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. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Amartey or Masuaku for 5th def on wc?

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

      Masuaku better chance of playing I'd say. And more attacking.

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

        Ta

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

      Definitely Masuaku. Amartey likely out as soon as Soyuncu is back.

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

    Will Shaw start? I see he is marked injured.
    Thanks

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

      I’m no doctor

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

      Yeah expect he will.

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

    Play one of:

    A. Shaw
    B. Raphinha
    C. Watkins

    Thanks..!!

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

      Raph

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

    Martinez or Mendy?

    Quite a tricky decision on WC.

    If I keep Martinez, planning to play Forster 31 and DGW32, then Martinez v West Brom GW33.

    If I get Mendy, I'd start him this week but West Ham less appealing than West Brom 33, but then they do have Fulham 34.

    And for what it's worth, I've had Martinez a long time so my selling price is 4.9.

    Thanks

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mendy

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

        Thanks

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

      Mendy

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

        Thank you

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

      I’d say Mendy, he’s still a differentials compared to those without WC who haven’t been able to bring him in and dead teams. Chelsea being a better defense edges it slightly but I think both do well

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

        Thanks, very well put.

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

      Mendy. Far from tricky

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

        Cheers. Well, I've found it tricky!

    5. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      As good as Martinez has been, i struggle to see his appeal with the fixtures coming up. I wouldn't go near him on a WC tbh.

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

        Thanks

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

      Still Mendy

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

        Cheers

  5. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Play Tosin (WOL) or ESR (she) this week?

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

      ESR

  6. flippetyflop
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Rudiger nailed?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Id say he gets 4 out of every 5 games.

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

        This sounds about right

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

      I dont think so

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

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

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

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Solid.

  8. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Drop Martinez for Leno on WC?

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

      Yep

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

      No

      1. MIGHTY JOE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Just did it! Point of no return. GODSPEED.

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

    I’ve just seen someone suggest KDB > Manè for -4.

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

      😆

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

      hahaha, this is hilarious 🙂

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

      200 IQ play.

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

    No Son on WC, worth bringing in Lucas Moura to try cover a few points over the double?

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

      Not for me. Lucas isn't very good and could easily be benched.

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

        Yeah he’s a worry, he gets minutes now only played less than 60 once in the last 6 I think and bale being out of favor helps but worry he can be benched at any time

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

      moura is KAK

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

      Nope. Kane is the only spurs attacker worth owning at the moment.

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

      Moura will cover Mouras points

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

      Having punted on him in previous seasons, I wouldn't. I sold Son in my WC. Just going with Kane this week, then doing Sterling to Son next week.

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

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

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

      AD

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

      AE

      Biased because I bought them.

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

    Worth it to bring in Ihenacho for Antonio for a (-4)?
    Salah - Mount - Raphina - Gundo - Bruno
    Kane - Bam - Antonio

  13. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    who to start from

    Watkins Dallas Regullion Maja?

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

      Play the attacker. Watkins.

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

      Watkins I guess but wouldn't be happy about it. Would consider Reguilon too.

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

    Is triple Chelsea def too much?

    Mendy Rudi Azpi

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

      Yes.

    2. Meme2011
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      i was worried 2 was too many

    3. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Im going triple, i think still good value in it.

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

      Yes

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

      I'm on triple as well. Just don't trust many other options that are available. I have TAA and Shaw as well with Holding for fodder. Really dont like the Coady pick that many are going for. Wolves have been terrible this year

  15. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best use of 2FTs with £3.3ITB?

    Pope
    Dias Stone Dunk
    Soucek Raphina Salah(C) Bruno Gundo
    Bamford Kane(vc)

    Martinez Coufal Moupay Dallas

  16. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Everyone getting rid of Leeds players for 'bad fixtures' but they scored 6 goals overall in the reverse of Liverpool City and United - BEFORE all the europe rotation that will now occur. LOL!

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

      Agree. All the pressure of Leeds now with status secured for next season. Expect them to let loose now.

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

      Aston Villa also put 7 past Liverpool last time. Should I captain Watkins this GW?

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

      Despite the hype, output upfront has slowed quite a bit recently, and defence has tightened. But I get your point... 🙂

    4. SHOWSTOPPERRR
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      And they scored 6/3=2 against the worst defence last gw lol

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

    Do we think Wilson starts this week?

    Bruce on starting Wilson/Saint-Maximin: "That's the big decision I have to make. I’m mindful of the fact that both of them have had muscle injuries which you’ve always got to box carefully with. But I’m also wary that we’ve only got six weeks of the season left."

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

      I think Burnley is a possible 3 points. So he starts IMO.

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

    Pick Neto or Gundogan on WC?

    1. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Neto

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

        Cheers.

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

      Gundo and change to Neto for 33

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

        Might do this. Cheers.

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

      Gundo

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

    0.5 itb, anything you would use it on to upgrade or save?

    Mendy Forster
    Alonso Shaw Coady Holding Phillips
    Salah Sterling Bruno Jota Lingard
    Kane Iheanacho Vydra

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

    Anyone freehitting in GW 31 ?

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

    Sanchez
    Cresswell, Rudi, Dias
    Gundo, Mount, Salah, Bruno
    Kane, Watkins, Bamford

    Martinez, Shaw, Raph, Dallas
    2FT

    Is Raph, Bam > Lingard, Nacho the sensible moves here?

  22. Denis Tueart on the wing
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Help required
    A) Salah & Nacho
    or
    B) Vardy & Jota

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

      A

  23. Simmich
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Shaw or Cresswell for WC?

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

      Shaw

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

      Shaw. Have a feeling West Ham will struggle without Rice and Antonio. Have already showed glimpses of it vs Arsenal and Wolves in the second halves when they fell apart

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

      Thanks

  24. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is it stupid to 1) own Laca and 2) start him over nacho?

    Got Salah Jota lingard Gundo Bruno on wildcard and already having headaches

    How to solve this?

  25. Tronity
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on the below?! Struggle to get to Trent with Lingard in the team

    A) TAA, Veltman, Masuaka, Neto
    B) Dias, Shaw, Phillips, Lingard

  26. speardrops
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Spear's MINTY Wildcard Comeback: FPL Live! We are streaming on Twitch right now.

    Haven't touched my wildcard so if you want to come hang out and discuss options in every position before the deadline, this is the stream and community for it:

    https://www.twitch.tv/spearmintspaff

    Will be doing some RMTs and statistical analysis too.
    Maybe see a few of you in there, good luck in your gameweeks. May the captaincy gods be forever in your favour.

    Best finish: #18. Best of the rest: Mirror - #2, Sky - #25, UFPLM: #1.

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

    Would you make any changes for my WC?
    G2g?

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

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

      Sanchez seems pretty rogue, even with a double

  28. tissae
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Pick one of each for WC please:

    A) Coady or Fofana

    B) Holding or Phillips (got TAA)

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

      B and Philips

      choose between coady or fofana

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

      Fofana
      Phillips

  29. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Will Wilson start against Burnley?

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

      Yes, thats what Bruce said on presser

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sorry, seen this is above.

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

    Can not deciede between:

    1. Coady
    2. Fofana
    3. Rudiger

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

      3

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

      Rudi