Scout Squad
21 August 2025 295 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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The Scout Squad returns for Gameweek 2 ahead of the earlier-than-usual Friday deadline.

If you’re new to this piece, our in-house team discusses who they think the best FPL players are for the upcoming Gameweek in isolation.

One-week-only punts might be slightly more relevant than usual this time, with circa 10% of polled users playing their Free Hit.

There’s a Scout Squad debutant today, as Alex (aka regular contributor FPL Scoop) fills in for the absent Sam. He joins regulars Marc, Tom and Neale.

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 2

 

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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. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Gabriel best frimpong replacement?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Yes

    2. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Cucurella

  2. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Are there any changes that you would make to this FH team

    Dubravka
    Chalobah Murillo Ballard
    Saka Palmer Rice Semenyo
    Watkins Gyokeres Evanlison

    Verbruggen Kudus Dorgu Porro

    Any ideas would be appreciated

    1. FPL_Devil
      • 6 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      don't go Dubravka on a FH. Also wouldn't trust Ballard. Otherwise it's a one off so not much to say.

    2. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      What an FH bench...

    3. champ20ns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Really?

      Why would you have so much on the bench on a FH.

      Downgrade all 3 and it gives you 4m more and you can upgrade that shocking defence and keeper.

      1. chocolove
        • 15 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Exactly my thought.
        You're more helpful and put more effort to type it than me. Haha

    4. Not again Shirley
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Ballard won’t score 17 points every week. Lose him. Murillo deffo would not be in my FH team against palace. No arsenal defemce take your fancy? No need for too much money on bench. Cunha or Boom could be good this weekend.

  3. FPL_Devil
    • 6 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Thoughts on double Chelsea defence? Already have Sanchez, thinking Frimpong to Cucurella. Also considering, Munoz, RAN and Tarkowski.

    1. Fiasco da Gama
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Did the same. Cucurella feels like the best option. It was either him, Gabriel, or Lacroix for me.

  4. Bob B
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Played BB last week, wondering what to do with Frimpong?

    A. Same pricepoint - Gabriel / Cucu / Munoz

    B. Down to 4.0 - 4.5, save money for future transfers

    Current team:

    Sanchez (Verbruggen)
    RAN Murillo Frimpong* (Porro Gudmundsson)
    Wirtz Gakpo Palmer Bruno Reijnders
    Watkins JP (Fullkrug)

    1. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Keep at least until gw 4.

    2. cfc_andrew4
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      I have the same front 2 as you and thinking if I downgrade Frimpong to a 4.0/4.5 it might help towards an upgrade to Haaland. However, I do have Cucurella as my other 6.0 defender and if I didn't I'd be tempted to get him.
      Who are you thinking in the 4.0/4.5 bracket? Dorgu, Cash, VdV, Ballard?

      1. Bob B
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Dorgu/Yoro, or Guehi.
        Reinaldo/Steve

  5. Mother Farke
    • 2 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Am I set?

    Sels
    Cucurella De Cuyper Dorgu
    Palmer Rogers Wirtz Reijnders Semenyo
    Haaland (C) Ekitike

    Dubravka Porro Guiu Konsa

    So tempted by Semenyo (C).

  6. Dunkaboy
    • 3 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    I have João, Watkins and Bowen as my front 3. Looking to get Bowen out before price drops tonight.

    Can't decide between Wood, Gykoreres or Richarlison? Or any other recommendations?! Wood seems safe bet with decent run.

    Richarlison has great fixture run after Man city.

    I have Kudus already.

    1. MJF
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Once Solanke is fully up to speed do you think Rich carries on as first choice?

      I think I would go Mateta or Wood, or maybe down to JSL but I hear he's been linked with Newcastle so there's uncertainty there.

      Am giving Bowen another game I think, think he could score tomorrow.

      1. Dunkaboy
        • 3 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Gone for Wood. Off to bed I go! Thanks all.

    2. Feanor
      • 17 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Richarlison won't start when Solanke is fit

      1. Dunkaboy
        • 3 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Won't Rich play on the wing? I did wonder whether he would sulk at the apparent player-ex offer for Eze so prob rule him out for me.

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Gykoreres

  7. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Thoughts on doing Frimpong to Porro but benching him this week for Dorgu? Or you’d rather just get Gabriel or RAN?

    1. Punned It
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 23 days ago

      If it's just to bench him, I'd wait.

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Don’t want to lose funds at this stage

  8. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Is this site F’d?

    The articles had latest tab has that been moved.

  9. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Start one?

    A Sanchez
    B Dubravka

    Defence is Andersen, Williams, Richards

    1. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      A

  10. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Rudolph the red nose Reindeer(c)?

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Considered it along with Semenyo & Cucu

  11. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Are there any changes that you would make to this FH team

    Roefs
    Cucurella Murillo Lacroix
    Saka Palmer Bruno Semenyo
    Watkins Gyokeres Evanlison

    Dubravka Esteve KDH Rodon

    Any ideas would be appreciated

    1. MJF
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Yeah another Arsenal player - a defender - and Haaland at least from City, if not two or three City players.

  12. Skout
    • 6 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    G2g? Start Verb or Dubravka?

    Verb
    Porro Esteve Milenkovic
    Salah Palmer Bruno Wirtz Reijnders
    Watkins StrandLarsen

    Dubravka Guiu Diouf Rodon

  13. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Best Villa defender to get on WC?

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Don't get any

      1. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Why?

    2. Wet Bandits
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      I have Konsa. I'd avoid them all

      1. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Any particular reason?

        1. NoOneCares
          10 months, 23 days ago

          Take a whopping guess?

        2. TallestJohn
          • 9 Years
          10 months, 23 days ago

          Have you heard of a football manager called Unai Emery

  14. Daddymac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Will Frimpong drop tonight ?

  15. Stimps
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    On WC

    A) Porro, Richards
    B) Lacroix, Romero
    C) Munoz, VDV

    1. Wet Bandits
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Can you afford Munoz & Romero?

      1. Stimps
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        I can't...

        1. Wet Bandits
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          10 months, 23 days ago

          I think Romero will be the most consistent with DefCon and the odd goal.

          So maybe B

  16. Bonus magnet
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    The most obvious captain for me is Palmer but I hate captaining first match (Friday for that Matter)

    Who else between
    Salah ; Watkins, Mbeumo

    1. Wet Bandits
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      It's a painful weekend when early capos blank..

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      I know it's sort of stupid but a Friday night game is more likely to have goals than a Saturday lunchtime time kick off.

      Don't know if this is factual but instinctively I'd say 'don't captain the first match of the game week' doesn't apply on a Friday night.

  17. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    On WC

    A) Gakpo
    B) Gordon

    Have Ekitike

    1. Wet Bandits
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      A for me.

  18. Wet Bandits
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    72pts last week, Currently rolling my FT and not playing a chip... although with no Arsenal, and a questionable defence, I'm having doubts!

    A) Roll
    B) FH
    C) Use FT & possible hit (suggestions welcome)

    Sanchez
    Aina, Esteve, Diouf
    Palmer, Bruno, Reijnders, Wirtz, Gapko
    Haaland(c), Watkins

    Dub, VDV, Konsa*,Guiu

    1. MJF
      10 months, 23 days ago

      I would save yeah think you are making the right choice.

      1. Wet Bandits
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Cheers - I'm just feeling a little trigger happy I think.

  19. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Who to start?

    A) PM Sarr (city)
    B) Porro (city)
    C) Dewsbury-Hall (BRI)

    1. More Tragic
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      c

    2. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Similar quandary with Porro & KDH. Think KDH is the play here. Decent home fixture. Porro won't see much joy at City

      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Porro has also lost his corners to Kudus. KDH was the plan until he looked awful in GW1.. still leaning towards him if he keeps the 10

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      A. Feel like floor for all three is similar.

      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Sarr could always get an assist I guess, but not expecting a whole lot. Tbf he was very close to get Defcon points against Burnley - but that was home.

  20. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Porro / Milenkovic / Murillo / Richards / Esteve
    Which three start?

    1. Froes
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Richards Porro Milenkovic

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Thanks for the response buddy.

    2. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      MME

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        This is what I'm closer to after Palace's European exploits. Richards vs. a Forest lad to hedge bets a tricky call.

    3. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Murillo, Richards, Esteve

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Cheers. See above comment. Possible!

  21. Froes
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Who do i leave on the bench from this miedfield (4/5 available)

    Rjienders - O'riley - Bruno - Wirtz - Palmer

  22. FPL_trail_runner
    • 5 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    I think this WC draft will cook no?

    Petrovic
    Gabriel Cucurella Esteve
    Salah Semenyo Gakpo Reindeer Anderson
    Haaland Gyokeres (c)

    Dub Gudmonson Reinildo Guiu

    Freehit for week 3 to avoid all the bad fixtures.

    Week 4 can generate funds by downgrading Gyokeres to get a better 3rd playing defender.

    1. C0YS
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Gakpo and Anderson are a bit on the punty side, others look solid

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 5 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Yep its possible, but could offer great value in the short term with the fixtures and how attacking Liverpool are.

  23. NoOneCares
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Was Ben Doak not in FPL at 5.0? I can't see him now.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Changed to hyphenated surname, Gannon-Doak. Alternatively look at Bournemouth midfielders

  24. Froes
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Sanchez
    VVD Dorgu Porro ( Romero / Milenkovic )
    Reijnders Wirts O´riley Palmer Bruno
    Gyo Watkins S.Larsen

    Please tell me a midfielder to bench

  25. RUUD!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Lookin at Frimpong to Cucu, should I wait until tomorrow or is there a chance Frimpong drops tonight?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      LiveFPL estimates the drop is tomorrow. A little risky but may get away with it.

      And thank you - I had no clue the deadline was tomorrow (no less a Chelsea match)!

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        (Tomorrow, as in not tonight)

  26. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Florian Worst owners keeping then? Not expecting much against Newcastle :/

    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Great slander name, will remember that for his next stinker

  27. C0YS
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Thoughts on this WC team?

    Sa (Dubravka)
    VdV Guehi Dorgu (Bijol Esteve)
    Salah Semenyo Kudus Reijnders (4.5)
    Haaland Watkins Ekitike

    Alternatively considering:
    B. Ekitike Dorgu -> Evanilson Virgil
    C. Ekitike Dorgu Sa -> Thiago Virgil Sanchez

    Cheers!

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Would not go near that Pool defense. Looks lost.

      1. C0YS
        • 10 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Fair point. Would you choose B or C with RAN instead of Virgil?

    2. Not again Shirley
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      On WC would not be touching Sa. Better options than a wolves defence. Henderson or Pope better options but you’d have to find the extra 0.5 obvs. Shift Guehi to Richard’s would do that in easy swap.

      1. C0YS
        • 10 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Both at 4.5 unfortunately

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 9 Years
          10 months, 23 days ago

          Petrovic

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Looking good with both Salah and Haaland
      I think defence is a bit too cheap though

      1. C0YS
        • 10 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Agreed, anyone you would sacrifice to beef it up?

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 9 Years
          10 months, 23 days ago

          Salah

          1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 9 Years
            10 months, 23 days ago

            Or maybe Watkins to Mateta?

  28. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Most profitable duo moving forward folks??

    A- Haaland and Cunha
    Or
    B- Salah and Mateta

    Cheers everyone!!

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      A

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • 8 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Thankyou mate!!

  29. billnats
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Wondering which is better:
    A) Van De Ven, Guehi, Kudus & Wood
    B) Gabriel, RAN, Kudus & Kroupi
    C) Gabriel, VDV, Anderson & Wood

    One of Kudus or Wood has to start (not both)

  30. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 23 days ago

    Best set & forget GK under 5m?

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 23 days ago

      Tricky one mate!! Petrovic maybe??

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 8 Years
        10 months, 23 days ago

        Better than Sels you reckon?

        1. Punned It
          • 1 Year
          10 months, 23 days ago

          Under 5.