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. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Cap pick a nightmare this GW.

    Who out of

    Salah
    Bruno
    Jimmy

    ?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Jimmy

    2. Neo-Viper
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Fresh Salah

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

      Bruno

    4. matthewsimon22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Head says Bruno... my heart says Salah

    5. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      My heart says Salah but cos I'm a sheep armband goes to Fernandes

    6. Lionel Ronaldo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Head says Salah. Heart says Salah.

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

      Heart and head to bruno

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

      Salah is 'due' a goal or 2 I suppose. Just don't think he'll get much more than 60 to 70 mins, whereas other two should get 80+.

  2. AlexDelPiero
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Captain son or jimenez?

    1. BigCoupes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Son

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Jimmy

  3. King Kun Ta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    GTG with this FH team?

    Martinez
    Doh Lasc TAA
    Son Fernandes Rich Mane/Salah
    Vardy Jimi DCL

    Button Holgate Guendouzi Jack Robinson

    0.5 ITB

    Ta!

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

      Picking Dubravka or Patricio would give you a good shot at a 6 pointer in goals.

      1. King Kun Ta
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks

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

    would u rather sacrifice

    A. Rash to Martial keep son (Martinez in goal )

    B. Son to Alli keep rash (this option i 4.9 for keeper)

    1. Shteve
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Prob martial but neither really, start again!

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

        Current team

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

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

        Where would u make changes ?

        1. Shteve
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I wouldn't have martial tbh, looked very sluggish against spurs so can see his hand time restricted.

          I'm not a big fan of alli either though so not sure what to say..

    2. Lionel Ronaldo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Hard one. B just for the keeper option.

    3. matthewsimon22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I would do A - Martial and Son with Martinez in goal... it'll be the most fun to watch!

      That said, someone listening to their head might go for B?

    4. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I did B

  5. eamonhegg
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Jack robinson? Will he play?

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

      He’ll be benched quicker than you can say...

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

    Give the armband to Vardy or Salah?

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

      Out of those Salah but I'd look at the rest of your team, lots of options this week

      1. htfcbrad
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I know haha can't remember the last time it was this hard to choose! I'm free hitting too so could pick Jimenez, Son, Rashford etc...

  7. barcaa7
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    on WC
    a-Doherty , Martial , alli
    b-Saiss , Martial , Son
    c-Doherty , Sarr , Son

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

      C

    2. Lionel Ronaldo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

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

      C

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

    Points predictions...

    Son and DCL
    vs
    Grealish and Nketiah

    ???

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

      11
      Vs
      3

  9. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I'll be kicking myself for captaining Fernandes. Looks to be great irl and fpl player but not sure if captain material

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

      Salah (C), Fernandes (VC) for me

      1. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Same here, hope it isn't a catastrophe

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

      It's ok at least you won't be alone, but I think he will score well

    3. Shteve
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      The two usually go hand in hand..

  10. Are you Shaw?
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Playing catchup (going to use BB next week)

    My wildcard:

    Pope (Martinez)
    Doherty Maguire Aurier (Lascelles - Alonso)
    Son (c) Alli Fernandes Richarlison (Saint Maximin)
    Jimenez Rashford CalvertLewin

    1. Are you Shaw?
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      3.7 in the bank

      1. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Blimey Nice team (without Salah) Could go for a better keeping unless you want the freedom to put KDB back in (or even Salah/Mane

  11. Jullepuu
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Grealish to Bruno for a hit or just play Grealish? I have Rashford

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Take a hit mate. Bruno is a must have imo

      1. Jullepuu
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Oof you are probably right. I was planning to get him in for free next week

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Bruno all day. Red hot form and rank killer

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

    Crazy to captain Jimmy?

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

      No

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nope, at least 6 decent captaincy options and he is one of them

    3. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Him, Mane or Rash for me

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

    Comments appreciated:

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

    1. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B Leno will no doubt come back at some point and arsenal defence is terrible!

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

    Almost there (FH):

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

    (Martinez, Aurier, Saka, Simpson)

    A) Ings
    B) DCL

    1) DDG
    2) Patricio

    Cheers!

  15. SH1M1
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Jimenez or Bruno for Cap ?

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

      Bruno for me (just)

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

      Bruno the safe play.

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        you mean Jimi the safe play?

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

          Bruno leading the polls was my reasoning.

    3. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Think I'm goin Jimmy

  16. Lionel Ronaldo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    (1) Patricio - Maguire [Wolves double-up]
    (2) Pope - Maguire
    (3) De Gea - 5.5 (Chilwell/Ritchie?)

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      1

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

      1

  17. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Last big decision on the WC.
    Son + Rashford
    or
    Auba and Berwijn?

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

      Son + Rash

    2. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A easily

    3. Lionel Ronaldo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A. Not even close.

    4. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      a hands down

  18. Neo-Viper
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Captain who?
    Mane
    Bruno
    Rashford
    Jimmy
    Bergwijn

    1. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Rash or bruno

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Mane

  19. DandyDon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Could do a team that upgrades the scout picks slightly

    lascelles to Ritchie. Pope to Patrício and mane to salah. Leaves 1.0 in the bank to do DCL toTammy when required. Would only have kiko, Obafemi and Hayden on the bench

    Sound Good or would you prefer to downgrade a player to fit in rashford or martial??

  20. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Martial or Richarlison? Got Bruno and DCL as well.

    1. Lionel Ronaldo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Richarlison

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

    How confident are we Salah starts?

    Tempted to captain Son or Bruno but Salah starting with what will inevitably be big captaincy backing...

  22. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Will Salah start?

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      You would think so given how inept their attack was. But if he isn't fit there's no need to risk him at all. I wouldn't start him if I were Klopp.

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

      Ha, good timing! Great minds!

  23. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A. Doherty or
    B. Maguire?
    (already have Saiss)

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

      Doherty, and not close for me

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        this

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

    RM WC Team, I think finally done tinkering; went Saiss instead of Doherty to enable Son:

    Pope
    Saiss/TAA/Aurier
    Salah/Son/KDB/Fernandes
    Jimi/DCL/Ings

    Martinez/Fernandez/Saka/Robinson

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Perfect.

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

      Very nice. Definitely Pope over DDG/Patreesh?

  25. The_FF_King
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Double up on VVD and Arnold a good idea on FH??

  26. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Which to (C) out of these 3 only please?

    A) Mane
    B) Jimi
    C) Rash

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

      Jimi with Mane a close 2nd; If you are absolutely convinced that Mane will start/play significant minutes then maybe lean that way. More chance of a big haul with Mane v Jiminez; Jiminez more steady and reliable.

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yea my only issue with not putting on Jimi is he is steady and not explosive. Think mane will start but come off 65 min and that can be enough

    2. Lionel Ronaldo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      On form, got to be B. But I see the merits of A and C.

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        i know so hard.

  27. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Re-post:
    WC Team thoughts? (0.8m ITB)
    Pope (Martin)
    TAA Doherty Aurier (Taylor, Lascelles)
    Mane KDB Bruno (c) Son (Saka)
    Jiminez (vc ) Rashford DCL

    Any upgrade recommendations?

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

      Like it. Was on Pope for mine. But tempted by DDG due to number of ManU defensive picks round here. Talk me round to Pope again?

      1. Mr. Mystic
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Can’t justify the extra funds for DDG. I’d have Patricio over him if you wanted to. The extra funds I have will be useful for future transfer e.g. bringing in Vardy/Salah etc.

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

          Already have 2 Wol defs & Jimmi. Disregarding price, would you take DDG or Pope?

          1. Mr. Mystic
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Pope cheaper and more CS’s and DDG isn’t brimming with confidence...

            1. Mr. Mystic
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Regardless of price , still Pope imo

  28. FPL Mentor
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any news on Salah? How likely do we think he is to start? Currently have my armband on him.

    Is Salah 》 Mane a safer bet?

  29. jacklfc88
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I'm stuck on when to use my FH...Leno getting injured, Egan getting sent off has really messed with my forecasted transfers this week of Auba/Sterling > Jiminez/Mane.

    Reserve GK is Reina :-S

    I need a goalie so I'm gonna have to use a transfer on that. Wondering whether I should just FH this week, based on current side:

    Leno

    Doherty
    Lascelles
    Trent

    Fernandes
    Grealish
    KdB
    Sterling

    Auba
    Ings
    Jota

    Thoughts?

  30. GuillermoDickero
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any love for St Maxim on here? The guy has returned 10 in both of his last two but doesn't seem to be in many WC drafts.

    Guessing too expensive for a 5th mid?