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. Amans94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on WC Draft?

    Schmeichel Forster

    TAA Azpi Rudiger Holding Masuaku
    Salah Bruno Son Jota Lingard
    Kane Nacho Davis

    0.0ITB

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

      Schmeichel could be Martinez

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

      Nice one

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

    Strangely nervous to press the WC button despite creating several drafts...

    But with the following players in current squad, WC is clearly sensible right?

    Antonio, Raphinha, Bamford, Stones, R. Dias, Gundogan

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

      Yes wc

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

      Yes. Now is easily the most 'natural' time to WC.

      But I'm finding it hard to differentiate. The teams are so damn similar across the board.

      Mendy Forster
      TAA Rudiger XX XX XX (whoever you can afford)
      Salah Fernandes Son Jota Lingard
      Kane Iheanacho Vydra/Davis/Welbeck

      It's the most template WC team I think I've ever seen.

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

        I agree, Camzy. I'm more concerned with ML's and only half of competitors still have WC so although my WC drafts are template, they feel less so given my ML's.

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

        I have the exact same front 8 right now.

        I have a low TV approx 103m so TAA is basically unattainable right now but I'm okay with that. Holding seems like a useful cheap DEF who will play the next 2-3 with good fixtures.

        I have owned Shaw for a while but worried of his minutes with Europe and this apparent injury today?!

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

        I think the best way to differentiate is to have Nacho as 3rd striker and downgrade Son (going Maddison myself)
        Sure he has a double but I’m looking at it as single gw due to their blank
        I’ll also keep Martinez (4.5m) as backup for the dgw, as Chelsea face city in gw35

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

        The teams on here are very much similar. I have had a couple of drafts with triple Leicester (Vardy Castagne and Madders)
        Btw would you WC this team?

        Forster
        Alonso Cresswell Reece
        Salah Auba Mount Raph
        Kane Wood Bam

        AWB Lookman

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

          I would lean with keeping this week to be honest

    3. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes, I think so

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

        Thanks guys - just needed pushing out of the plane

  3. Eastman
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Those with bb left when are u looking to play it?

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

      32

      1. Brimble82
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        37

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

      32 unless pick up injuries this week in which case just whenever feels good

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

        Thanks all

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

    1.Coady

    Or

    2. Ridiger

    ?

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

      AZ just said on Blackbox as I read this that he reckons Rudiger outscores Coady for rest of the season

    2. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      2 easily

  5. Rabb05
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Think I'm finally there on my WC. Last minute thoughts appreciated though!

    Mendy Forster
    Rudiger Holding Cresswell Coady Phillips
    Son Bruno Salah Lingard Jota
    Kane Watkins Nacho

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

      It's like everyone else's.

      Extremely standard and I guess it's a good thing.

      1. Rabb05
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I've been toying with going without Salah which frees up so many more opportunities but the top 2 in my league no longer have him so I feel compelled to use him as a differentiator sadly

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

      Dias over creswell and city mid for son then transfer in son next dgw

      1. Rabb05
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I've had Cresswell since he was 5.0 so reluctant to sell.
        Which city midfielder thats the problem with KDB Mahrez, Foden and Gundo all playing 90 midweek.

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

      Only thing I’d say is your not gonna make up much ground with this team, fairly standard

      Needs more attacking differentials if looking to climb

      1. Rabb05
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thats fair although the 2 guys above me don't have Salah. Son only there through the dgw then will switch to maddison which will mean watkins can be upgraded to someone like laca

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

          Nice. Was planning to start Maddison and Laca instead myself

  6. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Will more than likely shift Raph > Jota with my FT giving me:

    0FT - 5.2m ITB - Only TC remaining

    Martinez
    Stones Digne Azpi
    Bruno Gundogan Lingard ESR Jota
    Kane DCL

    Fabri - Bamford Cresswell Targett

    Starting XI and bench order about right? ESR likely to start again at the weekend with Ødegaard out?

    No clue who I'm going to end up captaining.

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

      I do think ESR will start. Raph -> Jota a good move also.

      Captaincy is tough. Jota could be a punt?

      1. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah, looks a decent pick from that bunch. Between him and Gundo I think.

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

          Gundo a bit more of a risk of not starting than Jota imo

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

    Is Holding nailed?

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

    Would you WC this lot?

    Forster
    Alonso Cresswell Reece
    Salah Auba Mount Raph
    Kane Wood Bam

    AWB Lookman

    Think i am ok for the week? Some players like Auba Alonso Reece Mount who have good fixtures this week and i wouldn't want them on WC next week.

    Thoughts?

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

      I think you're good

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

      Loads of potential upside there with Alonso and Auba - quite like AWB too tbh and would start him over Cresswell.

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

    Reece and Alonso to start this week?

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

    If you have a bench boost to play are you still going with vydra as 3rd striker?

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

      That's what I have currently but not wholly happy about it. I have such a low TV and wondering if writing off Vydra with Davis and upgrading a defender by 0.6 might be better value

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

    Coady or Fofana on a WC?

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

      I prefer Fofana, Leicester a far better team than Wolves

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

    Martinez
    Dias Digne Reece
    (S)alah Bruno Jota Gundo Lingard
    Kane Wood
    (Johnstone Bamford Coufal Dallas)

    GTG?

  13. Yes Ndidi
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Evening all.

    Still messing around with WC team, so could do with an opinion on this please:

    Patricio
    Rudiger Castagne Dias
    Maddison Bruno Salah Jota Mahrez/Mount
    Kane DCl/Laca

    Forster Lowton Phillips Fabio

    trying to vary the template just a little bit....
    Who's better? Laca/Mount +0.8ITB or DCL/ Mahrez +0.3ITB?
    Mahrez has the highest upside if he actually plays, but is it too much of a punt?
    Is Laca even nailed anyway?

    Appreciate any input. Thanks

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

      I don’t think Laca is nailed. Recon he’s 50/50 to start. He’ll come on if he doesn’t.

  14. sarnshawn
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts? Not feeling confident...
    Areola (Martinez)
    Cancelo Stones Mings Maguire
    Mount Jota Fernandes Gundogan
    Kane Bamford
    Bench - Dallas Antonio Barnes

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

    Current team:
    Martinez, Pope
    Stones, Cancelo, Mee, Coufal, Dallas
    Gundo, Bruno, Raphinha, Son, Lingard
    Kane, DCL, Bamford

    Could be WC team:
    Mendy, Forster
    TAA, Rudiger, Coufal, Holding, Struijk
    Bruno, Lingard, Salah, Son, Jota
    Kane, Vydra, Iheanacho

    Activate?

  16. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Had halfplanned getting Shaw on WC but he might be injured. Is there any more news circulating other than Solskjaer saying "I think and hope he should be ready for the weekend."? Rashford also possibly injured. Might just keep Dallas now.

    https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/manchester-united/injuries-marcus-rashford-luke-shaw-solskjaer-b1828814.html

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

      he's fine

  17. EltonCPT1
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Play JWP vs WBA
    -4 transfer Sterling in for JWP

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

    Martinez (Forster)
    Cancelo, Shaw, Rudiger (Dallas, Dunk)
    Salah, Bruno, Bale, Gundogan (Raphinha)
    Kane, Antonio, Bamford

    2FT, 0.5 in bank

    Bale, Gundogan, Bamford --> Jota, Lingard, Iheanacho (-4)?

  19. visselkobe
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Absolutely incredible Saka is not on that captaincy poll - he's playing SHU! I'm captaining him, must be quite the differential captaincy choice by the look of things...

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

      He’s a shoe into my team for the next few games at least.

  20. trasbash
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best cheap (under 4.8) defender for the remainder of the season (not Coady, Phillips or Holding)

  21. BrutalLogiC
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Kdb to Salah or sterling?