Scout Picks
19 September 2025 322 comments
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After the pre-match press conferences and plenty of different Scout Squad submissions, it’s time to nail down the Scout Picks.

As ever, we are limited by certain restrictions.

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

GAMEWEEK 5 SCOUT PICKS

GOALKEEPER

FPL Gameweek 28 round-up: Saturday’s goals, assists, bonus points + stats 16

Matz Sels (£5.0m) is our preferred goalkeeper in Gameweek 5, ahead of a favourable away fixture at newly-promoted Burnley. Nottingham Forest have conceded six goals in two matches under Ange Postecoglou, and are yet to keep a clean sheet this season. However, Burnley rank 17th in the Premier League for non-penalty expected goals (NPxG):

A dozen saves in his first four matches also indicates that Sels could have save points to fall back on at Turf Moor, should Forest concede.

DEFENDERS

FPL notes: Gakpo latest, Glasner on Munoz 3

 

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  1. adstomko
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Thoughts on Semenyo as a differential captain?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      I'm on him, also have Salah and Haaland

    2. Rbyrne95
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Good choice. I’m going with him or VVD

    3. JBG
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      My C atm

    4. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Don’t think it’s that differential but note Newcastle have very good xGc stats so far this season

    5. space mercenary
      • 6 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      I'm leaning to this myself now. Newcastle still walking off the pitch at 10:00pm on last night. Presumably, they get a lay-in this morning. After a training session tomorrow, they then have to travel to Bournemouth for kick off on the Sunday. Not much of a rest period at all. Plus Schar now confirmed out. I dont think they have the squad depth to effectively rotate yet.

      1. adstomko
        • 10 Years
        11 months, 14 days ago

        Exactly my thoughts, it's too inviting to avoid.
        Plus, Bournemouth don't have any major injury concerns.

        1. adstomko
          • 10 Years
          11 months, 14 days ago

          *too inviting to not avoid Semenyo (C)

      2. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 13 Years
        11 months, 14 days ago

        Excellent reply, very well articulated. Semenyo (c) for me.

    6. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Newcastle have the BEST xGC in the entire league. No thanks.

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        11 months, 14 days ago

        They will also be tired with injuries in their back line. Yes please!

    7. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      It's tempting but Semenyo is hit and miss to be honest

  2. marpy016
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Who to start?

    A) Raya
    B) Dubravka

    1) Elliott
    2) Grealish

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      A2

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      B2

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 15 Years
        11 months, 14 days ago

        Sorry, this

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

    Would you BB this?
    Dubravka, King, Esteve, Gudmundsson

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      No

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 15 Years
        11 months, 14 days ago

        Ha, cheers!

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      The question is as simple as do Burnley keep a clean sheet this weekend?

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 15 Years
        11 months, 14 days ago

        Fair point, except DCs come into it as well

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          11 months, 14 days ago

          I mean

          Burnley could keep a clean sheet then lots of Gw1 squads will be kicking themselves!

    3. The Mentaculus
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Meh. It's ok if you never want a stronger bench & have modest expectations

  4. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Who starts out of:

    Grealish
    Reijnders
    Cucurella

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Grealish or Cucurella

    2. The Mentaculus
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Cucu

      1. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        11 months, 14 days ago

        Ta lads

  5. Rbyrne95
    • 10 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Genuinely may be the first GW I pick a defender as C with VVD. Defensive contributions seem safer lol

    Over Semenyo, Haaland, Mateta, Xavi, Ekitike

    1. The Mentaculus
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      I keep thinking about Lacroix (although on Semenyo atm) - would definitely be my first time capping a CB if not defender. CS, DCs, header from a corner... his ceiling is actually pretty high

      1. Rbyrne95
        • 10 Years
        11 months, 14 days ago

        I’ve got Munoz so we can just captain palace defenders then cry when it goes horribly wrong lmao

      2. Moderately content penguin
        • 7 Years
        11 months, 14 days ago

        TC?

        Just simple C on such a sure thing seems very tame and unlikely to bring you up the elite rankings

  6. Danstoke82
    • 12 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Gakpo > Palmer 1FT?

    Yay or Nay?

    1. Rbyrne95
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      If Palmer is 100% good, may aswell. Man U different level of terrible currently

      1. Danstoke82
        • 12 Years
        11 months, 14 days ago

        Many thanks! Maresca seems to suggest Palmer has trained

        1. Officer Slater
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          11 months, 14 days ago

          Seems to suggest?

    2. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Can you do anyone else to Palmer or are you making room for Isak?

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      I am considering it strongly (or Kudus for a hit)

  7. Sting
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    thoughts on this FH team:

    Sels
    VVD Andersen Munoz Konsa
    Semenyo Salah (c) Palmer Wirtz
    Bowen Watkins

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Awkward week to FH because no standout fixtures for anyone
      Not sure I like this team tbh

      1. Sting
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 months, 14 days ago

        agreed it’s more that almost all my regular team have a bad fixture this week and it’s a way to be a bit differential.

        eg i have gyok, haaland, mbuemo, porro, pope etc

        no salah is worrying me

    2. The Mentaculus
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Don't like the forwards. I'd probably be playing 541 on FH this week

  8. Haa-lala-land
    • 5 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Predicted lines have got Dango benched.
    I don't think he is, I think last weeks benching was only a post international thing

  9. JustWatching
    • 12 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Rate my wildcard team:

    Raya, Dúbravka
    Van Dijk, Pedro Porro, Livramento, Reinildo, Rodon
    Gakpo, Semenyo, Ndiaye, O.Dango, Reijnders
    Haaland, Isak, João Pedro

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Not sure Isak starts this GW, other than that g2g.

    2. Oink Heart
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      I have a similar draft and concerned Isak is a week early. Have planned to swap him to Ekiteke which affords Reij to Foden as a one week punt then swap back next week (I have 2 free into the WC). Something like that perhaps that still gives you the route back to Isak with 2 trades. Other is Gakpo instead of Foden and then wood or similar for a week...

  10. Capocannonieri
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Nice scout team. Full of penalty takers.

    This game would be better if PKs only gave a point. TheyThe Pk winner (assist) should snag most the points.

    Further these 90+ minute PKs are so fishy.

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      I agree, VAR refs are obviously part of the FPL tower and generating these 90+min pens that benefit them.

    2. Haa-lala-land
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Should be minutes 5 points if they miss one. That would even it out.

      1. Haa-lala-land
        • 5 Years
        11 months, 14 days ago

        Minus ^ not minutes

  11. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Sanchez
    Andersen, Porro, Richards, Neco Williams
    Salah (c), Wirtz, Fernandes, Semenyo
    Mateta, Watkins

    Dubravka, KDH, Rodon, JSL

    1ft 0.1M ITB

    Would you BB with this?

    1. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Do it in a double game week.

  12. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    De cuyper to Anderson and bench wirtz

    Next week

    Wirtz and Watkins to Grealish/mbuemo and Haaland

    How does that look?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Save FT, play Wirtz

  13. Nightcrawler
    • 7 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    start raya or dubravka?

  14. Shark_Sandwich
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    which to go for Simons or Kudus in for free ?? - long term pick

    1. space mercenary
      • 6 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Simons worth the punt IMO.

  15. Steviedwex
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Who would u start

    1. Tosin (man)
    2. Rutter (TOT)
    3.kdh ( liv)

    1. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      2.

  16. HarryFPL
    • 3 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    A) Start Barnes, bench VDV
    B) Start VDV, bench Barnes
    C) Barnes to Ndiaye, start Ndiaye

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Well, not C.

      Start Barnes.

      VdV might do okay but BHA can also score at home easily enough.

    2. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      B.

  17. Officer Slater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Had a horrible start this season and already wasted my BB and the Wildcard early.

    Well. Even worse,.I panicked, to a huge hit and sold Semenyo, Muniz, Marteta plus Wirtz to free up funds for Palmer and Isak..

    However. I wasn't convinced with the hype for Crystal Palace this week. Munoz is not in best form, Marteta looks tired. I still think they are a great team but without Eze and Sarr, a lot of creativity and speed is missing.

    Bournemouth and Semenyo had a great start and this might continue..However, Kluivert is back and this could change the chemistry and the freedom Semenyo had so far. I would have kept him though. As I said, I needed to shift things around a bit to free up funds for Palmer and Isak which I think will easily outscore Semenyo in a few weeks. Maybe not immediately, but we shall.see.

  18. aleksios
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Which one?

    A.Start one of Ballard-Dorgu.
    B.Lewis to VVD-Romero for a hit.

    Thanks.

  19. tom2224
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Should I BB this - Dubravka Reijnders De Cuyper (doubt) Diouf

    1. More Tragic
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      nope

    2. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      No

    3. Il Capitano
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Nah

    4. tom2224
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      If I swapped out De Cuyper for one of VDV or Guehi would it be a yeah?

    5. Feanor
      • 17 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      hell no

    6. agueroooooney
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      No

      1. tom2224
        • 9 Years
        11 months, 14 days ago

        If i bought in Messi for De Cuyper would it be a yeah?

    7. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Do it in a double game week.

  20. AnyoneButLiverpool
    • 7 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Start Raya or Dubravka? Help me please!

    1. More Tragic
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Dub

    2. aleksios
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Dubr

    3. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Raya, Arteta will set up defensively as always in these games.

  21. Haa-lala-land
    • 5 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Does anyone not own the Raya and Dubravka combo

    1. More Tragic
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      o/

      Vicario & Dub from the get go

    2. Moderately content penguin
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Comfortable that Henderson will match/outperform Raya

      Palace are 50% for clean sheets this calendar year and a defensive double up is very affiordable and he’ll soon rack up saves once Palace face a team who can attack and there’s no one more likely for pen saves.

      1. Herger
        • 4 Years
        11 months, 14 days ago

        Good to see you Pingu!

        1. Moderately content penguin
          • 7 Years
          11 months, 14 days ago

          But I’m only a moderately content penguin

      2. Haa-lala-land
        • 5 Years
        11 months, 14 days ago

        Him and Pickford always feel more likely to save a penalty than anyone

        1. Moderately content penguin
          • 7 Years
          11 months, 14 days ago

          There’s Pickford too of course but sadly my daughter appears to be a Liverpool fan - and well if I’m to get her into the most pointless game known to man and daughter some sacrifices need to be made.

    3. MJF
      11 months, 14 days ago

      I don’t see value in 5.5 GK.

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Petrovic Dubravka
      Wouldn't pay 5.5 for a GK

    5. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      I have Sanchez and Dubravka.

      I had other problems and therefore I was unable to transfer Sanchez out.

    6. Officer Slater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Donnarumma and Dubravka

  22. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Start Raya or Dubravka?

    Start Timber or VDV?

    Starting Haaland so avoid Arsenal double up or avoid altogether?

    1. More Tragic
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Dub & VDV

      City are going to do a number on Arsenal

      Trust me

  23. putana
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    bench boost this week basically comes down to if you think burnley concede

  24. George James
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Do I have this starting 11 and bench right?

    Should I bench boost?

    Dubravka
    Porro • Murillo • Diouf
    Salah (c) • Bruno • Semenyo • Ndiaye
    Watkins • J.Pedro • Mateta

    Sanchez / Reijnders / Richards / Esteve

  25. MJF
    11 months, 14 days ago

    8-10 years ago this article would attract page after page of comments on a Friday evening.

    1. More Tragic
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      those days are gone, sadly

    2. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      The game is 5 times more popular too. Where is everyone? Listening to those content creators on Twitter languishing at 5m rank?

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 months, 14 days ago

        Back when these fpl celebrities actually engaged in conversation... now they want you to subscribe and pay membership fees just to disagree with their hot take of the week..

        No thanks... commercializing your guesses has just made you boring, guys..

    3. MC Hammer
      • 14 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      When this place was the only decent content provider.
      Tbf, this site has since gone downhill and others have jumped up.

    4. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      I remember when Mark was just starting up this site. If you knew about it you only told your best mates.

  26. AnyoneButLiverpool
    • 7 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Captain Haaland or Semenyo or Gakpo? Help me please!

    1. agueroooooney
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Semenyo out of those for me

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Haaland

    3. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      I would do Haaland.

  27. OptimusBlack
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Sales (Dúbravka)
    Porro VDV Munoz Cucurella (Diouf)
    Salah Wirtz Reijnders (KDH Rutter)
    Watkins Pedro Gyökeres
    Any Changes here 2 FT
    A- GTG & Roll ?
    B- Wirtz > Semenyo
    C- Watkins > Wood or Mateta
    D - Both for free
    WC next GW

    1. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      I would do B and give Watkins another game.

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 13 Years
        11 months, 14 days ago

        Thank you

  28. agueroooooney
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Not C

    Either A or B, I'm on A myself but I think I'm stubborn with Wirtz

    1. agueroooooney
      • 11 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Reply fail

  29. leocarter27
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Who to start out of these please?

    A) Van de ven
    B) Rodon

    Thanks

    1. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      11 months, 14 days ago

      Tough choice but like Rodon.

  30. Stevie B
    • 15 Years
    11 months, 14 days ago

    Which two I should bench from:

    A) Pedro Porro
    B) Ballard
    C) Cucurella
    D) Guehi
    E) Esteve

    Thank you!