FPL Captain Picks GW31 (2025/26 Season)

Bruno Fernandes remains the undisputed talisman for Manchester United, central to almost all their attacking endeavours. His assured penalty duty, combined with his relentless creative output from open play and set-pieces, makes him a perennial FPL captaincy contender. His excellent recent form of 8.2 further solidifies his appeal, indicating he's in a period of high productivity. Against a Bournemouth side that often plays an open, high-risk game, Fernandes will find ample space to operate in the final third, offering a high floor and ceiling.

Bournemouth's attacking full-backs commit high up the pitch, frequently leaving their central defenders exposed to quick transitions and clever runs from advanced midfielders, which Fernandes is adept at orchestrating and exploiting.

João Pedro has firmly established himself as Chelsea's primary attacking threat, demonstrating impressive form leading into Gameweek 31. His current form of 7.5 points and a solid 5.4 points per game illustrate his growing influence and reliability. While Everton's defence can be stubborn, their recent inconsistencies, especially away from home, present a window of opportunity for Chelsea's attack. João Pedro's blend of intelligent poaching, strong hold-up play, and ability to contribute outside the box positions him as a strong alternative for a significant FPL haul, balancing risk with potent upside.

Everton's defensive setup often funnels attacking play wide, but their central defensive pairing can occasionally be isolated by quick, incisive passes, allowing a mobile forward like João Pedro to exploit pockets of space or run in behind.

Alex Iwobi emerges as a compelling differential option for managers looking to make a significant move in Gameweek 31. Fulham host Burnley, who are statistically one of the league's weakest defences, reflected by their difficulty rating of 1 – the most favourable fixture available. Iwobi has been enjoying a productive run, evidenced by his strong recent form of 7.0, suggesting a pivotal role in Fulham's attacking efforts. His remarkably low ownership of 2.8% makes him an ideal, high-upside pick for those looking to make significant ground in their mini-leagues by leveraging a prime home fixture against a defensively porous opponent.

Burnley's high defensive line and propensity to be stretched by wide play creates significant space in the channels for inverted wingers or advanced midfielders like Iwobi to make incisive runs and combine effectively with the striker.