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In this blog, the three best Captaincy options for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 31 are discussed. Picks are in the below format:

1. No.1 predicted by Fix 
2. Alternative high-ownership option. Over 20%
3. Differential option. Under 20%

Mohamed Salah (SHU)

Salah's total of 16 goals sees the Egyptian international trail only Haaland (18) in the Golden Boot race, while only Foden (86) has taken more shots than his 82 amongst midfielders. The Liverpool attacker is top for shots on target (SoT) (39), shots in the box (SiB) (66), 'big chances' (BC) (23) and 'Expected Goals' (xG) (15.74). Meanwhile, he is also top for BC created (19). Liverpool have scored 67 goals with only Arsenal (70) being more prolific. The Merseyside outfit are top for shots (572) and xG (67.09). Their visitors Sheff. Utd. have been the worst defence in the league with 77 goals conceded and just one clean sheet. The Blades are bottom for shots conceded (529) and 19th for 'Expected Goals Conceded' (xGC) (63.02). Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently projects a point score of 10.5 for Salah.

Erling Haaland (AVL)

Haaland will be looking forward to getting back on the scoresheet as Man. City host Villa at the Etihad. The Norwegian international is top amongst forwards for goals (18), shots (95), SoT (44), SiB (88), BC (40) and xG (21.19). As the below image from our Opta Player Heatmaps feature shows, he has averaged 6.4 FPL points per game in home matches this season. Man. City have scored 63 goals with only Liverpool (67) and Arsenal (70) finding the back of the net more often. The Manchester side are ranked second for shots (516) and xG (60.06). Their visitors Villa have conceded 42 goals (sixth) and have kept seven clean sheets. The Midlands side are ranked fourth for shots conceded (327) and seventh for xGC (44.94). Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently projects a point score of 6.1 for Haaland.

Aleksander Isak (EVE)

Isak's nine goals in home matches is only bettered by Haaland (10) amongst forwards and as the Opta Stats Sandbox image below shows, the Swedish international is joint-top for BC (17) and third for xG (9.46). Over the last four Gameweeks, only Muniz (32) has scored more FPL points than his 29. Newcastle have scored 38 goals in home matches this season with only Liverpool (40) scoring more on home turf. No side has created more BC in home matches (63) than the Magpies this season. Their opponents Everton have conceded 41 goals (fifth) and have kept eight clean sheets. They are ranked 11th for shots conceded (405) and eighth for xGC (45.00). Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently projects a point score of 4.9 for Isak.