Pro Pundits

Zophar’s FPL Gameweek 1 team reveal: Salah + Wirtz but no Bruno

14 August 2025 697 comments
zøphar zøphar
Share:

With the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 1 deadline just a day away, our pundits are sharing their teams with us.

Here, eight-time top 10k finisher Zophar talks us through three-way defensive rotation and reasons for overlooking Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m).

Make sure you sign up for the new season to get all the Member-only articles, tools and features to make 2025/26 your best FPL campaign yet!

FPL 2025/26 first draft team reveals: DC magnets + Bench Boost 1
 

1



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

1

FPL pre-season: Malen + Watkins again, Xhaka debut, secretive Man City 2
697 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Ohh1454
    1 year, 2 months ago

    What would you prefer ?
    A. Reijnders and Cucurella
    B. Rogers and VDV

    Open Controls
    1. SalahFingers
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B

      Open Controls
    2. luk46
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B

      Open Controls
    3. Scheister
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B

      Open Controls
    4. Amartey Partey
      1 year, 2 months ago

      A

      Open Controls
    5. Royal5
      1 year, 2 months ago

      A

      Open Controls
    6. Steirish
      1 year, 2 months ago

      A

      Open Controls
  2. Scheister
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Going to BB GW1.
    One last decision to make:

    A) Rutter + Beto
    B) KDH + Fullkrug

    Open Controls
    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I dont like Beto so B for me out of those

      Open Controls
    2. luk46
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B just

      Open Controls
    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Beto is huge rotation risk

      Open Controls
    4. ★Kuntheman★
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B just because of the Beto doubt

      Open Controls
    5. Scheister
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Cheers All!

      Open Controls
  3. _figu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Would you start with Bruno or Wirtz? I'll get Bruno for GW3 captaincy regardless.

    I think I got there with my team finally. Going to BB1 and FH4 (triple Pool, Arsenal, Palace)

    Sels Verbruggen
    Porro Williams Konsa De Cuyper Rodon
    Salah Palmer Wirtz Anderson Reijnders
    Watkins Pedro Piroe

    BB - Verbruggen Rodon Konsa Piroe

    Open Controls
    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Start with Bruno

      Open Controls
    2. luk46
      1 year, 2 months ago

      going wirtz, much more advanced and more goals coming

      Open Controls
      1. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Bruno loves scoring against Arsenal though :/

        I feel it's really close and I should go with Bruno to save the transfer

        Open Controls
        1. luk46
          1 year, 2 months ago

          go with him if you prefer him, defcon potential and pens are there
          I just think 9m is quite much for playing pretty deep and wirtz plays for the best team in the league

          Open Controls
    3. ★Kuntheman★
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Surprised you’re waiting that long to use FH/WC. You think that team floats by for three gameweeks? Not saying it doesn’t but wondering your thoughts

      Open Controls
      1. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Yeah, playing Konsa & De Cuyper in GW2 not ideal, but I see higher ceiling in FH4.

        GW3 I'll do De Cuyper to Dorgu if he starts against Fulham.

        Then I'll see if I WC in 5 or not, Salah to Haaland would work nicely for GW6.

        Obviously requires a lot of things to go well, I usually WC really early so let's see haha

        Open Controls
        1. ★Kuntheman★
          1 year, 2 months ago

          I’m likely wildcarding to bring in Arsenal players for GW2. If you can manage to last that long you’ll be golden!

          Open Controls
          1. _figu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            1 year, 2 months ago

            There are many viable strategies, makes the game interesting

            Open Controls
            1. ★Kuntheman★
              1 year, 2 months ago

              Feels like so much more variety than usual. Love it

              Open Controls
      2. One Man
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Good team. Are you going to WC or play FH gw2 ?

        Open Controls
  4. luk46
    1 year, 2 months ago

    whats better?
    A - bowen + vdv + williams
    B - füllkrug + porro + murillo

    Open Controls
    1. Rico123
      1 year, 2 months ago

      A as not convinced by Fullkrug

      Open Controls
      1. luk46
        1 year, 2 months ago

        bowen is the guy ye, Im currently on this, would like murillo munoz/porro but I think Im gonna stick

        Open Controls
    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      JSL Porro and Williams

      Open Controls
      1. luk46
        1 year, 2 months ago

        I like the 5.5m def bracket, just not sure if its worth going without bowen
        jsl for the first 5? think hes underrated, but can come in later init

        Open Controls
    3. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      A

      Open Controls
  5. adstomko
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Which GK bench option:

    A) Turner (Stays 4m due to leaving club)
    B) Dubravka (could play, but could go down in price)

    Open Controls
    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B

      Open Controls
  6. ★Kuntheman★
    1 year, 2 months ago

    I’ve landed on this BB for GW1 with view to wildcard or free hit shortly afterwards.

    Sels (Verbruggen)
    Porro Williams VDV (Diouf, AWB)
    Salah Wirtz Kudus Giorginio (Reijnders)
    Watkins Ekitike Bowen

    No Haaland, no Palmer, no Pedro. I feel like their GW1 fixtures will be a little more difficult than people expect. Anything to sweat, or is this in a good place?

    Open Controls
    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I like it. Mine is sort of similar but wanted Palmer so made some sacrificies (see above)

      Open Controls
      1. ★Kuntheman★
        1 year, 2 months ago

        No Palmer makes me nervous but I think Palace are a tough game

        Open Controls
        1. _figu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Did you consider starting with Saka? Amazing differential captain for GW2.

          Open Controls
          1. ★Kuntheman★
            1 year, 2 months ago

            Planning on bringing him and Gyokeres in for GW2!

            Planned team:

            Sanchez (Dubravka)
            Murillo VDV Konsa (Dorgu, Esteve)
            Palmer Saka Bruno Wirtz (Potts)
            Watkins Gyokeres Pedro

            Open Controls
    2. Royal5
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Who is Goerigino?

      Open Controls
      1. ★Kuntheman★
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Rutter!

        Open Controls
    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      1 year, 2 months ago

      What kind of points are you expecting from Salah?
      How much more points could you gain if you downgraded him to Gakpo and spread the money?

      Open Controls
      1. ★Kuntheman★
        1 year, 2 months ago

        It’s definitely a thought. I just find myself having no idea who to captain when I do the BB without Salah, and I’m pretty terrified that he starts off how he always does. What do you think?

        Open Controls
    4. Mino Raiola
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Really strong!

      Open Controls
      1. ★Kuntheman★
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Cheers Mino!

        Open Controls
  7. Meta12345
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Would you play lacroix home to forest or neco away to crystal?

    Open Controls
    1. adstomko
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Lacroix for sure

      Open Controls
      1. Meta12345
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Even with guehi departing? Plus forest scored more goals away than palace at home

        Open Controls
  8. jonnybhoy
    1 year, 2 months ago

    What to change here?

    Sanchez
    Porro Frimpong N Williams
    Salah Palmer Rogers KDH
    Mateta Watkins J Pedro

    Dubravka Konsa King Truffert

    Open Controls
    1. ★Kuntheman★
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Looks really solid

      Open Controls
    2. Mino Raiola
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Real nice!

      Open Controls
    3. cassanata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Very solid team, I personally wouldn't go with both Rogers and Watkins from the start but just a preference of mine.

      Open Controls
  9. Royal5
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Is there any 4.5 mid that looks to start?

    Open Controls
    1. ★Kuntheman★
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Potts

      Open Controls
      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Highly unlikely

        Open Controls
    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      King maybe

      Open Controls
      1. baines is god
        1 year, 2 months ago

        i don't think he's nailed on at all, fulham have so many midfield options

        Open Controls
        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          1 year, 2 months ago

          I'd find the 0.5 and get a 5mil mid.

          Open Controls
  10. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Murillo/Kudus

    or

    Neco/B. Johnson

    Open Controls
    1. Royal5
      1 year, 2 months ago

      A by some distance

      Open Controls
  11. Weeb Kakashi
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Final Thoughts?

    Vicario Dubs
    Aina VdV Richards Senesi Gudmunsson
    Salah Palmer Gakpo Rogers Kudus
    Watkins Gyokeres Guiu

    Open Controls
    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Senesi to Andersen. Who knows how BOU def will be?

      Open Controls
    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Nice team. Will Gyokeres get thrown in from the start? Also is Rogers gonna start this week. If both was a yes id say great selection!

      Open Controls
  12. baines is god
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Anthony Gordon a good pick? might have pens now too. Surprised only 1.5% managers have gone for him

    Open Controls
    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      They will get a striker, so short term pick imo

      Open Controls
    2. cassanata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I think people may be put off because of their opening 2 games and the disruption Isak may have caused. Could be a great pick though

      Open Controls
    3. Ball Ake
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I think he is a dark horse, other than the Isak nonsense Newcastle still look a strong unit

      Open Controls
  13. RogueBlood
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Hows this shaping up what changes would you suggest?

    Sanchez
    Williams, VdV, De Cuyper
    Salah, Palmer, Wirtz, KDH, Kudus
    Gyokeres, Pedro

    Dubravka, Evanilson, Konsa, Esteve

    Open Controls
  14. cutch
    1 year, 2 months ago

    I asked something similar before, now asking for a bit more information:

    A) Van der Ven (4.5)
    B) Pedro Porro (5.5)

    1) Reijnders (5.5)
    2) Kudus (6.5)
    3) Ndiaye (6.5)

    I can't afford neither B2 nor B3.

    Open Controls
    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B1

      Open Controls
    2. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B1

      Open Controls
    3. Mino Raiola
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B1

      Open Controls
    4. Ball Ake
      1 year, 2 months ago

      A1

      Open Controls
  15. Khalico
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on Maatsen for the final defender - basically going for 4.5m defenders that are fullbacks.

    Currently have Diouf, Dorgu, Truffert, De Cuyper, ?

    Open Controls
    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Digne might start. Too much rotation risk for Digne and Maatsen

      Open Controls
    2. cassanata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Overall that looks like a weak enough defence. On Maatsen I really don't understand why he doesn't start more, he is a much better player than Digne but unfortunately gets rotated.

      Open Controls
    3. Jrot94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I’ve gone cheap as well, these 5 rotate well for awhile…

      Nico, VVD, de cuyp, truffert, konsa

      Open Controls
  16. Mata of opinion
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Looking at BB for this week. Hoping dubravka starts.
    Sels
    Porro Cucu Decuyper
    Palmer Bruno Wirtz Rutter
    Watking Ektike Gykoeres
    Dubravka Reijnders Diouf Rodon

    Open Controls
    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Burnley forums say Dubravka doesn't start

      Open Controls
      1. Mata of opinion
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Oh really? Have 0.5 itb so can upgrade. Rest of the team seem ok?

        Open Controls
    2. Yes Ndidi
      1 year, 2 months ago

      There's enough doubt in that 15 to make a BB very risky. Dubravka unlikely to feature (although I'm certain he's there to be number 1), & Gyokeres being eased in as well and suddenly you're boosting a 2-man bench, one of which is susceptible to Pep-roulette.

      Open Controls
    3. Mino Raiola
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Like it. As mentioned that BB could be pretty worthless, but that is always the case. U get another chance on it after Xmas

      Open Controls
    4. Mata of opinion
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Thanks for input everyone. Might have to rethink the BB

      Open Controls
  17. Fernandito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Sanchez
    VDV Murillo Porro
    Salah Palmer Bruno Rutter Reijnders
    Watkins Bowen

    Dubravka Dorgu Guiu Esteve

    Undecided on whether to go with Bruno & VDV or Gakpo & VVD

    Open Controls
    1. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Like it.
      I’ve got Rutter currently too.. seems a nice differential but not set on him. What your thoughts on him?

      Go with the Bruno VDV

      Open Controls
    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Bruno and

      Open Controls
      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 2 months ago

        VdV

        Open Controls
    3. Mino Raiola
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Nice!

      Open Controls
    4. Fernandito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Hes played a lot in preseason as a number 9 so having him in as a differential hoping that continues

      Open Controls
  18. FDMS All Starz
    1 year, 2 months ago

    A) Fullkrug & Reijnders (questionable minutes risk for both? Guiu 8th attacker)
    Or
    B) Larson & Carvalho (Carvalho minutes risk? Guiu 8th attacker)

    Open Controls
    1. Mino Raiola
      1 year, 2 months ago

      A

      Open Controls
    2. Football99
      1 year, 2 months ago

      A

      Open Controls
  19. Yes Ndidi
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Has it come to this?

    Is KDH a viable 7th forward? Price aside, because his price reflects his CFC status, could he be this year's Enzo?

    Asking due to the rumours that Forest could be in for Doug Luiz, James McAtee & Omari Hutchison and thinking that Elliot Anderson might not be the asset we all think he is. Already have Guiu, so it's KDH vs 4-4-2

    TY

    Open Controls
    1. Bored Ape Jota Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Interesting

      Open Controls
  20. pundit of punts
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Love this 4mium draft

    Petrovic
    Williams - VdV - Diouf
    Salah - Palmer - Reijnders - KDH
    Haaland - Watkins - Fullkrug

    Dubravka - Dorgu - King - Esteve

    Thoughts? 🙂

    Open Controls
    1. Mino Raiola
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Actually don’t look too bad. But I expect that midfield to underperform massivly

      Open Controls
      1. pundit of punts
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Nah

        King play #10 as well

        Steady flow of points from 3 cheapies in midfield

        Open Controls
  21. Moon Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Been chatting with an AI about Dewsbury-Hall and his last full season at Leicester with Maresca: https://ibb.co/C3hDz8mJ

    This AI has banter.

    Open Controls
    1. Yes Ndidi
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Don't go there, Dog. They listen, they learn, they become self aware, and suddenly you're in the middle of a Schwarzenegger movie.

      I do like a bit of bot banter though. Might have to have a look

      Open Controls
    2. AAAFootball
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Lol

      Open Controls
  22. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Final midfield spot:

    A) Rutter
    B) Reijnders
    C) Harry Wilson

    A & C are differentials and both goal threat.

    Other mids are:
    Salah - Writz - Palmer - KDH

    Open Controls
    1. Mino Raiola
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B

      Open Controls
    2. Wolfman180
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Harry Wilson has just found his way back into my team

      Open Controls
  23. Mino Raiola
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Please rate my bb1 team:)

    Verbruggen
    Porro, Neco, Diouf
    Salah(c), Palmer, Wirtz, Gakpo, Reijnders
    Watkins, J.Pedro

    Kelleher, Guiu, De Cuyper, Rodon

    Open Controls
    1. Football99
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Don’t think you need 3 Liverpool mids

      Open Controls
    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Kelleher a doubt
      Guiu won't start

      Hold the BB

      Open Controls
      1. Mino Raiola
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Thanks. Makes sense to wait. Then I can upgrade gk to sels also…

        Open Controls
    3. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Nice team. Possible game time doubts with Diouf, reijnders & Pedro going forward i believe

      Open Controls
      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Who is Diouf under threat from?

        Open Controls
        1. TallestJohn
          1 year, 2 months ago

          They've still got Emerson

          Open Controls
  24. Football99
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Sels
    Van de ven, wan bisska , de cuyper
    Salah , saka, palmer, mbembo, reinjeers
    Bowen , pedro

    1m in bank- Possible change Bowen to Watkins in GM2? Thoughts on team please and any suggestions

    Open Controls
  25. baines is god
    1 year, 2 months ago

    strujik a good pick? only 4.5 mil and could be only defender on pens in the game, threat off set pieces too

    Open Controls
    1. AAAFootball
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Definitely not

      Open Controls
    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Not nailed

      Open Controls
    3. Football99
      1 year, 2 months ago

      No

      Open Controls
    4. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Don't mind most Leeds players at their price points. I have GK and Stach

      Open Controls
      1. Yes Ndidi
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Stach looks great. Owning him could be a real hoot this season.

        Open Controls
    5. TallestJohn
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Owned him in Fantasy EFL last year - was very good when he played and scored penalties but the other Leeds defenders more than made up ground when he was out of the team.

      Open Controls
  26. Football99
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Wan bisska or diouf?

    Open Controls
    1. AAAFootball
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Diouf more exciting for me

      Open Controls
      1. Football99
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Is he nailed? See he got a couple assist in pre seasons

        Open Controls
        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Yes

          Open Controls
    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Going AWB looked like their best attacking threat barring Bowen at times at the end of last season

      Open Controls
    3. Sideways Backwards
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Gone Diouf but no doubt that mean AWB is the pick

      Open Controls
    4. Bored Ape Jota Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Loved what Diouf did at Tromsø IL (my hometown club) so I'm running with him. Exciting in attack. PL is a different beast than Eliteserie though. Not sure if that helps you at all...

      Open Controls
      1. TallestJohn
        1 year, 2 months ago

        He was no Runar Norheim

        Open Controls
  27. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 year, 2 months ago

    No Salah team.

    A. Gakpo + Mateta
    B. Rogers + Bowen

    Also is Porro better than VVD?

    Thanks 🙂

    Open Controls
  28. Royal5
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Is Aron Ramsey Burnley expected to start?

    Open Controls
  29. Coys96
    1 year, 2 months ago

    1) Sarr & Ekitike
    2) Gakpo/Gordon & Mateta

    Like Gordon as on pens and likely starting up top at least for first couple. Don’t have Salah or Wirtz…

    Open Controls
  30. Sideways Backwards
    1 year, 2 months ago

    I wonder how many people have complained about the kit designs on FPL site. Obviously a lot for there to be that massive annoying banner on it

    Open Controls

You need to be logged in to post a comment.