Scout Squad
14 September 2023 473 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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The Scout Squad is a weekly article in which our regular panelists attempt to pick out the best Fantasy Premier League (FPL) options for the upcoming Gameweek.

This is a precursor to the Scout Picks, which will arrive ahead of Saturday’s deadline.

Our in-house team of Sam, Marc, Tom and Neale have each been explaining their notable Gameweek 5 inclusions and omissions in the article below.

MORE ABOUT THE SCOUT SQUAD

Scout Squad Gameweek 3

The focus is only on the upcoming Gameweek with the Scout Squad, so there’s no medium-term planning involved.

The players who get the most votes are much more likely to make the Scout Picks, although the final XI can’t exceed £83.0m. Occasionally, therefore, cheaper alternatives have to be found.

Each of our writers must meet the following requirements for this feature:

  • 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: BEST FPL PLAYERS FOR GAMEWEEK 5

 

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

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473 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. OptimusBlack
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Best Compo here
    A- Son & Sterling
    B- Son & Diaby
    instead of Foden & Mitoma
    C- Andreas & Awoniyi
    Mitoma & Pedro

    1. Cheeky Reijnders
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I'm struggling 🙂

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I like C dude 2 players with very low Ownership as a punt for this GW and I have cover for Andreas at least

        1. Cheeky Reijnders
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          All I can say is I like Awoniyi for GW5 and then he's history, bench and out. And I prefer him to Andreas for GW5. I have Sterling. Too early for Diaby. GL.

    2. Nuka Girl
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Reminded me of "Last of the Summer Wine" - not a good thing!
      B) for long term, due to Chelsea fixture swing.

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

    3. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B

  2. Bob B
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    A. Play Gusto (bou) - risk with James training
    B. Play Estupinan (mun)

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      would you get gabriel on wc? only 4.8 now...

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      b

      1. kamdaraji
        • 16 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        A

  3. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    would you get gabriel on wc? only 4.8 now...cheers

    1. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Nahh, im getting rid

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I think he’ll be starting games from here on and this week is a good one, but there are perhaps better options out there for similar prices like Udogie/Romero, Cash etc.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        cheers all

    3. NorCal Villan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      No

    4. DLLM
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      negative

  4. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Who would you bench of this lot if I were to bring in Son for Sarr?

    Saka Martinelli Foden Mbeumo (Sarr)
    Haaland Alvarez Jackson

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      saka might be injured. too much of a benching headache I wouldnt do it

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Who said that ?

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          read some news on google. nothing official, hence 'might'

        2. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/09/14/arsenal-injury-news-bukayo-saka-carrying-ankle-problem/

          Not major, just carrying a ‘niggling injury’ apparently

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            i m on wc so defo wont take any risk even if he is a slight doubt

    2. Nuka Girl
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Blimey.

    3. Cheeky Reijnders
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Jacko, obvs.

    4. NorCal Villan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Jackson

  5. rozzo
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Which do you prefer?

    A)

    Areola Turner
    Estupinan Udogie Cash Gusto Bell
    Salah Son Saka Maddison Mbeumo
    Haaland Alvarez Archer

    B)

    ALISSON Areola
    Estupinan Udogie Cash ANDERSEN TRIPPIER
    Saka Son Maddison Mbeumo RASHFORD
    Haaland Alvarez Archer

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      a

    2. MIGHTY JOE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

    3. Nuka Girl
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Tough call.
      Defences aren't doing it so far so that would point to A) plus nice to have Salah.
      But obvious, that might all change next few GWs.

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Turner and Gusto on borrowed time

  6. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Roll FT?

    Ederson
    Cash Chilwell Saliba
    Foden Diaz Bruno Mbeumo Saka
    Haaland Jackson

  7. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Trippier or Schar? (As a ft for Gabriel)

    1. Cheeky Reijnders
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Why now? No. GW6 possibly.

  8. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Start eze (avl) or Morris (ful) ?

    1. Cheeky Reijnders
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Easy.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      eze for me

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Tough one, genuinely
      Lean Eze

  9. Moxon
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Is Bell nailed for Luton?

    1. Cheeky Reijnders
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      The Bell tolls for Luton...Haha!

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      should be

  10. Nuka Girl
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    All these people getting Hojlund in:
    What are they basing it on?
    Or is it just masses of Man Utd fans being optimistic?

    1. Cheeky Reijnders
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      It crossed my mind, fleetingly. See how they go against BHA first.

    2. I Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Who are all these people?

      1. Cheeky Reijnders
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        96,140 donkeys is a lotta donkeys!!

      2. Nuka Girl
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Don't know, but there's 97.2K new ones.

    3. Herger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      The latter. I think it’s due to the extent their fan base is reducing these days but it seems to be less pronounced than ever before

    4. Cheeky Reijnders
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Even more astonishing is the fact that 4 out of the top 5 transfers in are TOTs. Hot-to-TOT 🙂

        1. Cheeky Reijnders
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Like that.

          1. NorCal Villan
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Glad to hear it! Scofield is a giant & to have MMW backing him is a match made in Heaven

    5. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Man Utd players tend to get a lot of transfers due to the fanbase

      FPL_JianBatra (who did pick Sterling and Son before their hauls) is making an interesting case for him: https://x.com/FPL_JianBatra/status/1702337114946556267?s=20

      1. Herger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Lol, he doesn’t even name who he’s talking about. After seeing him getting bullied by Gabriel there’s not a chance I’m backing him against even Dunk

  11. Bleh
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Best move(s) here? 1 FT, 0.7 ITB.

    Ederson
    Chilwell, Estu, Udogie
    Salah, Odegaard, Foden, Mbeumo, Mitoma
    Haaland, Wissa

    (Areola, Semenyo, Gusto, Henry)

    A. Odegaard > Son
    B. Foden > Maddison (Wissa > Alvarez next week)
    C. Roll and do Chilwell, Mitoma > Cash, Maddison next week
    D. Other

    1. Herger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

      1. Bleh
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks!

  12. Nuka Girl
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    An easy one before midnight:
    A) Rashford
    B) Bruno.

    1. Cheeky Reijnders
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

      1. Nuka Girl
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks. I've been on Bruno all week, but now I've given up on the Morris idea, I have the extra funds to go for Rashford if I want.

        1. Eastman
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Bruno. Minutes, pens, price

        2. Cheeky Reijnders
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Morris only a consideration for GW7 imo. But you'll want one or both MUN lads for GWs 6&7 depending how the UCL game v Bayern goes, I think.

  13. Bob B
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Draft help please, which would be your priority?

    A. Beto to replace Joao Pedro
    B. Dunk to replace Gusto

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Easier to wait for Press Conferences...

      1. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        It’s never easy to wait. I recommend satisfying early transfers with no information.

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          😆

    2. lugs
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Beto, there is a dearth of strikers to choose from in draft

  14. Bill Car
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Rashford or Bruno?

    1. Nuka Girl
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I'm newly thinking Rashford 😉

    2. Herger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno

    3. wslnpt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno.

      More avenues towards points.

    4. _Greg
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I'm expecting to get Rashford next week when he is retained on the left.

    5. Josh.E
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I think Rashford outscores Bruno long-term

      1. Nuka Girl
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        He did last season on less minutes. Guess that's why he's higher priced.

  15. OptimusBlack
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Who to get for midterm
    A- Sterling
    B- Awoniyiiii

    1. Cheeky Reijnders
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Awoniyi for GW5 only. Sterling for GWs 5-8, provisionally.

    2. Nuka Girl
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Don't use a transfer for 1 week (unless wildcarding after).
      Sterling looking the better option.

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Thxx guys

    4. wslnpt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Sterling long term.

  16. wslnpt
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    A) Joao Pedro to Awoniyi (Bench one of Mbeumo, Eze, Foden, Son, Saka, Jackson)
    B) Colwill to Trippier.

    Leaning towards A with Eze benched.

    1. krawiecus
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B. No need to bench Eze

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yes A Eze bench

    3. _Greg
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      save transfer

  17. _Greg
    • 16 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Own both James and Gusto. Leave James in XI? Don't want him to come on for a 1 pointer so which way round would you do it?

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Chelsea press conference tomorrow I believe...

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        (Or later today I should say...)

        1. _Greg
          • 16 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah there will be loads tomorrow! H

          1. _Greg
            • 16 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Hoping for James and Ferguson starts.

  18. Lallana_
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    My GW5 team. How many of these players do you own?

    Turner
    Chilwell Udogie Schär
    Salah Maddison Saka Diaby Mbeumo
    Jackson Haaland

    1. _Greg
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      6

    2. Nuka Girl
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      7

    3. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      8

    4. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      7

    5. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      5

    6. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      At least 1

    7. Onz
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      5 but could be 6 before the deadline

    8. Lallana_
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Seeing more variation this year I feel! Cheers all

  19. SKENG
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Turner
    Chilwell Estupinan Walker
    Sterling Rashford Bruno Saka Mbeumo
    Haaland Watkins

    Steele Kabore Baldock Scarlett - 1 FT, 1.5M ITB

    A) Walker > Trippier
    B) Steele > Kaminski
    C) Save FT
    D) WC??
    E) smth else

    Any thoughts on this team? Leaning towards A atm.

    1. _Greg
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      C

  20. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Regret selling pedro for wissa. But lets hope for the best haha

    1. _Greg
      • 16 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Ferguson and Welbeck are fit.

  21. Bleh
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Would you do Foden & Chilwell > Maddison > Cash (-4)?

    Allows me to upgrade Wissa > Alvarez next week and Mitoma > Bowen the week after.

    Current team:
    Ederson (Areola)
    Chilwell, Estu, Udogie (Gusto, Henry)
    Salah, Odegaard, Foden, Mbeumo, Mitoma
    Haaland, Wissa (Semenyo)

  22. Nightf0x
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Which 2 fwds to have from gw6 to gw9 WC :

    A) darwin
    B) alvarez (ofcourse have haland)
    C) watkins (have diaby)
    D) wilson
    E) ferguson

  23. Twisted Saltergater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Will be a funny gameweek this one, with a fair few surprises. Always is after the international break.

    1. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Agreed. Press conferences will be key. I’m worried about a random benching somewhere such as Foden. A good week to have a solid bench.

      1. Shark Team
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        City will be missing Kovasic and Grealish, Foden will almost surely start

      2. The Knights Template
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Foden benchings are regular, not random. Huzzah! King of the Pine, King of the Pine!

  24. Ryan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Foden to Son? FT

    1. putana
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      that's what im doing. also tempted by sterling

    2. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yes please.

    3. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Considering the same. But the Spurs fixtures aren't great after this one

  25. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    How I think City will lineup vs West Ham:
    Ederson
    Walker Dias Ake Gvardiol
    Rodri Nunes
    Bernardo Alvarez Foden
    Haaland

    1. The Pretender
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Alvarez may play less minutes with all the travel and playing in Bolivia. I wonder if he starts or comes off the bench.

    2. Onz
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Stones coming back into the picture could change things a bit.

  26. The Pretender
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    On WC:
    Leno, Turner
    Chilwell, Udogie, Cash, Botman, Kabore
    Salah, Son, Maddison, Saka, Mbeumo
    Haaland, Morris, Archer
    0.0 ITB

    Would ideally be looking at Son > Bruno next week. I think fitting Salah in has made it a touch challenging, I could easily turn Salah into Bruno, which would give me 4.1 to spend on upgrading Archer and Botman, though I am happy with my 2 cheaper forwards for the short term with Morris' fixtures being VERY friendly. My plan is to use my FT next week on one of Son/Maddison next week as I don't really want both with Arsenal and Liverpool the following fortnight. I like the team as it stands, but I am concerned about balance.

  27. Winnerr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    A) Burn, Rashford, Jackson

    B) James (bench till back), Mbeumo, Watkins

    Best option?

    1. Shark Team
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. krawiecus
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B

  28. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Pick only one:
    A) Son(SHU,ars,LIV,lut) -4pts
    B) Bruno(BHA,bur,CRY,BRE)
    If I go A I go Son over Haaland for captaincy

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

  29. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Foden ---> Son for free?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Will Foden play?

  30. ran
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Turner
    Cash Saliba Chilwell
    Sterling Saka Bruno Rashford Mbeumo
    Haaland Jackson

    Pickford Estu Muniz Baldock

    2FT, 2.3itb

    Any suggestions on who should I transfer out this week?