The Scout Picks – Gameweek 31

We roll out the Gameweek 31 Scout Picks this evening before the final international break of the season is thrust upon us. Leicester and Swansea supply us with a pair of players apiece, whilst we triple up on Tottenham’s main men ahead of Sunday’s home encounter with Bournemouth.

A trip to out-of-sorts Palace earns Kasper Schmeichel a spot between the sticks. The Foxes roll up to Selhurst Park on the back of three clean sheets in four and with save points to fall back on, the Dane is the top-scoring player in Claudio Ranieri’s defence so far.

West Brom’s Craig Dawson is expected to recover from a minor foot problem in time for a home encounter with a Norwich side that’s scored just once in their last six road trips. The Baggies have kept out their weekend opponents earlier in the season and with three goals to his name already, the right-back offers the strongest prospect of points at both ends of the pitch.

Swansea’s Ashley Williams entertains a Villa side with two goals in their last six on the road. The Welsh club’s captain has netted twice in eight appearances since the departure of Garry Monk and has collected maximum bonus points in six of the seven occasions that the Swans have collected a clean sheet.

A home clash with Bournemouth brings Toby Alderweireld into our three-man backline. The Spurs centre-half cemented his spot at the top of the defender standings with a goal and clean sheet in the last two Gameweeks, highlighting his penchant for points at both ends of the pitch as Mauricio Pochettino’s men look to keep the pressure on Leicester at the summit.

With seven goals and an assist in his last 11 league outings, Gylfi Sigurdsson sits second in this week’s Captain Poll ahead of Swansea’s clash with Villa. The Icelandic international faces a defence that’s been breached 17 times in their previous five and is seeking a third double-figure haul in four at the Liberty this weekend.

Georginio Wijnaldum’s record at St James’ could prove decisive in the Tyne-Wear derby. The Dutchman’s nine home goals is more than any other midfielder in the top-flight and he’ll fancy his chances against a Black Cats backline that’s managed just a single shut out away from home.

Leicester’s trip to a Palace side that’s lost five on the bounce at Selhurst Park brings Riyad Mahrez into our midfield. The Algerian has served up seven of his 11 double-figure hauls on the road and found the net in two of his previous three away matches.

Deli Alli’s flourishing form has coincided with Mousa Dembele’s return from injury to the Spurs midfield. After serving up back-to-back blanks in the Belgian’s absence, Alli has provided three assists in the last couple of matches ahead of Bournemouth’s visit.

We’re backing Sergio Aguero to recover from last week’s Carrow Road disappointment as City welcome neighbours United to the Etihad. Given the contrasting nature of both sides’ midweek European results, the Argentine will be looking to take advantage of a wounded Red Devils defence in Manuel Pellegrini’s final home derby at the helm.

It’s 18 goals in 21 league outings for Harry Kane in light of last weekend’s brace at Villa. The Spurs frontman racked up his highest haul of the season against weekend visitors Bournemouth back in Gameweek 10, courtesy of three goals and maximum bonus in a 5-1 win at Dean Court, and his form looks vital if the north London outfit are to keep in the title race.

A home encounter with Arsenal earns Romelu Lukaku a spot in our Scout Picks. The Everton striker has racked up three goals and an assist in the last four and, having bagged a brace in the weekend cup win over Chelsea, looks set to torment a Gunners side still licking their wounds from Wednesday’s Champions League exit.

Watford’s Nathan Ake warms the bench at home to a Stoke outfit that’s drawn blanks in two of their last four road trips. Given that the Hornets have chalked up eight clean sheets at home – second only to United – they look a strong shout to keep Mark Hughes’ men at bay.

Mesut Ozil also earns a place amongst the subs as Arsenal visit an Everton backline with the worst home defensive record in the top-flight. In spite of his side’s recent stutter, the German has returned to Fantasy form on the road, producing double-figures in two of his last three away appearances.

West Brom’s Salomon Rondon welcomes Norwich to the Hawthorns in fine form. The Venezuelan has produced four goals and an assist in his last six league outings and squares up to a defence that’s yet to keep a clean sheet on their travels this term.

The Community Champions

Having scrapped the weekly vote idea from last season, we now operate a lottery system to pick our weekly candidates. The community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season.

In addition to a shot at the £100 Amazon prize, FantasyBet are offering a chance for further prizes to Community Champions that are eligible to play their games. More details can be found here.

Red Devil leads the way after beating the Picks by 25 points in Gameweek 17.

The Scout Picks beat an XI selected for the community in Gameweek 30 by assistant manager Andy85wsm by 68 points to 44.

Gameweek 30’s Scout Picks Community Champion, as selected by our lottery, is GAWA 11. His picks are as follows: Schmeichel; Alderweireld, Fuchs, Williams; Mahrez, Sigurdsson, Alli, Payet; Kane, Lukaku, Aguero.