Rate My Team
29 September 2023 312 comments
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With Gameweek 7 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) fast approaching, 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 what to do with Bukayo Saka, Ben Chilwell replacements, 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.



312 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Make FPL Casual Again
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Early kick-off tomorrow...good...no last minute leaks for the hordes glued to content creator deadline streams

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      They’ll always be something

  2. Miguel Sanchez
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Best 4.5 defender:

    A) Mitchell
    B) Burn
    C) Colwill

    1. Andy_Social
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Burn, but I'm looking at Lindelof's fixtures.

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Hmmm what about JEvans at 4.0?

        1. Andy_Social
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          I'm looking at Evans and Maguire, but Lindy seems the nailed one.

          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 15 days ago

            Just seen Varane is back... but those United fixtures look decent

            1. Andy_Social
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 15 days ago

              That's right, hence not risking the cheaper two. Good fixtures, but the only reason I'm prob not going with Burn is because I have Botman and am shuffling the pack to get Trippier. Otherwise, Burn would be my first choice.

          2. Podorsky
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 17 Years
            3 years, 15 days ago

            Dalot

            1. Andy_Social
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 15 days ago

              not 4.5

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Who are your other defenders?

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Estu, Udogie, Cash and Trippier

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          Get Tarkowski. If memory serves me correct, TOT, BRI, NEW, AVL and EVE are one of the best rotating combo's out of all those I have compared.

          Double check, but reckon it is good to go.

          1. WVA
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 15 days ago

            Don't think I'd play Tark again until after Christmas after next two, all his easier fixtures are away

            1. FOO FIGHTER
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 15 days ago

              Yes

            2. FOO FIGHTER
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 15 days ago

              New have ARS etc coming up so you might play Tarkowski then

    3. Boz
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Branthwaite? 2 plum fixtures and can then sit 5th on your bench

    4. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Cheers all - went Burn

      1. Andy_Social
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Branthwaite's a good call. Will allow me to switch him for Regulion in a few weeks

  3. Woy_is_back
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Start M. Andersen (Everton, Burnley) or Estupinan (Villa)?

    1. Boz
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Anderson. Roll the dice

  4. The Mighty Whites
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Are any of these moves worth it to do JWP to Bowen (on WC)

    Current team is:
    Areola - Turner
    Trppier - Cash - Botman - Udogie - Kabore
    Salah - Son - Maddison - Diaby - JWP
    Haaland - Alvarez - Archer

    A - Trippier to Burn
    B - Cash to 4.0 defender
    C - Maddison to Gordon
    D - Diaby to Gordon

    1. Boz
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Nah JWP a great option too

  5. Jhilly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Drop Saka and Rashford for Salah and Gordon (-4)
    Or
    Drop Saka for Bowen?

    1. Boz
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Bowen

  6. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Would you do a - 4 for this move?

    Saka > Odegaard

    Y or N

    1. jam
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      n

    2. Boz
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Nah

    3. Royal5
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Njet

      1. Belli2007
        • 16 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        no

    4. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Who would you trade Saka for then?

      1. Boz
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Up to Son or down to Bowen/JWP

        1. the dom 1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          Plan was to upgrade my bench player Ezno to JWP next GW but maybe I should just bench Saka and do;

          Enzo > JWP this GW for -4?

  7. Belli2007
    • 16 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Saka is a season keeper for me so it depends whether you are going to bring him back pretty sharpish and it costs you money....

    1. Bubz
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Why is he a season keeper?

      1. Belli2007
        • 16 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        as in stick him in team and keep him all season......not planning on sticking him between the sticks!!!

        1. Bubz
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          No I get that, I just don't understand why you'd need/want to keep him all season? His data is actually quite poor recently, he's been lucky to get the points he has

          1. Belli2007
            • 16 Years
            3 years, 15 days ago

            That's fair enough, I am going on basis that Arsenal mids have been pretty good scorers and so I would likely have one as a minimum in my team throughout and he and Ode are most nailed from an attacking perspective.....that's not to say I wouldn't ship but right now he is one of a few players I have no plan on changing at any point.

          2. boombaba
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 15 days ago

            Still got the points though
            He can lucky all season if he keeps racking up points.

            1. Bubz
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 15 days ago

              I don't base my decisions on luck I base them on data and eye test

    2. Belli2007
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      reply fail to JHILLY

    3. Royal5
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Not been close to a season keeper

      1. Belli2007
        • 16 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Arsenal create lots of chances......Saka sharing pens with Ode, nailed for start every match if not injured, scores goals, assists......

        1. boombaba
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          Well to be fair he gave one pen to Ode and been on the rest

      2. Scalper
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Highest scoring mid… and that’s with giving up a pen to ode

    4. Jhilly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Probably should of mentioned in planning to wildcard in week 9 so this would just be for the next 2 weeks.

  8. Dotherightthing
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Hi all,
    Would you play;
    A- Diaby v Brighton
    B- Son v Liverpool (currently yellow)
    Thank you

    1. Boz
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Ideally both

    2. XX SMICER XX
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Start Son

  9. Ric20
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    My team, I've already taken a -4 to bring Saka in so not sure what to do now, I'm tempted to FH

    Leno Areola
    Trippier Botman Cash Udogie Kabore
    Salah Saka Mbeumo Foden Maddison
    Haaland Alvarez Archer

    1. Boz
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      You brought him in??

      1. Ric20
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Yes, I made early transfers last weekend because I had the exact money £ 0.0m in the bank now, regretted it the next day!

        1. Transient Anus
          • 17 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          All good shiz happens just let cash auto sub in if Saka doesn't play

          1. Ric20
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 15 days ago

            Seems the most sensible option, thanks

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Wouldn't use FH Chip this GW mate

      1. Ric20
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Okay, cheers, I probably won't the more I think about it

    3. XX SMICER XX
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Why would you FH???

      1. Ric20
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        I was thinking so it would cancel my -4 and start again next week but then I'd have Sterling and Chilwell back so I might just live with the hit

    4. Nuka Girl
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      -4 to bring Saka in?
      What do you know that no-one else knows

      1. Nuka Girl
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Team is OK otherwise.
        If Saka doesn't play I'm sure he'll be right back even though couple of tougher fixtures.

      2. Ric20
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Stupidly I made early transfers last weekend because I had the exact money £ 0.0m in the bank now, regretted it the next day when I saw he was a doubt!

        1. Nuka Girl
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          I think your team can cover it.
          Dont waste a free hit to save -4

          1. Ric20
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 15 days ago

            Thanks, the more I think about it, the more I'll just take the -4 and not be so rash next time

    5. The-Red-1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Who did you bring him in for? Can you just bench him for a week (or start him and have Archer as first sub?), because presumably you'll want to keep him long term?

      1. Ric20
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        I transferred out Sterling and Chilwell for Saka and Kabore as I had the exact money, I knew as soon as i'd done it that I'd jumped the gun. Like you said I'll probably start him and let the first sub come in if he doesn't play. Thanks.

        1. Belli2007
          • 16 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          you have good enough subs to cover

          1. Ric20
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 15 days ago

            Okay thanks

        2. The-Red-1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          Yeah, long term I think it's cool, and not worth wasting your FH over, because you will get Sterling and Chilwell back, and Chilwell will surely drop further after today

          1. Ric20
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 15 days ago

            Yes that sense, thanks

  10. XX SMICER XX
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    What to do?

    A. Play Estupinan & Udogie, bench Saka & Edouard

    B. Play Estupinan, replace one of Saka / Edouard

    C. Replace Saka & Edouard -4

    1. Under my Cucurella
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      B and replace Edouard, what options do you have for replacement?

      1. XX SMICER XX
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Considering:
        - Hojlund
        - Watkins
        - Mateta (to afford Salah)
        - Morris
        - Alvarez

        1. Under my Cucurella
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          I like Morris this week but Alvarez long term

  11. el polako
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Lots of teams with Botman, thought he's injured and Howe said needs assessing.

    Am I missing something?

      1. el polako
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Eddie Howe said late check on Botman will be required.

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          With all tha Saka panic and trolling on here, I would not trust what any manager says about a player being 'out'

          1. el polako
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 15 days ago

            I guess you're right.
            My take is that the spike in "injuries" is directly related to the Mickley mouse cup in midweek and managers resting their assets under the cover up bullpoo stories.

            1. FOO FIGHTER
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 15 days ago

              It is what it is, they will either play or not. You hit them out and you could get burned.

              It is utterly stupid to have taken a hit on getting Saka out when he trained this afternoon 🙂

    1. Bubz
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Howe talks rubbish though, he will very likely be absolutely fine

      1. el polako
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Likely but not certain, why not go Burn instead on WC?
        Burn your WC.

        1. Bubz
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          Because Botman has better data than Burn

          1. el polako
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 15 days ago

            Fair enough, I'm on a WC and simply trying to get some opinions from managers better than me before I decide.

  12. Under my Cucurella
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    A: WC
    B: Jackson > Morris hope the others start
    C: B with another move or two for a hit

    Pickford
    Estu Botman* Kabore Udogie
    Salah Maddison* Mbuemo Saka*
    Haaland Alvarez

    Turner Sarr Jackson** Chilwell**

    1FT 0.1ITB

  13. Jdpz
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Will Saka play or he is injured?

    1. boombaba
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      50/50

  14. Gazzpfc
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Is Saka fit???

    1. el polako
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Depends who you ask.

  15. The Red Devil
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Start turner or johnstone?

    1. Tcheco
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Turner

  16. Tcheco
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Anyone else think Burnley have a better chance of a clean sheet vs. Luton than than the other way around?

    1. Nuka Girl
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Yep. Think Burnley more capable.

    2. Opurist
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Yes, but don't say that. Lot of Luton superfans here

  17. Boz
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    A) Rashford > Bowen/JWP
    B) Roll FT

    1. boombaba
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      A
      Bowen

  18. Alexoca
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Choose 2: Mitoma, alvarez and Doku?

    1. boombaba
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      To buy or to play

      1. Alexoca
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        To play

    2. Boz
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      1st two

  19. Josh.E
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    now Son too damn

    1. Nuka Girl
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Oh no. Hadn't seen that.

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Did you get in Nunez?

    2. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Still getting him on WC

    3. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Chill, he'll be fine...

    4. have you seen cyan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Everyone panicking. It will probably be largely fine and most start.

      Personally I lose no sleep over such things.

    5. Cojones of Destiny
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      what did i miss??

  20. boombaba
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Moreno be first choice when fit?
    Seems harsh on Digne who’s been doing well.

  21. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Saka probably starts even on one leg

    Arsenal got absolutely battered by spurs and can’t afford to lose many more games

    1. boc610
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      ha thats pure confirmation bias...they have champions league tuesday and city after. if there was a game that they would think they might surivive without him its this one

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        This...

    2. Boz
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Unless he's saved for Lens and ManC

  22. fusen
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Anyone else more interested in Ward-Prowse than Bowen? I feel like he's more likely to be involved in goals even if his points ceiling isn't as high

    1. boombaba
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      I have both on WC but plan to sell Bowen to Diaby next GW

      1. ViperStripes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Got both on WC, Diaby on watchlist if Saka is ruled out longer

  23. Transient Anus
    • 17 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Pro tip. If you wildcard is a perfect match for the group think weekly template, give yourself a slap, grow a set, and start again

    1. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Gotta read the articles and other expert tips, not just base WC on what people are saying in comments.

      1. Transient Anus
        • 17 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        These so called "experts" are the worst offenders

    2. The Mentaculus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      If only more 'pros' were like this 😀

  24. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    "No sign of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Declan Rice or Fabio Vieira in 18 pictures from Arsenal training on Friday."

    A few photos posted in Arsenal Twitter page. Not sure where the others are.

    https://twitter.com/1fplnews/status/1707789286664180056?t=3oPXs5e6YBfqmMmd2qWg-g&s=19

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      18 training photos are here

      https://www.arsenal.com/news/gallery-building-bournemouth

      1. boc610
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        ESR starts i reckon

      2. FOO FIGHTER
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        It depends on what session that was.

        There was a session after the pressor where a reporter standing outside the stadium said Saka, Rice were due for training straight after Arteta's presser

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          Saka, Rice, Vieira, Saliba, And Marti were due for training

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 15 days ago

            And Trossard

          2. boc610
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 15 days ago

            maybe mcdonalds will give you some straws to clutch if you ask nicely

            1. FOO FIGHTER
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 15 days ago

              Keep on trolling

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Thought Saka was gym today reported earlier?

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        There was a post yesterday stating he was doing gym work.

      2. Silecro
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        He posted instagram story from the gym, being alone in there, which probably means he is working on an individual programme, not yet being able to train with others.

        It also mean I need to get a life, after reading this

        1. boc610
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          lol

    3. boombaba
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Good info.
      Arteta was complimenting Nelson recently so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a front three of Nket Jeus and Nelson
      Smith Rowe an option as well I guess

    4. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Tricky one this...

      Think I'll move him on for Son before Saka drops tonight...

  25. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    On WC:
    Just realised, if I don't bother with a 4.0m DGW defender on WC, I can bring in Udogie for them now AND upgrade Morris>Alvarez next GW.

    Gives me 5 x good playing defenders, which with Saka, Madds and Son all possible no shows this week might be useful and also good for long term fixtures.

    1. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Whoops forgot the question:
      On WC:
      a) Udogie and funds itb for Alvarez only next week (rules out Darwin next week)
      b) Kabore and funds itb for choice between Alvarez or Darwin next GW.

      1. Volley127
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        A for me. Udogie vs Luton and the subsequent fixtures will be nicer I think.

  26. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    A) Chilwell, Saka to Cash, Bowen -4
    B) Chilwell, Saka to Cash, Son -4
    C) Just Chilwell To Cash for free

    1. Boz
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      B

  27. 112kane112
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Thoughts on this WC team please?

    Any considerations or something I've missed with these selections?

    My considerations are:

    1) No money ITB. Maybe downgrade Tarkowski to a 4m.

    2) I am missing Estu and Mitoma, as much as I dislike "booking in" transfers, one of them, or both of them will hopefully be back in by GW10. I especially dislike "booking in" transfers when I know I also have to get Saka back ASAP.

    Previous squad:

    Pickford Turner
    Chilwell Botman Trippier Estu Beyer
    Mbuemo Salah Mitoma Saka Nakamba
    Alvarez Wissa Haaland

    WC Squad:

    Leno Areola
    Kabore Cash Udogie Tarkowski Trippier
    Gordon Diaby Son Bowen Salah
    Archer Alvarez Haaland

  28. AnfieldLad
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    1st on bench?

    A) Archer (whu)
    B) Nakamba (eve, BUR)

  29. Nightf0x
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Which in each ? (Will WC gw9 so targeting players for both gw7-8)

    A) chilwel to kabore or udogie or botman/burn
    B) saka to son or mitoma/march or bowen/jwp (have mads)
    C) gw8 alvarez to darwin or watkins (have diaby)

  30. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 15 days ago

    Please help as hsve 2 FTs
    A) Saka to bowen & roll 1 to help get son GW8?
    B) saka to son plus gvardoil to Tarko (or another 4.4m def as playing Pickford)?

    1. Harold99
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      Probably A but I would probably rather Gordon on fixtures

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Yeh I like a) thanks as son has trickier game gw7

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 15 days ago

      B)

      It's the most likely clean sheet Everton will get all season...

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 15 days ago

        Yeh thanks agree but seems risky having Pickford & Tarko ?!

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 15 days ago

          I didn't say it was without risk 😆

          1. Stranger Mings
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 15 days ago

            Yeh big risk maybe too much for me!!