In this article, we have provided our Fantasy Premier League tips & predictions ahead of Gameweek 31 of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game.
After Premier League games were played in midweek, it is a quick turnaround as the English top flight returns this weekend. Some important matches are yet to be played both at the top and bottom end of the table, and there are plenty of points in FPL still up for grabs that will help you climb to the top of your respective mini leagues.
Nonetheless, here are our latest FPL tips that should hopefully help make all of those informed transfer, chip and captaincy decisions needed ahead of the deadline…
Our Fantasy Premier League tips
FPL gives out points based on player performances, which can be both positive and negative. It can range from a player scoring a goal (positions are given more points than others, for example a defender will gain six points for scoring a goal as opposed to four for a forward) or being shown a yellow card (-1pt), as well as many other metrics.
Who to have as FPL captain
In Gameweek 31, if you own him, Liverpool and Egypt international winger Mohamed Salah is perhaps the most viable option for captaincy this week, given his exceptional scoring season in FPL where he has already broken his own record points total.
However, for those who do not own Salah or want to pick a differential captain, the returning Bukayo Saka (£10.3m) could be a man to count on after he scored the winning goal in Arsenal's 2-1 victory against fellow London rivals Fulham at the Emirates Stadium last time out. The Gunners travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Premier League's designated Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
| Selection | Market-best price |
|---|---|
| Bukayo Saka to score anytime |
11/4 |
| Bukayo Saka to score first |
13/2 |
| Bukayo Saka to score 2+ |
20/1 |
| Bukayo Saka to score hat-trick |
175/1 |
Should the triple-captain chip be used?
Assuming that Salah is the most viable captain choice in Gameweek 31, using the triple-captain chip on him could seem very tempting given his irresistible form so far in the 2024/25 campaign.
However, we would always advise, if it has not been used already, to use the chip in a double gameweek, where teams play more than one fixture and therefore give more of a chance of a big points haul for the captain.
Who is likely to get booked?
Liam Delap (£5.6m) could be popular among FPL managers given his goal in Ipswich Town's impressive 2-1 win against AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in midweek, and the fact that the Tractor Boys have a relatively favourable fixture against Wolves at Portman Road coming up this weekend.
However, the English striker has amassed a total of nine yellow cards so far in the 2024/25 campaign, and just one more would see him serve a two-game ban.
Market-best odds on Liam Delap to be booked: 3/1
Which defender is most likely to score?
Daniel Munoz (£5.1m) loves to bomb forward, and the Colombian right wing-back has already scored a total of three goals in the Premier League so far this season. Crystal Palace play host to rivals Brighton & Hove Albion at Selhurst Park this weekend, and Munoz will no doubt be determined to get himself on the scoresheet once again in a match that means a lot to the Eagles faithful.
Market-best odds on Daniel Munoz to score anytime: 8/1
Our top three cheap in-form players
Ismaila Sarr
Ismaila Sarr (£5.7m) not only has a decent fixture this weekend at home to Brighton, but the Crystal Palace midfielder will look forward to not one but two double sets of fixtures in the next two gameweeks that follow. This gives him huge potential to pick up a lot of FPL points in the near future, so he should be highly considered.
Mikel Merino
Mikel Merino (£6.0m) is seemingly going under the radar as a genuine FPL pick. Listed as a midfielder in the game, Arsenal's makeshift number nine has found the back of the net in each of the Gunners' last two matches, and could cause Everton a lot of problems at Goodison Park this weekend.
Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez (£4.7m) scored the winning goal as Chelsea beat fellow London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge last time out. The Blues will not have far to travel over the weekend as they visit Brentford, and Fernandez will fancy himself to contribute to goals once more.
Summary of tips
| Tip | Player name (Team, FPL price) | Odds to score | Odds to be booked |
|---|---|---|---|
| To captain |
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal, 10.3) |
11/4 |
13/2 |
| To be booked |
Liam Delap (Ipswich, 5.6) |
2/1 |
3/1 |
| Defender to score |
Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace, 5.1) |
8/1 |
10/3 |
| Cheap option 1 |
Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace, 5.7) |
29/10 |
N/A |
| Cheap option 2 |
Mikel Merino (Arsenal, 6.0) |
3/1 |
9/2 |
| Cheap option 3 |
Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea, 4.7) |
7/1 |
18/5 |
Adam is a freelance sports journalist who has worked for North Star Network since September 2023. He has also written for Football Whispers and Sports Mole as well as Mr Fixit's Tips (MFT), and you can find his weekly Fantasy Premier League (FPL) column and other articles on the MFT website.
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