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FPL managers will look to follow up a decent Gameweek 30 with some good FPL returns in Gameweek 31. Harry Kane delivered for most FPL managers who handed him the armband in Gameweek 30, so it'll be intriguing to see who'll be the most popular armband option this week and how they could fare.
Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min of Spurs will take on Bruno Fernandes' Manchester United this Gameweek. A 6-1 repeat is unlikely to happen, as both teams have adopted a cautious approach against other top-six teams since that game.
That considerably reduces the number of viable FPL captaincy options for this week.
Top five FPL captaincy options for Week 31:
Manchester City's fixture with Leeds United looks like an exciting one. However, Pep Guardiola's statement on extensive player rotation doesn't bode well for Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan starting this week. That's because the duo played the full 90 minutes against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League.
On that note, let's take a look at the top five FPL captaincy choices for Gameweek 31.
Honourable Mentions:
Sadio Mane (LIV) (MID) (£ 11.8 million), Jesse Lingard (WHU) (MID) (£6.3 million), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ARS) (MID) (£11.4 million) and Harry Kane (TOT) (FWD) (£11.7 million).
#5 Kevin De Bruyne (MCI) (MID)- £11.9 million vs LEE (H)
I'm placing Kevin De Bruyne last on the list because he could be benched for this game. While Pep Guardiola might opt to field his talisman against an energetic Leeds side, his comments on managing players' workload over four different competitions means the Belgian may not start.
Nevertheless, if he does play, he would rack up the points for FPL managers. De Bruyne has been in fine form and was Manchester City's best player in the first leg of their Champions League tie with Dortmund. He has shone in his advanced role and is on a fine goal-scoring run for club and country.
If he does play, his FPL owners are likely to be rewarded with a sizeable points haul. But the risk of a premium asset like him getting benched is something to consider as well.
#4 Bruno Fernandes (MUN) (MID) - £11.6 million (vs) TOT (A)
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes has been a solid FPL captaincy pick throughout the season.
He has what it takes to emerge with a decent FPL haul, even in a potentially cagey game for Manchester United. United would be wary of over-committing and getting struck on the counter by Tottenham Hotspur.
However, Spurs haven't been the defensive force that Jose Mourinho managed to create at his former clubs. They rank tenth in xGA (expected goals against), while United are fourth.
Considering that Tottenham Hotspur leaked two against Newcastle, Manchester United should find a way through Spurs' defence. If they do, Fernandes is very likely to be involved. He scored a goal in his two meetings against Spurs, and he could do so again and reward his FPL owners.
#3 Jamie Vardy (LEI) (FWD)- £10.1 million vs WHU (A)
Leicester City's Jamie Vardy looks like a decent FPL captaincy option for Gameweek 31.
Leicester City are in a race to secure their Champions League qualification. They'll be up against rivals West Ham, who're also in the reckoning for a top-four finish.
West Ham have conceded five goals in their last two games, and they could struggle at the back in the absence of Declan Rice. The Foxes would look to take advantage of that and bounce back from their 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.
Vardy hasn't found the net since his Gameweek 24 outing against Liverpool. But it looks like he could do so against the Hammers in Gameweek 31.
#2 Raheem Sterling (MCI) (MID)- £11.3 million vs LEE (H)
Manchester City's Raheem Sterling has dropped in price after some unexpected benchings, but he looks to be a great FPL captaincy pick for Gameweek 31.
He didn't play a single minute in the Champions League fixture and is likely to start this Gameweek.
He netted Manchester City's goal in the 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture between the two teams, and he could benefit from Leeds United's open style of play. Despite being benched for several games, Sterling ranks third in the ICT Threat Index among FPL midfielders.
Raheem Sterling has been prolific against sides in the lower half of the table. Against a Leeds side that concedes many away goals, Sterling could score some FPL points and reward his owners.
#1 Mohamed Salah (LIV) (MID) - £12.4 million (vs) AVL (H)
Mohamed Salah is the standout FPL captaincy option for Gameweek 31. The Egyptian is back among the goals for Liverpool, netting twice in his last two matches.
Moreover, Liverpool will look to respond after a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League.
They will look to make a statement by beating Aston Villa, against whom they suffered a humiliating 7-2 defeat at the start of the season. Salah netted both Liverpool's goals in that fixture. Considering that Liverpool are back among the goals, Salah should have a productive outing.
The race for the Golden Boot and Liverpool's push for the top four could make Salah determined to find the net in this game. He has what it takes to produce a big FPL haul and reward his FPL owners.
