Gameweek 31 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) calendar has arrived, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most intriguing—and challenging—weeks of the 2025/26 season. With Arsenal and Manchester City set to face off in the Carabao Cup Final, their Premier League fixtures, as well as those of their scheduled opponents, have been postponed. That leaves FPL managers scrambling to navigate a blank gameweek, weighing form, fixtures, and the special scoring twist of the FPL Challenge: Creativity. This week, players who create three or more chances in a single match will earn a hefty six-point bonus, raising the stakes for those with an eye for a pass.
Let’s break down the must-have buys, holds, and sells for GW31, while also spotlighting the top creative assets based on the latest Opta data and recent Premier League performances. If you’re looking for the edge in this tricky round, you’ll want to keep reading!
Defensive Paradoxes and Clean Sheet Surges
First, a look back: Gameweek 30 produced nine clean sheets—the most since GW5. Yet, paradoxically, Premier League teams struggled mightily in Europe, conceding a combined 30 goals across 12 Champions League Round of 16 matches. In the realm of defenders, 2026 has been a study in contrasts: Gabriel, the most expensive defender, is also the highest scorer, while Hill, the cheapest, sits second. It’s a reminder that FPL success can come from both the priciest and the most budget-friendly picks—a truth that keeps managers guessing each week.
Transfer Tips: Who to Buy?
Let’s start with the midfield: Harry Wilson (£6.0m, Fulham) is flying under the radar despite his remarkable output. Since GW10, Wilson has racked up 120 points—88% of Bruno Fernandes’ total, but at just 59% of the cost. Sixteen of those points came in one explosive outing against Burnley in GW16, and fate has brought Burnley to Craven Cottage again this week. Wilson has a strong record against the Premier League’s bottom five, boasting 4 goals and 4 assists in 7 games for 58 points. His creative stats are equally impressive: 0.84 big chances created and 1.39 key passes per 90 minutes over the last five gameweeks, plus a healthy goal threat (0.37 xGi/90, 1.05 shots/90). Simply put, Wilson is a priority buy for managers looking for value and upside.
On the defensive end, Joachim Andersen (£4.6m, Fulham) is another standout. Burnley, his GW31 opponent, ranks dead last in virtually every attacking metric: shots, shots on target, shots in the box, big chances, and xG. Fulham just kept a clean sheet away at Forest, while Burnley have failed to score in their last two matches. Andersen has crossed the DEFCON threshold 17 times in 27 games and averages over 10 DEFCON points per match, making him the fourth-highest DEFCON accumulator among defenders. He’s also a threat from set pieces—Burnley have conceded the second-most attempts from such situations this season. All signs point to Andersen as a rock-solid defensive pick for GW31.
Who to Hold? Patience Pays Off
Antoine Semenyo (£8.2m, Man City) is the most transferred-out midfielder this week, and it’s understandable: Manchester City have a blank. But over the last eight gameweeks, Semenyo is second only to Bruno Fernandes in midfield points. With City now out of the Champions League, their focus is squarely on chasing Arsenal in the league, and a double gameweek could be on the horizon if they progress in the FA Cup. For managers with value tied up in Semenyo, holding makes sense, especially if a wildcard isn’t available before a potential DGW33.
Bryan Mbeumo (£8.6m, Man Utd) is another popular transfer-out, with three consecutive blanks testing the patience of his backers. However, from GW22 to GW27, Mbeumo was the highest-scoring United player in FPL. The last time United faced Bournemouth, the teams combined for eight goals, so don’t be surprised if this fixture delivers fireworks again. With free transfers at a premium, holding Mbeumo for one more week could pay dividends.
Who to Sell? Injuries and Rotation Headaches
Trevoh Chalobah (£5.5m, Chelsea) suffered a significant ankle injury against PSG and is expected to be sidelined for six weeks. The advice is clear: sell and consider bringing in Andersen, particularly if you’re planning a GW32 wildcard.
Marc Guéhi (£5.1m, Man City) has managed just two clean sheets in his last seven league games and faces a blank in GW31. City’s upcoming schedule is brutal—Arsenal (EFL Cup Final), Liverpool (FA Cup), Chelsea (EPL), Arsenal (EPL), Burnley (EPL)—and heavy rotation is likely. Clean sheet prospects are slim, so unless you’re holding for a possible DGW33, it’s wise to move Guéhi on.
FPL Challenge: Creativity—Who Will Hit the Bonus?
This week’s FPL Challenge twist awards six points to players who create three or more chances in a match. That changes the calculus for managers seeking differential returns. According to Opta data, several players stand out:
Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) is the Premier League’s chief creator with 16 assists—double the next best—and is just four shy of the single-season record (20). He’s hit the three-chance threshold 17 times, more than any other player. Fernandes is an automatic captain pick for many, even against a Bournemouth side with three clean sheets in their last four.
Anton Stach (Leeds United) is a dark horse, averaging 2.41 chances created per 90 minutes (fifth in the league) and hitting the three-chance mark in 46% of his starts. With Leeds fighting relegation, Stach’s creativity could make all the difference against Brentford.
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) is another to watch. He’s tallied 12 goals in all competitions this season and has created three or more chances in 11 Premier League matches, trailing only Fernandes and Declan Rice. His availability and consistent 90-minute appearances make him a reliable option for managers banking on the creativity bonus.
Among forwards, Jarrod Bowen (West Ham) has notched four goals and five assists in his last nine games and created the most chances (30) among FPL forwards this season. He’s met the three-chance threshold in three of his last four league appearances, making him a solid pick for those seeking attacking upside.
Honourable mentions for GW31 include Pedro Porro (Spurs), who leads all defenders for total chances created (34), Pascal Groß (Brighton), who has hit the three-chance mark in 30% of starts since rejoining the club, and João Pedro (Chelsea), who ranks second among forwards for chances created but faces a Chelsea side struggling for form.
Goalkeeper Watch: Ramsdale’s Redemption?
With Newcastle hosting Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby, Aaron Ramsdale is a bold goalkeeper selection. Despite Newcastle’s recent 7-0 Champions League defeat to Barcelona, they kept a clean sheet away at Chelsea last league match. Sunderland have scored just eight away goals all season—the second-fewest in the division—so Ramsdale could be a shrewd pick for managers willing to take a calculated risk.
As GW31 kicks off, managers are faced with a unique blend of blank fixtures, creative scoring twists, and injury headaches. Success will hinge on balancing proven assets like Fernandes and Wilson with under-the-radar picks such as Stach and Andersen. With so much at stake and the FPL season entering its decisive stretch, every decision counts. Set your teams, watch the lineups, and get ready for a gameweek that promises to shake up mini-leagues and overall rankings alike!