Scout Picks - Bus Team

FPL Gameweek 7 early Scout Picks: ‘Threemium’ + Solanke

Gameweek 6 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) has barely finished but we’re already looking ahead to the following round with our early Scout Picks.

In this Gameweek 7 selection, we create a first draft of our regular picks. We will then finalise and publish them again much closer to Saturday’s deadline.

Plenty can change between now and then, of course. There are Scout Squad nominations, midweek cup ties and a whole host of press conferences still to come.

We are, as ever, limited by certain restrictions:

  • An £83.0m budget for our starting XI
  • An overall squad limit of £100.0m
  • No more than three players per team

GAMEWEEK 7 FIXTURES

Above: The Gameweek 7 fixtures sorted by difficulty on our Season Ticker


THE LIKELY LADS

FPL Gameweek 4: Saturday’s goals, assists, bonus points + stats 16

Arsenal and Manchester City are inevitably going to dominate the Scout Picks in Gameweek 7.

In north London, David Raya (£5.6m), Gabriel Magalhaes (£6.2m) and Bukayo Saka (£10.1m) are currently leading the charge, although Kai Havertz (£8.2m) is also competing for inclusion.

The German has scored in every home match this season, amassing four attacking returns in three Emirates starts. He’s amassed 26 points in doing so.

Arsenal are up against the division’s lowest scorers Southampton, however.

Man City v Fulham is the other stand-out fixture of the week from a Fantasy perspective.

Erling Haaland (£15.3m) is surely a shoo-in. He’s had 29 shots in the box over the first six Gameweeks, at least 10 more than any other player.

Josko Gvardiol (£5.9m) isn’t quite as attacking as he was last year but he’s still popping up in advanced positions. With seven shots in the box and 20 penalty area touches in 2024/25, there’s perhaps enough upside to go for City’s most expensive defender.

In both Arsenal and City’s cases, the teamsheets and minutes logged in Europe could also partly determine who we plump for in the Scout Picks.

Elsewhere, Fabian Hurzeler’s high defensive line has come in for heavy criticism after Brighton and Hove Albion’s 4-2 defeat at Chelsea.

It’s worth noting none of Cole Palmer’s (£10.7m) four goals on Saturday came directly from this route. However, there were numerous occasions when Chelsea’s pacey frontline caused problems.

Dejan Kulusevski (£6.2m), James Maddison (£7.5m), Brennan Johnson (£6.4m) and Dominic Solanke (£7.6m), perhaps even Pedro Porro (£5.5m), look perfectly placed to exploit those defensive deficiencies on Sunday.

Son Heung-min (£10.0m) is another candidate for inclusion should he recover in time.

We’ll save the wider analysis for Sam’s upcoming Pro Pundits article, but Solanke gets the nod for now.


IN CONTENTION

­FPL Gameweek 3 Scout Picks: Palmer + Isak in

Going without any Liverpool players in our ‘bus team’ seems odd. The Reds are top of the table and won their opening three away games in 2024/25.

However, Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.1m) are luxuries we might not be able to afford.

The uncertainty over which combination of attackers Arne Slot will go for also makes us swerve Diogo Jota (£7.5m), Luis Diaz (£8.0m) and Cody Gakpo (£7.2m) for now. Any line-up clues or injuries from Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash against Bologna could easily elevate one of them into Scout Picks contention, however.

Nottingham Forest are a more competent defensive unit than Chelsea’s Gameweek 6 opponents Brighton. Many of us will still fancy Cole Palmer regardless. He ran the show on Saturday, with seven shots and four chances created. Palmer has now plundered 10 attacking returns in his last five matches, taking his points-per-start average to 10.2.

Nicolas Jackson (£7.8m), plus defenders Malo Gusto (£4.9m) and Levi Colwill (£4.5m), are also in Scout Picks contention.

The in-form Morgan Rogers (£5.2m) and Ollie Watkins (£9.0m) will be keenly eyeing up this weekend’s meeting with a Manchester United side that imploded against Tottenham Hotspur.

Playing behind Watkins, Rogers’ running power and dribbling skill could be deadly against a deflated United side. The Villa midfielder notched his first goal of the campaign on Sunday.

Erik ten Hag will also be without captain Bruno Fernandes (£8.2m) through suspension.

Reservations remain about Aston Villa defensively, however.

The FPL Watchlist: Villa up, Palace down 4

West Ham United’s clash against Ipswich Town is a fixture that looks tougher than originally thought. The Tractor Boys were excellent in their 2-2 draw against Villa on Sunday.

The Hammers look poor both in and out of possession under Julen Lopetegui, so Leif Davis (£4.5m) could slip into our final selection over Jarrod Bowen (£7.4m).

Crucially, West Ham have allowed more key passes to be created from their right flank than any other team except Everton this season.

Brentford v Wolverhampton Wanderers is another intriguing encounter. Mark Flekken (£4.5m), Nathan Collins (£4.5m) and Bryan Mbeumo (£7.4m) are all in contention for the home side.

Mbeumo is Thomas Frank’s main man at Brentford this season, with five goals in six matches. He also leads the way among team-mates for shots and chances created, highlighting his all-round threat.

Midfield Scout Picks will be keenly contested this week, but Antoine Semenyo (£5.7m) stands a decent chance of making our weekly selection.

Dwight McNeil (£5.5m), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m), Anthony Gordon (£7.3m) and Harvey Barnes (£6.5m) perhaps deserve to be in the conversation, too, although Everton v Newcastle United feels quite delicately balanced.


THE LONG SHOTS           

Leicester v Spurs team news: Solanke starts, Vardy fit

Facundo Buonanotte (£5.0m), Stephy Mavididi (£5.3m) and Jamie Vardy (£5.7m) could become outside bets for the Scout Picks.

Leicester City have been competitive in every match this season, scoring five goals in their last three games.

Marcus Rashford (£6.9m) and Alejandro Garnacho (£6.3m) would have been encouraged to see Aston Villa struggle in wide areas at Portman Road on Sunday, meanwhile.

Elsewhere, it’s difficult to make a case for the likes of Jordan Pickford (£4.8m), Vitalii Mykolenko (£4.3m), Kaoru Mitoma (£6.6m) and Chris Wood (£6.2m), simply because of the better options available in each of their respective positions.

GAMEWEEK 7 BUS TEAM



350 Comments Post a Comment
  1. harrysponge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 month, 2 days ago

    Diaz to Mbeumo for free?

    Thanks!

    1. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Only if we hear Diaz isn’t starting

      1. harrysponge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Cheers!

    2. Waylander
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      If Diaz starts I'd hold off til next GW.

      1. harrysponge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Cheers!

  2. Dynamic Duos
    • 11 Years
    1 month, 2 days ago

    Does this team need a wc?

    Henderson
    TAA Gabriel Porro
    Salah Palmer Saka Mbeumo Rogers
    Solanke DCL

    Matthews Robinson Pedro Barco

    1. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Nah

    2. harrysponge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Incredible team!

    3. NZREDS
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      No way great team

    4. The 12th Man
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      No.

    5. Waylander
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Not a wildcard unless you want Haaland for this great run of Man City fixtures and can't do it in a -4.

      Henderson needs to go but GKs aren't going to hurt you too badly. Your only other issues are not your key players e.g. Barco & Pedro (if he's still injured).

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        I'd have to sell Solanke

    6. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Nice team but Robot going to smash hole through that over next 6 games, but you have the other 3 prime options

  3. The 12th Man
    • 11 Years
    1 month, 2 days ago

    How do I look for this coming week?

    Raya
    Pau,Lewis,Dunk
    Palmer,Saka,Mbeumo,Rogers,O,Neil
    Haaland,Watkins

    Fabianski,Aina,Robinson,Pedro 0.2m itb 0FT

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Great shape

      1. The 12th Man
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Thanks ive just taken out Trent and Salah to afford Haaland.

        It was planned but must admit was having second thoughts.
        Unless you’re desperate for Haaland id keep your team.

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Solid, hows it going, i’m sinking after horrendous WC

      1. The 12th Man
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Going great thank you.
        WCed in GW 3 .
        Up to 30 k OR. No hits

        It’s early days.

        1. Sheffield Wednesday
          • 4 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Well done Andy. Similar boat.

    3. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      *McNeil - Gary O'Neil is too busy managing Wolves.
      Team is fine.

      1. The 12th Man
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Well spotted. Ha.

  4. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    1 month, 2 days ago

    WK7 bus team, any bench changes?

    Diaz & Lewis minutes but will access next week.

    Chasing Saka, Mbeumo or Haaland Cap?

    Raya
    TAA, Gabriel, Lewis,
    Saka, Mbeumo, Diaz, Rogers,
    Haaland, Jackson, DCL

    Fabs, ESR, Mazroui, Greaves,

    1. The 12th Man
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Team looks good.
      Saka or Haaland cap. Depends how risky you’re feeling.

  5. Holmes
    • 11 Years
    1 month, 2 days ago

    Any update on White?

  6. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 11 Years
    1 month, 2 days ago

    Trent + Havertz > Gabriel + Watkins for free after this GW?

    1. The 12th Man
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Those moves look solid if you have no fires.

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Thanks, no fires

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Watkins only has a couple more decent fixtures before a tricky run between 10-13

      1. trequartista
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Tricky but includes Spurs and Chelsea away and Crystal palace Home. He can easily walk away with 3 goals from those games

    3. jack88
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      No. Dont chase points..

  7. SomeoneKnows
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 2 days ago

    Salah > Saka?

    Yes or No

  8. RafaBenitez
      1 month, 2 days ago

      A) Diaz to Trossard
      B) Salah to Saka

      don't have any Arsenal fwd or mid and Southampton are really bad

    • Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Van der ven fastest player in premier league history! Crazy

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 4 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Hope his hamstrings can handle the loading.

      2. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Vardy in his prime was lightning, the initial acceleration destroyed everyone.

    • FantasyClub
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Can someone can please provide an explanation as to why JPedros price dropped when Solanke was locked for ages?
      Feels very rigged. Thank you

      1. Gooner Kebab
        • 12 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        odd to me too

    • Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Chasing points=bringing in form players?

      1. jack88
        • 3 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        So if you do diaz+ trent to 4.5+ palmer. Who is inform? Diaz is inform too...trent just Had 11 pointer. Its just chasing previous weeks point

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 11 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Great moves if can stretch to Lewis

          1. jack88
            • 3 Years
            1 month, 2 days ago

            Diaz+Trent was previous weeks great moves

            1. Dynamic Duos
              • 11 Years
              1 month, 2 days ago

              Things change

              1. jack88
                • 3 Years
                1 month, 2 days ago

                If things change every week that might be a problem

      2. Runnerboy31
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Chasing points is defining form as who got loads of fpl points last week.

    • Botman and Robben
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      1FT 0.1ITB

      Roll FT?

      Sánchez
      Gabriel Mazraoui TAA
      Saka Mbeumo Diaz ESR
      Haaland Jackson Wood

      Matthews Winks Robinson Faes

    • Barnaby Wilde
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Anyone tempted to stick with Eze?
      If so, why?

      1. jack88
        • 3 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Cheap. Always involved. Nailed

    • Pino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Comming out of the WC with a luxury 3 free transfers.

      Tempted to do Trent+Diaz+DCL to Gvardiol+Palmer+4.5 forward. My team looks good on paper whatever I do the moves or not. Its basicaly Trent+Diaz to Gvardiol+Palmer.

      What do you think?

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Like it

      2. The 12th Man
        • 11 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Nice moves

      3. Haa-lala-land
        • 3 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        You should probably give them Palace, then decide in the IB

      4. Eze Really?
        • 10 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        I have 3 too. I have to use all 3 to get Haaland. 12 points variance required and not sure if I want to do it. I have Palmer but want Gvardiol. I saw he played a similar role as the end of last season. Not happy with Lewis in CM role. Better as inverting full back.

        1. Pino
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Agree on the City players. Gvardiol positioning depends on where Lewis play. Lewis in CM role was not good.

          And using 3 transfers is a lot, even if its free. I dont expect Haaland to score many goals this gW so the question for you is if you can cover the points Haaland gets by other players.

          I know City has great upcoming fixtures, but I would not destoy a good team just to bring in Haaland.

          1. Eze Really?
            • 10 Years
            1 month, 2 days ago

            My thinking entirely. FOMO, that's all. (Smile)

          2. Eze Really?
            • 10 Years
            1 month, 2 days ago

            Talk about inverting; 19 points 2 weeks ago and 91 this week. To add 1.4 to 4.1 and now 4.1 to 1.4. LOL

    • Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Thoughts on this kind of draft , the defence too week?

      Flekken
      Gabriel Lewis VDB
      Saka Son Foden Mbuemo Rogers
      Haaland Solanke

      Matthews Greaves HB Stewart

      1. bootsmanus
        • 6 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Yes, and get rid of Foden until he actually starts.

      2. HelmutCool
        • 2 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        And check out if Son is healthy or not.

        1. HelmutCool
          • 2 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Maybe rather Palmer+Diaz than Son+foden?

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 11 Years
            1 month, 2 days ago

            Yeah and then I could get a 4.5m def

        2. Eze Really?
          • 10 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          This^

      3. Eze Really?
        • 10 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Yep. Maybe go Trossard instead of Saka and it will release funds. Maybe a week early with Foden.

    • meechamspowders
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      What would you do here people? Roll the FT or J.Ped > delap/wood/someone else?

      Flekk, Verb
      Trent, Lewis, Konsa, Robinson, Greaves
      Saka, Palmer, Mbeumo, Rogers, Semenyo
      Haaland, DCL, J.Pedro

      Other option is Trent & J.Ped > Gabriel & Solanke for a -4.

      I’m not sure Trent is worth the money tbh. Any advice much appreciated

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Good team, save and reassess over IB

        1. meechamspowders
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Cheers mate. Tbh whoever I bring in for Pedro would more than likely be on my bench anyway so I think I will roll the FT

      2. Gooner Kebab
        • 12 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Roll imo

    • Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      This looks ridiculously good, just not sure on Diaz

      Flekken
      Gabriel Lewis VDV
      Palmer Saka Diaz Mbeumo Rogers
      Haaland Solanke

      Matthews VDB Greaves Stewart

      1. Maddamotha
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Not bad! WC?

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 11 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          Yeah would be if hit button. Scared of Robot

          1. Sheffield Wednesday
            • 4 Years
            1 month, 2 days ago

            Pair your ~£4.5M keeper with £4M fodder keeper from same team.

      2. Make FPL Casual Again
        • 6 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Don't think Solanke is a great option....will get returns, but ppm is low

        1. Make FPL Casual Again
          • 6 Years
          1 month, 2 days ago

          McNeill a better option than Roger ?

    • Pegilagi
      • 6 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      WC activated

      Good to go?

      Pope - Henderson

      Van De Ven - Faes - Calafiori - Lewis - Aina

      Palmer - ESR - Salah - Rogers - Semenyo

      Haaland - Wood - Delap

      0.2 ITB

      1. Pegilagi
        • 6 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Only concern is Arsenal assets and if I should go for Saka & Luis Diaz in the middle instead of Salah&Semenyo. Then I would have 0.8 to use elsewhere

      2. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        I have Wood Rogers and Henderson and no way of I did WC would any but Rogers still be there. It looks any non WC team tbh. I was considering WC this week and would probably go triple Arsenal attack but just going to make do with FT to Trossard exact money

      3. Miguel Sanchez
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 2 days ago

        Do you prefer a Pope and Henderson to Raya and 4.0- never had much luck rotating keepers

      4. tinotinotino
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        29 days, 15 hours ago

        Pick a stronger starting goalie?
        Newcastle not been solid at the back.

    • Runnerboy31
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      How’s it looking after a tough week? Eze to Mbeumo done

      Sanchez
      Gabriel - Trent - Konsa
      Salah - Saka - Mbeumo - Rogers - ESR
      Haaland - DCL

    • STHH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      I do feel sorry sometimes for the article writers here. They write really informative articles and all the comments are immediately along the lines of...

      CANTONA to ZOLA for a -4? Worth it?

      Love it.

      1. The Night Trunker.
        • 1 Year
        1 month, 2 days ago

        What articles?

    • Coupes
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Diaz & Watkins to Palmer and Wood for -4?

    • iberiaballer
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      Used my WC last week. I have 1 free transfer this week. Any suggested changes?

      Flekken - Fabianski
      Gabriel-Lewis-Mykolenko-den Berg-Greave
      Palmer-Mbuemo-Diaz-Rogers-Semenyo
      Halaand-Solanke-Havertz

    • Make FPL Casual Again
      • 6 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      VDVs assists obviously a bit freaky...but is he getting more licence to make those runs forward to consider him as an option ?

    • TheChat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 2 days ago

      If Jao Pedro is injured..
      Trent and Pedro to VDV/lewis + Solanke for -4?
      Would have to play Dibbling vs Arsenal if not.

    • tinotinotino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      29 days, 15 hours ago

      Thoughts? 2ft banked…

      Raya
      Gabriel TAA Mazraoui
      Diaz Semenyo Saka Mbuemo
      Haaland Jackson Wood

      1. tinotinotino
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        29 days, 14 hours ago

        Could bring Lewis in for Maz and Johnson for Diaz..