Scout Picks
14 August 2025 469 comments
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With Fantasy Premier League (FPL) 2025/26 getting underway tomorrow, it’s time to finalise our Gameweek 1 Scout Picks.

As usual, our Scout Picks selection is influenced by the Scout Squad submissions made by Neale (Editor), Tom (Deputy Editor), Sam (General Manager) and Marc (Staff Writer).

There are certain restrictions for our picks, however:

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

GAMEWEEK 1 SCOUT PICKS

GOALKEEPER

Robert Sanchez (£5.0m) gets the nod in goal after being chosen by two of our Scout Squad pundits. The FIFA Club World Cup champions, Chelsea, are set to face Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon. Oliver Glasner’s troops have plenty of firepower, but the Blues enjoyed the third-best home record in the Premier League last season, conceding just 18 goals. The Club World Cup was a clear mark of progression, too, with Paris-Saint Germain among four clubs shut out.

With Marc Guehi (£4.5m) and Eberechi Eze (£7.5m) both linked with moves away from Selhurst Park this week, we’re hoping Palace are sufficiently disrupted to allow Sanchez to bag us a clean sheet as well as save points.

DEFENDERS

FPL notes: Why Porro was benched, in-form Chelsea, Martin sacked

 

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  1. FDMS All Starz
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    A) Wirtz & Fullkrug
    Or
    B) Rogers & J.Pedro

    1. Drizzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Tough one, B.

      Just don't believe in Fullkrug yet

    2. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Hint
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      B

  2. Wirtz Nightmare
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Team reveal!!!

    Sanchez
    Vvd Vdv Williams
    Salah Bruno Palmer Reindeer I.Sarr
    Pedro Watikins

    Dubz Richards guiu esteve

    I dont know about the defense, mabye would like some opinions and help with it

  3. Alli
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    A) Palmer, Wirtz, Haaland, Gyokeres, Guiu
    B) Saka, Salah, Pedro, Watkins, Beto

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      B but without Beto

  4. AB1792
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    G2G?
    Throwing the kitchen sink at it from the beginning:

    Verbruggen(Kelleher not certain to start) - Dubravka

    Def:De Kuyper, AWB, VdV, Rodon, Hartman
    Mid:Salah, Palmer, PM Sarr, Reijnders, H.Wilson
    Att: Haaland, Watkins, Füllkrug

    Double Brighton backline is not ideal, but looking for another interesting 4,5m starting defender choice.

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      G2G, love it

    2. Oasthouse FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      G2G, looks good!

    3. GunnerStorm
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Konsa?

    4. Goodfeathers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      How about Anderson at Fulham for an alternate 4.5? Good defensive numbers last year.

  5. The Mighty One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Hi friends.

    How long until Guehi becomes a starter at Pool?

    I think I'm going with him right now and run with 4 LIV for a while.

    Here is my ranking of the 4.5s...anyone care to chime in on the best one?
    Diouf
    Dorgu
    Guehi
    De Kuyper
    Andersen

    Cheers. Good luck!

    1. Oasthouse FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Wan Bissaka not included? Still remains to be seen how good Diouf will be. The projections (not always right) have AWB scoring more points for the opening fixtures.

      1. The Mighty One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Thanks! I never really rate his attacking/passing skills highly...and I'm afraid of his crazy ability to slide tackle. Good point though.

    2. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      There's no guarantee Guehi will be a starter

      1. x.jim.x
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        No guarantee he'd even go to Liverpool - be better off staying at Palace and going on a free next season. Failing that, go to Chelsea.

        1. TheBiffas
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          True, but he wants Liverpool and we want him now

          1. x.jim.x
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 1 month ago

            He's going to want guaranteed starts though - it's a World Cup year.

          2. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            1 year, 1 month ago

            Need to pay around £40m for the season or he cashes in next year and could go abroad too.

        2. The Mighty One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 17 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Thanks. Is he better than Konate? I always respect the fact of actually taking/stealing the captain from another team. That is impressive.

          1. x.jim.x
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 1 month ago

            I don't think so - Konate's the better player but he's just so injury-prone. He's only ever started more than 25 league games in season twice, and only once for Liverpool in four seasons.

            It'd be impressive to take a big club's captain - Liverpool are above Palace in the 'food chain' as disrespectful as that may be, so it's just the circle of life. Same as how Madrid could take theirs if they wanted to.

      2. Ozil Gummidge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Or a Liverpool player

  6. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Points predictions for Salah and Haaland here please.

    1. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      39points ,1 of em captain

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      2

      15

      I hope!

      1. Tomerick
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Yes please! Manifest it with me!

  7. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    First to 5,

    Munoz or Neco Williams, own Sels & I Sarr

    1. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Neco saves half mil. Buys you a nice bungalow in today's housing market.

    2. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      munoz,a great watch,bloke dont stop running

    3. The Mighty One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Neco. Better DEF, does attack, cheaper...though I like Milenko and Murillo even more.

      Also, shouldn't you change your name to g40esteve just out of respect for FPL?

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        FLOL

    4. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Get both!

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Got no £££ left all on pitch 🙁

  8. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Hmm just learnt that there is no way to get one DC point. What do you think about that rule choice? Before this I didn't even check the rules since I automatically thought that 5 CBI gives you 1p, and 10 gives you 2 (defenders). Kind of unfair that if you get 9 each match, then it is zero reward all season.

    1. Ser Davos
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I'm interest in how it plays out

      1. Ser Davos
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        *interested

  9. Oasthouse FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Who is the best of the 6.5's?

    A- kudus
    B - ndiaye
    C - I Sarr

    Currently on Kudus, but can't decide!

    1. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Kind of like them all and kind of dislike them all. Currently I don't have anyone in that spot but Kudus for slighlty punty for Spurs fixtures or Sarr for slighlty more known asset in Palace team who is in good shape.

      1. Oasthouse FC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        yeah, feel the same - cheers!

  10. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    PS very annoying Kelleher "news". I would love to have him in my team.

    1. Club-De-Belon
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Out of all 4,5 GKs I chose Jose Sa.
      - even though Wolves are one of worst defences
      - he has best fixtures in GWs 2-11 e.g. BOU (A) EVE (H), LEE (H), SUN (A), BUR (H), FUL (A) with likes of striker-less NEW (A) or Spurs its Spurs TOT (A)
      - then its around wildcard time / 5 free afcon transfers time and you can feel free to swap GK
      - either lots of saves or good clean sheet games
      2,3% owned

      1. BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        I have thought about him. Wolves just seems like a wildcard this season and feels bad having MCI as the first fixture.

        1. Club-De-Belon
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          GW1 will be over quick though. Then you have no problem in goal.
          But I agree. I do not want WOL defence much.
          But I do want to save +0,5 on GK as well and he is a good 4,5 option.

    2. Ser Davos
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      why not just get Valdi as well then?

      1. BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        It is a good point. Probably Burnley is not going to be defence masterclass and having Dub is overrated. What do you think?

        1. Ser Davos
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Dubravka isn't even guaranteed. They promoted Trafford after his previous experience was for L1 Bolton

          Kelleher + Valdimarsson

          or

          Play Valdimarsson this week and have Petrovic on the bench

  11. Ser Davos
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    An irritating question, but who could this year's Mbeumo be? A break-out auxiliary forward, nailed for 90? My best guess is Roger's atm

    1. Ser Davos
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      NDiaye? I like him as a player a lot, on pens, but early subbed and XG with Everton is not a thing

    2. The Mentaculus
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Rogers has already broken out. I'll go with Estêvão

      1. Ser Davos
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        mmm interesting shout. Only thing is, is that he's not guaranteed those minutes in the same way... unless he does a Cole Palmer

  12. theluckiest
    • 17 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Keep tinkering.. Think I need to put my phone down and relax.

    Think I'm good to go?

    Sanchez - Dubravka
    Neco Williams, porro, de cuyper - diouf, Esteve
    Palmer, saka, wirtz, Bruno Fernandes - kdh
    Haaland, Watkins, mateta

    1. theluckiest
      • 17 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Oops, that would be João Pedro instead of haaland!

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Oh, that would explain things!

        I've got Haaland, Palmer, Bruno and Wirtz but can't get to Watkins and Mateta but have the Liverpool forward for now.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      That looks good

      Have you really got Palmer, Saka, Bruno and that front 3 in on budget?

      I might need to look again.

      That looks like a great team on paper.

  13. Bobadoba
    • 16 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Frimpong or RAN?

    I think Frimpong will be more attacking, so am thinking Frimpong.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Pingpong

    2. GC123
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I’ve gone both

      1. Bobadoba
        • 16 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Ok ta

  14. Atimis
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    What are your thoughts on Cash or Maatsen?

  15. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    A) Mateta and Strand Larson
    B) Watkins and downgrade someone
    Mateta seems in good form and could match Watkins?

  16. ebb2sparky
    • 15 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Is Grealish likely to start in GW1?

    1. theluckiest
      • 17 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Unlikely I would say

  17. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Milenkovic in the picks but hardly in anyone’s team

    Any specific reason? I am going milenkovic I think

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I've got him

      I'm hoping for a few more goals this season...

    2. Ser Davos
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      torn on him and Murillo

      unable to squeeze that precious .5 to have both

  18. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Content creators posting their “final drafts”

    *disclaimer - the team may change up until deadline

    1. Supersonic_
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      To be fair, I've mentally been labelling every draft I make my 'final draft' until I pick up my phone an hour later

    2. WVA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Why do you even look at content creators stuff, I don’t even know where to find it. This site is the best.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Well, a few are regulars on here like the FPL Wire guys who I think do put out decent analysis and reasoning like Zopha for instance.

  19. Meta12345
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Isnt spence more secure to start gw1 than van de ven given udogie’s injury? Frank might protect van de ven given his injury history and the short turnaround between yesterday game and saturday. Looking to bbgw1 so it will be just that game. Wcgw2. What are your thoughts people?

  20. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    What do you reckon?

    Only decision is whether to go for Watkins instead of Gyokeres

    Sanchez
    Frimpong Ait-Nouri Konsa AWB
    Salah(c) Palmer(v) Wirtz Kudus
    Gyokeres Pedro

    Dubravka VdV Ramsey Guiu

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Why is vdv on the bench and Konsa starting

      1. diesel001
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        I think Villa will keep a CS whereas Spurs will concede and VdV already got his goal against PSG

        1. Nightcrawler
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          If U think vdv will concede to Burnley u shd surely not have him then?

    2. Supersonic_
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Might be unpopular, but I plan to start with Watkins, then potentially move to Gyk once ive seen him in action.

  21. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    In your opinion who are the best 5.0 MFers to have for the few GWs (FHing in GW4)

    Any ideas would be appreciated

    1. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Maybe Xhaka or Sarr (TOT).

      Some people are saying KDH.

  22. mrpink32
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Team A or team B

    A) kelleher dubrav
    Diouf Murillo VDV (Anderson Rodon)
    Salah Wirtz Bruno I.Sarr Reijnders
    Haaland Fulkrug (guiu)

    B) Sanchez dubrav
    Diouf Murillo VDV (Anderson Rodon)
    Salah Saka Wirtz Reijnders (I.Sarr)
    Watkins Fulkrug Pedro

    Thanks!

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      A

      1. mrpink32
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Perfect thanks was leaning towards A

  23. Supersonic_
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Draft 500

    Thoughts should I just leave this alone

    Sanchez
    VDV AWB N.Williams
    Salah Palmer Bruno Wirtz KDH
    Watkins Pedro

    Dub Guiu Konsa Esteve

    1. FISSH
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I think you should have a bit more in defence. One premium

      1. Supersonic_
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Thanks mate.

    2. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Draft 500 sounds like a NASCAR race.

      1. Supersonic_
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Haha

        1. All Hail K
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 17 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Diouf for AWB. A Westham mate of mine says Diouf may be a touch more offensive.

  24. FISSH
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    A) Wirtz and Gyokeres

    B) Saka and Ekitike

    1. Letsgo!
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Nightcrawler
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      B

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      A I think

  25. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Vdv damsgaard
    Or porro pmsarr?

  26. SomeoneKnows
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Help me with my final decision...

    A) Sanchez, Tarkowski, Fernandes
    C) Sels, Cucurella, Wirtz

    XX
    Murillo, Pedro Porro, XX
    Salah, Palmer, XX, Anderson, Reijnder
    Watkins, Joao Pedro

    (Dubravka, Guiu, Richards, Esteve)

    1. JerseyD
      • 15 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      C

  27. boombaba
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    A. Salah Rogers Etikike
    B. Haaland Witrz Gakpo

    ?

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      B

    2. JerseyD
      • 15 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      B

  28. JerseyD
    • 15 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Best 4.0 defender that’s not Minecraft Steve

    1. the FPL Derby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Roden or Gudmundsson, with the latter possibly the more nailed on the two.

      1. WVA
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        I’ve read Rodon more nailed

        1. the FPL Derby
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          I'm pretty sure that wasn't the case... but things change. I'm just going to have Electronic Steve as he can make an appearance off the bench for GW2.

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Hartman

    3. Ser Davos
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Bijol/Rodon

    4. WVA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Rodon and Reinildo have good fixtures but not sure that matters lol

      1. Ser Davos
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Rodon at home to Everton and Esteve at home to Sunderland GW2. Not a terrible way to start as the 11th man for a bit. With DC as well

  29. ABCDEFC
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Better combo?
    A) Virgil and N.Williams
    B) Porro and Murillo

    1. the FPL Derby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      B

    2. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Tight. Depends on how you see Pool.

  30. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    A) 2x4.5def and 5.0gk
    B) 3x4.5 def and 4.5gk

    B gives my slightly cover for Fullkrug/Reijnders/Guiu choices. But gk is Sa/Ver/Kelleher.

    GK Dub
    Porro Neco 4.5 4.5 4.0/4.5
    Salah Palmer Bruno Wirtz Reijnders
    Watkins Fullkrug Guiu