FPL top picks for Gameweek 31

Utilising the fixture ticker and underlying stats from the Fantasy Football Scout members area, we pick out some of the FPL top picks for Gameweek 31. Considering team and player form, fixture difficulty and stats will help us shortlist some of the best assets for the round ahead.

Looking at the FPL top picks for Gameweek 31 can be extremely useful to managers in their quest for success. Knowing which players to target for the round ahead can help with important decisions like transfers and captaincy.

Fixtures

Below we can see the teams at the top with the easiest fixtures all of the way down to the bottom to teams with the toughest fixtures. This will help us pick out some of the best options for Gameweek 31.

Goalkeepers – Hugo Lloris

Tottenham rank first on the fixture ticker this week. They face struggling team Bournemouth in Gameweek 31. Amongst all teams in the league the Cherries rank the worst for goal attempts (253), second worst for shots in the box (185), joint third worst for big chances total (38) and joint worst for shots on target (90).

Bournemouth have shown a huge bluntness in front of goal this season and because of that investing in the opposing teams defence could be very beneficial. One of the ways we can do that is by bringing in Hugo Lloris (£5.4m). With all of that in mind, the Spurs goalkeeper makes the top picks for Gameweek 31.

David Raya

Brentford have a great fixture against Wolves in the round ahead. This season amongst all teams Wolves rank joint worst for goals scored (23) and second worst for big chances total (36). This shows Wolves also struggle to create and score goals.

With a great opponent ahead and plenty of clean sheet potential, the Brentford defence could be one of the best to go to this week. Who better than David Raya (£4.9m) who sits as the highest scoring goalkeeper in FPL this season.

David De Gea

Another team playing a poor opponent in the round ahead is Manchester United. They have a game against relegation battling Nottingham Forest. This season amongst all teams the promoted side rank joint second worst for goals scored (24), second worst for attempts on goal (295), the worst for shots in the box (184) and the worst for big chances total (35).

Nottingham Forest are producing some poor offensive stats this season. This is a major indicator that investing in the Manchester United defence a good move. Manchester United have also kept the joint second most clean sheets this season (12) so are very capable in terms of defence. Due to this David De Gea (£5m) makes the top picks for Gameweek 31.

Defenders- Pedro Porro

We have already seen that Bournemouth are displaying some of the worst offensive stats in the league this season. Because of this investment in the Tottenham defence could be very beneficial. One way of buying into both their defence and their attack is Pedro Porro (£4.8m).

Tottenham play with a wing-back formation which means Porro can get into some of the most dangerous positions on the pitch. Porro has shown his offensive ability in the last four matches for Spurs picking up a goal and an assist. With good attacking threat and solid clean sheet potential, Porro has the potential to hit double-digits this week and because of that makes it into the top picks for Gameweek 31.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool face a struggling Leeds side in Gameweek 31. Although inconsistent this season the Reds have still put up some solid defensive stats this campaign. In the last six Gameweeks Liverpool also managed to keep clean sheets in four of their games.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has clean sheet potential this week. However, the full-back offers much more than clean sheets. Amongst all defenders in the league this season Trent ranks second best for crosses (185), second best for successful crosses (52), second for chances created (48) and second for big chances created (16). Like Pedro Porro, Trent has double-digit potential this week and for that reason eases his way into the top picks for Gameweek 31.

Kieran Trippier

Newcastle have been brilliant this season and one of their strongest traits has been defending. Amongst all teams in the league this season they rank the best for goals conceded (20), the best for clean sheets kept (13) and the best and second best for big chances conceded (35).

Because of their great defensive data it could be wise to invest in their back-line, even with a game against Aston Villa next. Another player that offers much more than clean sheet potential is Kieran Trippier (£6.1m). The full-back edges all defenders for most of the key distribution data points this season, takes set pieces and sits as the highest scoring defender in the game. Taking all of the above into account, Trippier breezes his way into the top picks for Gameweek 31.

Ben Chilwell

It is going to be another interesting week with Frank Lampard at the wheel. The Blues have shown defensive improvements as of late. They face as very tough Brighton side in the round. The main selling point in the Chelsea backline is their wing-backs.

Chelsea can play with a back-three system which gives their wing-backs the opportunity to get into some dangerous areas in the opponents half. One of those wing-backs is Ben Chilwell (£6m) he edges every other defender in the last six Gameweeks for non-penalty expected goal involvement. He also leads the way for attempts on goal (10) in the same period.

Midfielders – Mohamed Salah

Liverpool face a match against Leeds this week. Although inconsistent the Reds are still putting up some great offensive stats. Compared to every other team this season Liverpool rank third for attempts on goal (435), third for shots in the box (313), second for big chances total (85) and third for shots on target (153).

Leeds are battling relegation and also rank amongst the worst three teams for big chances conceded this campaign (81). The standout Liverpool attacker is Mohamed Salah (£12.8m). Only Erling Haaland has bettered Salah this season for non-penalty expected goal involvement (17.19). Taking into account his capabilities and opponent Salah could have huge potential this week and for those reasons takes his place amongst the top picks for Gameweek 31.

Bukayo Saka

Arsenal sit top of the table. One of the reasons for that is their relentless frontline. In fact, in the last six Gameweeks they rank first for goals scored (23), first for attempts on goal (119), first for shots in the box (79) and first for big chances (23).

West Ham lay ahead for Arsenal. The Hammers have been struggling all season but against sharper attacks even more so. An example of this is that they conceded four or more goals to Brighton and Newcastle in two of their last four matches. Main man and penalty taker Bukayo Saka (£8.6m) sits as the third highest scorer in FPL. Against a struggling West Ham Saka simply has to be considered amongst the top picks for Gameweek 31.

Jack Grealish

Manchester City will be hoping to chase down their title rivals Arsenal this week. They sit second in the league and go into this game wanting to win and win well. They have also been maintaining some of the best offensive stats in the league this season which only adds to the appeal of their attacking assets.

Finding an additional way into the Manchester City offensive line, other than Haaland, could be hugely beneficial when looking to climb rank. One player who has avoided rotation is the increasingly reliable and confident Jack Grealish (£6.9m). The midfielder has started the last five League matches for Manchester City. His uptake in confidence helped him to a recent 12-point return against Liverpool and with a game against a very poor Leicester defence next, could have big potential. Taking all of the above into account, Grealish sneaks his way into the top picks for Gameweek 31.

Kaoru Mitoma

Brighton have become one of the, if not the most investable team in FPL this season. They have been an exciting watch and that is due to their fantastic frontline. In the last six Gameweeks they rank joint third for goals scored (12), second for attempts on goal (112), third for shots in the box (72) and first for shots on target (44).

They face a transitioning Chelsea who have shown defensive inconsistencies all season. Nobody knows when Kaoru Mitoma’s (£5.6m) incredible run will end as the Japanese international has banked a huge eight returns in his last 10 matches. At his price-tag, playing for a very efficient attack and in premium form Mitoma walks into the top picks for Gameweek 31.

Forwards – Erling Haaland

So far this campaign Manchester City rank first for goals scored (71), second for attempts on goal (461), first for big chances total (101) and first for shots on target (151). The biggest contributor to those stats is main man and penalty taker Erling Haaland (£12.1m).

Halaand sits as the highest owned and highest scoring player in FPL so far. His elite form and domination of stats ahead of every other attacker in the league has helped him to reach an eye watering 28 goals and five assists. Not only is Halaand an absolute essential going into Gameweek 31 but he could also be considered as the standout captaincy option.

Harry Kane

Tottenham may not be the most reliable team but they face a Bournemouth side conceding some woeful defensive stats. In fact this season the Cherries rank the worst team in the league for goals conceded (57), the worst for shots in the box (316) and the worst for attempts on goal conceded (483).

Because of their extremely poor backline Bournemouth have a huge target on their back and one player who could scrutinise that is Harry Kane (£11.7m). The penalty taker is the second highest scoring player in FPL, highlighting his relentless consistency.

Gabriel Jesus

Arsenal have one of the best attacks in the league. That only adds to the appeal of their frontline this week. We have already seen that West Ham are conceding a bundle of goals lately. For that reason further investment into the Arsenal attack could be hugely rewarding.

Another way into the relentless attack is Gabriel Jesus (£8m). Although the Brazilian has spent some time on the side lines due to injury, he is now fully fit. Jesus is the focal point to the offensive line and showed his potential in his first game back with a huge 12-point return in just 59 minutes of play.