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. vincentwsho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Pope
    TAA Ritchie Doherty
    Son KDB Traore Bruno(c)
    Rashford Jimenez Vardy

    Martin VVD Taylor Guendouzi

    0.1itb gtg?

    1. Zladan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      VVD over Traore

      1. HashAttack
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Prefer Traore this week

  2. WorldCup82
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 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 confirmed Aguero injury)

    Which would you choose?

    1. DandyDon
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

    2. Too Many Hits
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

  3. Too Many Hits
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    OUT IN
    Maguire Lascelles
    Jack Robinson Simpson
    Saint-Maximin Guendouzi
    Connolly Calvert-Lewin

    Thoughts on this? Will rotate Lascalles and Holgate instead of Maguire to get in DCL over Saint-Maximin

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Would do it

  4. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Worth having Foden?

    Patricio (Martin)
    TAA, Doherty, Aurier, Lascelles, Kiko
    Kdb, Fernandes (C), Salah (VC), Alli, (Foden)
    DCL, Jimenez, Rashford

    1. FPL_DON
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I presume you're a United fan, actually shook that you don't want a united player at the back! Ha

      Do you know something we don't?

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Not United, only Solskjær 🙂

        Think Aurier looks more exciting, just

        1. FPL_DON
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Ah I see mate! We have very similar teams, good luck.

          1. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Cheers, GL too! Keep on changing Aurier/AWB, foden/Saka, Patricio/Pope/Martinez

  5. Tempestic
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is Holgate actually nailed with Mina coming back?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No

      1. Too Many Hits
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I'd have a playing defender on the bench but he's likely to start the next few

  6. gooner_112233445566
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    which combination to finish wc, had 0 answers...

    a) lascelles, holgate (bench), mane, son
    b) lascelles, femenia(bench), salah, son
    c) ritchie, holgate (bench), salah, alli

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      D) Lascelles , Holgate (Bench), Salah, Son

      1. gooner_112233445566
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        0.1 short to have that

        1. TheDragon
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          B then definitely

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

      Same as last time i answered mr 0 answers!! a)

  7. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Start chilwell or aurier?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Aurier

    2. FantasyHero
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Aurier

  8. Better Call Raul
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What do we think of Grealish + Mount -> Son + Traore for a -8

    1. FantasyHero
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      nah

  9. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Chasing, so...

    1. Auba (rival has him too) + Simpson (eternal bench)
    2. Jimi + Doherty (rival has)
    3. Jesus + Doherty (rival has)

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      How much are you chasing

      Still 8 weeks to go is quite a lot. No need to panic if it’s under 40 points

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        49

        1. TheDragon
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Auba is a great differential but I just don’t trust him with arsenal in disarray.

          Plus Jimi and Doherty could ruin you if you don’t own.

          I’d go 2. and find other areas to differentiate

          Obviously you need to make sure you captain someone different to your rival each week

          1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Yeah. I've gone so far as to consider starting McCarthy this week over Pope. Just don't have faith in Arsenal away...

          2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Cheers. Did 2, benched Pope, captaining Doherty.

            1. TheDragon
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Good luck man - still think you should play Pope though!

              Doherty is a great risk as a captain

      2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        The alternative is just do Simpson >>> Boly, but a little concerned over taking up a second Wolves slot with a non-scoring defender (have Saiss). Could also go for Aurier or Soyuncu, but neither light my soul on fire, iykwim.

    2. FantasyHero
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      2

  10. squadofbunnies
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What happens to chips played between GWs 30-38?

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Nothing. They've been played. Question is: why?

      1. squadofbunnies
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I used TC in GW38 before the new gameweeks were introduced. So that means its just gone?

        1. TheDragon
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Yes you scored 3 x 0 = 0

          Why did you play it in GW38?

          1. squadofbunnies
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            I believe there was some information that transfers and chips were going to be active for the gameweek they were played in, e.g. TC in GW38 would be active in GW38 after the league resumes, not GW38+.

            Anyways.

        2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          WHY???

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

          What a waste of 6 points

  11. Pukki Blinders
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Captain
    A) Son
    B) Martial
    C) Salah
    D) Bruno

    1. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      D

    2. Lukakwho
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      a

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

      a

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

      D

  12. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Please rate my Free Hit team:

    Pope
    TAA Ritchie Doh
    Mane Son Martial Bruno
    Rash Jimi DCL

    Bench: fodder

    1. DandyDon
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Great

      1. Von Lipwig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Now the only question do I free hit lol?

  13. bruuuno
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    WC good to go?

    Patricio
    TAA Doherty Justin Aurier
    Mane KDB Fernandes Son
    Jimi Rashford

    Martin Saka Kiko Connoly

    0.0 ITB

  14. Threat Level Midnight
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Think I’m settled on my FH team

    Trent-Doh-Aurier-Boly
    Salah(C)-KDB-Bruno-Son
    Jimmy-Vardy

    A bit different than the template. Really wanted martial in as my fifth mid but it just didn’t workout.

    1. FantasyHero
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      looks good mate

    2. DARE TO BISCAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Who's your keeper?

  15. gooner_112233445566
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    on wc lascelles or holgate?

    1. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Lascelles - safe starts

  16. MarcusAurelius
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Do we think Salah starts?

    Man City game next and no minutes yet since the restart. Is Mané the safer option?

    1. FantasyHero
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      ya need a warmup before city

  17. FantasyHero
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who to start:
    1. Barnes
    2. Lascellas
    3. Saka

  18. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    rmwct

    ederson

    trent /lascelles /doherty

    st maximin / (s)alah /fernandes /traore

    calvert lewin/ vardy / kane

    martinez / justin / davis / azpilicueta

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

    WC31+...GTG? Anything you'd change here? Thanks :

    Patricio
    TAA / Doherty / Lascelles
    Mane / KDB / Son / Bruno
    Jimenez / Rashford / DCL

    Martin, Holgate, Guendouzi, Robinson

    1. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Kiko instead of Holgate

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

        Prefer Holgate.

  20. JELLYFISH
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Dice rolled, WCT locked in....

    DDG
    TAA Lascelles Doherty
    Mane KDB Son Brun
    DCL Vardy Jimi*

    (Holgate Lundstram Guendouzi Martin)

    G2G?

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Great first 11.

      Only question - why Lund?

      1. JELLYFISH
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        sale value of 4.4....so figure worth holding

        1. TheDragon
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I personally think Sheff Utd defence is done now as picks looking at fixtures and other options. But not exactly a big issue

          1. JELLYFISH
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            I agree, but struggling to find a better pick at 4.4

  21. abaalan
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Pope, Martin
    TAA, Doherty, Aurier, Lascelles, Robinson
    Fernandes, Alli, Mané, KDB, Martial
    Jimenez, DCL, Nketiah

    0.7 ITB, any changes/upgrades on WC?

  22. FPL_DON
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Holgate to keep his place?

  23. Trilogist
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    No Kane love this week?

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Defensive midfielders don’t usually score many points 🙂

  24. DAVESAVES
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Come on guys, help me pick 1,2 or 3 Thanks!!!

    XX (Button)
    TAA XX XX (Lascelles Robinson)
    Bruno KDB Salah Son (D.Luiz)
    Jimmy Rashford DCL

    1: Pope Saiss Maguire
    2: DDG Saiss Aurier
    3: Martinez Holgate Doherty

    1. FPL_DON
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      2

    2. JELLYFISH
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      2

  25. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Capt doherty anyone?

  26. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Son and DCL
    or
    Rashy and Ali/Bergwijn ( triple United attack)

  27. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who’s eveyones captain?

    1. JELLYFISH
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Jimi

    2. fc_skrald
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Salah. Would rather Auba but I don't have the nerves

  28. King Kun Ta
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Salah or Mane?? Otherwise GTG for a FH?

    Martinez
    Doh Lasc TAA
    Son Fernandes Rich ????
    Vardy Jimi DCL

    Button Holgate Guendouzi Jack Robinson

    0.5 ITB

    Ta!

  29. Tempestic
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Mane, Rashford, DCL vs Auba, Martial, Richarlison over the next 2 gw's?

  30. BigBillyBass
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Best captain choice?

    A) Salah
    B) Kane
    C) Jimenez
    D) Bruno
    E) Doherty

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      There’s a poll for that