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

    Start Cresswell or Lowton?

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

    Based on Pep's latest comments (see post above), I think he's not fielding a second string team. How do yu rate the ahnces of the followinf playing

    A) Gundo
    B) KDB
    C) Dias
    D) Stones

    mye guess:
    70%
    25%
    50%
    80%

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

      Agree that second string and massive rotation is less likely than most expect. With you on the comparative chances but would give KdB a bit more chance of starting with managed minutes

  3. Pops15
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On WC

    Mount vs Maddi. (Have Nacho)

    Coady vs R.James (Have Mendy and Rudi

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

      Mount / Coady

  4. Mweene
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Regarding Jota, is this the most hype/transfers in we’ve seen for a player who is far from nailed?

    I’m bench boosting next week so will probably avoid on WC. Will see if I can stretch to Salah.

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

      I’m also BBing next week but going without him doesn’t make much sense. If he doesn’t play he comes off the bench and looks dangerous

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

      He scores off the bench so it doesn;t really matter

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

      Bale wasn't that long ago 🙂

    4. #Swish41
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Agreed, but FOMO so got him on my WC!

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

      Everyone is locked in on him aren't they. Feel like I'm the only wildcarder without him. I must have a blind spot for him or something

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

    Bottomed
    A Alonso and Lingard
    Or
    B Azpi and Neto

    On Wc

    1. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A for me.

  6. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How nailed is Holding?

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

      at least 3 gws i reckon

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

    Triple Liverpool against Aston Villa? Lol OK

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

      Liverpool did well in the return fixture...

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

      they are awful at home

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

      Villa have deteriorated quite a lot

  8. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which one to start:

    a) Martinez
    b) Sanchez

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

    Quick vote:

    1. Reece James
    2. Rudiger

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

      RJ

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Rudiger

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

    Was there a Pep presser today?

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

      tweet twit

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

    Will Mahrez start?

  12. Bullet Eder
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who would you rather have for the season run-in and why?

    A. Nacho

    B. Neto

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

      B cos Nacho only likely has a few games left in him

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

    Dallas, Bale, Lookman and Antonio to Phillips, Salah, Linz and Vydra -8

    Crazy?

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

      Not at all. Assuming you need Vydra to make the money work?

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

        Yeah. He’s the enabler

  14. 420king
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What do you think about this move for -4:

    KDB, Raphinha and Dias/Cresswell to Salah, Jota and Phillips?

    Yay or nay?

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

    How is this WC, G2g?

    Leno / Forster
    TAA / James / Rudiger / Saiss / Holding
    Salah / Jota / Bruno / Son / Neto
    Kane / Iheanacho / Vydra

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

    I have previously owned jota on two occasions. Both when he was in sensational form (for wolves then for liverpool earlier this season) and then the gw I get him he's injured or out of the team. Third time lucky?

    1. #Swish41
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Better be!

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

      Please don't

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

      Yeah, he is in hot form, will play maximum minutes....

  17. #Swish41
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Start Nacho over Bamford right?

    My Leeds hat is making me want to start BamBam against a potentially rotated Citeh...

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

      I’m considering Jota on WC but are people really taking a hit for a guy who’s not guaranteed to start for a team who are poor at home vs a good side?

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

        Post fail.

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

      I'm starting Raphinha . Bambi first sub.

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

      Surely Leeds score?

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

    Captaim jota or Kane?

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

      If bemba da got jota.. So kane

  19. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Last defender in: Rudiger, Phillips, Fofana, Coady, ____
    A) Shaw
    B) Reguilion
    C) Lindelof
    D) Saiss
    E) Any 5.5 def

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

    KdB -> Mane (-4)?
    Have TAA and Jota. Can’t afford Salah

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

      Nah, two liverpool looks plenty.

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

    Reguilon or Shaw for the rest of the season ?

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

      Shaw

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

    1. Shaw and Coady

    or

    2. Lindelof and Fofana

    ?

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

      1

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1

    3. Pops15
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1

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

    Martinez (Forster)
    TAA, Rudiger, Coady, (Fofana, Coufal)
    Salah, Bruno, XXX, Jota, Lingard
    Kane, Ineanacho (XXX)

    A) Son + Bamford
    B) Son + Woods
    C) Gundogan * + Woods
    D) Mount * + Woods

    Plan is to BB in GW32 so whatever forward I choose will be played in GW32 & GW33

    * One week punt that will be transferred to Son next GW

  24. Begbie.
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Looking for a Raphinha replacement for a few weeks. 6.6 ITB. Lingard the obvious move or Neto worth a punt with those fixtures?

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

      Jesse. Or keep

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

    Would you make any changes for my WC?
    Mendy Forester
    TAA D.Sanchez Coady Holding Fofana
    Salah Jota Fernandes Son Esm
    Kane Iheanacho Vydra

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

    Hey! What you think guys? Still got WC & BB.

    A. Digne >> TAA (-4)
    B. Play WC
    C. G2G?

    Martinez
    Dias. Alonso. Digne
    Bruno. Son. Lingard. Jota. Raphinha
    Kane(C). DCL
    (McCarthy. Bamford. Coufal. Dallas)

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

      B - no city Mid

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

        Strange. Wasn’t expecting that

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

    Last time i will ask this, but, go with 'a' or Wildcard? Have TC left.

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

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

  28. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Last call... pull the trigger on this WC?

    Martinez / 3.9
    Rudiger / Holding / TAA / Shaw / Masuaku
    Bruno / Son / Salah / Jota / Lingard
    Kane / Iheanacho / Davis

    Thanks!

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

      You might be disappointed in Masuaku's minutes.

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

    Does Rudiger + 0.3m sound better than rolling with R.James?

  30. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Too risky to captain Jota this week?