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

    Start Mount or Nketiah this week?

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

      Nketiah

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

        Do you think he’ll start?

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

          “Should” do

  2. Edge
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Am I mad to be considering Doherty (c), Bruno (vc)

    A) Yes
    B) No
    C) switch them round

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

      Not mad no, risky but with great reward

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

        Switch C

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

      Think Doherty is a better option than Jimenez ... but I've gone for Bruno

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

    Final WC! Decided against pool attackers...

    Pope
    TAA, Doherty, Lascelles
    KDB, Bruno, Son, Richarlison
    DCL, Rashford, Jimenez

    Martinez, Saiss, Holgate, Foden

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

    Play 1:
    A) Mount
    B) Saiss
    C) Lascelles

    Captain:
    1) Salah
    2) Bruno
    3) Jimmy

    1. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B
      A

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        B1*

  5. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pick one for this GW only

    A. Martial/Aurier/Greenwood
    B. Rashford/Saiss/Guendozi

  6. zizoo10
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    best 4.4 fodder mid? Guend? Hayden?

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

      Guendouzi + 0.2m

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

        this

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

      At that price, I prefer Davis

  7. WorldCup82
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pope, Martin (3.9)
    TAA, Doherty, Boly, Holgate, Lundstram
    KDB, Fernandes, Sarr, Cantwell
    Jimenez, Ings

    A.) Salah, Pukki
    or
    B.) Son, Jesus (because of Aguero injury )

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

    Choose 1 please:

    A - Vardy , Lacselles , DCL

    B - Kane, Maupay , Jack Robinson

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

    Best midfielder under 7.5m?

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Bergwijn, Pulisic, Barnes or Sarr

      1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Bergwijn or Sarr for me if I had to pick one

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

          This or i like Saint-Maxim

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

    a. Son & DCL
    b. Alli & Rashford

    ???

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

      son dcl

    2. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

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

    Helppppppp........please rate my WC team :

    Martinez/Button
    TAA Doherty Aurier (saiss lascelles)
    salah(c) martial son Bruno (guendozi)
    DCL Jimi Vardy

    please advise on any changes you would make (0.1m ITB)

    thanks for your help

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Decent.

    2. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Gtg. Good Team value

    3. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Like it. Goalkeepers only issue

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

      I am not happy with keeper either .......

      could downgrade vardy to Rash then upgrade Martinez to pope

      but then would need to change martial to maybe richarlison if I can afford (don't want triple utd attack

      what do you think ?

  12. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On WC

    A. Richarlison (have DCL)
    B. Ali
    C. Barnes/Sarr (upgrade Taylor/Saiss to Maguire/Doherty)(Have TAA, Saiss, Taylor, Holgate, Lascelles)

    Could do A this week and B next week if Ali plays well. A&B leaves more flexibility to get Son in if need be without losing KDB.

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

      C, with Sarr

  13. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Maguire + Rashford (442)
    B) Martial + DCL (352)

  14. Blue Gaffer
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Which is best?

    1. McCarthy, Foden & Ings
    2. Martinez, Richarlison & Nkietah?

  15. E25
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I think I know the answer to this, but would anyone choose B to get in a Man u def over Saiss (also have Doherty)? Means bench would be super light with Greenwood, 3.9 def and Robinson

    A) Saiss, Lascelles, Nketiah
    B) Maguire, Simpson (3.9), Greenwood

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

      A is definitely more balanced. What with rotation, probs a better bet.

      1. E25
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Agreed, thanks.

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I’m covering Utd with DDG
      Very cheap for him

  16. BremerHB
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Okay, done I think. Gotta go out so I don't keep staring at my line-up wondering what to change...!

    Pope (Martin)
    TAA - Doherty - Maguire (Lascelles - Holgate)
    KDB - Salah (C) - Son - Fernandes (VC) (Saka)
    Jimenez - DCL - Rashford

    Good luck all!

    1. golfboy
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Looks good!

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

      Perfect!

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

      That's exactly my current FH team. Same captain.

    4. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Template level 99

  17. golfboy
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Tricky one chaps...

    A) Saiss and Jimmy
    B) Doherty and Jota

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

      Very tricky indeed. Saiss & Jimi

  18. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A. Mount to Alli/ Richarlison for -4

    B. Stick with Mount

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

    Repost...

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

  20. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on Mount/Grealish -> Bergwijn for a -4 ???

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

    IS Klopp having a presser?

  22. 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?

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

    This is actually more fun than festive period in december.

  24. Benditlike
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Which option?

    A) Rashford, Saiss, Aurier
    B) Martial, Doherty, Lascelles

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

    A) Ings+KDB

    B) Martial+Vardy

  26. Boleyn Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Afternoon All. Think I've finally settled on my WC team. How does this look?

    McCarthy
    TAA / Doherty / Lascelles
    Salah / Fernandes (c) / De Bruyne / Son
    Rashford / Jimenez / DCL

    Subs - Button / Holgate / Femenia / Guendouzi (0 itb)

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

      Identical to mine 🙂 Not tempted by Martinez and banking 0.3m?

      1. Boleyn Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah that's the one change I've thought about but there's been no confirmation of the extent of the Leno injury

  27. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Would you get Mane or Salah on WC?

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

      I’m in the ‘always Salah’ camp

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

      Yes, really nothing in it, much depends on whether the 0.2 is used to good effect elsewhere?

  28. CFC1990
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I am after a short term option. For two GWs

    Would you prefer Son or Richarlison

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

      Son

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

    Afternoon all

    What is the best move here?

    A) Start Mount
    B) Bench Mount, bring in Maguire for Mendy.

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

      C

  30. superpav
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone else considered Foden?

    Could make for a good differential considering fixture congestion, Pep's rotation and his recent performances. Not a bad option at 5.1.

    1. The Rock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I am.

      Will obviously still be rotated but should still come off the bench most games and for the price, could be great value.

    2. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I will look at him after the Liverpool game