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. gers23
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any thoughts?

    McCarthy

    TAA Doherty Justin

    Auba Salah ASM Soucek

    Werner Kane Mitrovic

    Button Saliba Stephens Ferguson

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looking solid, I am wary of doherty though. He's only been training with spurs for a few days and they haven't sold aurier yet so I think it is a possibility that aurier starts GW1

      1. gers23
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks m8

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

    Can someone please give me a gist of this Fernandes quarantine I suddenly heared of?

    Also, are there any issues with Rashford? Is he likely to play?

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

      His wife has just given birth and he's in Portugal. Needs to return to the UK by 4am apparently to avoid quarrantine.

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

        LOL
        Too much to take tbh mate ... It's Weird season already

      2. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        S**t...!

        Some airlines are charging 400 quid for a one way flight now as well...

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

      private plane will get him back in seconds

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

    Egan in 442 or Soucek in 352 ??

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      not keen on 442 but not keen on soucek neither..cant stretch that 0.5??

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Egan

    3. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Egan for me.

  4. R.DON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mane instead of Salah. still not sure apart from that how does this look?
    Mcarthy Ryan
    alex arnold justin holding KWP Mitchel
    Dourcoure Saka Mane Aubameyang Stephens
    Adams Vardy Werner.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      bit light in midfield and defence imo

      1. R.DON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        fair point

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

      Doucoure, Saka, Stephens to Soucek, Ceballos and Bissouma if you're going down that route

  5. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Do we think Nketiah is gonna start tomorrow? Would like this guy but I've read articles today suggesting Lacazzette wants to stay at Arsenal now.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      what he wants and what happens are 2 different things. nketiah is the perfect punt for the first 2gws imo

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

        What makes you so sure he will start?

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

    Anyone going without Trent for the first 3 weeks?

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

      season pick

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

        He is but I'm wondering if I can delay it and maybe get a few extra clean sheets.

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

      ...but why?

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

        allows Ings over DCL for GW1.

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

          I can't guarantee that's an upgrade

          Especially with the transfers to get TAA in... When we already have to spend transfers on Manchester and maybe cheap Burnley/Villa picks

          One fewer future transfer by starting with TAA

          Then there's the risk of double figures for TAA vs Leeds

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

            You make some good points and all things I'm trying to weigh up. I can see the Leeds game being a 3-2 kind of match given that Bielsa teams press high and man mark elsewhere. Then it's Chelsea (who I'm hot on) and Arsenal who can always score.

            It's a risk but when you factor in TAA without any pre-season, I'm wondering if I can steal a march while covering the Southampton Palace fixture with Southampton's best attacker.

    3. Two Popes and a Gazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      So not Robertson either?
      But who else are you picking for guaranteed clean sheets then?

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

        Guaranteed is a stretch, but there's decent defenders at 5m which would allow me to get Martial in Gw2.

  7. Art Vandelay
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Evenin' all

    Would really welcome some thoughts on this Salah-less team.

    United plans are Ings > Martial or Alli/Hav > Rashford.

    Plan to rotate ASM and Taylor.

    McCarthy
    TAA Robbo Davies (Taylor Mitch)
    Auba Havertz Alli ASM (Bissouma)
    Ings Adams Werner.

    Cheers and good luck all!!

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

      I like it, one small niggle, do you need 2 Southampton strikers? Adams to Mitrovic or Ings to Jiminez to balance?

      Great draft tho!

      1. Art Vandelay
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers.

        I can't see myself hanging on to them both but like the double up punt against decimate Palace.

        Ings probably becomes Martial next week unless Southampton look really strong.

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

          Fair enough, good luck buddy

          1. Art Vandelay
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Cheers.

            Will probably bottle it and revert to my Salah team 😆

  8. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Van der Beek will steal minutes from Greenwood?

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

      No

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

      ...how...?

  9. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Your suggestions please

    Should I make any final changes to this back 7

    McCarthy Nyland

    TAA Davies Egan Justin Ayling

    1.5 ITB

    Any ideas would be welcomed

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

      Looks good to me buddy

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

      g2g

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

    McCarthy
    Justin, Holding, TAA.
    Bowen, Pulisic, Son, Auba.
    Adams, Jiminez, Werner

    Martinez, ASM, Egan, Mitchell.

    Out of 10?

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

      15

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

        Damn that good huh?

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      6 - Needs Salah/Mane imo

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

        I am a bit worried but I would have to lose Auba to make that happen, got TAA for pool cover

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

    Gtg and is this my best starting line-up? Thanks fellas

    Ramsdale
    TAA | Davies | Saiss | KWP
    ASM | Auba (C) | Mane (V)
    DCL | Ings | Werner

    GK: Steer | Diangana | Bissouma | Ferguson

    0.5 ITR

    GW2 - lngs > Martial
    GW3 - Auba > KDB

    Gl to everyone!

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

      6/10 missing spurs/sot mid/attack but g2g for gw2

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

        Does Ings not cover Sot attack? Also how could I implement Spurs mid here?

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      KdB will rise before gw3

  12. Mackans
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Do you think Greenwood will be banned some games?

    1. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No

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

      Absolutely not

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

      For??? I don't think United will punish his international antics.

  13. jimmyabs1987
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Just a pre warning, everything you discuss and decide about today the opposite will happen when the GW starts 🙂
    Can’t wait for the “oh if I just kept Alli in for Son”

    Or

    “Why didn’t I go with Vardy it was so obvious! He is the golden boot winner”

    Or

    “Should never have gone with an unproven PL player”

    Or

    “Ings essential”

    Or

    “Kane is a troll”

    Or

    “Why didn’t I go with pulisic over Havertz”

    Any more.....

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

      "remove unspace lines"

  14. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. Son and Jimi
    B. JWP and Kane

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

      A

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

      B going off start of season. Traore playing wingback will hurt Jimi.

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

        Fair point about Traore

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

      Son and Ings

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

    NO MORE TINKERING.

    Time to sit back and enjoy the ride 🙂

    (Not for long)

  16. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    No mention really of Rasford for next week. People not think he’ll kick kick on again this year and more points from midfield?

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

      Not sure if he is fit?

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

      Son has good fixtures too.

    3. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The move to midfielder makes him tempting, but I just think a motivated Martial like we saw post lockdown is more of appealing for me in terms of a Man Utd attacker.

  17. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Che Adams or Ings?

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

      I’ve gone Adams.

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

      I have Che but both are such good options.

    3. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dings

  18. Ballistics
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    18m on the bench. Are you lower or higher?

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

      19 mil

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

      17

    3. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Lower

    4. Openboxman
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      21.5

  19. Openboxman
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ramsdale
    Robbo - TAA - KWP
    Auba - Havertz - Soucek - Alli - Bissouma
    Werner - DCL

    Button - Taylor - Martial - Ferg

    Bissouma is a 1 week only thing. Any other 4.5 mid could replace.

    Robbo can also become Davies with 2m in the bank for future transfers.

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

      Solid defence that. Not a massive fan of DCL but looks good!

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

      9/10

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

      Soucek is a bad pick and will lose value.

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

        Ramsdale > 4.5
        Soucek > ASM

  20. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any glaring errors?
    Think I feel settled with this one. Will look at united/city assets GW 3

    Ramsdale
    TAA, Robbo, Vinagre
    Salah, Auba, Havertz, Soucek, ASM
    Werner, Wilson

    Steer, KWP, Mitchell, Davis

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

      6.5/10 missing spurs coverage imo

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

        Cheers. Not sold on spurs since mourinho came in. I like Son but happy to monitor for now. I will probably be proved wrong!

  21. SAY MY NAME
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    No doherty or vinagre in predicted teams should i be worried? Limited internet where i am so cant check easily - can anyone advise please?

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think they are both risks for completely the opposite reasons. One has just arrived and the other could be on their way out. I have ditched Doherty.

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers mate

  22. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Folks, Adams or Nketiah ?

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

      Adams

  23. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    gl all think i m getting there. will probably look back at my team comes gw38 and wonder what the hell was i thinking but right now it feels balanced punty and safe at the safe time 🙂

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

    Anyone having Podence?

    He is the best projected 5.5m player over the first 6 GW and Iv not seen anyone post them in their team

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      will he start ?

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

        That’s it with the 5.5m bracket. Iv got ASM but I’m also looking at either Saka and Podence to put in my team as well

  25. Tricky FC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    worth keeping bruno on team? talk of quarantine. too risky? planned to keep transfer for another move.

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

      Im planning to bring him in. Where did you read about quarantine?

      1. Tricky FC
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        that he is in portugal, if he doesnt return before 4am.. he quarantines

  26. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Wilson, ASM & Egan (KWP, Mitchell, )
    B) Wilson, Mitrovic & Taylor (KWP, Mitchell, Bissouma)

    1) Egan (Bissouma) (4-4-2)
    2) Soucek (Taylor) (3-5-2)

    Cheers

  27. spotfixers
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    which 4.0 defender is nailed?
    which 4.5 midfielder is recommended?
    which 5.0 defender is recommended?

    Please and thank you?

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

      Mitchell for now
      Stevens from Leeds
      Egan or Ben Davies

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

    Rate this beast of a team

    McCarthy
    TAA - Davies - Holding - Justin - Mitchell
    Salah - Auba - Havertz - Alli - ASM
    Werner - Mitro

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

    A) Ali or B) Son or another mid up to 10.5 for 1 week. Have Havertz in already.

    TIA

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

      B

  30. SH
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    There is a chance Bruno might not play in GW2, don't know if this has already been posted.

    https://twitter.com/samuelluckhurst/status/1304427920715403264?s=20