Rate My Team

Rate My Team surgery with five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman

With Gameweek 3 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) nearing, five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman is here to help with your pre-deadline dilemmas for the next hour.

Whether it’s questions on the numerous concerns in defence, differentials, bench order or anything in between, Scout’s Deputy Editor will tackle whatever’s thrown at him.

He’ll be on hand to first reply to requests from Premium Members in the Hot Topic below the line of this piece and will get through as many as he can until the next article goes up. If there’s time, Tom will also turn his attention to other requests in the comments section.

If you’d like to receive an email notification letting you know when future RMT Surgery’s are live, you can now do so. When editing your profile, under ‘Alerts & Notifications‘, you’ll find a section on ‘Email Notifications‘. In there is an option for ‘Rate My Team Surgery‘, check that box and you will receive an email letting you know when the surgery is about to go live.

You can, as ever, chip in with your own opinions on the RMT requests filtering through – and naturally, you’re free to ignore the article subject matter and talk about any other wider FPL topics that you’d normally be musing on.

Don’t forget that, if it’s an algorithmic answer you’re after rather than an opinion-based one, we also have a ‘Rate My Team’ tool available in the Premium Members Area.


FPL 2023/24 pre-season page now live

This offer will soon cease, so sign up while you can!


482 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Dakes
    • 7 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Dias or Chilwell to replace Shaw?

    Most ML rivals have the latter, nobody has Ruben

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Chilwell hands down

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Chilwell

    3. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Días better pick than Akanji/Gvardiol?

      1. FPL Dakes
        • 7 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        More nailed surely

    4. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Gotta be Chilwell

    5. Ginkapo FPL
      • 13 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Same boat here, Digne or Dias for me, just dont trust Chelsea.

      One week too early for Botman annoyingly

      1. FPL Dakes
        • 7 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        See that’s where I’m at, Chelsea inspire very little confidence…

        I’d almost more happily wait a week and then swap Beyer for Gusto to get one of their defenders in.

        Everyone else saying Chilwell though! 🙁

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          11 months, 6 days ago

          You own Chilwell for his attacking potential, not clean sheets. Same with Estupinan. Brightons defensive stats do not look good but Estupinan is a points monster.

      2. FPL Dakes
        • 7 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        See yeah, everyone saying Chilwell but with Chelsea shaky I’d almost rather just do Beyer to Gusto next week…

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 13 Years
          11 months, 6 days ago

          This forum is chelsea mad with no one giving any logic too it

    6. KunDogan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Chillwell

      1. Merlin the Wraith
        • 8 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        Yeah, apart from Chilwell I see nothing to thrill me about this Chelsea side at all. Fancy Luton to frustrate them tonight.

  2. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Bottomed. Salah to (a) Diaz or (b) Foden and:
    1. Gabriel to Dias
    2. Mubama to Jackson
    3. Mubama to Alvarez

    Not B3 as that's too much on the Pep Roulette table for me. Thanks!

    1. Sanchit
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      B3 is the way I'd go.
      Otherwise B2

      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        Thanks. B3 feels very "all-in" with City

        1. Øgaard it's Haa…
          • 1 Year
          11 months, 6 days ago

          When I ship Salah I'll want either Diaz or Jota for pool cover. Their run of games up the GW11 is appealing. As things stand, prefer to focus on LIV, MCI & NEW before CHE in that timeframe.

          1. Biggsy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            11 months, 6 days ago

            I'm not really sold on 'pool as a team and don't see Newcastle and Villa games as that vital for cover. So perhaps I'm convincing myself Foden makes more sense - will have the cash to turn anyone in my mind into Diaz or Jota later if I regret it

            1. Øgaard it's Haa…
              • 1 Year
              11 months, 6 days ago

              True. It will be a comfortable feeling to have £itb. gl.

    2. O Fenomeno
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      I'd go B2 personally , as you say B3 is leaving your score too much in the hands of rotation.

      A3 would be close second for me! Alvarez I like a lot as a player

      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        Yeah, I guess now is the best time to go in on City as no real reason to rotate - got a couple of weeks to asses and maybe move Alvarez and/or Foden on.

  3. Bobby_Baggio
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Morning all. 0.5m ITB & 2FT. Cheers

    Pickford
    Gabriel - Etsu - Ake
    Salah - Eze - Rashford - Saka
    Jackson - Haaland - Pedro

    (Turner) - Botman - Chukwuemeka - Beyer

    A) Pedro > Wissa
    B) Pedro + Gabriel > Wissa + 4.8m def
    C) Gab + Chuk > Saliba + Lukic
    D) Gab > Saliba
    E) Anything else

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Team looks nice so think I'd roll a FT. Not sure arsenal fixtures make Saliva best choice so probably A but perhaps D with someone else?

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 13 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        If i have to use a FT i'll get Chuk out for another 4.5m but Pedro i kinda feel like he'll do well this week. Gab and Ake are frustrating!

        1. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          11 months, 6 days ago

          I think with 2FT using one on Ake or Gab is more sensible than on Chuk

          1. Bobby_Baggio
            • 13 Years
            11 months, 6 days ago

            agreed - just not sure i want chelsea (cant afford chillwell) - so leaves me with city - akanji or gvard

  4. ZakyJ
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Bench 2:

    A) Martinelli (have Saka)
    B) Alverez(have Haaland)
    C) Mbeumo
    D) Gusto (have chillwell)

    1. Sanchit
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      A and D

    2. sneif4
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      A, d

  5. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    How about a haaland bench?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      ?

    2. el polako
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      How about a competent Tory minister?

    3. Nitram
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      you mad?

  6. Sanchit
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    RMWCT please

    Flekken Turner
    Chilwell Estu Henry Gusto Trippier
    Saka Rashford Foden Mbeumo 4.5
    Haaland Jackson Alvarez

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      I guess my worry when you are WC is there are some players there you may be moving on again over next few weeks - which is effectively booking transfers. Nice team if you're happy managing that

      1. Sanchit
        • 9 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        I'm happy managing that( I suppose you mean moving on Gusto/Alvarez soon) and that's why took Henry and Trippier as 2 strong bench options

        1. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          11 months, 6 days ago

          Yeah pretty much. In that case G2G

  7. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Surprised there's not more interest in Gusto given Chelsea's fixtures and injuries at the back. Could be good to start the next 4 or so no?

    1. I am 42
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      i have but likely to bench him

    2. Sanchit
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Price really isn't a problem for anyone this season because all template mids are 6-9m.

      Gusto is not much attacking and that's the reason people probably prefer a City defender over him for CS potential

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      There's an International Break after GW3-4. Reece could be coming back into the fold after that... and you won't want to start Gusto vs Villa in GW6 anyway.

      Also Forest are totally scoring against us next week after doing it in both matches last year, haha.

  8. Raz76
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Help! Horrible GW2 as I had Mbeumo on my bench. What should I do?
    2 free transfers in hand, 0.5m in the bank.
    Turner Pickford
    Gabriel Chilwell Estupinan Kabore Baldock
    Saka Odegaard Fernandes Rashford Mbeumo
    J.Pedro Jackson Haaland

    1. Sanchit
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Bench Pedro Kabore and Baldock. Team looks solid.
      I'd personally do one of United/asrenal mids to Foden

      1. Raz76
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        I was thinking if either Rashford-Foden or Pickford-Sanchez and rolling remaining transfer for next week

  9. I am 42
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    play Estupiñán or Gusto?

    1. JBG
      • 6 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Estu

    2. Sanchit
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Estu this week for sure. Gusto next week probably

  10. Kodap
    • 7 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    WC team, good to go? £3.1m in the bank.

    Ederson
    Saliba - Estup - Chilwell
    Odegaard - Diaby - Mbuemo - Foden - Diaz
    Haaland (c) - Jackson

    Areola - Henry - Botman - Semenyo

    1. We Go Again
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Perhaps use some of the money itb to get Tripper over Botman? For his fixture turn in GW5

      1. Kodap
        • 7 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        Good idea as I'd want Tripps soon

  11. Smokey_Lowkey
    • 5 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Start:
    A) TAA
    B) Joao Pedro

    Currently on B due to Enciso injury and therefore higher likelihood of start. But benching TAA feels wrong.

    Both are on my sell list for next GW...

    1. trixz
      • 2 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      A

  12. ONLYPEPKNOWS
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    How's this looking for a WC team

    Ederson (Areola)
    Saliba, Chilwell, Estu (Digne, Gusto)
    B.Fernandes, Saka, Mitoma, Mbuemo (Diaz)
    Isak, Haaland, Jackson

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Like your front 3. Not sure i'd have Bruno myself given ManU's stuttering start.

      Maybe Henry over Digne for shorter term fix?

      1. ONLYPEPKNOWS
        • 10 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        Really like having Digne as a backup, but if leaves Aston I could switch to Henry. Also, currently no Aston Villa cover

    2. Sanchit
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Why not Alvarez/Wissa to start with and then switch to Isak later?

      1. Sanchit
        • 9 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        Also, No Foden? He was one of the first names in my WC squad

        1. ONLYPEPKNOWS
          • 10 Years
          11 months, 6 days ago

          Think Isak could get some against Liv. Also I'll be ditching 0.1 if I ship him out now.

          Foden could easily replace Bruno, but I just have some odd feeling that Foden will troll us all.

    3. We Go Again
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      I know he has forest but I don't think Bruno would make my WC team feels like you're booking a transfer early

      1. ONLYPEPKNOWS
        • 10 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        In other words you're saying Foden?

    4. Nitram
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Depends how long Jackson doesnt score for. I cant afford many more blanks from him.

  13. trixz
    • 2 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    have a FT, should i replace Pickford? or wait until next GW?

  14. Podorsky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Should I start Botman or Gabriel, will it be a third 1 pointer for Gabriel?

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      i'd start Gabriel. Surely has to play this week no? What's the back 4 otherwise?

  15. OwenU
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    I have to bench one of Watkins, Estupinan, Mitoma or Colwilll. Which one do you recommend?

    1. el polako
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Always play your attackers.

    2. mcgooch
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Colwill

  16. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Thoughts on an Nketiah punt? Will have cash in the bank to switch to Jesus when the time comes

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Jesus is already back in training so feels like a very short term move.

      1. Better Call Raul
        • 4 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        I agree but the main alternative are Jackson and Alvarez which also seem short term imo

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          11 months, 6 days ago

          Why is Jackson short-term? (Aside from injuries cutting his supply line a tad.)

          No competition up top. Broja is nearly ready, but won't start ahead of him. Haven't bought anyone else yet.

          Who are you selling?

          1. Baines on Toast...
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            11 months, 6 days ago

            No Chelsea striker has been a viable FPL option since Costa and everyone has convinced themselves this guy is the solution when he scored like 10 goals last year in 30 starts and has thus far been booked twice with no returns in two games.

          2. Better Call Raul
            • 4 Years
            11 months, 6 days ago

            Selling Mubamba to upgrade 8th attacker

        2. Better Call Raul
          • 4 Years
          11 months, 6 days ago

          He is short term imo because if I don't expect Chelsea to become a competent team overnight. 2 great fixtures but they've won 1 of their last 16 in all comps.

    2. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Wissa's stats are through the roof and he has great fixtures.

      1. Better Call Raul
        • 4 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        Yeah I really like him as well, just Nketiah more of a differential and could see Arsenal running up a big score against Fulham

  17. cruzex
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    RMWC team

    Ty

    Onana
    Estupinan gvardiol Chilwell
    Saka Rashford sterling Foden Mbeumo
    Jackson Haaland (c)

    Bench: Areola Udogie Trippier Osula

  18. Oasthouse FC
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Would appreciate tom, or anyone elses,view on this!

    Have 2 FT and 0.5itb

    pickford (turner)

    saliba, estu, chillwell, henry (kabore)

    salah, rashford, saka, mitoma (eze)

    pedro, haaland (mubama)

    am thinking of selling salah to release funds, moving to foden.

    should I also change pedro to wissa/alvarez/jackson (and if so which one)

    or just carry 1ft to next week when we will have more data on how jackson/alavarez etc is doing?

    many thanks!

  19. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Pedro to
    A) Alvarez
    B) Jackson

  20. ahak9
    • 7 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Jackson (c) over Haaland?

    1. Better Call Raul
      • 4 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Of course not

  21. Patson Dabaka
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Did a drunk transfer of Gabriel to Udogie but now have a benching headache!

    Bench one
    A Udogie (bou)
    B Pinnock (CRY)
    C Estupinan (WHU)

    Should've just let Gabriel sit on the bench and rot. Don't drink and FPL kids

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      I did exactly the same. When I was drunk. And have the exact three. I am benching Pinnock.

      1. Patson Dabaka
        • 8 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        Glad it's not just me! Leaning towards benching Pinnock too. Bullet header incoming obv. Good luck with your gameweek mate

  22. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Let's go!!

  23. Professional Fowl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    WC team

    Flekken - (Turner)
    Chilwell - Estupinan - Saliba - (Andersen) - (Baldock)
    Saka - B. Fernandes - Odegaard - Mitoma - (Mbeumo)
    Haaland - Jackson - Alvarez

    1. Alvarez & Mbeumo
    2. Foden & Wissa

    Thoughts?

    1. ONLYPEPKNOWS
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Mbeumo on bench should be your biggest concern

  24. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Who to get instead of Shaw ?
    A- Gvardiol
    B- Akanji
    C- Saliba

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Depends how long term? I would have said Saliba for fire and forget (and short term fix) but they turn soon enough and ManC's are prob worth playing the roulette for.

  25. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Alright this Gameweek is set. Which 2 would u start next week?

    Henry (BOU)
    Estupinan (NEW)
    Gusto (NOT)

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      E & G but next week is not here yet.

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        Its here in 6 hours 😛

  26. Aster
    • 3 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    My DF are : Dias - Botman-Shaw-Gabriel-Estupinan

    Should I do - 4 Shaw to Chill?

  27. Lollabear
    • 5 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Do you think Salah will start next match? Saw he was rumoured away for a stup!d amount of money.

    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 14 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Yes.

  28. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Best Arsenal mid on WC?

    1. Scrumper
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Even split between Saka and Odegaard
      (Arsenal fan)

      1. Eze Really?
        • 10 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        See below. Seems we are thinking alike to some extent. Just feels like Saka and Odegaard is about pens so we get both to cover with a downside to it.

    2. Well you know, Triffic
      • 14 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Saka or Ode. Martinelli maybe comes into play when Jesus is back.

  29. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    Buy
    a) Foden
    b) Sterling

    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 14 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Two of the best FPL trolls. Maybe Sterling imo.

    2. simsey747
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Foden easily

  30. Eze Really?
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 6 days ago

    In what order would you put:
    Saka
    Bruno
    Odegaard
    ?
    My FOMO is Bruno

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 6 days ago

      Ode Saka Bruno

      1. Eze Really?
        • 10 Years
        11 months, 6 days ago

        Tnks for the reply. Quite wrongly I want Bruno so I have more games to interest me. Ode/sak penalty split puts me off both TBH.