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. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ings to Martial done.

    1. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      And if Ings scores a brace this week?

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I got Ings' points and I am happy.

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

      Already IN my team 🙂
      Just came IN from bench now

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

      Yeah, .5 ITB for that. Gonna wait it out though, never know what can happen

    4. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Few injuries today barring Ings will make that look a bit premature.

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

    Suppose mitro needed rest after Serbia?

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

    I. I. I just. I just don't understand? Eh?

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

    Do you think Parker is going to be parking the bus?

    Hope it makes it difficult for Auba to score or even assist!!

    Yes, I'm an Auba non-owner (scared!)

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

      I'm with you buddy

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

      Maybe. If you're going to park the bus you want a quick striker who's going to chase down every ball. Mitrovic isn't that striker. Then again it's the first game of the season and they're playing a game they're not expected to get anything from, so they really ought to have some sort of attacking intent about them.

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

    I was deciding between Mitro and Nketiah for 5 days. Glad that it didn't even matter.

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

      😆

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

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/22379690

    Called it

    Hopefully they listen to me

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Think you and Drizz told me not to get Saliba too, so thanks man

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

          Yeah i did no problem

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

      Ings > Martial transfer already made 😉

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        People like you are responsible for the early price rises argh

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

          Sorry! I'm trying to avoid the rises myself!

          1. pablo discobar
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Martial could get injured today. Ridiculous move so early

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

        I do hope you are joking lol

      3. The Sociologist
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Geeez give the rest of us a break!

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

      I did Robbo & Mitro > VVD & Wilson this morning, feeling pretty good about it now

    4. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The points and pick team tabs have swapped?

    5. AD2110
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What’s up with the Mitro benching? He not fit to play?

      1. Mighty Banana
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        No idea, seems odd to play your first PL game without your top scorer.

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

      First fail already...Mitro...

    7. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitrovic is nailed right?

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

        Yes, currently to the bench

      2. Hattrick Harry
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He never was

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

        He's not match fit.

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

      Mitro + Saliba -> Kamara + Tierney (-4)?

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Oh no

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

        While you're at it, throw some Livermore and Hegazi into the mix, for -16.

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

      So glad Ive swapped Saka for Barnes!

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

        Barnes may not be nailed depending on the formation Leicester go with. If we go 352 he may not start.

    10. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      F**king Mitrovic. Not a good start when you’ve only got one playing sub and he’s terrible. 😀

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

        He's gonna get a 1 point cameo later or 0 point when he gets a yellow card

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

        So is Mitro - you're down 1 point when he comes on late that's all

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

      Willian would have been such a good buy

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

        Nah

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

      Anyone not made a team for gw1 and starting gw2?

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

        Huh?

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

        Think you may have come to the wrong place 😉

      3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Only stupid ones

    13. H-SF
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pepe FFS

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

      No theres definitely no Denis Odoi in the game, is that normal? Will he be added later in the game or what?

    15. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone activated WC yet?

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

        here

      2. Mambino
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        ha ha - soon

      3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yes

    16. Muchentuchel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Don't get why so many people have Mitro... he's much too slow for prem football

      1. Mighty Banana
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Slower than Kane?

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

          Kane isn't slow, just spends most of the match facing the wrong goal.

    17. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      This Arsenal lineup should crush that Fulham team tbh.

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        As a Salah captainer don’t wanna hear that

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

        Calm down. Mitrovic probably coming on later.

    18. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitrovic benched and people are acting as if their captain or some 12 m asset has been benched. I too have Mitro

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

      Mitro to get 1 point rather than 2 this game week.

    20. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Time to check the mini-league and see what we're up against...

      1. Mighty Banana
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        No Auba captains.

        Pls Auba, go big!

      2. Muchentuchel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        can't see my rivals teams.
        did they change anything at FPL?

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

          Refresh

        2. Mighty Banana
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Once you click their name, you need to click GW1 and then it loads.

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

      25% ownership player benched this is so funny I'm laughing so badly

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

      Thanks God for Arteta sneaking us Laca starting chance through Twitter

    23. mad_beer ✅
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'm sure Mitro will come off the bench. And what did you expect from a 6m foward playing on a newly promoted side? Yes, I own him and I accept the risks.

      1. MosF94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I expected Fulham's top goalscorer and (probably) best player to start! Hopfully just a fitness/freshness/sharpness thing and he starts vs Leeds

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

      Past two games with Fulham and arsenal been like 4/5-1

      Hope mitro gets that one

    25. fitzy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Got rid of Mitrovic right before deadline. #blessed

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

        same