Pro Pundits - Tom
4 August 2022 1276 comments
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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.



1,276 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. InsertPunHere
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month 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
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I think if you are getting grealish in you play him

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I like Eze too

    3. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      KDH is 5m

    4. zes
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month 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
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Which one?

    A) Robbo + Rashford
    B) Perisic + Diaz

    1. InsertPunHere
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Robbo + someone else

    4. One Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A. Yea

  3. Paqueta Rice
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Keep coming back to this

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

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Urban Cowboy.
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I would go B.

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

    4. Gareth M
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

    5. Paqueta Rice
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      See, this is the issue…

      1. BOATIES FC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        benching headache with A, depending on the rest?

        1. Paqueta Rice
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month 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
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            A then

    6. EugeMurts
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

  4. balint84
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Ramsey or Bailey?

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Bailey

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Bailey. But Bailey or Neto is trucker

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Tricker

      2. NorCal Villan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Drive-by Trucker

  5. M2.0
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month 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
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      His price

    2. antis0cial
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

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

    3. Gareth M
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Competition for places, rotation risk

    4. One Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month 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
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month 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
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Crazy 🙂

  7. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month 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
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month 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
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

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

  8. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month 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
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month 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
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

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

  9. King Kohli
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month 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
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Probably 1.

      If you buy Dias may as well play him.

  10. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any further news on Doherty ? Thanks

    1. xexugh
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Still injured

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Do you think will miss out then ?

        1. xexugh
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Yes, atleast gw1

  11. xexugh
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month 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
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nice team.

      Can you switch Dalot?

      1. xexugh
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        For who?

  12. Aye
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    532 with Cash

    Or

    442 with Bailey

    1. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I have now both.

  13. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 1 month 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
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month 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
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

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

      1. THE Wild Rover
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

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

    3. banskt
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

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

  14. _____JR_____
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Bench Neto or Bailey for GW 1?

    1. banskt
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Neto.

  15. Boxwoods
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A. Haaland + Mount
    B. Son + Bamford

  16. mdm
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    James or Rashford?

    1. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

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

  17. Eleven Hag
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month 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
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ward
      Taa Robbo ake Walker
      Salah Neto Bailey
      Kane Haaland Wilson

      1. Gareth M
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

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

    2. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No Arsenal is the way to go.

  18. ct mariner
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month 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
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      2

  19. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. Gareth M
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

  20. COLLIN QUANER
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Call me Col

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rather than Lin?

    2. NorCal Villan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      They call me Mr. Tibbs

  21. The Pep Revolution
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. M2.0
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      a

    2. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

    4. Shearer & Sutton
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

  22. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    4 years, 1 month 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
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Justin would be my go to 4.5

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Saliba, Justin, Dalot

  23. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month 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
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A but it's a close call

    2. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Assuming you have TAA...?
      B.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yes I have TAA I’m not insane 🙂

        1. Spoox777
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

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

          B.

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

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

    3. banskt
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I would pick A.

      Little to separate the two. Your call.

    4. BUZZBOMB ♡
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

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

    5. Shearer & Sutton
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

  24. Livfc
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Avoid Chelsea defenders for the start of the season?

    1. _____JR_____
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Why?

      1. Livfc
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month 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
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

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

  25. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month 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
      • 17 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      None because Perisic is not a sure starter for GW1

    2. Livfc
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

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

    3. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Back to this then?

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

      Ward, Neco, Andreas, Taylor

      .5

  26. _____JR_____
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 1 month 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
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

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

    2. Croaker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I have him but am not happy about it!

  27. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    A

  28. balint84
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Martinelli or Bailey?

    1. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Martinelli easily.

  29. RamboRN
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 1 month 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
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Walker -> James
      Mount -> Saka

      Then we can share rank 😉

    2. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

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

      1. Shearer & Sutton
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        This

  30. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. Salarrivederci
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month 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
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeh v good points