FPL Gameweek 31 Preview: Captain Picks, Transfers & Chips
Key fixtures, captain options, and transfer targets for Gameweek 31.
This post is older than 60 days. Last updated 12 March 2026. Check FPL Pilot for the latest.
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Gameweek 31 presents a captaincy split between midfield stability and defensive upside. Fernandes leads projections with strong underlying numbers away to Bournemouth, while Palmer and Thiaw offer contrasting routes to a big haul.
Key Fixtures
| Fixture | Context |
|---|---|
| MUN vs BOU (A) | GW31 |
| CHE vs EVE (A) | GW31 |
| NEW vs SUN (H) | GW31 |
| LIV vs BHA (A) | GW31 |
Captain Picks
1. B.Fernandes, MUN (MID, £10.1m)
Projected: 5.94 pts | xG 0.30 | xA 0.37 | pStart 82% Fixture: GW31: @ BOU
The safe option. Bournemouth away isn’t a standout fixture but Fernandes’ combined xG+xA of 0.67 is the highest in the gameweek. Penalty duties seal it.
2. Palmer, CHE (MID, £10.6m)
Projected: 4.87 pts | xG 0.34 | xA 0.09 | pStart 79% Fixture: GW31: @ EVE
Everton away is a good fixture for Chelsea attackers. Palmer’s xG is the highest of any midfielder this week, though the lower xA limits his floor.
3. Thiaw, NEW (DEF, £5.0m)
Projected: 4.73 pts | xG 0.19 | xA 0.05 | pStart 84% Fixture: GW31: vs SUN
A differential captain pick. Newcastle at home to Sunderland is the best clean sheet fixture this week, and Thiaw’s aerial threat from set pieces adds an attacking dimension.
4. Virgil, LIV (DEF, £6.2m)
Projected: 4.64 pts | xG 0.15 | xA 0.04 | pStart 84% Fixture: GW31: @ BHA
Liverpool’s defensive solidity makes van Dijk a consistent 4-5 point floor. Brighton away is trickier than it looks though.
5. João Pedro, CHE (FWD, £7.7m)
Projected: 4.58 pts | xG 0.45 | xA 0.03 | pStart 76% Fixture: GW31: @ EVE
The highest xG of any player this week at 0.45. The risk is the 76% start probability. If he starts, he’s got the best goal threat on the slate.
Injury Watch
- Pablo (WHU). 0% chance this round
- White (ARS). 0% chance this round
- Ødegaard (ARS). Knee injury, 50% chance of playing
- Summerville (WHU). Knock, 75% chance of playing
- Scarles (WHU). Knock, 75% chance of playing
Full sell-or-hold calls on each of these names sit in the GW31 injury update.
Bottom Line
Captain Fernandes for the safe floor, Palmer for the upside play. No chips worth activating this week. Save them for double gameweeks later in the season. For the wider transfer-window view, the GW31-36 fixture difficulty post maps which teams to ride into the run-in, and the GW30 captain picks guide is the previous deadline’s read on the same Salah and Palmer trade-off.
Model your exact captain options against your squad’s fixture list →
Data from FPL API as of GW31 deadline. Check team news before finalising your squad.
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