The Hard Tackle lists the five best options to consider for the captain’s armband heading into FPL Gameweek 31 of the 2025/26 season.
Picking the right captain for FPL in Gameweek 31 is exciting but tricky. With the Premier League season heating up in March 2026, managers everywhere are eyeing fixtures that could deliver big points from goals, assists, or bonus scores. This week offers some juicy matchups where certain lads stand out as captaincy gold.
Gameweek 31 kicks off with teams battling for position, from survival scraps to top-four chases. Your captain gets double points, so nailing it can rocket your mini-league standing or keep you glued to rivals. We are talking players facing leaky defences, on hot streaks, or just too vital to their squads to ignore.
Forget the safe triple-captain plays from earlier weeks; GW31 demands bold moves. Fixtures like Fulham at Burnley, Liverpool at Brighton & Hove ALbion, and others scream opportunity for attackers to feast. We will break down five prime candidates, weighing their form, opponent woes, and why they could haul massive.
These picks are not random punts but those built on season trends, recent dips that scream bounce-back, and defenses that forget how to park the bus. Whether you are chasing a spot in the upper echelons or the top spot in your mini-league, one of these guys might be your ticket to bragging rights. Let’s dive in.
Harry Wilson: Fulham’s Welsh wizard
Harry Wilson has been Fulham’s spark plug up top this season, even if his form has wobbled lately. The Welshman has 9 goals and 8 assists from 26 starts in 2025/26, averaging a solid shot every match and chipping in with bonus points from his hustle. Facing Burnley, he is primed to exploit their shaky backline, which has leaked goals despite some tactical tweaks from their Championship days.
Burnley’s defence promised solidity early on but has crumbled under Premier League pressure, shipping chances left and right as they fight relegation jitters. Wilson is Fulham’s main man in the final third, threading passes and ripping shots when others fade. Meanwhile, his recent dry spell may just be a blip before this plum tie.
Hugo Ekitike: Liverpool’s FPL asset
Hugo Ekitike burst onto the scene at Liverpool like a kid grabbing his first pro contract, scoring on debut and terrorising defences with his pace. The French striker has been their go-to forward for Arne Slot in a tricky season for the Reds, bagging key strikes. Despite missing out in Gameweek 30, Brighton’s high-pressing game leaves gaps at the back, which is perfect for Ekitike to run riot.
Brighton’s inconsistencies shine through in turnovers and soft concessions, ranking high in pressed sequences but low on actual shutdowns. Ekitike remains Arne Slot’s best weapon in the final third, blending hold-up play with clinical finishes. That drop last week should fuel his fire for a statement haul this weekend.
Morgan Gibbs-White: Nottingham Forest’s creative spark
Morgan Gibbs-White has had an up-and-down year at Nottingham Forest, but his engine-room magic hints at a revival. Against Tottenham, whose backline has tightened slightly but still remains shaky, he could orchestrate chaos. His xGI numbers scream involvement, especially in open games.
Tottenham’s backline has conceded chances like a sieve, having been vulnerable to midfield maestros like Gibbs-White, who is owned by few but delivers when it counts. The Englishman has been inconsistent, but this fixture smells like his stage to boss midfield and bag returns.
Bruno Fernandes: Manchester United’s point machine
Bruno Fernandes is Manchester United’s heartbeat, dictating play and piling points under Michael Carrick. Bournemouth’s defence wobbles with duels lost aplenty and critical errors, setting up a feast at the Vitality Stadium. Meanwhile, the Portuguese playmaker’s season haul shows consistent double-digit returns in tough spots, making him captaincy catnip.
Bournemouth’s inconsistencies may play into Bruno Fernandes’s hands, where he creates big chances weekly. The skipper is indispensable in the final third for Manchester United, and his 2025/26 form reads like a cheat code with goals, assists, bonuses galore.
Jarrod Bowen: West Ham hound
Jarrod Bowen has been on fire lately, notching four assists in five and thriving at home. However, the Gameweek 31 clash against Aston Villa offers away-day glory. The Villans are on a run of three straight losses, with their backline looking vulnerable. That is ripe for Bowen’s poaching, and his work rate nets bonus points as well.
Aston Villa’s big-chance concessions lead the Premier League recently, handing Bowen, the West Ham United talisman, a golden chance to extend his streak and secure a significant haul. Expect him to link with teammates, score ugly, and haul big against a rattled backline.
Key FPL Captaincy Options at a Glance
| Player | Club | Opponent | Main Appeal | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Wilson | Fulham | Burnley (H) | Final-third hub vs leaky defence | Medium |
| Hugo Ekitike | Liverpool | Brighton & Hove Albion (A) | Striker form vs press gaps | Low |
| Morgan Gibbs-White | Nottingham Forest | Tottenham (A) | Midfield control vs draw merchants | Medium-High |
| Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United | Bournemouth (A) | Season-long hauls vs duel losers | Low |
| Jarrod Bowen | West Ham | Aston Villa (A) | Hot streak vs goal-fest defense | Medium |
Honourable Mentions
Do not sleep on these differentials: Kevin Schade’s pace, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s vision, Bryan Mbeumo’s shots, Matheus Cunha’s grit, Morgan Rogers’s flair, Cole Palmer’s magic, Igor Thiago’s finishing, and Evanilson up top for Bournemouth. They could sneak hauls if you are feeling wild.