Scout Squad
20 August 2026 266 comments
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All of our regular content is returning for Gameweek 1 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) this week – and the Scout Squad is no exception.

In this article, our in-house team of Sam, Marc, Tom and Neale will discuss who they think the best FPL players are for the upcoming Gameweek in isolation.



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 1

 

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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. marpy016
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    G2G BB1?

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori - Maguire - Ajaer
    Bruno - Mbuemo - Tzolis - Gross
    Haaland - JP - DCL

    Kinsky - N'Diaye - Muharemovic - O'Nien

    1. BR510
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Yep gtg, prefer Schade to Ndiaye but just personal preference

    2. Beto Hall Tzol
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Looks good. Ballard v Muhar’ for proven PL / early mins. Schade higher output team v Ndiaye.

  2. Saka White Rice
    • 12 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Ajer or Rodon?

    1. BR510
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Rodon

    2. Beto Hall Tzol
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Ajer - should have mins and more DC upside

    3. Winging it
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Rodon

    4. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      Ajer

      1. Saka White Rice
        • 12 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        What about Hume?

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          What about him?

          Him and Ajer are the only £4.5m defenders I would consider tbh...

  3. BR510
    • 1 Year
    1 month, 20 days ago

    If Vuskovic starts against Tromso, does that make him less or more likely to start against Villa?

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Don’t know. Probably depends on whether the rest of the team looks like first choice or a second string. Probably safest to start with another 5.0 DefCon mid and pivot to Vuskovic if you need to in a few weeks

    2. Gentlemen In Kilts
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Good question his performance may determine the outcome I would say

    3. Rodney
      • 12 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      If he doesn't start I'd be certain he's going to start this week. So I guess the opposite should apply for me if he does start.

    4. Nomar
      • 16 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      I honestly don’t think it matters.

      I get the feeling he’s pretty much nailed into that Brighton defence and is going to be there all season long.

  4. Klopp it
    • 9 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Hi everyone, need abit off advice would you bench boost this team??

    Lammens
    White, Maguire, van Dijk
    Rogers, mbeumo, tzolis, szoboszlai
    Haaland, Pedro, DCL,

    Bench, verbruggan, schade, ajer, ballard

    1. BR510
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Yes

    2. Rogue Todd
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Deffo

    3. Jstap94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      No point in not bench boosting if you are going to spread the money around like that

    4. Beto Hall Tzol
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Yes, v strong. Downside is Bruno money spread over 15 players - hard to undo and a lot of £££ on bench each week. Possible to focus on strong 13 say and couple of others and still a viable BB?

      1. Klopp it
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 20 days ago

        100% see what you mean, it's very hard at the start off the season to judge how players will play, so I always like taken a gamble with my team at the start off the season, and if it doesn't work out, because wer have a bit more information then you can play your wildcard

    5. Doolittle
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Yes

  5. philmoonpig
    • 13 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Please could you rate my team

    Kinsky
    Gabriel, Maguire, Konsa
    Bruno, Mbeumo, Wirtz, Gross, Sangare (Bre)
    Harland, Joao Pedro

    Dubravka, Diop, Thomas, Walle Egeli

    I am gambling on the Konsa to Arsenal deal going through and him going straight into the starting 11 probably from GW2. I would appreciate people's thoughts on this, do you think it's a good move? Or do you think he won't be a regular starter.

    Thanks

    1. Ausman
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      I don’t think Konsa plays week one. He’s had virtually no preseason with Villa and now lands at a new team.

  6. Falafel333
    • 4 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    It all comes down to these two options

    A: Mbuemo, Gabriel, Semenyo, Gomez
    B: Bruno F, Muharemovic, Foden, Gross

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 20 days ago

      A if you’re captaining Haaland whatever

    2. Beto Hall Tzol
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      All good options except Foden. Would not want to rely on Gomez each week so full team is relevant.

  7. Dutchy
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Have my fall back draft with Haaland but jesus this looks tempting.

    Lammens
    Maguire Muharemovic Calafiori
    Bruno Mbuemo Semenyo Ndiaye
    Pedro Thiago Isak

    Verbruggen Gomez Colwill Tarkowski

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Nice team. I’m going no Haaland. I think it’s worth it!

  8. Jstap94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    A) Haaland, White, Gross, Rodon, Ajer
    B) Isak, Gabriel, Wirtz, Tarkowski, Ballard

    Planning a longer term wildcard. Can FH for triple city in GW3 if they are looking good, or transfer Bruno and Isak to Haaland and Gross.

    1. Falafel333
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      A, I personally think you can’t go without Haaland

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 20 days ago

      B

    3. Doolittle
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      A

  9. LangerznMash
    • 10 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    The scout's most picked players aren't affordable in one team.
    Lammens
    Gabriel, Calafiori, Maguire
    Bruno Fernandes, Mbeumo, Szoboszlai, Tzolis
    Haaland, Isak, Joao Pedro

    (Verbruggen, £4.5m, Muharemovic, Gross

    There's also 4 x Man Utd players.

    1. Mozumbus
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Exactly

    2. Pompel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      But then you're merging their teams together. You'll have to consider each writer's team individually, which shall not exceed £83m and only 3 from any club

  10. Ohh1454
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Jacquet or Muharemovic ?

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 month, 20 days ago

      I’m on Muha, but it’s close. There are lots of good 5.0s this year

      1. Mozumbus
        • 5 Years
        1 month, 20 days ago

        Muharemovic

    2. Pompel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Jacquet for the flair and upside at slighlty higher risk, Muharemovic for a steady stream of defcons

  11. Sausage™️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    FPL is so boring with Haaland at nearly £16m, so heres my draft..

    Lammens Kinsky
    Calafori Gvardiol Van Hecke Frimpong Branthwaite
    Szoboszlai Mbuemo Bruno (c) Gros Tzolis
    Pedro Isak Thiago

    Be gentle with your critique..

    1. Sausage™️
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Might bench boost first game

    2. TafOnTour1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Sorry mate, Branthwaite at £5.5m is a criminal overpay, and not a good option this season. Wouldn't double up on Spurs defence, either!

      1. Sausage™️
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 20 days ago

        Hes 8th for predicted points in the first 6 games..

        1. TafOnTour1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 2 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          £5.5m for a sick note defender - bonne chance...

      2. Beto Hall Tzol
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 20 days ago

        Racy - a lot of mins risk in defence. minimum £20m bench implies more hard decisions to be made in optimising the Viking’s saved £££.

    3. Gentlemen In Kilts
      1 month, 20 days ago

      BB1 looks good if no Halland however boring becomes critical going without

  12. BR510
    • 1 Year
    1 month, 20 days ago

    1. Thiago Hume
    2. DCL Palestra

    1. Beto Hall Tzol
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      A. Thiago resilient, good mins. Hume decent couple of fixtures, prefer Ajer.
      No idea how Palestra will settle.

  13. Doolittle
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Final decision: Groß or Sangare (Brentford)?

    1. el polako
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      I went with Sangare, never had any joy with Gross in the past.

    2. TafOnTour1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Sangare easily mate.

    3. Beto Hall Tzol
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Gone Grob. Will flip if Sangare can do his DC magic in PL.

    4. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      It’s a tough one. Gross on most set pieces and penalties vs Defcon monster

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Are you 100% sure he's on penalties with them having signed a new striker?

        1. Jaws
          • 12 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          Promise David won't start very soon. Don't expect too much from him. He looks like Adama Traore with even bigger arms, but his finishing is poor.
          He's very much like the poor man's Lukaku.

          1. G-Whizz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 9 Years
            1 month, 19 days ago

            Thanks bruv 🙂

  14. TafOnTour1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Really really torn between Morgan Gibbs-White and Florian Wirtz as the final decision in my team...thoughts guys?!

    1. Nomar
      • 16 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      MGW

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      Can’t fit him in?

  15. Wirtz Nightmare
    • 1 Year
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Any opinions on this BB Gw 1 Draft?
    Verbruggen Kinsky
    Maguire White Muhar Ajer Davis
    Bruno F Mbeumo Tzolis Ampadu Schade
    Haaland DCL JP

    1. Beto Hall Tzol
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Looks good. Just White I’m unsure of now - mins with Konsa, Timber after week 1/2.

  16. Koflok
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    1.
    A) Wirtz
    B) Szoboszlai

    2.
    A) Vuskovic
    B) Muharemovic

    3.
    A) Rodon
    B) Hume

    1. Ahsieuwbb
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Each decision individually, I'd go ABA. But not sure I'd want double Leeds defence. So probably AAA/ABB.

      Vuskovic would def be in my team if I wasn't a little wary of minutes. He'll probably play every minute of the season, but young centre back at a new club with 5 players vying for 2 spots...

      1. Beto Hall Tzol
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Agree this. I’d stick with ABA though. Dont mind 2 def from LEE when one is 4.5, can go to bench. SUN fixtures turn and not sure how fixed Hume will be.

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      ABB

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      B
      B
      B

  17. Ahsieuwbb
    • 4 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    A) Gyokeres and Le Fee or
    B) Calvert-Lewin and Mbuemo?

    I may be getting seduced by the idea of Gyokeres improving on decent numbers from last year - and the thought of the main striker at the favourites for the title being only 7.5m. But I also prefer him because he's not as popular as DCL. Mbuemo is likely to be starting up front, with very promising early fixtures.

    1. el polako
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      There is a reason why he’s not as popular and that reason is Kai Havertz.

    2. Tony Soprano
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      B by a mile

  18. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
    • 15 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Best 5.0 mid not Gomez? Already have gross

    1. Ahsieuwbb
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Until Newcastle sign someone else, I'd take a punt on Jacob Ramsey

      1. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
        • 15 Years
        1 month, 20 days ago

        Will he start?

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 20 days ago

          Quite likely as they don’t have many options

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      Go Gomez and Sangare then instead of Gross. Alternatively wait for PC on Noorgards fitness or try Santos but Santos is a waste of a Utd spot l. However if you don’t have 3 already could punt on him

  19. ididnt
    • 15 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Thoughts on this BB team:

    Kinsky (Berbruggen)
    Califiore, Muharemovic, Shaw, (Kadioglu, Diop)
    Odegaard, Mbuemo, Bruno F, Schade, Wirtz
    Haaland, JP (Walle Egeli)

    Should I go Tzolis over Ode?

  20. El Copo
    • 11 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    This is my team. Quite template-y.

    Kinsky (Dubravka)
    Califiori Williams Shaw (4m 4m)
    Bruno Mbeumo Semenyo Tzolis (Slater)
    Haaland JP DCL

    Only thing I'm considering is Semenyo (playing wider) down to Wirtz and upgrade defence.

    1. el polako
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 20 days ago

      I would downgrade Semenyo to 7.5m and upgrade Slater to have a playing 5.5m as my first on the bench cover.

    2. Ninjaa
      • 15 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      I think Mbuemo and Bruno is overkill. Regardless of fixtures I don't see then scoring that many in opening fixtures. The cash could improve that team a lot

      1. el polako
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Hull & Ipswich- if you not going to back your players against these two…

        I predict Hull to be Derby County levels whipping boys.

        1. Nomar
          • 16 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          Agree about Hull.

          Not sure about Ipswich. Second time around in the prem with much the same squad as last time.

          So, they know what to expect now and won’t have that awkward bedding in period where everything is new and the pace is too fast for them.

          1. x.jim.x
            • 12 Years
            1 month, 19 days ago

            Was that whole season a bedding period for them? They only won one game in 2025

  21. Ballito
    • 3 Years
    1 month, 20 days ago

    Bench Boost GW1

    Shaw, Calafiori, White
    Bruno, Sangare, Mbeumo, Tzolis, Gross
    Haarland, Pedro, Calvert Lewin
    Kinsky, Muharemovic, Diop

    1. Zero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      Looks good, weird format though

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      14 players?

  22. CheesyGonzalez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    1 month, 19 days ago

    I didn't watch the community shield but was Tzolis that impressive? I had Odegaard in my first draft but should I swap him for Tzolis?

    1. el polako
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      Odegard was actually the one who impressed more but the general consensus for now is that Ode can be easily replaced by Eze and Tzolis is safer pick until Arteta buys another winger.

    2. ididnt
      • 15 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      really like Odegaard at 6.5m personally

      1. Nomar
        • 16 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Then get him.

  23. Zero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    1 month, 19 days ago

    Think I'm almost there:

    Kinksy -- 4.0
    Gabriel -- De Cuyper -- Truffert -- Muharemovic -- 4.0
    Mbeumo -- Tzolis -- Hinshelwood -- Schade -- Sangare
    Haaland -- Isak -- JPedro

    > Truffert from GW2.
    > Hinsh and De Cuyper for Villa attack GW1.
    > Shifted away from other Arsenal defenders, Vusk and NWilliams the only other two that jump out as potentials.
    > No Bruno.

    Thanks for any opinions!

  24. Ninjaa
    • 15 Years
    1 month, 19 days ago

    Thoughts here guys?

    Kinsky Palmer4m
    Vvd Calafiori Maguire / Diop Van Ewijk
    Mbuemo Szob Tzolis Semenyo / Hughes
    Haaland Pedro Isak

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      great one any plans for BB ?

      1. Ninjaa
        • 15 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Keeping it for our last man standing finale

    2. JELLYFISH
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      Nice non Bruno team, good spread of funds. Like this a lot.

    3. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      Your back again, changed avatar?

    4. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      Not fancy Dubs as back up?

  25. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 month, 19 days ago

    If Spurs land both Marmoush and Savinho after getting Tonali, Fernandes, Robertson, Senesi and Van Hecke already and no European football, they could blow teams out of it. That’s an incredible window for them. Get Maddison fit at last in a number 10, I think there are loads of value to be had in Spurs once everyone settles in a few weeks time.

    1. Pompel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      Could be value in that backline - I have Kinsky, but very tempted by van Hecke

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Van Heck and Robertson could provide value. Senesi is 6m but will still tick over nicely wi the Defcons and attacking returns if he can oust one of the vans. Marmoush at 7m will look underpriced too

    2. x.jim.x
      • 12 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      I don't see how Savinho raises their level at all, he's just not good enough for the league. Marmoush is a good player, but also very streaky.

      Tonali and Senesi are good signings, but it's a lot of change for one window, and we've seen how quickly that can go wrong before. Only having one game a week could go against them, if they struggle to build chemistry and fitness.

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        You’re a glass half empty type of guy aren’t you 😉

        One game per week, Tonali, Fernandes, Van Hecke, Senesi, Robertson, there are few youngsters or inexperienced players in there. I think that makes it more likely for them to settle fast

        1. x.jim.x
          • 12 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          Just trying to be realistic. One game a week can be great (it worked wonders for Chelsea under Conte) but it can also be a drawback too - players struggle to build up match fitness and momentum, there's not enough minutes to get shared around so fringe players get edgy, busy periods come as a bit of a shock...

          We've seen much better players than Tonali and Fernandes move to much better clubs than Spurs and take time to adjust.

  26. OptimusBlack
    • 13 Years
    1 month, 19 days ago

    Which is better to have ?

    A- Maguire Keep him short Term then Go to another Defender

    B- Vešović keep him for long term

    The only concern is I start with Verbruggen BB GW 1

    1. Holmes
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      A

  27. Advanced1
    • 1 Year
    1 month, 19 days ago

    Almost there - thoughts? Changes?

    Verbruggen/Steele
    Gabriel/Van Ewilk/Fernandez/Tzolis/E.Le Fee
    Haaland/DCL/Brobbey

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      A bit tight in defence and midfield

      1. Advanced1
        • 1 Year
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Ha ha I know tried to delete and start again but wouldn’t let me!

        Verbruggen Steele
        Gabriel Van-Ewilk Mitchell Shaw Neco Williams
        Gross Wirtz Fernandez Tzolis E.LeFee
        Haaland DCL Brobbey

        Thoughts/changes appreciated

  28. Raiser153
    • 6 Years
    1 month, 19 days ago

    To Haaland or not to Haaland

    Team:

    Kinski, XXX
    Maguire, Calafiori, Jacquet, Rodon, XXX
    Bruno, Szobozlai, Tzolis, Gibbs White, XXX
    Pedro, DCL, XXX

    A - Verbruggen, Gvardiol, Seymenyo, Isak
    B - Dubravka, Ajer, Hughes, Haaland

    Take your pick

    1. Nomar
      • 16 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      B because I would not recommend going without Haaland.

      It looks and sounds like a great idea, up to the moment he rips someone a new one.

      Which is going to happen.

      Then it’s either stand your ground and risk rank plummeting or it’s burn a WC time trying to get him in your team.

  29. ratski
    • 15 Years
    1 month, 19 days ago

    A. Semenyo, Shaw, slater (sub)
    B. Rodgers, Maguire, £5.0 (sub)

    Thanks

  30. lolix
    • 15 Years
    1 month, 19 days ago

    Verbruggen
    Ballard Calafiori Maguire
    Semenyo Bruno Mbeumo Schade Tzolis
    Haaland Brobbey

    4m Ajer Konsa 4.5 FWD

    Considering Semenyo to Sarr and Brobbey to Thiago
    Or just Brobbey to DCL
    Or keep..