Tips

The Complete Guide to Scout’s tips and advice for FPL Gameweek 1

It feels like we’ve had a half-term rather than a summer holiday – Gameweek 1 is upon us already!

During the break Fantasy Football Scout has been busy producing absolutely tons of exciting content. The aim of this guide is to distill that knowledge into a digestible format. As Andy’s recent guest Simon succinctly put it when explaining his use of stats: “it’s almost impossible to watch 20 hours of football per week”.

The first piece of advice given by three-time top 200 finisher Lateriser is:

Read up about football more and then tinker… What happens when you are doing this is that you are strengthening your instinct, your subconscious… and then you tend to be more decisive.

– Lateriser

The most important news for you to read first is the team news.

Neale reported the headlines from Thursday’s press conferences: Chelsea’s new-signing Hakim Ziyech is out for a couple of weeks; Christian Pulisic is ahead of schedule and could feature this weekend; Mason Holgate will miss Everton’s trip to North London with a toe injury; and Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed that budget ‘keeper Alex McCarthy is his No 1.

David and co have been reviewing all the pre-season matches in the Scout Notes and analysing the new additions to the Premier League in the Scout Reports.

If you want to quickly look up a particular team or player, the easiest way to find the information you need is via The Complete Guide to Pre Season. This section of the website lists all the articles associated with each club.

Pay Attention to Captaincy

Another of Lateriser’s rules – pay attention to captaincy. It can make up 25 per cent of your score and it’s the biggest decision you make each week. Our upside-chasing Pro Pundit advocates, on occasion, bringing in a player for a hit – even for one Gameweek.

The first Captain Sensible article of the new season has, for a change, been written by Jan Sienkiewicz. Jan finished in the top 100 overall last season and mustered 657 captain points, the second-most in the world. 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the popular choice with a clear lead in the captain poll, but Jan is not convinced by the underlying stats:

[Aubameyang] has been in a rich vein of form lately and the spirits are certainly high at the Emirates. However, the underlying data shows us that Arsenal’s attack has been underwhelming, creating very little from open play.

– Jan

For the double-points maestro, Liverpool are the more attractive proposition:

The Liverpool attack looks set to fire against Leeds United in a game in which suits them tactically, even if they have been lacklustre in pre-season. Both Salah and Mané will look to start the season strongly and maintain their brilliant goalscoring records at home.

– Jan

Mohamed Salah scored in 15 home matches last season, more than any other player.

However, in our Captaincy video Joe and David took a different view. A reminder that David went on a successful 17-Gameweek captain run back in 2018/19:

Aubameyang is my choice at the moment… the eye test is looking good, he made Liverpool look distinctly average [in the Community Shield]… and when he plays smaller teams he tends to look better.

– David

Joe concurred, highlighting the Arsenal man’s excellent record against the minnows (teams outside of the top six): his expected goals is doubled, his number of big chances is doubled, even his shooting accuracy is doubled. 

When in doubt back the odds.

– Lateriser

It’s notable that Arsenal and Liverpool’s opponents, Leeds and Fulham, have the worst odds of recording a clean sheet. Thank you as ever to G-Whizz for posting his regular summary.

Wise Words

I’ve been sharing a splattering of Lateriser’s tips in this article, but we are lucky enough to have several excellent managers to call upon. The days when I used to write articles on the Top Five managers in the Hall of Fame are no longer needed – the top three are now all signed up as Pro Pundits.

So far we’ve heard from number three on the list, Darren Wiles, who recently finished 140th in the world and has three top 1,000 finishes in the last four seasons. He’s found that going ‘big at the back’ has served him well:

A strategy that threatened to take off at the start of last season, going big at the back has been the key to a lot of my success over the last four years.

– Darren

Darren’s FPL draft includes four premium defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson, Matt Doherty, and Aymeric Laporte.

He’s also managed to squeeze in Salah, Aubameyang, and Werner! Somehow he’s done this with the same £100m budget as the rest of us.

Up front the Southampton fan has picked Che Adams and Aleksandar Mitrovic, giving him the same front three as Joe, who was roundly ridiculed on the Scoutcast by Az and Andy for having two £6.0m forwards. 

Interestingly, Pro Pundit Az has revealed a very similar front three, with the exception of Ings for Adams. The debate would clearly seem to come down to whether you think Ings is worth the extra £2.5m over Adams.

Value for money and the merits of going big at the back have also been discussed by the community. Thanks to this piece from kierenbwfc and the resulting hot topic.

To be fair to Az, it’s worth pointing out that Ings is just a placeholder for Anthony Martial his team. The co-host of the revamped FPL BlackBox podcast is set on owning the Manchester United forward for Gameweek 2.

Joining Az on the podcast is the legendary FPL manager and this website’s founder, Mark Sutherns. Mark has returned to Fantasy Football Scout and will be contributing his thoughts and insights over the coming season. Commenting on the proliferation of stats and content available to FPL managers, Mark reflected:

These days everyone can get a glut of knowledge, information and data in their timeline with relative ease. But to work out how best to process it, how you learn to separate luck from skill and focus on improving the input, not dwell on the output, that might just be the new marginal gain.

– Mark

Don’t be surprised if Mark adds to his four top 1,000 finishes.

Another manager looking to join Az with Martial in his Gameweek 2 squad is Lateriser, although the upside-chasing manager is starting with him on his Gameweek 1 bench! India’s two-time FPL champion outlined his thinking in his latest Pro Pundit article

Meanwhile Pro Pundit Tom Freeman has been scouting the Red Devil’s summer signing Donny van de Beek. The new addition gives Ole Gunnar Solskjær an extra dimension to his already gifted attack. Although Tom feels he may have to settle for a place on the bench, at least to start with.

Intriguingly, Tom’s headline differential pick is Christian Pulisic, who, as mentioned earlier, is in contention for Monday’s trip to Brighton. And he’s got the potential to deliver even if he’s named among the substitutes:

An appearance off the bench might not be the end of the world for owners, considering his ability to haul from limited minutes, as evidenced at Anfield last season.

– Tom

Costing the same price as Chelsea’s Captain America is the Blues latest recruit from the Bundesliga, Kai Havertz. Chelsea fan and Pro Pundit Zophar, ran the rule over the former Bayer Leverkusen star. The German’s impressive goal conversion ratio of 19 per cent led the six-time top 5,000 manager to describe him as an “ice-cold finisher”.

Another player singled out by Tom as a differential ahead of the new season is Dele Alli. Indeed he is a player I highlighted when examining Mourinho’s attacking formation. Spurs have been much debated this pre-season both in terms of their attack and defence.

Pro Pundit Sam Bonfield shared her thoughts on the improved backline during the restart period, explaining how it bodes well for the coming season. While community member FPL Octopus argues that their defenders have been underpriced. And I took a look at the potential offered by Matt Doherty.

Join in the fun!

The Head-to-Head leagues and Last Man Standing are back, and we’re dishing out £2,500-worth of giveaways in the Community Members mini-league, plus there are a plethora of competitions for you to take part in: perhaps you fancy yourself against Greyhead’s The Great and The Good?

Take a moment to read this article to find out the League Codes – watch out for those Gameweek 1 deadlines. And thank you, as ever, to RedLightning for administering a number of our community mini-leagues.

Enjoy the new season.

Best players by position:

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TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

3,246 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wılly
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. Wilson + Soucek
    B. Adams + ASM

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

      The one with Wilson

    2. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Same as mine below but got Mitro instead. I’m tempted to go A this week then swap Wilson week after

  2. NULL-X-VOID
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Odds of Saka and Nketiah starting?

    1. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Saka + ASM or Souchek + Pereira

      1. Halftime Lemon
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I got soucek and Pereira. Willian will keep saka on bench I reckon

        1. NULL-X-VOID
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          cheers mate, currently on that same combo

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

      Both good. Think Arteta has faith in Saka's talent and he doesn't trust Laca to do the hard work Nketiah does.

    3. Sj3451
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very slim in my opinion. From an arsenal fan. Don’t think either starts today

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

        Who you think will be the front 3?

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

    a. Brewster and Soucek 1.0 itb
    b. Adams and Reed

    Cheers!

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

      Adams and Gordon

  4. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone considering Matheus Perreira? The boy is pure talent, but can he step it up in the PL?

    1. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Currently in my team

    2. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      have him in draft hes really good but wba are very defensive

      1. NULL-X-VOID
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        check their stats Home, they're vv attacking at home and they don't care about conceding goals

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

        This makes me a bit nervous now. I thought they were much more open and conceded loads of goals last season?

        1. NULL-X-VOID
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I check their entire championship fixtures list, do go through it, their games at Home are a goal fest

          1. NULL-X-VOID
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            checked*

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

            thanks mate

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes but will watch first ... JWP > him on the card

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

      Yes, but not with current fixtures. I think he’ll be like a Gross/Grealish - On everything, but needs someone to put the ball away.

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

        Agreed. Their strikers don't feel me with confidence

  5. Orion
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA Mitchell Davies
    Salah (C) Auba ASM Son
    Werner Adams Wilson
    Steer Shaw Dallas Bissouma
    0.5 ITB...
    Check ?

    1. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      For me yes.
      Besides Tierney starting vs Shaw bench, my 11 is identical.

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

    Crystal palace wins.

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

      no that don't. keep dreaming.

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

      I can see it happening

  7. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed...

    Feel this team has some proven fpl players and some calculated risks. Keeping 1.5 itb

    Ryan
    TAA, Davies, KWP
    (A)ubameyang, son, Havertz, Saint-Max, Stephens
    Wilson, Werner,

    Nyland, Mitchell, Martial, Taylor

    Next week son to Bruno

    Thoughts? TIA

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Stephen’s won’t play

      1. Stockport Hatter
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Stephens *

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

          Good comms. Who will play over him? Or is there another 4.5 better option? Thanks for the heads up.

        2. Sj3451
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Who’s the best pick at 4.5m?

          1. La Roja
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Bissouma

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

    ASM or Soucek?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      ASM

  9. Obi Wan Elokobi
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Last boring transfer.
    A or B?

    A. Soucek and Wilson

    Or

    B. ASM and Mitro

    Thanks

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

      The one with Wilson

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

      I'm on A but Lord knows

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

        care to share your team mate? what did you go with in the end?

    3. Hog Roast Junkie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  10. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Start 1
    A. KWP
    B. Justin
    C. Mitchell

    1. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      KWP

    2. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      if you have mcc in goal , go with justin . if not kwp

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yes, have him in goal. Thanks.

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

          agree with this but don't get Justin. Leicester's def is a nightmare.

          1. Botman and Robben
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Who do I get then? Have Vinagre.

            1. NULL-X-VOID
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Holding/Saliba

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

      B

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

      A

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

    Struggling a bit with my 16m to spread across 3 midfielders - any ideas instead of Saka Doucore Lemina?

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    Doherty TAA Tierney (Douglas KWP)
    Auba (c) Mane Saka Doucore (Lemina)
    Werner Jimenez Antonio

    1. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      saint max (5.5) , stephens (4.5) , ward prowse (6.0) = 16

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

        Saint max over saka? Just dont ever believe newcastle are going to score! Like the idea of switching out doucore and lemina for jwp and stephens though

  12. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bruno Fernandes has not been at Carrington this week post-internationals as his wife gave birth in Portugal. If Fernandes has been staying in Portugal this week (which he presumably has) he has to have travelled back to the UK before 4am tomorrow to avoid quarantine. #mufc

    What you doing with Bruno ? I just removed him from my bench

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

      sticking with him on the bench.

      she's given birth, really see no reason him to miss 2 weeks

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

        quarantine!

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

          I understand that

          'yes boss, she gave birth a week ago, we have our feet up so I'll just chill and miss the first 2 weeks'

          No

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

      It's scaremongering. His wife gave birth a week ago. He will be back in the UK on time unless United have colossally f'ed up.

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

        what team did you go with in the end Camzy after the Bruno scare!

  13. robbo1337
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Will Saliba get more starts over Holding?

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

      Short term would assume no.

  14. The Gambler.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Guys, talk to me about Nketiah. Is he a big risk?

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Too risky for now I’d say. Wait and see. May end up being a bargain

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

      Not nailed

    3. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      If you're a big fan of grainy, inconclusive photos of manager's team sheets you'd avoid!

  15. Sj3451
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I just really feel like Jimi + DCL will out-score Werner + Mitro

    Who you picking?

    A) Jimi/DCL
    B) Werner/Mitro

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

      Jimi and Werner

      1. Sj3451
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Dude...

      2. camarozz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Dcl and Werner

  16. Rotation's Alter Ego
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Feels a strange preseason, only made 2 drafts the whole time yet still don't feel fully happy with my team. Can't shake the feeling it is all going to be made on how well we switch between premiums.

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      This game is so unpredictable, anything can happen really.

      Yeah, I think the monster players like Salah, Mane, Sterling, KDB, Auba will be key. Chelsea and United are an interesting dilemma too...

    2. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not enitirely happy with my team as well.
      Seasons before were easier for gw1.

    3. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think that's only natural, especially considering the limitation of the blanks. Thankfully in my case I'll be making another draft next week for my inevitable GW2 wildcard 😛

  17. Sanchit
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Kane + 7m mid
    Vs
    Werner + Alli

    Werner's GW2 fixture against Liverpool does not instill confidence

  18. Abra Dubravka
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Davies & Soucek
    B) Justin & ASM ?

  19. JUNITED
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi guys RMT please.

    Mccarthy
    Robertson KWP Lewis
    Aubameyang Pereira Son Bowen
    Werner Ings Vardy

    Ryan Dunk Stephens Mitchell

    (Plan for GW2 to bring Martial for vs Palace)

    Is Salah or Mane a must buy this week?

  20. Yome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Downgraded son to alli. Not convinced by son on the wing. If he blanks he will be massively sold with such high ownership. Mou’s Spurs not so attacking either.

    1. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Im hesitating. Had a good pre season so giving him benefit of the doubt.
      And first see how Alli does as well.

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

    The day is finally here 😀 good luck all

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      And you mate

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

    Villa starting keeper next week is?

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

      Picking the ball out of the back of the net.

    2. camarozz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Martinez 20m +

  23. twoplustwo
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Doherty worth the cash?

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

      No, not guaranteed to start GW1

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

        Thanks mate

  24. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    anyone know why Norwood is only 5mln when he is on corners, free kicks & pens?

    1. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      sheffield dont win many pens

    2. Halftime Lemon
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Based on previous performance?

  25. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best £4.5m midfielder?

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bissouma

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

      Gordon.

    3. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'm on Reed. Safe. Boring. Will wait to first WC and redecide then, but until then I'm just happy with someone that will def play.

  26. Michu stole my mojo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed out. Aware that this will get lost in the mix but worth a try. Any major issues here?

    McCarthy / Button
    TAA / Doherty / Justin / Saïss / Mitchell
    Salah / Auba / Son / Burke / Soucek
    Werner / Adams / Wilson

    Ta and GL all!

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

      Think Burke will start?

      1. Michu stole my mojo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah I heard he’s nailed

    2. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like it, tasty

  27. boroie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A - Doherty Mitchell
    B - Davies Shaw

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

      A

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

      B

  28. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Better option?

    A. Ramsdale kwp
    B. McCarthy Egan

  29. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ings/Justin
    Or
    Adams/Robertson

    Slightly concerned by not owning Ings

  30. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Nyland and Steer good GK combo for 8 mil ?

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not this week

    2. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not when they sign Martinez next week.