FPL GW31 Preview: Best Picks

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With Blank Gameweek 31 removing Arsenal (1st overall), Manchester City (2nd), Crystal Palace (14th) and Wolves (20th/Last) from the BGW31 schedule, many managers will be considering playing their Free Hit chip. Here we highlight a dozen players to consider bringing in either under a free hit or permanently using your spare transfers and we base those recommendations on:

  • projected GW31 results
  • recent FPL player form (last 30 days)
  • and the GW31–GW38 fixture run

This article builds directly from our GW31 score predictions where we project several clear winners this week based on recent Home & Away form. Don’t forget, the deadline for Gameweek 31 is set at 18:30pm (UK time) tomorrow Friday, 20th March 2026. The free to play FPL or pay to play season/weekend/daily games like FanTeam are ideal ways of following the Premier League action. FISO was founded over 25 years ago in 2000 and is the longest-running UK fantasy sports online community – Independent, community-driven fantasy football analysis since before FPL existed!

GW31 Overview: Where the Points Should Come From

From our GW31 score projections:

  • We predict Fulham to beat Burnley 2–0 (highest confidence result)
  • We predict Manchester United to beat Bournemouth 2–1
  • We predict Liverpool to beat Brighton 2–1
  • We predict Brentford to beat Leeds 2–1
  • We predict Newcastle to beat Sunderland 2–1

These five teams form the backbone of the GW31 strategy — with Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest offering stronger medium-term runs just beyond this week. See who the FISO Forum like for their GW31 Captain.

Top 12 GW31 Picks (Form + Fixtures + Minutes)

Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) — £10.2 — 43.6% Selected by

Form: 8.2 | Total Points: 176

We predict Manchester United to win at Bournemouth, and Fernandes remains the standout all-round pick in the active GW31 pool. He dominates both form (8.2) and involvement, and with Leeds, Brentford and Sunderland to follow, he is a clear buy-and-hold GW31 captaincy contender.

Next five: BOU (A), LEE (H), CHE (A), BRE (H), LIV (H)

Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) — £6.3 — 2.5%

Form: 8.0

Liverpool are projected to win at Brighton, but it’s the run after that which really stands out. Mac Allister combines elite form with security of starts and a strong upcoming fixture block (although Liverpool retain UCL involvement), making him one of the best-value midfielders this week.

Next five: BHA (A), FUL (H), EVE (A), CRY (H), MUN (A)

João Pedro (Chelsea) — £7.8 — 50.6%

Form: 7.5

Chelsea’s trip to Everton is less convincing from a team perspective, but João Pedro’s form and central role keep him firmly in the conversation. He should start and remains one of the most consistent forwards playing this GW.

Next five: EVE (A), MCI (H), MUN (H), BHA (A), NFO (H)

Hugo Ekitiké (Liverpool) — £9.2 — 36.0%

Form: 5.0

We predict Liverpool to score at least twice at Brighton, and Ekitiké should lead the line again. With Fulham, Everton and Palace next, he offers both immediate and medium-term upside (although the Fulham match occurs midway during Liverpool’s 2-leg UCL quarter final with PSG).

Next five: BHA (A), FUL (H), EVE (A), CRY (H), MUN (A)

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) — £6.2 — 35.3%

Form: 5.2

Brighton away is not the easiest clean sheet fixture, but Liverpool’s defensive prospects improve significantly from GW32 onwards. Van Dijk should start even before/after UCL matches and adds attacking threat from set pieces.

Next five: BHA (A), FUL (H), EVE (A), CRY (H), MUN (A)

Alex Iwobi (Fulham) — £6.4 — 3.0%

Form: 7.0

We predict Fulham to beat Burnley 2–0, making them the standout one-week target. Iwobi’s form is strong and he should start in an advanced role. Ideal for managers chasing a short-term punt with upside.

Next five: BUR (H), LIV (A), BRE (A), AVL (H), ARS (A)

Harry Wilson (Fulham) — £6.0 — 23.8%

Form: 5.8

Another Fulham attacker worth considering for this specific week. If Fulham deliver as projected, doubling up in midfield could pay off.

Next five: BUR (H), LIV (A), BRE (A), AVL (H), ARS (A)

Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford) — £5.6 — 1.0%

Form: 6.0

We predict Brentford to win at Leeds, and their next two home games (Everton and Fulham) strengthen the case further. Damsgaard should start and offers a strong blend of form and fixtures at a low ownership.

Next five: LEE (A), EVE (H), FUL (H), MUN (A), WHU (H)

Thiago (Brentford) — £7.3 — 36.4%

Form: 4.0

Less explosive in recent form but still heavily backed and should start up front having started hitting the back of the net again. With Leeds, Everton and Fulham next, he has one of the best forward fixture runs.

Next five: LEE (A), EVE (H), FUL (H), MUN (A), WHU (H)

Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) — £7.3 — 6.1%

Form: 5.5

We predict Newcastle to win the derby against Sunderland. Gordon should start and remains their most direct attacking outlet. The next two (CRY, BOU) keep him viable beyond GW31.

Next five: SUN (H), CRY (A), BOU (H), ARS (A), BHA (H)

Morgan Gibbs-White (Nott’m Forest) — £7.4 — 5.1%

Form: 5.5

Not a pure GW31 pick, but one of the best forward-looking differentials. Forest’s fixture run is decent after the relegation clash against Spurs, with Burnley and Sunderland ahead and they’ll be desperate to avoid 18th place this season. Forest also play tonight away in Denmark in their 2nd leg Europa league KO.

Next five: TOT (A), AVL (H), BUR (H), SUN (A), NEW (H)

Casemiro (Man Utd) — £5.7 — 3.2%

Form: 5.8

A second route into a Manchester United side we project to win. He should start and benefits from the same strong fixture run as Fernandes.

Next five: BOU (A), LEE (H), CHE (A), BRE (H), LIV (H)

Strategy Summary

Best teams to target

  • Manchester United
  • Liverpool
  • Brentford
  • Fulham (short-term)
  • Newcastle

Best short-term punts (GW31 only)

  • Iwobi
  • Wilson
  • Fulham attackers generally

Best medium-term holds

  • Fernandes
  • Ekitiké
  • Mac Allister
  • Damsgaard

Final Thought

By limiting selection to players who should start, and combining that with projected results, recent form and fixture strength, the optimal GW31 approach becomes a little clearer:

  • attack Fulham for one week
  • build around Manchester United and Liverpool
  • and position for Brentford’s upcoming run

If you get that balance right, GW31 becomes less about surviving the blank — and more about gaining ground. For further discussions have a look at FISO’s FPL forum where you can also see the FPL mini-leagues and FPL side-games available