Scout Picks
20 August 2026 308 comments
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The first Fantasy Premier League (FPL) deadline of 2026/27 is nearing – so it’s time to nail down our Scout Picks for Gameweek 1.

While we still have some press conferences to come (and some unexpected news could alter these selections), the managers of eight of our XI have already faced the media on Thursday.

This is a Free Hit in all but name, with the focus solely on the upcoming Gameweek. Selections made in the Scout Squad are a big factor when it comes to deciding who made the final cut.

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 1 SCOUT PICKS

GOALKEEPER

Best £4.0m + £4.5m goalkeepers for FPL 2026/27

Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m) is our chosen goalkeeper after he was selected by two of our Scout Squad pundits.

Brighton and Hove Albion meet an Aston Villa side deprived of some key players (especially attackers), thanks to injury and plenty of exits in a summer of upheaval for the club.

Albion played in Europe on Thursday night, which is far from ideal.

However, they were the third-best team in 2025/26 for goals conceded (46), and the fifth-best for expected goals conceded (xGC, 49.13).

It’s also worth mentioning that Brighton kept clean sheets in their two most recent pre-season friendlies against Roma and Bologna, as well as Thursday’s draw with Tromso.

DEFENDERS

FPL Gameweek 10 Scout Picks: Calafiori part of Arsenal triple-up

 

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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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308 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. affront
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 hour, 5 mins ago

    Verbruggen Kinsky
    Neco Ajer Hume Shaw Diop
    Bruno Mbuemo Tzolis Wirtz Gomez
    Pedro Haaland Brobbery

    BB WK1, 0.5 ITB

    I realise I'm the only person to have no Arsenal DFs but I'll take that risk in the first couple of GWs then bring in Konsa. I have 0.5 ITB, what's best:

    A) Gomez to Gross
    B) Shaw / Ajer to Jacquet
    C) Keep it

    1. Johnjo
      • 8 Years
      27 mins ago

      You said it yourself no Arsenal defenders. Why not upgrade Neco to a 5.5 Ars?

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        22 mins ago

        This

      2. affront
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        18 mins ago

        If any of them were nailed on starters for the next few weeks I would but I think doubts over all 3? Would rather a set and forget who I think will do well (like Neco) for now and bring Konsa in for one of the 4.5s once he's ready

      3. mr_jones
        • 7 Years
        18 mins ago

        or Ajer, whos not nailed, if van den Berg is back

    2. Gentlemen In Kilts
      22 mins ago

      A - Gomez subbed off tonight slight knock

  2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    1 hour, 4 mins ago

    A) Lammens, Vuskovic, Ajer, Rogers
    B) Kinsky, O'Reilly, Davis, Szoboszlai

    BB GW1

    1. affront
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      35 mins ago

      I prefer A

    2. Lukakuna
      • 9 Years
      33 mins ago

      B

    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      22 mins ago

      A

    4. Beto Hall Tzol
      • 9 Years
      5 mins ago

      A) or, Verbruggen, Ballard, Muharemović (and Rogers)

      1. Already have Verb and Ballard in, but thanks!

        Thanks all.

  3. Jimmers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    1 hour, 2 mins ago

    Arsenal and ManUre triple up = BORING

    1. Pompel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      48 mins ago

      The scout picks is wuite useless, given its essentially a FH each week. Tells you nothing about longer term planning

      1. Beto Hall Tzol
        • 9 Years
        20 mins ago

        Agreed. Player shortlist per position more useful. And for bit of spice - how about the pundits to co-manage a team, provide update each week - be in same shoes as the audience. See how they get on.

        1. Pompel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          1 min ago

          Yeah, that’s a good idea

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      46 mins ago

      = Logic

      COV - hul

  4. Lukakuna
    • 9 Years
    58 mins ago

    Pretty template BB1, but do you have any suggestions or overlookings? O'Nien okay on a BB?

    Kinsky Bart
    Calafiori Williams Shaw O'Shea O'Nien
    Bruno Mbuemo Szobo Tzolis Gross
    Haaland Pedro DCL

    1. Think I read that both Mukiele and Alderete are good to go for GW1?
      Probably too risky

      1. Lukakuna
        • 9 Years
        9 mins ago

        thanks will stay clear then

        1. ShadowChaser
          • 2 Years
          just now

          6e9tno

          Challenge league code for anyone interested

    2. Beto Hall Tzol
      • 9 Years
      just now

      Williams/Shaw -> Aina / Maguire, still have glasner WB plus more DC / attack upside

  5. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    57 mins ago

    Gomez subbed on 68 minutes.
    Gross still on

  6. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    57 mins ago

    Gomez subbed because he was rubbish or with a start at the weekend in mind, do we think?

    1. DeSelby
      • 4 Years
      16 mins ago

      No friggin' idea. That's why I think I'm finding an alternative plan to Brighton outfield players.

      1. Brightons front line 3 were subbed off

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      14 mins ago

      it's not great

    3. lilmessipran
      • 14 Years
      11 mins ago

      Should start again and get 60-70 odd imo

    4. Gomez was spotted limping as he was subbed off,

  7. DeSelby
    • 4 Years
    56 mins ago

    On BB. Which would you say is better?

    A. Semenyo, O'Nien
    B. Foden, Gvardiol

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      26 mins ago

      A, though I’d go Diop and Davies before O’Nien, who may not even start GW1 now

      1. DeSelby
        • 4 Years
        20 mins ago

        Yeah, already have Davis, thus my dilemma. Only option if not O'Nien seems to be double 4.0 Ipswich defence.

        1. Beto Hall Tzol
          • 9 Years
          just now

          Might as well - will never play both IPS unless BB. Can’t recommend Foden with total absence of anything for long time.

  8. Jack Burton
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    56 mins ago

    Hi all first one of the season Brobbery or DCL on DCL at the moment

    1. DeSelby
      • 4 Years
      13 mins ago

      DCL for me, Clive.

      1. Jack Burton
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        1 min ago

        Cheers mate - may all your arrows be green

    2. mr_jones
      • 7 Years
      8 mins ago

      fixtures brobbey. but DCL is on penalties. close call.

      1. Jack Burton
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 mins ago

        Cheers Mr Jones prob stick good luck

        1. mr_jones
          • 7 Years
          just now

          to you too

  9. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    56 mins ago

    Best 4.0 defender on BB? O Shea?

    1. mr_jones
      • 7 Years
      just now

      Davis

  10. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    52 mins ago

    Too early to.go Konsa if he signs tomorrow?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      27 mins ago

      that's what I want to know, will he start gw 2

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        20 mins ago

        It’s very possible he starts GW2

        1. FPL_trail_runner
          • 6 Years
          16 mins ago

          Next to zero chance. No pre season so far, litterally 0 mins and then away to Villa. Will train probably alone coming days. Wont start at least till week 3.

          1. shirtless
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            1 min ago

            Yeah think I'll stay Calafiori and change on a possible GW4 wildcard.

  11. Totalfootball
    • 9 Years
    51 mins ago

    Captain J.pedro over Fernandes ?

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      20 mins ago

      No lol

  12. lilmessipran
    • 14 Years
    50 mins ago

    Old man Gross going to play 90 by the looks of it. His legs might fall off on the weekend at this rate.

    1. thegaffer82
      • 15 Years
      7 mins ago

      Worrying I think. I may try to squeeze an extra 0.5 to fit in Hinshelwood

      1. He was on the bench for 80 mins keep going

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 8 Years
      7 mins ago

      Is he playing as the most advanced midfielder?

      1. I think there will be lots of rotation with Brighton players

    3. Steavn8k
      • 3 Years
      1 min ago

      Worrying yeah. Think I might go Sangare instead now.

  13. Bottleandahalf
    • 5 Years
    50 mins ago

    What ya think folks?

    Verbrug (Dubravka)
    Shaw Porro Califoria (Van Ewijk Diop)
    Szobo Rogers Mbuemo Semenyo (Yarmolik)
    Joao Pedro Isak Haaland

  14. statenisland
    • 11 Years
    49 mins ago

    I’m looking to BB in GW1 with Kinsky and then a Sunderland three of Le Fee, Ballard and Hume.

    I’ve never bench boosted in GW1 before. Do you think it’s a risk with mostly Sunderland - I think they’ve got good fixtures for the first two gameweeks and I’m looking to WC in GW3.

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      31 mins ago

      I don’t hate triple Sunderland on WC3. Just beware that they may flirt with relegation this season if they so overpowering by as much as they did last year

    2. andy78
      • 3 Years
      13 mins ago

      BB with Kinski and the Sunderland trio look much better in GW2

      1. statenisland
        • 11 Years
        just now

        But surely Ipswich is an easier fixture for Sunderland than Fulham? And Kinsky is v Brentford in GW1 and Newcastle in GW2 - so much of a muchness. Would prefer to BB GW1 to try and get a lead on those in my mini leagues

  15. mr_jones
    • 7 Years
    48 mins ago

    i made my team based on pre-season, and its looks like the Scout-Team. Looks like i need to make some changes tomorrow...

    Kinsky
    Calafiori / Shaw / Hume
    Bruno / Mbeumo / Szobo / Tzolis
    Joao Pedro / Haaland / DCL

    Leno / De Cuyper / Davis / Sangaré

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      17 mins ago

      Looks fine. I worry about Shaw, think Utd have to sign a LB who will probably start ahead of him. Consider Ajer at Brentford

      1. mr_jones
        • 7 Years
        1 min ago

        yeah im also not sure about Shaw, but for the first games looks good. Ajer i'm not sure, if he's nailed, van den Berg seems fine again. Maybe Udogie or Hato could be options

    2. affront
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      13 mins ago

      I've got a similar side, including Shaw who is the most likely player I'm going to change (probably an upgrade to Vuskovic/Jacquet as long term options as seems inevitable I'll want Shaw out after a couple of weeks)

  16. Emiliano Sala
    • 10 Years
    48 mins ago

    O’nien or Davis for gw1 only?

    1. lilmessipran
      • 14 Years
      33 mins ago

      Nien

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      28 mins ago

      Davis for me. Promoted teams often alright at home on the opening day. They’ll be right up for it. Don’t think Sunderland are all that either, and don’t know how long O’Nien will play, there’s maybe a small risk he doesn’t even get GW1

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        28 mins ago

        Prefer Diop for what it’s worth though

        1. Bolivian Seaman
          • 15 Years
          26 mins ago

          I had diop for a long time, but i don't think he gets defcon in this game. His defcon is normally around 7, and sunderland don't really hit long balls

          1. Beto Hall Tzol
            • 9 Years
            just now

            Diop will be busier as IPS though… although that might involve picking ball out of the net more too….

      2. mr_jones
        • 7 Years
        25 mins ago

        Davis for me too. looked fire in pre-season. and was also decent in Ipswich last PL-Season

  17. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    46 mins ago

    Konsa, probably won't start in GW1 I guess?
    Will he be first choice once he is ready?

    1. lilmessipran
      • 14 Years
      20 mins ago

      Nein

    2. Feanor
      • 17 Years
      19 mins ago

      I feel like Konsa arriving makes Gabriel more vital. Only Arsenal defender who is nailed.

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        14 mins ago

        Honestly, I agree…

    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      14 mins ago

      Arsenal fan here

      Probably not GW1

      Could very easily become first choice until Saliba is back. Not completely guaranteed but quite likely I feel

      1. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        just now

        Thank you

  18. JayKay1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    45 mins ago

    Konsa at £4.5m seems like a no brainer now....

    1. lilmessipran
      • 14 Years
      just now

      Nein

    2. Week 3 at earliest.

  19. FPL_trail_runner
    • 6 Years
    45 mins ago

    Pretty sure im set and wont be checking any deadline streams for leaks for a change tomorrow

    BB1 , FH3, WC5 - this really works on high side chasing. Bench guys only needed in week 1 with cheap high upside. Will use 2FT to get a liverpool midfielder and defender in week 4 for Mbuemo/Foden and an Arsenal defender.

    Anyone else going short term aggressive with BB1, FH3, WC5? Of all the options FH3 +WC5 i think is the highest upside

    Lammens
    O Reilly Palestra White Calafiori
    Foden Rogers Bruno Mbeumo
    Isak Pedro
    Verbruggen Tzolis De Cuper Barry

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      35 mins ago

      Best of luck

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      34 mins ago

      I’m going with a similar strategy of BB2, FH3 and potential WC4/5

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 6 Years
        3 mins ago

        Nice, why BB2? you on coventry?

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          just now

          I prefer the Coventry fixture home to Hull over a lot of the gw1 BB defenders being picked, yes.

    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      29 mins ago

      I quite like this. Nice team. I fear slightly for Foden’s output, and wonder if this is a little too much on the bench. If you get one more 4.5/5.0 defender for one of your more expensive guys, and take Foden to a 6/6.5, you could get Gabriel and have an actually nailed Arsenal defender. I’d do that if I were you…

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 6 Years
        18 mins ago

        ya i dont like Foden, but worth a risk in the 10 at that price. Plus i feel i cant remove any defenders due to the upside for the short term.

        1. Beto Hall Tzol
          • 9 Years
          1 min ago

          Foden rationale seems to be he’s cheap. Not value - given he’s not returned materially for a long time. Maybe it was Pep, or other stuff - and he’ll be back firing. Any signs of form we’re missing? .

  20. In Carrick we trust
    • 9 Years
    43 mins ago

    Evening people 🙂
    Not long now, so IV went back and fourth between haaland and Fernandes and IV went Fernandes, haaland looked leggy in the community shield in my opinion, and I feel like Fernandes will Wana prove a point, he hasn't had a great pre season, I'm also playing my bench boost, how would you rate this ??

    Sanchez
    White, van dijk, Maguire
    Fernandes, mbeumo, semenyo, tzolis
    Isak, Pedro, DCL,

    Bench, verbruggan, ajer , Ballard, schade

    Also have 0.5 itb

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      9 mins ago

      I like this team a lot

      1. Well thank you, so do I, my plan is playing bench boost early covers me if haaland hauls against Bournemouth, which tbh I doubt he will, he does look leggy, and not entirely comfortable and this system, also if he does happen to turn it on and look great il play wildcard game week 3

  21. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    43 mins ago

    Why not Hume or DeCuyper in the scout picks? Both defenders playing as wingers against easier opponents.

    1. FPL_trail_runner
      • 6 Years
      15 mins ago

      Ipswich will not be so easy, bulked up alot defensively and midfield and playing at home. 1- 1 or even a 1-0 win. I like Decupyer though.

      People seem to forget despite that despite teh excellent season for Sunderland last year they lost away to Burnely, struggle against defensive deep teams, and Ipswich have capacity to do the same.

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        just now

        This is fair. I’m not too optimistic on the CS but he has done well pre season and playing OOP could still get attacking returns. However, The Mukiele and Alderete news is positive

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      9 mins ago

      Hume played RB in the final friendly

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        just now

        That was due to injuries to the defence who are now fit

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          just now

          Adingra is still out. Likely to play RW

    3. affront
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 mins ago

      DeCupyer didn't start tonight, how likely is he to at the weekend?

      1. Teddy10
        • 7 Years
        2 mins ago

        Very likely

  22. peddymax
    • 2 Years
    42 mins ago

    current BB GW1 lineup.

    Thoughts?

    Verb/Kinsky
    Cala/Shaw/Hume/Thomas/Diop
    Bruno/Mbuemo/Szobo/Tzolis/Schade
    Haaland/Pedro/Brobbey

    Defense might be too weak? Could swap Szobo/Schade to Ndiaye/Gross to upgrade D.

    1. affront
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 mins ago

      I wouldn't have 2 4m defenders alongside both Hume and Shaw feels thin

      1. peddymax
        • 2 Years
        just now

        thanks- I decided to upgrade D a little bit.

        Updated team, think ill leave it here for now and come back tomorrow for any last second changes.

        Verb/Kinsky
        Cala/White/Maguire/Hume/Diop
        Bruno/Mbuemo/Tzolis/Schade/Gross
        Haaland/Pedro/Brobbey

  23. lilmessipran
    • 14 Years
    41 mins ago

    Tromso misses a sitter

  24. Surely Wirtz at 10 a far better option than Slobo ??

    1. H Dog
      • 16 Years
      29 mins ago

      Not far better and depends where the 0.5 can be spent

      1. Meta12345
        • 2 Years
        8 mins ago

        where does szobo fits in once mcallister is back? they are looking for a right winger, brighton just rejected 50million for minteh

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          just now

          Can’t rely solely on Rio for RW so yeah I can imagine he will play some games RW

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      28 mins ago

      I think so too

  25. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    40 mins ago

    Think I've got one last dilemma to sort out:

    1. Gabriel + Shaw (have Maguire) + Palmer (have JP)
    or
    2. Calafiori + Ajer + Bruno

    I've been trying to go bold without Bruno or Haaland, but I just can't convince myself Fulham is a better fixture than Hull.

    1. MrMartini2026
      27 mins ago

      2 - I think. Shaw offers little and may be a price drop waiting to happen at some point and palmer been unreliable for ages. Ajer is pretty nailed right now and fine for defcons. I've got cala, rodon and Bruno so had similar dilemma.

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 14 Years
        25 mins ago

        Yeah, I think I'm set then.

      2. Johnjo
        • 8 Years
        1 min ago

        Shaw to Konsa after GW3? Or will Konsa have risen too much by then?

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      24 mins ago

      Prefer 2. I’m not gone on double Utd defence in 1 or Palmer yet. Obviously Gabriel is a big draw but so is Bruno

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 14 Years
        9 mins ago

        Yeah, I think 2 is more balanced overall for my team (on the next page).

  26. One Man
    • 10 Years
    39 mins ago

    De Cuyper not starting tonight. Better to go with Hume?

    1. H Dog
      • 16 Years
      31 mins ago

      Might strengthen case to start at the weekend, but think Hume’s better for first two weeks anyway

    2. mr_jones
      • 7 Years
      29 mins ago

      could easily also be rested. its conference league..

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      27 mins ago

      Osman was good too, he’s fast

  27. MrMartini2026
    39 mins ago

    Anyone suggest a better 3 defs for 15.0 for first 5wks than Gvardiol, rodon, maguire? Feel like not 100% happy but struggling to find a better combo and set with the rest of the team so dont want to take any out to pay more really (already have calafiori and O'Shea btw)

    Thanks

    1. H Dog
      • 16 Years
      32 mins ago

      Maguire, Ballard, Muharemovic?

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 14 Years
        22 mins ago

        Save 0.5 and go Hume instead of Ballard.

  28. H Dog
    • 16 Years
    38 mins ago

    A) Verbruggen and Maguire
    B) Lammens and Ajer

    BB GW2

    1. sirmorbach
      • 10 Years
      37 mins ago

      Sorry to be that guy, but C: Verbruggen and Ajer and use those .5 somewhere.

      But between those, A for me

      1. H Dog
        • 16 Years
        30 mins ago

        Hume to Ballard?

        1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
          • 14 Years
          8 mins ago

          Dear lord, why?

    2. MrMartini2026
      32 mins ago

      2- just, you'd assume maguire and lammens get similar unless maguire gets a return but I'd back ajer to outscore verbruggen but only as think he's more likely to get defcons than verbruggen gets a clean sheet.

      Maybe see what next few gameweeks after look like to see which pair are more useful than just BB2 in isolation.

    3. Beto Hall Tzol
      • 9 Years
      3 mins ago

      A. Don’t need to spend 5.0 on MU GK when 3 other decent 4.5 GK picks and a 5.0 MU def with DC and attacking threat (Maguire)

  29. Feanor
    • 17 Years
    38 mins ago

    Do we expect Jesus to get 80+ minutes?

    1. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      1 min ago

      70

  30. sirmorbach
    • 10 Years
    37 mins ago

    Meunier/Mukiele threaten Hume minutes? Or he starts, either at RB or more advanced?

    1. H Dog
      • 16 Years
      31 mins ago

      Mukiele yes at RB, think he starts at RW