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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Who played the most minutes over the March international break?

1,897 Comments Post a Comment
  1. LABILLETHEGOAT
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    which team would you go with
    1.)
    Ward
    Cancelo TAA Cash Dalot
    Bailey Salah Son/KDB Neto
    Kane Jesus
    Bench: Gazzaniga Greenwood Williams Andreas

    2.)
    Ward
    James TAA Cash Dalot
    Bailey Salah Martinelli
    Kane Jesus Haaland
    Bench: Gazzaniga Neto Williams Andreas

  2. CoracAld2831
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Team Perisic or No Perisic?

    1. GoodFella93
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Team "was fully set with my team including Doherty and Perisic for a 1 week punt on the double up and now I'm lost"

    2. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Could take a few weeks of rotation to warm up to the PL at 33 years of ages in a demanding role.

    3. sirmorbach
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Team Perisic.

  3. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Who is Walkers competition for minutes?

    1. CoracAld2831
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      At the moment, no one?

      1. Ady87
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        People keep commenting about Walker being a minutes risk but this was my understanding. Could easily do an extra 1200 minutes on last seasons numbers IMO. Thought I was going mad.

        1. Dags
          • 1 Year
          1 year, 7 months ago

          He will start every game until Midweek fixtures atleast.

  4. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Is it important to have a 8.0M mid to allow flexibility later on or not really?

    1. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Yes. The flexibility is an added benefit, the main being that some of the £8m mids offer some of the best value in the game.

    2. GreatCarragherReef
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      It’s a nice to have- options below 8m could dry up but you’ll always be able to switch to 4 other decent 8m options

  5. jonny77
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Probably what i'm gonna settle with:

    Ward (Iverson)
    TAA Cancelo Zinch Trip (Neco)
    Salah Mount Diaz Martinelli (Andreas)
    Haaland Jesus (Archer)

    G2G?

    1. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Same squad as me except for Iverson Cancelo and Zinch.

      1. jonny77
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        What are your alternatives?

        Sanchez/Robbo/Walker?

        1. Ady87
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Yeah or Ramsdale James Walker both our options cost £16m

  6. Barnabus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Ok, last one, help me choose my midfield:

    Ward
    TAA Robbo Dias James
    *
    Haaland Jesus
    Subs: Iverson N. Williams Taylor Andreas

    *a) Salah Kulu Martinelli Bailey +1mil itb
    *b) Son Diaz Saka Bailey

    1. Hutchiniho
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Son a must without Harry

      1. Barnabus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        If Salah and Son put up similar numbers, I think Diaz + Saka on pens & less rotation risk than Martinelli is a better bet than Kulu (risk when Richarlison isn't banned) & Martinelli

    2. jonny77
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A but a different 8.0 to Kulu

      1. GreatCarragherReef
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Why do you say no Kulu?

        1. jonny77
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Mount and Saka both better picks imo

    3. GreatCarragherReef
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A but switch Bailey to a 5m def and you’ve got my team

  7. Hutchiniho
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Best Combo of the 3 strikers? I'm going all in

    1.Kane and Haaland
    2.Kane and Jesus
    3.Jesus and Haaland

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      2

  8. GreatCarragherReef
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) Dias + James

    B) Cancelo + Walker + 0.5

    Can’t believe I’m considering going without cancelo

    1. Barnabus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      a

      1. GreatCarragherReef
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Cheers

  9. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Trippier question...

    Realistically how many clean sheets do you expect Newcastle to keep in their first 6 games? (NOT, bri, MCY, wol, liv, CRY).

    1. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      1, maybe 2 and I'm a Newcastle fan.

    2. GreatCarragherReef
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      This is my thought- surely Gabriel a better option

      1. Paul Psychic Octopus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Currently have Gabriel. Just chewing the cud. If I keep Gabriel then cue an early Zaha goal this evening.

    3. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      gonna stick with Trippier and can always look to transfer next week to Gabriel. Trippier has much better opening fixture.
      Get your point though.

  10. Sterling Malory
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    100th draft, GTG?

    Ward
    TAA Robbo Cancelo James
    Salah Mount Bailey Martinelli
    Kane Jesus

    Iversen Andreas Neco Greenwood

    1. jonny77
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      i mean its template, i don't know what more you expect us to say?

  11. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Which is the preference please?

    A) Cancelo + Bailey
    B) Walker + 7.5m Mid (Sancho/Zaha/Rash/BSilva)

    1. jonny77
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      If you can find 0.5 somewhere else to make the 7.5mid an 8 mid then B, otherwise A

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Cheers who would the 8m be? I have Diaz

        1. jonny77
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Mount or Saka are probably the best alternatives?

    2. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A or find the 0.5m for and 8m mid in B, United aren’t ready to be relied on after injuries and last 2 pre season games.

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        CHeers mate - which 8m mid would you prefer, already have Diaz?

        1. Ady87
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Mount based on Chelsea last game where him and Sterling looked immense. Think he gets less rotation this year and he still managed double figures of goals and assists last season despite that. Saka if you don’t have Martinelli. Could well be talking about Mahrez, Foden or Grealish if they go mad this weekend, all £8m

    3. tyiocoyg34
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Zaha is one to watch imo although he has some tough fixtures to begin with

    4. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A but will be interesting to see where B silva starts the season.

  12. Fred the Red
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) Trippier + Mount
    B) James + Rashford
    C) James + Neto

    1. jonny77
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

    2. sthelenslad92
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      C

    3. sumatera
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Doesn't really work as a comparison as they add up to different values

      1. Fred the Red
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Lol they don't have to add up to the exact same values

  13. sthelenslad92
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) Ramsdale & Trippier
    B) Mendy & Gabriel

    1. sumatera
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

  14. El Buffalo
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) KDB, Jesus, Rodrigo + 0.5itb

    B) Saka, Grealish, Haaland

    Which one?

    1. sthelenslad92
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B but don't love either, Grealish isn't a guaranteed starter every week

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

    3. Hutchiniho
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      El Buff.

      Who would you select straight up

      Saka and Haaland
      or KDB and Jesus?

      1. El Buffalo
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Thanks all, think I'm going to stick with A as overthinking it now.
        @Hutchiniho I have a feeling Haaland might start slowly, thinking kdb will be safer in terms of assists and the odd goal so probably KDB and Jesus

  15. DandyDon
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Interesting to see that more have gone with 3 at the back than my 4-3-3 formation! I knew most would go five at back or 4-4-2 but suprised my formation is being ignored.
    Going Haland, Jesus and Wilson - for me the Newcastle striker will be one you will all be clambering for in a few weeks! *If he stays injury free of course!

    1. sumatera
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      3 strikers has definitely lost popularity due to points system
      They don't score as much as mids and they're expensive
      Points per million it doesn't stack up

  16. Tosa86
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    My Current Draft:

    Ramsdale - Ward
    TAA - Robbo - Cancelo - Trippier - N.Williams
    Salah - Mount - Martinelli - Bailey - Andreas
    Kane - Jesus - Archer

    Any suggestion?

    thanks!!!

    1. sumatera
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I've gone with James over Trippier and 2 x 4 million gkpers. Otherwise exactly the same

    2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      G2G

  17. IAIN DUNCAN
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Mendy (Ward)
    TAA, Robbo, James, Perisic, (Neco)
    Salah (C), Saka, Martinelli, Bailey, (Andreas)
    Kane (VC), Jesus, Archer
    0.5 itb

    Mendy , Saka and Perisic ?
    Maybe Rama, Foden and Walker
    Thoughts

  18. ⚽️ Omardiola ⚽️
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Darwin will start?

    1. sumatera
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Risky

    2. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      No but still a great option

  19. Dags
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Fellow Trippier owners. What is your plan for GW3 and GW5? I don't like the idea of playing Andreas.

    1. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I also have Patterson from Everton on my bench and he plays Forrest week 3 and Leeds wk 5 - expecting him to start the season strong and be a strong attacking threat.

      1. Dags
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 7 months ago

        I am 5 at the back :(. Feels like 2 GW's wasted of 1 or 2 pointers from Andreas.

    2. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      dunk

      1. Dags
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Perks of 4 ATB ig 🙁

    3. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Hope he scores a free kick if I start him and not Andreas. He's a season keeper for me, Newcastle have to play the big boys sooner or later

    4. sirmorbach
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I'll play him. It is what it is.

  20. GreatCarragherReef
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Best 4.5m mid after Andreas? Lavia?

    1. BananaMan
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Dasilva - Brentford

      1. GreatCarragherReef
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        I’ve seen a few posts that he might lose his place, will check though cheers

    2. sumatera
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      You going with 2 x 4.5s?

      1. GreatCarragherReef
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        5 at the back. Andreas decent cover, just need a 2 pointer backup too

    3. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Reed

  21. Brad1807
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Raya
    Taa , cancelo , James, robbo

    Salah ( c) , martinelli, neto , rashford

    Halannd , jesus
    Bench ward , bailey , Archer, Williams..

    Help shoukd I go kane over haland is there any other suggestions someone qoukd make.

  22. Heung min Daughter
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) James, Diaz
    B) Robertson, Mount

    1. sthelenslad92
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B

  23. sthelenslad92
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) Cancelo, Trippier
    B) Walker, James & 1.0 ITB

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A. Unless the 1 million makes a big difference to your side

  24. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Please deadline just roll around and lets end the ‘hows she looking, good to go’ rmts followed by the same players

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        1 year, 7 months ago

        38 more weeks

    2. Irnbruster
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I've picked Walker for 5 mil over cash, cucarella and digne who are all 5 mil too. What's everyone's opinions? Villa have easy games but walker surely best long term

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Walker only good long term if City don't sign another fullback. Until/if that happens he's a good option

        1. Ady87
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          This. If he plays more, better chance of attacking returns and gets the City CS hauls too. Without competition he’s a miles better pick than Cash and Cucu, the latter who will have to bed in.

    3. LABILLETHEGOAT
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      martinelli or neto?

      1. Robson-Canoe
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Mart if you have that extra 0.5

      2. sthelenslad92
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Martinelli

      3. Ady87
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Martinelli and it’s not close

        1. LABILLETHEGOAT
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          thanks

    4. LABILLETHEGOAT
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      salah martinelli & bailey in mid. Which combo would you go for?
      a).mount & andreas
      b) rashford & neto

    5. sirmorbach
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      No love for Gibbs-White? On my watchlist.

      1. Hutchiniho
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        I have him atm.
        Think he'll get a start tom,
        bit of a concern he moves to NF tho

    6. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Why are the majority of teams going Kane over Son? Apart from Penalties. Point more for mids will balance that out over a season.

      1. Ady87
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Money.

      2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Is Kane on pens? I thought Son was in line for those as well late last year?

        1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          I have both, FWIW.

      3. pilgrimchris
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        more choice in midfield, no that many forwards I'm interested in

        1. Hutchiniho
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          I'm playing Telegraph also and they have all listed as Fwds this year.
          Salah/Kane/Son/Jesus/Haaland.
          Can't decide on my top 3.

      4. Fit_to_drop
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Son finished 60 odd points ahead of Kane last season which more than offsets the .5m over Kane I would say.

    7. Hutchiniho
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      How do you think the points shake out between Jesus/Saka and Mart?

      In that order?
      What will the gap sizes be?

      1. mezza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        2 2 2

      2. Ady87
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        I think Jesus and Martinelli allows for enough exposure and investment elsewhere but with Saka on pens and seemingly first name on the sheet it could get hairy if Martinelli gets rotated but Martinelli delivers almost every outing, has earned a permanent starting spot IMO.