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. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    My team name is NOhammed Salah

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

      NO points for you

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

        AYEW sure?

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

          Differential for sure

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

      Mine is Two-Bit Håland

    3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Noted

  2. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Hey guys, Archer or Greenwood the better 4.5 fwd?

    Cheers

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

      ive gone Archer less risk of price going down?

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

      Archer imo. Jut fined a new 5 year deal with the villa apparently

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

      most predicted Greenwood will be the 1st 4.5m forward to drop in price

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

    lock in...good luck all

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

    Which option guys:

    A) James & Walker
    B) Dias & Digne

  5. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Any last minute injury/rotation news affecting template players?

  6. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Will only post a couple of more times, would like to see some regular posters join.

    The Sheep Hunters Whisky challenge league.

    Winner will get a bottle of Johny Walker Black(YUM) and an engraved tumbler.!

    Rules: Only sheep and over 18's please.
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/n1bab5

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

      I think more than twice is an insta-ban, sorry

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        You don't look sorry.

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

          Inside I'm crying

          1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
            • 6 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            🙂

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

    Kane or Haaland?

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

      If you have Son go Haaland

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

      Kane only if you plan to captain other Haaland

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

    Which to pick
    A Neto
    B Bailey
    C Both and bench one ( if so who)

  9. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Who is best
    A- Tripper
    B- Gabriel
    C- Cash
    D- Digne

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

      I am between A and Ake at the moment. Think he is under-rated and the target for all of man cities set plays

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

    Last decision

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

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

    A) Dalot & Martinelli

    B) Trip & Neto

  12. RMT final update for GW1
    TopMarx
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    The Members RMT has been given a final update following today's press conferences.

    Our numbers are in line with the team odds for the next two Gameweeks and team season betting markets. They are also in line with season player markets for goals and assists.

    Tweaks have been made to the code to account for the new five subs rule.

    The projections have also been updated in the Members Area (not Beta).

    Good luck for the new season!

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

      The 5-sub rule was just accounted for from today? I'm sorry, but what are we paying for? The deadline is less than 1.5 hours away

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Lmao that cracked me up classic Deulo

        • Siva Mohan
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          developer was on leave

        • TopMarx
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Well no it was done during pre-season, the RMT is really comprehensive and one thing I would like to do this year now that I’m working with Chris (aka RMT’s Professor) is to communicate better how it works and the information it takes into account. There's a lot to it!

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

            That would be very useful. As well as ensuring it's updated constantly and consistently - and communicating that. Can't trust it when we're in the dark about those things 🙁

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

        Ta.

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

      Final one:

      A) Walker

      B) James

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

        B

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

        I’m currently on both…doesnt really answer your question though does it

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

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

    4. Caleb's Kitties
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A. Robertson cancelo mount OR
      B. Gabriel walker son

      Ward
      TAA james X X
      Salah(c) X martinelli bailey
      Haaland jesus
      Subs: iversen andreas neco archer

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

        A

    5. premierleaguesgreatestevert…
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Rashford or Martinelli?

      Have Jesus

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

        If you have Jesus, Martinelli won't get points, so Rashford. Oh wait, no. Martinelli.

        1. premierleaguesgreatestevert…
          • 4 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Ok thanks!

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

        Rash

        1. premierleaguesgreatestevert…
          • 4 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Thanks

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

      Pick one:

      A) Trippier + Neto + Haaland

      or

      B) Cancelo + Martinelli + Watkins (+1.5)

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

      Final one:

      A) Walker

      B) Trippier

      1. The Parrot
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        B

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

        wow, tricky

    8. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Thoughts on this Threemium?

      Ward
      TAA Robbo Walker Digne Dalot
      Salah Son Bailey
      Haaland Jesus

      No 8.0 mid but can easily get 2 with 2 FT's by downgrading one of the premium mids.

      Love the 5.0 defenders due to easy switching as there are a lot of options at that bracket...

    9. mr_jones
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Last Decision: Kulu or Mount?

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

        Mount

      2. The Parrot
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Kulu for this GW, Mount longer term

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

      First time owning Kulu this week...fear the worse for him...

    11. Paully Walnuts
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Been ages since I posted here but going with

      Sanchez, Ward
      TAA, Dias, Trippier, Cash, Neco
      Salah, Luis Diaz, Mount, Martinelli, Andreas
      Kane, Jesus, Archer.

      I like the extra 8m mid over having Cancelo or Robbo as it gives a lot of flexibility but no Cancelo or Haaland isn’t ideal, but I can’t have everyone!

    12. The Parrot
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Ok final but (lol)

      A) Digne/Walker + Saka + Diaz
      B) Robbo + Martinelli + Mount

    13. 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 - Walker - Kulu (GW2: Kane or Kulu —> Haaland or Foden)

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

    14. SantiTotti
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Rate my team
      Ederson
      TAA Pericić zenchenko cash
      Son salah baily coutinho
      Jesus darwin

      Andreas greenwood n.williams
      0.5 in the bank

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

      All my other decisions made, down to the final one when it comes to my starting XI:

      A: Reece James or B: Marcus Rashford? (Or, in reality; A: James+Colback (4-3-3) or B: Patterson+Rashford (3-4-3). Have got no other players from Chelsea or ManUtd.

      Thoughts appreciated! Thanks!

    16. FPL_Pugster
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Final Thoughts

      Ward
      TAA - Gabriel - Cancelo - James
      Salah(c) - Maretinelli - Diaz - Grealish
      Kane - Jesus

      Subs : Iversen - Andreas - Greenwood - Williams

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

      A) James, Diaz, Cancelo
      B) Mount, Robbo, Dias

    18. Junks
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A. Raya & Perisic
      B. Ramsdale & Digne

    19. Leeroy357
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Final call on 4.5m mids?
      Need 2 and currently in this order:
      1. Lavia
      2. Andreas
      3. H Reed
      4. Colback