Next up this Wednesday afternoon we roll out a heads-up on our Scout Picks thinking for the Gameweek ahead. This list of 22 players will also include some names in contention for a place in our Spot the Differential article, though will, of course, be subject to change, depending on the injury situation over the next few days.

Here’s the cast currently under consideration for Gameweek 31…

Goalkeepers

Watford’s Heurelho Gomes (4.9) arrives on our radar ahead of Stoke City’s visit to Vicarage Road. The Hornets have eight clean sheets at home this season – only United have managed more – and have conceded just one goal in their previous three at Vicarage Road. Meanwhile, Kasper Schmeichel (4.7) looks to claim his fourth clean sheet in five outings when Leicester City make the trip to Crystal Palace.

Defenders

Due to his threat from set pieces and security of starts, Craig Dawson (5.1) remains the choice source of West Bromwich Albion defensive coverage before Norwich City’s visit. The Baggies registered shut-outs in three of their previous six home encounters and are pitted against a Canaries side that mustered a paltry three goals across the past seven Gameweeks.

Considering that he’s earned all but one available bonus point (20) during Swansea City’s seven clean sheets this term, Ashley Williams (4.9) could be in line for another nine-point haul when Aston Villa roll up at the Liberty Stadium. Our confidence in the hosts’ capacity to silence the West Midlanders stems from the fact that Villa drew blanks in five of their last seven match-ups.

Sunderland’s Patrick van Aanholt (4.7) displayed his offensive prowess with more attempts (eight) than any defender in his previous four matches. The raiding left-back travels to neighbours Newcastle, with Rafa Benitez’ new charge struggling for goals, having scored just three times in their last six league outings.

With a points per game (ppg) average (3.9) that trumps Cesar Azpilicueta (3.5), Branislav Ivanovic (6.6) is our favoured path into Chelsea’s backline for their home encounter against West Ham United. Despite failing to record a clean sheet in five matches, the Blues rank joint-bottom for goals conceded since Gameweek 23 (five), which suggests they’re capable of frustrating the Irons.

The Fantasy Premier League’s highest-scoring defender, Toby Alderweireld (6.5), has netted all three of his league goals at White Hart Lane, which strengthens his appeal before a home tie against Bournemouth.

Following Jose Fonte’s return from suspension, Virgil van Dijk – who boasts a superior ppg average (4.5 to 3.8) than his central defensive partner – offers better clean-sheet potential ahead of Liverpool’s visit.

Midfielders

Notwithstanding Manchester City’s troubles on the road, they chalked up 10 goals in their previous quartet of home fixtures, ensuring that the fit-again Yaya Toure (8.5) factors into our thinking for the Manchester derby. The Ivory Coast international scored in his last appearance at the Etihad Stadium and remains the premier goal threat among the Sky Blues’ midfield contingent.

With seven goals in his previous 11 outings, Gylfi Sigurdsson (7.3) is the highest-scoring midfielder since the turn of the year. Given that recent captaincy candidates (Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero) have thrived against Villa’s generous defence, it’s no surprise that the former Spurs recruit is the fourth-most popular “transfer in” (21,000) this week.

Roberto Firmino (8.2) notched two goals and as many assists in his last three appearances, proving that his reversion to a midfield role hasn’t dampened his attacking threat. In appreciation of the fact that Liverpool racked up 11 goals across the previous three Gameweeks, Firmino is well placed to punish a Saints defence that’s searching for their first clean sheet in five attempts.

Looking at the league’s full roster of midfielders, only Riyad Mahrez has accrued more goals (15) than Marko Arnautovic (6.5). The Potters’ star man posted three goals in his last four outings and is next matched up against a Watford defence that’s managed just two clean sheets since Gameweek 18.

Aside from tallying two goals and three assists in his last four league starts, Dimitri Payet (8.2) reaffirmed his Fantasy value with a sensational free-kick against Man United in the FA Cup. Although a trip to Chelsea poses a challenge for Slaven Bilic’s troops, their best performances this term have arguably arrived against the league’s more illustrious clubs. Furthermore, Payet has served up four of his five double-figure hauls on the road this season.

Since Mousa Dembele’s return to the double pivot, Dele Alli (6.1) has recorded three assists in two starts, rendering him the prime route into Spurs’ offense beyond Harry Kane.

Mesut Ozil’s (9.8) exquisite assist on the weekend served as a timely reminder of his ability to deliver consistent attacking returns as Arsenal face an Everton defence with the worst home defensive record in the league.

Riyad Mahrez (7.4) scored in two of the Foxes’ last three road matches, so he’ll fancy his chances of gracing the scoreboard at Selhurst Park.

Forwards

In the wake of a five-match barren spell, Romelu Lukaku (8.7) has rediscovered his groove, bagging three goals and one assist in four starts. Moreover, the Belgian frontman put his former employers to the sword in the FA Cup with his sixth brace of the season across all competitions, ensuring that Arsenal are in for a testing afternoon at Goodison Park.

Having scored in his second-half cameo against Southampton last time out, Jermain Defoe (5.1) looks certain to reclaim a starting berth for the Tyne-Wear derby. Given that the Magpies have just one clean sheet to their name since Gameweek 16, the pint-sized poacher is capable of carding his third double-figure haul of the campaign.

Salomon Rondon (5.8) has been a revelation since Saido Berahino was restored to the starting XI, producing attacking returns (three goals, one assist) in his previous four starts. With a Norwich outfit that charts joint-second for goals conceded (54) next on the Baggies’ agenda, the Venezuelan forward will be looking to fill his boots.

Three goals in two starts highlights the calibre of Harry Kane’s (10.2) finishing prior to the Cherries showdown.

Although Jamie Vardy (7.9) netted one goal in his last six outings, his pace should trouble the Eagles’ obliging rearguard.

Sergio Aguero (13.6) notched five goals and two double-figure scores in his last four home starts.

On Standby

Shifting the spotlight away from the star performers, there’s a multitude of alluring differentials that could yet push themselves into contention.

Upon exploring the potential of targeting Newcastle’s flimsy defence, Wahbi Khazri (6.0) sticks out as a tempting pick-up, given that he tallied 11 key passes in his last four starts. On the other side of the coin, Georginio Wijnaldum (6.8) has scored all nine of his goals at St James’ Park and looked lively in Rafa Benitez’s first match in charge.

In the wake of Diego Costa’s suspension, Bertrand Traore – who carded two goals and an assist in his last three league appearances – could be set to spearhead Chelsea’s attack, furnishing Fantasy managers with an intriguing out-of-position prospect. Elsewhere in the midfield bracket, only Alexis Sanchez amassed more attempts (16) than the 7.1-priced Ross Barkley (15) in his last four starts, which suggests that it won’t be long before he’s watching the net ripple.

Graziano Pelle (7.8) and Odion Ighalo (5.9) both breathed a sigh of relief after they scored long-awaited goals on the weekend. The former bagged a clinical brace and ranked second among forwards for shots on target (three), while the latter played with renewed confidence against Arsenal following his first strike in 599 minutes.

Capping off the troupe of players on the periphery of our thinking, Alberto Paloschi (5.8) could be worth a flutter at home to Villa’s dire defence.

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.

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.

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.