FPL Blank Gameweek 31 Tips: Best Free Hit Team & Captaincy Picks 🎯

Blank Gameweek 31 is here — and it’s one of the biggest decision points of the season. With several teams without a fixture, many managers will be tempted to activate their Free Hit.

In this guide, we break down the top transfers, the latest injury news, and highlight the Algorithm’s Optimal Team — essential viewing if you’re using your Free Hit this week! 👇

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Top FPL Tips for Gameweek 31

⏰ Gameweek Deadline

Friday 20 March at 18:30

📈 Most Popular FPL Transfers

1️⃣ Thiaw - 318,198
2️⃣ Gordon - 304,887
3️⃣ B. Fernandes - 196,775
4️⃣ Wilson - 181,136
5️⃣ Virgil - 164,105

👉 BGW31 Chaos: The 5 Moves Top FPL Managers Are Rushing To Make

🚩 Key FPL Injury Updates

Salah (14.7% ownership) – Mohamed Salah will miss the trip to Brighton in Blank Gameweek 31 after picking up an injury against Galatasaray. He also won’t link up with Egypt over the international break.

Chalobah (15.9% ownership) – Trevoh Chalobah’s injury is not as serious as first feared, but he is still expected to be sidelined for around six weeks.

Tarkowski (11.3% ownership) – David Moyes has suggested that both James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite could be “in and around” the squad for Gameweek 31.

👉 Chalobah OUT: The 5 Best FPL Defender Replacements

🧢 FPL Gameweek 31 Captaincy Candidates

1️⃣ Gordon - 5.5 predicted points
2️⃣ Wilson - 5.1 predicted points
3️⃣ B.Fernandes - 4.9 predicted points

👉 See who top-ranked managers are captaining, based on pre-deadline data projections

🤔 What’s the Best Free Hit FPL Team for Gameweek 31?

The Algorithm has crunched the numbers and revealed its optimal squad — built to maximise points.

Gordon gets the armband against Sunderland in the derby 🧢

Since moving into a forward role in GW26, no player has had more shots on target (8). He’s scored twice but has an xG of 2.9, suggesting he may have been unlucky not to return even more 📊

Sunderland look to have lost their early-season momentum. They’ve scored just 30 goals (3rd fewest in the league), and only 3 in the last 6 Gameweeks — the lowest in that period. The Algorithm is backing a Magpies defensive double-up because of this 🛑

The Algorithm is also targeting a Fulham defensive double-up. Burnley have been similarly blunt in attack, scoring just 32 goals (4th fewest), while their xG of 28.76 is the lowest in the league 📉

Thiaw stands out as the top differential 🌟

Not only does he face a lacklustre Sunderland attack, but he also offers strong attacking threat. No defender has scored more goals (4), and he ranks top for big chances (9) and xG (5.25) ⚽

You can also optimise your own team now using the Assistant Manager tool.

⭐ Top FPL Players for Gameweek 31

Check out some of our other must-read FPL content for this week:

👉 FPL Gameweek 31: Top Five Key Players

👉 Gordon, Thiaw & 3 More Hidden Gems for Blank Gameweek 31

👉 Who to Target? Gordon vs Wilson

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