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. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A - ASM + 0.5itb
    B - JWP

    McCarthy
    TAA Davies Justin
    Salah Auba Son ***
    Werner DCL Mitro

    (Steer Burke Lewis Ferguson)

    1. ArseneAllTheWay
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  2. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA Stevens Egan
    Salah Auba Alli Bowen
    Ings Wilson Adams

    Will be sorted for the 1st 2 GW's I reckon.

    Decided to go without newbies for now.

    1. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Blades fan by any chance?

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Nope, I reckon their chances of a cleanie are good

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Best hope Wolves are undercooked

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

      Need more covid coverage

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

    rate my tinkering:

    Ramsdale // Steer
    TAA Dier Saiss // KWP Ferguson
    Salah (c) Auba (v) Havertz Soucek // Bissouma
    Werner Wilson DCL

  4. ArseneAllTheWay
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Havertz and Werner (double Chelsea) worth it for GW1?

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Probably not, but can see the appeal. Havertz could start but a sub at 60 or so is more likely

    2. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I am going with Havertz, Pulisic and Werner

      1. ArseneAllTheWay
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        My thinking is, I'm planning on Chelsea trio, just waiting to see who bangs, Havertz & Pulisic on same price is v handy. Can switch between.

  5. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Guys

    A) Salah and Antonio

    B) Werner & Havertz

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Ohhhhh Gary Macca!
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  6. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Three teams to keep a clean sheet this weekend?

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      burnley, man united and man city

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

        Villa have a chance

        1. Bruce Lee
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          wouldn't be surprised if they didn't

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

          Nah, they'll succumb to a late equaliser

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pool, Leicester, chelsea.

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

      Wolves
      Saints
      Leicester

    4. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Leicester Newcastle Sheffield

  7. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How does this look to start?

    McCarthy
    TAA, Saiss, KWP
    Auba(c), Salah, Son, ASM, Soucek
    Werner, Ings
    (4.0; Justin, Mitchell, KDavis)

    Then Auba > KDB in gw3?

  8. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    just want to say the team news page is one of the best fpl pages in the world, thank you

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

      when it gets updated that is

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        can't be too harsh... small window between pressers and games

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

    Who will score more points up to GW4?

    A) Davies & Alli
    B) Mina & Rodríguez

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

      heads or tails.

  10. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Help me out here?
    A) Mané, Davis (play 4.5 def)
    B) son, Adams

  11. Sterling Malory
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What's the best use of 10.5m for 4th Mid and 3rd Att?

    A) 5.0m mid / 5.5m Att (currently on Soucek/Bamford)
    B) 6.0m mid / 4.5m att (JWP or Periera plus Brewster)
    C) Soucek / 4.5m Att (Bank 1.0m)

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

  12. Kizza_10
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which option do you prefer ?

    A. Digne, JWP, DCL

    B. Justin, James Rodriguez, C.Wilson

    1. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Don’t like either.

    2. raff97
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    3. La Vida Latte
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  13. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who has been avl keeper in preseason, Steer or Nyland?

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

      Steer clear

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

        Means stay away from Steer?

        1. raff97
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          No point picking one of the 2 when theyre trying to sign Martinez

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

            No point in saying there's no point when Brighton could sign Martinez.

            1. raff97
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Why risk it when you can get Button?

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

                Steer/Nyland playing would surely give them a price rise or two, and with Leicester away in GW 5 they could provide a better option than McCarthy. With Button it's an almost guaranteed 0 points and 0 team value gained.

                1. raff97
                  • 9 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  Fair point. Now the deadline is tomorrow and we still dont know which of the 2 to pick...

  14. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mitro or Adams?

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

      Adams

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

      Adams, Mitro red card waiting to happen

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Adams

    4. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Adams

    5. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers all

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

    Any Leicester fans know if Barnes will start?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not a fan but I have him and he has had the most minutes in preseason

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

    Really want C Wilson to partner Mitro and Werner, But have ASM so currently on Adams, anyone else having a similar problem?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wilson has 7 goals in 8 games v West Ham

    2. Whitetiger14
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      ASM with assist for Wilson goals!
      From a toon fan!

  17. Kohort
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT

    McCarthy
    TAA-Justin-Saliba/Holding
    Salah-Soucek-ASM-Auba
    Werner-DCL-Wilson

    Subs: Steer, Rashford, Mitchell, Ferguson

    GW2: Salah->Fernandes, Rashford comes in for Soucek
    GW3: WC with Robbo, Chilwell, Jimenez, Havertz, Traore, Pulisic, Martial and City players on the list for incomings with Auba, ASM, Wilson, Saliba, Justin all going out.

  18. Carlton P
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    (A) Pulisic or (b) Havertz
    (C) Nyland or (d) Steer
    (E) Mitchell or (f) Ferguson

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

    If you like template, this is it based on the 'teams selected by %' on the FPL website:

    McCarthy - Nyland
    TAA - VVD - Doherty - Egan - Douglas
    Auba - Salah - Son - ASM - Stephens
    Werner - Mitrovic - Davis

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

      que 100 pts

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

        Mate , don't take offense but I see this too often and its doing my ocd in. Its for other readers benefit too.

        The word is "cue" not "que"

        1. pjomara
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          And the word beginning with a 'q' is 'queue' anyway

    2. MGD
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Lol this is my team haha (so close)

  20. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this draft?
    Ryan
    Trent, Saiss, KWP, Davies
    Auba, Salah, ASM, Son
    Werner, Ings

    Walton, Bissouma, Ferguson, Brewster

    Would you prefer Havertz and C Taylor on the bench or just keep it as it is?

    Also, any obvious changes needed?

  21. Canali
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT please... many second thoughts
    Draft number 999... (0 ITB)

    McCarthy (Steer)
    VVD Davies Justin (Vinagre Mitchell)
    Auba Mane Alli ASM (Bissouma)
    Werner DCL Ings

    Any comments appreciated 🙂

    1. Whitetiger14
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not sure about DCL. And Vinagre is doubt

  22. TAT
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Two dilemmas is currently on my mind. The first is which out of these two combos to go for:

    1.) 4.5 and Havertz
    2.) Doherty and ASM

    The second is if I should play 3-4-3 with Ings, transferring in Martial next GW, or play 4-4-2, benching Martial. Thoughts?

    McCarthy (Button)
    TAA - Vinagre - X - Mitchell - Ayling
    Soucek - X - Aubameyang - Salah - Bissouma
    Werner - Mitrovic - X

    1. Whitetiger14
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      2 and 3-4-3

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

        That's the option I'm most likely to pick at the moment, as it leaves extra funds in the bank. On the other hand, already owning Martial gives me the oportunity to have a United double-up if I want to, for GW2.

  23. Whitetiger14
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Lock this in? Playing 4-3-3. Thoughts and opinions please!

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA Justin Holding Davies (Mitchell)
    Salah Auba ASM (Soucek Bissouma)
    Werner Kane Che

    1. Andre_The_Giant
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not sure about Adams, but yeh solid

  24. Andre_The_Giant
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts much appreciated.. did a good bit of last minute tinkering

    Ryan
    TAA, KWP, Davies, Mitchell (C. Taylor)
    Auba, Salah, Son, ASM (Bissouma)
    Ings, Werner (Davis)

    GW2: Son -> Rashford

    1. Whitetiger14
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      GTG

  25. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best option for captain this week?

    A. Auba
    B. Salah
    C. Son
    D. Werner

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

      B

    2. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    3. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      50/50 between A and D for me.
      Cosidering a cheeky cptain on Robertson .

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

    Vinagre or Holding?

    For first 3 gws ONLY

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

      Holding

  27. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A Ings Son Mitro
    B Kane Barnes Adams

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

      A

  28. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Chances of Soucek starting?

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

      89%

  29. MGD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Holding 100% starting?

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

      Never can say 100% starting as anything can happen from now till kick off

    2. TAT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He's likely to do so. But long term, you need to look at other options. Arteta apparently did a u-turn on a possible loan move (which is maybe not that surprising given how many of the defs are injured).

  30. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    This is me.
    McCarthy
    TAA,Robertson,Davies,KWP
    Aubamayang(vc),Havertz,Soucek
    Werner(c),Ings,Wilson

    Ryan,James Rodriguez,Taylor,Bisouma

    0.5m itb for Ings > Martial in gw2/

    Just my keepers im undecided on now.
    1.Ryan/MCarthy rotation
    2. Leno/Button
    3.Ramsdale/Button
    4.McCarthy/Button and replace KWP with Egan

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

      3