Scout Squad

The Scout Squad picks for FPL Gameweek 1

The start of the 2020/21 campaign is just days away so the Scout Squad panel reconvenes to champion the standout Fantasy Premier League assets for the first Gameweek of the season.

For the uninitiated, these picks always take the format of a ‘Free Hit’ for the very next Gameweek.

Fantasy Football Scout editor David, deputy editor Neale, video content manager Andy and Pro Pundit Tom will each propose an 18-man squad of players for the approaching Gameweek and explain their notable inclusions/omissions below.

The 72 nominations listed will then be narrowed down to a squad of 15 (with the starting XI not exceeding a total cost of £83m) for the weekly Scout Picks selection ahead of Saturday’s deadline at 11:00 BST.

There are requirements for at least one goalkeeper costing £5.0m or less, at least one sub-£5.0m defender, at least one midfielder listed at £6.5m or below and at least one forward priced at £7.5m or lower.

Each panelist is restricted to no more than three players from the same team, as is the case in FPL.

We will again be adding a captaincy to the Scout Picks, with details of that revealed on Sunday.


 DavidNealeTomAndy
GKAlex McCarthyHugo LlorisRui PatricioKasper Schmeichel
 Mathew RyanAaron RamsdaleHugo LlorisRui Patricio
 Aaron RamsdaleAlex McCarthyAlex McCarthyAlex McCarthy
DFTrent Alexander-ArnoldTrent Alexander-ArnoldTrent Alexander-ArnoldCesar Azpilicueta
 Matt DohertyKieran TierneyAndrew RobertsonTrent Alexander-Arnold
 Rob HoldingWilly BolyRomain SaissMatt Doherty
 James JustinCesar AzpilicuetaReece JamesWilly Boly
 Tyrick MitchellJames JustinJames JustinJames Justin
MFPierre-Emerick AubameyangPierre-Emerick AubameyangPierre-Emerick AubameyangPierre-Emerick Aubameyang
 Mohamed SalahSadio ManeMohamed SalahMohamed Salah
 Kai HavertzKai HavertzKai HavertzSadio Mane
 Jarrod BowenWilfried ZahaJarrod BowenChristian Pulisic
 Allan Saint-MaximinAllan Saint-MaximinJames Ward-ProwseAllan Saint-Maximin
FWTimo WernerJamie VardyTimo WernerTimo Werner
 Harry KaneTimo WernerJamie VardyJamie Vardy
 Che AdamsMichail AntonioHarry KaneMichail Antonio
 Eddie NketiahHarry KaneMichail AntonioDanny Ings
 Raul JimenezEddie NketiahChe AdamsHarry Kane

Most popular picks: Alex McCarthy, James Justin, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Timo Werner, Harry Kane (four), Kai Havertz, Mohamed Salah, Allan Saint-Maximin, Jamie Vardy, Michail Antonio (three)

DAVID SAID…

The inclusion of Trent Alexander-ArnoldPierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mohamed Salah largely speak for themselves so I will dedicate a bit more time to some of my other selections.

Crystal Palace were the lowest scorers in home matches last season, while only Norwich found the net fewer times than the Eagles during Project Restart, making Alex McCarthy my preferred goalkeeper for Gameweek 1. Mat Ryan has some value going forward and should make plenty of saves at Chelsea, hence why he’s my second choice.

I’m expecting Matt Doherty to go straight into the Spurs team for their meeting with Everton and, judging by his attacking mentality at Wolves, I’m expecting big things for him in north London. Jose Mourinho has improved the Spurs defence while Everton struggled for goals during Project Restart.

James Justin looks nailed-on to start against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday afternoon and offers potential at both ends of the pitch.

Likewise, Rob Holding also faces newly promoted opposition in Fulham, while Arsenal’s defence continues to improve under Mikel Arteta.

I have my concerns about the long-term viability of Tyrick Mitchell, and Palace’s injury-hit defence fared particularly poorly during Project Restart, but he seems the most likely of the £4.0m defenders to actually start in Blank Gameweek 1.

Kai Havertz and Timo Werner are my chosen options from the Chelsea attack, which looks rather promising for the new campaign.

I have also included Jarrod Bowen, as I am sure West Ham will get a good result against Newcastle. I wanted to include Tomas Soucek and/or Michail Antonio but doubts of the two players’ chances of Gameweek 1 involvement put me off at the last moment.

I am expecting big things from Harry Kane this season, based on the way he finished last season. We all agree Spurs have nice fixtures to start 2020/21 and it was their centre-forward who registered more touches in the box, shots there and attempts on target than any team-mate during Project Restart.

On the hunt for some value in attack I have chosen Che Adams. During the final three matches of last season, he outscored Danny Ings, registering superior figures for minutes per shot, minutes per big chance and minutes per shot on target than his colleague across the whole of Project Restart.

NEALE SAID…

The pre-season eye test, if that is worth anything, has shunted a few names down the pecking order or out of my 18-man Scout Squad altogether.

Harry Kane appeared sluggish for England after his period of self-isolation, Michail Antonio lacked sharpness for West Ham in their final warm-up match against Bournemouth, and Mohamed Salah has looked well below-par for Liverpool in their pre-Gameweek 1 kickabouts.

Will that count for anything when the competitive action gets underway on Saturday? Maybe, maybe not. Will my lily-livered self have the nerve to overlook the highly owned Salah in favour of Sadio Mane, as I have done in my selection above? Almost certainly not.

Gameweek 1 squads are a unique affair as there is perhaps more gut instinct going on than at any other time of the season.

We don’t know if new signings will bed in straight away, whether the end-of-season form from the previous campaign counts towards anything and, as discussed, whether pre-season displays have any bearing on what follows.

Timo Werner and Kai Havertz are two such “gut” picks. Their Bundesliga stats are impressive but there is the nagging doubt over whether Frank Lampard can seamlessly assimilate such talented attackers into what was one of the most creative teams of last season: only the top two carved out more big chances than the Blues in 2019/20 but there often wasn’t anyone reliable on the end of these gilt-edged opportunities.

Had we had a full complement of fixtures and the premium assets from both Manchester clubs playing this weekend, the likelihood is that I would have gone with tried and tested over the Premier League rookies.

Matt Doherty would be my ideal route into the Spurs defence ahead of their meeting with Everton but I am a tad concerned that he has not kicked a ball for the Lilywhites since his move south, so, having not yet heard from Jose Mourinho at the time of writing, I’ll stick with the goalkeeper with the best save percentage and expected goals prevented total in the Premier League last season: Hugo Lloris.

Obvious picks abound elsewhere but the Wilfried Zaha selection probably requires explanation.

Palace aren’t renowned for their goalscoring exploits but we have seen Roy Hodgson adopting a more attacking 4-4-2 in pre-season, with Zaha deployed “out of position” in a two-man attack.

The Ivorian found the back of the net on three occasions in the Eagles’ friendlies (which were admittedly against sub-standard opposition) and the capture of Eberechi Eze should add a bit more potency to what was a limp attack.

It’s also easy to forget that Zaha averaged over 18 attacking returns per season in the three campaigns before 2019/20.

I think Allan Saint-Maximin is possibly being oversold in the Fantasy community but, given West Ham’s continued struggles at full-back (look no further than the 5-3 defeat at Bournemouth last Saturday), I think he could still make hay this weekend.

While I’ve highlighted the pre-season woes of Kane et al, Eddie Nketiah is on a goalscoring streak after a successful international break.

He’s a rotation risk in the medium term but he seems to have curried favour with Mikel Arteta, starting in the Community Shield, so he may well get the nod at Craven Cottage against a Fulham defence with much to prove.

Finally, going back to Mane: he averaged 6.9 points per start in FPL last season compared to Salah’s 7.0, so there is little splitting the pair.

TOM SAID…

Clean sheets look quite hard to call this week.

Even Liverpool’s home tie against Leeds United is far from straightforward, but that being said, I’m more than happy to select both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson due to their attacking threat.

I’m also backing Wolverhampton Wanderers defence, via Rui Patrício and Romain Saïss. Despite heading into the new campaign without either of last terms first-choice wing-backs, I still think a shutout could be on the cards, bearing in mind Sheffield United took the fewest shots in the division last time round.

They’re joined by Hugo Lloris, Alex McCarthy, Reece James and James Justin at the back.

Further forward, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mohamed Salah are my heavy hitters of choice, while I’m also backing Chelsea’s new arrivals.

Brighton and Hove Albion shipped 11 goals in three home games against Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United during Project Restart, while in Kai Havertz and Timo Werner, Chelsea have landed two of Europe’s hottest prospects whose Bundesliga numbers are hugely encouraging. You get the feeling both could explode, and make a mockery of their respective price tags.

I’ve also doubled up on Southampton and West Ham United’s attacks.

Saints’ away form was only bettered by Liverpool and Man City last season, while only the Manchester clubs collected more points during Project Restart. They’re up against a Crystal Palace side who have won just four games all year, which bodes well for James Ward-Prowse, who may be back on penalties, and Che Adams, who looked lively at the end of last season and bagged three goals in the final two Gameweeks.

At the Hammers, I’ve opted for Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio.

Newcastle United massively overperformed their metrics last season, and were really poor at defending set-pieces. I think Bowen, who will likely be on corners, could profit from those weaknesses, and in Antonio, they possess a striker who posted some ridiculously good numbers following the restart, and should keep his centre-forward spot given his performances.

The forward list is completed by Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane, who take on newly promoted West Bromwich Albion and Everton respectively.

ANDY SAID…

I think there are lots of reasons to be excited about Chelsea this season, especially if they buy a new goalkeeper. They were the fifth-best defence last season in terms of expected goals conceded (xGC) and with Cesar Azpilicueta not missing many minutes in recent seasons, there’s nothing to suggest that will stop now.

Although Michail Antonio’s sample of games is a bit smaller than most (only 1,767 minutes played last season), it’s difficult to look past his outrageous stats. Within players to play at least 1,000 minutes, Antonio was top for expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes for all midfielders last year at 0.64. In comparison, Raheem Sterling was 0.62 and Mohamed Salah 0.58.

When FPL first launched, Willy Boly was someone I wanted to avoid. It didn’t feel right backing him at £5.5m when you could get Romain Saïss (£5.0m) and Rúben Vinagre (£4.5m) for less. Fast forward a few weeks and there’s a little bit too much transfer speculation around Wolves for my liking. At £5.5m you at least get a little attacking threat and a very much nailed-on player against one of the worst attacks in the league last season.

There are rumours that Christian Pulisic might be available for Gameweek 1. Chelsea were only second to Manchester City last season for xG and when you think about the players they’ve added to their squad, there’s potential for big numbers again this year. It’s a risk starting with him, in case Lampard decides to bed him in slowly. At 0.59 expected goal involvements (xGI) per 90 minutes last season, he’s someone I want in my team sooner rather than later. No midfielder priced £8.5m or less bettered that last year outside of Riyad Mahrez.

James Justin provides a lot of upsides, but only potentially for a short space of time. We know that he’s only starting because of the injury to Ricardo Pereira, but for a Gameweek 1 punt against a newly promoted side, there aren’t many better options for the price. My only concern would be Jonny Evans missing out through injury but Leicester may still have enough for both attacking and defensive returns for the £4.5m full-back.

THE COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Each week, one of the Fantasy Football Scout community takes on the Scout Picks by pitting their chosen XI against ours.

The community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Moderators and Contributors League for the following season.

Our Scout Picks article on Friday will have further details on who is representing the community this week.

BEST PLAYERS BY POSITION:

1,357 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy 4
    TAA Davies Justin Vinagre 4
    Auba Bruno Son Kia 4.5
    Werner Mitro Nketiah

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would score the frontline about the same, 4 or 4.5.

  2. Andy Unsocial
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Callum Wilson in line to start?
    Has a fantastic record vs the Hammers.

  3. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Name your best two defenders at these price points for the first 8 Gws.

    A. 5m
    B. 4.5m

    1. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dier, Saiss
      KWP, Lewis

  4. fpork
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    1) Havertz+4.5 defender
    2) ASM + Robertson (+0.5 ITB)

    1. Kizza_10
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      2

  5. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Do any of you guys know where I can get a decent waterproof sports bag from?
    All the ones I've had or seen at the likes of JD sports are only water resistant.

  6. Kizza_10
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which option do you think is better ? This is my team at the moment.

    McCarthy
    — Trent Doherty Robertson
    Salah Aubameyang —
    Mitrovic — Werner

    Subs:
    Nyland, Mitchell, Reed, Bissouma

    A. Digne, ASM, DCL

    B. Justin, James Rodriguez, C.Wilson

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kind of liking B

    2. RyanMK
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B out of the 2.

  7. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you downgrade Son to upgrade elsewhere/keep some $ITB?

    Ryan
    TAA/Davies/Egan/KWP
    Auba/Salah/Son/ASM
    Werner/Ings

    Nyland/Brewster/Bissouma/Mitchell

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nope

    2. fpork
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Similar to mine. Egan/Ings is Robertson+Mitrovic in my team. You could also upgrade ASM to Havertz and downgrade Ings. But I would not downgrade Son.

  8. FPLShaqiri
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So far I have had Fulham goalkeeper Rodak in my drafts. I am aware he will probably keep very few clean sheets, but I have looked at stats that suggest he could get a lot of save points this season.

    But Fulham have now got Areola on loan from PSG... any Fulham fans expect Rodak to still be nailed?

  9. RyanMK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 4.5-5m mid?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      They say Bissouma

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      extremely boring, but if it's not Soucek I'll be surprised - maybe one of the Fulham mids like Kebano

      1. RyanMK
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Soucek looks good, but West Ham have a pretty rough first 7 fixtures which is making me reconsider though.

  10. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Am I G2G guy's? I want a fairly set and forget team and have 1.5 ITB for Bruno.

    Ryan
    TAA Doherty Egan Saiss
    Salah Auba Son Soucek
    Werner Mitrovic
    Walton Mitchell Bissouma Brewster

  11. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 4.5m defensers?

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Defensers assemble!

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      They are all ropey imo, KWP Vinagre Justin all risky

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      the step up from 4.5s to 5.0s is pretty big imo - I wouldn't bother with any 4.5s

      1. KujaliaFC
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        You don't even fancy Lampety, Holding, and Saliba?

        1. WVA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Even worse!

          1. KujaliaFC
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I'm taking a punt on Lampety.

            Mercurial right back who's going to turn defenders inside out.

            1. ritzyd
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              I love watching him just concerned about his pitch time - assumption seems to be that Veltman will play RB/RWB

            2. QUEN
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Love that pick tbh

              Think when I shop Justin out it will be for him or amapadu

      2. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I know but this is why it is called enablers. Have KWP Justin and C. Taylor myself with Mitchell last fodder. Dont think those 5.0 are that great to be honest. So going ultra cheap cause it enables me Vardy,Werner, Mo, Auba, Sonny and Trent. Will risk it.

      3. QUEN
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Hardly ropey. Pretty good options in that category And better value. £5m nothing shines for me

    4. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      KWP, Ayling, Dallas,Lascelles, Taylor

      Justin but will have to be transferred out in few weeks

      Saliba/Holding whoever plays

      Lamptey, Ampadu ones to watch atm but think they hold great value

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

  12. emyoueffsee
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this.

    Ramsdale
    Justin TAA Saiss
    Auba Salah(c) ASM Son
    Mitrovic Vardy Adam's

    Steer Soucek KWP Brantwaithe

    1. RyanMK
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      We have similar GK and defences.
      Forward is pretty similar to but I have Werner instead of Vardy.
      I have Auba and Salah as well but still undecided on the remaining slots.

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I don't see the point of Soucek, unless for one GW only if he's likely to start. Why not save a 0.5 there?

      1. emyoueffsee
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        There are no good 4.5m mids though.

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Make it your 2nd or 3rd sub?

    3. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very similar to mine and even more balanced so I like it. I have Werner&Vardy up front so bench guys are much worse. No love for Che?

      1. emyoueffsee
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I have Adams.

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Doherty should outscore Mitro or Adam's, don't like Leicester defence especially a transfer waiting to happen!

  13. JakeTheRed
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT

    McCarthy - 4.0
    TAA - Doherty - Justin - (4.0) - (4.0)
    Auba - Son - Barnes - ASM
    Werner - Jiménez - Mitrovic

    3.5m ITB

    After a few weeks:

    McCarthy - 4.0
    TAA - Doherty - Justin - (4.0) - (4.0)
    KDB - Pulisic - Fernandes - ASM
    Agüero - Jiménez - Mitrovic

    Thoughts?

  14. Robson-Canoe
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Rob Holding expected to be a regular starter for Arsenal? Could be gold at 4.5...

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      there are just too many options to know for sure.

      the only one that is a dead cert would be Gabriel

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      not for long I wouldn't have thought

  15. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts?

    McCarthy
    Bednarek / TAA / Johnson
    Havertz / Salah / Saint Max / Auba / Son
    Werner / Antonio

  16. borko
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    mitro of nketiah?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitro

      1. borko
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        nketiah is in a good form and last games arsenal has beaten them whit 5-1 and 4-1

        1. KujaliaFC
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          How nailed is he though?

          Arteta could play Laca or Auba up front with Saka wide left.

          1. borko
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            you are right,im looking for some differentials

        2. KujaliaFC
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          At least if you pick Mitro, you know he'll play.

        3. iL PiStOlErO
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Water under the bridge...and are you sure Nketiah will even start? Mitro safer bet bit if your gut says Nketiah go for it

          1. borko
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            my gut is telling me that vardy will play a good game against wba but im stil having werner as capiten...hmm

            1. iL PiStOlErO
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              I have both 😉

              1. borko
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                i would like that to but i dont have founds for them...calvert lewin,werner and mitro are my strikers...

                1. iL PiStOlErO
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  Went ultra cheap in defence so it enables me that cause I still trust Vardy more then Mitro and others...

                  1. borko
                    • 5 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    can i see your team?
                    this is my team

                    Martinez
                    taa azpi kwp
                    armstrong auba salah son
                    werner mitro calvert lewin

                    1. iL PiStOlErO
                      • 4 Years
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      Of course.

                      Ramsdale Nyland
                      TAA Justin KWP C. Taylor Mitchell
                      Salah Auba Son Bissouma Romeu
                      Vardy Werner Davis

                      1. borko
                        • 5 Years
                        3 years, 6 months ago

                        almost the same 🙂 im thinking change azpi fo dohert after gw1

                      2. borko
                        • 5 Years
                        3 years, 6 months ago

                        best of luck man 🙂

                      3. iL PiStOlErO
                        • 4 Years
                        3 years, 6 months ago

                        Cheers man, same to you.

  17. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which one?
    A. Werner & Son
    B. Kane & Havertz

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'm doing B

    2. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  18. Binny
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any suggestions for this ‘final’ draft?

    McCarthy / Nyland
    Doherty / TAA / Egan / Justin / Mitchell
    Auba / Salah / Havertz / soucek / Bissouma
    Wilson / DCL / Ings

    Ings to Martial GW2

    Thanks

  19. Snevitz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I started looking into the points per game for Salah and KDB last season.

    KDB Home 8.7ppg (9.4 vs top 6)
    Salah Home 8.2ppg (8.4 vs top 6)
    KDB Away 5.7ppg
    Salah Away 5.6ppg

    It's made me completely scrap the plan I had of rotating of premium players vs bottom 10 cluns that I'd spent ages making. I'm just going to own both and captain whoever is at home (whenever possible) irrespective of fixture.

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      thats why i quite like United and City for my 2 premiums.

      1. Snevitz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Fernandes actually had a much higher ppg in away games although it's a smaller sample size.
        I have him as well, he just happens to play WBA and LEE when Salah and KDB both have an away fixture.

    2. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/22363862

      Home is definitely better

      1. Snevitz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Good analysis, it deserves to be hulked.
        One thing to add is that KDB, Salah and Fernandes are head and shoulders above the other premium players when you look at ppg. The likes of Kane, Vardy, Auba etc last season weren't even close.
        Obviously that could change this year but Kane/Vardy/Werner/Aguero would need a 30 goal season to score similar points. I think someone did an analysis of Auba as a mid and he still wasn't close.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          When you say "premium players" are you only counting midfielders and forwards? Because I've rigged up a captaincy rota involving City, United and Liverpool players, but my Pool candidate is TAA.
          When playing weak teams that park the bus, Liverpool rarely slaughter them - Salah and Mane might score one, but those teams won't attack. So Trent has a high chance of a CS, plus his creativity and set-piece delivery gives the usual chance of an assist or better.

          1. Snevitz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            TAA Home 5.9 ppg (6.2 vs top 6)
            TAA away 5.1 ppg

            That makes him a marginally better captain when he is at home and De Bruyne is away but he can't compete with Salah.

            1. Andy_Social
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Very interesting, thanks. Don't suppose Sterling competes then?

              1. Snevitz
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Sterling Home 5.1ppg (7.2 vs top 6, 5.4 vs bottom 10)
                Sterling Away 7.1 ppg

          2. Snevitz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Even looking at the bottom 10 teams for goals last season he only averages 6.2ppg at home.
            You have to remember that he played in every game last season whereas Salah missed 4.
            If Salah had played every game the averages suggest he would have scored 258 points.
            He also has a larger deviation from the mean than TAA when looking at home games vs away games which makes him a much better home captaincy option.

            1. Andy_Social
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Fantastic. Right, off to heavily revise my excel sheet!!!

              1. Snevitz
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                That's what I did last night.
                If it helps the teams they blanked against at home last season:
                Salah: Leicester, Brighton, Wolves, Burnley
                KDB: Southampton, Man U, Everton, Palace & Burnley (29 mins played)

      2. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Great post btw. But will it be as big of a difference even with no fans?

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Studies around Europe showed that the reduction in home advantage was far less than you might think. I'd revised my chart - the emphasis is still on the weakest 6 defences, and there were very few that I had to make a decision due to venue.
          These are the captaincies I'm left with:
          KDB m 9
          Salah m 6
          Mane m 4
          Auba m 7
          Werner f 5
          Kane f 4
          Bruno m 3

          A rigorous pursuit of Upside Chasing renders all transfers in 2 positions - prime mid and prime striker. I'm leaving 1.5m itb for price fluctuations.

  20. Puntillimon
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any suggestions? Slightly not sold on rodrigo

    McCarthy Ryan
    TAA KWP Justin Tierney Douglas
    Auba Salah Son Rodriguez ASM
    DCL Adams Rodrigo

    1. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Go mitro there then he should do alright

  21. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I'm going with Havertz and without Werner. This could be very painful given Werner's EO

  22. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 5.5m MID thats not Soucek lol 😉

    1. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      ASM

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        actually have Callum in my draft so not keen on 2 x Toon boys or should we be going for double up?

        1. Robson-Canoe
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Doucoure seems to be popular on here

  23. Knallie
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What do you think?

    Ryan
    VVD / Davies / Vinagre / Justin
    Salah / Auba / Son / Soucek
    Vardy / Ings

    1.5 ITB to eventually change Auba/Son/Ings to KDB/Bruno/Martial over 2 or 3 gameweeks depending on performances

    1. Knallie
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bench is 4/4/4.5/4.5

      On Nyland, Douglas, Bissouma and Davis now. Any better options?

  24. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mark's team leaked yet?

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He is doing a black box Podcast with AZ so he might reveal it there

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I stopped watching when I noticed Lemina in his team....

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        lol

  25. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    1. Egan
    2. Coady / Saiss

    Thanks

  26. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    No Son in scout squads - a good sign....

    1. JURGENAUT
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kane is the main man

    2. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Should haul then xD

  27. Gubbins94.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone tempted by Doucoure? At 5.5m there could be some decent value there.

    1. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He's a good price assuming he's given license to bomb forward, doesn't fit into my plans at the moment would I reckon he'll be good value.

  28. LSK
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anybody starting with Pulisic? Think I will.

  29. Checko
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A). TAA / Doherty / KWP/Taylor/Justin (2 of the 3 rotating)

    OR

    B) TAA / Egan / Coady (or other 5.0, maybe Saiss or Dunk)

    Thanks!

  30. GreenWindmill
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Think I've got the fundamentals of my team sorted now, just need to pick a 4.5 and a 4.0 defender. I'm about to listen to the Scoutcast though so I assume that and whatever team news comes in before Saturday will ruin everything.