Top FPL Gameweek 31 Captain Picks Based on Analysis & Metrics

The metrics had a 30/38 “returns record” last season and so far has a 23/28 “returns record” this season. Do follow the man behind the metrics @AK_FPL1(Do follow him on Twitter)

Note: “Returns” ~ player topping the metrics getting points returns and not necessarily the highest scoring option of the week. Metrics total points so far: 522 pts(24+10+12+34+34+18+12+46+12+4+6+26+14+10+2+26+12+10+16+34+40+20+4+4+8+22+14+24)

Link to all our FPL GW31 blogs including GW31 Wildcard Drafts, Fixtures to target, Double and blank game-week news, Predicted GW31 Lineups, Captaincy metrics, Differentials, and more. Completely free to access as well!

FPL GW31 Captaincy Metrics

FPL GW31 Captaincy poll ~ Wisdom Of the Crowd

FPL GW31 Captaincy poll ~ Wisdom Of the Crowd

Haaland came back from his injury in style scoring 2 goals against Southampton in GW30, he also scored in the midweek UCL game vs Bayern and this means he’s the most popular option in this week’s captaincy poll taking 70% of all votes. Kane is second with 138 votes and is up against Bournemouth at home, he’s just 2 points shy of hitting 200 points this season. The top five is completed this week by Salah, Grealish, and Saka.

Further Read: FPL GW31 Scout Picks Based on Stats, Analysis, and Heatmaps

Underlying Numbers of the FPL Gameweek 31 Captain picks

Underlying Numbers of the FPL Gameweek 30 Captain picks

Mo Salah just like the old days tops the individual numbers registering an xG of 4.61 in the last six games, he’s also had 17 shots inside the box and 7 big chances which are healthy numbers. Haaland is second with an xG of 4.09 with the most big chances in the last six matches(10). Kane comes really close to Haaland with an xG of 4.06 in the last six games which are strong numbers for the ever-consistent Kane. Grealish and Saka are only 4th and 5th respectively

Further Read: Best FPL GW31 Midfielders | Rashford & Maddison Replacements

Underlying Numbers of the Candidate’s Teams

Underlying Numbers of the Candidate's Teams

Man City as expected top the individual numbers with a whopping 14.21 xG in the last six games. Arsenal are really close in second with an xG of 13.94 and 20 big chances in the last six games, the gunners have also registered more shots inside the box(68) than Man City(65). Liverpool are improving and it’s reflected in their xG of 11.78 in the last six games well more than Spurs who have only registered an xG of 8.53. Liverpool have also had more big chances(21) than Arsenal in the last six games!

Further Read: FPL GW31 Latest Injury News, Press Conference Updates and Predicted Lineups

Fixture Difficulty of the candidate team in FPL GW31

Fixture Difficulty of the candidate team in FPL GW31

In the Third Phase of the Article, we look at the Fixture Difficulty of our 5 Candidates. 

We will use Drafthound’s odds for a Team scoring at least one goal in the Gameweek and the Odds of Scoring more than 2.0 goals in the Gameweek as a whole. 

Man City’s home game against struggling Leicester means they dominate the odds with an incredible 93% chance of scoring at least one goal and a 62% chance of scoring 2+ goals in GW31. All the other three teams are closely packed with Spurs leading the pack with an 86% chance of scoring a goal and a 38% chance of scoring 2+ goals against Bournemouth at home.

Further Read: Best FPL GW31 Midfielders | Rashford & Maddison Replacements

Projections Rank of our FPL Gameweek 31 Captain Picks

Projections Rank of our FPL Gameweek 31 Captain Picks

In the Fourth Phase of the article, I have used the Anytime Returns and Projected Points Tools available at Fantasy Football Hub. With the help of the Anytime Returns Tool, I have derived the Safety Rank, which helps in determining the Safest Captaincy Option of the week, while I have used the Projected Points Tool to determine the Explosion Rank, which helps in determining the Most Explosive Option of the week. I have then averaged the Two Ranks to churn out the Average Rank Factor, which I have used to determine the Safest yet Explosive option.

Kane comes out on top in this table with a 78% anytime return odds and a point projection of 8.8. Haaland and Salah are joint second with Haaland having a 74% anytime return odds and a point projection of 7.7. Salah has a 69% anytime return odds and a point projection of 7.8. Grealish and Saka are well of the other three finishing 4th and 5th respectively.

Further Read: Top FPL GW31 Differential Picks to Consider Ahead of Deadline

Conclusion – Final Rank from our FPL Gameweek 31 Captaincy metric analysis

Final Rank from our FPL Gameweek 31 Captaincy metric analysis

In the Fifth and Final Phase of the article, I have aggregated the Ranks derived above to pull out the Cumulative Rank Factor (CRF). The Candidate having the lowest Cumulative Rank Factor is the most ideal Captaincy Option according to this metric.

Haaland comes out on top of the metrics this week with a CRF of only 6. Salah and Grealish are second with a CRF of 11. Kane finished 4th with a CRF of 12 and Saka is only last with a CRF of 17.

Haaland tops the GW31 Captaincy metrics becoming the best captain choice for FPL GW31 according to our metrics.

Further Read: FPL Gameweek 31 Transfer Tips- Players to Buy, Hold, Sell


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Further reads from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL GW31

Confirmed & Likely FPL Double Gameweeks From FPL GW31
FPL GW31 Latest Injury News, Press Conference Updates and Predicted Lineups
Top FPL Gameweek 31 Captain Picks Based on Analysis & Metrics
FPL Gameweek 31 Transfer Tips- Players to Buy, Hold, Sell
FPL GW31 Odds Preview: Goals, Clean Sheets & Predicted Points

FPL GW31 Tips & Preview – Breaking Down The Key Dilemmas
FPL GW31 Scout Picks Based on Stats, Analysis, and Heatmaps
Top FPL GW31 Differential Picks to Consider Ahead of Deadline
Best FPL GW31 Midfielders | Rashford & Maddison Replacements
FPL GW31 Wildcard Team & Drafts to Consider | Wildcard Guide
FPL Chip Strategy Guide with Key Notes for All The Chips
FPL GW31 Ultimate Guide: Tips, Differentials, Captaincy & More

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AK - Anurag Khetan

AK is a big Chelsea fan and has been playing FPL since 2012/13. He has finished in the top 5k three times with a Best Overall Rank of 1,140 in the 17/18 season. He's 250th in the FFS HoF and is ranked 7th in India in All-time FPL Rank on Premier Fantasy Tools. He believes in the Eye test and uses statistics to verify them. AK takes a keen interest in Football tactics and strategies on the field. He can be found here: https://twitter.com/AK_FPL1
AK is a big Chelsea fan and has been playing FPL since 2012/13. He has finished in the top 5k three times with a Best Overall Rank of 1,140 in the 17/18 season. He's 250th in the FFS HoF and is ranked 7th in India in All-time FPL Rank on Premier Fantasy Tools. He believes in the Eye test and uses statistics to verify them. AK takes a keen interest in Football tactics and strategies on the field. He can be found here: https://twitter.com/AK_FPL1
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