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The Technical Area – The Optimum Gameweek 31 Line-up

Constructing sides with just a single Gameweek in mind is a rare treat in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), which typically prioritises medium-to-long-term thinking when it comes to squad composition.

Yet with just four scheduled matches in Gameweek 31, many of us now find ourselves doing exactly this. Managers who choose to deploy their Free Hit Chip for this coming weekend can assemble a side from scratch, tailored specifically to best exploit the weekend’s fixtures. Meanwhile, a number of other managers may choose to ‘dead-end’ their sides this week ahead of deploying the Wildcard chip in Gameweek 32.

Managers on both sides of the coin have no doubt been observing the form of our eight participating sides (Liverpool, Everton, Watford, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Stoke, Huddersfield and West Brom) closely over the past several Gameweeks, with this particular weekend in mind. With the deadline now looming, however, the time has finally come for us to commit to the players we hope will salvage premium point tallies from this meagre spread of fixtures.

Although managers with active Free Hit chips obviously boast more freedom and are able to tailor their entire squad to this Gameweek, even those preserving this chip for later Gameweeks will no doubt find themselves heavily investing in Gameweek 31 assets over the coming days.

This week’s Technical Area will be closely inspecting the Gameweek 31 candidates, to produce a blueprint for managers – particular Free-Hitters – to follow during the process of their own squad construction.

This will be guided by Fantasy Football Scout’s own Rate My Team tool, as well as some standalone statistical and eye-test observations of recent form among key assets.

780 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Who's the bloke in the picture? Signing players for gw31 based on featuring on articles pics (Baines, Stanis etc!).

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Foster

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Love it

      2. Je suis le chat
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Might pass!

    2. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Vorm

    3. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Butland

  2. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Didn't watch Bournemouth - Spurs. How come King didn't start? Lost his place or injury worry?

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Had a slight neck injury. Was on enough to come on as a sub. Should be ok for the weekend

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you

  3. Rash
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Any key points from today's pressers please?

    1. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Walccot fit to start

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Whoop whoop - that's 2 points in the bag 😀

      2. Rash
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Damn was hoping to have an excuse to sell!

    2. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Walcott is fit so your guaranteed 2 points this week

  4. Red Dagger ✪
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    For this GW all I have is....

    None
    VVD
    Salah Shaq Fraser
    Firms Mounie

    I have 1FT. Is it worth doing a -8 and getting three more?
    Who would you suggest?
    Or just one or 2 for a -4.
    I still have my WC.

    Thanks as always for the help.

    1. TallestJohn
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely worth a -4 if you pick a couple of starters. Depends on which teams you fancy.

      1. Red Dagger ✪
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks. I have Kane so I'll dump him and pick up a couple I think. I don't fancy a -8 tho for this week.

        1. JohnnyMagrinho
            6 years, 1 month ago

            I agree with Talle. 2 for a -4 sounds reasonable.

    2. Minerva-03
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Before I pull the trigger for -8, is this worth it?

      Kane, son, mhki and chilwell OUT Mounie, Stanislas, zaha and Baines IN

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Just do 3 transfers and get baines out

        1. Minerva-03
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          What's your reasoning for no baines

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Think Everton will concede

      2. Rash
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Keep son if you have money tied up and plan on getting him straight back

      3. GreenArrows
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I would do it, but only if you are WC in 32, will want Son straight back

        1. Minerva-03
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah I've still got wildcard, I'm definitely going to have son til the end of season after this GW

      4. Rostah
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Do you still have your WC? If not then I'd keep Son & maybe Mhki. Not sure a -8 is worth it

        1. Minerva-03
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I have WC still, no free hit... I will have son and mhki back in for sure in the future

    3. TheRealDog
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Probably a -4 for Sigurdsson, Ayew, Kane->Stanislas, Mounie, King/Wilson. Considering Zaha for Mahrez in stead of King/Wilson.

      Pickford
      VVD
      Salah Walcott Shaqiri Stanislas
      Firmino Mounie King/Wilson

      My FH team would look like this:

      Butland
      Baines Smith PVA/Schindler
      Salah Mane Zaha Shaqiri Stanislas
      Firmino Mounie

    4. GreenArrows
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      How does this look for -4?

      Ogbonna Son Sterling > Baines Zaha Stanislas

      VVD Baines
      Salah Zaha Stanislas Walcott Shaqiri
      Firmino Quaner

      (Pope Elliot Otamendi Bavies Duffy Kane)

      1. Minerva-03
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        That's great for a -4!... Xan you Have a look at my comment above

    5. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Nice to see no flags in my team anaymore....

      1. Gobigorgohome
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        This

    6. Forget Special, I am the ON…
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Any idea on when will DGW be announcing?

      1. Rostah
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        By the 19th I think

      2. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        "around the 19th"

    7. Rostah
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      In a draft league and planning some possible moves for GW33. Would you prefer to have...

      A) Pogba + D.Silva
      B) Hazard + Gudmundson

      1. TallestJohn
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        B

      2. George James
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        The one without Pogba

    8. Rash
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      The way this season has gone I will not be surprised in the slightest if baggies and Watford players are the big scorers in 31

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I really would 🙂

      2. NATSTER
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I will not mind if Foster saved a pen and Mariappa scored.

    9. JD @JDCochran2
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Best 3 forwards, using WildCard for GameWeek 32 - assuming Kane is out for a bit.

      1. Caleb's Kitties
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Lukaku aubameyang firmino 😛

        1. JD @JDCochran2
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          on Auba, Firmino and ? Maybe Swansea cheapie?

          1. Caleb's Kitties
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            If cheapie probably barnes

      2. Rash
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I'm going something like Aubu firmino Barnes in 32 and then will have Kane Aubu ayew for doubles in 34

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Kane won't be fit by then imo...

        2. JD @JDCochran2
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Barnes great shout for GW 32

        3. panda07
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Will Kane be back in time for 34?

          1. Rash
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Spurs saying 4 weeks out and we have an international break before then so I think there is good chance

            1. Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Hopefully the GW32 WCers will be left in limbo while us GW33 WCers will have a bit more info 🙂

              1. JD @JDCochran2
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Jarvish

                Does it make sense to hold onto WC till GW 33 for me? team value is only 102.3 I figure to WC right away and try to get my team value up over the 2 week break and then select my final players closer to the deadline.

                Then I have 2 Free transfers going into GW 34

                Still a novice at this

              2. Rash
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                I'll be banking my transfer in 33 and my wildcard will be set up with Kane in mind.. should he not make it I'll have money to burn

      3. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Depends how you want to set up.

        Auba, Kaku, Firmino, Vardy & Murray all look good options.

      4. Pierce34
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I'm going Aubameyang, Lukaku and fodder if playing 5 at mid (will bring Ayew for DGW34 BB) or Vardy if playing 3 up front.

        1. JD @JDCochran2
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Is Barnes considered fodder? Rotates well with Swansea 5th mid

          1. Pierce34
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            At 5.3 he could be, yes. Though I don't want benching dilemmas personally - if I'm going 3-5-2, I'm going all-out for 3-5-2.

      5. the snazzy viking
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Think I'm going Auba Firmino Barnes/Murray to allow Hazard in midfield

        don't know why Lukaku is suddenly high rated over here

        1. Pierce34
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Because he's suddenly started performing again 😉

          e.g. he's outscored Kane by 11 points over the last 5 GWs.

        2. Rash
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Lukaku playing well imo but United certainly ain't I will have 1 defender and leave it as that unless form changes

        3. JD @JDCochran2
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          If playing 3 forwards tho in GW 32 you can't play 5 mids...

          I am thinking to play 3-5-2 in GW 32 so need good Double GameWeek fodder on bench with Firmino and Auba

    10. Super Silva Haze
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      With 7 players playing in gw 31, would you just field the eleven and save free hit ? Could even take a hit and make it 8 playing. Wildcard and all chips in tact.

      Fabianski
      Davies Robertson* Bauer*
      Hazard Sterling Salah* Pritchard*
      Firmino* Aguero JRod*

      Speroni Milo* Mbemba Ogbonna

      1. Red Dagger ✪
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Save your FH.

    11. Rik Waller
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Current team:
      Lossl
      Coleman
      Salah Mane Shaq Walcott Mili
      Firm Wilson

      1ft to use on any defender - Who would you go for?

      1. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        PVA or Bauer

      2. Pierce34
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Probably Adam Smith, though in the last few days I'm leaning towards PVA as well.

      3. TallestJohn
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Personally I like Huddersfield's CS chances best so Zanka or Schindler, but other defences have more attacking threat (PVA, Smith/Ake/Daniels, Dawson/Hegazi).

      4. Caleb's Kitties
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Ake

      5. Rik Waller
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Might go for Adam Smith, as a potential OOP defender against the worst team in the league excites me. Slight concern over whether he'll start

      6. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Adam Smith. Going under the radar.

    12. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Damn, 10/11 the same on my FH as this article. I suppose that's gonna happen with a restricted player pool.

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Just 4/11 here not on a FH, so still should be some variance 🙂

    13. Ratatouille
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone triple captaining Salah?

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I'm sure there are some

      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Fools

      3. Pierce34
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        In DGW34, in an alternate universe sadly 🙁

    14. Dele
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      G2G?

      Pickford
      Bauer, VVD, Baines
      Walcott, Shaqiri, Stanislas, Salah(c)
      Firmino, Wilson, Mounie

      Wildcard next GW, happy days!

      1. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yup looks good. What transfers did you make?

        1. Dele
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Hunemier, Eriksen, Kane OUT

          Baines, Stanislas, Mounie IN

          1. Karan14
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Really confused if I should go for Mane or VVD as my 3rd player. Can get Stanislas with VVD which I like. But with Mane I’m not sure who to get in defence or forwards.

            1. Dele
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              If you have Salah and Firms maybe go for VVD to free up the midfield spot for another option.

    15. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Which 2-3 players would you get out of this lot?
      (Only 1 mid & 1 Pool player)

      A) Mane
      B) Stanislas
      C) King
      D) Mounie
      E) VVD
      F) Baines
      G) PVA
      H) Butland

      1. beetlejuice
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Mane Mounie Butland

      2. Visionaries
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        A & D but I also like..
        F if have WC
        G if no WC

      3. Dele
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        ABF

        1. Karan14
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Only 1 mid

    16. Modyessam
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Benteke
      King
      Stanislas
      Mounie
      Zaha
      Pick up 2 guys
      WCing nxt Gw

      1. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Zaha & Stanislas

      2. beetlejuice
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Stanislas & Zaha I would say

    17. beetlejuice
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      How do you sort these players for expected score in GW31?
      A-) Stanislas
      B-) Benteke
      C-) Mounie
      D-) King
      E-) Zaha

      1. Pierce34
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I'll go with
        Stanislas 7
        Benteke 5
        Mounie 8
        King 2
        Zaha 7

        1. Pierce34
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          But that's what I expect (on a good day) as opposed to actual 'expected score'!

      2. TallestJohn
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        A
        C
        D
        E
        B

    18. beetlejuice
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Why people see Mounie ahead of Benteke? Palace playing well recently.

      1. Pierce34
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I see Benteke getting an assist (more likely than goal on recent form), and I think Palace will go for it vs. Huddersfield, so Huddersfield is more likely to have gaps to exploit than vs. 10-man Swansea. So Mounie more likely to score than last match.

      2. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Decent underlying stats and the fact that Benteke was subbed off for “tactical reasons” at half time last match

    19. Caleb's Kitties
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      1FT..best option?

      A. Alonso to ake
      B. Eriksen to stanislas
      C. A+B -4

      Pickford (elliot)
      Vvd schindler (alonso duffy long)
      Salah walcott shaqiri (eriksen mahrez)
      Firmino mounie (kane)

      1. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        C

    20. Visionaries
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Currently have
      this;

      Salah, Mane, Walcott, Shaq, Mili
      Firm, Wilson

      What to do for defence. Have no WC

      A Mbemba > PVA
      B Bavies > Baines
      C both for -4 (-2)

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        C and stop with the -2 codswallop

      2. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Both and Butland

    21. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Contemplating a triple up on Palace. Help.

      1. Pierce34
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        It's simple, go for it if you have your wildcard left.

        1. Over Midwicket
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Don't tempt me!

      2. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Do ittt

      3. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I am wondering why so many are going with none. I might not have room unless I go PVA over Baines, Tekkers over Mounie/King or Zaha over Stan.

        Which three? Tekkers/PVA/Zaha?

        1. _figu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Assuming those three. I'm currently looking to get Zaha and PVA in for hits to get full XI.

    22. Lignja
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      cant wait this week to pass so we can ratemywcteam24/7

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Worst part is the WC RMTs have already started

    23. sunny786
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Guys please help me...what to do?

      Foster(pope)
      Valeencia-Mee- (clark)-Davies
      Mane- Shaqiri-Salah (c)-Mahrez
      Niasse-Firmino-Mounie

      already -8.. need to change defense..whom should I pick? worth another -8?

      let me know guys

      (repost)

    24. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Do we think either Kane or Alonso will drop tonight?

      Trying to hold off for as long as possible for presser news.

      1. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Didn't even realise Alonso was close to drop. Would've likely transferred Ogbonna out instead of him.

    25. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Is this stupid?

      Baines,Stanislas,King -4

      Pickford
      Baines, VVD
      Salah,Shaqiri,Stanislas,Walcott,Mane
      Wilson,King

    26. WATERMELONS
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Hi Guys!
      Captain for GW 31: Salah, Mane or Firmino?
      Who is best differential of Mane and Firmino if not Salah?
      Thanks

    27. SALVA
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Would you use FH chip for this team? Or just ship Kane to Mounie/Tosun?

      VvD Schindler
      Salah Milivojevic
      Firmino