Pro Pundits - Tom

FPL team reveals: 4-4-2 with Diaz as the ‘third’ Liverpool player

With Gameweek 1 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) almost upon us, we’re welcoming back our stellar team of Pro Pundits, Hall of Famers and guest contributors for the new campaign.

Our writers will be providing regular articles and team reveals throughout the new season, with only Premium Members able to access every single one.

Next up is five-time top-1k finisher and Scout’s Deputy Editor Tom Freeman, who talks through his Gameweek 1 plans.

The FFS Pro Pundits 27

On the eve of the new FPL season, I’m ready to share my Gameweek 1 team.

I’ve opted for a 4-4-2 formation which includes big-hitters Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) and Erling Haaland (£11.5m), as well as two outfield substitutes who should both get plenty of minutes.

If you’re anything like me, then tinkering will undoubtedly continue right up until deadline, but it does feel like I’m almost there with this latest draft.

AARON RAMSDALE

I usually start with a £4.5m/£4.0m ‘keeper combo, but this year I am spending a bit more on Aaron Ramsdale (£5.0m). The 24-year-old finished with a very decent 4.0 points per match last season, despite a late run of blanks which coincided with an injury to Thomas Partey (£5.0m). Arsenal were significantly weaker at the back without the Ghanaian, conceding an average of 0.96 goals per game in matches he appeared, compared to 1.64 without him. They also struggled to control matches, so the return of their best defensive midfielder is huge, as is adding Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.0m) into the mix. It’s also worth noting that Arsenal have a great run of fixtures to start the season – they only play Manchester United from last season’s top six in the first eight Gameweeks.

Who played the most minutes over the March international break?

1,276 Comments Post a Comment
  1. mdm
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Which option?

    A. Martinelli and Neto
    B. Rashford and Trippier

    Thanks.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Looks good

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

  2. R.C
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Let's gooooooo

  3. Atwood
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Iversen
    TAA - Dias - Walker - Gabriel
    Salah - Neto - Martinelli
    Kane - Haaland - Jesus

    Ward - N.Williams - Andreas - Dasilva

    1. BUZZBOMB
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I think its as good a three as you'll get. Could be the way. I just feel Cancelo Robbo and e.g Tripps do more than e.g Haal and 2 of your other 3 defs.

      Really dont fancy Wolves tho. Tempted by Aaronson?

      1. Atwood
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I know what you mean about those defenders, it way the way to go last season for sure. Part of me likes this all out attack approach though.

        Haven't really thought about Aaronson, thanks for the heads up.

    2. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Looking good! wow

    3. European Bob
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      You could squeeze Robbo into that

      1. Atwood
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Haha, I wish but I don't think I can

  4. Cal1umz
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Please choose

    A Martinelli - Grealish - Perisic

    B Saka - Bailey - Digne

    Thank you

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

    2. ted mcnure
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      prefer B

  5. Manani
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Perisic + Ramsdale
    Gabriel + Ederson

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

      1. Manani
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Even with conte comment on perisic?

        1. JPSpurs
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          I personally think he’ll get 60mins, enough time for a CS, an assist and a cheeky long range goal

          1. ted mcnure
            • 13 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Right there, I´d say you´re punting on a cameo with Perisic..

  6. Thinkering like a Boss
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    RMT /10

    Ward
    TAA, Cancelo, Walker, Gabriel
    Salah, Son, Diaz, Martinelli, Bailey
    Jesus

    Sanchez | Mitrovic, Neco, Plange

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      6/10 gtg

      1. Thinkering like a Boss
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Why 6? What can I improve?

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Go more template and we can bump it from 6 to 7.3

            1. Thinkering like a Boss
              • 7 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              is that the only reason? lol

      2. ted mcnure
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I love that, sweet!
        Perhaps switch an arse.. Gab to 4,5?

      3. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        6.1

        Needs more 11.5 forward

    2. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Here's my crazy draft, do I go with it or rip it apart for a template squad?

      Ward/Iverson
      TAA/Robertson/Walker/Dunk/Neco
      Salah/Son/Neto/Bailey/Pereira
      Jesus/Haaland/Greenwood

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          1 year, 8 months ago

          7.3/10. Template

          1. The Red Devil
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Threemium is the template?

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                1 year, 8 months ago

                7.2/10. Keep pushing

                1. The Red Devil
                  • 9 Years
                  1 year, 8 months ago

                  Lol

              • Thinkering like a Boss
                • 7 Years
                1 year, 8 months ago

                Idk man, seem like only minority...what happen here?

                1. The Red Devil
                  • 9 Years
                  1 year, 8 months ago

                  Keeping it in the midfield

          2. DRIZ ✅
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Rip it up give it another try

            1. The Red Devil
              • 9 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              Back to template?

          3. Zoostation
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            If you like go with it.

            Covers your City and Spurs attack and you can downgrade Son to any MF you want whenever or go to KDB.

            Less flexibility in other areas then the template but allows flexibility in the MF.

            1. Zoostation
              • 9 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              Would maybe consider downgrading Robertson, and spending that elsewhere.

              1. The Red Devil
                • 9 Years
                1 year, 8 months ago

                Liverpool looked amazing in community shield, so tripling, who'd you downgrade to?

                1. Zoostation
                  • 9 Years
                  1 year, 8 months ago

                  Anywhere you want?

                  Upgrade to a better keeper, James or Dias in defense?

                  1. The Red Devil
                    • 9 Years
                    1 year, 8 months ago

                    Yeah, I'd probably get ramsdale for sure

            2. The Red Devil
              • 9 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              Indeed, if spurs flop against saints, I can switch son to kdb, think midfield is where max points are

        • Jack Burton
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Hi guys and gals, first time posting this season just the one question Robertson and Mount or Diaz and James, thanks in advance and good luck tomorrow

          1. EmreCan Hustle
            • 11 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Robertson and Mount

            1. Jack Burton
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              Thanks on them at the moment

            2. Jack Burton
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              Good luck this season mate

          2. JBG
            • 5 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            R&M

            1. Jack Burton
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              Cheers mate and Good luck this season

              1. JBG
                • 5 Years
                1 year, 8 months ago

                Thanks, you 2 mate!

          3. JPSpurs
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Has to be R&M, no question

            1. Jack Burton
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              Thanks mate that's my thinking good luck this season

        • Mufc202020
          • 4 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          GW1 only

          A) Mount
          B) Kulu

          1. DRIZ ✅
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            B

          2. Weasel Boy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Kulu

        • BUZZBOMB
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          So it comes down to this for me:

          A Ramsdale (Ward) Trippier
          B Ward (Iversen) James

          1 Mount
          2 Saka (but only if I go B above as have Martinelli and Jesus)

          Watcha think? Will WC 6-11 unless I need to earlier

          1. Atwood
            • 13 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            B
            2

            1. BUZZBOMB
              • 9 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              Thanks. Gut says so too. Im 80% wanting to do it, but 51% willing still.

        • mdm
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Trippier or Neto?

          1. dshv
            • 6 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Tripp

          2. DRIZ ✅
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Looks good to me

        • dshv
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Ramsdale mount
          Mendy saka (have martinelli jesus)

          Choose final spots please

          1. DRIZ ✅
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            B

          2. GREEN IS GOOD
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            A

        • BusbySwede
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Thoughts with 1.5 itb?

          Raya, Sanchez
          TAA, Cancelo, James, Zinchenko, N Williams
          Salah, Rashford, Neto, Martinelli, Bailey
          Haaland, Jesus, Archer

          -Two 4.5 keepers or 5.0/4.0 combo?
          -Better options then Zinchenko?
          -Upgrade Rashford/Neto/Bailly with the 1.5?
          -Kane/Haaland?

          1. Thinkering like a Boss
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            - 5.0 keeper
            - Walker/Gabriel/Trippier
            - Rashford > Diaz?
            - Haaland

          2. Cheeky Onion
            • 6 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Only worth upgrading a mid if you can get an 8.0 option, so Rashy has to go

            1. BusbySwede
              • 6 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              Which 8.0 mid would you get? I was leaning towards Mount if i go that way...

        • FPL Brains
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Considered a few deviations but I'm holding firm on my picks.

          Good luck all.

        • Silecro
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Which combo fellas:

          A) White & Trippier (no city def)
          B) Walker & Botman (no ars def)
          C) White Walker (no new def)

          1. Thinkering like a Boss
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            C

          2. beatJI
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            That option C looks a real north of the wall option to me. But still the one I vote for!

        • Zoostation
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          A: Cancelo, Saka, Kulusevski

          B: Walker, Martinelli, Son

          1. The Red Devil
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            B

          2. Thinkering like a Boss
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            B

        • Stimps
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          A) Haaland, Kulu (Salah captain)
          B) Kane, Mount (Kane captain)

          1. JPSpurs
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            A - if you have Salah (which I don’t), he must be your captain in this fixture

          2. Thinkering like a Boss
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            A

        • Muscout
          • 4 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          How’s this? Have never gone with 5 at the back

          Ward
          TAA Robbo Cancelo James Perisic
          Salah Rashford Martinelli
          Haaland Jesus

          Iversen Bailey Andreas Greenwood

        • QUEN
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          What’s everyone’s thoughts on Perisic starting

          1. The Pesci challenge
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            60 mins but that’s all you need at the moment if spurs haven’t conceded by then

          2. dunas_dog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Having listened to the press conference sounds to me that Perisic likely to start and come off early- but if course that could be 59 minutes!

          3. Kane and Ablett
            • 3 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            59 minutes

        • Count of Monte Hristo
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          I have 0.5 ITB, stick with Neto or upgrade to Martinelli?

          1. The Pesci challenge
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Not sure myself, i think Jesus is enough so stick with neto as a different option

        • FredrikH
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Suggestion. Have RMTs go from 0-11 with how many players you've got. Should score pretty much the same.

        • KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          2.5 mium

          Mendy
          Walker, Saliba, TAA, Cancelo
          Salah, Sterling, Bailey, Martinello
          Jesus, Kane,

          Ward, N.Williams, Plange, Andreas

          Thought?

          1. JPSpurs
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Considered Sterling for a long time in different formations and decided the £2m over Mount is better spent elsewhere. Will pay off some gameweeks but not consistent enough

            1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
              • 9 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              Yep I hear you on this one - Mount + £2m but dropping Sterling to Mount and upgrading elsewhere is an easy option in a few GWs time

          2. Drexl Spivey
            • 5 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            I love it, tbh.

          3. Thinkering like a Boss
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Solid 2.5 mium

        • THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Pick one please.

          A. Sanchez Trippier Rashford
          B. Iversen Robertson Bailey

          Cheers

          1. royals forever
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            B

          2. European Bob
            • 11 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            B

        • marcos11
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Thoughts?

          Ramsdale
          TAA Cancelo James Walker
          Salah Mount Rashford Neto
          Kane Jesus
          Ward Andreas Williams Archer

          1. royals forever
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Rashford & Neto > 8m & Bailey

        • royals forever
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Are there any last minute changes that I should be making to this team

          Ramsdale Ward

          TAA Robertson Trippier Walker Williams

          Salah Saka Mount Bailey Pereira

          Kane Jesus Greenwood

          Any ideas would be welcomed

          1. The Pesci challenge
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Pretty good but only cancelo missing if i am being picky

          2. Cheeky Onion
            • 6 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Template team, only decision is Walker + Saka or Cancelo + Martinelli

        • The Pesci challenge
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Which one please?
          A. Robertson, mahrez/mount, Kane
          Or
          B. Perisic, Diaz, haaland + 1.5 itb

          1. You've got red on you.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            I think b

        • grooveymatt65
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Anyone know if Johnson (who plays for Forest) is definitely on pens?

          It's for the telegraph game, he happens to be cheap and OOP

          Thanks

          1. The Pesci challenge
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Would imagine so

        • Ha Ha Land
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          What do you guys think about the chances of Perisic starting GW1?

          Thanks in advance!

          1. You've got red on you.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Think he'll start but not last 90

            1. dunas_dog
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              This

          2. The Pesci challenge
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Above

        • You've got red on you.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          g2g?

          Ward
          TAA - Robertson - Perisic - James - Cancelo
          Rashford - Salah (c) - Martinelli
          Kane - Jesus

          Iversen - Bailey - Andreas - Greenwood/Archer

          1. The Pesci challenge
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Don’t like rashford but ok

        • Pep's Money Laundry
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          A. Ederson/Ward & Walker + 0.5
          B. Iversen/Ward & Cancelo

          Surely Cancelo won't outscore both his team mates combined over the next few weeks (I'm not expecting much from the Leicester keepers)?

          1. The Pesci challenge
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            A