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

    Start one:

    A) Sarr
    B) Lascelles

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

      A

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

      Easy A

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

      A

    4. Johnny 8
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

    5. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Im on Doucoure vs LAscelles but I think Sarr has a much higher ceiling than Lascelles

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

      Thanks everyone - May The Points Rain Down Upon You in 31+!

  2. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Gomez
    Salah KDB Fernandes Sarr
    Jimenez Jota DCL
    Leno* Saka Alonso Ngakia

    A) Leno + Jota => Martinez + Rashford for a -4 (exact cash)
    B) Save FT and hope triple Wolves pay off at home vs. BOU

    Thanks and good luck all!

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B for me

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

      A

  3. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pope - 3.9
    TAA - Saiss - Holgate (Lascelles - Taylor)
    Salah - KDB - Bruno - Barnes (Foden)
    Vardy - Jimi - DCL

    On a WC, any changes?

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not sure about pope but rest looks good

      1. stu92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Who would you suggest? Ryan, McCarthy? Might give him a chance to bounce back after last night before getting rid.

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

          Foster could be worth a shout

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

    Have covered most bases on my WC except for Son

    worth doing Salah >> Son for two gw's and if need be, switch back to Salah.

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

      I wouldnt

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

        Thanks mate

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      If you don’t have mane I’d keep salah

  5. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) salah robinson/ngakia
    B) mane kiko

    A leaves me with a bench of button Robinson/ngakia guendouzi Simpson

    1. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A, I think Mane will be rested this week then both play against City

    2. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

  6. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Neal mentioned on the Scoutcast that Foster may have picked up a knock. Anyone have additional info? I'm not finding anything--and he's my lone keeper in WC.

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

      panic stations

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah, well, just had a very good dgw, so not keen on going without a keeper.

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

      First ive heard! Hes my only keeper too

    3. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Just go ahead with Pope regardless?

  7. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Play Doucoure or Lascelles?

    Cheers lads!

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

    Not feeling well not owning Kane or Son. Still dont know should i play FH.

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

      Keep it. Not enough time to do FH justice now.

  9. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC draft

    Pope Button
    TAA Lascelles Doherty Holgate Saiss
    Alli Salah KDB Fernandes Guendouzi
    Jiminez Rashford DCL

    Thx

    1. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      It's awesome

    2. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Lock it in.

  10. Jamb0
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Ings & Doherty or Rashford & Saiss?

    1. Holding Matip
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Ings and Doherty

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

    WC team finale

    Martinez martin
    Taa lascels sais taylor kiko
    Guendozi kdb mane son bruno
    Rash vardy jimi

    Itb 0.0

    1. Moose™
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No love for Doherty?

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

        Was in my team but will need downgrade taa or vardy to gomez or ings

  12. Moose™
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Martinez 3.9

    TAA Doherty Lascelles Taylor 3.9

    Mane KdB Bruno Richarlison Guendouzi

    Vardy Jimmy DCL

    WC. G2G?

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Like it

      1. Moose™
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        No Rashy and Son.. Im scared..

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

      Yes G2G

      1. Moose™
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks.. Try a bit different needed to climb OR now..

  13. Sid123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A or B

    A Martinez Son Guendozi

    B De Gea Alli Saka

    1. The Road to Turfdom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

  14. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Salah vs Mane & Rashford vs Martial is driving me round the bend!

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

      Mo and Rash for me Bubz

      1. Guru Mediation
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Same

  15. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On wildcard. Thoughts please chaps?? Think I'm set???? Thoughts??

    Pope Button
    TAA Doherty Maguire Lascelles Kiko
    KDB Salah Fernandes Sako Hayden
    Rashford Jiminez DCL...

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

    DDG or Patricio on WC?

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

      Patricio

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

        ddg if u have boly, saiss or doherty

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

    A. Son/Martial/3.9 defender
    B Richarlison/Rashford/Holgate or Taylor

  18. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Rashford + Ings or Jesus + DCL on a WC ?

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

      RI

    2. Ninjaa
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Rashford DCL

  19. beanz87
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A - Son and Ings?
    B - Alli and Rashford?

    Also have Pogba

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

      B

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

    Taylor kiko (or) lowton kabasele/masina

  21. andres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    play fleck of saka?

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

      Saka, easily

  22. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Captain, Bruno or son

    Also have rashford and aurier.

  23. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    RMTWC:

    DDG (Martin)
    TAA/Saiss/Lascelles (Lundy/Kiko)
    KDB/Son/Mane(c)/Bruno (Saka)
    Jimenez/Rashida (Nketiah)

  24. Snapes on a Plane
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Who to make captain?
    A) Bruno
    B) Jimenez
    C) Mane

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

      A. Maybe B if you're behind

  25. Scratch
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Final decision... Jorginho or Cantwell

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

      Cantwell. Minutes are a risk but much higher ceiling

  26. gomez123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Start A) Mount or B) Nketiah....already have Auba

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

      A

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

    Carry scored in his last 4 against Brighton

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

      I know they rely on him but calling him Carry is a bit much

  28. Who Am I?
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Patricio/Neyland
    Aurier/Boly/Fernandez/Cathcart/Simpson
    Salah/KdB/Son/Bruno/Saka
    Jimenez/Rashford/DCL

    0.5 itb
    Yay or Nay?

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

    For next 2 GWs
    Barnes+nketiah
    Or
    Guendouzi + DCL

    TIA

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

      B

  30. TFP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On a FH:

    (A) Richarlison + four bench guys likely to start [priced 4.0-4.5]

    or

    (B) Son + a dreadful, likely zero point, bench.

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

      You've answered your own question. A.