Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 31+

A quick turnaround as we head straight into Gameweek 31+ and once again we have a 5pm BST deadline.

While an earlier cut-off may be part of the ‘new normal’, one thing that hasn’t changed is that Pep Guardiola likes to rotate his players. As ever, predictably unpredictable.

Some interesting thoughts on how we could finally use that to our advantage in this Gameweek Guide, as well as enticing differentials and captain options.

To win the Pep Roulette, you need to play the Pep Roulette. It’s one of the biggest pots out there.

– LateRiser

Who else but our favourite upside-chasing manager LateRiser perfectly articulating the dilemma presented to us Fantasy managers by Manchester City. Thankfully, in his latest article, he offered us an intriguing option on how to play our hand. Could Phil Foden offer a less ‘all-in’ approach?

When it comes to Foden, I expect him to get a lot of minutes and I think he’s a really good option for your eighth attacker. What I would do with Foden is that if he is rested for a particular game, I would probably start him in my FPL team in the next game as we expect Pep to rotate and Foden’s upside is very high.

– LateRiser

To give our Pro Pundit some credit he did highlight Phil Foden on yesterday’s Scoutcast ahead of the evening kick-off. Although a bigger round of applause is reserved for Pep Pig, who not only brought him in for Gameweek 30+ but told us about it beforehand – twice! Unsurprisingly he still leads RedLightning’s January to July mini-league.

The big news that could potentially impact how we shuffle our City pack, is the injury to Sergio Aguero. As Neale report in the Scout Notes, Pep did not sound overly optimistic in his post-match interview:

He felt something in his knee. He was struggling the last month, some pain in his knee. It doesn’t look good for this season.

– Pep Guardiola

The two immediate beneficiaries are Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling:

The stock of Gabriel Jesus could be about to rise as we await a proper diagnosis from the City medical department, although it should be said that Raheem Sterling has operated as a ‘false nine’ in Guardiola’s various systems before and the Brazilian will surely not be starting week-in, week-out from now until Gameweek 38+ even if Aguero is sidelined.

– Neale

However with upcoming matches against Chelsea and Liverpool either side of an all-important FA cup tie against a resurgent Newcastle, looking elsewhere could be a viable option in the short term.

Manchester United and Wolves appear to be the golden ticket teams. The Red Devils take on a depleted Sheffield United defence with John Egan suspended and Dean Henderson ineligible to face his parent club – do check out the latest Team News ahead of the deadline. 

If you are considering one of Fernandes or Rashford for the armband, David’s dive into the stats is essential reading. His feeling is that Fernandes has the slight edge:

The fact he is a midfielder also gives him the edge over Rashford who, despite looking like an exciting option for Gameweek 31+, cannot capitalise on clean sheets and scores one fewer point for every goal scored, when compared with Fernandes.

– David

While in the debate between Rashford and Martial, TheFantasyFreÆK is leaning towards the Englishman:

Despite having his minutes curtailed by injury, Rashford has recorded the second highest number big chances at home of all forwards this season. Over the season, Rashford has registered 23 big chances compared to Martial’s 14 with both of them having played a similar amount of minutes.

– TheFantasyFreÆK

Manchester United and Wolves also have the best odds of a clean sheet after Liverpool, according to the bookmakers via G-Whizz.

But there are plenty of options for our teams this Gameweek. Neale highlighted Son’s potential earlier this month: 

Son’s shot accuracy in the Mourinho era has also caught the eye: an average of 1.53 efforts on target per 90 minutes is inferior only to Salah (1.61) when we look at midfield regulars in the top flight.

– Neale

While Pro Pundit Tom Freeman picked out the returning Dele Alli as one to watch in his differentials piece. An opinion backed up by David:

Dele Alli managed a total of 11 shots in the box over his last four, an average of 2.75. Crucially, that was achieved in his number 10 role, which he is likely to be dropped back into for Tuesday’s London clash with West Ham.

– David

There’s an enticing trip to Carrow Road for EvertonRicharlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin appeal:

The Everton pair have managed to record the joint-second-highest total for shots in the box over their last four, against Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. That is incredibly ominous as they prepare to face Norwich in Gameweek 31+.

– David

In short, those who fancy an alternative to a Liverpool captain this week have plenty of options.

Community competitions

The Fantasy Football Scout Cup continued in Gameweek 30+ with Round Two taking place. The full results can be seen here

If you want to enter the new The FFScout Charity Shield mini-league, do so now.

We’ll be closing the league to new entries after the Gameweek 31+ deadline passes at 17:00 BST on Tuesday. Head to the FPL site via this link and use the code ‘i3lxye’ to sign up.

The top five places receive a free membership for next season. Fantasy Football Scout will also be making a donation of £300 towards the NHS and has set up a JustGiving page should others wish to make a contribution.

In TorresMagic’s Last Man Standing the safety score in Gameweek 30+ was a whopping 95 points, which saw a total of 72 managers eliminated.

The threshold for elimination increases to 30% for Gameweek 31+ and a minimum of 63 managers will depart. 4,899 managers have exited the competition so far with 207 left to battle.

A full review of the round-up of latest community mini-leagues will appear tomorrow.

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

2,043 Comments Post a Comment
  1. GREEN IS GOOD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Wanna see Son red mist tonight followed by a red card.

    WH fighting to stay up too.

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      +1

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        If only there was a +1 button

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          +1 haha

    2. DeadStarComing
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      But he's not that type of player... 😉

      1. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        True. Too sneaky, gets away with it. Makes it look accidental every time.

  2. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What was the name of the fake Leicester team news leaker? Going to put a hit out on him

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      FPL subscribe. Unfollowed.

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Haha you actually followed him

        1. GOTHAM City F.C.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          6200 followers 30 seconds ago.

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tbf he got City's changes spot on yesterday!

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Must have been a fluke because he's pinned it

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          It's funny if he deliberately did this to f**k with Barnes owners 😀

        2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I still belive he's legit

      2. MGMT
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        And it was not an easy one to predict...

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Why do people listen to complete randoms on twitter with no prior history of getting it right

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I didn’t, I logged in here and everyone said team had leaked and Barnes starting. Assumed it was fpl rockstar

        1. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Did you get Barnes in?

          1. Bubz
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Already had him and kept on WC

            1. Botman and Robben
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Look for a good hitman then

    4. dansmusen
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Count me in. Got rid of Grealish and not Barnes thanks to that 🙁

  3. Cojiro
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Good luck everyone

    1. DeadStarComing
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      You too!

      1. Cojiro
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        You sir, are a gent

  4. dansmusen
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Barmes not starting is a disaster for me. Egan/King/Mings on bench not looking great. Also Jota and Robinson in starting eleven (doubts on both) and on -4 FFS

    1. MGMT
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Why doubt Jota?

  5. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pep Pig for president. Well played with Foden!

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Awesome move. Fans on BlueMoon were calling for it, so don’t think it was that unexpected either.

    2. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Randomly came across this mate but thank you

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Admit it mate you've been scouring the pages using the search function for "pep pig" 😉

        1. Pep Pig
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Haha

  6. Greek Freak
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Well I messed up, I was going to get a true differential (Digne) but I left it too late and now I'm stuck with Lascelles.

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Escaped the Digne wheel of points: -2 to 21

  7. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Really hope that Salah starting tomorrow

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He will obviously

      1. MGMT
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Obviously?

  8. DeadStarComing
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Doing things totally differently I'd love some opinions on my WC team now that deadline has passed. Thoughts? What should I have done? 🙂

    Martinez, Button
    TAA, Maguire, Soyuncu, Saiss, Kiko F
    Salah, KDB, Fernandes, Sarr, Hayden
    Aubameyang, Jiminez, DCL

    1. HTL
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Got rid of Auba

      1. DeadStarComing
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        The plan is to keep him for the next 2, then he goes. He is probably my risk in all of it to be fair. Went him over Son I guess.

    2. Cojiro
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Got rid of Aubameyang

      1. DeadStarComing
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Lol see above

        1. Cojiro
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Could be an easy switch to Kane if he starts scoring so no big deal

    3. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I don't like Martinez but he'll probably keep a clean sheet, not overly confident as a Saints fan, ever.

    4. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      looks good

      was considering keeping auba but eventually got rid to fit son and martial.
      like the sarr pick i went for ritchie as a differential pick

      im on the martinez 3.9 keeper combo as well good luck to us lol

      1. DeadStarComing
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah I'm really tight when it comes to keepers. Couldn't ignore a £4.2 playing GK. Good luck!

    5. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Identical front three!

      I've also gone without Salah to be even more different but of course that could backfire massively.

      1. DeadStarComing
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yes that's brave. I'm a big Salah fan. It's a hard watch when he plays and you don't own him.

        1. Greek Freak
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I'm a big fan too, but given my rank it doesn't hurt to take a few risks. I can always get him back if I sell Auba after Norwich.

          1. DeadStarComing
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Yep now is the time to take risks. Good luck, but not too much 😉

            1. Greek Freak
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Haha, and to you!

    6. DARE TO BISCAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Arsenal seem a shambles. But, you never know with Auba

      1. DeadStarComing
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        In fantasy terms I think Auba is one of the most under appreciated options currently. He was the best performing forward in the second of the season he joined (in January), top scoring FPL forward last season and could well end up top forward again this season. It's weird how he goes about it but the points don't lie.

        1. DARE TO BISCAN
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah. If I was picking a zombie team, I'd probably have him.
          A top forward & easily Arsenal's best player, so won't be rotated.
          The problem is Arsenal. On a week to week basis, I just don't trust them not to be crap.

  9. JabariParkersEyelid
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I've already got buyers remorse with Aurier.

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I regret not getting him

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      4.9 & those fixtures... worth the pick

    3. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks for making me feel a bit better about this guys 🙂

      Fingers crossed, good luck everyone.

      1. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        especially Aurier 🙂

  10. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone else doesn't know who they captained and left Ings on the bench because they forgot the deadline? Just me then.

    Assume captain will revert back to the previous team after I played FH? Not that I remember who I captained 3 months ago.
    Gutted!

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I forgot the deadline but I had already set up my team and fortunately no late news that would have changed my decisions.

      1. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        nice, happy for you

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Just lucky, if Chilwell had been benched in early team news I would have been kicking myself. Hope it works out for you

    2. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I too forgot the deadline. Luckily my team was mostly set up but I was planning to make a couple of changes that were too late...

      1. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        never mind, its only a game I keep telling myself over and over for the past 29 mins lol

    3. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ah 30 minutes too late to come here then.

      1. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        It's only a game. calm down 🙂

  11. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    3 WOL
    2 MAN
    1 CITY
    2 LIV
    1 EVE
    1 NEW
    1 TOT

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Is it 2 Man City or 1 Man City? Make up your mind

    2. Cojiro
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Same but I'm 2 Wol and 2 Tot

    3. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      3 x MUN
      3 x WOL
      2 x TOT
      1 x LIV
      1 x MCY
      1 x EVE
      1 x CHE
      1 x NEW
      1 x ARS

    4. Pinturicchio10
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Riveting

    5. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Good luck everyone 🙂

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Someone believes in karma 🙂

        1. Von Lipwig
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Appreciate all the input i've got from here 🙂

    6. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dumped Auba on WC. He's about to go off on Soton, isn't he?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Nope

      2. HTL
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Not out on the left-wing, no.

      3. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Nah hes waiting until Norwich

        1. jdp219
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Well, if he waits until Norwich, then I will be fine with it. I'm just hoping I don't immediately regret it.

      4. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Hope so

      5. JabariParkersEyelid
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        If we start like we did against Norwich, yes.

    7. TSILIKAFENEIAKOS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      DCL or Jimenez?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Both

      2. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Jim

    8. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I suppose everyone buying Auba for next GW?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Nketiah ready and waiting

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Me too. Not wasting any more money on L'Arse.

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Not even a mere 4.4m?

      2. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        You suppose wrong

      3. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Would have to take several hits to accommodate a price tag of 11+. So, not me.

      4. FPLtfs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Just dumped him

    9. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I will take Lascelles as back up to Barnes. Benches are so important at the moment. Mine is this

      Henderson Lascelles Fleck Stephens

      Strong enough yet not to expensive I think.

      1. GOTHAM City F.C.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I happened to ask you in your earlier post if Barnes would start

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Bloody hell wish I had seen this, but he got a knock I seen, so is he even going to be risked off the bench?

          1. GOTHAM City F.C.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            If they are ahead he might not be risked.

      2. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Mine's a little light, Button, Holgate, Davis, Ngakia. But I've 2mil itb

      3. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Same here. Cheap bench, but they're likely to get some minutes (except my GK): Martin, Holgate, Saka, Nketiah

      4. fc_skrald
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I only have Lascelles to trust:

        Button, Lascelles, Guendouzi, Simpson

      5. HTL
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Went with Martinez, Lascelles, C. Taylor and Foden. Hopefully should still get 11 out each week.

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Brilliant becnh

    10. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mane & Grealish to Martial & Richarlison for -4

      McCarthy
      TAA Doc Maguire
      Salah KDB (B)runo Martial Richa
      Jimenez Jota

      Need some luck now!

      1. Cojiro
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Looks good for no wildcard

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Cheers!

          Also got money in the bank to upgrade Jota to Jesus later.

    11. barcaa7
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I changed the captain and the bench 30 second before the deadline will it change?

      1. GOTHAM City F.C.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        only if you clicked save.

        1. barcaa7
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I did

      2. Seamy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Provided you confirmed it and got the team screen back up then yeah

        1. barcaa7
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          the massage is Your team has been saved

      3. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        if you confirmed it before the deadline yes

        1. barcaa7
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I hope so

      4. Von Lipwig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Feeling confident in your decisions?

        1. barcaa7
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I found Martial on the bench1 min before the deadline

    12. TIME TO VARTY
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Was set on getting Vardy for KDB for a 2 week punt but didnt have the balls in the end.
      Vardy Hatty incoming

    13. TSILIKAFENEIAKOS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Would you start Grealish or Moutinho? Has to be Grealish right?

      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        For 32??

    14. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I put Vardy and Justin in today, but honestly didnthave high hopes for them. If they get anything this game I will be so pleased 🙂

    15. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Took a hit to take Grealish out for Barnes.

      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        On v tired legs

        1. Van der Faart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Let's hope so

    16. Muller Reus Corner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Best Charlie Taylor replacements? Already have Lascelles.

      1. CONNERS
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Saiss?

      2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Why are you getting rid of C Taylor ??

    17. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Is FPLs computer broken?

    18. FreddyP3
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mané grabbing 2 baps because Salah big chance miss.. 🙂

    19. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Tsimikas was apparently driven to the clinic here in Slovenia, due to suspected covid case.