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. andrinho
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Rate my team - Any thoughts appreciated!

    McCarthy (Ramsdale)
    TAA Tierney Justin (Taylor) (Bernardo)
    Salah Auba Soucek Havertz (Bissouma)
    Werner Adams Wilson

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

      No spurs at all is risky

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

    thoughts on djenepo as differential to asm??

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

      ASM is a premature bandwagon imo

    2. Bojan Horsemack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like Djenny, but not a guaranteed starter

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

    Any help is greatly received - RMT

    McCarthy (Steer)

    KWP, TAA, Vinagre, Justin (Mitchell)

    ASM, Redmond, Salah, Aub (Bissouma)

    Kane, Werner (Davis)

    Got 1.5ITB to plan

    GW2 Redmond > Greenwood
    GW3 AUB > KDB
    Save the 1itb for the Wildcard in GW4/GW5

    1. majesticsiva87
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I do have Steer as my second keeper. Can you pls let me know will start or Nyland will get nod..I am confused...help me out..thanks in advance

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

    McCarthy 4.0

    TAA Holding Davies Saiss Bernardo

    Auba Mane Alli Soucek Greenwood

    Adams Werner ( Davis)

    1.0 ITB
    4-4-2 for GW1
    alli out rashford in or Davis for Doherty
    thoughts????

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

    Y'all have a fantastic & wonderful FPL season ahead! 😉

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

      Very kind, you too

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

      Same to you. Feels like we are all going in for an exam.

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

    Whos better option at 6.0? Less rotation risk?
    A) Nketiah
    B) Che Adams

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

      Tricky one that. I'd go Adams if pushed tho.

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

    final picks....till tomorrow

    mcarthy
    robertson /vinagre / kwp / trent
    asm / havertz / salah (c)/soucek
    mitrovic /adams

    martinez/ mitchell /martial /de bruyne

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

      That's a pretty good team considering the strength on your bench

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

        why thank you kind sir ,dumped spurs today,they just have too many games and i like the saving chips and transfer strategy,no auba may well backfire ,but i have salah for the duration and wouldnt have capt auba anyway ,it may cost me a dozen points but hey ho ...

    2. lazff
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      you know what....F**k Auba

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

        That's a good point

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          *It's not a good point

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

            Also a good point

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

    Salah, Che Adams and 4.0 keeper
    OR
    Havertz/Son, Ings and 4.5 keeper

    ??????

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

      Son/Havertz is tricky ini.
      I'm going son coz he's tried tested in PL and he's pretty awesome.

      The keeper would be ur bench keeper yes? If so who's ur no.1?

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

        Mccarthy, no.1. Nothing special. Already have Kane so not sure about 2 spurs

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

          If you have Kane ye I'd stay away from Son probs. Be good to cover Chelsea with Havertz in that case

  9. mbsoz45
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Repost – stuck on end of page.

    Unbalanced but gets the MF heavies and Doherty:

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA, Doherty, Egan, Justin (Mitchell)
    Auba, Salah, Son, ASM (Bissouma)
    Werner, Adams (4.5 – Brewster if he’s sent on loan)

    1.5 itb for these transfers:
    GW2 Son > Bruno
    GW3 Auba > KDB

    I’ve read the discussion about saving free transfers, but Bruno is too much money sitting on the bench for GW1

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

      Nice team, worried about Doherty starting tomorrow as he hasnt played a pre-season game yet

      Doing Salah to Fernandes
      Aubu to KDB.

      and updrade ASM to Havertz

      I might play Havertz at the start but that might be a little risky (instead of Salah).

      I think points per game for value there are better options than Salah/Mane at the moment

  10. Auba100
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts anyone.
    2.5m left in bank. Son>KDB

    Mcarthy, Nyland
    TAA, Vinagre, Justin (Mitchell, Douglas)
    Salah, Auba(C) Son, ASM (Stephens)
    Mitro, Adams, Werner

  11. Stefan1221
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 4.5 defender? Planning on having them for a while

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

      I like KWP or Taylor for mid term

  12. Spurrsy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mccarthy
    Taa/Justin/KWP/Mitchell
    Salah/Aub/Alli/ASM
    Mitrovic/Werner

    Nyland/Martial/Taylor/Bissouma

    Wanted Son, priced and hoping Alli finds form. Any changes?

  13. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Callum Wilson or ASM & £1m?

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

      Suppose it depends on where the 1m would go. ITB?

      1. Hits from the Bong
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Not sure to be honest, current team below:

        McCarthy (Button)
        TAA Taylor Vinagre (Mitchell Douglas)
        Salah Aubameyang Son Soucek (Bissouma)
        Werner Ings Wilson

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

          I quite like that. And I prefer Wilson to ASM.

  14. paulb130774
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Great site, great camaraderie and great advice.

    It's like xmas eve, and I want Santa to bring me a Salah hat trick.

    Good luck to everyone, enjoy and don't take too seriously, mind your mental health.

    Enjoy.

  15. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 4.5m midfielder?

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

    As balanced as my team looks without Salah, I feel like having Salah and Auba gives me freedom to do ANYTHING should one of them not perform. Anyone agree or disagree?

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

      * Without having to activate a very early wildcard

  17. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who’s the best 4.5m midfielder?

  18. NotNowKato
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Maybe off topic, it now Ffs has teamed up with sponsorship, is there any chance that they can make the site mobile friendly?

  19. Razmataz
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who is the cheapest starting striker?

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

      Mitro

  20. arkom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    TAA / Justin / Vinagre
    Salah / Auba / Son
    Ings / Werner / Mitro

    + play:
    A) Soucek
    or?
    B) Walker-Peters

  21. Leeroy357
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any thoughts?

    McCarthy - (Nyland)
    TAA - Davies - Vinagre - Dallas - (Mitchell)
    Salah - Auba - Pulisic - Ward-Prowse - (Bissouma)
    Werner - Martial - (Davis)

  22. Yandog8
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Am I missing something or the Scout's Team total worth is £103M?

  23. Monkeyslut96
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What are people’s thoughts on this team?

    McCarthy
    TAA Justin Davies
    Auba Alli Salah ASM/Soucek
    Werner Wilson Mitro

    Subs: Ryan, KWP, Mitchell, Stephens

    1.5mil in the bank to do:
    Auba —> KDB
    Salah —> Bruno
    Wilson —> Martial

  24. Kmskev
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone considering bench boost for GW1. It is something I have been attempting to do for last number of seasons as usually when I do bench boost during season it never really works out. Basically you get to wildcard a bench boost. It also gets it out of the way. With both Manchester clubs not playing and a few cheaper players starting in GW1, it frees up more options.....

    McCarthy / Johnstone

    Mitchell / TAA / KWP / Vinagre / Justin

    Auba / Salah (C) / Alli / ASM / Soucek

    Werner / Adams / Wilson

    1.5 ITB to leave as is or make multiple changes to the above.

    Not really looking for advice on the team, just showing an example of what can be done. A WC can be used in GW2 or free up 1.0 plus 1.5 ITB to have enough to transfer Bruno in for Alli and then GW3 KDB in for Auba etc, so no hits are taken.

  25. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Lei fans seem to be predicting 3 atb, should I sell Barnes?

  26. Bobby's Teeth
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Please help for good karma, top lads!

    A) Doherty + Greenwood
    B) Davies + Pulisic/Havertz

  27. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Interesting to see who the Scout picked as their captain this week. Thought stats would have pointed to the guy who came in second place.

  28. BusbySwede
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    19.0 to spend on 1 mid and 1 forw, which ones?

    A) Kane & Havertz/Pulisic/Greenwood/other

    B) Salah & Mitrovic/Wilson/Wood/other

    Auba - ASM - Soucek - Alli -?
    Werner - Adams -?

  29. Scrabby
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Rate my team:

    McCarthy

    TAA- Doherty-Recce
    Salah-Auba-Havertz-Saint Max
    Mitrovic-Werner-Batshuayi

    Steer-Holding-Mitchell-Stephens