Gameweek Guide

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for Gameweek 31

On Fantasy Football Scout this week, a fab four from Liverpool have been causing a stir as the fixtures turn in favour of the Reds and the soothsayers have been playing Pep Roulette again – could Raheem Sterling (£11.3m) reward those bold enough to spin the wheel?

There’s a Friday deadline for Gameweek 31 and you have until 18:30 BST deadline to make any last-minute changes to your side. 

Mo, Trent, Nat and Diego

Top of the fixture ticker for the remainder of the season, Liverpool first take on an Aston Villa side shorn of their talisman Jack Grealish (£7.5m). Dean Smith confirmed that his latest injury flare-up “will probably put him back a couple of weeks”.

Mohamed Salah (£12.4m), Diogo Jota (£6.9m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) are all selected in the Scout Picks‘ starting XI, while Nat Phillips (£4.0m) is Tom’s headline differential

Encouragingly for their backers, Villa have been struggling defensively.

As Captain Sensible writer Jan mentioned, they are the biggest over-performers in the Premier League and should have conceded at least three more goals over their last four matches.

And if we cast our net a little further back to Gameweek 21, no team has conceded more shots than Dean Smith’s side since then.

Jan and the Scout Picks selectors have handed Salah the armband for Saturday’s enticing encounter.

Golden Boot race motivation and penalty duties ensure Salah just edges out Jota in Jan’s estimation, while Pro Pundit Lateriser commented:

Salah has now scored in back-to-back matches and I’ve seen him play further forward in the last two games than he has for most of this season.

Meanwhile Jota was described by Az as “the number one target on the Wildcard”, which many are playing this week.

Such confidence is underpinned by an impressive 50 per cent goal involvement this season when he’s been on the pitch, as highlighted by both Jan and Lateriser, as well as Karam on the Scoutcast.

And although rotation remains a risk, there is comfort in the knowledge that the Portuguese has found the net in three of his six cameos off the bench and bagged a brace at Arsenal last weekend, as Neale pointed out when he delved into the stats ahead of Gameweek 31.

Both players seem excellent choices for our FPL teams but, as Seb advised us, captaincy is important when it comes to selecting Salah:

I do not plan on handing the Egyptian the armband and thus his value is seriously diminished. Salah is only worth his price if you plan on doubling those points.

– Seb

Otherwise the main decision when deciding on the ideal Liverpool trio appears to come down to a decision between Alexander-Arnold and budget defender Phillips.

The enterprising full-back costs £3.3 million more than his central defensive colleague – is he worth the extra outlay?

Last four matches

Over the last four matches, only two players have created more chances than the Liverpool full-back, namely Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m), who both cost considerably more. 

As Seb mentioned on the Scoutcast, Trent has been accelerating away from his fellow full-back Andy Robertson (£7.1m) in terms of underlying stats since Gameweek 24. And the Scot has created just three chances in his last four compared to the Englishman’s 11.

Defensively the signs are also positive. The return of Fabinho (£5.4m) to midfield makes a big difference to Liverpool’s prospects of recording a clean sheet.

Jürgen Klopp’s side badly missed the Brazilian as a number six, and look a far better side with him sitting in front of the back four.

– Tom

In the end the decision will likely come down to the needs of your FPL team. 

Phillips costs just £4.0m, and as one of the cheapest starting defenders in the game, could be a quality enabler for the remainder of the season.

– Tom

While Seb countered:

If I was on a Wildcard, I’d have definitely gone for the Liverpool right-back over the cut-price Phillips as I don’t like looking for value from the best teams with the best fixtures.

Planning Ahead

Digressing away from Liverpool for a moment, Leeds fan Seb backed up recent Meet the Manager interviewee Tom Stephenson’s plan to ‘save a transfer’ by including Raphinha (£5.6m) on his Wildcard.

If you can afford to keep [Raphinha] on the bench I think he provides a great sub and saves you a transfer for when you want him back for those aforementioned fixtures.

– Seb

Maverick Joe

According to Andy, “only an idiot would continue to try and second-guess Pep Guardiola” – and yet, here we are again. 

Speaking after the win over Leicester City on Sunday, Pep Guardiola promised that there’d be “fresh legs, more than ever” for the upcoming clash with Leeds.

Given that neither Sterling nor Gabriel Jesus (£9.2m) started the midweek Champions League quarter-final, they are tipped to make the first XI in what should be an open game against Leeds United. As Neale reminded us:

17 penalty box touches, five goal attempts and five key passes recorded by Raheem Sterling when Manchester City and Leeds United met in the very open reverse fixture of Saturday’s game.

– Neale

It’s even tempted Joe to consider an uncharacteristic one-week punt on the Brazilian, despite Seb’s warning that he’s a trap.

Joe’s plan on his Wildcard would be to switch out Jesus to Jamie Vardy (£10.1m), who is at a similar price point. 

Leicester City

James Maddison’s (£7.1m) return from injury could be good news for our FPL teams, although his price point is considered awkward by Joe.

Nonetheless both Az and Tom have been singing his praises, having picked up on an intriguing quote from the Leicester City midfielder:

Me, the gaffer and Jack, the analyst, sat down and looked at where I can get more goals. Playing a bit deeper, I was a No.8 today, and breaking into the box and getting beyond that last line and really, kind of, almost smelling where the ball is going to drop. It’s not an easy thing to do. Frank Lampard was the best at it, arriving late and scoring goals, and that’s what I did today.

– James Maddison

Tom went on to add that:

Personal motivation could be a key factor, too. If Maddison is to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the European Championship this summer, he will need to play a starring role during the run-in.

– Tom

Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.8m) was lauded for his clinical finishing on the Scoutcast and offers an excellent mid-price alternative up front.

There are concerns that he could drop out of the side for Maddison, having been replaced the Englishman against Manchester City. But, as Karam explained, Iheanacho played for Nigeria during the international break and only returned 48 hours before kick-off. 

For the time being, Neale has predicted that Iheanacho will start against West Ham with Maddison set for another appearance from the subs bench.

Community Competitions and Head-to-Head Fixtures

RedLightning provided us with his usual comprehensive round-up of the latest Community mini-leagues and competitions, which included a new section on a Community Manager of the Week. 

The inaugural winner was Kushral Pakhrel (aka Fantasizer), nominated by FPL Egregious for his impressive tally of 92 points scored in Blank Gameweek 29.

Kushral’s deft use of his Free Hit chip was underpinned by three Brighton players, who contributed 44 points to his total and helped him to a Gameweek rank of 620.

There are five rounds to go in our cup competitions with the finals set to take place in Gameweek 35.

This Gameweek, round six of the FFS Open Cup sees the lowest-ranked manager left in the competition, ronaldez, face Community regular Jarvish, who is aiming for his second top 10,000 finish in the last three seasons.

While Psyurmh, ranked 615,244 takes on 2018/19 FFS Members Cup runner-up Jambo17.

And in this year’s Members Cup, Torpedo will be hoping to overcome the odds when he comes up against FPLMAD, who is currently 1,876,860 places above him in the overall standings.

Neale reviewed the results from the previous rounds yesterday.

Finally, the Head-to-Head fixtures for Gameweek 31 can be found below. 

The scores and tables update every night on the Head-to-Head Leagues main page so you can keep track of the action as the Gameweek unfolds. 

May your arrows be green!


TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

909 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    PANTS DOWN!!! Good luck all, not looked at team all week and did a last minute -4:

    McCarthy & Kilman to Forster & Phillips (Liv):

    Martinez
    Cancelo | Dallas | Phillips
    KdB | Bruno | Son | Gundogan
    Kane (C) | DCL | Bamford

    Forster | Raphinha | Lowton | Rudiger

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

      Kaptain Kane 😮

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

      I played Forster over Emi - the fear is setting in already

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

      🙂

      You put Rudiger 3rd bench! Nice to find someone else who fancies Palace to score this week.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Haha it was the benching last week that put me off, last thing I want is a one point cameo

    4. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Playing Dallas and having Rudiger 3rd on the bench is an interesting one!

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

      same Kane(C)

    6. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Good luck mate! Luck favors the brave.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers all

    7. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dodgy hit my friend

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I know, last minute rush - was with the idea of playing BB at some point but not even sure Forster is nailed

    8. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      🙂 Nice first line!

      Unusual, but brave selections - bol!

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

    My body is ready for my rank to tank. It has been nice playing with you all!

  3. Kane and Ablett
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    At 23k, could Lacazette (c) get me in the top 10k this week?

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Doubt it

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

      I had him captain but at the last min changed to Kane

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

        I bottled even giving him the VC - Just in case both Salah and Laca don't play

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

      Don’t think he’ll start.

    4. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      After his horror show yesterday, state of having him in the team

  4. Drexl Spivey
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Crayons and milkshakes down.

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

    Come on Jota! Good luck boys and girls!

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

      Go Jota

  6. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Went for the sensible Vardy & Son rather than Lacazette & Sterling. Kind of regret it already.

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

      I mean there's no competition this week but long term you made the right call

  7. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Iheanacho captain locked in, good luck all

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

      Love that!

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

      Wow good luck

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

      Nice call

  8. Cruyff Turn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Chris Wood (C) – Pray for me.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Praying and laughing

    2. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nearly did that myself, to justify the -4.

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

      Can't pray, too shocked 😆

    4. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Bold. Go well sir.

    5. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Very brave

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

    Wilson (c) here we go

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Just what i expected

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

        Not sure how you’d expect that one mate

    2. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Tom Hanks?

  10. Isco Disco
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Took Bruno out for Sterling on WC in the last minute and captained Raheem.
    Wish me luck!

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wow sick to my stomach that call

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

        Bruno with Pogba in the team isn’t the same

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

      I'm with you!

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

      I captained Sterling so unlucky bro

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

      You'll need I'll.

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

      +1.

    6. Isco Disco
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Good to know I got some company here.
      Time to grab a hatty tomorrow Sterling(C)

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

    Too many close calls on WC so we're all gonna be in tears anyway.

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

    My God. I forgot it was half 6 this evening. First time this season.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Haha good joke there mate

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

      Bus team to the rescue

  13. el polako
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    DMX.... 🙁

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      (C)?

      1. KUN+10
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cant captain a dead man

        1. KUN+10
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          RIP

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Crack is a hell of a drug

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

    Jota captain

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      o/

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Ditto

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

      yip

  15. hogree
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Cancelo captain here we goooo

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

      Haaaaaa surely not

  16. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Lads, still time for me here. Would you be kind enough to help my with (a) WC team and (b) starting XI for this week?

    Mendy
    TAA, Dias, Holding
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Gündogan, Lingard
    Kane, Wood

    Forster, Iheanacho, Rüdiger, Coufal

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

      Why, f—.

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      VPN does wonders

  17. tinear
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Literally pressing WC 2 minutes before deadline. Hopefully it’s worth it. Good luck all.

  18. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Captain Kev. Genius move or foolhardy nonsense....we'll find out tomorrow!!

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He’ll play

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

      Just signed a new contract, could go ballistic ...

    3. KUN+10
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I’ll take 60 mins of Kevin vs Leess

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

      KDB - - > Sterling x3. Yes please

  19. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    No Bruno on WC, but don’t care. Would want him to blank even if I owned him with EO over 100%.

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

      Good call not picking the best FPL player and top points scorer this season

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

        Only for two GWs. Saka will cover his points......

    2. Bamford's Boot
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I dropped him on mine too. Punted on Sterling captain for this week instead.

  20. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Jota C

    Going for it

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Handshake

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

      Good luck sir

  21. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Nice to have a gw with no real 'nailed on' picks - hopefully will shake up the places a bit

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

    Sympathy for Sterling cappers this week who will be rolling in the mud with 2 points

    1. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1 point cameos...

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

      Ha if he's benched again I'll cry!

      Should be a goal fest though

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

      🙁

  23. Railwayman
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Wanted to make 2 FT right now and forgot about the 90min deadline 🙁 🙁 🙁 First time this season, just can't believe this. Wanted to do Sterling and Alonso in for Bale and Stones, total disaster...

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Haha stop teasing us

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

      I hit my WC totally forgetting that I had 2FT for the first time in at least 2 seasons

  24. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    BB team for next week looks stunning, imagine I'll get at least six injuries and red cards this week though!

    LLORIS
    TAA Castagne Shaw
    Bruno SON Jota Lingard Neto
    KANE(C) Iheanacho
    Leno DCL Rudiger Coufal

  25. CoracAld2831
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Team for GW31:

    Areola
    Dunk-Digne-Cresswell
    Lingard-De Bruyne-Gundo-Fernandes-Raphinha
    Kane(v)-Wood(c)

    Johnstone-Watkins-Dallas-Mings

    Was it GTG?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      6.5/10 g2g

    2. CoracAld2831
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Forgot to add:

      KDB as c and Wood as vc.

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

      Does it matter?

  26. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Chickened out of Auba captain at the last minute.

    But, he’s enough of a differential that I really hope he ‘punishes’ me for that with a hatty.
    I actually think he’s a good punt this week after the Laca horror show performance in mid-week. Good chance Auba plays upfront against Sheff Utd

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

      Haha bottled it big time, good call IMO though.

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

    Pereira (West Brom) captain. Will lightening strike twice??? Doubt it haha!

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

      I was very tempted on him over Neto

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

    Already regret my Jota captain punt

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I’m feeling happy. Though I’ll definitely have the jitters when it’s approaching time for Pool teamsheet to be released

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I dont

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

      VC for me

  29. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I captained prince philip. Please tell me no injury news I've missed..

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sad

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

      Yikes

    3. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Poor taste ( and I’m no champion of the Royals!)

    4. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Alright naughty step for me

    5. Yes Ndidi
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I quite liked the D of E, but he's been flagged for most of the season so you've only got yourself to blame.

  30. Good Times
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Laca captain =S
    Goodluck all

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dropped after missing 27 chances in the last game 😉