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. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Cancelo or James + £1m

    1. BremerHB
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Cancelo

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Cheers

    2. conrad10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Perisic or James .
      Bearing in mind I have very good 12th man .
      Thanks

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

      Cancelo

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

    Got Kane to Haaland booked in for GW2. Worth taking a hit to remove Mahrez for a starter?

    1. M2.0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      If it’s booked for GW2 then be prepared to make the move early in the GW, you don’t want to move to an 11.6m Haaland

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

        Easy enough

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Manchester City play Sunday so you can go early if there's no injuries or serious knocks, red cards etc.

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

      No just get mahrez and kane for gw1 and transfer kane to haaland

    3. WrightnBright
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      ?

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

        What do you mean mate

        1. Jock Grealish
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          What do you mean mate

    4. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Thanks lads

    5. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      What do you mean mate

      1. Jock Grealish
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        What do you mean mate

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

          All these XG i, heatmaps, transfer planners and other bells and whistles and there's still not a f%nny filter on here

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

            No-one’s detracting from your very serious A or B questions and RMTs bro. You’re still getting plenty of help

  3. DangerFC
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Bit of help please.
    A . Cash and Neto
    Or
    B. Asm and neco Williams

    1. BremerHB
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

  4. BremerHB
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A) Saka, Neto, Sanchez
    B) Mount, Martinelli, Iversen

    Ward the other keeper.

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

      B

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

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

      A

    4. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

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

    Robbo + mount + trippier+ bailey

    Or

    James+ diaz + perisic + Neto

    Choose

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

      A

    2. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

    3. FPL_Champ
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

  6. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A. Sanchez, Trippier, Mount, Martinelli (+£0.5m)
    B. Ward, Cancelo, Saka, Bailey

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

      A

    2. BremerHB
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

    3. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

  7. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Any good?

    Raya
    Trent, Robbo, Cancelo, Perišić
    Salah, Kulu, Martinelli, Bailey
    Kane, Jesus

    Or go for Son over Kane and play 4-5-1?

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

      Kulu>mahrez to cover no haaland

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I'll go Kane to Haaland.

        Think it's more fundamental tho and no premium striker enables Son or KDB plus Salah etc.

    2. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      solid team, its almost identical to my 2 premium team

      Id keep Kane over Son and then decide between Kane to Haaland or Kulu to Mahrez/Foden in GW2 based on how they preform and team news etc

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

    A Ederson Perisic or
    B Ramsdale Dias

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

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

      A

    3. BremerHB
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

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

    Martin Odegaard has been handed the Arsenal captaincy

    1. LarryDuff
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Seems like yesterday he was the 12 year old wonder kid

    2. Jock Grealish
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Old news

    3. M2.0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Where’s the guy who posted a team with Alonso in it an hour or so ago? https://twitter.com/fabrizioromano/status/1555255990869794816?s=21&t=cdM50K3tdSvSD0mEdJnMkA

      1. M2.0
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        reply fail

  10. TheBiffas
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    White or Saliba??

    1. Jock Grealish
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      You asked already

      1. TheBiffas
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I ignored you because you're a fool

        1. Jock Grealish
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Aw did I hurt your feelings snowflake?

          1. TheBiffas
            • 3 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            🙁

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

      Saliba

    3. Lebowski85
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      White

      1. Jock Grealish
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Saliba or white

        1. TheBiffas
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          What do you mean mate

    4. lugs
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Saliba, but i've a funny feeling that White will score tomorrow to really muddy the waters, he's come really close the last couple of games

    5. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Saliba

  11. Schober
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    James + Rashford or Walker + Mount?

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

      A just but dont like rashford

      1. Alessioa
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Why don't you like Rashford? He should be the lone Striker up top this week. Is he a long term liability?
        James or Peresic?
        Cheers

  12. Shoplifters United
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A: Robertson, Cancelo, Diaz
    B: Salah, Gabriel, Neco (would form a Threemium with Son and Kane)

    Other defenders are TAA, Trippier, Perisic

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

      A

      1. Shoplifters United
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Thanks, leaning that direction myself.

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

      1. Shoplifters United
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Thanks

    3. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B
      every one is expendable for salah imo

      but having said that I would just drop one of the spurs premiums to get A in

      1. Shoplifters United
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I've considered that as well, though I really like the Son/Kane double-up for GW1. Also, Son and Kane allow me to move to KDB and Haaland, respectively, with a single transfer (barring price rises) based on form and fixtures. I like that flexibility.

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

          Its sound reasoning to be honest. Cant criticise that as it could really work. If not would take 2 transfers tho for both. 1 would be petty crime. Oh wait...

          1. Shoplifters United
            • 11 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Right, two separate transfers:
            Son -> KDB
            Kane -> Haaland

            Point is, you wouldn't need to move funds elsewhere to jump between those mids and forwards.

        2. ZimZalabim
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Fair enough.

          I was considering this same double up in a threemium, to have that flexibility to move Kane or Son to whoever looks better between Kdb and Haaland but I felt that just made my team too weak, so went back to the more balanced team, but now with the Leicester Keepers and doubt on the spurs fullbacks Ive changed my thinking back to a threemium team, but Im leaning more towards adding Haaland to Salah and Kane, the big issue for me previously was having to lose Cancelo but now I can keep him, the team looks viable now. Still not 100% sure though.

          What does ur team look like with Salah, Son and Kane ?

          1. Shoplifters United
            • 11 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            With Salah / 4-4-2:

            Sanchez (Ward)
            TAA, Trippier, Perisic, Gabriel (Neco)
            Salah, Son, Martinelli, Bailey (Andreas)
            Kane, Jesus (Taylor)

            Without / 5-3-2:

            Sanchez (Ward)
            TAA, Cancelo, Robertson, Trippier, Perisic
            Son, Diaz, Martinelli ( Bailey, Andreas)
            Kane, Jesus (Taylor)

            Difficult to choose.

            1. ZimZalabim
              • 7 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              incredibly difficult to choose
              I like both teams and have quite a similar dilemma (just posted my teams at the bottom of this page)

              Ive managed to squeeze Cancelo in to my threemium though, looking at both team like this Im actually leaning towards the Salah team. But as I said both look good and its a tough choice and Im also really struggling trying to decide.

              Which way are you leaning ?

              1. Shoplifters United
                • 11 Years
                1 year, 8 months ago

                I was leaning toward the No Salah team, but now that I see the two together, the Threemium side is very tempting.

                I like your Threemium side below with Cancelo. I worry a bit about White - not certain how minutes will be shared across that Arsenal back line. But Neco seems to be nailed and could get close to, if not surpass, White's output if you needed to swap him in. You could also go from Martinelli to Neto and upgrade White to a 5.0 defender. Though I like Martinelli.

                Good luck with whichever direction you decide on!

  13. mixology
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    So many good attacking defenders!

    Starting to think Persic + Doherty are silly to ignore at their prices. I understand the fitness and rotation issues. But 5.5 and 5 million are just incredible value

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

      Royal and sessegnon say hi for now

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

        I understand. But 5-5.5 million with a potential for double digits in decent fixtures matches those at 7.0 million

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I agree

      Doherty is great

    3. maglia rosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      True enough on the value point…..had both in my team this morning but those comments from Conte makes it a big risk to start with.

    4. I Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      They'll be great picks but that doesn't mean you have to start with them.

  14. WibblesTeam
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A) Ederson Gabriel Diaz

    B) Ramsdale Robbo Rashford

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

      B

  15. Haalander
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Hi guys, I’ve been tinkering for the last fortnight and keep coming back to this this team. And feedback is welcomed. Am I
    Making a big mistake here with three premium?

    Raya
    TAA, James, perisic, walker
    Martinelli, salah, rashford, Bailey
    Haaland Kane with 1m itb

    Subs- archer, nico, andreas. Thanks Guys

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Yes

      But not a big mistake

      It's quite similar

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

        Cheers bud.

    2. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Id try to get Walker to Cancelo if I were you with the 1m itb and rashford to neto or James or Perisic down by a mil

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

        Thanks that’s actually a good call. Cheers

    3. james 101
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I don’t like the three premium sides but who knows!!!

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

        It’s kind of a temporary move to get me over the first three games without hopefully making any transfers and just transferring captaincy each of those weeks but thanks for the feedback

  16. Ruud van Basten
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    RAN or Dalot?

  17. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Is this good to go?

    Sánchez, Ward
    Alexander-Arnold, Cancelo, James, Walker, N. Williams
    Salah, Luis Diaz, Rashford, Martinelli, Andreas
    Kane, Jesus, Greenwood

    Thank you!

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

      Yep gtg

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Gtg

    3. james 101
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Yep

    4. Claudio555
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      You’ll miss Robbo

  18. Mole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A. Kane + Mount or
    B. KDB + Vardy

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

      I like b but Leicester could struggle this year so a is probably safe bet

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

      A

    3. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

    4. james 101
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

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

        Thanks everyone

  19. DangerFC
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Best midfield choice for 8.0m. I'm on Mahrez at the moment.

    Mount, saka, foden?

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

      Stick

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I'm on Mount.

    3. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Kulu if no Kane/Son

    4. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I’m on Maddison, it’s rather lonely!!! Haha

    5. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Diaz Mount Saka Foden here

      1. ZimZalabim
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        4 8m mids ? whats the rest of ur team ?

    6. james 101
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Mount

    7. mixology
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      It’s the 8 million dollar lottery. I’m more keen to get in whichever City mid plays well in GW1 in hopes of a haul vs Bournemouth

  20. james 101
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    GTG?

    Mendy (Ward)

    TAA Robbo Cancelo James Perisic

    Salah Mount Saka Rashford (Neto)

    Jesus (4.5 4.5)

    A. Gtg
    B. Rashford and Neto to Grealish and Bailey

    1. Claudio555
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      No Kane. No Haaland. No fun.

  21. Hits Central
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Lads - here we go again. Any changes needed here to the team or bench?

    Ward
    TAA - Cancelo - James - Robbo
    Salah - Rashford - Bailey - Neto
    Jesus - Kane

    Sanchez - Martinelli - Nico - Taylor

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Playing Neto over Marti?

      1. Hits Central
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Think he has the easier fixture in GW1?

  22. DaftPunk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 8 months ago

    What's everyone's thoughts on best formation?

    I've set up my main XI based on 5-3-2, defenders seem to have offered the best VfM over the last few seasons.

  23. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Is it a mistake going without any value picks like Neco, Trippier and Martinelli?

    Ward (Ivesen)
    TAA Robbo Cancelo James Perisic
    Salah Saka Bailey (Andreas Dasilva)
    Kane Jesus (Archer)

  24. Kyle2210
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Any love for this draft
    De gea (Ward)
    Dalot TAA Trippier Mings (Williams)
    Salah Bruno F Bruno G (Neto) (Pereria)
    Toney Kane Jesus

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

      Man Utd fan, I’m assuming? I think de gea will become a great pick at 5 million. Haven’t seen a word about him, but Utd need to gel first. It’s a decent team, refreshing to see something different

  25. HST
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    I’m the goat.

  26. Inspector Norse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Rashford or Martinelli for at least first 2 GWs?

    I have Jesus (of course), but no Man Utd.

    Cheers

    1. DaftPunk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I'd still go with Martinelli. Rashford could end up being a masterstroke at 6.5, but until there's evidence of a return to form he remains a risk.

  27. L1701
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Will Rashford be a good pick now he’s under ETH and martial injured? He may step in the striker position..

  28. ZimZalabim
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    So guys, which team should I pick ? Balanced or Threemium ?

    Ward(Iversen)
    Trent Cancelo Robbo Perisic (Neco)
    Salah Martinelli Bailey Mount (Andreas)
    Kane Jesus (Plange)
    0.5 itb and booked Mount to a City Mid

    OR

    Ward(Iversen)
    Trent Cancelo Cash White (Neco)
    Salah Martinelli Bailey (Andreas, Dasilva)
    Kane, Jesus, Haaland
    0.0 itb and no booked moves

  29. Diaby Does Gallas 22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Think this is the one, thoughts?

    Ward
    Trent, Robbo, Cancelo, James
    Salah, Mertinelli, Mount, Bailey
    Haaland, Jesus

    Iverson, Nico, Andreas, Archer

    1. George James
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      My exact team currently. Great balance.

      1. Diaby Does Gallas 22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        just worried about keeper...

        Previously had Ramsdale / Perisic / Diaz / Neto / Kane and cant decide which feels better :-/

    2. George James
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Two keepers for a half decent team with fairly good fixtures at 8m seems too good to miss IMO

  30. George James
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Need to downgrade someone for 1M

    A) James >> Trippier

    B) Mount >> Grealish

    C) Martinelli >> Andreas (play Bailey)

    D) Neto >> Andreas (Play Bailey)

    1. Diaby Does Gallas 22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A for me