Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 31+

A quick turnaround as we head straight into Gameweek 31+ and once again we have a 5pm BST deadline.

While an earlier cut-off may be part of the ‘new normal’, one thing that hasn’t changed is that Pep Guardiola likes to rotate his players. As ever, predictably unpredictable.

Some interesting thoughts on how we could finally use that to our advantage in this Gameweek Guide, as well as enticing differentials and captain options.

To win the Pep Roulette, you need to play the Pep Roulette. It’s one of the biggest pots out there.

– LateRiser

Who else but our favourite upside-chasing manager LateRiser perfectly articulating the dilemma presented to us Fantasy managers by Manchester City. Thankfully, in his latest article, he offered us an intriguing option on how to play our hand. Could Phil Foden offer a less ‘all-in’ approach?

When it comes to Foden, I expect him to get a lot of minutes and I think he’s a really good option for your eighth attacker. What I would do with Foden is that if he is rested for a particular game, I would probably start him in my FPL team in the next game as we expect Pep to rotate and Foden’s upside is very high.

– LateRiser

To give our Pro Pundit some credit he did highlight Phil Foden on yesterday’s Scoutcast ahead of the evening kick-off. Although a bigger round of applause is reserved for Pep Pig, who not only brought him in for Gameweek 30+ but told us about it beforehand – twice! Unsurprisingly he still leads RedLightning’s January to July mini-league.

The big news that could potentially impact how we shuffle our City pack, is the injury to Sergio Aguero. As Neale report in the Scout Notes, Pep did not sound overly optimistic in his post-match interview:

He felt something in his knee. He was struggling the last month, some pain in his knee. It doesn’t look good for this season.

– Pep Guardiola

The two immediate beneficiaries are Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling:

The stock of Gabriel Jesus could be about to rise as we await a proper diagnosis from the City medical department, although it should be said that Raheem Sterling has operated as a ‘false nine’ in Guardiola’s various systems before and the Brazilian will surely not be starting week-in, week-out from now until Gameweek 38+ even if Aguero is sidelined.

– Neale

However with upcoming matches against Chelsea and Liverpool either side of an all-important FA cup tie against a resurgent Newcastle, looking elsewhere could be a viable option in the short term.

Manchester United and Wolves appear to be the golden ticket teams. The Red Devils take on a depleted Sheffield United defence with John Egan suspended and Dean Henderson ineligible to face his parent club – do check out the latest Team News ahead of the deadline. 

If you are considering one of Fernandes or Rashford for the armband, David’s dive into the stats is essential reading. His feeling is that Fernandes has the slight edge:

The fact he is a midfielder also gives him the edge over Rashford who, despite looking like an exciting option for Gameweek 31+, cannot capitalise on clean sheets and scores one fewer point for every goal scored, when compared with Fernandes.

– David

While in the debate between Rashford and Martial, TheFantasyFreÆK is leaning towards the Englishman:

Despite having his minutes curtailed by injury, Rashford has recorded the second highest number big chances at home of all forwards this season. Over the season, Rashford has registered 23 big chances compared to Martial’s 14 with both of them having played a similar amount of minutes.

– TheFantasyFreÆK

Manchester United and Wolves also have the best odds of a clean sheet after Liverpool, according to the bookmakers via G-Whizz.

But there are plenty of options for our teams this Gameweek. Neale highlighted Son’s potential earlier this month: 

Son’s shot accuracy in the Mourinho era has also caught the eye: an average of 1.53 efforts on target per 90 minutes is inferior only to Salah (1.61) when we look at midfield regulars in the top flight.

– Neale

While Pro Pundit Tom Freeman picked out the returning Dele Alli as one to watch in his differentials piece. An opinion backed up by David:

Dele Alli managed a total of 11 shots in the box over his last four, an average of 2.75. Crucially, that was achieved in his number 10 role, which he is likely to be dropped back into for Tuesday’s London clash with West Ham.

– David

There’s an enticing trip to Carrow Road for EvertonRicharlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin appeal:

The Everton pair have managed to record the joint-second-highest total for shots in the box over their last four, against Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. That is incredibly ominous as they prepare to face Norwich in Gameweek 31+.

– David

In short, those who fancy an alternative to a Liverpool captain this week have plenty of options.

Community competitions

The Fantasy Football Scout Cup continued in Gameweek 30+ with Round Two taking place. The full results can be seen here

If you want to enter the new The FFScout Charity Shield mini-league, do so now.

We’ll be closing the league to new entries after the Gameweek 31+ deadline passes at 17:00 BST on Tuesday. Head to the FPL site via this link and use the code ‘i3lxye’ to sign up.

The top five places receive a free membership for next season. Fantasy Football Scout will also be making a donation of £300 towards the NHS and has set up a JustGiving page should others wish to make a contribution.

In TorresMagic’s Last Man Standing the safety score in Gameweek 30+ was a whopping 95 points, which saw a total of 72 managers eliminated.

The threshold for elimination increases to 30% for Gameweek 31+ and a minimum of 63 managers will depart. 4,899 managers have exited the competition so far with 207 left to battle.

A full review of the round-up of latest community mini-leagues will appear tomorrow.

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

2,043 Comments Post a Comment
  1. JollyGoodYellows
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any last minute tinkering on this WC team?

    Martinez (Button)
    TAA Doherty Lascalles (Saiss Simpson)
    Salah KDB Bruno Son (Guendouzi)
    Jimmy DCL Rashford

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

      Lose Martinez

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

        Who would I lose to fund a keeper upgrade?

        1. the snazzy viking
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Rashford to Nketiah, Guendouzi to Martial and then use those funds to upgrade Martinez

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

            Thought about this but i feel rash will bang upcoming fixtures so i turned it down

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

      G2g similar team but doherty simpson salah dcl is taylor kiko mane vardy in my team

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

        Cheers. Vardy is a great shout and surely due a haul tonight.

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

      Exact same team bar Holgate & Robinson instead of sais & Simpson

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

        Great minds!

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

    Pick me a 4.2 & 4.3 def. plz other than lascels currently on kiko & taylor

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Holgate for 4.3. Don't know about 4.2.

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I have both but Taylor out of those two.

    3. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I prefer holgate at 4.3 but taylor soild enough

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

      All suggesting holgate but i dont like eve fixtures

      1. Begbie.
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Me neither but 4.3's outside of Lascelles are slim pickings.

    5. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Is holgate actually nailed?

  3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Final question, Captain?

    1) Son
    2) Mane
    3) Jimenez

    Thanks

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Son

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Scrap that.

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

      Really want to go with jimi

    3. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I’m on Jimenez.
      Tempted by Bruno or DCL though.

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

      3

    5. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      1

  4. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Just done Leno > Patricio.

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Good move

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

      Thanks for the update 🙂

      Good transfer though!

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Lol.

    3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Thats what I have.

    4. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      For free, or -4?

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Free

  5. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    RMWCT
    DDG (Button)
    TAA Doherty Aurier (Lascelles)(Simpson)
    Mane KDB Fernandes Bergwijn (Saka)
    Jimenez Rashford DCL

    G2G?

    1. Liastro ⭐️
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Very similar to mine

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

    Left it late, 15 min WC attempt, any good?
    Pope Button
    TAA Doherty Saiss Lascelles Aurier
    Mane KDB Son Fernandes Guendouzi
    DCL Jim Ings

    Would like Rash but no cash.
    Saiss - he's good to start?
    Could swap Salah with Mane but I think they are much the same so thought would keep 0.2

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

      looks good

    2. reo19uk
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I thought same with Salah and Mane but then remembered Mane started last match and Salah didn't so if any rotation then Mane might miss out starting this game!

  7. Captain Haddock
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Mane + Alli
    B) KDB + Son

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

      B) for me

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

      B by far

  8. reo19uk
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Captain

    Salah or Bruno?

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Bruno

      1. reo19uk
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        That's who I'm on just praying doesn't come back to haunt me!

    2. Zaruto
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Bruno

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

      Bruno probably

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

    Currently facing H2H mini league leader, and he will most likely Captain Salah... Should I captain him too or Bruno??

    1. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Bruno imo

  10. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Huge decision on WC:
    Mane, Rashford, DCL vs Auba, Martial, Richarlison over the next 2 gw's?

    Sitting at 90k so tempted to punt on the Auba captain gw32 and maybe even a Richarlison this gw!

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

      First

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

      Go for B then and whatever happens just smile, its only a game.

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

        I do love the template A option but ur right, i think i'm gonna gamble on B

  11. milanista10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Stephens to Saiss for -4 if playing BB this week?

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

      wouldn't bank on a wolves CS

  12. Zaruto
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Traoré or Chilwell?
    (4-3-3) or (3-4-3)

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

      Chilwell

    2. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Chilwell

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Chilwell, more nailed

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

      Risk with Traore

  13. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    RMWCT
    DDG (Button)
    TAA Doherty Aurier (Lascelles)(Simpson)
    Mane KDB Fernandes Bergwijn (Saka)
    Jimenez Rashford DCL

    G2G right?

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

      Nice

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

      Good team

  14. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Barnes starting source?

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

      Rodgers

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

    G2G on this WC team? 0.0 ITB

    DDG
    TAA - Doherty - Aurier
    Mane - KDB - Bruno - Son
    Rashford - Jimi - DCL
    (Martin; Saiss, Lascelles, Guendouzi)

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

      Yes, nice team. Whats your TV?

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

        106.4 - was definitely a good year for TV

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      don't really see the need of Aurier in there, if you're benching Lascelles and Saiss every week you'll be kicking yourself when they both get a clean sheet this week

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

    Cahill to Aurier worth it, or pocket the cash?

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Worth

  17. Siggy in the Middle
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Bottomed previously.

    Last decision to make.

    A. Pope and Martial (current)

    B. Martinez and Bruno

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

      Need Bruno

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

    A. Son/Martial
    B Richarlison/Rash

    On WC

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

      A. for me

  19. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Panic stations. Any help, please.

    A) Kane, Martial, Martinez

    B) Rashford, Richarlison, any GK (who?)

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

      B Pope

    2. disarrays11
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B, Pope or patricio

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

    1. Foden & Ings
    2. Barnes & DCL

  21. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Better option to play every week?

    a) Martinez, Son, Greenwood/Lasc/Holgate
    b) DDG, Sarr, DCL

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

    Which option?

    A) Sarr Rashford Saka
    B) Martial Mahrez Nketiah

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

      A.

  23. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Benching headache.

    Mccarthy
    TAA VVD AWB Lascelles
    Barnes Salah KDB
    DCL Jiminez Rashford

    Barnes/Traore > Bruno worth a -4?

  24. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC team?

    Patricio
    TAA - Doherty - Aurier
    Mane - Fernandes - Son - Kdb - Richarlison
    Jimenez - DCL

    Subs - Martin - Conolly - Kiko - Simpson

    1. Arfaish
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Strong

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

    Quick A or B:

    A) Pope, Boly, Ings
    B) DDG, Aurier, DCL

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

      A.

    2. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

  26. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    what are majority doing this week in terms of chips?

    I have all in tact (except BB)....

    advice appreciated with only 25 mins to go lol

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

      most are playing WC.
      Some are FH.

  27. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    WC team GTG ?

    Pope Martínez
    Doherty Maguire Aurier Lascelles Holgate
    KDB Son Bruno Traore Saka
    Vardy Rashford Jiménez

  28. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    CAPTAIN!?

    A) Vardy
    B) Salah
    C) Bruno

    Currently on A

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

      yep A.

  29. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Barnes + nketiah
    Or
    DCL+ Guendouzi

  30. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Why am i seeing so many bruno (c) compared to Salah.

    Have i missed something? did klopp say anything in the pressors

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

      Nope, probably gut feeling and the fact that Palace defend well.

      I'm going Salah and haven't given it a second thought.

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

      Klopp said Salah is fully fit

      - Liverpool are at home to Crystal palace (who have nothing to play for)

      - Liverpool only have the PL and will be desperate for a win so they can win the title in city game.

      - Liverpool squad is all fully fit

      Salah or Mane captain for me based on this ....

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

      Thanks gents