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. Al-Chemy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Ideally want a City defender for the next two games.
    Is Dias still the most nailed, or would it be safe to go for Cancelo/Laporte?
    Seen quite a few predictions resting Dias, but of course it's impossible to really know!

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

      I'm avoiding City till they are out the CL.

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

        LOL

        "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."

      2. Al-Chemy
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I am tempted. My main ML rival has Cancelo and Stones though, so my worry is if they keep a clean sheet he could make decent ground

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

    Bottomed:

    Start 1:
    A) Vydra (NEW)
    B) Nacho (WHU)

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      a

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

      B

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

    Can't decide - start Saiss or R.Pereira?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Saiss

  4. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which pressers are remaining? Pep?

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

      "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. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers.

  5. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hey guys, if you have 2 FT but decide to use FH on that week, for the following GW does it still remain 2 FT or go back to 1 FT?

    Cheers

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Go back to 1.

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

    afternoon all

    Initially thought I might WC but think I will save it just in case. Question in whether to bring in Salah for Bruno for -4??

    Pope (Martinez)
    Stones Apz Coufal (Dallas Targett)
    Son Jota (C) Bruno Raphinha Gundo
    Kane Bamford (Antonio)

    1. leave
    2. Bruno --> Salah -4
    3. rip the team up and go for WC

    Cheers for any input

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

      3

  7. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Someone please help with WC team

    Mendy, Forster
    Dias, Rudiger, Coady, Coufal, Phillips
    Salah, Jota, Bruno, Son, Lingard
    Kane, Vydra, Iheanacho

    £0.1m ITB

    What should I change?

  8. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bottomed: Thoughts on Sterling (c) for a one week punt and then transfering him out for Son for dgw?

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

      Doing it myself

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

      why not. live a little.

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

        this but with KDB

  9. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Captain

    A) KDB
    B) Jota
    C) Lingard

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

  10. How I met your Mata
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    For a -4 Y or N

    Bamford and ESR out
    Vydra and Jota in

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

    Whit who to replace Shaw ?
    Lindelof good idea ?

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

      Is he injured?

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

      What is wrong with Shaw?

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

        Not a shaw starter.

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

      Oh no don’t go there. Don’t bother removing him he’s fine

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

    Do I need WC lads? And when should I use it to combine it with BB, cheers!

    Martinez,Button
    Dias,Cancelo,Azpi,Coufal,KWP
    Gundo,Raphinha,Bale,Bruno,Trossard
    Kane,DCL,Bamford

    1. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would say so, obviously we all see the game differently but I would change more 7 players in that squad. I think anything over 6 changes and a Wildcard is worth it.

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

    Which one will get more minutes this week?
    A) Alonso
    B) Lacazette
    C) Jota

    The winner will probably be my captain.

    1. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I captained Alonso last week. I was feeling it for about 30 minutes then disaster.

  14. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Start Coady or Holding?

    1. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Start Cresswell or Lowton?

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cresswell.

    2. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Coady. Post fail above

    3. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      My exact dilemma.. hahaha

    4. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would say Holding. Arsenal and Wolves are about the same, both have issues with injuries etc. So I would go for the easiest fixture. Sheffield United are worse than Fulham

  15. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    That's it, need sleep it's 230am.

    Look good enough to get some sleep?

    Mendy (Forster)
    TAA James Holding
    Salah Bruno Son Jota Lingard
    Kane Nacho

    Subs: Vydra Dias Shaw

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Where in the world is 2:30 am right now?

      1. Dirty Harry
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        New Zealand bro, everyone forgets us.

        1. sunzip14
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Woah! I thought you had similar time zone to Australia. I would have never guessed you had 2hrs difference. Team looks gtg. You can sleep peacefully 😀

  16. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Pick two to get for this GW only
    A - Jota
    B- Sterling
    C- Azpilicuta
    D- Wood
    E- Iheanacho

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      AE

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

      AB

  17. Dexters Laboratory
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Simple A or B in the Middle of all the RMT.. Start
    A) Holding (Shu)
    B) Coady (ful)

  18. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Start

    A) McCarthy
    B) Martinez

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mccarthy will not even play

    2. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Start McCartney though 90% sure belongs play.. you could get lucky though

  19. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I am going to risk losing .2 value on Son by selling him for Sterling on WC. If he falls in price today, will be .1 loss. Worth the risk or just keep Son?

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

      play for pts. Not TV.
      Simple.

      1. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers! So, you think Sterling has the points this gw? I remember selling Son on WC in the reverse fixture, when he was "injured" and got burned badly.

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

      Theres 6 weeks left. Who gives a stuff about TV

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

    WC-dilemma:

    A) Alonso and Neto

    or

    B) Shaw and Lingard

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

  21. seanie3
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Very surprised to see KDB number 2 in the Captain poll this week, i'm an owner but not sure he starts..

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

    Chances of cancelo and rudiger playing?

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      High i think.

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

    Diogo Jota is an interesting one. Last season 7 goals from 12.02 xG. This season 8 goals from 3.56 xG. 41% underperformance vs 124% overperformance.

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      F*** the stats just go with the eye test

      1. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        This.

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

      A big part of that has surely got to be the fact he's now playing for Liverpool over Wolves.

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

        It shouldn't matter to be honest.

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

      Amazing when you no longer play for shambolic wolves

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

    Would you make any changes for my WC? Or G2g??

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

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

    WC Locked, rate out of 10

    Leno (Martinez)

    TAA Rudiger Holding
    Salah (c) Son Jota Neto
    Kane Vardy Ihenacho

    (Regulion Shaw Raph)

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

      Wow.
      What a rank!

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

        I'll be lucky to be in the top 10k by the end of the season judging by this draft, so many value traps on offer its hard to ignore

    2. HD7
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I like it

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

      Why Son now ?
      Transfer him next gw, and put in city captain

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

        Saves a transfer and Salah is nailed.

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

        Not planning on any more city players for the rest of the season, done with guessing Pep especially with the league won.

  26. arkom
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Dallas / Requilon / Digne / Gresswell / Dunk
    Rapinha / Lingard / Bruno / Gundogan / Bale
    Kane / Watkins / DCL

    2 FT (2,6£ ITB)

    A) Rapinha --> Jota
    B) Rapinha & Dunk --> Jota & CHE def
    C) Bale & Dunk --> Jota & TAA
    D) Rapinha, Bruno, Dunk --> Jota, Salah, Rudiger
    E) Bale, Bruno, Dunk --> Jota, Salah, TAA
    F) Other?

  27. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    1) Trent, 3.9
    2) Robbo, Struijk
    3) Phillips, Dias

  28. HD7
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A, B or C for you, mates?

    A) Vardy > Bruno one

    Mendy, Foster
    TAA, SHAW, Rudiger, COADY, Holding
    Salah, LINGARD, Son, Jota, Neto
    Kane, VARDY, Davis

    B) Attacking one (No Taa, Vardy in)

    Mendy, Forster
    PHILIPS, FOFANA, Rudiger, DIOP, Holding
    Salah, BRUNO, Son, Jota, Neto
    Kane, VARDY, Davis

    C) Template one ( Vardy misses out and we hope Nacho is nailed)

    Mendy, Foster
    TAA, SHAW, Rudiger, COADY, Holding
    Salah, BRUNO, Son, Jota, Neto
    Kane, NACHO, Davis

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

    So Fofana isnt nailed when Soyuncu comes back, right ?

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

      Fofana is nailed

  30. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A Alonso and Lingard
    Or
    B Azpi and Neto

    On Wc