Scout Squad

The Scout Squad’s best players for FPL Gameweek 1

The usual Scout Squad foursome of Sam, Neale, Tom and Az are back for 2022/23.

Each week, they’ll be discussing the best Fantasy Premier League (FPL) goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards for the upcoming Gameweek.

No fewer than seven players have been given universal backing for the opening weekend, to make Friday’s final Scout Picks selection all the more tricky.


READ MORE: FPL Gameweek 1 team news: Live updates from Thursday’s press conferences, including Arteta, Conte and more


ABOUT THE SCOUT SQUAD

Everything you ever wanted to know about the FPL Bonus Point System - part one

In this series, our four resident Fantasy Football Scout contributors each propose an 18-man squad of Fantasy players with the focus solely on the upcoming Gameweek.

Their selections serve as a long list for the Scout Picks, as the players nominated will then be narrowed down to a squad of 15 (with the starting XI not exceeding a total cost of £83.0m) for our final weekly selection ahead of Friday’s deadline.

Each writer must meet the following requirements:

  • At least one sub-£5.0m goalkeeper
  • At least one sub-£5.0m defender
  • At least one sub-£6.0m midfielder
  • At least one sub-£7.0m forward
  • No more than three players from the same club

SCOUT SQUAD’S PICK OF THE BEST FPL PLAYERS FOR GAMEWEEK 1

 

 1

The rest of this article is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

 1


Who played the most minutes over the March international break?

908 Comments Post a Comment
  1. RWB_1991
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A) Ramsdale & Trippier
    B) Ward/Iversen & James

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

      A

    2. Jay Arell
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B for me

    3. Call Me Old Fashioned
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

    4. FPL Elephant
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

    5. N1ceguyEdd1e
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B for me, more for Ward and James's value gonna rise sharply.

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

    Which one is better?
    A) Ederson+Saka+Neto
    B) Ramsdale+Mout+Martinelli

    1. Jay Arell
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

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

        Thanks

    2. FPL Elephant
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

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

        Thanks

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

      A for me. City defence is better, so Ederson. And I’d take Saka over Mount with Arsenal’s fixtures and preseason form. Would take Martinelli over Neto but still think it’s 2 to 1 in favour of A

  3. Jay Arell
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Do people reckon Ward + Iversen is too risky as a GK-combo?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I do. I was astonished to see some prominent experts putting them into their latest drafts today.

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Save the astonishment for when the game refreshes and barely any of them actually have them 😉

        • Hinchcliffe Thumper
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          If LEI does not buy new keeper, wouldn't it be viable enough to get both 4.0 Lei keepers? Money is crucial as always, but this season seems that it is so badly needed in midfield and upfront 😀

      2. FPL Elephant
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        That’s not for me. I don’t massively rate Leicester and I think Sanchez rotates well with Ward.

      3. Jay Arell
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Cheers lads, I guess I'll have to find that 0.5 somewhere.

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

          If it helps, Ward goes nicely with Sanchez - as a pairing they face these guys in the first 8:

          BRE
          NEW
          SOU
          LEE
          ful
          LEI (Face off)
          bou
          CRY

          Pretty hard to beat....

    2. Call Me Old Fashioned
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Save 1M in bank for if Bailey and 5.5M are flop or use some for Ward/Sanchez to Ramsdale/Ward?

      Trent Robbo Cancelo Trippier Neco
      Salah Saka Aaronson Bailey Andreas
      Kane Jesus Archer

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

      So tomorrow it's back, the football is back, it will be my tenth season! Good luck everyone, remember it's only GW1, someone you don't own will get a hat trick, some of your players will flop, the best advice is always : save your FT. I am all set:

      Mendy
      Trent Cancelo Perišič White
      Salah(C) Son Martinelli Bailey
      Darwin Jesus

      (Ward, N.Williams, Andreas, Greenwood)

    4. SWFC Owls 90
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Defence maybe too weak, but tempted to go with:

      Ward (Iversen)

      Cancelo TAA Gabriel Trippier (Williams)

      Martinelli Salah Sancho Bailey (Andreas)

      Kane Haaland (Greenwood)

      + 0.5 in the bank

      1. FPL Elephant
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Sancho is going to need to transform this season for him to be a good pick. Possibly the worst pick at that price point. And I’m a United fan.

      2. KingRichud
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I’d use the 0.5 to upgrade GK

        1. tikka mo'salah
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Same. Iversen -> Sanchez.

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

          This

          1. SWFC Owls 90
            • 1 Year
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Thanks

      3. Heung min Daughter
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Are you sure you have 0.5m itb?

    5. Hinchcliffe Thumper
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Both 4.0 Leicester keepers good idea? Would leave me 0.5 itb.
      Current:

      Sanchez, Ward
      TAA, Robbo, Dias, Botman, Neco
      Salah, Mount, Saka, Bailey, Andreas
      Kane, Jesus, Archer

      1. tikka mo'salah
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I'd keep it like that. Ward and Sanchez combo is great.

      2. darkmatt3r
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Been thinking about it myself but they have poor fixtures to start

        1. Hinchcliffe Thumper
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          I dont calculate much on GK points anyway.

    6. darkmatt3r
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Been tinkering again good to go or downgrade Foden or Mount to Martinelli giving me 2 to upgrade elsewhere? Or do Peresic to Cancelo?

      Ward
      TTA Robertson Peresic
      Sala Foden Mount Bailey Neto
      Kane Jesus
      Meslier Greenwood N Williams Vestagard

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

      A) Robertson and martinelli
      B) perisic and luiz diaz

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

        A for me

      2. darkmatt3r
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        A for me, just!

      3. FPL Elephant
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        A

      4. Hinchcliffe Thumper
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I see Robbo a must have in my team, so A

    8. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Hope I am all set:

      Sanchez
      TAA Cancelo James Trippier
      Salah Diaz Rashford Martinelli
      Kane Jesus

      Steele N.Williams Andreas Greenwood

      1. FPL Elephant
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Good to go if you are happy with Trippier and Rashford.

        I’d probably change Steele to Ward though?

        1. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Ward good shout

      2. Hinchcliffe Thumper
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Not bad at all imo!

    9. Old Bull
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Going off the Rashford pick in light of the Martial injury. That leaves me 6.5 to spend. Who would you get?

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

        Odegaard son of Aeroguard

        1. Old Bull
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Is your entire approach to FPL medieval?

      2. gart888
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Rashford being moved from the wing to up front make you less likely to want him?

        But to answer your question: Martinelli, Neto, or Bailey, depending on which ones you don't have and how well you can make use of the extra funds.

        1. Old Bull
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Not convinced he’ll play up front, haven’t done that in preseason and the CR7 situation makes it all a little uncertain. Already got Saka & Jesus for Arsenal and not convinced with Neto. Had Bailey since very early on. I’m stuck!

    10. tom66
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Sancho back in training....looking positive for Sunday start
      (rumours that Martial is out - Rashford striker?)

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Only other option is Bruno false 9, ETH only said a few days ago that Ronaldo is weeks away from being fit enough to start

      2. Boomerang V
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        A) Cancelo / Bailey
        or
        B) Janes / Martinelli

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

          A

        2. FPL Elephant
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          A

        3. Hinchcliffe Thumper
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          A

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

        Football.London is unreadable

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

        Sometimes when it says ‘heat for a minute, stir, heat for 2 minutes’ I just heat for 3 minutes. Is this too maverick or am I a genius???

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            1 year, 8 months ago

            I would like to subscribe to your patreon

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

              I’m in the process of setting up a podcast as it happens. Feels like there’s a gap in the market

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  1 year, 8 months ago

                  FPLGAPINTHEMARKET

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

                    Are you Tyler Durden?

                    1. @persecuted_by_mods
                        1 year, 8 months ago

                        I can't believe it's taken this long for this accusation, we do have the same sense of humour tbf

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

                        Haha that is brilliant

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

              Currently on this but there's probably something key I'm missing. Stick with Ederson though not thinking of downgrading for funds. Any suggestions?

              Ederson
              TAA Cancelo James Gabriel
              Salah Mount Martinelli Neto
              Kane Jesus

              1. gart888
                • 9 Years
                1 year, 8 months ago

                I like Ramsdale+Walker over Ederson+Gabriel. Don't fancy Gabriel's goal threat as much as many people do.

              2. FPL Elephant
                • 6 Years
                1 year, 8 months ago

                I prefer Aaronson to Neto. Think Leeds score more than Wolves…

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

              A. Ederson, James (532)

              or

              B. Sanchez, Neto (442)

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

                Got to be A

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

                Sorry i meant Ederson+Neto or Sanchez+James

            4. cruzex
              • 11 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              Gabriel or zinchenko? and why?

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

                Possible oop zinchenko

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

                Gabriel... Tierney is coming back

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

                Gabriel. More secure + one of the best aerial threath.

            5. gart888
              • 9 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              A - Diaz + Perisic
              B - Robertson + Rashford

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

                A

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

                Utd still wait and see for me.

            6. klopp2567
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              RMT:-

              Ward

              TAA Cancelo Dias Perisic
              Salah Martinelli Bailey
              Vardy Kane Martial

              Bench:- Iversen , N williams, Andreas , Neto

              Good to go or too weak..?

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

                Martial is out

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

                Ssn saying he’s a doubt
                Maybe my rash pick will be ok !

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

              a) Bailey + Darwin + 0.5
              b) Mount + Mitrovic/Alvarez

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

                A

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

              Only 1 place left. Which one

              1. Cash + 0.5itb
              2. Bailey + 0.5itb
              3. Perisic

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

              Last 1.

              A) mendy and digne
              B) Sanchez and perisic

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

                b

            10. Emiliano Sala
              • 7 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              To have rashford or not to

              1. @persecuted_by_mods
                  1 year, 8 months ago

                  Craig Shakespeare

                • KingRichud
                  • 4 Years
                  1 year, 8 months ago

                  Not to

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

                  You said he was going to outscore all the 8m mids last night so surely you get him?

                  1. Emiliano Sala
                    • 7 Years
                    1 year, 8 months ago

                    I said he can match them. I don’t martial injury is a good news or not

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

                wtd?

                A: Robbo Kulu Haaland

                or

                B: Cancelo Diaz Kane

                1. tikka mo'salah
                  • 9 Years
                  1 year, 8 months ago

                  A is more fun

                2. Hinchcliffe Thumper
                  • 8 Years
                  1 year, 8 months ago

                  A

              3. patricio33
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                1 year, 8 months ago

                Pick one:

                A. Gabriel, Martinelli
                B. Perisic, Bailey

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

                  Tough one. B)

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

                  B

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

                  A

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

                Thoughts?

                Ward

                Trent / Robertson / Cancelo / James / Perisic

                Salah / Rashford / Neto

                Kane (C) / Jesus

                Subs: Sanchez, Bailey, Andreas, Archer

                1. Hinchcliffe Thumper
                  • 8 Years
                  1 year, 8 months ago

                  Too much money on defence

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

                Cucurella done deal to chelsea

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

                  Nice

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

                AZ said
                «If you’re looking for differentials, Phillipe Coutinho is being overlooked for the far cheaper pre-season bandwagon Leon Bailey but as we aren’t totally sure of Bailey’s role in the side»

                Bailey 13,8% , Couthino 17,7%
                Thats not a differential ?

                1. Lemongrab
                  • 14 Years
                  1 year, 8 months ago

                  That's actually crazy that his ownership is that high

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

                  To be fair I haven’t seen a team with Coutinho on here. I’d say nearly 3/4 teams have Bailey

                3. @persecuted_by_mods
                    1 year, 8 months ago

                    Look sometimes you say something without checking the facts, that's entertainment baby. If you wanna file a complaint call 1800-nobody-cares

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

                  Rashford v martinelli?

                  1. Lemongrab
                    • 14 Years
                    1 year, 8 months ago

                    Martinelli

                  2. Hinchcliffe Thumper
                    • 8 Years
                    1 year, 8 months ago

                    Marti