Gameweek 31 Last Man Standing Picks

The Strongest Picks

Confidence ratings are editorial judgement, not calibrated win probabilities

1. 1

   

   Newcastle (H)

   vs Sunderland

   5/5 confidence

   safe risk

   The Tyne-Wear derby at St. James' Park. Newcastle won their last two before back-to-back defeats, then bounced back with a win last time out. Sunderland have lost three of their last four and managed just eight away goals all season. That away record makes this one of the strongest picks of the week.

2. 2

   

   Fulham (H)

   vs Burnley

   5/5 confidence

   safe risk

   Burnley are 19th with 20 points, only four wins all season, and have conceded 58 goals. Fulham at Craven Cottage have eight home wins and their last two results were victories. Irrespective of Fulham's inconsistency, this is the kind of fixture you back them to take care of.

3. 3

   

   Man United (A)

   vs Bournemouth

   4/5 confidence

   moderate risk

   United sit third with 54 points and have won three of their last five. Bournemouth drew four on the bounce before their last win and tend to frustrate rather than blow teams away. United's firepower should be enough to take three points at the Vitality.

4. 4

   

   Aston Villa (H)

   vs West Ham

   4/5 confidence

   safe risk

   Villa have been inconsistent, with three defeats in their last five, but they bounced back with a win last time out. West Ham are in the relegation zone with just 29 points and without a win in four. Villa Park should be too strong.

This Week's Fixtures

• 

  Bournemouth

  vs

  

  Man United

  20 Mar, 20:00medium difficulty

  United travel to the south coast in good form. Tricky Friday night opener.

• 

  Brighton

  vs

  

  Liverpool

  21 Mar, 12:30hard difficulty

  Liverpool in form but the Amex is a tough place to go

• 

  Fulham

  vs

  

  Burnley

  21 Mar, 15:00easy difficulty

  Burnley are in the bottom three. Fulham at Craven Cottage should be comfortable.

• 

  Everton

  vs

  

  Chelsea

  21 Mar, 17:30hard difficulty

  Chelsea travel to Everton's new ground. Both sides are in patchy form, so expect a spiky one.

• 

  Leeds

  vs

  

  Brentford

  21 Mar, 20:00medium difficulty

  Leeds are winless in five. Brentford will fancy this one away.

• 

  Newcastle

  vs

  

  Sunderland

  22 Mar, 12:00easy difficulty

  Tyne-Wear derby at St. James' Park. Newcastle are strong at home and Sunderland have struggled away all season.

• 

  Spurs

  vs

  

  Nottingham Forest

  22 Mar, 14:15medium difficulty

  Spurs have not won in five. Forest away are a dangerous test despite the gap in table positions.

• 

  Aston Villa

  vs

  

  West Ham

  22 Mar, 14:15easy difficulty

  West Ham are deep in relegation trouble. Villa at Villa Park should be too strong.

• 

  Man City

  vs

  

  Crystal Palace

  21 Mar, 15:00medium difficulty

  Postponed. No fixture this gameweek.

• 

  Wolves

  vs

  

  Arsenal

  18 Feb, 20:00hard difficulty

  Already played. Finished 2-2 (rearranged fixture, counted in GW31).

Stay Away From These

• 

  Spurs

  No win in their last five (DLLLL) and their home record is one of the worst in the division. Only two wins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium all season. Forest away are better than their league position suggests.

• 

  Chelsea

  LWLDD in their last five. They have drawn three of their last four and are yet to convince away from home. Everton at their new ground are a proper test for a side that keep dropping points.

• 

  Leeds

  No wins in five, four draws and a defeat in their last five outings. Brentford are seventh and have won away from home six times this season. Elland Road is not the fortress it was.

If You've Burned Through the Good Teams

• 

  Liverpool (A)

  vs Brighton

  3/5 confidence

  moderate risk

  Liverpool have won three on the bounce, with six away wins on the season. Brighton are inconsistent at home (WLWWL in last five) and lost their last game. An away win is far from certain but Liverpool's form makes them a punchy differential.

• 

  Brentford (A)

  vs Leeds

  3/5 confidence

  risky risk

  Leeds are winless in their last five and Brentford have form. DWLDW, with six away wins on the season. If you need points from an unfashionable pick, Thomas Frank's side at a wobbling Leeds is worth considering.

Form Guide (Last 5 Games)

• 

  Arsenal

  Top of the table by nine points. Their game vs Wolves was already played this GW (2-2).

  WWWWD
• 

  Liverpool

  Three wins on the bounce. In form at the right time ahead of the Amex trip.

  DLWWW
• 

  Newcastle

  Won last time out. Home derby vs Sunderland is a real opportunity.

  WWLLW
• 

  Spurs

  No win in five (drew Liverpool today, four losses before that). No sign of a turnaround at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

  DLLLL
• 

  West Ham

  Relegation zone, 29 points. Without a win in four and now they travel to Villa Park.

  DWLDD
• 

  Burnley

  Won last out but still 19th. They travel to a Fulham side who are decent at home.

  DLLDW