Pro Pundits

FPL team reveals: 5-3-2 with triple Arsenal and Perisic

With Gameweek 1 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) almost upon us, we’re welcoming back our stellar team of Pro Pundits, Hall of Famers and guest contributors for the new campaign.

Our writers will be providing regular articles and team reveals throughout the new season, with only Premium Members able to access every single one.

Next up is Sonaldo, who talks through his Gameweek 1 plans.

The FFS Pro Pundits 38

The anticipation of the new Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season is nearly over as the opening matches are about to commence. With the World Cup sandwiched in the middle, coupled with a new ‘five subs’ rule, it should be another tricky campaign to navigate. Yet that is what makes FPL so entertaining and I personally can’t wait to get going.

Before you pick your team, there are a few principles that I like to follow:

  • A lot of who we pick right now should be based on fixtures and the eye test, as we don’t have enough data to confidently justify our picks. The mantra of ‘we know little’ is a good starting place for now.
  • It’s ok to have a ‘template’ team as, within a couple of Gameweeks, lots can change and being able to adapt quickly will be important.
  • In FPL, we tend to think of the good scenarios without often considering what could go wrong. Thus, I believe that it’s fine to make the wrong calls but you should always have a backup plan.
  • While we don’t want to plan ahead too much, it’s good to have a Wildcard plan in mind, knowing that we have 16 Gameweeks to use it before having a month of unlimited transfers during the World Cup. Pras and I have done a Burning Questions video on this very topic.
Team Structure
  • Early season is usually high-scoring. As a result, I really want to invest in attackers and high-potential midfielders. 
  • However, the value of attacking wing-backs is too great to ignore, therefore I am leaning towards having a strong line of defence.
  • When looking at the fixtures, all the strong teams (Man City, Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea, etc.) have decent fixtures to start the season. So, it means that I want to load up on City and Liverpool assets (thrree of each) if I can.
  • While the main dilemma for Liverpool is Robertson v Diaz, the City triple-up is a bit trickier. This is because while I want to own Cancelo and Haaland, it’s hard to identify the third City asset. Ederson comes into the fold as well as another defender in possibly Dias or Walker. But what if a City midfielder/forward asset starts to explode? Therefore, I’m likely to optimize my squad with just Cancelo and Haaland for now.
  • Essentially as I look to Wildcard in Gameweek 7-9, I am deciding between a 5-3-2 or 4-4-2 formation.

If you can’t tell by my FPL handle, my favorite player is Son Heung-min (£12.0m). Not having him in my team seems so odd. But to get him means I must sacrifice one of Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) or Erling Haaland (£11.5m), as I do not like the idea of a threemium structure. It sacrifices too many valuable assets.

My team is subject to change before the deadline, but here is what it looks like now:

Who played the most minutes over the March international break?

1,045 Comments Post a Comment
  1. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Which one?:

    A) Robbo + Martinelli

    B) Tripp + Saka

    B only a pool double up, as I prefer Saka to Diaz

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A easy

    2. dimo_fpl
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A for me

    3. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Cheers guys!

  2. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    The best thing about owning 2 x 8m mids is that there are two other 2 x 8m mids to switch to.

    1. Powers106
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Not when one goes 8.1 just saying

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Sure but doubt it will happen GW one with the template

    2. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      This season is going to the definition of points chasing and the 8m mids will be in the center of it all

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

      Easier not owning any of them 😉

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Easier to own the template 2 to 3 budget mids lol

  3. Neves say Neves
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    1. Ramsdale + Robbo + Neto
    2. Sanchez + Gabriel + Díaz

    1. Better Call Raul
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      1

  4. Matt Sk
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Any playing 4.0 m defenders? Thanks

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

      Neco Williams

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Only Neco will start so not many

      1. dimo_fpl
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Patterson?

    3. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Patterson I think

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Good luck starting with an Everton defender

        1. Neves say Neves
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Or a forest one!

        2. dimo_fpl
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Surely can’t be that much in it between Everton and Forrest defence?

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            I think Forrest will surprise many.

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

              By jumping out on people from behind a tree?!

            2. dimo_fpl
              • 6 Years
              1 year, 7 months ago

              Me too, I think they’ll stay up… but Everton will be better than last season. Signed Tarkowski, and a solid dm in Amadou Onana…

          2. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Forest have Henderson in goal, and was defensively sound in the champs. Everton are just dog shiz

      2. Matt Sk
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Patterson is a stand-in for someone injured?

        1. dimo_fpl
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Looking like he’s won the spot over an ageing Coleman

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

            Coleman has been injured but according to Lampard today he is now back to fitness so may replace Patterson in a week or two.

  5. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Which?

    A) rams janson/dalot james
    B) raya matip cucu (have taa)

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

    First time ever starting with a back 5.

    G2G?

    Ramsdale
    TAA, Robo, Perisic, Cancelo, Cash
    Martinelli, Salah, Bailey
    Haaland, Jesus

    Ward, Mbeumo, Muphy, Andreas

    O.5 ITB

    TIA

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      4 when perisic doesnt start

  7. R.C
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    People still have Perisic?

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

      getting mins tomorrow

    2. JayKay1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Yep, but I have Gabriel 1st Bench, so not stressing...

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

        You won't see those points via Perisic

    3. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Yep

    4. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Not now. Observing him and Doc

  8. dimo_fpl
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Is there much in it between Neco Williams and Patterson?

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

      Patterson's time is limited by Coleman. I have them both, and hoping Patterson stretches to GW5 but I guess it's unlikely

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I have both. Neco looks more nailed on. Seamus's legs ain't what they used to be so Patterson has decent chance, good fooder.

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

      Neco may go down in value if he has a bad first 6 weeks. I say have patterson now and get neco on the wild card

  9. ‘Tis the Season
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    🙂 who is the hell is Fpl_sonaldo??

    1. JayKay1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Who?

      :o)

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      HE DOES SOME VIDEOS. HES PRETTY GOOD

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Korean Ronaldo FPL guy

    4. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Is everyone a FPL pro these days? How can anyone take him seriously with that name, sounds like a stripper 😛

    5. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Your dad

  10. Bruno Commando
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Would like to pick your brains before the deadline!

    1) 5-3-2 with Raya, James, Zinc, Saka
    2) 4-4-2 with Rams, Trippier, Martinelli, Mount

  11. cheekumz
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Saint-Max vs Rashford? I know they both have horrible GW3 but i have a rotation for that week. I actually think they could both do well so finding it hard to choose between :O Opinions appreciated

  12. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Which one ?
    A) Walker Mount
    B) James Neto

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

      a

  13. HAMMERTIME107
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Think I’m set, please feel free to rip apart

    Ramsdale |
    TAA | Dalot | Trippier
    Salah | Neto | Rashford | Bailey
    Kane | Jesus | Haaland

    Ward | Dewsbury-Hall | Neco | Tanganga |

    1. dimo_fpl
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Tanganga maybe a waste is a Spurs slot?

  14. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Your opinion please

    Is this team G2G or are there any changes that you make to it

    Ramsdale Ward

    TAA James Walker Dalot Williams

    Salah Saka Diaz Rashford Pereira

    Jesus Kane Greenwood

    Any ideas would be welcomed

  15. Manani
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    thoughts on my 532?

    Ramsdale Ward
    TAA Robbo James Trippier Cancelo
    Salah Martinelli Neto Bailey Andreas
    Kane Jesus Archer

    not sure if worth downgrading one of my def to upgrade the mid. feells like there will be less total points return

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

      Great team!

  16. krawiecus
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Ederson
    TAA - James - Robertson
    Salah - Martinelli - Rashford - Bailey
    Kane - Jesus - Bamford

    Iversen-Neco-Patterson-Andreas
    0itb
    Thoughts? Gtg?

  17. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Quick question, if Justin was loaded at 5.0, would he not be in the mix?

    1. krawiecus
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Not with his opening fixtures

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        This

  18. EgyptianKing
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Which?

    1. Ramsdale Neto

    2. Sanchez Rash

    Cheers

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

      A)

    2. krawiecus
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      2

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

      1

  19. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Two final drafts, please help haha:

    A) Ramsdale
    TAA, James, Cancelo, Robbo
    (S)alah, Martinelli, Neto, Rashford
    Haaland, Jesus

    B) Ward/Ive
    TAA, James, Cancelo, Trippier*
    (S)alah, Saka* Mount*, Bailey*
    Haaland, Jesus

    Thanks!

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A imo

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

      I like B!

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

      A

  20. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on this draft

    Mendy
    TAA Robertson Gabriel Cancelo
    Kuluveski Bailey Salah Martinelli
    Haaland Jesus

    Ward Williams Andreas Archer

  21. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on taking a punt on Alvarez? Looked really good in preseason and had a huge impact off the bench in the Community Shield

  22. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Team in article is a structural nightmare. If 8m mids are strong then you end up wildcarding in week 4.

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Are you telling me there's another week to wild card?

    2. krawiecus
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Which is not the worst this season

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

      Or you just buy the strong player(s). They are all individual, you don't buy them as a package anyway. So if you have one 8.0 mid, you don't have them all. And you might not want to sell that one anyway. Meanwhile, you're refused to pick the combination you think will score the most points. All the structure-talk is baffling to me

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

    Right last one hopefully. Which do you prefer please?

    Ward
    Trippier - TAA - ______
    Salah - Martinelli - Diaz - ______
    Kane - Jesus - ______

    (Iversen) - Saliba - Andreas - Neco

    A) Cancelo + Bailey + Wilson
    B) Walker + Mount + Toney

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A but close

    2. Better Call Raul
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

  24. JonGTFC
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Can basic members no longer sort the ticker by difficulty and pick a custom number of GWs?

  25. lekalatch
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Which one?

    A) Ramsdale James Grealish
    B) Mendy Zinchenko Mahrez

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A although I don't like either City mid

    2. YouReds
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B

  26. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Do you think this mean Cucurella might start?

    https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1555471922632089600

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Yes.

  27. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Perisic old age creeping up. Not at all confident of his minutes

  28. YouReds
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) Walker, Son, Bailey
    B) Cancello, Diaz, Rashford +0.5

  29. SoShy
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Good to be back. Going for a no Salah team.

    Ward
    TAA Trip Robbo
    Rashford Son (c) KDB podence Diaz
    Jesus Mbeumo

    Sanchez Taylor Williams Patterson

    Thoughts?

  30. bigben10
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Any help appreciated.

    A. Rashford + James
    B. Foden + Dalot

    1. YouReds
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

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

      A

    3. krawiecus
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A by a mile