MLS Fantasy 2019: Week 31 Fantasy Forecast
Ahead of each Week in MLS Fantasy the Hype Train provides its informative Fantasy Forecast, where members of the Hype Team will duel for MLS supremacy in predicting scores, as well as going head to head in picking a Scout Picks squad for the relevant round of games. In addition, we give our insight into who are the players to watch and those to drop, as well as providing insight into captaincy picks, differential players for the week, and more. Welcome to the Forecast. All aboard.
MLS Fantasy: Week 31 Deadline
For the 2019 MLS Fantasy season there is a 'Rolling Lockout', which means you can make substitutions and transfers until the second a player's game kicks off, which means you can chop and change your lineup as any Week progresses.
How does our Forecasting work?
The Hype Team will compete in a weekly head to head dual of wits. The 3 members of the team will provide weekly insight for the Gameweek ahead, providing score predictions, a Scout Picks squad that follows MLS Fantasy rules, and will provide what insight they can for the fixtures at hand.
MLS Fixture Prediction: As pundits, we are testing our football acumen with MLS predictions and will be providing regular updated tables and stats in each edition of the MLS Forecast. A perfect score is worth 3 points whilst a correct result is worth 1 point. An incorrect score is worth nothing.
Blank Box: We've left an open space for the team to write that helps with the Gameweek hustle; identifying captaincy picks, transfers, attacking options, clean sheet potential, teams to look our for and avoid, differential players, as well as general analysis and comments.
Scout Picks: Picking a squad of 15 for a single Week, within their budget limitations, using the rules of MLS Fantasy - formations, the player limits of 3 players-per-club, and each team must pick a captain.
Fixture Prediction: Gameweek 31
Atlanta United 1-0 New England Revolution
FC Dallas 4-0 Sporting KC
D.C. United 2-0 FC Cincinnati
Houston Dynamo 1-3 LA Galaxy
LAFC 5-0 Colorado Rapids
Montreal Impact 0-0 New York Red Bulls
Orlando City 0-0 Chicago Fire
Philadelphia Union 1-1 NYCFC
Portland Timbers 1-0 San Jose Earthquakes
Seattle Sounders 3-0 Minnesota United
Toronto 2-1 Columbus Crew
Vancouver Whitecaps 2-2 Real Salt Lake
Week 31: Gameweek Insight
This week, and the final week of the regular season, has seen the rise of Carlos Vela to becoming the best active footballer in all the Americas. The Mexican can break the goal record set by Martinez of Atalanta last season. This weeks MLS Fantasy relies on you balancing budget options with the high-priced elite. For one last hurrah I am banking on Vela and Ibrahimovic to end the season on a high.
MLS Fantasy Scout Picks: Gameweek 31
Overall Squad Value: $115.9 million
Formation: 4-3-3
Starting 11
GK: Bono (TOR)
DEF: Zimmerman (LAFC)
DEF: Mabiala (POR)
DEF: Cannon (DAL)
DEF: Mora (DC)
MID: Valeri (POR)
MID: Pozuelo (TOR)
MID: Atuesta (LAFC)
FOR: Vela (LAFC) - (C)
FOR: Ebobisse (POR)
FOR: Ibrahimovic (LA)
Substitutes
GK: Zobeck (DAL)
DEF: Gutman (CIN)
MID: Caldwell (NE)
MID: Robinho (ORL)
Fixture Prediction: Gameweek 31
Atlanta United 2-1 New England Revolution
FC Dallas 3-2 Sporting KC
D.C. United 1-0 FC Cincinnati
Houston Dynamo 2-2 LA Galaxy
LAFC 3-0 Colorado Rapids
Montreal Impact 1-1 New York Red Bulls
Orlando City 2-1 Chicago Fire
Philadelphia Union 2-2 NYCFC
Portland Timbers 3-1 San Jose Earthquakes
Seattle Sounders 1-1 Minnesota United
Toronto 2-0 Columbus Crew
Vancouver Whitecaps 1-2 Real Salt Lake
Week 31: Gameweek Insight
Teams to look out for:
Portland, Dallas, LAFC, Toronto, Seattle, Orlando, D.C. United and Atlanta.
First names in my Fantasy team this week:
Carlos Vela, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Walker Zimmerman, Reggie Cannon and Alejandro Pozuelo. Valeri has the most to play for, this week, so he's a solid bet against any potential rotation.
Week 31: Captaincy Picks
The one, the only, Carlos Vela.
30 games. 31 goals. 15 assists. 4 penalties earned. 84 bonus. 345 Fantasy points.
Zlatan if not Vela.
Pozuelo if not Zlatan.
Valeri if not Pozuelo.
MLS Play-off Predictions:
LAFC and NYCFC have been dominant at home this year. It'll likely be those two in the MLS Cup match and my pick will be for New York to steal a famous away victory if push came to shove.
That said, LAFC could play LA Galaxy at home in the Western Conference semi-finals, whilst NYCFC could face the Red Bulls. in an Eastern Conference semi-final. If both these derby day matches happen, then we could see Seattle or Atlanta sneak in under the radar and throw viewers off the story that's been told this season.
MLS Fantasy Scout Picks: Gameweek 31
Overall Squad Value: $114.2 million
Formation: 4-3-3
Starting 11
GK: Bono (TOR)
DEF: Mora (DC)
DEF: Cannon (DAL)
DEF: Zimmerman (LAFC)
DEF: Mabiala (POR)
MID: Pozuelo (TOR)
MID: Valeri (POR)
MID: Barrios (DAL)
FOR: Vela (LAFC)
FOR: Ibrahimovic (LA)
FOR: Ebobisse (POR)
Substitutes
GK: Freese (PHI)
DEF: Omsberg (MIN)
MID: Hayes (DAL)
MID: Etienne Jr. (CIN)
You can read more of our latest articles from the world of Major League Soccer and the MLS Fantasy game by clicking here.
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Want to know more about The Hype Train?
The Hype Train is an entertainment website founded in 2015, specialising in the Fantasy Premier League (#FPL), providing beautiful graphics and weekly insight for hopeful players attempting to climb ranking tables. We are also occasional media reviewers, with a keen interest to review movies, live sport, and professional wrestling.
As well as providing FPL articles on our website, we are a founding Contributor to the new Fantasy Football Hub, where you can find more unique articles, including weekly Power Rankings, from The Hype Team. You can support us and read exclusive members only content for just £2 per-month by clicking here.
The Hype Train were nominated and shortlisted for the 'Best Football Blog 2016' by the Football Bloggers Association at their annual Football Blogging Awards (The FBA's), with the final presentation held at Old Trafford in Manchester.
You can follow us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook, or visit our website here at www.thehypetrain.co.uk
All aboard.
