Another set of double Gameweek fixtures dropped into the schedule this week to further befuddle the Fantasy Football Scout community, with Newcastle, Arsenal, Swansea and Everton joining the Gameweek 31 party. We look back at the raft of hot topics this fixture change provoked, take a walk of shame by admitting our season faux pas and find time to meander down memory lane to revisit our favourite and most notorious World Cup moments. We also drop in on all the latest standings and ties in the community’s tournaments.

The Hottest Topics

While we’re all pre-occupied with bringing in new recruits for Gameweek 31, it also presents some tough choices regarding benching form players with just a single fixture. Irish Madrista asked whether Eden Hazard owners plan to oust the electrifying midfielder in favour of a double Gameweek player. Meanwhile, Rosola went one step further and asked which non-double gameweek players the community will be ditching. John Terry, Eden Hazard and Southampton keeper Artur Boruc are among those mentioned as “untouchables”.

Sergio Aguero has already being discussed as a key Gameweek 31 pick for many, although Innsie wonders if there are perhaps other options. His post comparing Aguero and Newcastle striker Loic Remy proved interesting and surprising reading. It’s a subject that surfaced again this evening, with Nate dropping in with another Sunday evening hot topic, talking up Romelu Lukaku’s claims for inclusion in our plans.

When it comes to midfield options, we find both West Ham’s Kevin Nolan and Sunderland’s Adam Johnson firmly on many a watchlist. The pair of mid-price contenders are vying for community’s affections and came under the microscope of Evilfuk this week, who looked closely at points per game as well as home and away statistics.

Elsewhere, Wednesday’s international friendlies gave the community a chance to reminisce about World Cups of yesteryear. Demel asked which was our favourite World Cup, with Colonel Wasabi nominating the 1978 Argentina tournament – his first chance to get his mits on a World Cup sticker album. Meanwhile, Rayne Wooney asked for opinion on the dirtiest World Cup team, with the Chile squad of the 1962 the stand out selection for Portsmouth Bubbeljet.

Earlier in the week, Giggs Boson invited some community purging as he quizzed us on our most shameful decision this season. Parmtree was among those in confessional mood, openly admitting to his Nani purchase and finding back-up from Granville. Mark also chirped up with another mention of his failure to adopt Aaron Ramsey. He’s still losing sleep over that.

Finally, if you’re dabbling with your Ultimate Fantasy Premier League Wildcard right now, be sure to check out Archie’s superb analysis of the weekend fixture breakdowns. Brilliant stuff.

The Community Tournaments

With a score of 67, Irina’ss emerged as the winner of Gameweek 28’s Scout Picks Challenge, which is loosely based on our very own Scout Picks and has been created by @ocprodigy. The picks themselves finished a credible fourth with 64 points this week.

In TorresMagic‘s Leagues, Intranisigent topped Last Man Standing where 20 managers got eliminated leaving 95 to move on. Sara Oxyzoglu scored best in Millionaire Club, where only 9 managers survived as 44 went broke. In addition, his FPL Open first round draw is available here.

ENR, Bootsy, Jonty, Billy Ketsu, Jambo17 and Koneheads were the league leaders going into the Gameweek 29 in In Tommy We Trust’s All Things competitions.

Ahead of Gameweek 29, Gaz Downright continued to tighten his grip on first place in the Fantasy Football Scout’s Moderators and Contributors.

The Iron Man competition, for those taking part in multiple games, saw no changes in the top spots with Gigging Order and In Like Flynn continuing in first place in the competition’s Sky and Metro leagues respectively and Jonty retaining the FPL lead.