Pro Pundits - Mark

How I plan to overcome absence of Man United players from FPL Gameweek 1

The founding father of Fantasy Football Scout, nine-time top 10k finisher, with three all-time top 500 ranks, Mark Sutherns reveals his tips and team for Gameweek 1 of the new FPL season.


Maybe it’s the quick turnaround. Maybe it’s been my newfound awareness of the noisy Fantasy Football community. Or maybe it’s just my diminishing ability to balance an obsession and the minimum requirements of a functioning 48-year-old adult. Whatever the reason, settling on an initial squad has been more agonising than ever.

In truth, it’s the absence of the two Manchester clubs from the Gameweek 1 fixtures that’s probably to blame for all the handwringing. My FPL muscle memory has failed to compute how to build for the opener without two such attacking heavyweights. 

Until the early hours of this morning, I was obsessed with plans to accommodate a United asset for their Gameweek 2. I’ve flipped flopped between Anthony Martial (£9.0m) and Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m) and whipped myself into a frenzy about reserving funds to accommodate them ahead of the Crystal Palace’s Old Trafford visit. 

But now I’m prepared to go without. Because while I’m likely correct to assume that United will be a force, I was ignoring the fact that Chelsea – bloated by an array of new attacking talent – could be superior and offer stronger value. 

This may not transpire just yet, but I’m comfortable that within a few rounds of fixtures, we’ll start to witness Chelsea’s potential to overshadow all but Liverpool and City for attacking output. 

So I’m getting on early. I’ve remained a passenger Tim Werner-wagon, but with the caveat that, if I have any early doubts after Monday night’s display, I can alight at Martial ahead of Gameweek 2. That’s because Christian Pulisic (£8.5m) will be in place as my weapon of choice from Frank Lampard’s impressive armoury. 

Pulisic may not start at Brighton, but I feel he’ll get enough pitch time to trouble the Seagulls defence and offer reassurance that he could threaten to break into the top tier of midfielders. 

I’ve also gambled on his team-mate Reece James (£5.0m). If he figures at the Amex Stadium, James is far from assured to follow it up with a string of appearances to come. However, as a Gameweek 1 dice roll, he can offer an upside second only to Liverpool’s full-backs that sandwich him in my three-man defence, bristling with promise. 

With Ruben Vinagre (£4.5m) in reserve and Luke Ayling (£4.5m) to come in for Gameweeks 2 and 3, I might just have contingency before I’m forced to make “wasted” transfers in defence. 

Elsewhere, the team-sheet is unashamedly template with Che Adams’ (£6.0m) inclusion another gamble. 

The Saint may only get an hour against Palace and perhaps less against Spurs the week after. However, having seen Fulham in the Championship, I’m willing to offer odds that Adams will get as many opportunities in 60 minutes as the coveted Aleksandar Mitrović (£6.0m) is fed in 90. 

He may just have to live off scraps and errors against Arsenal and Leeds, though following that I might be forced to look to the Serbian should Adams falter. 

That’s purely speculation. Just a single set of images snipped from the visions of the early Gameweeks that have played on repeat in my head. I’ve no idea how close those imagined highlights will be to the events to come, I’m just glad that I can finally eject the tape and settle down to watch the real thing unfold.

The pre-season has been painful for me, but it would have been more agonising had I not found a place – a new start – in the Fantasy Football community. I’ve been amazed at the content produced in the past six weeks and I’m delighted to be playing my part. Thanks for welcoming me back and see you on the other side of Gameweek 1. 

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Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

953 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy (Steer)
    TAA, Justin, Davies, KWP (Fergusson)
    Salah, Auba, Son, ASM (Bissouma)
    Werner, Ings (Davies)

    Chaaaaarrrrrgggggeeeee

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

      Template, similar to mine. I have:
      - Mitchell (Over Fergusson)
      - Brewster (over Davies, chance of SHU loan)

      Considering:
      - 4.5m BHA DEF instead of Mitchell to rotate with KWP
      - Podence over ASM

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

        I want 0.5 ITB for the option of going Ings to Martial

        Why Mitchell over Fergusson?

        I sort of hate it’s 4-4-2 but it gives maximum flexibility in attack

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

          Havertz instead of Son gives you the extra 0.5, of sticking with the Palace 4.0.

          Mitchell will start the season (albeit probably not for long) whilst Fergusson is still injured, and will be for a little while.

      2. Nightf0x
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        same but will wait and see podence

  2. Boaz05
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi everyone. Some help please.

    What is the best way to find out predicted lineups?

    I need to find out for the next 6 gameweeks, guarenteed to start.

    Best 4.0 defender. Mitchell? Douglas?
    Best 4.5 midfielder. Stephens, Bissouma, Romeu?

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

      I’m on Mitchell and Reed FWIW

      1. Boaz05
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks for the reply, didn't know about Reed, he isn't starting on the websites i'm looking at.

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

    A) ASM Mitchell

    B) Soucek Taylor

    1. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’m on A but open to B

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

        Mitchell would be second 4.0

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

      B

  4. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Villa fans - Steer or Nyland?

    Leeds fans - Ayling or Dallas?

  5. Billy Ketsu
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    There he is. That's more like it.

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

    Don’t see much of Vardy..?

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

      Shhh.

    2. gauzah
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ive got him right now but very tempted to switch to Timo. Worried about %

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

        I’m thinking No Salah and have both Werner and Vardy

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

    Would you

    a)Wilson or
    b) Mitrovic + .5

    Cannot make my mind up

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

      I’m on mitrogol.

      Wasnt keen on a Double up with ASM

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

        Ta, don’t have asm so Wilson is edging it

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

    I’m surprised not to see Willian in any of the RMT’s.
    Looks like a great placeholder for ManU assets with those first two fixtures imo...

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

      Not sure he’ll start. Unless they play 4 at the back and he plays as a 10. Then he’s be a great option. Let’s see today...

  9. Konstaapeli
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Puli or Kai

    B) Ryan or McCarthy

  10. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Havertz or Pulisic?

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

      I'm gunna wait and see.
      Both good.

  11. Mesh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Dier or Davies and why?

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

      Davies. Returns.

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

      i tossed a coin. davies

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

        Sessegnon risk?

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

    a) Son + Ings
    b) Barnes + Kane

  13. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone going with Leno between the sticks?

    Still tempted

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

      Just can’t find that extra 0.5

  14. Jotangs
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this final team?

    Mccarthy

    Justin TAA saliba

    Salah Auba ASM JWP Son

    Vardy Richarlison

    Bench: 4.0gk Mitchell Ferguson Brewster

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

    Anyone going without Salah?

    A or B

    Rip it up A or B?

    A,

    McCarthy
    Trent, Egan, Robbo
    Auba C, Soucek, Son, ASM
    Vardy, DCL, Werner

    Steer, Mitchell, Burr, Reed

    1.5

    B,

    Mccarthy,
    TAA, Justin, Dier
    Auba,Havertz, Alli, Soucek, ASM
    Ings, Werner

    Steer, Vinagre, Martial, Mitchell.

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

      A but not liking DCL pick

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

        Everton have plenty of mids capable of a good pass, DCL should get good supply?

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

          7m is awkward price tag. Would rather go for Mitro or Adams

  16. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hey Ed, what time do the FFS servers go down?

    Asking for a friend.

  17. rilo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi 🙂

    Son + Ings or Kane + Havertz

    I have also Werner and Ward-Prowse

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

      a

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

      Ings and Havertz for me - think Chelsea and Soton are going to be better than Spurs, especially going forward.
      But you will be as good at predicting the future as me.

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

    douglass a starter for leeds we think?

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

      Not a regular one

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

    Diet or Davis and why? We not think sessegnon a risk to Davis minutes?

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

      Dier*

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

      i went davies

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

    Folks, anyone heard anything about Nketiah being doubtful for today ?

  21. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    1) Need to pick 2 strikers from Mitro/Adams/Antonio....will likely discard one of them after gw1....which two?

    2) Lamptey or Taylor....who is more nailed long term?

    3) Steer or Nyland as bench gk?

  22. fplchampzzz
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mccarthy
    Holding Justin TAA Davies
    Auba Alli Son ASM
    Werner Adams

    First 11 good to go for gameweek 1? Thanks!

  23. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Can only have one for long term?

    Mitrovic
    Foden
    ASM

    1. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitro

  24. KEN YA DIG IT
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Pages flying. I love it

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

    Mitchell or Ferguson? On bench for first two games

    1. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitchell

  26. shady4revr
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Main thi?

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

    Which combo would u go for WEEK 1 ONLY (WC following week)

    A) Son and Dier

    B) Alli and Bowen

    1. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  28. Kane of Thrones
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. Wilson+Alli(+1ITB)
    or
    B. ASM+vardy

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

    RMT:

    McCarthy
    TAA KWP Justin
    Salah Auba Son ASM
    Werner Ings Mitrovic

    1. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Template, good luck mate

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

    Antônio not playing?

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

      Why wouldn’t he be?