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. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A or B?

    A:
    Pope, Martinez
    TAA, Ritchie, Saiss, Doherty, Holgate
    Salah, Richarlison, Son, Fernandes, Hayden
    Rashford, Ings, Jimenez

    B:
    Pope, Martinez
    TAA, Lascelles, Saiss, Doherty, Holgate
    Salah, KDB, Son, Fernandes, Hayden
    Rashford, Ings, DCL

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

      The one with Ritchie

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

      B. Don't ignore KDB

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

      a

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

      I can't ignore KDB as it has burned me before. Going for B!

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

    VARDY bloody auto correct

  3. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How many points are people expecting from Barnes this week?

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

      -2

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

      2

    3. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'd be happy with 6

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

      3

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

      1

    6. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      8

    7. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      1 or 2

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        thank you all. hope you are right

  4. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Rival 80pts clear will take one of my strikers to block me for his injured Aguero should I FH or Keep team do Sterling to Salah free.

    Pope
    Taylor Trent Boly
    Mane *Sterling KDB Grealish
    Jimz. Vardy Nketiah

    FH Team

    Pope
    Trent Doherty Chilwell Aurier
    Salah Barnes Mane Bergijn
    Vardy. Jimz

    Thanks

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

    If I don’t own Son what should I do?

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

      Yes

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

      get Son

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

      relax

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

      B

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

        I was leaning towards A

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

      Relax and stay away from the transfers page for the next 15mins

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

      Relax
      West Ham don't usually ship that many goals vs. London teams from memory

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

    Start

    A) Holgate
    Or
    B) Lascelles

    1. Scooby75
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I’m starting B

      1. Scooby75
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Have Holgate too

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

          Norwich being particularly rubbish is making me lean Holgate

          1. Scooby75
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Villa not too good either.
            Toon looked ok but that was against 10 men.
            It’s hard!!

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

    Sarr or Ings as my last starting attacker?

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

      Ings, Arsenal's defense is shot

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

      ings won't start every 3 days

  8. JoeJitzu +42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Did anyone hear how long is Leno out for?

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

      I think he's done

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

        Put a fork in him

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

    Repoat soz

    Ultimate decision sorry! Pick one fast

    A) Aurier, Rashford, Richarlison

    B) Holgate, Vardy, Martial

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Prefer A

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

      A.

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

      A

    4. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Think just A too but damn it’s close!

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

        Cheers all

  10. 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.

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

      is Martial gonna play?

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

        Yes ofc

      2. Paul Psychic Octopus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Martial was poor vs. Spurs

  11. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Worth doing -8 in order to use my bench boost?

    Bench would be Pope, Saint-Max, Lascelles, Brandon Williams

    1. Gubbins94.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No

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

      first 3 look good. Williams not sure he will play, might get a few models.

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

        *minutes.. might get a few models,seeing as he's a young premier league player as well.

  12. Gubbins94.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Safe to captain Salah or are we still having doubts?

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Doubts

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm on it. Potentially big differential this week.

    3. Scooby75
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Still going Salah, Bruno vice

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

      safe

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

      I’m going Salah

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

      Got to be Mo, he'll be firing all systems, ready to go.

  13. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    5th defender slot...

    Current defenders

    TAA - Maguire - Doherty - Lascelles - 4.3

    A. Kiko
    B. Holgate
    C. Other
    D. 3.9 and bank the cash

    I don't see the 5th defender playing over Lascelles or Doherty in the next few

    1. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      D mate

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

      Kiko

  14. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I’ve just sold Salah for Bruno(C). I’m an idiot.

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

      Haha

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

      Wow.....

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

      As Salah(c) and non-Bruno owner, I hope that does prove an idiotic move!

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

      Seems a odd move

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

      did this a minute ago

  15. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Double Newcastle, Double Watford, Triple Wolves.

    ...what is the world coming to?

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

      Sensible

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

      It's silly, there's only been one gameweek and people are knee jerking like there's no tomorrow

  16. SKENG
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Son or Jimenez captain?

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

      coin toss

    2. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Jimi

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

      I guess I'm going Son even tho he was awfull vs Utd. Mane or Bruno do not strike you as an option?

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

        Bruno I considered, but I don't see them scoring a lot against Sheffield

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

      Son

  17. TheOneAndOnly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Pope, Lascelles, Kiko
    B) Martinez, Maguire, 4.0

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

    Why does everyone have Guendouzi? Isn't he getting a retrospective 3 game ban for assault?

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

      'Everyone'
      Ctrl + F Guendouzi - one result (this post)

      1. Legendary!
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        LOL! Mind games at its best. Trying to convince himself Guendozi is a good pick

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

      Damn. Is he?

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

      Googled. He avoided the ban

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

        ah ok makes sense then

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

    For next 2 GWs
    Barnes+nketiah
    Or
    Guendouzi + DCL
    Cheers

  20. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Had both but I have chosen Mane over Salah. Lets see

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

    No one else here going with Kane? Mourinho’s presser could have him fired up

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Looked very sluggish

  22. Ini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Sarr --> Son worth a hit? Currently just holding to make the transfer next GW. Thx!

  23. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    G2G
    Patricio
    Aurier Soyuncu Saiss
    Salah(c) KDB Martial Bruno
    Jiminez Rashford Vardy

    Martin Choudhury Robson Simpson

    No Trent or son Is a bit worrying but 20 points behind my ML rival so need summat different and correct captain?

    Cheers

  24. D.Glynn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Bench one,
    A) Sarr
    or
    B) Lascelles

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

      lascelles

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

      B

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

      B

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

    martinez (button)
    doherty, TAA, aurier, (lascelles), (kiko)
    mane, bruno c, son vc, kdb (davis)
    rash, jim, dcl

    don't like my keepers but what can u do. hoping for some luck this gw.

  26. Sj3451
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Son, Doherty, Rashford
    B) Robbo, Martial, Vardy

    Have TAA and Bruno

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

      A.

  27. huwwilliams_
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Best keeper option to replace Leno? Also got henderson

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

      Pope

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

    id go d) if usually play 3 at back depends what 0.4 could do 2 team

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

      reply fail

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

    A) Martial + Jota (already have Bruno)
    B) Saint-Maximin + Jimenez for -4

    Worried about Jota's playtime and have a feeling Martial will be rotated/subbed a lot with Pogba back. Also, I like ASM as a differential pick, good fixtures for the next 3 weeks.

    thoughts?

  30. Reddonkeyham 42
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any Leicester team news? Not sure which midfielder to nab

    1. Tasty Jerk
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      All i have seen is Vardy/Barnes starts, not sure the rest.

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

      Barnes starts