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

    Hey,

    Is: Lossl, VVD, Salah, Shaq, Wally, Firmino, Wilson; enough for the next week?

    I'm thinking about saving FT to have 2FT before GW32, to get rid of Kane and Bavies, and use WC before GW33.

    Thoughts?

    Thnaks!

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

      Just go mental with a -4 or -8 and wildcard next week.

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

        Don't think is it worth, is it?

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

        Ye

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

      Wildcard GW32... Build up 2FT for GW34

    3. ShaunGoater123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I'm debating this aswell.

      Rival will definitely WC next week so thinking saving it to GW33 might give a bit more info they don't have

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

    First try at GW 32 WildCard
    Fab/DeGea
    Oat/Davies/Christensen/Lowton/?
    DSilva/Salah/Son/Mahrez/KYSon
    Auba/Firmino/Barnes

    Thoughts? Need 5th defender at 4.0

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

      Ask after DGW fixtures have been announced.

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

        makes sense just bored as I have GW 31 sorted

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

          Mmm I've been planning WC as well but pretty much useless until we know about the fixtures.

          Team looks good if games in 34. Wouldn't have Davies personally. Cheapie and Alonso looks better.

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

            Christensen and Alonzo?

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

              Would only have one.

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I think there's no need carrying Fabianski till GW34 when you can have Maenpaa and use the Fabianski money to improve elsewhere.
      I'd like to have an ARS def like Monreal/Mustafi.
      Davies away to CHE in 32, better use his, Fabianski's and Christensen's money to have Alonso. Then Ota to Davies from gw33.
      Not sure about MCI mids, too many good options, rotation may be heavy with Europe matches around there.
      I think you need an ARS mid too.
      If Mariappa keeps starting, he has good fixtures and costs 4.2.

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

        United have City in 33.

        1. Duffy Dunk
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          So DeGea on the bench? I don't think so.

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

            Yes

    3. chaser123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Will you not want a full playing squad to BB in GW34?

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

        Definitely need all 15 playing in DGWs

        My plan is
        GW 31 -4
        GW 32 WC
        GW 33 save FT
        GW 34 1 FT and BB
        GW 35 no idea with blanks 2 FT
        GW 36
        GW 37 DGW TC
        GW 38

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

    is there chance that Benteke is injured? or why he left after 45min?

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

      tactical

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

      Also: crapness. Woeful work rate and Roy didn't seem amused.

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

      thanks

  4. Duffy Dunk
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Are you interested in any ManUtd mids? They have good fixtures and a double, but I can't see which one would be worth getting (and nailed enough).

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

      avoid

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

      Who can be relied upon? Getting DDG on WC is easy enough - but I'm at a loss after that with Man Utd.

    3. chaser123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      double up on the defence I think....

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

        Yeap. Bailly is a bit expensive though and not sure how nailed Smalling is. How close Jones is? Some are considering Kaku but I'll rather Firmino which enables Alonso.

        1. chaser123
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Agreed - either Smalling or Jones depending on injury status nearer the time!

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

      Nope. More interested in double defence.

  5. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    VVD, Mariappa, Holgate*
    Salah, Walcott, Shaqiri, Stanislas, Milivojevic
    Firmino

    Kane > Mounie/King worth a hit?

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

      Might just be worth the risk. Mounie looks safer bet.

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

    Who would you go for?

    A: Mounie/Tosun + Stanislas
    B: King + Zaha

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

      A, mounie+stan

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A with Moony

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

      Mounie & Stanislas

    4. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Tosun and Stan

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

      B all day for me..

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

    Vvd
    Salah, VLP, shaqiri
    Firmino, Wilson

    A) -4 for Stanislas
    B) -8 for Stan and zaha/mounie

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

      Would do A. But another hit for Zaha might be worth it.

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

    Okay guys one last time.
    Current line up -

    Dawson Daniels
    Salah Walcott CM RVLP
    Firmino Niasse

    Thinking of doing Son & Wimmer ➡️ VVD & Stanislas for free.
    Decent moves? (Not getting Mane)

    Are any of these moves worth a hit?

    A) Kane ➡️ Mounie (Bench Niasse)
    B) Elliot ➡️ Butland

    Appreciate your thoughts! 🙂

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yes for A. I wouldn't lose Son just to buy him back at a higher price in 2 days. So I'd do Kane+Wimmer -> Mounie+Robertson, hitless 🙂

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

        Will lose only 0.1 on Son.

  9. toystory2wasok
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    for your amusement:
    just got mounie in, only to realise that i already had 5 midfielders and 2 fowards playing in GW 31, meaning he's sat on my bench.

    (one of those was depoitre who is now benched as he'll likely get a cameo, but still)

    i'm going to leave any -4s for tomorrow...

    1. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Wow, that is improbable, and unfortunate. You will have the security of knowing that if one of your attackers does not play, you have a rare bench for gw31. That sorta rationalization can go a long way to keep you sane. Good luck!

    2. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      There should be a reminder/warning of this nature here somewhere. Easy to make that mistake during a blank gameweek.

  10. Andy_Social
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    So I've made 3 transfers for a -4 hit.
    If i play my FH, does the -4 kick in for GW31 or wait until GW32? 🙂

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

      Your team will be reverted back to what it was before making the transfers.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, but how 'bout the 4-point hit?

        I play a weekly league, so it matters.

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

          No points will be deducted.

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      hit will be removed completely I believe

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Nice if true, but I made 3 transfers ( inc 2 Arse for GW32).

  11. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Team for the GW
    VVD
    Walcoot, Salah (c), Shaqiri
    Depoitre, Firmino, Wilson

    OUT - Pope/Elliott/Azip/Alonso/Ogbonna/Otamendi/Mahrez/Arnie

    A Free Hit
    B Arnie to Stanislas for -4
    C Ogbonna to Smith for -4

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

      B

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

      A

  12. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Foster
    TAA Schindler Duffy
    Walcott Shaqiri VLP Salah
    Kane Firmino Deeney
    Elliot Eriksen Otamendi Alonso

    0 ITB & 1 FT. No FH or WC left

    Which option is better?
    A Duffy > Cook for free
    B Duffy & Kane > Baines & Any GW31 playing forward, who?
    C Duffy & Eriksen > Baines & Zaha/Stanislas

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

    To help my choice, can you identify the one or two you think is a rubbish pick this week....

    A) PVA
    B) Mounie
    C) Baines
    D) King
    E) Tekkers

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

      Any of those could haul 😉 Rather Zaha than Tekkers (and would rather double up Bournemouth) so I would take E out of the options.

  14. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Who'd be the one defender you'd readily get for a hit?
    A- Schindler
    B- baines
    C- PVA
    D- Coleman
    E- anyone else?
    TA

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

      Not A. In vacuum I'd go B

    2. Jeremy Corbyn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      none to be honest

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

      No

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

    Anyone taking a -12 or more?

    1. Jeremy Corbyn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      -12 is mental

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

        why? a minus twelve for firmino mane and salah isn't mental

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

    Is anyone here going without Stanislas?

    Seems like every man and his dog will have him. I probably will too of course!

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

      Seems a risk going without him. Has form & fixture.

    2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      getting zaha over him

  17. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Would you get rid of Firmino for Auba/Lukaku after 31 ?

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

      No

  18. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Will Mark Hughes be the first manager to manage two relegated sides in the same season in the prem? Has it happened before?

  19. Dr. DOOM
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you go for?

    A. Stanislas
    B. Zaha

    1. Jeremy Corbyn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      stani

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

      A

  20. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Worth taking a hit for an eight player for this gameweek ?

    1. Jeremy Corbyn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      i did

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

      Depends on which player. Defo not for a defender

  21. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Wilson or King?

    1. Jeremy Corbyn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      king

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

      King

    3. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Wilson

  22. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Which choice for -4?

    A) Kane to King
    B) Son to Stanislas
    C) Save

    WC gw 32 or 33

    1. Jeremy Corbyn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A, only because you want Son in WC team and Kane will drop

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

        Cheers!

  23. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Have the following 5 players currently for GW31: Salah Firmino Doucoure Gomez Wilson.

    Planning to use my 2 FT and 1 extra to take a hit, which 3 players would you say are most important which I don't currently have

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

      Mane, King/Mounie and one of Stanislas/Shaqiri

  24. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on fabianski and Alonso to butland and Coleman for -4 to give me 9 possible players (includes quaner though)?

  25. The Final Boss
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Pickford
    Kiko Daniels Kenny Maguire duffy
    Salah Shaq mane ling mahrez
    Kane Wilson firm

    1ft

    A .kane to mounie
    B.lingard to walcott
    C.kane to tosun
    D.lingard to zaha
    E.A and B for -4
    F.C and D for -4
    TIA..

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

      F

      1. The Final Boss
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks..what about Stan in place of.zaha

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

      E

      1. The Final Boss
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks...

  26. zotter
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    If I don’t have free hit left but all other chips. When is best time to wildcard

    A. 32/33
    B. 35
    C. 36

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      If it helps I currently have Alonso. Mahrez. Sane only as 34 doublers. Potentially could do Tc 34. And B.B. 37

  27. TLF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    No hit this week, G2G ?

    Lossl
    Smith, Coleman, Kenny*
    Salah, Mane (C), Walcott, Shaqiri, Pritchard
    Firmino, Wilson

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Kenny to a playing defender ?

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

        For a hit though, not sure its worth it

        1. The Final Boss
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Avoid taking hits for a defender..Team.seems.to be good..

  28. Patch
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Slight exagerration but last year people were crying salty tears as Pope would be replaced by Heaton around Jan...

    Mid March and nada has happened. Note to self for next season, injuries last a long time!!!

  29. Jeremy Corbyn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Important question on price changes with FH.

    Suppose enough players make a transfer this week, and those transfers are enough to make a player rise +0.1. Suppose that then enough of them play the FH, so those transfers won't be deducted. What happens to the price rise?

  30. Home Late From Age
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Just to verify this as example: making 6 transfers for -20 and then deciding to use FH. The -20 will be voided, right?

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

      The option to FH is on the transfer confirmation screen so you may need to make 1 additional transfer to activate it. I’m not 100% certain tho

      1. Home Late From Age
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Got that part, but just want to make sure the 20 pts will be voided. Just trying to make fun of my mates as I'm sure they're verifying me.

    2. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, all transfers made for that gw are cancelled and you get your team back from the beginning of the gw that has just passed. You have to make one additional transfer to activate it.