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. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What do you reckon?
    A) Mané, Davis (play 4.5 def)
    B) son, Adams

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

      B

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

      A

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

    As a mccarthy owner

    A) KWP + ASM

    B) Egan + Soucek

    Last peice of the puzzle for me

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

      b

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

      B

  3. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Soucek or ASM? And why?

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

      asm - more attacking

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

      Soucek more penalty area touches and xG

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

      Soucek

    4. bigbadbony
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Both

    5. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Both and why not?

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

    Does Jamal Lewis come in and start gw1 for Newcastle? Think he could be a gem

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

      Perhaps, but the sensible thing is to watch Newcastle for first game or two and then decide whether you want him. Cheers

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

        Think their defence will be already. Not many other 4.5s I like anyway

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

          I hope so. I myself will get him instead of Justin if the latter doesn't perform.

    2. Big Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Shh 😉

  5. DIMITRIS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son or Alli + 1 million to spend elswhere?

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

      Son

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

        I'm currently on Son, bur Alli plus 1 milion to boost Justin into Tierny looks tempting

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

          Tierny doesn't look good past week 2

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

      Alli

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

        I dunno what to do. Probably will have to toss a coin

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

          Son will be playing out on wife on the touchline. Alli will be more central. Definitely prefer the latter + 1.0m

    3. cjhewitt92
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Alli is tempting if he plays central when rotation in wide areas

  6. cjhewitt92
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How this looking

    McCarthy
    Justin Bertrand Holding Davies
    Bowen Salah Auba
    Adams Werner Kane

    Ramsdale Saint-Maximin Højbjerg Vinagre

  7. Are you Shaw?
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    repost

    Does anyone know how I can adjust the bench priority on fanteam? I searched everywhere and still have no idea how to switch the order of my bench on that site!

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

      Yeh, You have to switch them in and out with a starting player. Very fiddily.

  8. Mike2795647
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Help, have Trent already But not 100% on Doherty starting

    A) Doherty and Son
    B) Robbo and Alli

  9. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Pulisic(C)? Too many beers? Love Captain America!

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

      Starting the season with a benched captain will make for good stories

      I think he'll start though

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

      Is he going to start though?

    3. DIMITRIS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No no no. Don't do do that. If yo uwant Chelsea C, give the armband to Werner ffs...

    4. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Will he start?

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

      good punt do it

    6. Kante Touch This
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Reckon he'll start?

  10. Carefree Crew
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on spurs fixture congestion & rotation / minutes?
    September:
    13th Everton PL
    17th EL locomotiv Plovdiv
    20th Southampton PL
    22nd Carabao cup
    24th EL
    26th Newcastle PL
    29th Carabao cup (assuming win 22nd)
    October:
    1 at EL
    4th Man U PL

    Financially Levy must have told Mourinho they need the EL revenue, so I'm guessing he can't play the kids or a second choice 11 in EL like he is likely to in the Carabao cup.
    Surely they can't play their strongest 11 for 90mins in every PL & EL game.

    I'm expecting the likes of Kane, Son, Alli to be substituted off in the PL rather than being rotated which means personally I think it makes them less attractive FPL assets.

    Kane being flogged to death playing 90mins every week has resulted in injury in seasons gone by, perhaps Mourinho will manage his minutes more carefully this year?

    How does this affect your thoughts on selecting spurs assets?

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

      I think Kane will play every min of PL depending how secured the win is

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

      I've decided to drop Doherty due to the uncertainty ... have Son and Alli for gw1 but one or both will be moved on (Mahrez and Rashford)

      Also makes me more likely to keep Ings for gw2

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

      I'm not getting any of them, all teams suffer in the PL when they are in EL.

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

      EL could be half the starting 11 with Kane being rested.

    5. cjhewitt92
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think Kane will play pl minutes they don’t have back up striker yet. When they sign one he will start in EL

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

    What is the predicted Arsenal defence when Luiz is fit. Does one of Holding or Saliba drop out?

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

      Not to mention when Sokratis is fit also, going to be an fpl nightmare in that defence

  12. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    ***MODS***

    can you let us know who actually does the Team News section please?

    It's wrong A LOT, just want to keep an eye on the FPL team of the person that does it - thanks

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

      It's a joke. Podence LWB

  13. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any news on Vinagre from the presser?

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

    A) McCarthy, Egan, Soucek (4th mid)

    B) Ryan, KWP, ASM (4th mid)

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      A

  15. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Saints fans!

    How likely is Adams to start GW1?

    It's either a double up with Ings

    Or Nketiah?!

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

      Play Adams and Nketiah.

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers but it's s Benchboost. One of them?

  16. Slim25
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Been back and forth on using bench boost or not.

    This team would be without bench boost.
    McCarthy (Button)
    Taa, Davies, Egan (Shaw, Mitchell)
    Auba, Alli*, Havertz*, Barnes (Bissouma)
    Werner, Ings, Mitro

    Do I swap;
    A - Alli > Son (have 1m in bank)
    B - Havertz > Puli

    Cheers!

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

    Feel like I've made a huge mistake going no Salah. If he gets a hattrick Vs Leeds it's season over already.

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

      That’s what I’m saying my man

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

      No it's not. Think I'm going with him though.

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

      i agree hatrick incoming plus 3 juicy baps and price rise

    4. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He won't get a hatrick.

    5. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pathetic

    6. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thing is, who's the alternative to Salah with Man Utd and City not playing? I don't fancy Alli or Son at all.

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

        Right on; is Salah to son really worth the 3.0? I think not

    7. cjhewitt92
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I was wondering whether this season will be firmino turn to score

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

    GTG?

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

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes!

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

        Final questions (I think):

        1) Have Justin and KWP -- Who starts?
        2) Bring in Son or Alli?

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

          ^ Ignore

  19. Cholito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Harvey Barnes nailed? After covid pause Leicester played 3 at the back and sometimes it was 3-5-2 with Iheanacho, Barnes on the bench.

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

      You just answered yourself...

  20. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Alli still hasn't left my team since the site launched for the season

    I miss Ziyech...

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

      alli still uncertain on him

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Why the faith in Alli? I like him but Spurs aren't exactly free scoring.

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

        And he hasn’t been great for quite a while now

  21. George James
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone have an idea on PVA return?

  22. seanie3
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best combo

    A) Kane and Havertz
    B) Werner and Son

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

      50-50 decision. Could go either way.

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

      B

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner and Havertz

  23. The VAR Team
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Final decision: Who’s the 4.5 mid to go for in the end?

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

      AWBissouma

    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Reed nailed and will get you 2 points a week
      Bissouma not, but probably offers slightly more
      Conclusion: coin toss

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

    a) TAA + Davis
    b) VVD + Mitro

  25. OLLY G
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who is the best 4.5m midfielder option please?

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

      Reed

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

      Bissouma starts I think.

    3. DIMITRIS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bissouma

  26. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone considering Lloris or am I the only one crazy enough? Not sure and some proper calculations have to be made, but taking a quick look at the ppg you only sacrifice 1m to gain 1 ppg over McCarthy/Ryan (Lloris 4.7 ppg vs Ryan's 3.7 ppg). I don't think that at any other position you gain so much with so little investment but not sure. Usually the 4.5m goalies were the best value because there were bargains at that position, even last season we had Pope, Henderson and Heaton. Now I can't see anyone making a mockery of his price tag...

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not worth it when Dier and Davies are 5m.

      Pickford might be.

      1. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I don't think Dier or Davis will match Lloris and anyway, you can have them both. I don't think it affects Lloris' value.

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

    Who’s ASM that everyone is betting on?

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

      ASMR?

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

        Yes indeed

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      They're asking for your age, sex and marital status.

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

    Why is Keane getting so overlooked at 1.7 TSB? Looks a solid option at the 5.0 price..With Allen and Gomes sat in front of the back four I can see plenty of CS for Everton this season

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      got him

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

    Ward Prowse is 6.0, not 5.5... Bit strange seeing a 6.0 mid on the bench!

  30. The Wizard of Ozil
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Egan & Son

    Or

    B) TAA & Bowen (soon to be Foden)

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

      B though not sure on Foden.