GW31 Transfer Guide: Fernandes Essential, Salah Rotation Risk & Differentials You Need

Welcome back to Who Got The Points - your no-nonsense FPL edge delivered straight to your inbox. Gameweek 31 is shaping up to be a pivotal one, with rotation risk at Liverpool, a Man United attack firing on all cylinders, and some cracking differentials flying under the radar. Here's everything you need to know before Friday's deadline at 6:30pm.

Before we dive into transfers, here's the news you need to be across heading into Gameweek 31.

The biggest story from Gameweek 30: Arne Slot benched Mohamed Salah entirely for Liverpool's draw with Spurs. Slot made five changes and rested the Egyptian King, which has set alarm bells ringing across FPL. With Brighton away in Gameweek 31, that rotation risk is very real. Slot has since explained the decision, but the fact he felt the need to clarify it publicly suggests this isn't a one-off. Managers with Salah need to think carefully about the captaincy this week.

Ekitike only came on for 26 minutes in the Liverpool vs Spurs draw, picking up just one point. At £9.2m and owned by 35.6% of managers, this is a serious concern. Brighton away is a tough fixture at the best of times - if he's not guaranteed to start, that price tag becomes very difficult to justify.

Sunderland have scored just one non-penalty goal in eight games - an absolute drought. Their trip to Newcastle in Gameweek 31 makes their attackers completely unselectable this week. Steer clear.

Verdict: ESSENTIAL

Bruno Fernandes is the standout transfer target this week - and it's not particularly close. He delivered 10 points in Gameweek 30 with two assists and two bonus points in Man United's 3-1 win over Aston Villa. On the season, he's racked up 16 assists and 7 goals for a total of 176 points - among the elite performers in the game.

For Gameweek 31, he faces Bournemouth away with an expected points figure of 8.7. Michael Carrick's Man United are in devastating form and Bruno is at the heart of everything they do. Nearly 60,000 transfers in already this week tells you everything - the FPL community is moving fast on this one.

If you don't have Bruno Fernandes right now, fix that before Friday. He is the captain pick AND the must-have transfer of the week.

Verdict: GOOD

Bowen is quietly one of the best value players in the game right now. He picked up 6 points in Gameweek 30 with an assist and a bonus point in West Ham's draw against Man City. On the season he has 8 goals and 7 assists and - crucially - 141 total points, making him one of the second highest value players at his price point in the entire game.

For Gameweek 31, West Ham host Aston Villa - a solid home fixture with genuine scoring potential. At just 7.9% ownership and £7.5m, he's a differential with premium output. Nearly 28,000 transfers in this week suggests managers are waking up to what he offers.

Verdict: GOOD

Šeško came off the bench and scored in Gameweek 30, taking his season tally to 9 goals. With 35,000 transfers in this week, the FPL community is clearly waking up to his potential. His Gameweek 31 expected points figure sits at 6.3 against Bournemouth, and the prospect of him and Fernandes in the same Man United attack is genuinely mouthwatering.

At £7.4m with great fixtures ahead, the price is right and the timing could be perfect. If you're building a United double-up, Šeško alongside Fernandes is a serious route to go.

Verdict: SELL (or consider very carefully)

This is the most pressing sell of the week. Ekitike only came on for 26 minutes in Gameweek 30, picking up a single point, and Slot has since been publicly explaining the decision - which is rarely a good sign for FPL owners. Brighton away in Gameweek 31 is a genuinely difficult fixture, and if there's any chance he's not starting, £9.2m is expensive dead weight sitting on your bench.

Nearly 15,500 managers have already sold this week. If you have a better option to fund a key upgrade (hello, Fernandes), this is the moment to act.

Verdict: SELL if you need funds

Gyökeres came off the bench against Everton and played just 29 minutes in Gameweek 30, scoring a goal and picking up bonus points for 7 points. However, the critical issue for Gameweek 31: Arsenal do not appear to have a fixture this gameweek, which means his expected points figure shows zero. Over 15,000 transfers out already confirms managers are acting quickly on this one.

If you need funds to bring in Fernandes or another key target, Gyökeres is the asset to move on from this week.

Verdict: Hold for now, but monitor closely

Wilson blanked in Gameweek 30 despite starting and playing the full 90 minutes in a goalless draw with Forest. His form has cooled noticeably. Fulham host Burnley in Gameweek 31, which looks good on paper, but with nearly 18,000 transfers out this week and better options available at his price point, patience is wearing thin. Hold for the Burnley fixture, but if he blanks again it may be time to move on.

Looking to gain ground on your mini-league rivals? These three under-the-radar picks could be your edge in Gameweek 31.

Verdict: Serious differential potential

Richarlison quietly delivered 9 points in Gameweek 30 - a goal and maximum bonus points. On the season he has 9 goals and 3 assists in 91 total points. For Gameweek 31, Spurs host Nottingham Forest under Thomas Frank - a very winnable home game. At just £6.3m with only 5.5% ownership, this is outstanding value for a forward in form. If he scores while your rivals' 35%-owned Ekitike blanks from the bench, that's a massive swing.

Verdict: Differential gold

Welbeck has 10 goals this season and started the full 90 minutes in Gameweek 30. Brighton host Liverpool in Gameweek 31 - yes, it's a tough fixture on paper, but Welbeck has shown all season he can haul against anyone. Fabian Hürzeler's side kept a clean sheet in Gameweek 30 and are defensively solid. A proven goal scorer at just 4% ownership - that is differential gold. If Brighton nick a win or draw with Welbeck involved, you're flying past your rivals.

Verdict: Budget enabler with upside

At just 0.3% ownership, Flemming is about as differential as it gets. He has 7 goals this season at a budget price of £5.3m, and Burnley travel to Fulham in Gameweek 31. It's not a guaranteed blank but the price is right and the goal threat is real. If you're looking to free up funds for premium picks, Flemming is a genuine budget enabler who carries genuine attacking threat.

The captaincy call for Gameweek 31 is straightforward: Bruno Fernandes. His expected points figure of 8.7 against Bournemouth, combined with his exceptional recent form (16 assists, 7 goals this season, 10 points in GW30 alone), makes him the overwhelming choice. Man United are in devastating form and Fernandes is at the centre of it all.

One important reminder: the Gameweek 31 deadline is Friday 20th March at 6:30pm, but Bournemouth vs Man United is an early Friday night kickoff. Get your transfers done Thursday if you can - do not leave it to the last minute and risk being locked out.

Here's a quick look at who stood out in Gameweek 30 to inform your GW31 planning:

That's your Gameweek 31 guide sorted. Good luck this week - may your differentials haul and your captain deliver double digits. We'll see you tomorrow.