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. InsertPunHere
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Is starting Eze over Grealish too much of a punt for GW1? Also looking for the best non-Neto 5.5.

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

      I think if you are getting grealish in you play him

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

      I like Eze too

    3. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      KDH is 5m

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

      Wouldn’t go near either winger who started in the community shield. They looked much better once Alvarez and Foden came on

  2. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Which one?

    A) Robbo + Rashford
    B) Perisic + Diaz

    1. InsertPunHere
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

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

      B

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Robbo + someone else

    4. One Man
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A. Yea

  3. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Keep coming back to this

    A) James and Perisic
    B) Robertson and Dalot/4.5

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

      A

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

      I would go B.

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

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

      B

    5. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      See, this is the issue…

      1. BOATIES FC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        benching headache with A, depending on the rest?

        1. Paqueta Rice
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          No, in this scenario they would all start in a 433

          Ward
          Trent, Robertson, Gabriel, Dalot
          Salah, Martinelli, Bailey
          Kane, Haaland, Jesus

          Iversen, Williams, Dasilva, Andreas

          1. BOATIES FC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            A then

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

      A

  4. balint84
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Ramsey or Bailey?

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

      Bailey

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Bailey. But Bailey or Neto is trucker

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Tricker

      2. NorCal Villan
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Drive-by Trucker

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

    Why Is Kulusevski being overlooked? He was in everyone’s team at the end of last season. What’s changed?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      His price

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Richarlison after gw1. He was much cheaper last season too.

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

      Competition for places, rotation risk

    4. One Man
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Rotation, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he outscored Kane gw1. I’m starting with him and assessing once Southampton is out of the way.

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

    Pereira is now the 2nd most owned midfielder and Greenwood is the 4th most owned striker. This is FPL at its best, lol

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Crazy 🙂

  7. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Repost sorry.

    Tom’s team is the exact first 11 I picked when the game launched, hmm. Is this team better or has my tinkering downgraded me?

    Ramsdale

    TAA Cancelo Robbo Tripps
    
Salah Mount Martinelli Bailey
    
Haaland Jesus
    (Ward, Neco, Andreas, 4.5)

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

      Same here. I changed back to that team in the morning.

      But tbh just transferred out Perisic for a 5.0 DEF (Cash atm) due to Conte's vague comments.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        What’s the latest team? You good to go?

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

    Any love for Cash for the first 3-4 tasty fixtures? Price point has huge amount of options but I think Cash is the most attacking one of those (Tripps, Walker, Gabriel, Zinchenko). After Conte's comments I am looking at jumping to Perisic/Dohertyon gw 3/4 if they look good.

    I already have Rams so I will not pick Arsenal defenders.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I don’t think he’s more attacking than Trippier. Especially if we don’t sign a Maddison he’s basically on all set pieces practically. The fixtures are a little mixed though

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

        Fair enough. Cash don't have any set pieces so that is big one for Trippier.

  9. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    If you have 3 rotation risks in team(Perisic, Doherty, Bailey) which of these do you think is better?

    1. Cancelo + 2nd 4.5 mid bench fodder. Play Cancelo every week (leaves me with Andreas + Archer + 4.5mid on bench each week)
    2. Dias + Neto. Play Neto gw 1 & bench Dias.

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

      Probably 1.

      If you buy Dias may as well play him.

  10. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Any further news on Doherty ? Thanks

    1. xexugh
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Still injured

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Do you think will miss out then ?

        1. xexugh
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Yes, atleast gw1

  11. xexugh
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    SOS! any thoughts on how to improve this team pls

    Ward
    TAA Cancelo neco dalot
    Son salah sterling mount bailey
    Jesus

    Bench: Iversen, delap, greenwood, vestergard

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

      Nice team.

      Can you switch Dalot?

      1. xexugh
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        For who?

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

    532 with Cash

    Or

    442 with Bailey

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

      I have now both.

  13. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Nketiah could be a great shout, but anyone picking him gets shouted down by the template bores.

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

      I like him but was told he wouldn't feature.

      I bet he gets points from the bench even.

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Nothing stopping you from going with him and destroying the template when he scores a hatrick game week 1

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I don’t want him, but I won’t knock those who do.

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

      I will be switching to Nketiah - Alvarez as soon as I see them getting minutes in the league.

  14. _____JR_____
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Bench Neto or Bailey for GW 1?

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

      Neto.

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

    A. Haaland + Mount
    B. Son + Bamford

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

    James or Rashford?

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

      James, but don't like 5 ATB. (Not sure if your are contemplating that)

  17. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Howz this non Arsenal, thremium draft?
    Just feel Arsenal gonna lose tomm and will find it difficult in their 2nd game against Leicester. Thoughts on this plz?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Ward
      Taa Robbo ake Walker
      Salah Neto Bailey
      Kane Haaland Wilson

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

        Midfield too week - because you’re mussing out on underpriced Arsenal options (Jesus, Martinelli)

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

      No Arsenal is the way to go.

  18. ct mariner
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    1. James and Bailey
    2. Cash/Walker or other 5.0 defender (have Trippier already) and Martinelli

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

      2

  19. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A) Raya + Perisic
    Or
    B) Iversen (playing Ward) + James

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

      B

  20. COLLIN QUANER
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Call me Col

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

      Rather than Lin?

    2. NorCal Villan
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      They call me Mr. Tibbs

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

    Would you prefer A or B?
    A. Ramsdale
    B. Alisson

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

      a

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

      A

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

    4. Shearer & Sutton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

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

    Best 4.5 DF for this team (playing 4-4-2)

    Meslier Ward

    TAA Van Dijk Trippier Williams xxxxxxx

    Salah Saka Mount Rashford Pereira

    Kane Jesus Greenwood

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Justin would be my go to 4.5

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

      Saliba, Justin, Dalot

  23. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Think my season starts based on this call. Which do you prefer?

    A. Robbo+Tripps+Bailey+Mount
    B. James+Perisic+Neto+Diaz

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

      A but it's a close call

    2. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Assuming you have TAA...?
      B.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Yes I have TAA I’m not insane 🙂

        1. Spoox777
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          James + Perisic will outscore Robbo + Trippier
          Neto + Diaz will outscore Bailey + Mount

          B.

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 8 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Why the TAA question then? If all 4 outscore the others?

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

      I would pick A.

      Little to separate the two. Your call.

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

      A just on the question. Dont like Neto idea and I know he's popular here, Peri

    5. Shearer & Sutton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

  24. Livfc
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Avoid Chelsea defenders for the start of the season?

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

      Why?

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

        Seeing many drafts without Chelsea defenders and seems like many people are avoiding because of the Arsenal game. Guess ill just have to stick to my own guts

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

      Chelsea not currently heavily picked but Sterling, Mount & James are still rank killers

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

    Which to go with?

    A,
    Ward
    Perisic, Walker, Trent,
    Martinelli, Neto, Bailey, Son, Salah
    Jesus, Haaland

    Sanchez, Taylor, Neco, Patterson

    B,
    Ederson,
    Trent, Cancelo, Perisic, Matip
    Salah, Mahrez, Bailey, Martinelli
    Jesus, Kane,

    Ward, Neco, Andreas, Taylor

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

      None because Perisic is not a sure starter for GW1

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

      B. Dont think threemium is the way to go. Cancelo, Mahrez, Martinelli> Son, Neto and Walker imo

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

      Back to this then?

      Alisson,
      Trent, Cancelo, James, Tripps
      Salah, Mahrez, Bailey, Martinelli
      Jesus, Kane,

      Ward, Neco, Andreas, Taylor

      .5

  26. _____JR_____
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Am i the only one who hates this Martinelli pick? IMO one of the most over rated player in the PL at the mo.

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

      Think he will get 8 attacking returns in the first 8 matches.

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

      I have him but am not happy about it!

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

    A

  28. balint84
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Martinelli or Bailey?

    1. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Martinelli easily.

  29. RamboRN
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Ward
    Taa walker robbo cancelo
    Salah mount martinelli Bailey
    Haaland Jesus

    Subs iverson n.williams Andreas archer

    1m itb. Where to put this 1m?

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

      Walker -> James
      Mount -> Saka

      Then we can share rank 😉

    2. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Iverson > Ramsdale
      Really dislike the double up LEI GK's even if they are cheap.

      1. Shearer & Sutton
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        This

  30. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Rashford could play up front if martial & rob out - could be a bargain at 6.5?

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

      Sancho was ill in their last preseason match.
      Martial Injured
      Rashford played like last season (if we are to believe those on here who saw the match)
      Ronaldo walked away
      Dalot walked away

      Rashford could be a bargain, or perhaps Trossard will outdo him in GW1 at same price 😉 It's gonna be a wait and see for me.

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Yeh v good points