Scout Picks

Wolves and United double-ups in our Gameweek 31+ Scout Picks selection

Wolves and Manchester United are set for an appealing Gameweek 31+ according to our latest Scout Picks selection.

We have chosen two assets from both clubs for the midweek round of action, as well as a double-up from Liverpool.

Our best XI for the Gameweek was chosen by the editorial team of David, Neale, Paul and Geoff, and came in £0.1m under our budget of £85.0m.

Goalkeeper

Nick Pope (£4.9m) may have conceded five at Manchester City on Monday evening, but the Burnley defence is a completely different animal at Turf Moor. They have kept the joint-highest number of clean sheets in home matches this season (seven) and face a Watford side with just two goals in their last four away trips.

Defenders

Man United defence boosted by Bailly's excellent return

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.8m) looks like the obvious best option to consider from Liverpool ahead of Crystal Palace’s trip to Anfield. The Eagles remain one of the most goal-shy in the division, Norwich (25) the only team to have scored fewer goals than them this season – while Alexander-Arnold has produced a return (either offensive or defensive) in five of his last six at home.

Harry Maguire (£5.3m) may have been at fault when Manchester United conceded against Spurs in Double Gameweek 30+ but he could prove the hero when Sheffield United come to Old Trafford midweek. The Blades are yet to score since the Premier League restarted and will be susceptible in the air without John Egan and potentially Jack O’Connell too. Maguire has more headed attempts than any of his defensive colleagues so could exploit their atypical lack of height.

Matt Doherty (£6.4m) has been in scintillating form of late and looks set for another potentially explosive score in Gameweek 31+. Wolves have been one of the best defensive sides in the league since Willy Boly returned from injury, while Bournemouth offered nothing in attack against Palace. Meanwhile, Doherty has more shots in the box than any defender over their last five matches and has averaged 8.7 points per match over his last six.

Jamaal Lascelles (£4.3m) offers great value for Gameweek 31+ as Aston Villa come to St. James Park. Like Burnley, Newcastle are joint-top for home clean sheets this season (seven) while Villa’s recent defensive improvements appear to have tempered their attacking threat since the Premier League’s restart.

Midfielders

Sadio Mané (£12.5m) may have struggled against Everton but he remains a more reliable bet at Anfield. Since his return from injury in Gameweek 26, the Senegalese international scored 21 points across two home matches.

After a Monday-night rest, Kevin De Bruyne (£10.6m) looks more than capable of continuing his incredible 2019/20 form into a midweek meeting with former club Chelsea. He has more attacking returns against last season’s top-six than any other FPL midfielder thus far, producing four goals and four assists against such opposition, finding the net the last time he faced Chelsea.

Son Heung-min (£9.7m) has scored 73 points since Jose Mourinho took over at Spurs, more than any of his colleagues, averaging at an impressive 6.1 per game. That makes him an important asset for the Tuesday-night meeting with West Ham. David Moyes men have kept just one clean sheet since Gameweek 21, conceding at least twice in six of their last eight.

Bruno Fernandes (£8.7m) looks the most likely to benefit from Sheffield United’s defensive absentees in Gameweek 31+, which also includes Dean Henderson missing out as an ineligible player. The Portuguese international has been involved in six of the nine goals Manchester United have scored since his Gameweek 25 debut and also appears first in line to take penalties.

Forwards

Bournemouth’s defence has conceded at least twice in five of their last six and with just one clean sheet on the road since Gameweek 11. That bodes well for Raúl Jiménez (£8.2m), who has been the right kind of consistent in recent times. The Mexican’s goal at West Ham was his third in the last four Gameweeks, and sixth in the last eight.

Norwich have conceded more shots in the box than any other team over their last four matches, opening the door for Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.5m) to continue his excellent form. Only one player has registered more shots in the box than him over his last four matches, the Everton forward also ranking joint-fourth in the Premier League for shots on target in that time.

Substitutes

Martin Dúbravka (£5.1m) is an alternative route into the Newcastle defence, for those without the space in defence. He has made more saves than any other goalkeeper this season.

Those with enough spare funds, unlike us in this case, could consider upgrading Lascelles to Federico Fernandez (£4.6m), the former Swansea man besting his captain for shots in the box this season.

While Newcastle’s defence looks strong and Aston Villa’s attack lacking a little clinical edge, the prospect of an out-of-position midfielder playing up-front for Keinan Davis‘ (£4.3m) price is hard to turn down, especially for those on a Wildcard.

If he can get a full 90-minute outing under his belt, Diogo Jota (£6.4m) could match or outscore Jiménez in Gameweek 31+. Over the last four matches, he has recorded better scores than his colleague for minutes per shot in the box, minutes per big chance and minutes per shot on target.

THE CAPTAIN

The Scout Picks has a captain for the 2019/20 campaign.
This skipper is chosen using the conclusions of the latest Captain Sensible article and a four-way vote between David, Neale, Paul and Geoff.

Because the use of Fantasy Football Scout data is used so heavily in this process, the captain we choose each Gameweek is usually known only to those who have signed up to Membership for the 2019/20 season and revealed to the public only when the deadline has passed.

1,726 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is this transfer worth doing for free??

    VVD >> Maguire/AWB

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No chance!

    2. Keep Calm and Play On
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nope

    3. MITHRRANDIRR
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No

    4. DARE TO BISCAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Up to you, could pay off (no)

  2. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Who to captain -

    A. Son vs WHU
    B. Rashford vs SHE
    C. Fernandes vs SHE
    D. Jimenez vs BOU
    E. Mane vs CRY

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      C or D
      E or B
      A

      1. Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        And your final answer is... ?

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

      E

    3. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I haven't got Mane (or Salah) but have A-D and Vardy or Richarlison to consider

      Armband is currently with Fernandes - Vardy is vice

      a) West Ham's cup final
      b) Prefer Fernandes
      c) Current choice
      d) Does he ever score double figures - why not Doherty instead
      e) Not an option - but maybe TAA
      f) Richarlison - risky
      g) Vardy - wish I had seem more of him, plus it's the first match

  3. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Almost there:

    DDG
    TAA, VVD, Doherty
    Salah, Son, Fernandes, Richarlison
    Jimenez, Rashford, Ings

    (Button, Aurier, Luiz, Simpson)

    A) Ings
    B) DCL

    1) DDG
    2) Patricio

    Cheers!

    1. Keep Calm and Play On
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B 1

    2. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B1, good luck!

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

      B1

    4. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B and 2

    5. MITHRRANDIRR
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'd go with DCL & Patricio.

    6. M00N
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A or B
      1 or 2
      A

    7. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Wow, thanks all.

      Not much love for Ings, not much between DDG and Patricio.

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

      DCL over Ings

      Patricio over DDG

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

    Need a 5.2 mill mid to finish my WC team

    Pope Martinez
    TAA Soy Saiss Lascelles Robinson
    Mane KDB Son Bruno XXXX
    Rashford Jimi Nketiah

    Who would you go for?

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Fleck.

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Get a cheap mid and upgrade nketiah to ayew

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

        What mid do you reckon?

    3. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Saka, Armstrong (good shout), Trade down Soy and it takes you up to St Maximin (5.4) or Doucure (5.6)

    4. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Foden

  5. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is a midfield of
    Salah KDB Son Bruno Martial
    too much?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Only if you have 3 decent forwards

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Why 3 decent forwards if I'm playing 3-5-2?

        1. DARE TO BISCAN
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Because then it would be too much

    2. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Don't think so given you can go DCL and Ings up top

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

      In the immortal words of Luther Vandross, Never too Much, Never too Much

    4. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      What’s the front line like?

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Jimi DCL Nketiah

    5. Keep Calm and Play On
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Do you like points? It's never too much, especially with such great options

  6. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Maguire Mount Kane

    B) Robbo Martial DCL

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B no questions asked

    2. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

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

      B

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

      B

  7. MGD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any love for this WC team for the run-in?

    DDG
    TAA - Doherty - Aurier
    Salah(c) - KDB - Fernandes - Mount
    Rashford - Jimenez - DCL

    Nyland - Lascelles - Kiko - Guendozi

    0.0 ITB (FH intact)

    Bottomed

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Switch Nyland to a 3.9 keeper... you don't plan on benching DDG do you? Extra 0.4 could come in handy

      1. MGD
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Its just IF DDG for some reason wont start.

        But i see your point 🙂 Could get Saiss instead of Kiko. But do not really need a better bench i feel

    2. FPL Alaska
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      G2G

  8. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Who should you bench??

    A. Boly
    B. Fernandez

    1. FPL Alaska
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Play Boly

    2. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      b

  9. ElliotJHP
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Son is my ultimate troll, come on then lad have the armband

  10. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Sorry for repost! Hesitating to get Son instead of Berg...

    a.Berwyn, DCL and Lascelle
    b. Son, Greenwood and Kiko

    Pope Martinez
    TAA Doherty Aurier JRobinson X
    Bruno KDB Mane DouglasLuiz X
    Rash Jim X

  11. FPL Alaska
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Which do you prefer?

    A) Rashford, Guendouzi
    B) Martial, Nketiah (+0.6M)

    1) Pope, Maguire
    2) DDG, Aurier

    1. tibollom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      a1

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B2

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A2 but prefer Patricio over DDG!!

      1. FPL Alaska
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Already have Dohery, Saiss, Jimi

        1. Krafty Werks
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Ok, then A2 it is!!

  12. InvertedWinger
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Need a last on the bench DEF for 4.0. Seems Jack Robinson also won't get a stretch with O'Connell expected back soon so thoughts on Neco Williams? I have a Pool spot and TAA so it covers me

  13. FPLMarc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Would you put Vardy into this free hit?

    De Gea
    TAA - Doherty - Lascelles
    Salah (c) - Son - Fernandes - Richarlison
    Rashford - Jimenez - DCL

    Basically, it's either Rashford & Richarlison or Vardy & Martial.

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

      Rash & Rich on FH I think

  14. ZimZalabim
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Martinez (3.9)
    Taa, Doherty, Ritchie (Kiko, 3.9)
    Mane, Kdb, Son, Bruno, Martial
    Jimi, DCL (Nketiah)

    Can do Nketiah to Connolly and upgrade kiko to holgate/Lascelles etc

    Thoughts on this team ??

  15. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Aurier (WHU) or Alonso (MCI) this GW?

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Aurier

    2. tibollom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      aurier

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Probably Aurier mate. What do you think below MS?

    4. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Aurier

  16. Rotation's Alter Ego
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How stupid is triple United attack? Getting dangerously close to rolling with it, fancy United to score a load between now and 37.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not stupid but a defender and 2 attackers would be my preferred option

    2. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      what three are u going for ?

      do u prefer rash over martial ?

      1. Rotation's Alter Ego
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Rashford Fernandes and Martial (Or DDG / Maguire if I chicken out)

  17. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Best set and forget VERY cheap keeper?

    A. McCarthy
    B. Martinez

    1. tibollom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      a

    2. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      b

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Wouldn't want either but B if you have to at 0.3 cheaper.

  18. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    3.9gk - lascels sais - kdb mane son bruno - rash jimi

    Complete WC team, Which?
    A) martinez - taa - guendozi - vardy - 2 def. 4.3 4.2
    B) pope/foster - gomez - richar - ings - 2 def. 4.3 4.2

    1. Keep Calm and Play On
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

  19. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Who wins and by how much?

    1.
    Leno - Henderson
    PVA - Doherty - Lundstram - Stevens - Mings
    Sterling - KdB - El Ghazi - Grealish - Cantwell
    Aguero - Auba - Nketiah

    2.
    Pope - McCarthy
    TAA - Saiss - Fernandez - Williams - Simpson
    KdB - Fernandes - Salah - Fleck - Amartey
    Vardy - Auba - DCL

    1. tibollom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      leno is out.. B

  20. Rock Papiss Cissès
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    RMWCT please
    Pope
    TAA Doherty Justin
    Richarlison Son(C) KDB Fernandes
    Jiménez Rashford Vardy

    3.9 Lascelles Davis Ngakia

    On WC and 0.1ITB

    Don’t see too much of Richarlison on here, any particular reason? Seems to play practically in a 2-man forward line with DCL

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Don't like Richarlison, otherwise looks decent.

    2. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Same front 7 but plan to change Richarlison to Mahrez or even Pogba - keep 300k back so that I can afford Mahrez

      I dumped Pope and don't like LEI fixtures enough to want one of their defenders

      You sticking to Son as captain?

  21. wildnothing
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What do you guys think about this wc draft? 1.0 itb.

    Patricio Martinez
    Doherty TAA Maguire Ritchie Kiko
    KDB Son Fernandes Sarr Cantwell
    Vardy Rashford Jimenez

    1. tibollom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      looks good

    2. Ceebes
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nice team, though will have to hide behind the sofa when Salah and Mane play.

  22. ASOUSA12
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How's this for a FH

    £0.0 ITB

    Foster
    TAA Maguire Doherty
    Son Richarlison Mane (VC) Fernandes (C)
    Jimenez DCL Rashford

    Button Guendouzi Simpson Kilman

    Feedback very appreciated!!!

  23. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    It’s come down to this.
    I have Bruno and no Liverpool midfielder

    Kun and Grealish TO DCL and Son. -4
    Kun and Martial TO Rash and Son. -4
    Kun and Martial TO Salah and DCL. -4.

  24. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) salah robinson/ngakia
    B) mane kiko

    A leaves me with a bench of button Robinson/ngakia guendouzi Simpson

  25. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    a. Grealish and Aguero to Son and DCL for -8
    b. Play Grealish and Nketiah (no hit)

    ?

  26. Pickle juice
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    no love for adama traore just for this week......over martial/bejerwink etc

    looked sharp when he came on.....

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I got him

  27. bel24
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    For the run in. No Liverpool cover

    A- TAA & Richarlison
    B - Mane & Holgateu

  28. Ceebes
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Martinez, Barnes, Salah
    B) Pope, Traore, Mane

  29. Mike82
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone going with Salah and Mane?

  30. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Who to captain?
    A) Son
    B) Salah
    C) Jimmy