Pro Pundits

The FPL squad I’d pick if I was playing my Wildcard in Gameweek 31

Many Wildcards are being activated as fixture swings abound in Gameweek 31. Scoutcast regular Seb, who finished 389th in the world last season, talks us through who he’d pick if he was deploying the chip this week.


For many, Gameweek 31 has been identified as the week to play their second Wildcard. The teams we built to navigate Gameweek 29 generally had one final ‘good’ fixture left in Gameweek 30, after which there is now an edge to be found in switching your squad up and targeting the season run-in.

The final nine Gameweeks of the season can very roughly be split into two batches based on favourable fixtures: Gameweek 30 to Gameweek 34 and Gamweek 35 to Gameweek 38. There are also the remaining Double Gameweeks to keep in mind, principally Tottenham Hotspur’s in Gameweek 32.

Whilst I do not personally have my second Wildcard – it was used in Gameweek 24 and has since halved my rank – identifying the ideal 15-man squad will be invaluable to my own planning as I attempt to compete with those still holding the chip and improve my standing once again.

Note that this piece was written using statistics up to and including Gameweek 29 and does not include data from Easter weekend.

The Team

I have used my current team as the starting point for this, which means we have £104.8m worth of players and £0.9m in the bank to play with. Some of these players will have been purchased prior to Gameweek 31 at below their current price. This should give us a fair view of what is ‘achievable’ for most managers at this time.

The building blocks of this team are:

  • Hold – Players that will stay with the team for the remainder of the season
  • Twist – Players that are included based on fixtures and will be swapped out for more favourable options as appropriate
  • Efficiency – Minimising planned transfers whilst ensuring routes to players of various value and opportunity are left open

The Players

349 Comments Post a Comment
  1. It's his Job.
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any Suggestions here?

    Lloris/Martinez
    Azpilicueta Shaw Dias Dallas Coady
    Gundo Son Fernandes Lingard Jota
    Kane Bamford Nacho

    4.8 ITB to do Son>Salah after gw32
    BB GW32
    Looking to armband Pool assets until the end of the season

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Is it a wildcard?

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        If it is then def shouldn’t have Bamford until a few weeks time

      2. It's his Job.
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Sorry Yes it is! that's the reason I need a little inspiration as this is only 3 moves away from my team now? so I could achieve this team with a -4 by gw32

        1. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Wouldn’t keep Bamford on a wildcard

          1. HammersXI
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            It all dependent on how much Bamford was bought. You could potentially lose around 0.5-0.8m just by selling him

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Very good, I presume this is WC? GK Lloris-Leno or Martinez-Leno better rotation?

      1. It's his Job.
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Lloris brought in for the DGW 32 Martinez has been a season keeper.

    3. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Prefer Antonio + raph to bamf + lingard

      1. It's his Job.
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Nice I also like West Hams last few fixtures.

  2. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    If you had to pick one of WHU attacker, Lingard or Antonio?

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Antonio

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Ta, will you swap if no WC left?

        1. Hangman Page
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          How does that one word response help you?

          1. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Yeah got it and agreed, just whether the difference between the two worth FT for swapping

          2. lilmessipran
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            If you could read, you would know his question actually asks to pick "one"

        2. lilmessipran
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Not sure if I understand this correctly, are you asking if I would use a ft to swap ? That would certainly be one luxury transfer

          1. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Yep exactly hence albeit Antonio is better I may have to stick

    2. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Lingard has the form. Always loved Antonio as an FPL pick, though. You could see how they play tonight before deciding.

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Got Lingard no WC. Thinking of Lingard > Jota, Bamford > Antonio for long term

        1. Hangman Page
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah fair enough tbh. Who’s your other mids?

          1. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Raphinha is another candidate to go but don’t want to double Lingard Antonio

  3. JurgenRodgers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On Wc

    Tempted to go Aguero (C)

    Switch to Vardy 32

    Thoughts?

    1. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Do what makes you happy.

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I wouldn’t based on his form

    3. JJO
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You and me both bro 🙂
      Just wait for CL games to be finished first

      1. JurgenRodgers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        It’s tempting, 1 last hurrah..

  4. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which combo is essential to have on WC?

    A. TAA & Jota (affordable)
    B. Salah & TAA (need more surgery)

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Currently have all 3 in my draft skeleton squad. Can see us trying to push very hard in the run in

  5. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    With this basis for my draft WC, which combo looks better for the last 4 slots?

    Mendy, Forster
    TAA, Shaw, Coady/Saiss, XXXX, XXXX
    Salah, Jota, Son, XXXX, XXXX
    Kane, Iheanacho, Antonio

    A) Bruno, Rudiger, Dawson, Jorginho
    B) KDB, Rudiger, Dawson, ESR
    C) Mahrez, Azpi, Dias, Greenwood
    D) Bruno, Stones, Dawson, Burke
    E) Mahrez, Azpi, Stones, Neto

    As you can tell... I’m a bit lost 😆
    No other chips left. Currently sitting at 42k OR.

    Appreciate any advice!

    1. LSK
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A or D

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks

    2. LegendMoon
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Can we go Bruno , Rüdiger, stones and Neto?

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Only 1.8m short 😆

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A. Got something similar with Phillips+Neto over TAA+Dawson as I have BB

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Over TAA+Jorginho sorry

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Thanks mate! So many options!

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            What you think of this pal? Will BB32.

            Mendy. Forster
            Rudiger. Shaw. Coady. Fofana. Phillips
            Salah. Bruno. Son. Jota. Neto
            Kane. Antonio. Iheanacho

            1. Don Kloppeone
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Like it. Most bases covered. The only one not is MCI but with all that rotation it’s a total lottery.

  6. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Guys planning to wc but would like to see the teams with bruno son salah jota Kane taa in it.. Anybody who got the teams can you please post? TIA.

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A and D above of my options mate

      1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks mate. Will try to build one.

  7. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bale and souceck > jota and Neto -4?

    Neto could also be Maddison

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Neto could be a decent pick with rumours Jimenez is back. Neto + Iheanacho if you want Leicester in there too.

  8. 3 A
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Please learn to not take all the so called 'pro' said to us.

    A few days back I have Kane as captain then changed that to Raph as they advised.

    Kane got a brace and Raph just a consolation assist.

    Feel cheated. Hahaha

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      time to grow up and wear underpants.
      nappies are for babies.

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      The fact is that no one knows what is going to happen.

      But an inform Kane at one of the worst defences in the league was kinda obvious.

      1. 3 A
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah. Thats right. Its my bad to believe what they said. Should just scan and trust my gut.

        1. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          There was a lot of noise after the trossard differential came off, and everyone started looking for differentials

    3. Roysgotnoboys
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You’ve been on here for 5 years fella, play your own game

  9. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    3 x villa
    2 x spurs
    1 x everton
    Should be fine for the next 8 weeks

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You have WC left mate or is that gone?

      You going big guns for top 10k?

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        WC is gone. TC left
        yep, no use playing if you not going big guns
        30 pts from 10k

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Lovely stuff that’s easily within grabbing distance!

          I’m 47 points away from 10k. On a WC and now lost in far too many options! See above

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            I gambled on Bruno(c) this week. Cost me around 7 pts. No biggy.
            Lingard and Cresswell reasonable diff's still to go.

            1. Don Kloppeone
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              I’ve got Lingard and DCL to go.

              Any wise words for the bitter pill that is the WC this week?!

        2. LegendMoon
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          What score do we need for 10k?

  10. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Jota 100% nailed to start?
    I'm a little bit concern about him on a WC?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      obv not nailed
      great form
      can still do damage from bench

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        This

    2. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not nailed to start but always a constant threat, even off the bench.

    3. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He’s 6.8m, chill

      1. FPL ElasticO
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        The only concern is as he's not certain to start, I might miss out on points from other LIV assets if they start scoring freely again. I would also get TAA as a potential point cover.

    4. It's his Job.
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not really! but even with a 40 minute appearance there is a high chance of goals with his devastating speed and accuracy.

  11. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Better option?

    A. TAA + Maddison + 2.0
    B. Salah + Phillips

  12. Tango74
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I don’t want to play Wc yet because

    1) unsure about Chelsea defenders now
    2) unsure about city defenders due to CL

    I get chessed off when you pick the perfect 11 after one who week of tinkering and then they don’t start!

    1. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Chel def didn't turn bad after one game... did it?

      1. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        He may do a Jose and axe players, I got Rudiger lol

        Typical. Also surprised not many triple spurs for WC

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      The 10 men didn’t help matters..

  13. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Morning. Is azpi with the additional expense over rudiger?

    1.2m difference - but are they equally nailed?

    Thanks

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Stats say azpilicueta is the only nailed defender.

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      They aren’t equally nailed imo but it’s a lot of cash to play with on a WC. I’m flip flopping between them atm

    3. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Azpi is more nailed

      But 1.2m is a lot more to pay for it

    4. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Save the headache. Go with Mendy.

    5. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He wasn't this weekend. I should know. Got him in for a bench boost. Didn't really boost my score though.

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers.....already got mendy. So this for the double up

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Then definitely not worth it. I'd go rudi in that case and save some funds.

  14. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How’s this as a first wildcard draft?

    Mendy, 3.9
    TAA, Coady, Rudiger, Shaw, Mitchell
    Fernandes. Son, Jota, Gundo, Neto
    Kane, DCL, Iheanacho

    Money ITB to do Son -> Salah in 33

    Any suggestions on ‘better’ ie more attacking defenders to go for?

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Looks good, monitor Rudiger news in the presser

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Ye - I may end up just steering clear of chelsea defence other than Mendy

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      no salah vs leeds?

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Hard to see how to have Fernandes, Son, Kane and Salah for 32 without making big changes to the defence (no TAA for starters)

        Team value is ‘only’ 105

        Any suggestions?!

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Mine is 105.5

          Martinez Areola
          Taa Coady Dunk Ayling Konsa
          Salah Son Rafina Lingard Bruno
          Kane Wtkins 5.1m

          Should be easy on WC

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You confident Gundo will play enough? Otherwise it’s a v good draft

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Not hugely but he is such good value and not many other hugely inspiring options in the bracket - maybe Lingard.

        Part of reason for having a decent front 8

  15. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Nat Phillips looks like he's nailed down that centre back slot now would you think? 3 ×90 in a row with two clean sheets.

  16. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any ideas here.
    Thinking Dallas -> Rudiger + for a -4 either-
    1. Stones-> TAA OR
    2. Odegaard-> Salah (exact cash right now).
    Salah would prob be my capt next week if I choose him.
    3. Soemthng else for a -4.

    Martinez.
    Shaw, Dallas, Stones, Cresswell.
    Fernandes, Jota, Raphinha, Son, Odegaard.
    Kane.
    Steer, Bamford, Watkins, Burn.
    1ft, 6.1m ITB. No chips left.

  17. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Right time to WC with the below team?

    Martinez. McCarthy
    Alonso. Digne. Dallas. Dias. Coufal
    Bruno. Son. Lingard. Raphina. Soucek
    Kane. DCL. Bamford

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Still with bench boost I should add. Team looks dreadful this week though

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It’s close but I think so as you have no Liverpool and triple Leeds

  18. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Limit the def transfers for the run in if no WC
    Very few def's have upside accept maybe TAA

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Do you think you are best off going with the cheapest nailed defender in the teams with good fixtures then even with little attacking threat?

      Philips - Liverpool
      Coady - Wolves

      Etc

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Coady + Taa on WC I reckon

  19. BRFC
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who is the best captain pick for GW31?

  20. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who to make way for Jota?

    A) Raphina
    B) Gundo

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B
      Having two rotation risks in your team in Jota and Gundo is a headache you'd want to avoid

  21. balint84
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A) Salah
    B) Kdb
    1) Jota
    2) Dcl

    A or b, 1 or 2?

  22. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Are you guys considering any Man City players on WC?
    I'm thinking of keeping only Dias.

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      None for me

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dias and Gundo (given how cheap he is) are the only 2 I’ll even consider

  23. It's his Job.
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Cheers for the tips! I am now looking like this as W/C.

    Leno/Martinez
    Coady Dias TAA Shaw Azpilicueta
    Salah Gundo Fernandes Jota Saka
    Antonio Kane Nacho.
    0.1 itb

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Looks great other than No Son and they have a double in 32

      1. It's his Job.
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I know, I could hold off the Salah move for now and keep Son for GW32 then do Son>Salah

    2. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You need another Spurs asset in your team, consider Son drop him after GW32?
      I would downgrade Salah > Son & do reverse the same in GW33.
      Also, downgrade Saka to 4.5 mids, you'll have a benching headache every week.
      I would consider Maddison to replace Gundo in GW32

  24. GROBARI
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    No love for lingz i see

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'll love him tonight if he scores a couple and lays on another couple for Antonio.

    2. It's his Job.
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Imho it's one of Antonio or Lingard so I lost Bamford>Antonio and Ling>Jota to afford Son>Salah later

  25. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Keep(1) or sell(2)?

    A: Stones
    B: Rudiger
    C: Burn
    D: Taylor

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      What about the other one.

      1. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        The other one's Dallas. Whom I'm gonna keep regardless of the fixtures. Had him since GW1 and planning to keep him till 38.

  26. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hello!

    Appreciate there’s a bit of football still to play but wondering what to do. I feel I have too many rotation risk players.

    Martinez
    Alonso-Rudiger-Shaw-Stones
    Son-Bruno-Raph-Gund-Mount
    Kane -Antonio

    Areola-Raph-Bam-Burn

    Which moves please?

    1FT
    a) Gund > Jota
    b) Raph > Jota
    C) bam > ihenacho
    d) anything else?

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B based on fixtures

    2. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      N

      1. The VAR Team
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Lol B

        1. Old Gregg
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Lol. Wish I had option N.

          Thanks

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

      B

    4. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks all

  27. The VAR Team
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Ok, so Son looks like he could drop and I have a dilemma:

    On WC, got him for 9.5, now he’s 9.4.
    Should I sell him now, and hope he drops, then buy him back for 9.3?
    If he doesn’t drop I’m at a slight disadvantage of a lower purchase price.

  28. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC draft

    Mendy, Forster
    Shaw, Rudgier, Dias, Phillips, Swiss
    Mount, Bruno, Son, Jota, Gundo
    Kane, Nacho, Antonio

    Money to do Son & Gundo to Maddison & Salah in 33

  29. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Over to you DCL to save my season X

  30. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Option 1. Grealish to Jota for Free
    Option 2. Grealish and Azpi to Salah and Phillips for a hit.
    Option 3. Grealish Lingard and Azpi to Jota Salah and Phillips for a minus 8.
    Option 4. None of the above.

    Thanks lads.

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1 for me