Scout Picks
22 August 2025 236 comments
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With just hours to go before West Ham United and Chelsea get Gameweek 2 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) underway, it’s time to finalise our Scout Picks.

We deliberated over the Scout Squad submissions made by Neale (Editor), Tom (Deputy Editor), Marc (Staff Writer) and Alex (Contributor) before coming up with our final team.

As ever, there are certain restrictions for our picks:

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

GAMEWEEK 2 SCOUT PICKS

FPL Gameweek 2 Scout Picks: Arsenal triple-up 1

GOALKEEPER

FPL Gameweek 2 Scout Picks: Arsenal triple-up

Robin Roefs (£4.5m) had a superb debut for Sunderland in Gameweek 1. The goalkeeper recorded four saves in the 3-0 win over West Ham United and ended the match with eight points. We are now backing the Dutchman to replicate that performance against a Burnley side that failed to score in their opener. Crucially, these encounters are often cagey affairs: the last three Championship meetings all resulted in the Clarets failing to score, including two goalless draws at Turf Moor.

DEFENDERS

FPL Gameweek 29 round-up: Saturday’s goals, assists, bonus points + stats

 

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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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236 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Vlad Tepes
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    What to do with Solanke? Get rid for Evanilson?

    1. FPL_trail_runner
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Yes or SL or Thiago.

  2. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Play 1 pls;

    a. Fullkrug v CHE

    b. PM Sarr v MCI

  3. FPLamateur
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 15 days ago

    I’m amazed at his many people have bought in Reijnders this week when everyone was initially avoiding him due to Pep roulette.

    Yes he was very good GW1 and I fully expect him to start the next couple at least but in his position they are stacked.

    CDM - Rodri / Gonzales
    WING - Doku / Bobb
    CM - Cherki / Marmoush / Bernardo / Gundagon / Foden / Kovacic / Reijnders
    ST - Haaland

    1. FPL_trail_runner
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      He is one of the best mids in the world. I see him starting 90%, (was the first player in my draft when the game launched), saw his performances in Serie A last year and he is just class.

      He will be 9.0mil minimum next year.

      1. FPLamateur
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Yeah fair enough agree he looks class. Guess if he’s the next KDB then he’s a dead cert to play

    2. Udogie-style
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      He is too good. He will convince Pep he is indispensable.

      1. FPLamateur
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Will see what he does this weekend then and then get him in

    3. Khalico
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      For the price at 5.5m now 5.6m - he’s a good enabler for most

      1. FPLamateur
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Yeah agree way too cheap. Just would be annoying to pick up a couple of 1 pointers with him if he’s subbed on

    4. tuvok
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      I know what you mean but I think it’s more of a case of (in order of who is first choice)…
      - DM: Rodri, then Nico, then Kov/Gun
      - CM: Bernardo, Reijnders, then Kov/Gun
      - AM: Cherki, Foden, Marmoush (who also competes for LW & CF)

      Obv the roulette comes into play because Pep favours more control in some games, so will play DM + 2 CMs, whereas in others like Burnley at home we might see DM, CM, AM.

      Reijnders benefits from versatility too

      1. FPLamateur
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Be interesting to see what role he plays this weekend vs a supposedly strong defence

    5. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Half the players you've listed as CM either play as 10s or wingers.

      Reijnders only competition is Gundogan or Kovacic - one's collecting a pension and the other is injured.

    6. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      if he was any other 5.5m you'd expect a return every 3 matches...probably, so a benching now and then shouldn't be a big deal

  4. Udogie-style
    • 2 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Not captaining Salah usually comes back to haunt us I know, but tempted to put it on Semenyo?

  5. PGR
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    What's the better option on Free Hit:

    A) Cucurella, Esteve and Reijnders
    OR
    B) Evanilson, Tosin and Guehi

    1. Ray85
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      A

  6. Ray85
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    "Is Wilson to Gordon/Mbuemo/Cunha worth the -4? Or play Wilson and review next week.

    And would you play Diouf or Reinaldo?

    Thanks lads!

    1. THE CON MAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Wait.
      Reinaldo

    2. PGR
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      I'd play Wilson this week. Bring Cunha/Mbuemo in for next week.

      I'd start Reinaldo ahead of Diouf.

  7. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    A or B?

    A) Pedro to Mateta
    B) Writz to Mbuemo

    1. THE CON MAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      3 months, 15 days ago

      neither

  8. ididnt
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Play one:

    A. VDV
    B. Gudmundsson
    C. Diouf

    1. Ray85
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      C

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      C

    3. Udogie-style
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      A

    4. THE CON MAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      3 months, 15 days ago

      A

    5. F4L
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      c

    6. Zenith UK
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      You have the majority of my back line! I'm going with Diouf

  9. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Those with dub and sanchez who u starting?

    1. PGR
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Sanchez

    2. SpaceCadet
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Sanchez

    3. vincentwsho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Depends on who your defenders are

  10. F4L
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    do you think there's a good chance a lot of the South American contingent are sat on the bench gw4 if they're having to play late Wednesday/early Thursday before the Saturday/Sunday?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Depends on the player/team and available options.

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        For example Munoz started every game after each IB. Muniz would likely start (assuming he continues not being called up to Brazil) over Jimenez

        1. F4L
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          cheers

  11. FPL_trail_runner
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Any opinions on my attempt at WC into the future template

    This looks like what a future season template could look like :

    Dub
    Ait-Nouri, Cucu, Gabriel,
    Salah Cunha, Sem, Reindeer
    Haaland (C) , Thiago, Strand-larsen

    All potential main men for their clubs, many with pens.

    1. Quality Quality Qualit
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Interesting. Currently I have only 5 of those:

      Dubravka (Kelleher)

      Esteve, Ballard, De Cuyper (Van de Ven Rodon)
      Salah (V), Semenyo, Reijnders, Rice (Kudus)
      Haaland (C), Wood, Ekitike

    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      I think Bruno/Mbeumo is pretty likely to become template. United assets have a tendency to rise in price very fast if they do well which is likely in next 2 fixtures.

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Nevermind didnt see Cunha in there, good punt that as well

    3. Make FPL Casual Again
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Prefer Munoz to Gabriel given fixtures

      Like how you've squeezed in the two budget forwards, obviously no Ekitike. Don't know much about Thiago, Strand Larsen apparently was good vs City..he on pens?

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Yes all forwards should be on pens.

        I think i may go Odegaard this weekend over Cunha possibly, to get more Arsenal attacking options. Would give another week to see who of Cunha /mBuemo to go for Burnley also.

  12. Zenith UK
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Frimpong injury is a nuisance... Should've just stuck with VVD like I had all pre-season (until I switched Gvardiol to RAN on his injury announcement)... That being said;

    A) Cucurella
    B) Reinildo
    C) Aina
    D) Gabriel/Saliba
    E) Other?

    I was contemplating WC in GW4 (I BB'd GW1) I do not want to start VdV or Gudmundsson

    1. PGR
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Cucurella

    2. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Lacroix?

  13. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Chances of hoever starting this week?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      New RB signed a few days ago. Not clear if Hoever starts

      https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/mens-first-team/20250819-tchatchoua-becomes-latest-new-arrival/

  14. ZeBestee
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Do we expect Joao Pedro to start against Westham?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Hope so !

      1. ZeBestee
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Really thought of bringing in Wood early on, but now I have missed the boat due to price rise. Wood is a set and forget almost.

  15. Don Rogers FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Any thoughts on this FH Team?

    Dubravka
    Gabriel Calafiori RAN
    Reijnders Saka Semenyo Cunha
    Watkins Haaland Mateta

    4.5M 4.0D 4.0D 1m ITB

    A I missing an obvious upgrade wit the £1m?

    1. FPLamateur
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 15 days ago

      You risk Calafiori being subbed before 60 mins for MLS.

      I personally would go Timber and change Dubs to Petrovic

      1. Don Rogers FC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Thanks FPLA, I am also debating Mateta>Wood

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Squeeze Mateta up to Gyokeres? RAN to Dorgu to accommodate

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Issue with removing RAN is he could be a game breaker if Gvardiol starts in LCB.

      2. Don Rogers FC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Too many Arsenal , That’s got me thinking maybe Saka, wood > Bruno, Gyokeres.

  16. jeffa79
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Raya (Dubravka)
    Porro Munoz De Cuyper (Dorgu Rodon)
    Salah Palmer Reijnders Wirtz Kudus
    Pedro Watkins (Guiu)

    What would people do here?

    Am thinking Pedro to Evanilson but not sure... any other options?

    1. Ale Seizer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Really want to give Wirtz more time but Semenyo feels like the right call, especially in the short term. Better fixtures, guaranteed minutes, always in the action and saves 1.4m. No brainer, really.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      I'd start dorgu probably. For porro maybe. Save 100% v nice team

  17. Michelle Davin
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Frimpong to Dorgu not better than Gabriel.Arsenal have difficult upcoming fixtures..

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      I've done that transfer. I was tempted by cucu but dorgu frees up some funds and also I have Palmer and Pedro so treble Chelsea might be much

  18. Sho-kun
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 15 days ago

    Captain Watkins or Salah?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      I m going Salah

    2. w00ton
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Salah for me

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Watkins

  19. martynteresa
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Anyone seen the Villa press conference anywhere?

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        1:30

    • el polako
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Play Porro hoping for offensive return or Esteve hoping for a clean sheet?

      1. ZeBestee
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Porro

        1. el polako
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Yeah live a little

      2. w00ton
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Porro

    • Ribus
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Play Verbruggen (eve) or Dubravka (SUN)?

    • andy78
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Start Dorgu(ful) or Keane(BHA)

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Dorgu

    • w00ton
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Afternoon all. What to do here with 1FT? roll or do Pedro to Watkins? 2.5itb

      Sels
      RAN - VVD - Murillo
      Salah(c) - Palmer - Reijnders - Kudus - Anderson
      Bowen - Pedro

      (Dubravka) - Van de Ven - Guiu - Esteve

      1. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Roll

        1. w00ton
          • 3 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Thanks

    • Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Start

      A porro
      B de cruyper (I have kdh)
      C Estève

      Cheers

      1. BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        I have both Porro and De Cuyper starting. Benching KDH most likely though since Everton was so poor gw1.

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Thanks

    • JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Saka Palmer Saka Palmer Saka Palmer....no idea who to cap

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Felt a bit dizzy reading your post. You shouldn't hesitate saka 100%

        1. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Thanks
          I did have him with this fixture in mind, just got cold feet after his lack of threat gw1

      2. w00ton
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Yeah I would go with Saka

        1. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Cheers

    • Tonyawesome69
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Rodri and Phil [Foden] were out last game, but for just the reason of lack of training and rhythm, they didn't travel to Palermo. They were not ready for 90 minutes against Wolves, but they are ready for tomorrow.

      [Mateo] Kovacic, Josko [Gvardiol], and Savinho are out.

      https://x.com/ManCity/status/1958856386395164993?t=PjKcbWRF-0Ot05ynaa__FQ&s=19

    • Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Start?

      A Diouf (CHE)
      B VdV (mci)

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Mmh both bad options this weekend. A for attacking returns or B for possible DCs

      2. w00ton
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        B

      3. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        A

    • Pompel
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Hi all,

      Back to FPL after a 4 years + 1GW hiatus - with an ambition to spend less time than I used to 🙂

      Anyway, my quick and dirty lineup for GW2:

      Sanchez
      Ballard RAN Tosin Saliba
      Reindeer Wirtz Saka
      Watkins(vc) Haaland (c) Wood

      Subs: Dubravka Kudos HTraoré Moreno

      G2G?

      Btw, any big changes in FPL rules since last years that I should be aware of when deciding on strategy?

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Moreno???

        1. Pompel
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Just a 4.0m filler, but maybe Gudmundson instead ?

          1. Kiwivillan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Prefer someone playing like Gud

            1. Pompel
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 15 days ago

              txs, transfer done

      2. w00ton
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Wirtz to Semenyo maybe?

        1. Pompel
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Would like some Liverpool coverage - but those Bournemouth fixtures yeah

          1. w00ton
            • 3 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Yeah your fine with Wirtz, just something I would look at if that was me. G2G though

    • Tonyawesome69
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Probably see Ederson start...

      Pep [On James Trafford], we will decide tomorrow or tonight after dinner [who will be in the starting XI]. We know the new players bring new energy... James brings youth and desire to play at the Club he grew up with. Happy with the performance, it's just the first game.

      https://x.com/ManCity/status/1958858021842342353?t=Zk-jBv0_w9UNTL22QKEQOQ&s=19

    • Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

      Anyone else captaining Palmer?

      1. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Depends who instead of

      2. More Tragic
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        His mum.
        Probably.

      3. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        No one that followed last week's games