Scout Squad
13 August 2025 665 comments
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With new Fantasy Premier League (FPL) rules and new arrivals to consider, the Scout Squad are back ahead of Gameweek 1.

This week and every week, our in-house team of Sam, Marc, Tom and Neale will discuss who they think the best FPL players are for the upcoming Gameweek in isolation.

Only five players have been given universal backing for the opening weekend…

MORE ABOUT THE SCOUT SQUAD

Scout Squad Gameweek 1

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 – so occasionally, 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 1

 

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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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  1. Wet Bandits
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Any love for Odegard?

    1. Wet Bandits
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Ouch...What a terrible top post!

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Do you think he's still on pens? There'll be games where Havertz plays in that position, I think.

      1. Wet Bandits
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 24 days ago

        I Just think at 8mil & he tends to score similar, albeit not as much, to Saka..

        I'm reaching for Arsenal cover, not ready for Gyokeres yet I don't think. And Saka at 10mil.. hard to squeeze in!

    3. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      I'm afraid not. I don't know what's happened to him, he's become a robot.

      1. Wet Bandits
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 24 days ago

        Yeah that's my worry.. preseason he hasn't looked like previous years

    4. 3 A
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      so underwhelming last season.

  2. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Struggling with defence, A or B?

    Sanchez Dubravka
    Murillo *** *** *** ***

    A) Defcon:- Lacroix Romero Milenkovic + Diouf(flair pick)
    B) Att def:- Munoz Porro Williams + Rodon

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      You're playing 4atb?

      Seems like 0.5m more than I'd want otherwise.

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Only 3

      2. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Sometimes 4 actually KDH can go on bench sometimes

    2. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      B easy for me

  3. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Have I cracked the BBGW1?

    Sels
    Cucurella Frimpong Porro
    Palmer (c) Wirtz Ndiaye Kudus
    Watkins Ekiteke Pedro

    Verbruggen Rutter Williams Diouf

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Salah??

      1. Stimps
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 24 days ago

        Hell no

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 24 days ago

          Ok end of conversation lol, there may be somebody here on your wavelength 😉

          1. Stimps
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            I've gone triple pool to try level Salah if he hauls

    2. boroie
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      I don’t like big defence this year. Think the DEFCON points will result in all defenders getting pretty much the same amount of points over the season.

      1. Stimps
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        It's hard to tell who will benefit from Defcon this year. Why choose last year's ones? I've attaching fullbacks with the fixtures. I plan to WC GW4

    3. Kermit Special
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I've gone Salahless, but went with a Big 5 n midflied to cover the big guns and captaincy. Palmer GW1, Saka GW2, Bruno GMW 3. Saka, Palmer, Bruno, Gakpo and wirtz big 5. Can still have Watkins and Pedro as well upfront.

      1. The Pretender
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        If Salah looks good to start, are you free hitting in 4 to get him as C vs Burnley?

        1. Stimps
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          WC GW4 for me

    4. 420king
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      upgrade Ndiaye

      1. Stimps
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Why? He has the fixtures and is on pens?

  4. boroie
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    A - Mitoma & Etikite
    B - Gakpo & J Pedro (or a different £7.5m attacker)

    1. RedKev81
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      B

    2. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A

  5. 3 A
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    "Hi everyone, my name's Andy" - just said what in my heads. a lot of FPL's video I watch recently.

  6. Ohh1454
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Vdv or Konsa better option for first 7 games ?

    1. 420king
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Konsa if you're starting him every game, Vdv if you can rotate

      1. Ohh1454
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 24 days ago

        Yeah I’d be looking at playing each game alright, I’d bench VDV GW2 though and go Esteve

    2. Wet Bandits
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Konsa for ne

  7. Prusina
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Pick 2/3 to start GW1 - Cuypers, Diouf, Reijnders.

    My team:

    Sels (King)
    Murillo Ait Nouri Diouf (Cuypers, Esteve)
    Kudus Palmer Wirtz Reijnders (4.5)
    Haaland(C) Watkins Bowen

  8. boroie
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    A - Sarr(CRY) & Etikite
    B - Gakpo & Mateta

    1. EDEN THE MAN
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      A

      1. boroie
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 24 days ago

        Thanks

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      A

  9. Emiliano Sala
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Mo or No salah?

    1. EDEN THE MAN
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Mo

      1. theshazly
        • 2 Years
        3 months, 24 days ago

        Mo

  10. EDEN THE MAN
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Porro or Tark?
    Kudus or Ndiaye?

    Cheers

    1. theshazly
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Porrudus

    2. 420king
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Kudorro

  11. hazza44
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Hi all,
    Think I am nearly settled, but any feedback appreciated

  12. RedKev81
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Any thoughts?

    BB GW1 WC GW2

    Sels/Verbruggan
    Pedro/Tarkowski/Ait-Nouri/Diouf/Rodon
    Palmer/Wirtz/Gakpo/Kudus/Mitoma
    Watkins/Bowen/Ekitike

    Want everyone as nailed as possible. Main concern is Ait-Nouri but he played nearly all the CWC and I do like a punt on a player at their old ground. Could swap him and Verbruggan to Murrilo and Vicario but that means doubling up on 2 defences

    Cheers

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Not worried about salah?

      1. RedKev81
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 24 days ago

        No …way too much £ for a BB team

  13. Emiliano Sala
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Please guys

    A) Salah, J.pedro, VDV, De cuyper
    B) Haaland, Kudus, Frimpong, Diouf

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      A

    2. Kermit Special
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A

  14. XX SMICER XX
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Just had some fun with a Salahless team, thoughts?

    Thanks

    Kelleher
    VDV Milenkovic Cucurella
    Saka Palmer Marmoush Gakpo Johnson
    Watkins Sesko

    Vlad Raul Konsa Dorgu
    0.5m ITB

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      the money goes a long way! If you can nail your captain pick, then it's possibly how Gen AI would play the game 🙂

      1. XX SMICER XX
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Thinking about it, could downgrade Raul and upgrade Gakpo to Wirtz & VDV to Porro

      2. XX SMICER XX
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Palmer GW1
        Saka GW2
        Sesko GW3
        Gakpo / Wirtz GW4

        1. The Pretender
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          I think a non-Salah team should have Bruno for GW3 C, with Sesko unproven I think I would wait on him. Otherwise I like it.

          1. XX SMICER XX
            • 7 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            Kelleher
            VDV Milenkovic Cucurella
            Saka Palmer Marmoush Gakpo Bruno
            Watkins Solanke

            Vlad Guiu Konsa Dorgu

  15. Darragh82
    • 6 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Hi folks,

    How’s this draft looking??
    Kelleher,
    Konate, WanBissaka, VDV, Aina
    Salah, Wirtz, Rogers, Kudus
    Haaland, Bowen
    Dubravka, Dewsbury-Hall, Esteve, Guiu

    Not playing any chips
    Any suggestions??

    1. Kermit Special
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Looks Strong, Would try fitting either Watkins/Pedro instead of Bowen imo

      1. Darragh82
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Thanks, double West Ham is definitely risky as they could easily lose 3-0 meaning nothing at either end and Pedro would be Chelsea cover

    2. The Pretender
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Looks good - but I am not an Aina fan.

      1. Darragh82
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Thanks, is it just Aina or anyone from Forest??
        Was thinking 1 from their backline would be valuable

        1. The Pretender
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          Just Aina, I think he's a distant 4th behind the others.

  16. hazza44
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Hi all,
    Think I am nearly settled, but any feedback appreciated

  17. Kermit Special
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Thoughts on BB1 Team?

    Sanchez

    Williams VDV Diouf

    Wirtz Palmer Gakpo Saka Fernandez

    Pedro Watkins

    Verbruggen Konsa Fullkrug Gudmundsson

    1. Kermit Special
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Bruno I meant instead of Fernandez.

  18. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Which option:

    A) Milenkovic - Ismailia Sarr - Watkins

    B) N Williams - Bruno - Mateta

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A

    2. The Pretender
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A for me as well. I like Watkins over Bruno over the first 5-6 GW.

    3. Riders of Yohan
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A

  19. Emiliano Sala
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    De cuyper or diouf for BB gw1?

    Have vergbruggen too

    1. The Pretender
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      What is your plan after BB1? WC early out of it or run same team?

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        WC soon

        1. The Pretender
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          Then I think I would probably avoid a Brighton double up and make use of Diouf v SUN. There's no guarantee of a clean sheet, but even if Sunderland are up for it, there will be a class difference to overcome and I think he's every chance of an assist.

          1. The Pretender
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            Other option is to run De Cuypers, but swap Verbruggen for a a different keeper with a better CS chance.

    2. Kermit Special
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Diouf

    3. 420king
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      DeCuyper = higher CS chance, higher chance of an attacking return (source: bet365)

    4. Chelsea Dagger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Diouf

  20. Manani
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    A. VVD
    B. Frimpong
    C. Cucu
    D. RAN

    1. Kermit Special
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I prefer Porro, but out of those D

    2. Riders of Yohan
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      C, D, A, B - mainly due to fixtures

    3. The Pretender
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      CDAB, but D jumps to top if you have Sanchez in goals. I don't fancy a CHE double up with Colwill out. Not just yet anyway.

  21. Riders of Yohan
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Who scores more:

    A) Rutter, Milenkovic & Sanchez

    B) Anderson, Cucurella & Sels

    Feels like A has higher ceiling but B has higher floor?

    1. Kermit Special
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A for me. Rutter sways it and Milenkovic Defcon points as well

  22. marpy016
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    G2G?

    Sels
    Murillo - Porro - De Cuyper
    Salah - Palmer - Wirtz - Rogers - Rjeinders
    J Pedro - Watkins

    Dubravka - Diouf - Rodon - Guiu

    1. Kermit Special
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Great team GTG

    2. Emiliano Sala
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Nice team

    3. Manani
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      the bench feels a bit weak when there's players like Rije, JP that could be rotated out now and then?

    4. Kingy109
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Not playing Diouf against Sunderland? Get someone with a better GW2 fixture then or play over De Cuyper

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        I'm not either. Don't think Sunderland away is great fixture but want him as 4.5 long term

  23. Skout
    • 6 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Is Strand Larsen a better option than Fullkrug/Thiago?

    1. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I would say so.. likely to be on pens too

      1. The Pretender
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Not likely, possibly. Hasn't taken one in 3+ years.

  24. Citehhhh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Which one looks better:
    1) Sanchez, Dubravka
    Ait Nouri, Milenkovic, Porro, Andersen, Esteve
    Salah, Palmer, Bruno, Reijnders, Dewsbury Hall
    Watkins, Joao Pedro, Guiu

    2) Sanchez, Dubravka
    Richards, N Williams, Porro, Andersen, Esteve
    Salah, Palmer, Bruno, Reijnders, Rogers (if fit)
    Watkins, Joao Pedro, Guiu

    Basically big at back with 2 cheap mids or lighter at back with Rogers

    1. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      1..

  25. Dutchy
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Cucurella Reijnders or Konsa Rogers

    1. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      First one

  26. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Preferred duo here folks??

    A- Wirtz and Maurillo
    Or
    B- Bruno and Williams

    Cheers everyone!!

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I like Bruno more than Wirtz. B.

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Thankyou Camzy!!

    2. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Cheers mate!!

        1. The Pretender
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          I am an A man as well. Worried about Neco's role if they bring competition in.

  27. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    A) Watkins + Gakpo
    B) Bruno + Pedro

    This is quite a tough one. I like Gakpo a lot as a differential.

    1. Kermit Special
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      U can have all 4 with no salah or haaland

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        I'm looking at BOTH Salah and Haaland with this combo.

    2. The Pretender
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I think I like A more, B more template. If Man U first 5 weren't so difficult, or Pedro was more xMins nailed, I would probably go B. I just like A on form for some reason...

  28. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    A) Mateta, or
    B) Pedro

    I have Cucurella and Palmer already for Chelsea. And no other Palace.

    1. Dutchy
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I’m going Mateta due to likely being on Pens and Eze rumours.

  29. Dutchy
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Haven’t changed team in a few days. Thoughts appreciated.

    Sels
    Cucurella / Porro / Neco
    Salah / Palmer / Bruno / Reijnders / Anderson
    Watkins / Mateta

    Dubravka / Andersen / Esteve / Guiu.

    Obviously missing Wirtz which is not ideal but have the balance to move things around like Mateta to 6.5, Cucu to 4.5 and Reijnders to Wirtz. Shuffles the balance a bit.

    Thoughts?

  30. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Which draft?

    A)

    Sanchez Dubravka
    Lacroix Tarkowski Murillo (Anderson Esteve)
    Salah Palmer Wirtz Bruno Drewsbury-Hall
    Watkins Fulkrug (Guiu)

    B)

    Sanchez Dubravka
    Munoz Murillo Tarkowski (Anderson Esteve)
    Saka Palmer Wirtz Bruno Gakpo
    Watkins Evanilson (Guiu)

    1. RedKev81
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      So Gakpo, Evanilson & Munoz vs KDH, Fullkrug & Lacroix ….B …definitely …but it’s about £3.5m more isn’t it?

      1. FDMS All Starz
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Also Salah for Saka, but the others yes

        1. RedKev81
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          Ahh …sorry I missed that
          Think both combos probably score similar overall but Salah value as a permacaptain probably justifies the downgrades made from having him.
          I like to try and choose the right captain each week and weak players in my team wind me up so I’d still go B myself, but Salah could be safer. Bear in mind KDH could drop deep once Grealish etc start playing and Gakpo could lose his place if Liverpool sign Isak etc …he’ll probably be easier to swap out than KDH price wise though.
          B with Gakpo & Evan > Rogers/Semenyo & JP/Mateta for me and then swap between them