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. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. Son and dcl
    Or
    B. Alli and richarlison

    1. Our Tiny Windows
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

      Alli and DCL

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

      a

    4. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B.

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

    Rate out of 10.

    McCarthy
    Trent • Justin • Vinagre • Mitchell
    Salah(C) • Mane • Auba
    Werner • Mitrovic • Adams
    (4.0 / Taylor / 4.5 / 4.5)

    1. Our Tiny Windows
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      6

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

      6.5/10 missing EVE/Spurs coverage

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

        2 inconsistent teams though. Rather stock up on teams I know will do well.

        1. Our Tiny Windows
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah Everton coverage is an oxymoron.

          But Salah Mane is overkill.

          Mitchell starting is abhorrent.

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

            Who else will play LB. He’s only playing 1 week with Taylor on the bench. Everyone would have Salah/Mane if it wasn’t for their form after they won the league which is understandable since they had already won it

            1. Our Tiny Windows
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Hope it pays off for you!

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

      8.5

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

    Any Leicester fans around?
    Will Maddison start? Fancy Vardy if Maddy looks like starting...

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

      No
      No

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

      Vardy vs any promoted teams is gold.

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

    How is this:

    McCarthy
    TAA Justin Mitchell (CTaylor Lascelles)
    Salah Auba Havertz Soucek (Bissouma)
    Werner Mitro Ings

    Ings to Martial next week.

    Thanks.

    1. Our Tiny Windows
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitchel and Soucek are not starting XI.

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

        Soucek most definitely is

        1. Our Tiny Windows
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I mean they shouldn’t be in your starting XI.

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

            And I mean Soucek should be, scored more goals than most players people are putting in there starting XI

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

        You sound very certain when the majority think they are

      3. Smell the Lavender
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Soucek is nailed whenever fit.

    2. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      F’in hell I’ve very similar team

      I’ve Lamptey and JWP to your Lascelles and CTaylor

      Not that it matters but who’s your bench GK?

      1. JoeJitzu +42
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        *KWP

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

      Nice! near identical to mine, but I have mane instead of salah. and gonna hang onto Ings for a while, and go Soucek to greenwood. good luck! 🙂

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

    Who gets more points Calvert lewin or Callum Wilson ?

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

      Cal

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

      DCL

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

      DCL higher ceiling, Wilson is more consistent

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

      Wilson

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

      DCL

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

    Reckon Pulisic will start on Monday? Been back in training since yesterday I think. If not, will Havertz?

    Also, Adams nailed for Southampton?

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

      Personally think he will come off the bench

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

      I went havertz incase pulisic doesn't start

    3. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pulisic maybe but at least mins of the bench. Havertz I think will get 60ish.

      Not nailed but we believe he is in control of that spot atm.

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

    I know options are slim but who are the most nailed 4m defenders?

    1. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitchel now....

      Ferguson in a few weeks

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitchell
      Burr
      Johnson

  8. Whiskerz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Tell me why your team is better than mine

    Mccarthy
    TAA . KWP . Tierney . Dier
    Auba . Son . Havertz . JWP
    Werner . Wilson

    Button . Mitchell . Bissouma . Martial

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

      Yours doesn’t have Kane

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

        it did for quite a while. He just looks so off the pace

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

      No Salah / Mane

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

        out of the two id have mane, but it would only be for 1 gw, so i spread the funds around the team instead

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

      No kane/vardy

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

        vardy is the one id truly like to fit in. Settled on martial for gw2 though

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

          Vardy's fixtures are perfect though if you're playing based on fixtures.

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

            Sacrifices have to be made

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

              Yup, I'm trying to play based on fixtures rather than players this time round.

  9. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts.....

    1, DCL lots of exciting new teammates or Wilson usually starts off well

    2, Going without Salah worth the stress of watching the game not owning?

    3. Who do you not own who you fear?

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

      1 tough one. DCL probably the sensible option if you don’t hold another Everton player.

      2. No. Auba let me down too many times. Has to be Salah.

      3Auba

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1. Got soft spot for Wilson
      2. Not worth the stress, get him
      3. Ings and Son

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Prefer DCL

      Watch it. I don't own salah either. Just remember if he hauls he wont in the next 2 fixtures (probably)

      Salah for GW1, no one else tbh

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

      1. I would say wilson but his fixtures not nice after first 2.

      2. Worth the stress watching.

      3. Doherty

    5. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers guys,

      Got DCL, Werner & Vardy

      No Salah, but Robbo & Trent

      Salah/Mane

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

    Yeah yeah no Salah..
    Rip it apart
    Who would you change?

    McCarthy
    TAA Justin KWP Coady
    Auba© Son Barnes
    Werner DCL Mitro

    Bench: Rashford AWB Bissouma
    0ITB

    In GW2 the UTD boys will come on for KWP and Coady

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

      I have been burnt by Barnes before but I support taking a punt away from template.

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

    Ings, Puli/Havertz & Son or Salah, Alli & Adams?

    Current team
    McCarthy (Button)
    TAA, Egan, Davies (Shaw, 4.0m)
    Auba, Salah, Alli, Barnes (4.5m)
    Werner, Ings, Mitro

    Any suggestions would be great, cheers!

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

      What kind of budget is this?

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

        I can fit both into that team, just asking for thoughts on what option

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

    Thoughts on this team?

    McCarthy
    TAA/Davies/Vinagre
    Salah/Auba/Son/ASM/Soucek
    Werner/Ings

    4.0/KWP/4.0def/Brewster

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Good to go.

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

      Taylor over KWP

  13. Mother of Lucas
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Guys, why isn't there an option to vote for my boy Lucas Moura in this week's captaincy poll?
    Don't you know he is going to be the *star-player*.

  14. mille
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son or Ings for GW1?

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

      I went for Son

    2. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ings just. Mainly because Palace D is broken.

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

    A: Alli + Wilson
    B: ASM + Ings (with 0.5M ITB to upgrade Ings to Martial in GW2)

    Auba Fernandes Havertz Soucek XXX
    Werner Mitrovic XXX

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

      B.

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

    best asm differentials ???

  17. Big Hass
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any advice on this team?
    Mccarthy
    Trent KWP James
    Aubameyang Salah Son ASM
    Adams Werner Wilson

    Bench: Steer Justin Mitchell Bissouma

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

      personally would avoid chelsea defence and doubling up on southampton- kwp and mccarthy

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

    DCL or Wilson?

    Already have ASM

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

      DCL then

  19. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Son + Wilson
    B) Kane + Saint Maximin
    C) Alli + Wilson + 1m to upgrade elsewhere

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

      A

    2. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B.

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

    Which two?
    A, Grady Diangana
    B, Saka
    C, ASM
    D, Podence

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

      Diangana and ASM

    2. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A & C but only because likely starters.

  21. Muller Reus Corner
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How’s my team?
    McCarthy, Nyland
    TAA, Robbo, Doherty, Vinagre, Mitchell
    Auba, Pulisic, ASM, Bruno, Bissouma
    Werner, Mitrovic, Adams.

    Is it too risky going without Salah?

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

      Only you can tell, I’ve mixed without salah for a couple of days but it always ending up with bringing him back

      1. Muller Reus Corner
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Same, but I can’t see any other way of getting a ManU asset with my setup, plus I have double Liverpool defence instead of a 4.5m defender.

  22. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Still not a single 6.5m mid I want.

    5.5m best is ASM?
    7.5 James?

    No thanks.

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

      Foden have enough elsewhere this week.

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

        Not to start thank you.
        Maybe week 3 or 4 and on.

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      This. Nothing between 8.0 - 5.5

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

      Keita will play. No international duty. Wijnaldum And Henderson doubts. And he started playing well during lockdown

  23. Wally711
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Looks like Leno is starting with Martinez left off the squad. Is this info 100%?

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

      yes

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

    So I was going to have Willian for 2 weeks but he's not in the predicted line ups. So who?

    Saka, Barnes, Perez, Alli.

    Saka gives me the option of deciding between him and ASM who to upgrade.

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

      Which means absolutely nothing

  25. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who should I bench
    A) Vinagre
    B) Soucek
    C) ASM
    D) Davies

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      D

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

      A

  26. Teomi
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Pls have a look !
    My head needs some rest, can I leave it like this and enjoy the weekend?

    McCarthy
    Taa Justin Vinagre
    Auba salah Alli asm soucek
    Werner Ings Adams

    Walton bissouma Taylor Ferguson

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

      Awful 3/10

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

        Obviously it’s decent

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

      How dare FPL give you 16 players!!!!

      How much did you pay them ffs?

      Come on. Tell.

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

        My head really needs a rest!!
        No soucek.... 3-4-3 it is..

  27. thehodge
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Haven’t posted my full team yet but the closer the deadline gets the more indecisive I get. Any suggestions welcome!
    McCarthy/Steer
    Taylor/Mitchell/TAA/Egan/ X
    Salah/Auba/JWP/Soucek/ X
    Davis/ Wilson/ X
    Considering
    A. VVD, Alli and Werner
    B. Saiss, Havertz and Kane
    I’ve .5m left either with both options
    Cheers!

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

      Asaiss, Havertz and Werner.
      Davis to Miteovic

  28. QUEN
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any updates today? Been AFK all today

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

      Scout tweets. Home page.

  29. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    When is Ferguson (Palace) expected back?

    Is he nailed to start once he is?

  30. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Last spot in my team need some help!

    A Havertz
    B Pulisic
    C Alli

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

      I'm trying to decide the same thing...

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

      B

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

      a