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.

Haaland Foden

1,276 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Up the tics
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Think this is locked in, going to try and stick with 5ATB all season for a change, thoughts?

    Ward/Iverson
    TAA - Robertson - Cancelo - Perisic - Cash
    Salah (c) - Mahrez - Martinelli
    Haaland - Jesus

    1. Up the tics
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Bench 4.5 riff raff

    2. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Only Perisic for spurs might destroy you.

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

      If you are going mahrez then go Kane instead of haaland

    4. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I have a virtually identical team (Cash/Halland -> Trippier/Kane), therefore I like it

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

      Cash to Trippier and this team is bangin!

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

      Same team except Saka James Bailey for Mahrez Cash Martinelli

  2. agueroooooney
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Bookies anytime goalscorer best odds for this weekend (source:oddschecker):

    Martinelli 10/3 (≈23% chance)
    Perisic 9/2 (≈18% chance)

    Perisic not far behind and obviously gets points for clean sheets. Anyone think he's a better pick if directly comparing the two?

    1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Just get both

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

        It's between these two for the 11th starting spot on my team

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I’m in the same boat for me it boils down to martinelli ait-nouri vs kdh perisic

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

        Would they both be starting? I'm leaning towards Perisic over Martinelli as the other one is on my bench

        1. Rhodes your boat
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Both would be starting yes

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

            I think Ait-nouri > kdh which slightly edges to that pairing in your situation. Again pretty close

  3. William.gallant
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on Rashford? Could play as a striker and only 6.5?

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

      Yep, this is my final dilemma too.
      Rashford & Dias
      Vs
      Neto & cancelo

  4. Runnerboy31
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    On Kane and book a transfer vs Haaland here’s the thing that settled my mind.

    I really want a City triple up in GW2, so I have to hold two in GW1. I know I want Cancelo and Haaland to be 2 of the 3 but I’m not convinced I know yet who the third should be.

    If I start with Haaland I can wait an extra week to decide Walker vs Foden vs Mahrez vs Grealish etc but if I start with Kane I have to make that decision now.

    So the benefit of Haaland isn’t just saving the transfer but also giving yourself more time and information to decide your 3rd city player. For that was the clincher.

    1. Runnerboy31
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Worth saying I have 0.5m in the bank so wouldn’t be locked out of any transfer early in the week.

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

    a) Mount, Kane
    b) Kulu, Haaland

    1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

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

      I’m on A with mahrez at the moment but i think runnerboy above has a point that you can see which city mid will be the best bet in gw2 so B could be better as kulu can easily a gw1 punt as Richarlison will be back for the next game to steal minutes

  6. banskt
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Considering a last minute switch from A to B:

    A. Salah (c), Martinelli, Perisic
    B. Son (c), Diaz, Trippier

    Its only the captain that matters in the above combo -- captaincy fixtures for GW 1, 3, 4 and 6:

    Son: SOU, WOL, nfo, FUL
    Salah: ful, mun, BOU, eve

    What do you think?

    1. Runnerboy31
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I think as boring as it is to say - Trent and Salah both have all the hallmarks of being essential. The upside of betting against Salah just isn’t worth the downside.

      Losing ground to everyone if Salah hauls and Son banks hurts you more than gaining ground if the opposite happens helps you.

      1. banskt
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        This is very true. Agree completely, and that's the main reason to go with A.

        The fixture upside of Son (three home games) vs Salah (one home game) is tough to ignore though.

  7. The Final Boss
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Guys if I go with robbo as a third, I can go only up-to bailley with no mitb. Bailley definitely a risk right? But if I go with Diaz(perisic for Robbo) I can have neto and have 0.5itb who is a safer pick than bailley. In both case playing bench would be Andreas and neco. In this situation who would be your 3rd pool player?

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

      Robbo (or Darwin as the next choice) should be your 3rd Liverpool pick

      1. The Final Boss
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Even with Bailey? So after gw2, bailey fix turns.

        1. Runnerboy31
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          I’m happy to start Bailey in the first 4, Palace and West Ham aren’t perfect fixtures but they also aren’t exactly City and Liverpool.

          If the fixtures 5 onwards were good people would have no issue playing Bailey in 3 and 4, the fact they are horrid from. 5 onwards skews the perception of GW3 and 4 and so people overestimate how early the fixtures turn - if that makes sense?

          1. The Final Boss
            • 6 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Fine. But the issue also is with his minutes. Gerrard has so many options and most of us have no money itb the bench options are not great though so we might need two transfers.

            1. Runnerboy31
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 2 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              His minutes for the first couple of games I think are pretty secure and even when he doesn’t start he probably gets 20 mins to wreak havoc over tired legs. I mean he’s cheap enough that you don’t need many points off him and it’s ok to occasionally rotate him onto the bench. Neco plays Everton in GW3 which you might be fine oldukng him

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

    Locking this in. Any last words ?

    Ward/Iversen
    TAA/Robertson/Cancelo/Trippier/White
    KDB/Diaz
    Watkins/Jesus/Haaland

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

      Is Watkins a typo?

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

        his fixtures is not that bad ?
        1st gw against bournemouth

    2. banskt
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Like your team. Watkins a good shout for the first few weeks. Could also be Wilson. Don't you want to split your bets by getting one from Kane / Son instead of Haaland / KdB?

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

        I probably wanna triple city on gw 2 and i believe spurs play chelsea on gw 2..
        chelsea may not be doing well pre season... but they still top 5 team.. thats the main reason i am skipping spurs for now

  9. mdm
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Which option is better?

    A. Robbo and Martinelli
    B. TAA and Trippier

  10. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Has Watkins scored any goals this pre season?

    Am keen on their fixtures, it doesn’t say if he’s scored on FFS

  11. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Ramsdale worth 5.0?

    Mount over Foden/Mahrez?

    Digne over Cash/Trippier?

    Ramsdale
    TAA/Robo/Cancelo/Digne
    Salah/Mount/Martineli/Bailey
    Kane/Jesus

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

      Yes, Yes, flip a coin

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

        Sounds about right

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

      Liking mahrez better. Trippier for me

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

        City punt is very tempting

    3. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I’ve been on Trippier but considering Digne, Especially Everton with DCL out too now

    4. Runnerboy31
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      This is literally my starting 11, except I’m leaning towards Sanchez instead of Ramsdale and banking the 0.5 - will make a final decision tomorrow.

      1. Runnerboy31
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Sorry I’m also going Haaland from the start.

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

        I wanted 4.5 at start but these fixtures looking good for Arsenal def

  12. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    The number of people who have convinced themselves that a wolves attacker is a good starting option is impressive

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Veto Neto?

    2. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Mind blowing tbh, they’re beyond dire.

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

      I don’t think anyone has? Some of us have a budget

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

    Which option to finish the squad:

    A. Robertson & Bailey (5-3-2)
    B. 4.0 def & Diaz (4-4-2)

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      a

  14. The Knights Template
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Posting for a friend

    Mendy
    Trippier/TAA/Cash/Ait Nouri
    (S)alah/Bowen/Aaronsen/Sterling
    Kane/Wilson

    Ward/Plange/Neco/Andreas

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Liking the Sterling & Bowen very overlooked I think

    2. Runnerboy31
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      It’s certainly different! To me Bowen and Wilson to Diaz and Jesus feels a no brainer. Other than that I can see the logic - even though I’m going a very different way.

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

      Looks good to me.
      You may consider Sterling to Saka and Cash to Cancelo

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Thanks all, I'll pass on the comments.

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

    A. Ederson, Robbo, Neto, Bowen (2 premiums)
    B. Iversen, James, Bailey, Son (3 Premiums)

    Ward is the other keeper.

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

      A

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

      B

  16. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    I thought Contes comments on Perisic would mean less teams with him in, not more, am I just bad at this?

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Yeah, I got him out.

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

      What comment in particular is different to what he said the other day or suggests he won’t play?

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

      He needs match fitness so naturally the best way for him to get it is to play matches…

      1. Runnerboy31
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Surely that makes him more likely to be a sub. You don’t start a returning player over a fully fit player because “the latter guy already is match fit, he doesn’t need the minutes” … that’s pre season not the league.

      2. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Needs game time to get fit, 70 minutes or so v Roma, traning etc
        Sure conte Won’t want to throw him into Chel game with no minutes, he’s a keep for me

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

      His stats show him averaging touches higher up the pitch than Son & Kane... V small sample size but promising

  17. Ribus
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Neto or Bailey?

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

      B

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

      I'm on Bailey. Mostly because Villas attack is more potent than toothless Wolves 😉

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

    Here's one for you.

    Who scores more points across the first say 5 game weeks?

    1) Ramsdale + Cancelo + Perisic
    2) Ederson + Walker + Martinelli

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

      1 I think

      Cancelo and Perisic have very high ceilings

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

      1... Not even close...

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

      1

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

      Thanks all.

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

    Need to decide between these two options, both completely change the set up of my team.

    A. Robbo, Perisic, Mount, Plange - (booking in mount to Mahrez/Foden gw 2)

    B. Cash, White, Haaland, Dasilva - (No transfers booked in, threemium team with Kane and Salah)

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

      B just

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

        cheers mate

  20. Gross Blank Point
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    The only team mates that will outscore Alvarez this season will be KDB, Cancelo and Haaland
    He'll get plenty of minutes due to the 5 subs and a City forward for £6.5 million is gonna be gold dust.
    My prediction lol

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

      If you talk the talk you need to walk the walk

      1. Gross Blank Point
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I swapped him out for Bamford earlier in my draft as I'm playing BB week 1, but he will definitely find his way back into my team week 2 or 3, unless he's not getting a sniff of gametime.

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

      Wild... Bookmarked

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

      could well be, who knows but would be quite a punt to start the season with him imo

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

      i think you could be right

    5. West End Exile
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I like the idea, I'm thinking of playing Alvarez instead of Neto.

  21. DeathoftheParty
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Diaz or Saka...

    Have Salah and Jesus...

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

      saka

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

      Mahrez or mount?

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

      Saka by far from me. Even have Martinelli as a third Gunner in my team.

  22. Yip Jaap Stam
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Best 4.5M defender?

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

      Neco Williams probably

    2. Runnerboy31
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Maybe Jonny or Dunk but not sure there’s a standout

  23. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts
    Ramsdale
    Taa cancelo james peresic
    Salah duaz rash Bailey
    Haaland Jesus

    Ward neco Andrea’s archer
    Cheers

  24. Tubayyeb
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A) Dalot and Peresic

    OR

    B) Walker and Trippier

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

    James or Martinelli?

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      James

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

      James

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

      Think Martinelli will outscore James within the first 4 GW's fwiw.

  26. Yankee Toffee
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Neto or Bailey for that 4th mid spot?

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

      Bailey for the plus 0.5 but Neto has fixtures and security of starts

  27. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Not brave enough to go with Malacia (yet).

    Think I've finally settled.

    Ward
    TAA - Walker - Dalot - Trippier
    Son (c) - Salah - Rashford - Martinelli
    Kane (v) - Jesus

    Iversen, Andreas, Neco, Dervisoglu

  28. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Slowly but surely everyone has copied the team I had from the start if you're going three premiums. I feel honored 🙂

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

      Well at least on twitter

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

      Salah, Kane and Haaland?

  29. William.gallant
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    any starting 4.5 mids other than Andreas?

    1. Eyes of Blue
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Reed, Lavia & Colback.

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

      Who’s best then? Colback, Reed or Lavia?

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

        All 1-2 points every week

      2. Eyes of Blue
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Probably Reed or Lavia as Colback will only play until Yates returns from injury.

  30. The Pep Revolution
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Who do you think is the best 4.5m forward? I have seen a few teams with Archer but is he nailed on?

    1. Eyes of Blue
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      None of them are nailed. Greenwood is arguably the best one for potential appearance points off the bench because he can play multiple positions.

      1. The Pep Revolution
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Thanks. Is there anyone at 5m worth investing in or should I just have 4.5m bench fodder?

        1. Eyes of Blue
          • 1 Year
          1 year, 8 months ago

          No, 5m pool is just as bad. Just go with 4.5m bench fodder mate.

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

      Nailed on - no.