Scout Picks

FPL Gameweek 1 Scout Picks: Five in defence, Kane over Haaland

The votes are in and most of the press conferences have been watched: now we can choose our best Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players for Gameweek 1 ahead of Friday’s deadline.

The final selection is partly based on the Scout Squad consensus picks but budgetary constraints and injury updates from the pre-match pressers are all factored in, too.

We line up in a 5-3-2 formation this week and, as ever, are limited to £83.0m for our first XI.

CHANGES FOR 2022/23

While the maximum starting XI budget remains the same, there has been a slight change to how we nominate substitutes.

Our Scout Picks bench was previously made of players not just serving as bench fodder or to make the budget up to £100m but rather to give some alternative, viable options who don’t cost as much as some of the names in our line-up.

However, the people have (just about) spoken – and we will indeed be price-capping our substitutes, too.

Given that we’ve opted for a 5-3-2 this week, that decreases our starting budget to £82.5m, as £17.5m is now the minimum that one goalkeeper, two midfielders and one forward can buy.

GOALKEEPER

Fantasy community eyes Burnley clean sheet in first Double Gameweek match

Nick Pope (£5.0m), nominated by three of our Scout Squad panel, gets the nod between the posts this week. While last season’s form could end up being this season’s chip paper, there’s not a great deal else we can go on until we’ve seen a ball kicked in 2022/23 – and Newcastle did finish the last campaign with four clean sheets in their last seven home fixtures. Improvements in the Magpies’ underlying defensive numbers under Eddie Howe are worthy of note, too, and the Tynesiders have further bolstered their backline with the acquisition of not just Pope but also Sven Botman (£4.5m).

DEFENDERS

 

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1,897 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Lav
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Drastically changed squad this morning. Good luck all 🙂

    Ward
    TAA Joao Trippier
    Salah(c) Diaz Mount Neto Aaronson
    Kane Jesus

  2. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Who is the better pick?

    A....perisic

    B...trippier and hold onto the 0.5m

    Thanks

    1. secret_account
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. Mufc202020
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B is what I've now done

    4. EmreCan Hustle
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A, better.
      B, just for 2 GWs.

    5. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

    6. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

    7. sulldaddy
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B for sure

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

  3. SADIO SANÉ
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    cheers Brendan, what an idiot

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      what advantage does he get from doing that? I can't see it putting Ivan Toney off when he sees the lineup

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        oooo noo Danny Ward is playing, I better just pack my boots up and go home

    2. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      what's he said?

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      What happened?

    4. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No1? "Just wait & see. Then you can see"
      But he said Ward is fit
      Ricardo out for 6 months
      Barnes injured

  4. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Two questions on my end:

    1. A. Cancelo or B. Robertson?
    2. C. Son or D. Kane? (can afford both with the same team so price doesn’t matter here)

    Cheers all! Good luck!

    1. secret_account
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B and D, unless Robertson is your second/third Liverpool defender and your third Liverpool player.

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        He is yeah I have the double up on TAA+Salah

        1. secret_account
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          I'd probably leave the third spot open in case Darwin/Diaz are needed, but with an early WC wouldn't be too much of an issue. I'd probably still go Cancelo just because City are good and the other options for them aren't great.

          1. ★Kuntheman★
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah you’ve convinced me, swapping to Cancelo!

            Interesting that you prefer Kane though, I’m on Son atm

            1. secret_account
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              Kane vs Son is more difficult I think. Kane makes it easier to switch to Haaland/Darwin (assuming you don't have both of them) but Son makes it easier to swap to KDB, but who's to say these swaps will even be needed?

              This is a coin flip job for me.

  5. Zoostation
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A: Mendy, Trippier + 0.5

    B: Ward, James

    1. Zoostation
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Last move, advice welcome

    2. secret_account
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

    4. Mufc202020
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

  6. Ady87
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    This article has given me lots to think about. Not in a good way either. Arrrrrgghhh

  7. Lfc91
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Mendy
    TAA, Cash, Cancelo, Zinchenko
    Salah, Martinelli, Dewsbury-hall
    Darwin, Jesus, Kane

    Ward, Bailey, Williams, Andreas

    Thoughts? Keep changing my mind!

    1. Lacikasz01
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Start Bailey instead of Dewsbury-Hall

      1. Lfc91
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, I was thinking that would be a switch to make

    2. Mulla
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'd start Bailey over Dewsbury

    3. Kellz86
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Darwin unlikely to start

      1. Lfc91
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I’m 50-50 on that. Plenty of reason he will start but even if he doesn’t, he showed against City last week he would still be able to get a good haul from as a 2nd half sub

  8. Lacikasz01
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Pick one, thanks!

    A) Rashford
    B) Neto

    1. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Rash

  9. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Mount or Kulu for one week before I switch to Mahrez or Foden?

    1. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Interesting question - would pick Kulu if no Kane, otherwise Mount

    2. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Kulu

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

      Kulusevski

  10. Reckoner
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Mahrez punt?
    B) Mount
    C) Saka (triple Arsenal attack)?

    1. Mufc202020
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. IT'S JUST JAMIE VARDY
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. Clueless24
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I have A & B but think I'd pick B if I had to have 1

  11. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Who is a better option?

    A- Rashford
    B- Martinelli (have Jesus)

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. WVA
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

  12. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Raya, Robertson, Bailey
    B) Allison, Walker, Martinelli

  13. hammersp2000
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Hey all,

    Cant decided between:-

    Ederson & Perisic
    Ramsdale & James

    Any help appreciated

    1. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      RJ

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      RJ

  14. IT'S JUST JAMIE VARDY
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    I'm going with this
    Ramsdale
    TAA Digne Walker Trippier
    Salah Sterling Harrison Zaha
    Jesus Halaand
    Any opinion would be appreciated.
    Good luck to everyone

    1. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Strong team, Sterling could do really well.
      As someone who values fixture difficulty I would start with Coutinho or Martinelli over Zaha

      1. IT'S JUST JAMIE VARDY
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I was thinking coutinho i have a feeling martinelli will disappoint everybody

    2. Red Red Robins
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      oh nice someone with Digne. Cant decide him or Cash

    3. Hairy Potter
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Like Harrison pick.I always have Zaha at some point, but not sold on his initial fixtures.

      1. IT'S JUST JAMIE VARDY
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I asked my father who's more on rugby than football, and he said I'd pick Zaha over Martinelli lol

  15. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Here’s an interesting one:

    A) Mount and Iversen/Ward
    B) Rashford and Ederson

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. WVA
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

  16. jdwhalley
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Two decisions left

    1. Walker or Trippier
    2. Bailey or Rashford

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      T
      B

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      TB

  17. dandydonadam92
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Would you prefer to have Walker or Trippier?? Or another 5 mil def ....

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Trip

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Trippier and Gabriel my favourites

    3. SilentLemonMan
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      If you have no city defence I’d go Walker. If you do have cancelo then I’d go Trippier or Gabriel

    4. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'm risking Doherty.

  18. SilentLemonMan
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    For first couple of weeks:

    A) Martinelli + Jonny

    B) Almiron + Zinchenko + 0.5 ITB for early moves

    C) Neto + Trippier

  19. Dynamic Duos
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    I'm on A, but you stick or go B?

    A) Diaz, Cancelo, Gabriel
    B) Mount, Robbo, Walker

  20. banskt
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Repost. Wilson or Watkins for the first 2 games?

    (Will switch to Jesus on GW3)

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Watkins

  21. Mufc202020
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Starting X1
    A) Robertson
    B) Martinelli

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. SilentLemonMan
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. Bushman
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

  22. secret_account
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Foden & Kane
    B) Kulu & Haaland

    Thoughts?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

  23. JBG
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Best trio?

    A) Iversen*+Rashford+Wilson 4-3-3

    B) Ramsdale+Mount+Martinelli 4-4-2

    *Have Ward

    1. JBG
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Martinelli is Bailey, I'm keeping Martinelli either trio. Mistake by me.

  24. LarsV
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    RMT

    Ward (Iversen)
    TAA - James - Walker - Dalot (Neco)
    Salah - Son - Rashford - Bailey (Andreas)
    Haaland - Jesus (Greenwood)

    1. IT'S JUST JAMIE VARDY
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Best team so far

      1. LarsV
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers! Considering changing James to a 5m and upgrading Bailey to Martinelli, thoughts on that?

    2. Dammit_182
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Hey Bud,

      Is ward definitely starting keeper for Leicester? If so I’ll get him in.

      Rest of team looks great.

      Good luck

      1. LarsV
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Iversen might start instead. That’s why I have both, while saving money.

  25. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    a) Bailey
    b) Neto

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      GW1 … A

  26. Mozumbus
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Think I'm reached there:
    Ward
    TAA Robertson Cancelo Trippier Saliba
    Salah KDB Martinelli Bailey
    Kane
    0.5ITB to fund GK move going forward.
    Idea is to have 3 premiums without compromising on defense, so had to sacrifice Jesus.
    Comments are welcome

    1. LarsV
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Like it, but i like Son + Haaland over KdB + Kane

      1. Dammit_182
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        LARSV - In isolation do you prefer Kane or Son?

        1. LarsV
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          I am not sure. Just think the ceiling is higher with Haaland than KdB, while Son and Kane will share the points. That’s my reasoning, anyways.

          1. Dammit_182
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Seems like pretty sound logic to me

            1. LarsV
              • 2 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              Cheers. I am afraid of Kane, though

  27. bmmc89
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Time to just let it sit I think, too many versions..

    Leicester GK
    TAA // Robbo // Cancelo // Saliba (Neco)
    Salah // Martinelli // Rodrigo // Bailey (Andreas)
    Kane // Haaland (Archer)

  28. Portsmouth Bubblejet
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Brendan Rodgers pre-match press conference about the Leicester City goalkeeper:

    New number one?
    “Just wait and see, then you can see.”

    Ward?
    “He’s come through that in-house game really well. He had been training for a week before that. He felt fine after the game.”

    What's he looking for from Ward or Iversen?
    “You’re looking for a goalkeeper who can stop the ball going in the net, can distribute and can deal with the pressure. Kasper was a guy of consistency, so the next guy coming in will be ready. I’ve always said Ward is a number one, Iversen has gone away and done well. I don’t feel like I need to look outside for a new goalkeeper.”

    Source: https://www.foxestalk.co.uk/topic/129617-brentford-sunday-7th-august-pre-match/?do=findComment&comment=6534229

    1. Dammit_182
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Soooo….ward 1???

  29. pauloc677
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Luis Diaz and saka or Neto and Haaland?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      DS

  30. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Cash or Trippier?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Trip

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Trippier

    3. MoreChipsPlease
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Trip