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. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any news about salah..?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 9 months ago

        He's fine, was gonna come on in the last match but Liverpool injuries meant he couldn't

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

        Vardy or Salah for captain. Someone decide for me

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

          Salah

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

        Why is news needed? He's fit

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      25 minutes to go. Have you pressed the Wildcard button? I don't think you have, check it, right now!

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

        Nice one. Had but aporeciate your concern. 🙂

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

      Downgrade Saka to upgrade Ngakia?

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

        Yes

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

      Anyone capping Salah?

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

        Considering but think I prefer Vardy

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

          I just took Vardy out to get Salah in. Playing the percentages more than a gut feeling.

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

        o/

      3. Top 210 Club
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        o/

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

        Oh yes

      5. Collie01
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Think I will. Don't have Bruno.

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

        The green headed men are making me doubt Mo as a cap choice.

    5. sergioaguero67
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Haven't been watching the United games lately
      What role does Martial play in the team?

      False 9 or striker?

      Please help

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

        Striker

    6. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Bottomed :/

      Kun to:

      A) vardy
      B) jimmy
      C) dcl

    7. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Barnes and Vardy starting according to guy who said yesterday that KdB, Sterling and Laporte will be benched.

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

        Do you have a source?

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

        What guy?

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

      Is Holgate actually nailed with Mina coming back?

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

        You can't say nailed, but the manager will notice the defence is much more solid with Holgate. But then there's rotation too.

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

      On WC. Aurier or Boly. Hate Aurier but seems more exciting ha!

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

      Boly or Aurier? (Assuming Aurier is nailed?)

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

        Aurier for me.

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

        aurier seems to be lot more attacking

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

        Aurier

    11. navyadav
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Need some help here guys.

      Current Wildcard squad -
      Patricio (Martin)
      TAA, Doherty, Holgate, Aurier, Simpson
      Son (C) , KDB , Bruno , Sarr, Guendouzi
      Vardy , DLC , Jiminez

      Is this too risky ???

    12. wagner is king
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      no body mentioning jesus.
      surley has to paly every game now. harder fixtures but this is man city. best attcking team in the league.

      1. Collie01
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        He will get plenty of mentions once next 2 are out of the way, assuming Kun is out.

        Will consider him on my WC

      2. Park the bus
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        will be after the liverpool game

    13. Borran
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A) Kabasele
      or
      B) Femenía

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

      Play VVD or Traore? Have TAA, Jime and Doherty

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

      GTG?
      Don’t really want to bench Justin though!

      McCarthy
      Trent Doherty Lascelles
      KDB Bruno Martial Son (C)
      DCL Jimenez Vardy

      Leno Justin D.Luiz Lund.

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

      G2G?
      DDG (Button)
      TAA Doherty Aurier (Lascelles)(Simpson)
      Mane KDB Fernandes Bergwijn (Saka)
      Jimenez Rashford DCL

    17. Manani
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      captain Mane or Bruno or Son

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

        Not sure what to do myself. Maybe gonna try Mane this time around.

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

      Barnes or Sarr

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

        Sarr imo

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

        barnes

    19. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      To misquote Nickelback: "I wanna see a Rockstar"

      FPL Rockstar, that is.

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

      Final decision on WC:

      A) Martinez, Saiss, Salah
      B) Foster, Kiko, Mané
      C) Foster, Robinson, Salah
      D) Patricio, Robinson, Mané

      No other keeper Lascelles and Holgate to rotate with Saiss/Robinson

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

      Ultimate decision sorry! Pick one fast

      A) Aurier, Rashford, Richarlison

      B) Holgate, Vardy, Martial

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

        A

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

        B

    22. Meg
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      1)Aurier and Robinson
      2)Holgate and Saiss

      Already own Doherty

      Thanks and best of luck

    23. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Mane or Salah on wildcard and captain ?

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

        The Egyptian King

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

      Quick A or B:

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

      Cheers

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

      Thoughts welcomed on this WC squad

      Patricio (Button)
      TAA, Ritchie, Doherty (Holgate, Robinson)
      Alli, KDB, Bruno, Richarlison (Foden)
      Vardy, Rash, Jimmy

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

        Can’t afford Son then?

        Alli & Vardy -> Son & Rash?

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

          Already have Rash. Could get Son for Alli by going Patricio to Pope and Ritchie to Lasc.

    26. Lignja
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A. Connolly, Holgate/Taylor
      B. Nkeitah, Robinson/Ngakia

      What is better bench cover?

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

        A, too much risk in B for bench cover unless you are happy spending transfers down the line

    27. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Captain?

        Jimi
        Son
        Salah
        Bruno/Rashford

        On Jimi atm but so tempted by Son

        1. Bruce Lee
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I'm going son

        2. Fantasy Premington
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Son

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

          Hm why is Son a goof option? WH is not that bad right? On the other hand Sheffield sucks now.

      • Fantasy Premington
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Struggling at last minute here, could use the help

        A) Rashford, Masina, Guendouzi
        B) Martial, Wan-Bissaka/Ritchie, Connolly

        Which one?

      • Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Salah or Vardy C?

      • Tabbara
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Guys, do i play lascelles or Saiss
        Would be double Wolves defense with doherty
        Thx

        1. L S P
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Saiss

        2. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Chasing, go double up. Not chasing, go Lasc.