Scout Picks

Gameweek 1 Scout Picks XI features double-up on Arsenal, Liverpool and Saints

Arsenal, Liverpool and Southampton are the key source of investment for the Scout Picks in Gameweek 1.

Ahead of the new Fantasy Premier League campaign, we have selected two players from each of these clubs in our first XI of the season.

Chosen by our Scout Squad panel of David, Neale, Tom and Andy, our lines up in the traditional 3-4-3 formation and comes in bang-on our £83.0m budget.

GOALKEEPER

Alex McCarthy (£4.5m) gets the nod as our first Scout Picks goalkeeper of 2020/21. His upcoming opponents Crystal Palace were the lowest scorers in home matches last season, while only Norwich found the net fewer times than the Eagles during Project Restart. Meanwhile, McCarthy managed to make 2.73 saves per 90 last season.

DEFENDERS

Premium midfielders with appealing matches headline Gameweek 26 Scout Picks

Does the selection of Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) require any explanation these days? Not really. A minor injury kept him out of Liverpool’s pre-season games but the right-back was in action for England twice during the international break. Alexander-Arnold was chief among his colleagues for assists, key passes and big chances created last season, and we see no reason why that can’t continue in 2020/21, especially with newly-promoted opposition in Gameweek 1.

James Justin (£4.5m) comes into Gameweek 1 as one of the most nailed-on starters in Leicester’s defence. They may be short of some key personnel but a trip to newly-promoted opposition is enough for us to comfortably include a man with potential at both ends of the pitch.

Rob Holding (£4.5m) is our chosen representative from the Arsenal defence, who face Fulham in the 2020/21 season opener. The Gunners defence has been slowly improving under Mikel Arteta, showcased perfectly in their Community Shield meeting with Liverpool. Holding was a key figure in that performance, offering a budget route into a top-six defence against newly-promoted opposition.

MIDFIELDERS

A switch to midfield and a meeting with Fulham when both Manchester clubs are fixture-less mean Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m) is an easy inclusion in the Scout Picks for Gameweek 1. Chosen as the best midfield option by all four pundits, 19 of his 22 goals came against teams outside the so-called big six. And in five meetings with newly-promoted opposition, Aubameyang found the net five times and added an assist for good measure.

Despite a growing number of doubters, Mohamed Salah (£12.0m) earns a place in the Gameweek 1 Scout Picks team. No player classified as a midfielder in 2019/20 scored more goals at home than the Egyptian last season (15) and his goal involvement tally of 19 was beaten only by Kevin De Bruyne, the game’s top-scoring player. Salah started last season by registering a goal, assist and double-figure haul at home to the reigning Championship winners. With the joint-highest number shots on target during Project Restart, Salah is sure to start 2020/21 in a similar fashion.

Jarrod Bowen (£6.5m) is our chosen representative from the West Ham attack to face Newcastle. The Magpies conceded more headed attempts than any other team during Project Restart, which plays into Bowen’s hand as a set-play taker for the Hammers. Meanwhile, his positional classification gives him a slight edge over Michail Antonio, who he outperformed during pre-season by two goals/one assist to two assists.

Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.5m) was the pick of the midfield options below £6.0m, with three of our Scout Squad pundits selecting him their line-ups. West Ham clearly still have defensive issues of their own as they lost 5-3 to Bournemouth in a recent pre-season friendly. During Project Restart, Saint-Maximin had the second-highest number of touches in the penalty area among Newcastle players.

FORWARDS

Why FPL Managers Should Focus on Premium Forwards in 2020/21

Harry Kane (£10.5m) appears to be the key man for anyone looking to invest in the Spurs attack for their favourable run of games at the start of 2020/21. During Project Restart, he was chief among his colleagues for touches in the box, shots there, big chances and shots on target. In fact, his total of 13 accurate efforts across that period was bettered only by four other Premier League players.

Already at 48% ownership, it seems to be a rather popular opinion to think Timo Werner (£9.5m) will have a great season for Chelsea. The former RB Leipzig forward was involved in nearly 40 Bundesliga goals last season and has already scored against Brighton during pre-season.

Che Adams (£6.0m) could offer excellent value this season based on Southampton’s form and fixtures. In Gameweek 1, they face a Crystal Palace side that conceded 18 times during Project Restart, more than any side that survived relegation. Meanwhile, across that same period, Adams actually outperformed Danny Ings for shots in the box per 90, big chances per 90 and shots on target per 90, registering more FPL points than his esteemed colleague in the last three Gameweeks of the campaign, once his starting place was assured.

SUBSTITUTES

Aaron Ramsdale (£5.0m) gets a spot on the Scout Picks bench after David and Neale selected him for their Scout Squad submissions. Martin Dúbravka (139) was the only goalkeeper to make more saves than Ramsdale (128) last season, who now turns out for a Sheffield United side that conceded the joint-highest number of big chances during Project Restart.

Romain Saïss (£5.0m) is one of the more assured starters in Wolves’ defence this season. In the last nine Gameweeks of 2019/20, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men boasted the best expected Goals Conceded (xGC) score in the whole division.

Despite Palace’s defensive issues at the beginning of 2020/21, Tyrick Mitchell (£4.0m) remains the most viable bargain-bucket defender. It is unclear how long his run in the team will last considering the Eagles’ injury absentees will have to return at some point but, as things stand, nobody spent more time at left-back for Roy Hodgson than him during pre-season.

James Ward-Prowse (£6.0m) represents and even cheaper alternative route into the Southampton attack, with a possible share of penalties. Between Gameweeks 30+ and 38+, the Saints’ captain whipped in 72 crosses, more than any other player, while his 20 shots ranked joint-ninth amongst midfielders.

THE CAPTAIN

Who are the best captain options for FPL Gameweek 36+?

The Scout Picks captain is chosen using a four-way vote between our Scout Squad pundits.

Because the use of Fantasy Football Scout data is used so heavily in this process, the captain we choose each Gameweek is usually known only to those who have signed up to Premier Membership and revealed to the public only when the deadline has passed.

Here’s how we voted for Gameweek 1:

THE COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Each week, one of the Fantasy Football Scout community takes on the Scout Picks by pitting their chosen XI against ours.

The Community Member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Moderators and Contributors League for the following season.

Boleyn Boy is the first to take us on this year. They went with a 3-5-2 line-up of Fabianski; Robertson, van Dijk, Egan; Mané (c), Alli, Zaha, H Barnes, Bowen; Kane (vc), Ings.

Best players by position:

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

1,898 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Orion
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Here we go!

  2. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    *Furiously copying Scout Picks*

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Only JWP is 6 not 5.5

  3. Dreaming of glory
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Was going to bench greenwood to save a gw2 transfer.
    What would you do now? Keep or move to someone else?

    1. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Am benching him,I dont think man u will sign sancho

  4. DRIZ ✅
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Wilson or Adams?

    1. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wilson. More secure starter and has the pedigree

      1. DRIZ ✅
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks

    2. Orion
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I am going both and Werner

  5. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Get Ward Prowse at discount rate...

    1. Blzbobuk
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yep I thought that

  6. Dreaming of glory
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    9/11
    Only left out bowen and kane. Must have been browsing here too much :/

  7. danlynch13
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Most votes I go with

    A) Son + Mitro + 0.5itb

    B) H.Barnes + Ings

    1. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      a

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    3. Orion
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A... more nailed imo

    4. Scout
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    5. danlynch13
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks can anyone sway it?

    6. Arn De Gothia
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  8. Starky22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    GTG?
    McCarthy
    TAA Justin Saiss
    Salah(c) Auba Barnes ASM
    Ings Werner DCL

    Nyland Taylor Bissouma Mitchell

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      7/10 missing Spurs coverage

  9. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What's the top 1k any season mini league code?

    1. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      2agvvx

      1. Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers!

  10. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I think I’m finally settled. Phew..

    McCarthy - Steer
    Saliba - Justin - KWP - Targett - Mitchell
    Mane - Aubameyang - Son - Havertz - Stephens
    Ings - Richarlison - Wilson

    GW 2 - Ings > Martial
    GW 3 - Aubameyang > Sterling
    GW 4 - WC

    Going all out for the first 3 gws as I will be WCing in GW 4.

    Thoughts?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good.

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

  11. Godfrey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    More people with Saliba, without Luiz he will play am I right?

    1. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I see Holding in the scout picks. Have Saliba in my team as of now.

      I’m confused now

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Saliba will be on the bench

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Really?

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Who plays then?

        • The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Even if he plays, Gabriel takes his spot in a week or two

    3. CroatianHammer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Okay, that's that. With news of Martinez looking to force a move I have made keeper changes. Will maybe turf Nyland later tonight, since chances are Martinez will oust him. 4.0 keepers that play? Grim pickings.

      1. CroatianHammer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Oh and the outfield is set. Barring crazy injury news that's good to go.

    4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Phew, only 5 picks for me

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        3 for me

      2. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Bit annoyed about the Bowen pick. Have had in my team for about a week now!

    5. Adambailey7
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What do you think guys?

      McCarthy
      TAA, Doherty, Vinagre
      Aubam, Alli, soucek, Barnes
      Werner, Kane, Adams

      Subs: Steer, Taylor, Stephens, Mitchell

      £2.5itb for Bruno and KDB

      Not too sure about triple Spurs Players.

      Soucek or cabellos

      1. DRIZ ✅
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        5/10 too much Spurs imo

        1. Adambailey7
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Who would you replace? Alli to havertz or Doherty to another £6m?

    6. No Salah
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thoughts on Rodrigues from the very beginning.

      He’s supposed to start GW1, right?

      1. DRIZ ✅
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        May come off the bench

      2. Jonesfromthere
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I got him

    7. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ward prouse is 6.0 not 5.5 the article is wrong

      1. DRIZ ✅
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Was changed quickly 😉

    8. Exxtreme
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Martinez to Villa, is that a fact?

    9. DOGS
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitro or Adams?

      1. KEN YA DIG IT
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Mitro

    10. Scout
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ryan
      Gomez/shaw/ Justin
      Bruno/ Auba/ Havertz/ Sterling/ saint max
      Werner/ Wilson

      Or
      Ryan
      Same def
      Mane or salah/ Sterling/ Auba/ saint max/ 4.5
      Werner/ martial

    11. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Who’s likely to keep his place if Louis is back next gw?

      Holding or Saliba?

      1. InvertedWinger
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Saliba imo

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        You would think the new signing would be preferred

      3. DRIZ ✅
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Holding

      4. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Holding

    12. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Final decision and then Here we go!
      A) Ings + ASM
      B) Alli + Che Adams

      1. Scout
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        a

    13. the vanisher
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      For first gameweek:
      Barnes of Havertz?

      1. InvertedWinger
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Kai's your guy

    14. RyanC
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Right, think I’m ready.

      McCarthy (Steer)
      TAA Robby Doherty (KWP Mitchell)
      Auba (c) Salah Alli ASM Soucek
      Werner Adams (Wickham)

      Thoughts?

      1. InvertedWinger
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Solid

    15. The Hunt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Quick question about Saiss please. Is he good for the long term or is he just marking time until the new recruits come up to speed? Thanks.

      1. InvertedWinger
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Long term I reckon

      2. KEN YA DIG IT
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Its his position to lose

      3. The Hunt
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks chaps. Just what I was wanting to hear!

    16. shearer9
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Is James Justin a likely starter?

      1. InvertedWinger
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yes atleast for 4-5 GWs till RicPer is up to speed

    17. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Adams or Callum Wilson? Have ASM

      1. DRIZ ✅
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Wilson

      2. InvertedWinger
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Adams

    18. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno quarantine news causing others to rethink?

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yes. Thinking how no united players for the time being

    19. Monkeyslut96
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What are people’s thoughts on:

      A) Kane and Alli
      Or
      B) Werner and Son

      1. KEN YA DIG IT
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        B

      2. InvertedWinger
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        B

    20. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Do we think Justin keeps his place till Gw 5?

      1. InvertedWinger
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yes

    21. adstomko
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      RMT / 10

      McCarthy
      TAA, Mina, Egan, Justin
      Auba, Mané, Rodríguez
      Werner, Ings, Wilson

      SUBS: Steer, Mitchell, Lemina, Burke

      1. InvertedWinger
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        7
        Not a fan of Mina. Get Davies/Dier or Shaw

        1. adstomko
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Mina's fixtures from GW2-4 though..