. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What would you do here lads?

    McCarthy
    Cancelo Shaw Rud
    Salah Son Gundo Lingard Raph
    Kane Watkins

    Martinez Maupay Dallas Dier

    5m itb, no chips left

    Could save and do something like Gundo/Raph and Maupay to Bruno and Vydra in 32?

  18. 2OLEgend
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hi guys.
    On WC. Would you change anything? 0.0 ITB, Only chip left is FH (33 or 35)

    Mendy
    TAA, Dias, Shaw
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Jota, Lingard
    Vydra, Kane
    (Fabri, Nacho, Coady, Dunne)

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

      Might consider Dias to Alonso.

  19. fpl_tp95
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How nailed are holding and masuaku? Got them both on wildcard as bench fodder

  20. Fergiesarmy
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bale and Stones out for Phillips and Salah (C) for Free make sense

    Or just Bale/Foden to Jota and save a FT?

  21. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Auba to start at the weekend? I have him as a Differential in my current team and thats holding me off to WC untill next week.

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

      Probably

  22. etay2021
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hi Guys,

    Thoughts on GW31 Wildcard:

    Fabianski, Forster,
    Dias, Shaw, Castagne, Semedo, N. Phillips
    Fernandes, Son/Salah, Jota, Lingard, Gundogan
    Kane, DCL, Iheahenacho

    ??? keep Son or go to Salah

  23. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On WC, 0.3 ITB, thoughts?

    Mendy / Forster

    TAA / Castagne / Rudiger / Coady / Konsa

    Salah / Fernandes / Son / Jota / Lingard

    Kane / Iheanacho / Vydra

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It is template but seems pretty good to me 🙂

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

    will James start this GW?

  25. Hulk Smash
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Tempted by Jota (c)

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

      Great shout that

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

      Might well be rested for the return leg of the CL

  26. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    It worries me that the majority of people think that Liverpool will keep a CS Vs Villa

  27. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A) KDB to Salah
    B) Gundo to Jota

    1FT 1.1ITB
    Martinez
    Shaw White Cresswell
    Bruno Son Raphinha KDB Gundo
    Kane DCL

    (fabri bamford konsa ayling)

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B for me

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

      Kdb out ?
      He's my captain and I'm on wc 🙂

      1. Ozzy smith
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I’m not confident he starts this weekend, at all.

        1. Jebiga
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          He just signed contract...

          1. Ozzy smith
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Does it say in his new contract that he has to start against Leeds this weekend or something? Missed that lol.

  28. AD2110
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would you wildcard this week or save it for after 32 if you had this team?

    Mendy, (Forster)
    Shaw, Cancelo, Veltman, (Targett, Dallas)
    KDB, Gundo, Bruno, Jota, Son
    Kane, Bamford, (Watkins)

  29. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Can’t find any concrete news on Antonio.

    Is it worth using my free transfer to do

    Antonio > Nacho?

  30. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Son dropping tonight?