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. Your Man With The Hair
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A 12 point hit is where I'm at currently. Someone talk me off the ledge...

    Pope, Stones, Cresswell, Bamford

    ->

    Ederson, TAA, fodder, Welbeck

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

      keep pope and stones this week

    2. Horlicks esq.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      ERROR POSTED BELOW: ooops.

      Pope and Ederson will each get 6 points, Stones could start as he alternates in prem fixtures if you check his appearances. I would move TAA for Phillips if money is an issue and Bamford to Welbeck is so sideways its basically a crab.

      Iheanacho looks better value than Danny.

    3. Your Man With The Hair
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Cheers... I'll have a rethink

  2. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Resisting the urge to drop Laca from my wc team. If they go out to Slavia he will be a regular pick and great fixtures.

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

      I just moved him out in order to keep Salah

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

      If it is not WC I'd keep and maybe cap

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

    Final draft. Let's go!

    Leno
    Azpi, TAA, Dias
    Salah (c), Gundo, Bruno, Son, Jota
    Kane, Iheanacho

    Forster, Coady, Holding, Vydra

  4. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Ok thoguhts on this team, think i'm more or less settled:

    Mendy
    Holding / TAA / Rudiger
    Salah / Sterling (C) / Jota / Neto / Bruno
    Kane / Ihenacho

    Forster / Coady / Masuaku / Davis

    Next week Sterling > Son and then free us money for the following week to move on davis / masuaku / ihenacho depending on minutes etc

  5. And nothing else Mata'…
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    With Antonio out who to bring in:

    A) Laca
    B) Iheanacho
    C) Wood

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

      b

    2. STONEROSES
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

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

    Neto or Iheanacho??

    1. STONEROSES
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nacho for now

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

    Sterling captain locked in

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      \0/

    2. Horlicks esq.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I think it pays off given his long rest period. 2G 1A 3BP

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

    Hammers Leicester score predictions?

    Can see it being high scoring like West Ham’s last few. For Vardy(c), I hope so

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      3 1 Jesse double digit score

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      2-0 Leicester

    3. beetlejuice
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1-1

    4. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1-1

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

    Who to transfer out for Jota?

    a) Trossard (EVE, che, shu)
    b) Raphina (mci, LIV, MUN)

    1. STONEROSES
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

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

      A

    3. beetlejuice
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

  10. STONEROSES
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC draft - G2G?
    Any glaring errors - cheers?!

    MENDY FORSTER
    HOLDING COADY SHAW RUDIGER TAA
    JOTA SALAH BRUNO LINGARD SON
    KANE IHEANACHO DAVIES

  11. robert1116336
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Gungo or Bsilva for this week only?

    1. STONEROSES
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Gundogan outta those

  12. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What to do with KDB? Already used my FT
    A) Captain and hope he either starts or doesn't play at all
    B) Bring in Salah or Sterling for him for a -4 and captain
    C) Keep but don't captain

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

    I feel like this Iheanacho pico could end badly for everyone

    1. HNI
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He is just 5.5mn, if have good bench then not issue

    2. Atwood
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Good fixtures next few weeks

  14. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone know what's happened to Simply FPL? Can't seem to find his videos anymore?

  15. HNI
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who to pick from these 2 in 3-5-2?
    1) Perreira(WBA played well vs Chelsea and look the team with purpose in relegation battle)//Total Big Chances conceded by next 3 in last 3 is 15
    or
    2) Lingard( Was on 2 but no Antonio has made me two minds about it)
    //Total Big Chances conceded by next 3 in last 3 is 13
    Although Wham.is much better team.than Wba, does it matter in relegation desperation?

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

      Lingard the safe pick and in red hot form. Pereira could be a fun differential and as you say we don't really know how West Ham will cope without Antonio.

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

    As the cheap last defender, who'd you pick and why?

    A) Holding
    B) Masuaku

    1. HNI
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A better matches and both defence is bad. Can advice me above?

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Similar issue. I think Veltman is as good an option as either too, more nailed but with less good fixs.

      I'm worried that Holding and Masuaku will be more at risk after 3-4 weeks.

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

        Yup they sure are. Can't stretch to Veltman unfortunately

        1. Fpl Richie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Masuaku carries attacking threat. Go with him.

    3. beetlejuice
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A safer, better fix

  17. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Pope and Ederson will each get 6 points, Stones could start as he alternates in prem fixtures if you check his appearances. I would move TAA for Phillips if money is an issue and Bamford to Welbeck is so sideways its basically a crab.

    Iheanacho looks better value than Danny.

  18. 2hotty
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Not many people going for James on a wildcard think he could be a great shout

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

    On wildcard...
    Forster - Leno
    Holding - Philips - Rudiger - Coady - Fofana
    Jota - Lingard - Sterling** - Son - Salah
    Iheanacho - Kane - Vydra
    ** 1 week punt Sterling to Bruno next week
    Don't want to transfer out Spurs for their blank
    Yay or nay?

  20. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How long can we rely on Holding do we think?

    Just deciding on Holding vs Veltman for 5th def on WC

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Have Alonso so hence keen to have a starter

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

      Think i would go for Veltman likely to start every game till the end of the season

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

        But woeful fixtures

  21. nadman89
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    can easily do auba + bale -> salah and jota .

    anyone think its crazy to just do bale to jota and captain auba?

  22. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Why has Tom Freeman out Phillips in the Differential article?

    Now I have to consider getting him over TAA...

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Simply the fact he’s much cheaper and allows a stronger squad

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

        It was rhetorical. His picks always do very well!

  23. Hungry Singh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Afternoon folks. Looking for your thoughts on the below triples!

    1. DCL, Watkins, Digne (0)
    2. DCL, Iheanacho, Phillips (-8)
    3. Vardy, Iheanacho, Digne (-8)

    I'd like to keep one Everton asset, because Brighton.

    Not bothered about hits, stuck in purgatory trying to make gains on a few mini leagues, where everyone is remaining risk-averse, and i am BORED!

    Thank you 🙂

  24. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Slim pickings but:

    1. Kilman
    2. Amartey

    Would be 3rd sub fodder

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

    Gundo to jota for free ft
    1) yes
    2)No

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

    Thoughts on Alonso? It seems that he should play after Chilwell featured in CL, but can he still start after shuch a horrendous display vs West Brom? I think it's a huge gamble on getting him on WC, but the reward could be huge too. Thoughts?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I got him on wc last week and think he will get gametime still

    2. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Think if anyone gets dropped because of the WBA game it'll be Zouma, Alonso was arguably Chelsea's best player

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

        In attack he was great, but in defence he was absolutely terrible.

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Pass on Alonso. Dreadful defender.

    4. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Captain material this week

    5. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not touching. Too expensive rotation risk.

  27. Rollercoaster
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Will Klopp rest Jota? I have doubts about him, any thoughts?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Doubt it

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

      Doubt he will play 90 this week, but he is good to bring for rest of the season

    3. pjomara
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Firmino and Salah will start.
      50:50 between Jota and Mane for the last spot.
      Or might go something out of left field and rest both Jota and Mane. Both gave tired performances v Real Madrid.

  28. Salalalalah
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    If there is a good time to bench Azpi, it's this week

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

      No, that was last week.

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

        With Chelsea playing Champions league and FA cup against ManC, I reckon he is going to be benched this week

  29. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Captain

    A) Alonso
    B) Jota
    C) Bruno

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'm risking A with Salah vice

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Tempted, had Alonso C last week and looked good until Thiago

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

      They all can return big or nothing

  30. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Lowton or Philips?

    Bamford or iheanacho?

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

      Philips Nacho