Scout Picks

Gameweek 31 Scout Picks built on Liverpool triple-up

Liverpool’s key players form the spine of our Gameweek 31 Scout Picks.

Following DavidNealeTom and Andy‘s Scout Squad submissions, we have chosen a starting XI of our best players for the next round of action.

This week we line up in the traditional 3-4-3 formation and come in at £82.1m, £0.9m inside our budget of £83.0m.

Goalkeeper

My Own Strategy to select 'Set and Forget' Shot Stopper for the rest of the Clean-Sheet-less Season

Bernd Leno (£5.0m) is our representative from the Arsenal defence in Gameweek 31 ahead of a trip to Sheffield United. The Blades have scored 10 goals at home this season, only West Bromwich Albion and Fulham (nine) mustering fewer at their own grounds.

Defenders

From a Fantasy perspective, Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) looks set to offer points potential for the 2020/21 run-in. He has produced 5.6 points per game over the last six matches, a period in which he among the top two defenders for key passes and big chances created.

We believe Chelsea’s 5-2 defeat to West Brom was a blip, a Gameweek 31 trip to Crystal Palace offering César Azpilicueta (£5.9m) and his colleagues a chance for redemption. The Eagles are currently second-bottom of the Premier League for shots on target over the last six, while Azpilicueta remains the most nailed-on starter in the Chelsea defence outside of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Only Sheffield United and Fulham offer a lower goal conversion rate over their last six matches than Newcastle. That could be good news for value defender Matt Lowton (£4.4m), who is joint-top for big chances created among defenders over the same period.

Midfielders

Only two FPL midfielders have registered more shots in the box than Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) over the last six matches. The Egyptian also ranks joint-top among players in his position for big chances.

Raheem Sterling (£11.3m) is our chosen representative from the Manchester City attack as they prepare for a potentially end-to-end meeting with Leeds. Rests against Leicester and Borussia Dortmund suggest the England international will feature on Saturday afternoon and, if he lines up on the left-hand side of a front-three, he will enjoy a decent match-up. Leeds have conceded 20 chances down their right-hand side since Gameweek 25, more than through the middle or left.

Diogo Jota (£6.9m) has hit the ground running since his return from injury. The former Wolves man has produced three goals in his last two matches and is offering the sort of form that arguably makes him undroppable for Jürgen Klopp. Still, even if he does find himself on the bench, the fact that he has been involved in 50% of his team’s league goals scored when on the pitch this season shows that even a substitute’s appearance can be fruitful, just as it was against Arsenal last time out.

Sheffield United still have the worst figure for expected goals conceded (xGC) over the last six matches, suggesting Arsenal’s attackers can enjoy their trip north on Sunday evening. During the same period, Bukayo Saka (£5.2m) ranks joint-second among Mikel Arteta’s charges for shots in the box.

Forwards

Gameweek 28 Scout Picks built on Spurs, Everton and Villa assets

While a Gameweek 31 meeting with Manchester United is hardly an appealing fixture, there is no ruling out Harry Kane (£11.7m) recording an attacking return on Sunday afternoon. He has two double-digit hauls across his last four matches from a total of five goals and two assists.

Chris Wood (£6.2m) faces a Newcastle defence that has conceded at least twice in nine of their last 13 Premier League matches and has good form of his own to bring into Sunday’s Turf Moor clash. Over his last six matches, he ranks second in the whole division for shots on target, netting in each of his last three.

Without Declan Rice, West Ham conceded the second-highest number of shots in the box of any team in Gameweek 30. Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.8m) could take advantage of that on Sunday afternoon having supplied at least one goal in three of his last four starts.

Substitutes

  • Edouard Mendy (£5.2m)
  • Ben Mee (£4.9m)
  • Rob Holding (£4.2m)
  • Pedro Neto (£5.7m)

THE CAPTAIN

Who are the best captain options for FPL Gameweek 36+?

We choose the Scout Picks captain using a four-way vote between our Scout Squad pundits.

Because we use Fantasy Football Scout data so heavily in this process, the skipper we choose each Gameweek is known only to those with a valid Fantasy Football Scout subscription and revealed to the public only when the deadline has passed.

Here’s how we voted for Gameweek 31:

THE COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Each week, one of the Fantasy Football Scout community takes on the Scout Picks by pitting their chosen XI against ours.

The Community Member who beats our team by the largest margin will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Moderators and Contributors League for the following season.

Peteski29 takes on the Scout Picks in Gameweek 31 going with a 3-5-2 line-up of Leno; Alexander-Arnold, Alonso, Rüdiger; Salah (c), Sterling (vc), Mount, Jota, Neto; Kane, Vydra.

AA33 is the current leader, defeating the Scout Picks by a 53-point margin in Gameweek 2.

1,033 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Return of the FF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Captains this week?

    1. Akeem
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Salah for me

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sterling

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

    Best 4.0 defender? (other than Phillips)

  3. DavidSilva
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC team 0.8itb

    Mendy
    Rudiger Holding TAA
    Salah Jota Sterling Neto Lingard
    Nacho Kane

    Forster Vydra Coady Reguilon

    Thoughts?

    1. Return of the FF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Neto to Mount if affordable?

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

      Neto to Saka?

    3. Rabb05
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sterling ok if a 1 week punt given he will start this week but I wouldn't trust him longer term. Maybe I am scarred
      I'm avoiding arsenal defenders long term although obviously makes sense for this gw

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

        No love for Neto?

        Yes Sterling out for Son next week....

  4. Help Me!
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On WC
    A) Vardy + Neto
    B) Vydra + Bruno

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You’ll want Bruno next gw

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

      B

  5. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Will you wc this lot, have 2 fts this week

    Martinez meslier
    Azpi dias cancello Dallas coufal
    Salah gundo lingard fernandz son
    Bamford kane Brewster

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No you can take a couple of punts before wc in 32 or 33

      1. Sid07
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cancello + Brewster to Phillips and nacho

    2. Help Me!
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You can make it without WC, but not sure when else would it be worth to WC.
      You have any chips?

      1. Sid07
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        BB

  6. affront
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Coady or Lindelof for last defensive spot?? (4.9 left, have Azpi and don't want double Che)

    Alternative is to upgrade keeper, currently Pickford (4.8). From the comments today, seems Pickford very likely to be back next week and have Forster to cover, so pretty set on him

    1. Help Me!
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Coady

  7. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What move to prioritise this week guys?
    1) Raph-> Jota
    2) Raph-> Salah
    3) Antonio-> Iheanacho

    Martinez
    Azpi Cancelo Stones
    Son Saka Lingard Bruno Raph
    Kane Dcl

    Dawson, Strujik, Antonio

    1. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      2 easily - strong bank!

  8. Mesh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which 1 on WC.
    A. Mendy & Coady
    B. Leno & Fofana

  9. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Where are the Pep presser quotes?

  10. TFP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    (a) Neto and TAA

    or

    (b) Son and Phillips?

    1. For Fuchs Sake
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      b) because DGW for Son next week

  11. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Got away with it so far without Bruno, would like to get him in next week but also want jota and can’t stretch to both (and keeping son) without a few hits so:

    A Bruno next gw (ignore jota and keep son for sheff utd in 34)
    B get jota this week and wait until 33 and do son to Bruno

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

      Lucas Moura instead of Son solve your woes?

      I have come to the conclusion Son just causes too much imbalance (in my WC team) for a player who is £9.4m and has been off the boil recently.

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks. I’ve got him so got to stick for the double I think so leaning towards B. Like moura shout tho! Def under radar

  12. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC Draft 3

    Thoughts - predominantly a 353

    Martinez
    TAA, Rudiger, Holding
    Salah, Maddison, Bruno, Jota,
    Kane, Nacho, Wood

    Forster, Gund, Targett, Coady

    0.7 ITB

    G2G??

    TIA

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Would want more spurs for the double. Also not sure if bench gundogan

    2. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I’d play gundo. He’s my captain lol

  13. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best sub 9.4 midfielder to own as a one week punt? Can't be Jota or Lingard

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mahrez as a punt or Neto

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

    Would you make any changes for my WC? Or G2g?
    Neto or Iheanacho?

    Mendy Forester
    TAA D.Sanchez Coady Holding Fofana
    Salah Jota Fernandes Son Esm
    Kane Iheanacho Vydra

  15. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Tinkering with WC- views on this welcome? Sterling to Bruno in 32/33

    Leno
    TAA Rüdiger Alonso
    Salah Sterling (c) Saka Son Jota
    Kane Iheanacho

    Foster Wellbeck Fofana Konsa

  16. Dion D's Solo Shower
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bamford + Raph --> Ings (C) & Saka for free.

    Good moves?

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

      Ings plays Spurs and then blanks so only if you plan on shifting after

  17. For Fuchs Sake
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best Man City MF for a one week punt, not Sterling or KdB?

    Torres or Silva maybe?

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I think Torress. Didn’t play at all mid week I believe, wouldn’t be any more comfortable in one over the other thouch

    2. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      100% gundo

  18. Erez Avni
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would really appreciate some help here...

    Areola (Martinez)

    Dias Shaw Cresswell (Burn Dallas)
    Lingard Bruno Son Raphinha Gundo
    Kane DCL (Bamford)

    Q1 start one:
    A. Martinez
    B. Areola

    Q2 bring and captain one:
    1. Jota for Raphinha
    2. Salah for Bruno

    cheers!

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

      B1

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A if you think they both concede
      1 = probz C Kane or Bruno if you see goals in that fixture

    3. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B1

  19. winchester
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    hey lads, should I go with 'a' or Wildcard? (have all time still to plan wc team)

    pope (martinez)
    dias cresswell dallas (targett veltman)
    bruno lingard raphinha son (gundo)
    dcl kane bamford

    a) raphinha -> jota
    b) hit the WC chip

  20. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best option?
    A) Diagne
    B) Welbeck
    C) Barnes
    Have Iheanacho already

  21. Akeem
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    B1

    1. Akeem
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      oops

  22. JBG
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hattrick from Salah too much to ask for this GW?

  23. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on Jota? You read everywhere that his goals per 90 minutes are so great, but it doesn't go in hand with his expected goals to be honest. Is he that great finisher? He's on 0.44xg per 90 minutes, which is great for a 6.6m mid, but let's be honest, he won't play 90 minutes every game. More like 50/60 minutes per GW. Is that still a good value?

    1. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      But maybe if they are knocked out of CL he will play more.

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

      Not necessarily...he starts over Firmino atm IMO...he's was rested last GW because of the International break and CL

    3. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Surely you can't be serious?

  24. Enes_Sahini1
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Wildcard needed lads?

    Martinez
    Stones Cancelo Creswell
    Fernandes Gundogan Son Salah Lingard
    Bamford Watkins

    McCarthy Dallas Adams Justin

    2 free transfers 1.7 in the bank

  25. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Gundo to Jota (-4)?

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

      Tough as Gundo could do really well if he starts. Can you live with a Gundo haul? 🙂

  26. bautasten
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    As an 8th attacker who probably only will be starting in GW33 or if anyone is rotated in the 11:

    A) Welbeck £5.5 (shu GW33)
    B) Vydra £4.8 (wol GW33)

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I’ve gone Vydra just cos he’s cheaper and it means I can get Salah easier in 33

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

      B is a longer term risk to starting once Barnes is back - maybe 33 would be ok though

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

        yeah he is...I guess it comes down to what you can do with the extra money as well.

  27. Rafa_is_a_geordie.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any love for Lacazette?
    I have exact money for Antonio > Lacazette and with Sheff Utd, Fulham, Everton, Newcastle and West brom next fixtures could be a good differential? I don't see much love for him at all?

    1. Sam (Team Sam)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      People were interested until they saw him start in Europe, with Auba benched.

      Assumption is that they will swap this weekend.

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

        Ah i see, thank you. I thought they'd been playing together but can see it being risky if started mid week. The obvious is Antonio > Iheanacho I suppose just fancied something a bit different.

    2. MrZ
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Rotation risk

  28. Sam (Team Sam)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Final wildcard decision...

    A) Keep Gundo this week, then replace with Son in 32

    B) Just get Son in now and play him against United

    Would love some help!

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. Honker Muddlefoot
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Personally, I’d go B because I don’t like using a transfer the week after a WC. Free transfers are precious, so I would rather save my transfer and move for Son now while it doesn’t cost me anything extra, and then roll next week’s transfer for down the line to help solve any unforeseen issues that may pop up. Certainly understand the appeal of A, though. Good luck, mate!

      1. Sam (Team Sam)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks mate! Very helpful response. Good luck too

  29. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Currently have the following on WC

    Mendy, Forster
    Taa, coady, rudiger, holding, massuaku
    Salah, Bruno, jota, SON, GUNDO
    Kane, nacho, vydra

    Rather than Son and Gundo, would you take a punt on Sterling and bench fodder this week and then get Son in for the double?

    A. Stay with Son
    B. Punt on Sterling

  30. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Currently on Jota(c) (no Salah) - but would you captain Vardy instead?

    Other options are Gundo/Kane