Pro Pundits
2 August 2023 202 comments
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It’s that time of pre-season when everyone and their mother is revealing their teams – and we’ve got our own top ‘team’ to unveil today!

It’s our stellar Pro Pundits and contributors line-up for the 2023/24 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season, featuring former winners and serial top 10k finishers.

And we think it’s the best squad in the business, too. Get the abacus out…

  • Over 720 FPL seasons
  • 160 top 10K finishes
  • 44 top 1K finishes
  • 4 former winners

Our top team will be writing and/or recording videos for Fantasy Football Scout this season, sharing their opinions and revealing their teams.

Big names such as Mark Sutherns, Lateriser and FPL General are back on board for 2023/24, while reigning champion Ali Jahangirov (AliGunz) is among the marquee summer signings. And we’re adding to the list all the time…

There’ll be content for everyone – but you’ll need to be a Premium Member of the site to benefit from their full unedited insight.

Lucky for you, then, that you can still grab a pre-season discount – and lock in your subscription price for the lifetime of your Premium Membership!



It’s not just extra editorial and video content that you’ll be getting with a Premium Membership – here are some of the other tools and features that come with a subscription.

You can expect to hear a lot from our team in the coming weeks, but for now, we’d like to introduce you to some of the names we have signed up – and there are plenty more besides the list below!

ALI JAHANGIROV (ALIGUNZ)

Ali is the current FPL champion, beating over 11 million managers to first place in 2022/23. And he is no one-trick pony, either, having finished in 215th place in 2021/22!

AZ

With four top 5k finishes and an overall rank of 817 in 2017/18, Az is a home-grown product of the Fantasy Football Scout Academy. After joining the site a decade ago, Az went on to be a regular on the Scoutcast and now co-hosts FPL BlackBox with Mark Sutherns.

FPL FOCAL

Known as FPL Focal, Oscar creates hugely popular FPL content on his YouTube channel. Oscar was briefly 1st in the world in the 2021/22 season before posting a top 20k finish.

FPL GENERAL

General is a three-time top 500 finisher, with a best finish of 102nd. He also has a further two top 20k ranks to his name in the last two seasons. General hosts the popular 59th Minute podcast.

FPL HARRY

FPL Harry has been playing FPL for seven years and has five top 15k finishes, with successive top 5k ranks in the last three seasons – including a finish of 510th in 2022/23. As well as running his own channel, Harry makes weekly content on the Fantasy Football Scout YouTube channel, diving into the big decisions of the week.

FPL MILANISTA (OBAY)

An all-round Fantasy talent, FPL Milanista has posted overall ranks of 473rd and 1,547th in two of the last three FPL seasons. He also has recent finishes of 31st and 141st in UCL Fantasy and 2nd in Euro 2016.

JON REESON

The ‘voice of Reeson’ is another former winner, lifting the FPL crown in 2009/10. Jon has also got another six top 40k finishes to his name besides the overall title.

MARK SUTHERNS

The founder of Fantasy Football Scout, Mark has already forgotten more about FPL than most of us will ever know. He has 10 top 10k finishes to his name, four of which were inside the top 1,000. The FPL BlackBox co-host even reached the heights of 42nd in 2014/15.

PRANIL SHETH (LATERISER)

Known as Lateriser, Pranil is an upside-chaser who loves a differential captain. He has three top 200 overall ranks and a further three top 10k finishes. The two-time Indian champion finished 1,047th in 2021/22. As well as writing regular articles for Fantasy Football Scout, Pranil can also be found on the award-winning FPL Wire.

PRAS

Pras is an FPL veteran, having finished in the top 100k in each of the last 11 seasons. Boasting four top 10k finishes, Pras is the new co-host of the FPL Wire with Lateriser and Zophar.

SAM BONFIELD

One half of the FPL Family team with husband Lee, Sam has strung together five top 40k finishes in the last six years. Sam is regular on the FPLShow and the Official FPL Podcast as well as multiple FFScout videos, including the weekly Q&A with Az on the FFScout YouTube channel.

SEB WASSELL

Seb has five top 5k finishes and boasts a career-high rank of 389th in 2019/20. As a result, he’s a massive 23rd in our Hall of Fame. A stickler for statistics and Premium Members Area tools, Seb strives to make considered and rational FPL decisions to avoid classic cognitive bias traps.

SIMON MARCH

Simon is a former FPL champion, claiming the title in 2014/15. Since 2009, Simon has finished in the top 7k four times, only ending up outside the world’s top 60k twice in a 12-year career.

SONALDO (ANDY)

Known as FPL Sonaldo, Andy has been among the top 10 South Korean FPL managers in two of the last three seasons. Andy co-hosts the weekly FFScout video series Burning Questions with FPL Harry.

TOM FREEMAN

With a staggering five finishes in the top 1k and another three among the top 10k, Tom is an elite-level FPL manager. Fond of picking out a differential or two, he is now Scout’s Deputy Editor, writing regularly for the site.

UTKARSH (ZOPHAR)

Known as Zophar, Utkarsh has finished inside the top 10k in seven of his 14 FPL seasons. In 2010/11 he finished 17th in the world. Utkarsh favours a stats-based approach and can be often found in the FFScout Members Area. As well as writing regular articles for Fantasy Football Scout, Zophar is the host of the FPL Wire.

202 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Arsenal announce that Gabriel Jesus will miss tonight's game due to a knee issue and “it will be assessed”.

    So Jesus out of GW1 teams. Who plays up top?

    1. Martinelli (Trossard on wing)
    2. Nketiah

    1. JohnnyCroat
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Keen Eddie I'd say. An able deputy last year.

      1. JohnnyCroat
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        But that also solves some dilemmas... or adds... Downgrade Gabby, upgrade my 5th mid... I need 8 mids though. 0-8-2

      2. WVA
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        He was to start with, Martinelli Trossard Saka

    2. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I don't know yet, but I expect both Nketiah and Martinelli to get minutes. Nketiah is unlikely to start imo and Jesus comes back, so easy to have Martinelli over Jesus.

    3. I Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Dunno who starts upfront. Could be Havertz as well.

    4. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Looks like Nkunku and Jackson won't be as differential as I had imagined

    5. WVA
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Jesus is just one of those players you don't bother with, a bit like Chilwell/James, injured more than they play

    6. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      This Martinelli up-top thing has always been a fabricated fantasy (mostly by non-fans, I think, but maybe originating from fan hype before Martinelli worked his way into the starting XI). In reality, it's barely an option for Arteta. It would most likely be Nketiah or Trossard. If not, maybe ESR or Havertz. If not, maybe Martinelli or Nelson.

  2. Alan The Llama
    • 16 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    That photo is like some nightmarish game of Guess Who?

    1. coriswrasse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Need more women.

      1. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        You're making gender assumptions tut tut

        Please report to your nearest re-education camp

        1. Deulofail
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Most have pronouns in their descriptions in the article. Perhaps some education is needed for all

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I prefer not to look at the demon entities.

    3. Stamford B
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Is yours an fpl expert?
      No!
      Knocks down every face 😆

      1. Stamford B
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Only jesting

  3. The Mentaculus
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Arsenal starting 11:
    Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Kiwior, Timber; Rice, Partey, Smith-Rowe; Vieira, Nketiah, Martinelli

    1. The Mentaculus
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Maybe 4231 with ESR as 10 actually?

    2. Shark Team
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      It seems that Trossard is gonna start ahead of Martinelli at the start of the season

      1. I Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Based on what?

      2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Wouldn't assume that unless you think Saliba, Rice and Partey will also be benched

      3. George Sillett
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        How do you come to that conclusion?

      4. WVA
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Martinelli is a monster, starts nearly every game

  4. I am 42
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    16.5m for 1 def 1 mid 1 for (2 play, 1 bench)

    a) Chilwell + Mbeumo, bench 4.5 for
    b) Colwill + Foden, bench 4.5 for
    c) Colwill + Nkunku, bench 4.5 mid
    d) open to suggestion

    1. The Mentaculus
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Have you been 42 for 10 years?

      1. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        42: The answer to life, the universe and everything

        1. People in Preston
          • 15 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          On my Chinese takeaway menu #42 is Chicken Fried Rice, so yes I agreed, it's everything. Including breakfast in the morning.

  5. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Is Salah playing out wide?
    Cause Liverpool have scored too many goals but Salah only 1

  6. Strchld
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Who's most nailed Villa defender?

    Cash? Torres? Mings?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Torres would expect for the money they paid.

      1. WVA
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        It's not just the money, he's a bloody good defender, surprised the big boys didn't come in

  7. I Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Trossard is starting to tempt me. Been electric in preseason and this Jesus injury can only bode well for his minutes.

    1. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Saka Martinelli Trossard get all 3?

  8. SKENG
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Steele
    Estupinan Gabriel Henry
    Salah Saka Martinelli Rashford Mitoma
    Haaland Wissa

    Areola Kabore Bell Plange

    Haven't changed this too much in a while... any thoughts on it? I know Steele is risky but I really want the Brighton starting GK so if I'll feel we know who's starting he'll be in my team.

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Thats a nice team mate, Salah in there too!

    2. WVA
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Why do you want double Brighton defence

  9. Scalper
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Jesus potential injury has me tinkering now.

    If Jesus is out, who will score more pts in his absence?

    A) Martinelli
    B) Trossard

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      B

      1. UnluckyXI
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Martinelli but difference is you can turn a 6.5 to Foden with the extra 1.0

    2. WVA
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      c Saka
      d Eddie Nketiah

  10. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    A) KDB + Saka
    B) Salah + Eze/Mbuemo
    C) Rashford + Saka + 1m

    1. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A - That's what I'm doing, anyway.

    2. Scalper
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      C no doubt

    3. Cheers Kane, Sons Crying
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      C

      KDB too risky

  11. Flynny
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Is foden plus martinelli too much rotation risk?

    Thanks

    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Could be too much points

    2. FMPM
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I´m on Foden myself but don´t like a 7,5 Mid with high rotation risk.

      If Jesus is injured I think Trossard is more secured

      1. Flynny
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Not considering tross. ..would consider ode

  12. AD105
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Which would you most prefer to own out of Jesus, Martinelli and Odegaard? Already have Saka

    Also, best ST for 8.0 or less? Considering Jesus, Watkins, Darwin and Nkunku atm

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Jesus, if fit.

      Hojlund

      1. WVA
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Lol Hojlund

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          If he can bully Man City he can bully Wolves: https://youtu.be/BYBn309WaUI

          Dude's a fighter. Will suit the Prem.

          1. Zalk
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            That's Lazio though.

            1. Piggs Boson
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              I was starting to think no one would notice 😆

  13. Drexl Spivey
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    That's quite a rogue's gallery right there.

    1. coriswrasse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Bunch of bros.

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        It's like reading the local paper every few weeks and finding out who's been pinched for what.

        1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Stealing a living?

          1. Drexl Spivey
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            I'd hate to speculate based solely on appearance. FPL General though... definitely armed robbery.

            1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
              • 11 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              Certainly crimes against charisma!

              1. Drexl Spivey
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 8 months ago

                Brutal.

                1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
                  • 11 Years
                  2 years, 8 months ago

                  Throw them up and I'll hit them 😀

                  1. Drexl Spivey
                    • 7 Years
                    2 years, 8 months ago

                    Haha. I was trying to avoid it, tbh. You know what they're like on here when they've had a drink.

  14. coriswrasse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Not seen Odegaard in many drafts lately.

    1. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I have him over Martinelli at the moment. Triple attack with Saka and Jesus.

  15. I Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Wasn't Martinelli less of a goal threat last season when Jesus was injured? I seem to remember him staying a lot wider when Nketiah was playing.

    1. The Mentaculus
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah I think so. Haven't looked at numbers but my impression was that Jesus creates more central spaces for Martinelli to run into & their partnership is much stronger (especially for FPL) than with Nketiah. I finally dropped Martinelli after 30-odd consecutive GWs in my team (across 2 seasons) because of Nketiah

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah, if Trossard played as a 9 / false 9 he'd be fine I think, Nketiah just doesn't link up or create space for others in the same way

  16. camarozz
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Have Gabriel/Chilwell

    Would u double up on Arsenal defence Gabriel/Saliba?

    Trying to fit Salah/Jesus/Haaland in .

    Also includes Enciso rather than Mitoma.

    .is it worth it?

    1. RealSocialDads
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Not a huge fan of any defensive double ups tbh. Don't mind enciso over mitoma, you know the minutes risks

  17. RealSocialDads
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Finally landed on something I kind of like... bit light up top I know - be good to know everyone's thoughts.

    Pickford
    Stones Gabriel Chilwell
    Salah Foden Bruno Saka
    Haaland J.Pedro Wissa

    Areola Pau Makamba Kabore

    1. goldensock
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Swap pickford for johnstone

      1. Cheers Kane, Sons Crying
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Keep Pickford but look to swap joao pedro for a playing 5.5 mid, I'm not too confident on his minutes. Are you?

  18. The Mentaculus
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Looks like Rice is playing the Xhaka role, alongside ESR. Starting to link up nicely with Martinelli

  19. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Starting to get tempted by Salah, due to his minutes

    A) Chillwell + Salah + Mitoma/Mbeumo + Enciso/5.5mid

    B) Trent + Rashford + Mitoma + Mbeumo

    1. RealSocialDads
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A but maybe downgrade second striker to get a stronger player ahead of mbuemo/enciso

  20. KieranKA
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Is 4-5-1 viable if Jesus misses GW1?

    Onana // Areola
    Stones Chilwell Gabriel Estupiñán // Baldock
    Salah Rashford Saka Mitoma Mbeumo
    Haaland // 4.5 4.5

  21. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Raya would have saved that!

  22. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Arsenal fans preparing planes to fly over emirates with arteta out banners

    1. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      It's not Arteta's fault the Kroenke's won't let him spend

      1. Zimo
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Lol what

  23. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Watkins as a Jesus alternative?

  24. Zebras
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    That Martinelli A + Nketiah G was a beauty

  25. mattyb09
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Reliant on early team news for City, this lineup might be the way to go if Alvarez gets the nod:

    Onana
    Gabriel Estupiñán Tarkowski
    Salah Saka Martinelli Foden Eze
    Haaland Alvarez

    Areola; Cash, Baldock, Mubama

  26. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Nkeitah spoils all the Trossard and martinelli plans!

    1. MR Penquin
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I get him if Jesus is not back in time & have 2.5 M to upgrade somewhere

  27. statenisland
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Just moved off of A onto B. Was it the right thing to do or have I lost my mind?

    A)
    Onana
    Stones, Gabriel, Estupian (Beyer, Bell)
    Saka, Rash, Bruno, Ødegaard, Eze
    Haaland, Darwin (Vinicius)

    B)
    Onana
    Pau, TAA, Estupian (Beyer, Bell)
    Saka, Rash, Diaby, Ødegaard, Eze
    Haaland, Jesus (Archer)

    B gets me Trent and I‘m hoping Diaby could be a differential.

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      You know Jesus is out with a knee injury

      1. mattyb09
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        *Might be out.

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Is out of the game currently being played

          1. statenisland
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Ah right. Ok Jesus to Darwin/Watkins/Wilson

  28. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    What will be the city back 4 now?

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Ever changing. I'd be surprised if Gvardiol settles quickly, the only players I can remember settling instantly are Dias and Haaland and they're the exception. I could be wrong but I think Gvardiol will take time and will probably be in and out of the side so the rest probably will too

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        But who does he naturally replace Dias?

        1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          LCB so should be Laporte/Ake. But Ake has seemed to be a favourite of late for Pep and is pretty versatile so he may still play on the left

    2. Stamford B
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Pep has invented a new isosceles triangle midfield with inverted overlapping tea ladies. Expect rotation

  29. goldensock
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Does anyone have any news on when kdb might be back?

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Been on the bench most of preseason

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Supposedly was spotted in training last week but hasn't played a minute so far. We'll see Sunday but I'd be very surprised at this stage if he starts a game before GW3

  30. Dreaming of glory
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Flekken
    Botman - Shaw - Gabriel
    Mitoma - Rashford - martinelli - mbuemo - foden
    Haaland - kane

    Forster - Bell - beyer - semenyo

    Thoughts? Don't see many haaland and kane but only 10 points between them last year

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Most are expecting Kane to go to Bayern. They were close in points but Kane did effectively play 7 more games than Haaland (and City sort of stopped playing once they won the league)

      1. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        if Kane goes that is 12.5 you invest in squad - team looks good