Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 2

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Scout Guide to Gameweek 2, don’t forget the new normal deadline of 11:00 BST – half an hour earlier than last season.

Captain set? Transfers made?

Before delving into the nitty-gritty of the best advice for the next round of matches, we received a welcome reminder this week on how to enjoy FPL.

If you find yourself clicking a little too often on transfers page, Community Member and Mindfulness trainer DomWatts23 explained why:

We get a dopamine hit released in our brain every time we look at our team and remember that we might be rewarded in the future for those players doing well this weekend.

– Dom Watts

Which is of course exactly what we want but, realistically, doesn’t always happen.

Dom’s thoughtful article is full of tips that help put FPL in perspective, and could possibly improve your decision-making process. 

And remember, even the best can have a bad Gameweek, as three-time top-200 finisher Lateriser proved with a below-average 43 points. Well, he wouldn’t be called ‘Late Riser’ if he didn’t start slowly. Reflecting on his pre-season decisions, the Pro Pundit considered:

Being stubborn will not make you a good FPL player. You have to respond to what you see on that television screen.

– Lateriser

It’s an exciting Gameweek with both Manchester clubs returning to action following their opening blank, and let’s not forget Aston Villa and Burnley too. Man United-fan Lateriser is sensing an opportunity to give Anthony Martial (£9.0m) the armband.

Although writing in Captain Sensible, Jan Sienkiewicz identified a weakness on Crystal Palace’s right flank that could be exploited by Marcus Rashford (£9.5m).

Encouragingly for Man United backers, the latest clean sheets odds provided by G-Whizz reveal that the Eagles are the team most likely to concede in Gameweek 2.

However, double-points king Jan notes that the safe captain pick is the popular Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m):

We can trust Aubameyang, who has been in fantastic goalscoring form over recent months and does have the underlying statistics, as well as penalties, to back it up.

– Jan

Arsenal entertain West Ham this weekend and, reflecting on the Hammers’ home defeat to Newcastle, David struck an ominous tone in the Best Captain video:

It’s quite rare to see a team get – I don’t want to say played off the park – but Newcastle were in full control of that game and I can’t remember the last time I really saw Newcastle be in control of a game and be on the front foot.

– David

One person who no doubt enjoyed that win was Neale. This week, our resident Geordie cast his eye over the statistics from Gameweek 1 in his latest Big Numbers offering. Among the many pearls highlighted was the frailty of the newly-promoted defences:

2.83 expected goals conceded (xGC) by West Bromwich Albion in Gameweek 1, the worst total in the division. In fact, the three newly promoted clubs had the worst xGC tallies in the first round of 2020/21 matches, with Leeds United (2.76) and Fulham (1.97) not far behind.

– Neale

That could be good news for owners of Everton players, with the Baggies visiting Goodison Park in the early kickoff.

The Toffees topped Pro Pundit Andy’s Gameweek 1 take-aways: underestimated following a series of sub-par performances during Project Restart, Andy noted how the arrival of midfield trio Allan (£5.5m), Abdoulaye Doucouré (£5.5m) and James Rodríguez (£7.5m) transformed their attack. 

Calvert-Lewin will get the plaudits for the goal (and what a header it was), but Richarlison (£8.0m) was brilliant. He managed seven shots, with five of them in the box and his non-penalty expected goals (nPxG) was 0.74, not a bad start. He’ll be a hard sell because of the extra £1m he costs over Calvert-Lewin, but he could be a shrewd pick for the next three fixtures.

– Andy on Everton

Although investing heavily in Carlo Ancelotti’s troops might be tricky without a Wildcard, especially with the Manchester clubs back on the menu. Pro Pundit Zophar weighed up the Pros and Cons of making wholesale changes to your squad this early in the season. 

Depending on the make-up of your team, you may want to act fast to take advantage of low-owned players from Manchester City as well capitalising on the appealing fixtures for Everton and Manchester United. Although, typically cautious in nature, Zophar ultimately prefers to wait until he has a little more data to go on and the transfer window is closed.

However, rumour has it that his fellow member of the FPL Wire, BigManBakar, has pushed the button ahead of Gameweek 2. Does this mean he’s sold Salah? His latest Gameweek review suggests he might have:

I would be more tempted to sell Salah however, if I was on a wildcard because that would have meant that I could have upgraded elsewhere easily. And I think that might be a smart strategy, because this is where the concept of VORP (value over replacement player) comes into play and if you are unlikely to captain Salah in the next four (che ARS avl eve) that ploy might be fruitful.

– BigManBakar

If you are looking for further encouragement to play the early Wildcard, Pro Pundit Tom Freeman was on hand with a selection of enticing differentials. Raheem Sterling led the way with nine goals during Project Restart:

Five of his nine double-digit hauls arrived following the resumption, which ensured he outscored teammate Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m) by 86 FPL points to 73.

– Tom on Raheem Sterling

And a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers is not necessarily such a bad fixture for the Englishman, argues Tom:

Sterling also thrived on his travels – 70% of his league goals arrived during away games, while his 26 big chances in such matches was comfortably more than any other player.

– Tom on Raheem Sterling

The Aston Villa fan also ran the rule over the Villans’ new striker Ollie Watkins (£6.0m):

Amazingly, every single one of [his] 26 goals came from open play and, when you exclude penalties, Watkins scored more league goals than any other player in English football last season.

– Tom on Ollie Watkins

A partnership with Jack Grealish could bear fruit, and Tom suggests the time to invest might be Gameweek 6 when the fixture ticker turns blue for Dean Smith’s men.

This week’s Scoutcast featured former FPL winner and Pro Pundit Simon March. Despite concerns about their defence, one player who caught the eye of the Chelsea fan was Reece James (£5.0):

We saw the goal last night, I watched that back without the crowd noise and just the sound it makes when it leaves his boot – it was like a sonic boom! Just an absolute pile driver of a shot.

– Simon on Reece James

With new signings like Timo Werner (£9.5m) and Kai Havertz (£8.5m) to get on the end of his deliveries, Simon feels that £5.0m could be a steal. And, excluding his goal, Neale pointed out that the 20-year-old could benefit from the bonus points system:

20 baseline bonus points (BBPS) registered by Reece James on Monday night, the joint-highest total in Gameweek 1. Baseline BPS is simply a player’s BPS score with all the appearances, goals, assists and clean sheets stripped away.

– Neale on Reece James

Another defender who posed a goal-threat on the opening weekend was Matt Doherty (£6.0m). Spurs were rightly criticised for their defeat to Everton but the former Wolves player made a couple of encouraging “underlapping” runs into the box: the best resulting in a glorious chance from six yards out that Jordan Pickford (£5.0m) blocked with his legs.

Final Checks

Before making any final decisions ahead of Gameweek 2 be sure to check up on the latest team news and the predicted line-ups.

Pep Guardiola has revealed that Sergio Aguero and Aymeric Laporte will miss out this weekend:

Meanwhile Frank Lampard has confirmed that Timo Werner is fit to face the reigning Champions.

Community Competitions

The Head-to-Head leagues are back! The Gameweek 1 results and tables are currently showing on the main Head-to-Head page.

The fixtures for Gameweek 2 are below:

This is your last opportunity to join The Great and The Good mini-league, the entry code is jxisbl.

And Greyhead is also recruiting for a Community Team to take on the established glitterati. Put your name forward in this Hot Topic if you are interested in taking part.

For an update on all featured FFS Mini-Leagues and Community Competitions, please click here to read the latest round-up.

Finally, Pro Pundit Sam brought us the latest on the Scout Network, a new initiative this season, highlighting both new and established voices in the FPL Community.

Enjoy Gameweek 2 and may your arrows be green!

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TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

2,956 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone tempted by Sterling over Aubameyang this week?

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

      Im on both. Think people will be activating WC like crazy when City put 2-3 past Wolves.

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I took Salah out this week and will bring back next week, risky...

    2. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

    3. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      To put simply, after last years Wolves double over City - No.

  2. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any thoughts on this?

    Martinez
    Vvd Taa Taylor saiss 4.0
    Auba/(Kdb) sterling podence soucek biss
    Werner martial dcl

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

      WC? Not a big fan if so of some choices,

  3. FPL_trail_runner
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Morning. The Jota + Aguero news has given me this on WC. Happy.

    Mesiler
    Robertson, Justin, Ayling, (Mitchell, Saiss)
    Auba, Sterling, Rashford, Hamez, Podence,
    Jesus, Wilson, (Brewster)

    Salah in for week 3.

    Thoughts?

    1. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Solid

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

      Hmm, not sure about Jesus when Werner hit the ground running and Martial looks in good form too. I see both outscoring Jesus even if he gets a run of games with Aguero out. Jiminez too tbh, with Wolves’ fixtures over the next couple of months. Looks good aside from that. Like the Robbo pick. I’d choose an alternative to Justin (maybe Lamptey or Lewis) to save yourself using a transfer on a budget defender down the line

  4. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    "Their upside will be their downfall"- Mo Salah

  5. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Salah or Sterling (C) keep switching

    1. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I wouldnt even consider captaining either but Sterling just

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mo

    3. kevchenko
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Salah shooting on site probably.

    4. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Salah as they will be targeting kepa being poor and therefore hell be shooting on site.

    5. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers all,Salah it is

  6. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Play Bissouma (NEW Away) or Soucek (ARS Away)?

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Probably Soucek

    2. kevchenko
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Soucek.

      Will offer SOME goal threat every match even if they get beat.

      Bissouma is just 2 points.

    3. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Soucek for me

  7. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    1)Alli to James
    2) save

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1

  8. Reddonkeyham 42
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Martínez

    Dier, Walker-Peters, Digne
    Saint-Maximin, Aubameyang(C), Salah, Rodríguez
    Martial, Werner, Adams

    McCarthy
    Soucek
    Vinagre
    Mitchell

    g2g?
    Any recommendations?

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

    Meslier or Martínez?

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      MARTINEZ

  10. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Lamptey or Dallas? Dallas next 2 fixtures are better

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

      Lamptey better player for me. OOP potential too?

  11. TyroneGAA
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bruno or auba captain??? I’m feeling Bruno

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Auba

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Then C him pal

    3. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The fella from Gabon think CP offer a sterner test look organised and functional. West Ham scattered.

  12. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Steer owners? I guess no one is risking starting over Mccarthy?

    Just in case he came on for a few minutes or something daft?

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

      I’m putting him on first

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

        I think he starts for this week, and Martinez next week onwards. An owner can hope

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

      I sure am. GK cameos are pretty rare!

    3. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I feel it'd go wrong somehow so I'll start McCarthy.

    4. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very low risk of that im starting him

    5. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      More likely he starts than an cameo! Don’t expect either though

  13. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Not really for this week as I have settled on my WC team

    Martinez (Steer)
    Justin-Digne-Lamptey (Mitchell-Ferguson)
    Aubameyang-Podence-KDB-Fernandes (Bissouma)
    Jimenez-Martial-DCL
    -
    -
    I was thinking about my gw3 move cash in on Aubameyang and go James Rod. Which would enable me to get Werner or leave the flexibility to go Salah instead of Fernandes gw4.

    Which would basically always leave me play around cash in the bank moving from expensive midfielder to expensive midfielder.

    Or should I just go Aubameyang to Salah gw4 leaving 0 itb?

    How important is the money itb and flexibility?
    Better long term strategy?

  14. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. Greenwood
    B. James Rodríguez

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

      Wait.

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        It’s for Alli 😀

        Can’t wait to get rid...

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

      Everyone on here will say B

      I’d prefer A bit only IF we are confident he starts regularly

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Same thinking here - but is he first choice?

    3. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Close one. Any other United/Everton?

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        None of either...

        1. Catastrophe
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Greenwood for me then.

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Thanks.....

  15. bradplum
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you have Michael Keane and Fernandes or Digne and Rashford?

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      close. Find a way to get Digne and Fernandes 😉

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      D&R

    3. Shaw must go on
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      digne&rasher

  16. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Martial, Grealish
    Or
    Rashford, Wilson!?

    1. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  17. Mr. Clueless
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed:

    GW3 WC

    Rate this WC team out of 10:

    Ryan/4.0
    Robertson/Gabriel/Saiss/mitchell/Justin
    Willian/KDB/Sterling/doucoure/bias puma
    Werner/Jesus/Bamford

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      4

    2. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      5. No Liverpool attacker. Dont like Doucoure. 2 arsenal and their fixtures are bad after WHU. Dont like Ryan. No TAA.

      1. Alexis Nonsense
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        If no Ryan then who? McCarthhy looks really really bad atm

        1. Catastrophe
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Martinez is very popular

          1. Alexis Nonsense
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Yes, but it's Villa, can't see Matinez saving them

            1. Catastrophe
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Villa were defensively solid after lockdown and have already made couple of good signings. Martinez was solid for Arsenal. So looks good for 4.5 - good fixtures too.

    3. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Surely a rating out of 10 is pointless and gives no help?
      Who or what is Puma?
      Interesting you have a bit of Jesus in your team. He could show you the light.

  18. BENOIT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Finishing touches on my WC?

    A) 4.5 mid & Wood (good fix)
    B) Fraser & Brewster (+0.5m to upgrade defence)
    C) Soucek/5m & Watkins

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B once Brew moves otherwise C

  19. klopptimusprime
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone captaining Martial, been on all week but starting to get wobbly

    1. BENOIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hold. Good at home

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Never trust attackers against Crystal Palace
      -Ghandi

    3. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I am

  20. Shaw must go on
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Morning...i´ve just read the news about Reguilon,time to start thinking about replacing Davies??

    1. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hopefully he starts this week and next and then can ship him off gw4. However I can't really see how Spurs will play a back 4 with Doherty and Reguilon the full backs, they're both far too attacking. Wouldn't be surprised if they went to a back 5 with Davies LCB

      1. Shaw must go on
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        thanks for the input

  21. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Boring one but play..

    A) KWP (spurs home)
    B) Taylor (Leic away)

  22. Reddonkeyham 42
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Struijk at £4m and Phillips at £5m, are these 2 nailed on for Leeds, or least for next 4/5/6 games?

    1. BENOIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      STRU isn't

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think struijk is in for cooper who is close, Phillips is a DM

    3. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Phillips all season nailed. Strujik will play one more game imo and then Cooper will take his place

    4. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Phillips is

  23. Muller Reus Corner
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling or KDB on wildcard?

    1. Leonard hatred
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Your choice.

      Sterling scores more goals generally but KDB is an assist machine and is supposed to be on pens - apparently that's a thing this season.

      Who do you like watching more?

      1. Muller Reus Corner
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        KDB, free kicks and pens are good, but Sterling does better without Aguero

  24. Orion
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bench one please:
    A) ASM
    B) Tierney
    C) Gabriel
    D) TAA
    Cheers...

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. kevchenko
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A, easily - unless you don't want an Arsenal double up at the back.

      If you bench TAA in any game, what on earth is the point of having him. He's fixture proof due to set pieces.

  25. Openboxman
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA - Dier - Tierney
    Auba - Barnes - periera - Havertz
    Martial (c) - werner - Dcl

    We go again.

  26. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Guys pls I need your help
    Is there any free website that provides stats like shots in the box?

  27. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Auba captain two weeks in a row doesn't sit well.

    1. kevchenko
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Why?

      He scored last week, now has a plum home fixture?

  28. Enes_Sahini1
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Lads, keep this team for this week and bank the free transfer or is surgery needed?

    Nyland
    KWP Bavies Van Dijk Egan
    Auba Salah Son
    Mitrovic Werner Richarlison

    SUB: McCarthy Soucek Bissouma Saliba

    Any constructive advice appreciated

    1. kevchenko
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Now that Son has dropped in price you might as well leave him in.

      Nothing major to do though, looks alright for this week. Maybe VVD to Digne?

  29. Gazpilicueta
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    quick votes please, who would you bench?

    A) Ayling
    B) Mitrovic
    C) Reece James
    D) Trent
    E) Justin
    F) Lamptey

    thanks everyone.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

    2. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Just bench one? James

  30. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anything from Jose regarding Alli?