Welcome to our FPL GW31 Scout Picks blog! *BLANK GW ALERT* *BLANK GW ALERT* – If you did not know, or had forgotten, that this weekend is a blank for Arsenal, Manchester City, Wolves, and Crystal Palace, take this as your sign to check your team and reassess your transfer plans. Do not forget, however, that a blank GW presents more opportunities than it does problems…!
Our Scout Picks team’s total of 54 was enough to beat the Official Scout Picks score of 53 in FPL GW30. We go 2 points ahead of the Official Scout Picks going into FPL GW31.
AAFPL Scout Picks 16 – 14 Official Scout Picks
| GW1 | GW2 | GW3 | GW4 | GW5 | GW6 | GW7 | GW8 | GW9 | GW10 | GW11 | GW12 | GW13 | GW14 | GW15 | GW16 | GW17 | GW18 | GW19 | GW20 | GW21 | GW22 | GW23 | GW24 | GW25 | GW26 | GW27 | GW28 | GW29 | GW30 | |
| AAFPL Team | 62 | 58 | 57 | 68 | 34 | 60 | 77 | 67 | 58 | 73 | 39 | 52 | 59 | 82 | 58 | 82 | 77 | 40 | 32 | 49 | 65 | 42 | 46 | 77 | 85 | 51 | 36 | 65 | 62 | 54 |
| Official FPL Team | 56 | 50 | 57 | 90 | 43 | 57 | 67 | 63 | 41 | 78 | 54 | 52 | 41 | 66 | 67 | 80 | 92 | 35 | 46 | 57 | 76 | 38 | 40 | 68 | 69 | 64 | 42 | 88 | 78 | 53 |
As always, our Scout Picks will be based on the eye test, stats, and analysis. But before we discuss player picks, let’s take a look at the fixtures for FPL GW31.
FPL GW31 Fixtures
FPL GW31 Scout Picks
FPL GW31 Scout Picks – Goalkeeper
Leno (4.9m) is our goalkeeper for FPL game week 31 as Fulham face Burnley at home. With limited defensive options this week due to Arsenal and City’s blanks, and some tricky fixtures to navigate, it makes sense to target Fulham this weekend. The Cottagers have conceded just two goals in the last three Premier League matches and three in their last four, drawing in GW30 against Forest, losing 1- 0 to West Ham, and beating Spurs two-one. These results indicate that Fulham are able to do a job defensively against teams towards the bottom of the table…
Burnley are bottom of the league for expected goals and fourth from bottom for goals scored. Parker’s side have failed to score in both of their last Premier League matches, and have definitely reverted to the mean. During a three-game week run between GW26 and GW28, Burnley scored seven goals but failed to generate huge numbers of chances – their XG was low, and it now appears as if that run was perhaps a bit lucky… Fulham are a decent side with solid CS potential, facing one of the worst attacking outfits in the league; with few alternatives, Leno is certainly one to consider on a free hit!
FPL GW31 Scout Picks – Defenders
Andersen (4.5m), Virgil (6.2m), and Thiaw (5.0m) make up our back three for FPL GW31…
Stats from stats.allaboutfpl.com(Fully Free)
Following on nicely from our goalkeeper, we’ve decided to double up on Fulham defensive assets, selecting Andersen as one of our defenders for FPL game week 31. For all of the reasons listed above, Andersen is a great option for this weekend, though he of course able to score points through more avenues than Leno…
In all three of his last Premier League appearances, Andersen has hit the DEFCON threshold on all three occasions. In fact, he has accumulated the 4th most DEFCON in the league so far this season! Anderson is pretty nailed for minutes, and is Fulham’s captain most weeks; he may not be the most inspired pick, but in a week of few exciting defensive assets, Andersen is an excellent choice.
Virgil keeps his spot in the team in spite of Liverpool’s turmoil. The Reds looked lethargic and passive for large sections of the game against Tottenham last weekend, with most of those issues coming in the form of chance creation and chance conversion. Defensively, the Reds were not that bad: 1.18xGA, 2 big chances conceded, 1 goal against – not great, but not bad. The stats are kind to Tottenham, however, as I would suggest they created little of note. Against Galatasaray, on the other hand, Liverpool looked much improved, conceding just 4 shots and 0.18xG over the course of the 90′!
VVD missed out on DEFCON points by just two CBIT in FPL GW30, but that should not put FPL managers off him as an asset – he’s managed to return DEFCON in almost half of all PL matches this season (12) and is up there as one of the most consistent scorers in the game (joint 9th for matches with DEFCON). He’s now the third-highest scoring defender in FPL in spite of Liverpool’s subpar season, and has shown himself to be a versatile point scorer in FPL. This weekend the reds take on a patchy Brighton side away from home.
Completing the defense we have Newcastle’s Thiaw. The Magpies welcome local rivals Sunderland to st James Park in GW31 in what could be a monumental clash. Sunderland have dropped off significantly since the start of the season, particularly away from home, and will no doubt struggle in what will be a difficult atmosphere for them in Newcastle. The Magpies, on the other hand, have picked up two wins on the bounce for only the second time this season, beating two top teams in the form of Chelsea and Manchester United.
Newcastle’s home form has been patchy so far this campaign, but the fans, and no doubt the players, will surely turn up for the derby this weekend. Thiaw himself has been a great FPL pick all season when fit and has picked up 28 points in his last five starts in the league. He has decent goal threat (4 so far this season) and is a consistent DEFCON scorer (9.25 CBIT per 90), rendering him the perfect choice for this weekend.
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FPL GW31 Scout Picks – Midfielders
We’ve selected a midfield four of Wilson (6.0m), Outtara (6.0m), Bruno (10.2m) and Palmer (10.2m )for FPL GW31…
Stats from stats.allaboutfpl.com(Fully Free)
Sticking with the Fulham theme, we’ve gone for the most popular Fulham player in the game – Wilson. Averaging 6.99 points per game over Fulham’s last five, and ranking second-highest for points scored by midfielders since FPL FW13, Wilson is a must-have for this weekend’s fixture against the most porous side in the league, Burnley.
FACT: In the reverse fixture, Wilson scored once and made two assists (16 points)
Parker’s side ranks bottom for goals against, and bottom for xGA, having conceded 6 goals in their last 3 games. Clean sheet against Bournemouth aside, Burnley have averaged over 2GA per game over their last 5 Premier League matches. Neither team have much to play for in this one, but, without an outside shot at a European spot, Fulham will surely be up for it more than the relegation-bound Burnley.
Ouattara is up next as Brentford travel to Elland Road for an evening kick-off against Leeds. Leeds under the lights at Elland Road perform far better than Leeds in a daytime kick off, but I’ve got a funny feeling that this one might be a bit of a thriller… Brentford are in decent form and have scored an obscene amount of goals lately: 2 against Wolves, 2 against West Ham, 4 against Burnley, the Bees are certainly in scoring form!
After Thiago, Outtara is clearly the best Brentford attacking option for this attractive fixture against the side that have shipped the fourth most goals in the league, but he’s been in particularly good form of late… Outtara shone against Wolves in FPL GW30, picking up just the one assist, but creating 4 chances and 2 big chances and thus taking home all three FPL bonus points! The winger is averaging around 0.46xGI/90 this season and has delivered 5 goals and 3 assists thus far. Both teams have a lot to play for, and neither team is particularly good defensively at this moment in time; I’ve got a feeling this one’s going to be a goal fest!
Bruno keeps his spot in the team, having delivered another masterclass in FPL GW30. This pick needs little explanation – Bruno is the highest scoring midfielder in the game and is possibly on track to break the PL assist record, he’s a must have! In FPL GW30, Bruno picked up another 2 assists, having created 6 chances, 2 big chances, and taking two shots. With Bournemouth up next and United on a roll, Bruno remains an essential FPL asset!
STAT: That was Bruno’s 10th double-digit haul of the season, & his 5th straight in his last 5 home games
Stats from stats.allaboutfpl.com(Fully Free)
Palmer completes the midfield for FPL GW30 as Chelsea travel to Merseyside to face Everton in Saturday’s later kick-off. Chelsea will be fully focused on finishing in a Champions League spot now that they’re knocked out of the Champions League, and will be keen to make up lost ground on Liverpool and United. Palmer has re-nailed down a spot in the Chelsea team since coming back from injury, and is starting to look like the Palmer of last season again after taking some time to get fully fit.
STAT: Palmer ranks 6th in the league for xGI/90 (1300+ minutes)
In just 19 appearances in the PL this season, Palmer has 10 GI (9 goals, 1 assist) and is averaging 0.66xGI/90. His creativity has clearly dropped from the highs of last season, but his goal threat has only grown. Palmer has just 1 goal involvement in his last 3 PL matches, but this can be put down to fixtures, having faced Newcastle and Arsenal in that period. Everton are a decent side that put up a good fight against Arsenal, but the Toffees will likely find this game against Chelsea equally challenging, if not more. Palmer has continued to create chances at an elite level despite not delivering goal involvements in recent matches, creating 3 chances and 1 big chance against Newcastle and 2 chances against Villa.
FPL GW31 Scout Picks – Forwards
Joao Pedro (7.8m), Ekitike (9.2m), and Thiago (7.3m) complete the team for FPL GW31…
Stats from stats.allaboutfpl.com(Fully Free)
Some of you with keen eyes may have spotted that this is exactly the same forward line as in last week’s scout picks. While you can criticise our lack of originality, you cannot overlook the fact that these three are undoubtedly the best forwards in FPL for GW31 and possibly the best picks full stop! Let’s take a look at why…
JP blanked for only the second time in his last 9 Premier League appearances in FPL GW30, failing to register either a goal or an assist against Newcastle United. Across that stretch of 9 games, the Chelsea striker has 14 goal involvements and is one of the highest scorers in FPL since Christmas! JP is the second-highest scoring forward in FPL (behind you-know-who) and remains an excellent pick for managers on the hunt for a set-and-forget forward. I outlined in the Palmer section the reasons we’re targeting this fixture against Everton, so I shall not go over them here.
In the last 5 gameweeks, Joao Pedro has averaged (among forwards):
- 8.31 points per 90 (Highest)
- 1.23 xGi per 90 (Highest)
- 4.76 shots per 90 (Highest)
- 1.66 shots on target per 90 (2nd)
- 2.88 Big Chances per 90 (1st)
(stats lifted from our FPL GW31 Transfer Targets & Watchlist article)
Further Read: FPL GW31 Transfer Targets & Watchlist Based on Stats & Eye Test
Ekitike keeps his spot but loses the captaincy, having been benched for the match against Tottenham and making a 1-point-cameo late on. In spite of another mid-week Champions League fixture, we’re more confident that Ekitike will start this one, especially given how poor Liverpool were both at creating and converting chances against Spurs. Without Heki, the Reds really missed that forward outlet that is able to hold up the ball and play 1-2s with the wingers and midfielders; he’ll surely start this one. Ekitike is the fifth-highest scoring forward in FPL, having scored 11 and assisted 4 this term.
FACT: Last time these two teams met in the league, Ekitike scored a brace!
Liverpool face Brighton in FPL GW31, a side that ranks mid-table for both goals conceded and xGA. With Salah coming off injured in Liverpool’s 4-0 victory over Galatasaray in mid-week, Ekitike’s probability of starting this match has massively increased. The frenchman’s form has dipped with Liverpool’s overall form in recent weeks, but Wirtz’ reintroduction to the team will no doubt help him to re-find his scoring boots. Wirtz is a great alternative and/or additional option for those on a FH this week; he was in exceptional form prior to his injury.
Finally, we have Brentford’s Thiago. The Brazilian scored his 19th goal of the Premier League season against Wolves in FPL GW30, making up even more ground on the out-of-form Haaland in the race for the golden boot. Thiago took a solid 3 shots (all in and around the 6-yard box) and should have come away from the game with at least one more goal, having accrued 1.85xG. Brentford’s star striker missed two great opportunities with his head, hitting the post with one and sending another just shy of the goal. With Leeds up next, Thiago will be looking to close the gap with Haaland even further in the race for the Golden Boot!
FPL GW31 Scout Picks
Further reads from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL GW31:
Upcoming FPL Double/Blank Gameweeks | 25/26 FPL Season
FPL Gameweek 31 Transfer Tips: Two Players to Buy, Hold, & Sell
FPL GW31 Captaincy Metrics- Top Captain Picks based on Stats and Comparisons
FPL GW31 Scout Picks Based on Stats, Analysis and Matchups
Top FPL GW31 Differential Picks to Target Ahead of Deadline
FPL GW31 Transfer Targets & Watchlist Based on Stats & Eye Test
FPL GW31 Ultimate Guide: Tips, Differentials, Captaincy & More
2025/26 FPL Chip Strategy Guide for the 2nd Half of the Season
Link to all our FPL GW31 blogs including scout picks, players to target, buy, hold, sell analysis, differentials, captaincy metrics, transfer targets, and more. Completely free to access as well!
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What’s next from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL Gameweek 31 of the 2025/26 FPL Season?
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