Rate My Team

Rate My Team surgery with five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman

With Gameweek 12 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) closing in, five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman is here to help with your pre-deadline dilemmas for the next hour.

Whether it’s questions on transfers, captaincy, differentials or anything in between, Scout’s Deputy Editor will tackle whatever’s thrown at him.

He’ll be on hand to first reply to requests from Premium Members in the Hot Topic below the line of this piece and will get through as many as he can until the next article goes up. If there’s time, Tom will also turn his attention to other requests in the comments section.

If you’d like to receive an email notification letting you know when future RMT Surgery’s are live, you can now do so. When editing your profile, under ‘Alerts & Notifications‘, you’ll find a section on ‘Email Notifications‘. In there is an option for ‘Rate My Team Surgery‘, check that box and you will receive an email letting you know when the surgery is about to go live.

You can, as ever, chip in with your own opinions on the RMT requests filtering through – and naturally, you’re free to ignore the article subject matter and talk about any other wider FPL topics that you’d normally be musing on.

Don’t forget that, if it’s an algorithmic answer you’re after rather than an opinion-based one, we also have a ‘Rate My Team’ tool available in the Premium Members Area.

Haaland Foden


358 Comments Post a Comment
  1. RMT SURGERY WITH TOM
  2. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 months, 26 days ago

    Hi Tom, hope you're well!

    What to do here? 2FT and £0 ITB. Went with TAA on the no Haaland strategy a few weeks back as a big differential hoping he could score big with the favourable fixtures but hasn't happened. So thinking of ditching now with the view of planning for Haaland's return in a few weeks.

    A) TAA to Gabriel (or White/Saliba)
    B) TAA & Areola to Gabriel & Johnstone (or any keeper)
    C) Cash to Gabriel
    D) Something else

    Areola
    TAA, Trippier, Cash
    Salah, Son, Saka, Bowen
    Watkins, Alvarez, Darwin

    Turner, Guehi, Taylor, Chukwuemeka

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      Hey, longer-term, I probably wouldn't want to own Alexander-Arnold.

      I personally think the addition of Szoboszlai has taken away a bit of his appeal, at least creatively, but maybe Brentford at home isn't the ideal time to remove him.

      I'd be more tempted to sell Alvarez this week, I think, just cause you might have a problem with him in GW13 after the internationals.

    2. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      Tom is obviously well mate when he's been posting content restricted to members only.

      1. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Premium members even

  3. Snooze ya lose
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 months, 26 days ago

    Maddison to mitoma or adingra?

    Cheers

    1. agueroooooney
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      Mitoma

    2. Saka Rice
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      Neither because they can get rested soon. I'd go Gordon, Eze or Palmer over them right now

  4. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    5 months, 26 days ago

    https://www.arsenal.com/news/training-gallery-sights-set-burnley

    Can anybody see Saka in today's official training pics? I didn't spot him

    Tweet is a summarized version: https://x.com/Arsenal/status/1723007610578768183?s=20

    1. The Road to Turfdom
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      Arteta confirmed he didn't train today

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2023/11/10/fpl-gameweek-12-team-news-fridays-live-injury-updates/#arsenal

        "Mikel Arteta revealed in his pre-match presser that Bukayo Saka “didn’t train” on Thursday, having been forced off against Sevilla on Wednesday with a knock."

      2. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Just to clarify: we already know that Saka didn't train yesterday (Thursday). Arteta said that in today's presser

        But then they had training after that, and Saka apparently didn't train today either, if we're to believe the club isn't being shady (again?) with who shows up in their training pics. Their official site says those pics are from today's training session

        1. DavvaMC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          If Saka is indeed out, would you hold him, or perhaps move for someone like Martinelli, Eze or Kudos?

  5. agueroooooney
    • 9 Years
    5 months, 26 days ago

    Is Ferguson first choice? Thinking of a punt on him but not sure of his expected minutes

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      I've gone for him but am aware of the risks

  6. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    5 months, 26 days ago

    Points predictions for this week - midfield Maddison replacements special:

    a. Bowen
    b. Kudus
    c. Martinelli
    d. Mitoma
    e. Diaz
    f. Bruno
    g. Gordon
    h. Eze

    How many points do they get?

    1. Saka Rice
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      thats a lot of effort lol and kind of pointless. I think the best are Bowen, Gordon, Martinelli, Bruno, Eze etc

  7. tim
    • 14 Years
    5 months, 26 days ago

    Saka to who?

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      Hold

    2. Boz
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      hold

    3. tim
      • 14 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      Tempted to go Gordon

      1. Boz
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Nahhhh

    4. Arn De Gothia
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      dare I say... Bruno

    5. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      Stick.

    6. Saka Rice
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      as long as Saka has legs he'll play it doesn't matter if he didnt train or has an ACL

  8. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    5 months, 26 days ago

    Johnstone (Strakoshara)
    Trippier Gabriel Cash
    (Lascelles Taylor)
    Son Saka Gordon Salah ©
    (Adingra)
    Haaland Watinks Alavrez
    2 FT & 0.2 itb
    What to do 🙁 ?

    1. Boz
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      Surely can't bench Adingra vs SHU

    2. Dazzler
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      nothing but smile 🙂

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      It's not tripper sorry 🙁

    4. agueroooooney
      • 9 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      Play Adingra over Alvarez

  9. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    5 months, 26 days ago

    What to do here chaps?

    Areola
    Cash Tsimikas Gabriel
    Son Salah Martinelli Mitoma
    Watkins Haaland Alvarez

    Turner Porro Taylor Chukwu

    0.3m ITB and 1FT

    A) Tsimikas ➡ Guehi/Mitchell
    B) Tsimikas ➡ Livra
    C) Save FT

    1. Boz
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      C

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      Roll and I would start Porro over Tsimikas I think

      1. Manic M
          5 months, 26 days ago

          As above

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 months, 26 days ago

      Who to start?

      A) Mbueno
      B) Archer
      C) Tsimikas

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        B

      2. lilmessipran
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        A not even close

      3. The Yam Bandit
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        5 months, 26 days ago

        A
        Liverpool have swiss cheese defense right now and Mbuemo has a hand in nearly every attacking play.

        1. Manic M
            5 months, 26 days ago

            They’ve conceded one in the last 3 in the league

            1. The Yam Bandit
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              5 months, 26 days ago

              True, but 3 yesterday against a team no one has heard of.
              Liverpool are at Anfield though so that could play in their favor.

        2. sulldaddy
          • 14 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          A .
          Step away from the key board and dont overthink it

        3. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Cheers, A it is 🙂

        4. Tasty Jerk
          • 11 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          A) easily I would say.

        5. Woy_is_back
          • 6 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          B

        6. Gazza2000
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          A

        7. Limbo
          • 13 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          A

      4. Catalan Rangers
        • 7 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        A) Saka, Son, Nketiah
        B) Palmer, Chen, Haaland

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          B

          1. Saka Rice
            • 9 Years
            5 months, 26 days ago

            B by at least 9 million miles

      5. NJ MetroStars
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        areola

        trippier, gabriel, tsimikas

        salah, saka, maddison, mitoma, gordon

        haaland, watkins

        (turner, pau, archer, taylor)

        0.2 itb, 2 free

        a) madd --> bowen, roll secnd
        b) madd --> palmer, saka --> son

        1. Gazza2000
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          A

      6. lilmessipran
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Is Saka a hold this week if no FT left? (Used on Madds) Archer comes off the bench if Saka no show

        1. Boz
          • 11 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          100%

        2. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Yes, would hold if I had him and also had to sell Maddison

      7. CRAZY TRAIN
        • 12 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Current team 1ft 0.7itb

        Areola
        Cash Tsim Gabriel (Taylor Lamptey)
        Son Saka Bowen Salah (Chuk
        Darwin Haaland Lavarez

        a) Lamptey > Lascelles
        b) Chuk > Adringa
        c) neither and roll
        d) a&b for -4

        1. Gazza2000
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Roll

      8. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Maddison to an Arsenal mid, price not a problem, which one?

        1. lilmessipran
          • 11 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Surely Martinelli is the only "viable" option this week?

        2. Boss Hogg
          • 14 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Martinelli was different (whatever Brazilians have instead of) gravy in midweek.
          Him.

        3. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          As Saka is a doubt it’s Martinelli

        4. El Presidente
          • 4 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Don't you guys think that with Nketiah playing Martinelli doesn't have the same threat?

        5. boombaba
          • 11 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Tross if you want a punt

          1. The Yam Bandit
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            5 months, 26 days ago

            Trossard could pay out BIG this weekend

        6. Sharkytect
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          This is so difficult because beyond this week you will definitely want saka. I'd say saka is worth risk provided:
          A) you have someone good on the bench
          B) you've got the cash

      9. DV8R
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Burn to Lascelles or Mitchell/Guehi?

        1. Boxwoods
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          This is what I would like to know.

        2. The Yam Bandit
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Palace defenders aren't a bad idea honestly, just choose the higher attacking potential of the two. But Newcastle have a more favorable run of fixtures for the foreseeable future.
          Honestly, take the punt on Palace mate. Could pay out nice especially since everyone is going for Lascelles now

        3. Gazza2000
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          I would get Lascelles

        4. Tasty Jerk
          • 11 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          If you don't have Johnstone in goal then either Mitchell/Guehi - all our first team players are back from injury now.

      10. JY84
        • 8 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Areola (Turner)
        Mitchell Cash Tsimikas (Burn, Taylor)
        Salah Bowen Maddison Saka Neto
        Watkins Haaland (Archer)
        I have only 1 FT and planning to take a -4 only even though Burn, Maddison, Neto r def out while the likes of Saka n Tsimikas may not start! Which is the better option? Planning to go with A n change Burn only next week since there is a chance Tsimikas may start n Archer can cover for Saka’s potential absence too but is it the right choice?

        (A) Mitoma & Gordon for Neto & Maddison
        (B) Gabriel & Gordon for Burn & Maddison n play a 4-4-2 since Arsenal has a high chance of a clean sheet against Burnley!
        (C) Just take a minus 8 n get Mitoma, Gordon and Gabriel for Burn Neto Maddison.

      11. boombaba
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Play kabore or take a hit for lascelles ?

      12. The Yam Bandit
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Cash or Digne fellas?
        Seems like Cash is getting less minutes and playing deeper now.
        Digne is firing in crosses but cant get anyone on the end of them. Maybe threatened for minutes with Moreno back fit? HELP!

      13. Esalman
        • 14 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Any glaring issues apart from lack of Haaland?

        Areola
        Andersen Trippier Cash
        Bowen Salah(C) Son Mbeumo Saka
        J.Alvarez Watkins
        Leno Colwill Udogie fodder

        1. Esalman
          • 14 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          2FT, 2.2itb

        2. Gazza2000
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Udogie to an Arsenal defender looks good

      14. TeddiPonza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Got 2 FT.

        A. CTaylor to Lascelles. Play Saka (Palmer 1st sub

        B. Saka to Martinelli/Bruno and maybe reverse next week if no other concerns. Play Palmer.

        Thanks

        1. snow pea in repose
          • 3 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          B

      15. Andrew D48
        • 2 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Hello there I have a decision to make don’t own Saka but its either Bowen or Martinelli for Maddison please?

        1. Sharkytect
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Bowen

      16. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Maddison to Mitoma would give me enough to do Porro to Trippier for a hit.
        Other defenders are Saliba Cash Timi and Kabore.
        Should I do it?

        1. OptimusBlack
          • 11 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Yes

        2. Limbo
          • 13 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Trippier too good to ignore. Long term investment. So yest from me.

        3. Saka Rice
          • 9 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Gordon is a better more reliable option than Mitoma. Mitoma is due a rest IMO

      17. Max McShark
        • 1 Year
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Do you think Rasmus Hojlund is worth a punt given Man U are playing Luton and Everton the week after? He looked good in the Champions League. Surely its only a matter of time he's going to score in the Premier League. Would put in Nketiah but it's not clear if he will be fit for this weekend.

        1. The Road to Turfdom
          • 7 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          I think he's a good punt

        2. agueroooooney
          • 9 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          No goals in prem yet, utd don't look great. Maybe Ferguson instead?

      18. Giovanni Giorgio
        • 10 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Anyone else having issues with fplstatistics?

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          .co.uk works

          1. Ze_Austin
            • 5 Years
            5 months, 26 days ago

            https://www.fplstatistics.co.uk/

            Yup. I didn't even know there was another domain

            1. Giovanni Giorgio
              • 10 Years
              5 months, 26 days ago

              Weird. Screen with the actual stats wont show. Have tried changing browsers, clearing catche, disabling vnp and adblocker. Still nothing

      19. Sharkytect
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        At the start of the week maddison was the flagged player I was least concerned about, )
        (and I expected estupinan to be fit for this week as well.)

        Now he is out, the obvious transfer SHOULD be to saka (for a -4 as i need to make a second transfer to generate the cash)...but Saka might ALSO be out. I would take a 4 point hit for him if arteta had been clearer.

        So now I am thinking I will hold off the transfer for one more week and wait and see how saka is. Will keep injured maddison on my bench this week and field Archer.

        In the meantime, I'll transfer in nketiah for alvarez to get some arsenal attack in that fixture.bthat frees up the cash for madison> saka next week so I don't have to take a hit.

        Does that make sense?

        (Posted on wrong article. Sorry)

        1. Saka Rice
          • 9 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          not really no. Nketiah might not play

          1. Sharkytect
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 months, 26 days ago

            Yeah I've changed my mind twice since posting this and eventually transfered in Gordon for madison before I start drinking!

      20. Tinfoil Deathstar
        • 3 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Roll FT or do Tsimikas to Gabriel with FT? £0.2 ITB so exact cash.

        Only transferred in Tsimikas last week, so would feel a bit knee-jerk to get rid straight away. I note that predictors have Tsimi at 100% to start too, although seems quite high to me!

        Areola
        Cash - Porro - Tsimi
        Salah (c) - Saka - Palmer - Son - Bowen
        Haaland (vc) - Watkins

        Bench: Turner; Archer, Branthwaite, Taylor

        1. Tinfoil Deathstar
          • 3 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Ah it was last weeks - 49% to start. Much more tempted to do the transfer now.

      21. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Burn + Maddison to Gordon + Tripper for free? Yes or no?

        1. agueroooooney
          • 9 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Yes, or a Brighton mid over Gordon, either are good options

        2. OverTinker
          • 5 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Zero Arsenal attack if I do this

          1. agueroooooney
            • 9 Years
            5 months, 26 days ago

            How does this affect your Arsenal attack?

            1. OverTinker
              • 5 Years
              5 months, 26 days ago

              Was considering Martinelli plus some cheap defender

        3. The Yam Bandit
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          5 months, 26 days ago

          If this is your only option then yes.
          2 players who are out for months --> 2 players in a strong Newcastle starting 11....

          Also consider Bowen, Mitoma, Son, Mbeumo, Martinelli

          1. agueroooooney
            • 9 Years
            5 months, 26 days ago

            I'd get Martinelli if funds allow it but Trippier higher priority

        4. Saka Rice
          • 9 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          that's exactly the transfer I'm going to do

      22. Aaa
        • 9 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        Anything worth a transfer or roll?

        Areola
        Cash/Gabriel/Branth
        Salah(c)/Saka/Martinelli/Mitoma/Bowen
        Haaland/Watkins
        (Strash/Tsmi/Archer/Taylor)

        1. agueroooooney
          • 9 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          G2G

      23. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        5 months, 26 days ago

        The chance of a Saka cameo is low right?
        He either starts and plays most of the game, taken off when they are cruising.
        Or doesn't feature in the squad at all.
        Bringing him on in any capacity makes no sense, even if they are losing. Either he is fit to start or doesn't feature.

        1. Tinfoil Deathstar
          • 3 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Would agree with that assessment, yeah.

        2. agueroooooney
          • 9 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          Hope so, have the armband on him

        3. Serresiete
          • 2 Years
          5 months, 26 days ago

          I captained he plays…. Or not at all