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. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Last decision on WC, which do you prefer? Can't decide who is the best pick out Coady, James or Fofana.

    Mendy, Forster
    TAA, Shaw, Rudiger, xxx, xxx
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Jota, Lingard
    Kane, Nacho, xxx

    A) Coady, Masuaku, Vydra
    B) James, Holding, Vydra
    C) Fofana, Holding, Vydra
    D) Coady, James, Davis
    E) Coady, Fofana, Davis

    1. Neo-Viper
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      C

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

      I have B lol

    3. KGJ United
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I went with
      James, Fofana, Davis

      Vydra vs Davis. I'm not planning to play Vydra ever, so better to spend extra cash on something else.

      Good luck

  2. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Worth downgrading Coufal to Diop just to save some cash for future transfers?

    1. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      How often will you play coufal?

      1. Saka Rice
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Not that often, last 3 games of hte season and maybe 1 more

        1. Maarrrr17
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Id feel safer with a little cushioning cash

  3. Maarrrr17
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Triple Chelsea defence on wildcard?

    mendy, alonso, rudiger

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Think l’d have two max with the risk and rotation

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

      I'm on it simply because Rudi is my 4th choice and won't play usually

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

    Is Riedewald a good option instead of esm since hell double in gw 35?

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

      No

  5. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Start 1: Shaw (tot) Cresswell (LEI) Coady (ful)

    Currently on the fence and its hurting my a**

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

      Shaw is flagged.

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

    Got no replies on previous page, would really appreciate some thoughts
    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

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

      A

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

        And just VC someone like Bruno or Kane

    2. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

  7. GCM0803
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    1) gundo > jota
    2) Watkins/bamford > iheanacho
    3) both (-4)
    4) neither

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

      1 is the more pressing so id do that first. Id keep bamford if you dont want a -4. If you are happy to take a -4, id sell Watkins.

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

    Bottomed 🙁

    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

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

      Brighton are great defensively. Just because it’s green on fpl doesn’t make it an easy fixture

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

        Having said that, I would keep it as it is and not waste hits. Could go very wrong

  9. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Digne (bha) or TAA (AVL) -4 ?

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

      Time to get Trent I think

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

    Who to get rid of for Iheanacho?

    A - Watkins
    B - Bamford

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

      Watkins

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A with Grealish out

    3. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A all day long. I know B has tough fixtures but he might still score and you can always bench him until their fixtures turn for the run it (which are actually nice fixtures)

    4. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Bamford

      Watkins has a good fix in GW33 and a potential DGW afterwards

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

      Watkins probably. For free or taking a hit?

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

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

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

      Yes

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

      Yep

  12. fplking14
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Stupid to go Soy over Fofana. Think soy is more nailed.

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

      Think Soy plays when fit. Fofana is actually quite a low point scorer if you look closely at his profile.

  13. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    GTG?

    Forster
    TAA Rudiger Coady
    Bruno Son Lingard Mount Jota(c)
    Kane(vc) Vardy

    1. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      GTG?

      Forster
      TAA Rudiger Coady
      Bruno Son Lingard Mount Jota(c)
      Kane(vc) Vardy

      Schmeichel Davis Masuaku Mitchell

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

        Yes, nice captain choice.

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

        Welcome to the Schmeichel+Forster club - it's very exclusive

        1. Bubbles1985
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Great differential imo!

    2. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe a bit too punty but I'm chasing and went Son last week over Lingard!

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

    All aboard the Sterling C train 🙂

    Mendy,
    Rüdiger, Shaw, Dias,
    Son, Sterling C, Lingz VC, Jota, Bruno,
    Kane, Watkins,

    Martinez, Bamford, Dallas, Cresswell,

    .9

    1. 2hotty
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Woo Woo

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

      Why Sterlo and not KDB ?

      1. 2hotty
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Prob cos he hasnt got KDB personally i dont think he starts

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

        75% he will not play

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

    lads should I go with 'a' or Wildcard ? team below, 1ft

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

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

  16. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Aubameyang 1 week punt over Sterling ?

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

      No

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

      not for me

    3. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He looks disinterested at the moment.

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

    Is this good to go on WC?

    Mendy
    TAA Shaw Rudiger
    Son Salah Jota Fernandes Lingard
    Kane Iheanacho

    Forster Holding Vydra Kilman

    0.3 itb

    Thanks

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

      Yes I’d say so

  18. George James
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best move?

    A) Bamford >> Ihenacho

    B) Raphina >> Jota

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

    Pick 2. Who should I start?
    A) Iheanacho
    B) Vydra
    C) Holding

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

      A

  20. HashAttack
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Salah has been my 3rd worst performing captain this season with an average of just 6.8 points (That's the doubled figure!)
    This week he will become my most captained player

    Captain / Matches / Avg Points
    Kane - 5 - 21.6
    Son - 2 - 16
    Bruno - 4 - 16
    Bamford - 1 - 16
    Sterling - 1 - 14
    Gundo - 2 - 13
    KDB - 5 - 12.8
    Abua - 2 - 12
    Vardy - 1 - 10
    Salah - 5 - 6.8
    Antonio - 1 - 4
    Bale - 1 - 2

  21. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    This Pep comment suggesting that city will play with best possible squad:

    "We have to do our best tomorrow again to get results against them. It is a team that the result doesn't matter, the game will not be over, the resilience they have I have never seen before. They fought and continued to do it until the end and it is a team you cannot beat them even when 3-0 up. It will be a tight game. I know it right now, like when we played West Ham at 12.30 after the Champions League. But I trust a lot with the players and the way they trained today because they feel that we are in a position where we are close."

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

      He's been making the same noises about this one for a while - it's just a question which players he trusts. It's not exactly as if he's short of options.

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

        He’s also not going to say, “I think we can beat them with heavy rotation and resting a few players” either lol

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

          He's been very specific about how hard he regards this fixture as being

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

            The next 2 are harder

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

              Villa won't pose like the same challenge as Leeds - they won't be competing to win possession. They may be harder to break down but they will be relatively run of the mill opposition. Leeds are an unusual challenge as they are one of the very few teams that will attempt to take the game to City.

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

                Yeah but I meant Dortmund and Chelsea lol

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

                  Oh well - see your point then 🙂

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

                    Naturally, whatever Pep says, those who games are a lot more important than Leeds.

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

                      No denying that of course

                      Do think there's a particular dynamic to the Leeds fixture that may (bold underlined) prevent the massive rotation that most expect. If there's one fixture coming up where 7 might be swapped out I'd think Villa was more likely.

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

                        Agreed. But I expect 3-4 changes, possibly KDB walker etc getting a rest for other big players like gundo cancelo

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

                        or possibly the opposite!

                        "It is a team that the result doesn't matter"

                        Pep knows that even if MCI are up 3-0 after 1/2 hour, his players are still going to have to run around and put maximum effort in for another 60 minutes

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

                        True enough

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

                    Those 2 games*

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

      Thinking Gundo might start then
      But will Dias or Stones start?

  22. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Correct captain, bench and benching order?

    Forster
    Dias Stones Shaw Digne
    Bruno(vc) Salah(c) Gundogan Jota
    Kane DCL
    Subs: Forster Raphinha Watkins Coufal

    Thanks.!

    1. TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Martinez is on bench, not Forster x2 🙂

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

      Watkins ahead of Raph maybe

  23. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    First bench:

    A) Dallas (mci)
    B) Konsa (liv)

    Prob comes down to goal threat really

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

      Konsa

    2. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dallas

  24. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts here guys??? Deciding against the wildcard this week but may play it next week. Suppose Antonio needs to go this week but who to bring in?? Gtg elsewhere?
    1ft and 3.9m itb.

    Mendy (4m)
    Stones Coufal Lawton (Dallas Targett)
    Bruno Salah Mahrez Mount Gundogan
    Antonio DCL (Bamford)

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

    Simpler post for my ignored one...
    On WC, 1 week punt Sterling, get Bruno next week
    Rotate Son and Kane in Blank week instead of transfer out
    Don't see any other reason why I should save the transfer?

    1. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Go for it if you can cover a non-playing Sterling.

  26. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would you Cap Auba (Shu A) if you have him this week? Didn't start in the Europa League too...

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

      Considering doing just that since I'm chasing in my ML.

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

    Struggling to finish WC!

    A Mendy
    B Schemichel

    1 Saka
    2 Lingard

    I Shaw
    II Fofana

    Which combo?

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

      I got A2II

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A 2 I

  28. Salan
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Choose one to start:

    Lookman or Raphinha?

  29. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A. Bruno to Salah (C) for a hit
    B. Captain Kane or Jota

  30. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mendy
    Digne / Rudiger/ Dias
    KDB (c) / Jota (v) / Bruno / Son / Lingard
    Kane / DCL

    3.9 / Cresswell / White / Antonio

    Good to go?