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. HD7
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) Ederson Robo Rashford
    Bench: 4.5m midfielder

    B) Ramsdale Digne/Trippier Saka
    Bench: Neto

    Team:
    -
    TAA Cancelo James Perisic -
    Salah - Bailey
    Haaland Jesus

    Ward - Andreas Greenwood

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

    Wheres the Knights template? He would have a field day on these posts right now

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

      Jousting a tree.

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Is that what he calls it

      2. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        The gravless hoards descend.

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

      LEEDS FANS...

      Aaronsson or Rodrigo?

      or neither?

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

        Rodrigo.
        Love walking my dog

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

          dog? wtf?

    3. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Anyone going without Haaland or Kane

      1. I am 42
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        KDB & Son for 1m more?

    4. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Jesus now reached 76% ownership.

      A red card tonight to put spanner in works…

      1. The Senate
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        I’m convinced he’s gonna tumble in value when he blanks tonight but I can’t stop myself picking him

      2. Brehmeren
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        If all my ML rivals own him I would actually prefer that 😀

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

        Gonna be a boring player to own

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

          Not if you captain him

    5. Boleyn Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Afternoon All. Which option is better? Thanks in advance:

      a) Ward / Iversen / Bailey / Mount
      b) Ramsdale / Ward / Rashford / Neto

    6. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A) ramsdale, r dias, martinelli 0.5itb
      B) sanchez, Walker (any 5mil defender), saka.

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

      No Salah

      Ward
      TAA Walker Robbo
      Coutinho Son (c) KDB podence Diaz
      Jesus Mbeumo

      Sanchez Taylor Williams Patterson

      Thoughts?

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

      Team almost done, last 3 spots left, which combo?

      A) Ederson - James - Rashford
      Or
      B) Ramsdale - Trippier - Kulu (GW2 Kane or Kulu —> Haaland or Foden)

      xxx
      TAA - Robbo - Cancelo - xxx
      Salah - Martinelli - Bailey - xxx
      Kane - Jesus

    9. Big Mac
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Squeaky bum time. Last draft hopefully. Thoughts?

      Ederson / Ward
      Trent / Robbo / Cancelo / James / Neco
      Salah / Rashford / Martinelli / Bailey / Andreas
      Kane / Jesus / 4.5

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

        Similar team but was flirting with Ederson/James/Rashford to Ramsdale/Trippier/Mount

        1. Big Mac
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Yeah Ederson is a dull pick and I have had Mount and even Sterling in earlier drafts. I guess I want a couple of Chelsea games first and with Martial out am keen on the Rashford punt.

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

        What's the plan if 8m fires

        1. Big Mac
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Yeah it's a popular price point, but I don't think we'll know who the best option is after first gameweek. I've made peace with the fact that I'll have to choose one or two if they're firing come wildcard time.

    10. rdpx
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Is it worth having MATIP & DIAS & NETO

      instead of TAA, Cancelo & Mahrez

      To get Haaland?

      1. Snooze ya lose
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        No

    11. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      DONE

      any last comments are welcome

      Ramsdale (ward)
      TAA, robertson, Cancelo, tripier (neco W.)
      Salah, Kulu, martinely, baily (pereira)
      Haland, jesus (archer)

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

        Almost the same lets go

    12. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A. James & Bailey
      B. Trippier & Martinelli

      1. The Senate
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        B

    13. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      So here we are, which way to go?
      (A) Ederson, Sancho, Martinelli, +0.5ITB
      (B) Ramsdale, Mahrez, Rashford
      (C) Warversen, Mahrez, Sancho

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

        AA AA AAA

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

      Martinelli or rashford ?

      1. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        M

      2. Pep's Money Laundry
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Marty

    15. GK
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Diaz or Mount?

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

        Mount

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

          Thanks

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

      Ward or Iversen? As backup to Ederson, never gonna play, but wanna be safe for price

    17. NoName
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      No Chelsea or City attack. Mount or Foden?

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

        Mount

      2. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Mount

      3. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Both

      4. NoName
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Cheers

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

        Mount

    18. 420king
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Help me out guys, last decision:

      Ward (Iversen)
      TAA Robertson Cancelo James (_____)
      Salah _____ Martinelli Bailey (Andreas)
      Jesus Haaland (Archer)

      A) Perišić & Rashford (bench Perišić for first two, bench Rashford in GW3 and bench Bailey GW4+)
      B) Mount & Neco

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

        B and that is my team

      2. Pep's Money Laundry
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        b

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

        b

      4. Wheels
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        I like option A. Perisic should be firing by GW3 and by then you will be able to make a couple of transfers to sort out Bailey/Rashford situation.

        1. 420king
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          thanks all!

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

        Yeah b is my team also. But tempted by rash up front

      6. Rod Liddle's Young One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        B

    19. HD7
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A) Ederson Robo Rashford
      Bench: 4.5m midfielder

      B) Ramsdale Digne/Trippier Saka
      Bench: Neto

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Context:
        -
        TAA Cancelo James Perisic -
        Salah - Bailey
        Haaland Jesus

        Ward - Andreas Greenwood

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

      A) Ramsdale+Walker
      B) Sanchez+James

    21. Jones Kusi
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Who to bench?
      A. Martinelli
      B. Neto
      C. Bailey

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

        b

      2. Cal1umz
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Neto

    22. Wheato182
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Which combo is best??

      A) Sa + Trippier
      B) Pope + Ait Nouri + 0.5

    23. Johnjo
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Help! Best 4.5 defender for final slot?

      A. Dalot
      B. White
      C. Saliba
      D. Other (please specify)

      1. Wheato182
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Dalot

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

          Why not Saliba?
          Good write up in the telegraph!

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

      Which Option is better :
      A: James + Iverson
      B: Gabriel + Mendy
      C : Sanchez + Perisic

      The backup goalie is Ward
      Thx

    25. Heskey Time
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Have this sneaky feeling that NEW will concede to NOTT. Putting me off trippier

      1. Wheato182
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        You have Trippier for his attacking play and set pieces as well.

      2. rrcmc
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        i agree. i think forest should have a good first season with some pedigree to prove.
        i have trippier, currently

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

      A) Raya, James & White
      or
      B) Pope, Cash & Walker

      Thank you!

    27. focaccia
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Pick one...

      A) Trippier + Neto + Haaland

      or

      B) Cancelo + Martinelli + Watkins (+1.5)

    28. 9I6
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Messed up in my last comment...

      A. Nunez, Martinelli, (Dalot)

      B. Diaz, Cancelo, (Archer)

    29. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Simple question. Who's the best 4,5 strikers?