Scout Picks

Salah and Sterling the key men for Gameweek 1 Scout Picks

The Fantasy Football Scout editorial team have chosen what they believe to be the best XI for Gameweek 1.

Also, for the first time, the Scout Picks will have an official captain this season, just like a normal Fantasy side.

We’ll have more detail on how the skipper is to be chosen each week later in the article.

The 11-man line-up is chosen by comparing our Scout Squad submissions from earlier the week, which included teams from editor David Munday, deputy editor Neale Rigg, head of content Paul McKinnon and community manager Geoff Dance.

After much deliberation and compromise, we have assembled a team influenced by all four pundits which we hope will do well in Gameweek 1.

We have hit our £83m budget on the head and line up in a 4-4-2 formation.

Goalkeeper

Nick Pope is our goalkeeper for Gameweek 1

Nick Pope (£4.5m) was chosen as the best goalkeeper for Gameweek 1 by three of our pundits this week, with Neale still selecting him in second place. The return of 2017/18’s save-machine is welcome news for Fantasy managers, his place in the side assured by Tom Heaton’s departure to Aston Villa. More importantly, Burnley appeared to have rediscovered their imposing defensive form at home towards the end of 2018/19. In their last six home matches, they gave up just seven big chances, the same number as Liverpool.

Defenders

Alexander-Arnold is our chosen Liverpool defender for Gameweek 1

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) is our chosen representative from the Liverpool defence for Gameweek 1. He was the overwhelming favourite among our panellists, earning the top spot in this position from all four of us. Between Gameweeks 21 and 38 last season, Alexander-Arnold created more chances than Andrew Robertson and outscored him by 111 points to 104. While the left-back is more nailed on in the side, we think Alexander-Arnold’s position/game-time is only at risk from the more defence-minded Joe Gomez in matches against big sides. Norwich do not fall into that category, so we expect Klopp to unleash Alexander-Arnold on Friday night.

Lucas Digne (£6.0m) makes it into the Scout Picks after backing from two members of our panel. There is plenty of interest in the Everton defence right now with Neale touting Jordan Pickford and David originally selecting Coleman, before being put off by the signing of Djibril Sidibé. Digne’s involvement in set-pieces should stand him in good stead to supplement his clean sheet potential for Gameweek 1. Everton kept eight clean sheets in their last 11 matches of 2018/19, although that was achieved with Kurt Zouma and Idrissa Gueye, both no longer at the club. However, Crystal Palace had the joint-lowest goal tally in home matches of sides that survived relegation last season (19).

Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) is our Manchester City defender of choice ahead of Manchester City’s trip to West Ham. The reigning champions kept more clean sheets than any other side in the second half of the 2018/19 campaign and we’d expect to retain that defensive potential in Gameweek 1. Zinchenko started 10 of the last 11 matches of last season and played more minutes than new signing Angeliño in pre-season while Benjamin Mendy is not expected back until September.

The £4.5m defender category is a tough one this season, with a real dearth of exciting options. We’ve gone with Martin Montoya (£4.5m) as our enabler for some of the extravagant spending elsewhere in the Scout Picks XI. The right-back has been used as a wing-back in Graham Potter’s 3-4-3 system at Brighton this summer.

Midfielders

Salah is our top midfielder for Gameweek 1

Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) was an incredibly easy choice for the Scout Picks panel this week. Ahead of the Gameweek 1 meeting with Norwich, the Egyptian was too of the pile for midfield selections, chosen as the best option in this position by all four of us. Salah was the highest points-scorer last season and faces a Norwich defence that had defensive issues last season as well as injuries at centre-back ahead of Gameweek 1.

Raheem Sterling (£12.0m) was the unanimous second choice asset in midfield. The last time he went to the London Stadium in the Premier League he came away with a goal and two assists in a 4-0 win. Manchester City have scored at least four times in each of their last four trips to West Ham.

Leandro Trossard (£6.0m) was one of the most popular of our mid-price midfielders in the Scout Squad submissions with David, Geoff and Neale all including him. The Brighton midfielder has been deployed in the front three of that 3-4-3 formation Potter has been using this summer and was on set pieces too, providing three assists. More importantly, no Premier League team allowed more chances from dead-ball situations than Watford in 2019.

The £5.5m bracket is a little bit of a tricky one at the start of 2019/20 but we think that there’s potential for Callum Robinson (£5.5m) to do well in Gameweek 1. The FPL midfielder has been playing as a centre-forward for Sheffield United in pre-season and was involved in the joint-highest number of goals across their six matches than any of his colleagues (five). Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s defence remains untrustworthy. Last season, the only teams to conceded more goals than the Cherries (70) were Huddersfield (76) and Fulham (81), who were both relegated.

Forwards

Harry Kane was the most popular forward for our Scout Squad

Harry Kane (£11.0m) was widely seen as the best forward for Gameweek 1 by our Scout Squad panel. All four of our pundits selected him in the top spot in this position. The Spurs man faces newly-promoted side Aston Villa on Saturday, a favourable fixture to start the campaign. No forward who survived relegation managed more shots on target than Kane last season, despite the player missing two spells with injuries. That tells us he is ready to kick on and have an incredible campaign in 2019/20.

Even though we don’t have many good things to say about Bournemouth’s defence, we are well aware of the awesome potential of their attack. That is why Callum Wilson (£8.0m) rounds off the Scout Picks XI after three of us included him in our Scout Squad submissions. The forward had all-round attacking appeal last season, afforded the same number of big chances in home matches as Salah, and joint-fourth among all players for big chances created in such games. Wilson was also the Cherries most important player in pre-season, involved in more goals than any of his colleagues (five).

Substitutes (no budget)

For those unfamiliar with the Scout Picks, our bench does not work in quite the same way as an official FPL one.

Rather than being the leftovers of our budget who come into the starting XI in the event of injuries or no-shows, these are relatively cheap players who nearly made the final cut, who we want to give an honourable mention to.

There is no firm budget for this but we like to limit ourselves to the budget end of the scale in each position.

Kyle Walker-Peters (£5.0m) was one of our differentials for Gameweek 1 and came close to inclusion in the Scout Picks, only missing out on cost. He looks likely to start Gameweek 1 against Aston Villa and should offer creativity down Spurs’ right flank. Read our differentials article for more information by CLICKING HERE.

Leander Dendoncker (£4.5m) is by far the most appealing budget midfielder for 2019/20. He is one of only a few in the £4.5m price bracket who is likely to start matches and his advanced positioning in Wolves’ 3-5-2 system means he should get some attacking returns this year.

Budget forwards are proving tricky at the start of this new season but there are one or two useful players to be found. Chris Wood (£6.5m) takes the final spot on our bench this week ahead of Southampton’s visit to Turf Moor. He was tipped by David and Neale after scoring nine times in pre-season.

Captain

The Scout Picks will have a captain in the 2019/20 season

For the first time, the Scout Picks will have a captain in the 2019/20 season.

This will be chosen based on a combination of factors.

The conclusion of the Captain Sensible article will play a part if there is a conclusive favourite candidate. You can read this week’s instalment HERE.

This will then factor into a vote undertaken by our Scout Picks panel of David, Neale, Paul and Geoff.

Because the use of Fantasy Football Scout data is used so heavily in this process, the captain we choose each Gameweek will be known only to those who sign up for the 2019/20.

It will be revealed to the public when the deadline for that Gameweek passes.

This week the clear favourite candidate for the armband according to our Captain Sensible article was Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Salah.

The information we uncovered resulted in the following results from our vote:

  • David – Salah
  • Neale – Salah
  • Paul – Salah
  • Geoff – Salah

Raheem Sterling has been handed the vice-captaincy.

The Community Champion

Before most Gameweeks, we nominate a Fantasy manager to challenge our Scout Picks with a starting XI of their own.

The Community Champion who has the biggest lead over the Scouts during 2019/20 will win a £100 Amazon voucher (currently we can only offer Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com vouchers).

We will announce the Community Champion and their team in due course.

MORE TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS CONTENT

Arsenal | Aston Villa (manager) | Aston Villa (defence) | Aston Villa (attack) | Bournemouth | Brighton | Burnley | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Leicester | Liverpool | Man City | Man United | Newcastle | Norwich (manager) | Norwich (defence) | Norwich (attack) | Sheffield United (manager) | Sheffield United (defence) | Sheffield United (attack) | Southampton | Spurs | Watford | West Ham | Wolves

2,030 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Adambailey7
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A - KDB, Jota
    B- Kane, Robinson

    Already have Salah and sterling

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

  2. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Camarasa worth a punt?

    1. -GK22-
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

  3. TKC07
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Players likely to get Price rise & drops after GW1?

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes, it's possible. Depends who does well.

      1. TKC07
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        That really helps!! 😛

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Not sure what you are expecting him to say

    2. Brian Boitano
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Whoever scores.

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

      1. TKC07
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Who're the players to likely get Price rise & drops after GW1 🙂

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          A village is missing it's idiot.

        2. Begbie.
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          If anyone scores for Norwich then absolutely them. If Robbo/TAA/VVD get attacking returns them too.

        3. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Your grammar is poor.

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I've also been thinking about this

    5. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Anyone who gets injured or a red card.

  4. Giteau12
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Will Moura start in GW 3 after Son returns?

    1. Speculativefrom30
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Depends on Dele

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Unsure, but everyone will swoop to Son anyway

    3. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Depends on Alli fitness I guess?

    4. Bird Raymond
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Probably not, but can switch to whichever mid price option is smashing it.

  5. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Alisson
    VVD, Digne, Zinchenko
    Salah, Sterling, Perez, Martial
    Wesley, King, Haller

    Bench: Button, Dendoncker, Montoya, Kelly

    £0.5itb

    G2g?

    1. TONEY HONEY
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Very nice

  6. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Pope + Button, TAA + Robbo
    B) Pope + Heaton, TAA + VVD

    1. AnyoneButLiverpool
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. Daaf
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A, or even A but with VVD instead of one of those 7.0's.

  7. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Final stretch, help me with the defense for GW1!

    A) Robertson, VVD, Rico (Zouma, Lundstram)
    B) Robertson, VVD, Cathcart (Montoya, Lundstram)

    1. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

    2. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      b

  8. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    1) VVD, Vardy & King (got Perez)
    2) TAA, Wilson & Jota
    3) TAA, Wilson & King

    1. AnyoneButLiverpool
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      2

    2. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Good options. I'm leaning toward 1.

  9. AnyoneButLiverpool
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Zichenko and VvD
    B) KWP and TAA

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

  10. meule
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Lloris
    Zinchenko VVD Guilbert Montoya Rico
    Salah Siggurdson Martial Perez Dendoncker
    Kane Vardy King

    good to go ?

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah. Nice team.

    2. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I like it.

    3. meule
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks

  11. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Yea or nay?

    Pope
    Robbo, TAA, Zinchenko
    Salah(c), Sterling, Ayoze, Robinson
    Wilson, Wood, Jimenez
    Bench: Ryan; Dunk, Kelly, Dendoncker

    1. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah all good. Solid team.

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thank you kindly.

  12. RyanMK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any reason Fraser not getting much love?

    1. Pinatta
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He's Scottish

    2. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      According to other people, Sheffield had a great defence last season. People are worried he might not return.

    3. Brian Boitano
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He is template unless I’ve missed something.

      1. RyanMK
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Seeing a lot more picking Martial and Perez instead.

    4. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      People think he's an American comedy psychiatrist.

    5. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      From what I can tell, he is getting love. One of those I'm more worried about not owning from GW1, though happier with my choices in the mid to long term

  13. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Dyche's comments about Burnley having 2 keepers "ready to go" is very worrying. Go Heaton for security?

    1. St. Joseph
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Go Brighton

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      But he's with Villa!

    3. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      To be fair most teams have '2 keepers ready to go'.

    4. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I am now - need a nailed keeper in my set up

    5. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Seems more like : Pope is fit again and ready to play

    6. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’ve gone Leno

  14. lyoungman
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    If Salah and Aguero were both strikers of the same price, who would you go for at the start of the season? interested

    1. Brian Boitano
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Salah

    2. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Salah all day

      • St. Joseph
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Salah still

      • jtreble
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Easy, Salah. Way better value.

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Is Montoya best 4.5 m to be first on bench most weeks in case needed? Or who is better option?

      1. Pinatta
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Don't miss out on Willems

        1. dunas_dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Who is that?

          1. lyoungman
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Newcastle United new left wing back signing

      2. DantheManinaPan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Soyuncu for Leicester going under the radar since they didn't sign a Maguire replacement

    4. Minerva-03
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      After alot of tinkering up until this point, I'm set on this I think.
      Would appreciate any feedback!

      Ryan
      KWP Zinchencko VVD
      Siggy Moura Dendoncker Salah Sterling
      Aubameyang King

    5. Mitos77
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      IS Moura nailed in Spurs eleven?

      1. Pinatta
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sure he's my (c) even

      2. OPTA FPL
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        never

      3. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        This and next week yes

    6. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I've cleaned up my act, I'm getting Lenor adverts now!

    7. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Is Robinson (Sheff Utd) the new Sterling?

      1. AnyoneButLiverpool
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He's the new Salah

    8. Josserz
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A) KDB & Auba or
      B) Sterling & Wilson

      (Have King)

    9. 2hotty
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kane or Auba deffo going with 1 premium striker

      1. trikster102
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        It would be Auba for me.

        1. the dom 1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Im on Auba too!

        2. 2hotty
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yes on him at the moment with wilson

      2. Pinturicchio10
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Kane

        • FPLtfs
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          kane

        • DantheManinaPan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Auba for the GW2 captaincy for me, though personally can't see past Salah + Sterling

      3. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        For draft start Kean(unlikely to start) or Doherty(was subbed off in europa game)?

        Is Laporte fit?

      4. Kevinw82
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Ederson & Dunk/Montoya OR Ryan & Walker??? Thoughts?

        1. Bad Kompany
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          A

      5. LIARS POKER
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Have had to downgrade TAA to VVD as I needed the extra 0.5 and couldn't find it anywhere else. Bad idea?

        1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          No

      6. FDMS All Starz
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Feel like Perez will be a flop, fixtures dont look att good too, thoughts?

        1. RubeRx
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          agree

        2. DantheManinaPan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I can understand that - certainly a possibility.

          That said, the upside is so great for such a cheap player. Playing as a forward in one of the league's most attacking sides for just 6.5 is hard to ignore, and if it doesn't work out it's not a big disaster

          1. Hairy Potter
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Agree. I have doubts, but think he's worth it at the price.

        3. OPTA FPL
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          sold

        4. Hairy Potter
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          He's played his best football for Newcastle on the break against teams with more possession. For me the nagging doubt is that he's very much a form player and for Newcastle he would go for runs of games and not look like scoring.

      7. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        LACAZETTE!!!!!

        Just practicing, carry on.

        1. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Was going with him until today. I was in this position with him this time last year and got bent over. Fool me once Laca.

        2. Hairy Potter
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          When he comes off the bench and gets a consolation goal on Sunday?

      8. Cak Juris
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Best under 6.0 mid:
        A. Barkley
        B. McGinn
        C. Callum Robinson
        D. Trossard
        E. Almiron

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Barkley

        2. St. Joseph
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          A

        3. 2hotty
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          barkley

        4. Fpl Richie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          It is A - but the temptation is to get D or C until things become clearer

        5. Hairy Potter
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          A

      9. brendanlim92
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Lads, do you think my team is G2G?

        Pope (Heaton)
        Digne VVD Robertson Zinchenko (Lundstram)
        Sterling Salah Martial Moura (Dendoncker)
        Deulofeu King (Greenwood)

        Comments appreciated!

        1. Can’t beat em so&hell…
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Love the martial pick. G2G

      10. Can’t beat em so&hell…
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        A) Coleman and Verts
        B) Digne and KWP

        1. FF Dirtbag
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          B for sure

        2. Dumpo
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          B

        3. The Red Devil
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          B

      11. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Last 2 spots
        TAA + Robinson
        Or
        VVD + Barkley/trossard
        Also
        Lundstorm or Kelly