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The best goalkeepers to sign with the Free Hit chip in Blank Gameweek 31

The Fantasy Football Scout members’ area can be a helpful tool for managers playing their Free Hit chip in Blank Gameweek 31.

This is the first instalment in a short series of articles aimed at helping those managers pick the best possible team for this weekend’s depleted round of action.

We have run comparisons on the top options from each of the four positions ahead of Blank Gameweek 31 using the data available to us in the members’ area.

This article on the best goalkeepers is free for all the public to view, but only Fantasy Football Scout members will be able to read on and access our analysis on defenders, midfielders and forwards later in the week.

Now that we are past the half-way stage, memberships are now available for just £10, so make sure you get the most of it while you can by signing up HERE.

READ MORE BLANK GAMEWEEK 31 FREE HIT COVERAGE:

Data for Blank Gameweek 31 goalkeepers over the last four Gameweeks

A look at the Blank Gameweek 31 goalkeepers over the last four Gameweeks shows that the most capable of keeping a clean sheet this weekend is Alisson Becker (£6.0m), having recorded three since Gameweek 27. That is not surprising considering the fact that Liverpool have the division’s best defensive record this season.

However, with a demand for triple-investment further up the pitch in Jurgen Klopp’s squad, the Brazilian’s success is of little consequence when picking a Blank Gameweek 31 shot-stopper.

Jordan Pickford (£4.9m) and Martin Dúbravka (£5.0m) both have two clean sheets between them over the last four Gameweeks, the Everton man playing just three matches in that time too. Also, Dúbravka has faced the fewest shots on target (nine) of any option that played 360 minutes in the last four Gameweeks. Although, with Chelsea (home) and Bournemouth (away) their respective opponents, their prices will probably count against them for Free Hit managers.

That may be the same for Tom Heaton (£4.8m), who is still struggling to recapture his Fantasy appeal from the 2016/17 season. In stark contrast to how he performed in that impressive campaign, he has saved just 55.6% of the shots on target he has faced in the last four Gameweeks.

Heaton’s opposite number on Saturday afternoon Kasper Schmeichel (£5.0m) is in an even worse position. Having faced 16 shots on target since Gameweek 27, he has saved just eight of them.

Of the options at the budget end of the scale, Łukasz Fabianski (£4.7m) looks the complete package.

Despite keeping just one clean sheet since Gameweek 27, none of the Blank Gameweek 31 goalkeepers has made more saves than him in the last four round of fixtures.

He may have registered the same number of stops as Fulham’s Sergio Rico (£4.4m) in that time, but crucially, the West Ham man has the better save percentage from the shots on target he has faced (80%) – helpful for clean sheet potential.

Top 10 teams for shots inside the box over the last four Gameweeks

Fabianski’s appeal is further boosted by his fixture, a home meeting with Huddersfield, the Premier League’s lowest scorers. The fact the Terriers have only scored 15 goals this season is encouragement enough, but even in the last four Gameweeks, they are bottom of the division for shots inside the box, shots on target, big chances total and goal conversion.

As already mentioned, Liverpool’s chances of a clean sheet are strong in Blank Gameweek 31 with Fulham in the bottom five for goal attempts inside the penalty box over the last four round of matches, although they strangely have the second-best accuracy in that time (42.5%).

That Newcastle are top for shots inside the box and efforts on target since Gameweek 27 might put some managers off selecting Artur Boruc (£4.0m) for their Free Hit squads, but there is still plenty of reasons to include him in your selection.

As the only active £4.0m in FPL right now, it makes sense for those Free Hitting in Blank Gameweek 31 to include him as a substitute at the very least.

As we saw above, he had a decent balance between shots on target faced and saves made. Boruc ranks somewhere in the middle for the 17 accurate shots he has met and only three goalkeepers made more stops than him.

There is a case for starting the Bournemouth man though, in spite of Newcastle’s efforts in recent Gameweeks. Even including their narrow defeat to Manchester City in Gameweek 29, the Cherries have allowed an average of just one big chance per game in the last four home matches – only three sides can offer better than that.

Top 11 teams for big chances conceded over the last four Gameweeks

A brief analysis of the quality of chances faced by draws more attention to Dúbravka and Boruc. Liverpool have naturally conceded the fewest big chances in the last four Gameweeks of those with four matches in that run and a fixture this weekend, but Newcastle and Bournemouth are second and joint-third respectively.

Chelsea and Everton have also faced a small number of big chances in the last four Gameweeks, but their Blank in Gameweek 27 means they have played just three matches in that time.

In the last four Gameweeks, West Ham have conceded more big chances than any other side and only Huddersfield (43) and Fulham (51) have allowed more shots in their penalty box. However, this may actually strengthen Fabianski’s case considering how impressive his save percentage is.

Conclusion

As previously mentioned, Fabianski’s combination of decent save potential and the most appealing available to any Premier League defence makes him the standout candidate for inclusion in Free Hit squads this weekend.

Boruc should be considered at least for a place on the bench given his price but anyone not completely trusting of the West Ham defence could be tempted to start him as a differential option. A clean sheet wipeout for the Hammers would affect a large number of Fantasy managers as Fabianski is the third-most popular goalkeeper overall (18.9% ownership) and the most-owned among the top 10,000 managers. Anyone who managed to avoid that with the chance of a Bournemouth clean sheet could make up some ground.

Alisson is on paper the most likely of all the goalkeepers to keep a clean sheet given Liverpool’s defence record and Fulham’s struggles of late. There is certainly a case for his inclusion in a Free Hit squad but it would mean limiting oneself to just two outfield options from Liverpool.

READ MORE BLANK GAMEWEEK 31 FREE HIT COVERAGE:

462 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Longlatini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Anyone given a quick look at creating a FH32 team yet?

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      Yeah.

      Something along lines of

      Jiminez. Doherty
      Martial. Pogba
      Ederson. Aguero. Sterling
      Eriksen
      Hazard. Luiz

      1. zotter
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 17 days ago

        Would probably Captain hazard. City could rotate second game. Spurs have Liverpool away one of the games

      2. Longlatini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 17 days ago

        Can get to this with a -4 hopefully

        Heaton

        Doherty* TAA Laporte*Luiz*

        Sterling*Hazard*Anderson(!) Pogba* Almiron**

        Aguero* Barnes Jimenez*

        *dgw
        **possible dgw

        Not many players missing from the likely template, thinking it might not be such a bad idea to FH in 31?

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      Not too much without the fixtures but it'll likely be 3 City, 2 United, 2 Chelsea and 4 from the rest.

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      Ederson
      Luiz Dalot PVA
      Sterling Hazard Pogba Son
      Aguero Jimenez Zaha
      Boruc Jonny 4.2 3.9

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 17 days ago

        Ederson (Boruc)
        Lindelof Luiz Boly Schlupp (AWB)
        Pogba Sterling Hazard (Brooks Romeu)
        Rashford Higuain Aguero

        Exact money though.

        1. WVA
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 17 days ago

          Dalot oop, Schlupp great shout, prefer Jimi and Zaha to Rashford and Higuain will need to explode this gameweek for me to consider but options are fantastic!

        2. Longlatini
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 17 days ago

          Money was tighter than I was expecting

      2. Longlatini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 17 days ago

        Very nice

  2. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Thoughts on this -4 team for 31 😀

    Fabianski
    Rice Robbo Alonso TAA
    Hazard Salah Fanny Richo
    Rondon Higgo

    Button Jimmy Jonny Gunn 3.2ITB

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      Alonso out for a -2? 😛

      G2G!

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 17 days ago

        so sick of that twerp and would be punished if he starts and scores 😀 would give him 31... FH in 32 and he's out in 33 anyway...

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 17 days ago

          21 pointer at home to West Ham 😮

          1. Chucky
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 17 days ago

            😛

    2. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      Alonso I don't think will play. If you can hold till after Thursday, you'll; get a better indication

  3. Darbs
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Am I being crazy transferring out Kane and Jimenez to bring in Vardy and Wilson?

    Partly for the blank gameweek, but also for upcoming fixtures.

    1. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      No, unless you're taking a -8 hit.

    2. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      What’s chip strategy

    3. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      not crazy.. gives you 2 extra players for 31 and 33 and you can FH in 32..

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      FH32? Go for it!

  4. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Bournemouth defenders....

    A) Clyne
    B) Mepham

    Cant afford Ake!

    Thanks in advance!

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      A

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      Mepham, if Adam Smith is going to be fit.

      1. kysersosa
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 17 days ago

        Pulled his hamstring so out for a few weeks.

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 17 days ago

          Thanks, didn't know the severity. Clyne so.

          1. kysersosa
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 17 days ago

            It’s interesting, as they’ve played together in the last few games. Don’t know about the Bournemouth line up to know the possible permutations.

            1. Rainer
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 17 days ago

              Smith had been playing at LB, but vs City Daniels returned to that spot. Smith then moved to RM/RW. The return to fitness of Wilson meant a spot had to be made available. Smith went to RB, Clyne was the one to drop out, and Brooks played on the right.

              1. kysersosa
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 17 days ago

                Great Comms, do you think Clyne is still a good option? It sounds like Smith and Cook are out for similar time frames, maybe cook for longer.

  5. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    How is this for gwk31?

    Boruc
    TAA VVD Pereira
    SalahHazard Anderson Brooks
    Barnes Higuain Wilson

    Ederson Pogba Doherty Bednerak

    Opinions please

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      Fine

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 17 days ago

        But not good, ok cool.

        1. zotter
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 17 days ago

          Good even !

        2. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 17 days ago

          Mane and/or Vardy needed for good 😉

    2. Longlatini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      Quite good

  6. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    A or B? 1FT

    a) Pogba and Son --> Hazard and Fraser (-4)
    b) Pogba, Son and AWB --> Hazard, D.Luiz and Brooks (-8)

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      A

  7. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Seems TAA is ok to face BM tomorrow.

    Hopefully ok for the weekend.

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      Should be

    2. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      I was hoping he would miss out BM and get a rest before recovering for the weekend. If he starts tomorrow he’s a candidate for a rest at the weekend.

      1. Kno
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 17 days ago

        Surely the international break should be a nice rest anyway

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      More chance of being rested at weekend though although luckily there is then 2 weeks break

  8. Supersonic Marv'
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    FH 32 seems to be more popular here than FH 31. Is that correct?Seems odd to me.

    1. Bohemian Rhapsody
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      I am doing FH32

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      FH 32 full squad of DGW

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      More popular, but FH31 wont be too uncommon.

      FH31 - 2,147 votes
      FH32 - 3,155 votes

      Poll in this article - https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2019/03/07/how-fpl-managers-plan-to-tackle-blank-gameweek-31/

      1. Supersonic Marv'
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 17 days ago

        Interesting. 7 players in week 31 is the best I could do without hits so I suppose FH'ing that week is better for me.

        1. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 17 days ago

          and what's your plan for blank GW33?

          1. Supersonic Marv'
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 17 days ago

            I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. I'm not smart enough to think too far ahead pal.

    4. clodhopper
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      Depends on the chips u have left

    5. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      32 looks awesome in comparison!

      Ederson
      Luiz Dalot PVA/Doherty
      Sterling Hazard Pogba Son
      Aguero Jimenez Zaha

    6. Arn De Gothia
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      FH 31

  9. Bohemian Rhapsody
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Must sell Pogba and Jimenez for my 11 for game 31.

    1. Hazard & King / Wilson
    2. Madison & King / Wilson
    3. Or any combination Lanzini / Arnautovic / Barns / Brooks

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      Max Liverpool ?

      1. Bohemian Rhapsody
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 17 days ago

        Sorry did not mention.
        Already have 3 pools

    2. zotter
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      Hazard plus Wilson

      1. Bohemian Rhapsody
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 17 days ago

        Thank you!

  10. L S P
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    What Would You Do?

    a) Rashford->Wilson (10 for 31)
    b) Etheridge/Rashford->Boruc/Wilson (-4)(11 for 31)
    c) Etheridge/Pogba/Rashford->Boruc/Hazard/Wilson (-8, 11 for 31)

    FH32, WC34

    My current 9 starters are:

    TAA-Luiz-Pereira-Digne
    Salah-Mane-FAnderson-Hayden
    Vardy

    1. Arn De Gothia
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      b

  11. white lightning
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Thoughts on my fh gw31 team. Thoughts & thanks:

    Fabianski
    Ake, Rice, Diop
    Salah (c), Mane, Hazard, Fraser
    Vardy, Firmino, Wilson

    Dubravka, H. Barnes, Luiz, Pereira

    It's probably a big risk going with triple West Ham defense but hopefully against a team like Hudd they can get a cs. Genius if the do but mug if they don't haha. Also going triple Liverpool attack hoping for at least 4-5 goals against a poor Fulham defense. Thanks.

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      To complete the set you need to captain Wilson!!

  12. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Scoutcast tonight?

  13. leocarter27
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Best 7.9 mid for 31 and 33 please? (Not Fraser as have triple BOU)

    Thanks

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      Siggy

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      A Leicester one probably the next best bet.
      A gamble on Willian/Pedro.
      Siggy/Richarlison...

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      Maddison

  14. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    As a Salah, Mané, Hazard owner I am v tempted to give the armband to captain Wilson this gw. Anyone with me?

  15. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Which game have you chosen to watch?

    Not an easy choice in fairness.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      Atleti for sure!

      1. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 17 days ago

        Yeah me too.

        A hard core FPL manager might chose to watch City though.

  16. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Plese need some help, didnt readed the news, just came back from tenerife vacation...

    2 FT

    Fabianski, button
    Taa, adam smith, bednarek, jonny, wan - bissaka
    Maddison, son, salah (c), pogba, fanderson
    Aguero, firmino, jimenez

    Any recomendation appreciated !

    Have fh, wc, bb

    1. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      buy 3 more players for GW31, maybe Haz, Fraser, Vardy

      FH 32

      GW33 - another blank gameweek with same players as 31

      WC 34

      BB35

      1. Jebiga
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 17 days ago

        Thanks mate

        1. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 17 days ago

          you can sell any expensive players who blank in gw31, because you can FH in 32 and WC in 34 to get them back. you may lose some value, that's all.

          35 will be another double gw.

          1. Jebiga
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 17 days ago

            Is higuain good replacement for hazard ?

            1. Jebiga
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 17 days ago

              Oh i can do hazard, vardy and wilson

              1. GREEN IS GOOD
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 17 days ago

                sounds good

          2. Kiwivillan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 17 days ago

            If you lose 1m you can't easily buy back without butchering your team. Some people are being way too flippant about this

            1. Jebiga
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 17 days ago

              Only what i loose is 0.2 on aguero

            2. GREEN IS GOOD
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 17 days ago

              I won't be losing 1m though. Depends on who you choose.

              1. Kiwivillan
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 17 days ago

                Some people talking selling Pogba Jimi Aguero

  17. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    I think the goal should have stood.

  18. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Looks like it should stand, Ronaldo played the ball.

  19. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Listening to 31 captaincy options podcast I'm inclined to agree with Joe/Jonty. Vardy away to Burnley isn't that attractive or do I just consider the Huddersfield game in 33 as FH32 and get him for Aguero?

    1. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 17 days ago

      Vardy for the C or just in your team?

      I won't captain him, but he'll be in my team as my rivals have him. You'd hope he scores or assists at least 1 goal v Burnley.

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 17 days ago

        As mentioned in podcast he has 2 goals in last 6 appearances against Burnley and 1 was in 2015. Would get for hit so maybe better options

      2. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 17 days ago

        Burnley Barnes against Leicester defence more appealing

        1. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 17 days ago

          Could be, yes.

          I got him already 🙂

          Vardy, Barnes, Wilson up front.

  20. jtreble
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Sterling getting back to help the D. Respect.

  21. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    thoughts appreciated
    2ft, take -4 for
    A pogba kun jimi to mane vardy wilson (bench son blank 31, 33 unknown yet)
    B pogba son kun to mane haz wilson ( Bench jimi blank31 & 33)
    cheers

  22. WVA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Aguero goal

  23. tucaoneo
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Schalke 0-4 incoming

  24. Sandmannen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Hello, need an advice here

    Sell sterling to mane. Or sterling, Pogba and Andersson out for Mane, Hazard and Fraser for minus 8?. The minus alternative is also with the thought og gw 33

  25. Stuventus
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 17 days ago

    Howdy troops
    If i activate my FH, can my mini league rivals see that I have before the deadline.
    TIA

  26. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Its just Utd and Wolves with a double in 32 is it? No other teams to be added?