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

    Can't wait for the "I had him in my team" comments. Yeah, we all did during one of the 1758 drafts...

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

      Joelinton brace incoming

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

    9% owned! Wow! Would have been huge without the injury doubt! Surely everyone wants him?

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

      Who?

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

        Puli

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

        Hint1: American. Hint2: Too scorer this season. Hint3: Ends the season at close to 10m

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

          Top

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

      on the bench

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

        He’s usually poor off the bench, right?

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

      Going right into my team when he's all clear

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

        Psst, he’s all clear!

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

        Been training since Wednesday.

  3. Purse83
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Evening

    No one considering Nketiah? Arteta seems to have made him #1 up top and rumours are Laca wants to leave.

    Scored midweek for U21’s too...

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

      Hmm Arsenal looks like a rotation nightmare imo. But you may be right. Has he played over Laca in pre season?

  4. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Martinez will not be in Arsenal's squad for tomorrow's game against Fulham according to reports

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

      Going to move isn't he. Have you checked possible destination ?

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

        Brighton or Villa, brighton offered more than villa

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

          Choas 😀

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

          Surely Villa then? He will want a starting spot and Ryan is class

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

            20m is tag

            Hopefully they sign Romero. The lad deserve first team football

      2. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Villa or Brighton

        CHE should sign him up thou 😉

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

          You're better keeper than Kepa 😉

  5. Gaffa914
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    unsure whether to start with Webster or risk it and get Lamptey

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

      Go white and enjoy

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

        THIS

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

        Kind of racist

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

          Only to a small minded individual looking for cheap jokes 😉

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

    What's the crack with Traore, Covid-tied or what?

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

    What strange team coverage I have...

    3 x Arsenal
    2 x Lucas', Spurs, Saints, fodder
    1 of Liverpool, Chelsea, Everton, Newcastle, Brighton, Leicester

    Crazy times we live in.

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

    A) ASM & Egan (352)
    B) Doherty & 4.5 def (442)

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

    Hey fam! Thoughts on this lot?

    McCarthy (Button)
    TAA Robbo Mitchell (Taylor Johnson)
    Salah(C) Auba Havertz Alli (Bissouma)
    DCL Wilson Adams

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

      Looks over budget which is a good sign.

      Not sure Alli is worth 8m though when you can get Ings for 8.5m.

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

        Cheers mate! I just have a good feeling about Alli this season! He looks like a bargain at 8!

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

      Saliba instead of Taylor and Mitchell on the bench!

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

    Too light to start the season with:

    TAA Davies Justin Mitchell Ferguson ?

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

      yep, i think a tad light

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

      Yeah

    3. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pretty much the same as me, except I have Taylor instead of Ferguson. I didn't feel like it was too light though, only problem is maybe having to start Mitchell GW1

  11. ThisPostsOnFire
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What are the chances of Palace 0 - 0 Southampton??

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

      50%

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

      Think SOU will go for the kill.
      Palace will go for a point. As usual sit back and try to soak the pressure.

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

    Havertz or Pulisic ?

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

      Both but Havertz to begin with

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

      My plans for gw 2 on feature both

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

      cheers already have timo up top too

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

    Arsenal fans, is Willian expected to start?

    Also, what would the defence be? Saliba or Holding to start?

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

      Expect all three mentioned to start to be honest

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

        Thanks, mate!

        Really thinking of punting on Wilian than Auba

    2. DickFranDyke
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Willian most likely bench. Holding will definitly start, Saliba likely but also most likely to be rotated/rested due to age experience,therefore transfer waiting to happen.

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

        Leno

        Saliba Holding Tierney

        Bellerin AMN

        Ceballos Xhaka

        Pepe Auba

        Laca

        Maybe Saka for Pepe and Nketiah for Laca at a push

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

          Thanks a ton, KFC lover!!!

          You've put out my enthu for Wilian 😛

          BTW, Holding is a nice bet for 4.5.

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

        William bench? Interesting

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

          You think he starts?

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

    So now I have to worry about Doherty. Great

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

      Why?

  15. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts
    A c wilson
    B mitro
    has wilson had any gametime, ?likely to start?
    cheers

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

      Wilson straight in.
      Read somewhere that he had been training with BOU and so should be match fit.

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

        Cheers
        It’s Wilson for Mitrovic, or Adam’s
        Thanks

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

    Any Changes to this required

    McCarthy
    Justin Bertrand Holding Davies
    Bowen Salah Auba
    Adams Werner Kane

    Ramsdale Saint-Maximin Højbjerg Vinagre

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

      I like the Bertrand pick.

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

      Interesting what no TAA can give you, looks strong

  17. PompeyUpNorth!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So after hours of deliberation, this is it.. G2G?

    McCarthy/Button

    Trent Justin Robbo (Mitchell Taylor)

    Auba (C) Salah Alli ASM (Bissouma)

    Wilson Werner Mitro

    1. Takedog1
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like it

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

        Thank you. I appreciate that

  18. MarcusAurelius
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Do we think Martínez starts over Leno?

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

      No, he won't be travelling

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

        Thanks

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

    do we have an estimate on when Ferguson will be back ?

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

      not sir alex now! 😉

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

        🙁

        I was hoping we will get back to winning the PL!

  20. MattysFantasyFooty
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Justin or Lascelles?

    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      LEI defense is bad and so is NEW

      Las

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

      Neither tbf

  21. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Guys why no fpl show?

  22. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    some guy went thru the complete game and celebrations of Arsenal FA Cup victory and couldn't find when Luiz had the neck injury

    it looks COVID .. should be back in 2 weeks time

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

      Or you know he done it in training..

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        rumors of Arsenal hiding Ozil and Kolasinac COVID details too

  23. Takedog1
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is it bad im thinking of picking mount over havertz for the first few games?

  24. NobleBlackman
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Isn't this Scout Picks teams over budget? Clocks in at £102.5

  25. zdrojo187
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Saliba or Holding?

  26. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hey guys, how is this looking? Have 0.5 to do Ings > Martial next week

    McCarthy - Nyland
    TAA - Justin - Egan - Taylor - Vinagre
    Auba - Havertz - Son - ASM - Soucek
    Werner - DCL - Ings

  27. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    FOR WEEK 1 ONLY

    A) Werner Alli Soucek VVD

    B) Adams Son Bowen TAA

  28. good biashara
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I was about to rejoin FF after a three-year hiatus... but then I saw things like Auba and Rashford as MF and it totally put me off. That's just ridiculous isn't it? Like, it's now really disconnected from how the game (of football) is played. I mean come on, there's got to be something wrong with it if you can put 6-7 forwards in your starting 11. I know most of you don't mind because you're total addicts, I was one too in the past.

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

      Slanderous

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

    JWP is £6m, not £5.5m (per the article above)