Podcast
11 August 2021 696 comments
J0E J0E
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Joe, Seb and new regular Scoutcast presenter Andy help Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers prepare for Gameweek 1 and reveal their own teams.

In one of the longest Scoutcasts yet, Joe, Seb and Andy look ahead to the 2021/22 campaign and, in particular, their Gameweek 1 line-ups.

In this season start survival guide special, each of our presenters focus on the key events and information driving their decisions, as they take it in turns to reveal their teams.

For Joe, Fantasy Football Scout’s Complete Guide to FPL Pre-Season has been a major factor in choosing players.

Using the guide, he highlights some of the key developments, particularly in recent friendlies, that have interested him.

This includes the chance for fringe and squad players to shine, while their teammates recover from international duty. Minutes racked up, injury news and tactical tweaks are also covered.

For example, could Riyad Mahrez (£9.0m) shine early on in the campaign, with injuries and lack game-time elsewhere among Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City troops?

Armed with an array of statistics, Seb has been using information around last season’s over and underperformers from the Premium Members Area to guide his likely line-up. As a Leeds fan, there is certainly a place or two for the Yorkshire side’s assets in his thoughts.

Meanwhile, Andy marks his Scoutcast debut with an audacious plan to ignore one heavily owned premium pick and instead use his money to spend big on a potentially lucrative double-up elsewhere. If it pays off, he could leave his fellow Scoutcasters for dust this season.

Our trio pick a differential each, which marks the return of an old favourite of Joe’s. There are the next four fixtures to frisk too and the Scoutcasters look back on their career history and outline their realistic goals for the season.

In addition, there’s a new feature. The Scoutcast is taking over the team of a Fantasy manager with a stellar rank who has to dip out of this campaign for mental health reasons. Unable to delete his team without removing his career history, the show is to step in to collectively help him out while he takes a well-earned break to recover.

This episode was aired live via Youtube on Monday 9 August. Be sure to subscribe to our Youtube channel to get notified of future live episodes.

In addition, the Scoutcast and all our other podcasts are now also available via our Soundcloud channel.

If you’re a traditional type, you can acquire the mp3 audio version via this link. Or you can take in the full visual experience via the player below.

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  1. Dr. Rog
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    LOCKED

    Sanchex 4
    TAA Shaw Tsmi (White/Ayling)
    Salah Bruno Barnes Raph (Gilmour)
    Ings Antonio Wilson

    White/Ayling are excellent options from about wk4 onwards so they come in as Tsmi is going out.
    I can focus my transfers on getting Kane in and dealing with inevitable injuries up front.

    1. EgyptianKing
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Good team and good plan.

      No intention of getting Mahrez / Grealish for Norwich, or just Son?

      1. Dr. Rog
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        I was toying between this and the same team with Greenwood/Gundo over Wilson. So Son/Mahrez were never on the cards. Best I could achieve is Gundo and that seems to be clutching at last seasons memories.

        1. EgyptianKing
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          I see.

          Greenwood instead of Wilson for GW1 and then Gundo for GW2 seems good TBH, a good fit to the rest of your team (better than Wilson imo)

        2. Ze_Austin
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Check how Gundo ended last season and played in preseason + CS. His "designated shooter" role is back

    2. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Looks nice. I doubt anyone would be willing to insure it, however.

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      City ?

      1. Dr. Rog
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        got a new sofa

    4. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Virtually the same as mine, I have Greenwood over Wilson, but otherwise identical. Therefore I like it.

  2. BoomXhakaLaca1
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Would you bench ESR for Tsimikas? Playing 442 if so, if not 352

    1. EgyptianKing
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      For the first two GWs I’d say we have to play Tsimikas if we own him

      1. BoomXhakaLaca1
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Ya just considering should I keep him or just get that 4m CB from Norwich as back up

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      If you have Liverpool player then you play him and structure your squad accordingly for it ...

  3. EgyptianKing
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Bottomed

    Best 5.5 max defender besides Shaw?

    Cheers

    1. Sean
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Rudiger/Stones/Cresswel

      1. EgyptianKing
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Do you think Stones starts GW1 and onwards?

        1. Sean
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Maybe not GW1 but not a big deal as its a bad fixture anyway

  4. GreennRed
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    % chance of Grealish starting GW1?

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      No more than 50-50, I’d wager

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Pretty low

    3. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Cheers lads. Will keep. Should get minutes or autosub gets White in. Hoping he'll be less rotation-prone than most City attack. For 8m he'll do for nowm

    4. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      20% is my guess today

  5. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Hi all, anyone know who take set pieces for everton?

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      imagine digne would be one of the main guys

      1. Tempestic
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        My assumption as well although I remember people saying he wasn't taking as many pre-season? Can anyone confirm?

        1. Dogs Of War
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Digne will be on most of them. Likely no James or Gylfi. One or two others may step up - maybe Townsend for example, but Digne will be heavily involved.

          1. Dogs Of War
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            He will push forward and overlap too. He will create chances.

  6. Lallana_
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Second draft (after a month). Thoughts? Antonio or DCL?

    Martinez 4.0
    Shaw Digne Coufal White Tsimikas
    Salah Fernandes Barnes Raphinha 4.5
    Ings DCL Wilson

  7. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Last decision for me (I hope!):

    A) Antonio & Jota
    B) Ings & Raphinha

    Thanks

    1. Tempestic
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Jota you'll probably want to transfer out asap but I do reckon the upside is there for gameweek 1. Just have a potential replacement lined up. Raphinia I suppose

      1. Tempestic
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        I'm personally going Jota > Son gameweek 2

        1. Tempestic
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          A btw

    2. JPSpurs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      A

      1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Cheers both

  8. Kodap
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Best 6.0m Midfielder?

    1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Sarr I think

    2. mack
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Benrahma

    3. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Smith Rowe.

    4. Pedersen
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      ESR

    5. Left wing back
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Harrison?

    6. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Benrahma

  9. FPL Doctor
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    A)
    Sanchez
    TAA Tsimikas Shaw Coufal
    Salah Bruno Barnes ESR
    Ings Antonio

    Steele Toney Raph Amartey

    B)
    Sanchez
    TAA Tsimikas Shaw
    Salah Bruno Barnes Raphina
    Ings Antonio Wilson

    Steele Coufal Gilmour Amartey

    1. Letsgo!
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      I will go A

  10. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Sanchez
    Digne shaw taa
    Salah bruno barnes dele
    Toney antonio ings

    Subs foster tsimikas veltman gilmour

    Gtg?

  11. chambers
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Anyone going with a bench boost strategy with decent playing bench players? Would like to see someone else's set up

    1. Big Bad Barry
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      and me saves me doing any homework 😉

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      This is me right now

      Snachez Martinez
      TAA Tsimikas Amartey Shaw Cancelo
      Salah Greenwood Gundogan Barnes Benrahma
      Ings Antonio Toney

      But gives a few benching headaches GW2-3 before WC GW4. Might swap Greenwood and Barnes to Mahrez and Smith-Rowe who is easier to bench if I'm OK with triple City vs Spurs GW1

      1. Baps Hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Doesn't look bad tbh, but the upside is just not enough for me. And cheeky idea with WC3 when you can ditch Martinez for example. I find that somewhat tempting because preparing happens with unlimited transfers as well as offloading those assets. So there is basically zero transfer cost.

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Why the expensive keeper setup?

        1. Baps Hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          For BB he needs two and Martinez for just those 3 plum fixtures is excellent idea.

    3. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Not me. When dgw:s eventually come I will WC anyway and get the returns. With more TV and knowledge the upside is bigger, it is possible to get 4 matches with only two players. I understand the temptation, but it isn't for me. "This is a marathon, not one week sprint".

    4. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      My bench is currently Bachmann, Tsimikas, Amartey, Brownhill, and I might BB in GW1.

  12. waldofeen
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Bailey>> Bissouma
    Watkins>> Ings
    Toney>> Antonio

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Yay

  13. Tempestic
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    I'm hoping to hold both assets medium term until my first WC. What pair is better?

    A) Barnes, Toney

    B) Benrahma, Wilson

  14. Joey Tribbiani
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    PSG is stacked now!
    What a transfer window: Messi, Ramos, Donnarumma, Hakimi and Gini

    1. Tempestic
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Its ridiculous. If they don't win the CL they're a joke

      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        They won't. Mercenaries in a poor league with no stomach for a fight

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          Not that poor. Do you actually watch it ??

          1. GreennRed
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            I do but not so much. Not competitive enough for a French team to actually win a Champions League. Currently a Europa League winner, last 16 of CL level of league below PSG. Even a financially doped PSG, who despite not winning last season are well ahead of the rest in France. Arguably Lyons were the best French team in Europe since Marseilles since they didn't have such a financial advantage.

    2. The Son-dance Kid
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Rampos is getting on and his body was crocked last season
      But the rest - absolutely agree!

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Sad when a player can only go where they can afford him.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Wish he had gone to Argentina or Napoli to follow diego s footsteps personally

  15. chambers
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Who's on Penalties at West Ham? Is Declan Rice a viable bench fodder or save the 0.5m?

    1. Tempestic
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Not sure. Declan not worth it tho imo

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Noble when on the pitch, think thereafter it's Rice, Antonio, Benrahma in that order

    3. Letsgo!
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Antonio isnt it? Or noble?

  16. waldofeen
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Schmeichel
    Shaw Targett Tsimikas Dias
    Bruno Salah Mahrez Jota
    Ings Antonio
    (Foster, White, Bissouma, Obafemi)
    0.5 ITB
    Thoughts please.

    1. Yeyeyeyeye
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Like it but don’t know if I’d personally go with Jota due to low security of starts at least until he starts outperforming Firmino

  17. Yeyeyeyeye
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    How’s this 4-4-2? Too light on the bench to get away with?

    Sanchez/ Foster
    Trent Shaw Digne Tsimikas/ Amartey
    Salah Bruno Son Benrahma/ Brownhill
    Ings Antonio/ Obafemi

    1. Letsgo!
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      I have tried this , but as long as we take son then the bench looks weak

    2. Pachi
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      I had the same team but i downgrade digne for targett and upgrade amartey to veltman for better bench

      1. Yeyeyeyeye
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Yeah that’s probably the way forward bench is a bit too unsettling currently

  18. The Son-dance Kid
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Never understood picking defender rotations. At no other point in the season is in mentioned in these parts - wildcards included.
    But for some reason it rears its head at the start of every season.
    Does anyone actually use it for the duration of the 'perfect' rotation pairing?

    1. mack
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Agree somewhat. Too much changes in say 8 weeks of a rotation pair to be sure you’ll keep them for the duration. That said is often a cheaper way to points at the back than a set and forget premium

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Have done in the past. But people see the rotations incorrectly IMO. I usually look to plan rotations for the first half of the season before DGWs etc come in. In many cases the rotation requires 1 or 2 transfers in that period because it is almost impossible to come up with a rotation that avoids the Top 10 / 12 clubs for that period. But with a few transfers you can usually come up with great rotation pairings for 18 /19 GWs.

      This season is different because it appears FPL have priced some defenders (Shaw, Digne, Tierney, James, Stones, Reguilon, Firpo etc.) fairly kindly all being less than £6.0m.

    3. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      The work well in theory. But lack of defensive form to other team or injury (the risk bigger with 2 players) usually ends them pretty fast. Or perhaps someone hot like Dallas or Lundstram needs to be brought in.

    4. OPTA FPL
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      They are against rotating gk but doing it for defenders lol

  19. King Kohli
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Choose one please.

    A. TAA + Benrahma + Toney
    B. Shaw + Barnes + Wilson

    1. Jolly Good
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      A

  20. Jolly Good
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Choose 2 of
    Ings
    Wilson
    Antonio

    1. mack
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Ings and Antonio

    2. King Kohli
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Antonio
      Ings
      Wilson

  21. mack
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    A) 352 with Barnes
    B) 343 with Toney + 0.5m

    1. Jolly Good
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      A

    2. Sean
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      A

  22. Sean
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Start with Ings or with Antonio + 0.5m ITB? They'll be playing every game until they're sold

    1. mack
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Ings first three are tempting but then surely going to want to transfer out. Antonio on the other hand a good option for a while is he stays fit

  23. My name is an echo
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    My team:

    Very template + James Rodriguez

    1. mack
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      That’s a bold punt, why James?

      1. My name is an echo
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Really like Everton‘s fixtures and want at least one „punt“

  24. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Townsend nice punt?

  25. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    To (a) Kane or not to (b) Kane??

  26. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Is TAA, Shaw and Digne too much?

  27. mack
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    G2G?

    Sanchez (Steele)
    TAA Shaw Tsimikas (Veltman Amartey)
    Salah Son Mahrez Greenwood Barnes
    Ings Antonio (Scarlett)

    Cheers

  28. CRAZY TRAIN
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Mahrez is tempting me, but it would need to be at the expense of Barnes or Benrahma.

    Barnes > Mahrez is doable with 2m itb, but Benrahma would require a downgrade of Antonio on Toney.

    Thinking the best approach to avoid ripping up my team is keep Barnes for GW1 then do Barnes > Mahrez GW2?

    1. mack
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Just go Mahrez from GWK1 imo. City can beat most teams, including spurs, pretty badly on their day

    2. Dr. Rog
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Barnes is just a good an option as Mahrez imo

      1. CRAZY TRAIN
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        Thats what I keep saying to myself too doc.....(and I dont seem to be able to convince myself otherwise lol)

    3. Del Griffith
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      That's probably the wise move. I personally am starting with Mahrez with no Toney just for the crack. I'll be hiding behind the sofa on Friday night mind

      1. CRAZY TRAIN
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 14 days ago

        I daren't go without Toney as the chances are his value will rise from the off. Benrahma > ESR and Shaw to Coufal is an option, but losing Shaw (and that 5.5 spot) could hurt.

        1. Del Griffith
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 14 days ago

          The flip side is Toneys price might fall if he blanks and the other mid priced strikers get returns! 😉 Good luck with way

          1. CRAZY TRAIN
            • 15 Years
            5 years, 14 days ago

            Very true, but I want to be on the ride from the off if he does kick on, and besides none of the cheaper fwd's in the game really inspire me

    4. Konstaapeli
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Why not just start with Mahrez? It's spurs.

  29. Checko
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    A) Wilson

    B) Raphinha

    Who is bestt GW's 1-3?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      A but not sure he is fit

    2. mack
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Wilson but long term Raphinha is good plus 1m cheaper

  30. Unconstitutional
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 14 days ago

    Pick one:

    a) Barnes
    b) Greenwood
    c) Havertz
    d) Mahrez, but Ings downgraded to someone 7.5m or less (have Antonio and Toney already)

    1. mack
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 14 days ago

      Hard to at different values. I would say Mahrez, Greenwood, Barnes, Havertz in that order though