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. Charan77
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Evening

    Pls rmt

    McCarthy
    TAA, DOHERTY, EGAN
    Salah (c), Auba, ASM, Soucek
    Mitrovic, Kane, Werner

    Nayland, Mitchell, Stephens, Bernardo

    Thanks

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

      7/10 would say missing vital eve/lei coverage

      1. Charan77
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Who do you recommend?

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

      asm soucek and mitro make a 1/4 of your team. not keen at all

      1. Towsor44
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        a 1/5

      2. Charan77
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Who do you recommend?

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

    Bit template but good to go?

    McCarthy
    TAA Justin Mitchell
    Salah (c) Auba (vc) Son ASM
    Werner Antonio Mitro

    Bench: Steer, Lascelles, Bissouma CTaylor

    1,5m in bank for Son to Bruno gw 2

  3. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thinking of going Salahless from GW2 onwards, how would this team look?

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA Gomez Holding KWP (Mitchell)
    Aubameyang KDB Son ASM (Bissouma)
    Werner Martial (Davis)

    Thinking of flipping the captaincy around between Auba-KDB-Werner-Son-Martial and doubling up on LIV defense instead. What do you all think?

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

      can you see CS against Leeds?

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        If I'm being honest, I'm borderline expecting it 😆

  4. Nando7
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Kane Werner ASM
    B) Kane Wilson Pulisic
    ???

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

    Feeling pretty template but that's not a bad thing right?

    Ramsdale,
    TAA, KWP, Davies
    (A)uba, Salah, ASM, Barnes
    Timo, Werner, Ings

    (Steer, Justin, Bisouma, Davis)

    Alternative would be to do:

    James Rodriguez + Havertz instead of Ings + Barnes.... Thoughts?

    1. Front 442
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Do you think Steer gets the nod over Nyland?

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

      Timo and Werner both playing!

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

        Loool meant mitro my bad

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

    think I'm just gonna start Bats and hope he plays, so start Bellerin and bench Egan?

  7. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ready? 🙂

    McCarthy - 4.0
    TAA - Digne - Tierney - C.Taylor - Mitchell
    Salah - Auba - JWP - Soucek - Bissouma
    Werner - Mitrovic - Ings

    0.5 in the bank for Ings ➡ Martial in GW2

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

    Is getting a United attacker worth it right now? After Palace, they don't have such easy games for a long time!

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

      And I'm a United fan btw! I want to see them scoring a lot in all the games, but it just doesn't seem likely to me looking at the fixtures!

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

      Its United.

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

    (A) Werner and playing 4.5m defender

    (B) DCL and Robertson

    Thanks.

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

      Very tight, prefer b with deck good run but a gives you chelsea captain option.

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

    Site is gonna crash anytime

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

    Down to 2 choices - one with Salah, other without - sand defences. Which would you go for?

    A Team A
    B Team B

    Team A

    McCarthy
    TAA Davies Justin
    Aubamayang Son Havertz ASM Soucek
    Werner DCL

    Button KWP Taylor Martial

    Team B ( .5 in bank for Ings to Martial)

    McCarthy
    TAA Davies Justin
    Aubamayang Salah Alli ASM Soucek
    Werner Ings

    Button KWP Davis Taylor

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

      * same defence!

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

      Hope you're good bro!

      Thats tough. I do like A but no sure on DCL?

      I think B is safer but then Davis as 4.5 striker could be a problem!

      I think I prefer Wilson over DCL in A

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

        All good thanks- hope same with you- how is your team coming along

        DCL could be Wilson or down to Adams (or Nketiah who could be good for first 2 ) just going no Salah... but Leeds may not be so easy and then fixtures but tougher

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

          yeah am good mate. Team is

          Mccarthy
          TAA Justin Vinagre
          Salah Auba Havertz Son Soucek
          Wilson Werner
          Steer Taylor 4.0 Def 4.5 striker.
          0.5 ITB

          no sure if I like it and no southamptom attacker

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

            It’s good- Vinagre sounds a bit of a transfer waiting to happen. It’s just having 4.5 striker - if you could move to Adams but means Son downgrade to 7.5m or below- You could get Rodriguez ahead of the crowd but risky

    3. OleBall
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  12. Fred the Red
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    1) Kane or no Kane?
    2) Kane or Trent?

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

    GTG?

    McCarthy
    TAA, Justin, KWP
    Salah, Aub, ASM, Son
    Werner, Adams, DCL

    (Steer, Mitchell, Saiss, Bissouma)

  14. pol
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A- ASM + Ings
    B- Barnes + Wilson

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

      A

  15. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Will Ben White go straight into the XI? Looks a quality player on the ball and passing could be good for BPS

  16. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Plzzzz give me ur opinions
    Mccarthy
    TAA Egan Justin
    AUBA Salah ASM Soucek
    DCL Kane Werner (C)
    Nylan Holding Bissouma Mitchell

  17. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT please!

    McCarthy
    TAA Doherty Saliba
    Soucek Diang Alli Auba(vc) Salah(c)
    Werner Wilson

    Nyland Mitro Justin Douglas

    I have 0.5itb

    Cheers!

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

    Once again - Egan in 442 or Soucek in 352?

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

      coin flip

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

      Soucek, because then you can have a 4.5 defender on the bench, might come in handy

  19. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I wanted to start with a Fulham keeper. Is that out of the question now?

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

      areola avaialble

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I am thinking its not clear who starts

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

      ah nips

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Saves! All about the saves!

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

    Start Diangana and bench Davies? Gig otherwise? Thanks

    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

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

      Yes

      1. Front 442
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Davies for Shaw and play 352
        You’ll thank me next week. Spurs have a crazy schedule and do you think they are going to keep a clean sheet tomorrow.
        Shaw would be a better investment

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

    McCarthy (4.0)
    TAA Bavies Justin (Taylor Ferguson)
    Salah Aubameyang Ceballos Soucek (Rashford)
    Werner Wilson Mitrovic

    0.5ITB

    A. Save money
    B. Upgrade McCarthy to 5.0
    C. Upgrade 4.0 GK to 4.5 (Rotation keeper)
    D. Something else?

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

      A

  22. Bumbaclot
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Pick 2 of mitro, asm and soucek to play please!!

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

      ASM & Soucek. If you don't play Soucek against Newcastle and our iffy aerial defence then there's probably no point in having him.

  23. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Listened to an extended Havertz analys on youtube (in polish I'm afraid) done by one of the top young journalists and have to say I'm getting him.
    Guy can play in any offensive position (inc nr.9) and due to his height and pace he is a true handfull for opposition, already regrded as the best Bayer talent ever.

    1. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Are u saying he is a better pick than Werner then?

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Im having both.

  24. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bench 1

    A. Justin

    B. KWP

    C. Davies

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

      B

  25. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    We now have 40 entries to the FPL FFS Old school league! I am intrigued to find out which stalwarts are in once the deadline comes.

    I know we have Doorsa, Berbs and Teddy for sure... For those that haven't emailed me, pipe up so I can match you to your FPL name!

    The eagle-eyed among you will note that the league name has been changed slightly to hide the fact that you have been on here for at least 10 years.

    League name: FPL FSS Old School.

    FOR ALL THOSE THAT HAVE JOINED, PLEASE EMAIL ME YOUR NAME AS REGISTERED ON THE FPL SITE, AND FFS ID IN ORDER TO CONTINUE YOUR ANONYMITY THROUGHOUT THE SEASON! djasatate@yahoo.co.uk

    League Code:einzkp

    1. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      remember you need to be registered for 10 years + on this site to enter!

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

      Just joined 🙂

      1. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        i forgot rasping drive....apologies Sir!

      2. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        It's a please Twisted, long time no see!

    3. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Where is Mark, Jonty and Granville?

  26. Neo-Viper
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Let's do this again!! Repost!!

    McCarthy | Button
    Taa Bavies Justin | Mitchel CTaylor
    Salah Alli Auba ASM | Souchek
    DCL Werner Mitro

    How did i do?

  27. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best set and forget keeper? Currently on Patricio but seems a lot of book.

  28. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any Bruno benchers lost their nerve yet ?

    1. Tinfoil Deathstar
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I keep flip-flopping between benching him and using a placeholder.

      Currently set on:

      McCarthy
      TAA - Egan - KWP - Justin
      Auba - Son - Havertz
      Adams - Werner - Mitro

      Subs: Mitchell (1); Bissouma (2); Bruno (3); Button

      Have contemplated having Alli, Pulisic, Willian, and Bowen all as placeholders...but given my indecision I'm leaning towards keeping Bruno on bench and having a bit more flexibility next GWK.

      Thoughts?

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’m staying strong, keeping him on the bench

      1. Tinfoil Deathstar
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Good man. Think I might have to hide my phone to prevent any last minute jitters.

  29. martyhan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts please on this
    Ramsdale
    KWP, trent, Mitchell
    Soucek, Son, Salah, Auba,
    Mitro, Wilson, Wierner

    Subs nyland, lamptey, Bissouma,taylor

    1.5 m itb

  30. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Armstrong?

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

      like him but injured?