FPL Gameweek 31: Captain picks

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Erling Haaland being fully fit often closes off the captaincy discussion but there are a number of very credible alternatives for the armband this week, with form and favourable fixtures being factors.

So which options should we be considering?

Erling Haaland returned from injury with a bang last time out, scoring a brace against Southampton for his ninth double digit haul of the season and his 30th league goal. Haaland missed the reverse fixture against Leicester City and the Foxes haven’t kept a clean sheet since the restart.

Haaland has been more prolific on home turf, with 60% of his goals coming at the Etihad. Five of his double digit hauls have come at home, including four hat-tricks. Given his form and the strength of the fixtures, Haaland is the easy pick but he won’t be a differential one at this late stage of the season.

For fantasy managers looking to make up ground, Harry Kane could be the top captain pick and he’s the player the Fantasy Football Hub algorithm prefers at a projected 8.8 points to Haaland’s 7.7. Kane certainly has the form with goals in four consecutive Premier League games and four consecutive home games, too.

Spurs are a side on the up, scoring nine goals in their last four games, with Kane also on penalties. He remains on track for his best ever FPL season with 29 attacking returns and counting. Opponents Bournemouth have conceded 13 goals in their last six Premier League games.

Mo Salah faces one of his favourite opponents in Leeds on Monday night, having seven goals and one assist in four appearances against them. He’s a player in form, with nine attacking returns in his last nine games but his role on spot-kicks is under threat with two missed penalties in that time.

Salah sits top for midfielders and big chances over the last six gameweeks, scoring five goals from seven big chances. He’s also created ten chances over that spell. Opponents Leeds are without a clean sheet in their last seven Premier League games, conceding 15 goals in that time.