Fantasy Premier League

The Scout and Fantasy experts provide everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's deadline.

Part 1: Best players to own for the run-in The best XI players are picked for the upcoming Gameweek. The Scout and the FPL experts recommend players you should be considering for your GW31 armband.

With Everton and Burnley playing twice in Gameweek 31 and Aston Villa not featuring in Gameweek 33, a lot of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers won't think ...

Most Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers will be playing for mini-league glory or a landmark rank as we enter the season run-in.

Scout: With no Bench Boost to play, will you be retaining a solid squad of 15 rather than pouring money into your starting XI, with one eye on rotation around the Champions League/Europa League/FA Cup and the rise in Covid cases?Håkon: I’m very happy that I got to play my Bench Boost in Double Gameweek 29 as I think it is the hardest chip to get right with all the planning that goes into it and all the compromises you might have to make in the weeks prior to and following the Gameweek you play it. Now that the Bench Boost is out of the way I am looking to put more money into my starting XI. For most of the season I’ve had a very solid squad, which has been useful with all the rotation and postponements, but it seems like things have settled down a bit now, so I think it’s okay to have at least one non-playing asset on the bench. If I go there, the players I’m considering are Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anthony Gordon and perhaps Richarlison. Calvert-Lewin would be my preferred choice but ideally, I’d like to see him start some games first.Scout: You currently don’t have any Manchester City players in your side – is that a situation that will change in the next few weeks or will they have to wait for their double later in the season?Håkon: Yes, I definitely want some Man City players back – they still have a lot to play for in the league and when they do I think it’s difficult to look past them (rotation risks or not). I had Joao Cancelo and Kevin De Bruyne before my Wildcard in Gameweek 28, when I got rid of both of them to be able to fit in Kane and to prepare for Double Gameweek 29 and Blank Gameweek 30. Do you still retain faith in forwards and prefer a more attacking set-up?Håkon: I’ve found it useful to have a solid team of 15 players for most of the season, and there’s always been a lack of forwards in the £4.5m-tier that actually get minutes consistently. Do any of their players appeal to you for their run of doubles, starting with GW31?Håkon: I thought their late win against Newcastle might ignite them a bit and they obviously have something to play for, which is important to keep in mind when entering the closing stages of the season. Hence, I’ve had to spend more on forwards, and when they cost more I find it a bit harder to put them on the bench – I guess that’s why I’ve ended up playing with three forwards for most of the season. I don’t really expect much from my current strikers apart from Harry Kane, and having played my Bench Boost I think I might turn one of them into a non-playing one for the run-in.Scout: You’ve had only one Everton player in your team all season, and that was Dominic Calvert-Lewin back in Gameweek 3-4. How long have you been a Member?Håkon: I’ve been a Member for three years I think, and I mainly use the stats that are accessible on the site. I still think the smart play is to just keep trying to bring in the players that do well. Are you usually this aggressive with transfers or is this season a bit of a one-off given the raft of postponements, blanks/doubles etc?Håkon: I tend to be quite aggressive with transfers – even more so in previous seasons. I don’t think I’ll pay much attention to that going forwards, though, and I don’t think my mindset has changed a lot. I still think it’s rather unrealistic to actually do it, though, as there are a lot of managers with similar teams/chips that are in a great position to win it as well, but I gather I’ve got as good a chance as anyone – so I’m going for it!

The Premier League is marching on furiously towards the tail end of the campaign and now is the time to make the smartest move that is sure to separate ...

Relying on Richarlison to find his scoring boots is your best bet as both teams have failed to showcase a standout player in form at the moment. Kane is sure to be on the hunt to score this week as he looks to improve the club's and his personal fortunes. Salah now returns to club duty where Liverpool is hot on the tail of Manchester City in a captivating title race that could be decided at the finish line. To be the best player in FPL you need to rely on the best players. To be the best player in FPL you need to rely on the best players. Who is the best pick for Captain?

It's matchday 31. The run-in requires points, and lots of them. Of course, picking the players who ...

He has come to life under Antonio Conte in 2022, with his eight Premier League goal involvements this calendar year bettered by only Harry Kane (12). Among Premier League central defenders this season, Ben White has the second-highest tally of clean sheets with 13, behind only Virgil van Dijk's 17. Mohamed Salah has been in intimidatingly great form this season, and in the thick of a Premier League title race, rotation from Jurgen Klopp coming out of an international break is unlikely.

Find out who the Scout has tipped for success ahead of City's trip to Turf Moor in our latest Fantasy Premier League Scout Report.

Wout Weghorst (£6.4m) is the hosts’ main goal threat. Tottenham Hotspur’s Kane entertains Newcastle United on the back of five goals, four assists and 51 points in his last five outings. He has averaged 9.7 points per match over his six meetings with Sean Dyche’s side, including his career-high haul of 21 points in Gameweek 10 last season.

The clock is ticking on Fantasy Premier League managers make their adjustments for gameweek 31.

Brentford travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday for a west London derby against a Blues side on top form. After a week away due to the international break, managers who have been sat on their hands coming up with all manner of ideas can finally enact them as GW31 looms. The double gameweek-backers will have a tough time deciding between a Burnley team hosting Man City and Everton, or the Toffees side facing trips to West Ham and Turf Moor. Everton’s dismal away record should make the Clarets the ones to back.