Scout Squad

The Scout Squad: Our top picks for FPL Gameweek 1

13 August 2025 665 comments
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With new Fantasy Premier League (FPL) rules and new arrivals to consider, the Scout Squad are back ahead of Gameweek 1.

This week and every week, our in-house team of Sam, Marc, Tom and Neale will discuss who they think the best FPL players are for the upcoming Gameweek in isolation.

Only five players have been given universal backing for the opening weekend…

MORE ABOUT THE SCOUT SQUAD

Scout Squad Gameweek 1

The focus is only on the upcoming Gameweek with the Scout Squad, so there’s no medium-term planning involved.

The players who get the most votes are much more likely to make the Scout Picks, although the final XI can’t exceed £83.0m – so occasionally, cheaper alternatives have to be found.

Each of our writers must meet the following requirements for this feature:

  • At least one sub-£5.0m goalkeeper
  • At least one sub-£5.0m defender
  • At least one sub-£6.0m midfielder
  • At least one sub-£7.0m forward
  • No more than three players from the same club

SCOUT SQUAD: BEST FPL PLAYERS FOR GAMEWEEK 1

 

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The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

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  1. TanN
    • 4 Years
    4 months, 54 mins ago

    Rip my (hopefully final) draft to sheds people!! Please suggest improvements!

    Sels
    VDV O'Brien Williams
    Palmer Gakpo Ndiaye Rutter
    Haaland (C) Watkins Ekitike

    Dubravka Reijnders De Cuyper Duiof

    0.0itb

    Bench boost is tempting me, what are people's thoughts?

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    1. EgyptianKing
      • 7 Years
      4 months, 53 mins ago

      Nice squad. With that bench, I’d bench boost

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      1. TanN
        • 4 Years
        4 months, 51 mins ago

        Thank you!

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    2. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 months, 42 mins ago

      Different. I like it.

      Good enough to BB

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    3. Mantis Toboggan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 months, 41 mins ago

      Looks good.

      Maybe get 2 4.5 rotating GKs for a guarantee of start with Dubravka being uncertain, and a better fixture

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      1. TanN
        • 4 Years
        4 months, 39 mins ago

        That's a good idea!

        Not sure who to target though - Verbruggen / Areola / Kelleher?

        Already have a WHU and a BHA defender and dont particularly want to double up...

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  2. EgyptianKing
    • 7 Years
    4 months, 54 mins ago

    Thoughts on this?

    Also, suggestions on where to use 0.5?

    Sanchez
    Porro Frimpong Murillo
    Palmer Wirtz Rejinders Bruno Saka
    Ekitike Watkins

    Dub Esteve Guiu Reinildo

    Cheers!

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    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 52 mins ago

      Saka Ekitike -> Gakpo Gyökeres leaves you another 2M

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      1. EgyptianKing
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 51 mins ago

        You think the latter is stronger?

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        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 47 mins ago

          Those two plus 2 mil, yes. Just my opinion.

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          1. EgyptianKing
            • 7 Years
            4 months, 45 mins ago

            Cheers! Thing is tbh I do not see how those extra 2M would be of good use given my team. What do you think?

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            1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
              • 9 Years
              4 months, 32 mins ago

              It would allow Pedro over Reijnders in a 3-4-3

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              1. EgyptianKing
                • 7 Years
                4 months, 30 mins ago

                Oh…. That is interesting. Food for thought. Appreciate the advice!

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    2. TanN
      • 4 Years
      4 months, 49 mins ago

      I like the no Haaland no Salah draft!

      I would say maybe one of your 4.0 def to one of the popular nailed 4.5 defenders like VDV / Guehi / Konsa

      Don't be afraid to bank the 0.5 though

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      1. EgyptianKing
        • 7 Years
        4 months, 44 mins ago

        Thank you!

        I am maybe considering Murillo Sanchez —> Cucu Sels, but not sure.

        0.5 itb can be good to do Ekitike —> Gyokeres if needed

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        1. TanN
          • 4 Years
          4 months, 42 mins ago

          I like that move tbh, Sels seems the more likely to keep a CS in my opinion. Cucu perhaps more likely to get an attacking return than Murillo?

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        2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 9 Years
          4 months, 34 mins ago

          Those are good moves imo

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  3. chilli con kone
    • 12 Years
    4 months, 53 mins ago

    A whole summer of Newcastle memes and spurs make them go away in one evening

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  4. Fernandito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 months, 52 mins ago

    Sanchez
    VVD Porro Murillo
    Salah(c) Palmer Gakpo Rutter
    Fullkrug Watkins Pedro

    Dubravka Diouf King Esteve

    Thoughts on this draft guys?

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    1. TanN
      • 4 Years
      4 months, 48 mins ago

      I have a similar team (see above) but opted for Haaland over Salah. Going to be an interesting season.

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  5. The Mandalorian
    • 13 Years
    4 months, 51 mins ago

    Those Spurs subs really cost them the game.

    Paulinho and Kudus were brilliant.

    Spurs missed the defensive work and physicality of these players and PSG could now pin them back and get the draw.

    Tel did nothing, no ball carries, strength or football intelligence. Bum

    They missed Kudus physicality to hold onto the ball and lost that outlet.

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    1. RedKev81
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 months, 45 mins ago

      Only caught the last 20 min … Reckon Kudus played well enough to nail his place?
      Surprised Johnson didn’t play tonight, thought he was pretty nailed…any info why?

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      1. The Mandalorian
        • 13 Years
        4 months, 30 mins ago

        Im not a Spurs fan so dont know about Johnson. Kudus was a Frank signing so you'd expect him to start especially after that performance.

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    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 43 mins ago

      I agree.

      Suggests the strength in depth isn't in the squad and once CL properly kicks in then Spurs will struggle.

      The only caveat to this is they were playing a PSG team who have had a disjointed pre-season. So you have to judge whether PSG were playing below themselves and if so, by how much.

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      1. The Mandalorian
        • 13 Years
        4 months, 32 mins ago

        PSG has one of the best squads in world football. Spurs stopped their technical patterns of play down the wings. Chelsea did the same but had better finishers in Palmer and Pedro.

        Note PSG passing accuracy was around 90% and Spurs around 70%. So despite lack of pre season PSG had a big technical advantage.

        Unlike the Prem teams that PSG beat last season, CHE and Spurs weren't struggling from fatigue and could physically go head to head with them.

        Good point Spurs squad probably won't cope and Porro is likely a short term option.

        PSG struggle against physical energetic teams

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  6. Wirtzle Gummidge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 months, 50 mins ago

    A. Saka and Füllkrug
    B. Rogers and Gyökeres

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    1. Mantis Toboggan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 months, 39 mins ago

      A

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  7. sk24
    • 8 Years
    4 months, 50 mins ago

    Is Porro on set pieces?

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      4 months, 49 mins ago

      Yep, could even be on pens after that shootout

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  8. Feanor
    • 16 Years
    4 months, 49 mins ago

    Classic Spurs bottle job

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      4 months, 48 mins ago

      🙄

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  9. AC Pilkington
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 months, 48 mins ago

    Which team is better to double up on in defence assuming Porro and Sels are already in my team?

    A) Spurs (get Romero too)

    B) Forest (get N Williams too)

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    1. Mantis Toboggan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 months, 39 mins ago

      B

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  10. Wizard of Ozil
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 months, 48 mins ago

    I’m getting rid of Spurs players. Got zero bottle.
    2-0 and they F it up

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      4 months, 45 mins ago

      A lack of bottle is not something you could accuse them of tonight.

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      1. Wizard of Ozil
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 months, 38 mins ago

        Letting a 2-0 lead slip in the 80th min is pretty pathetic if you ask me. Can’t wait for the North London Derby.

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  11. Fpl_Ludwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 months, 48 mins ago

    A) Watkins + Ndiaye
    B) Ekitike + Rogers

    thoughts?

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    1. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      4 months, 16 mins ago

      B

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  12. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    4 months, 47 mins ago

    Which option?

    A. Sanchez, Porro, JSL
    B. Sanchez, VdV, JPedro
    C. Kelleher, Porro, Evanilson

    Thanks

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    1. woodca007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      4 months, 39 mins ago

      A

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    2. jrliester
        4 months, 38 mins ago

        C. As a Chelsea fan, really hoping they bring in someone new (Donnaruma?), so I'm not totally trusting Sanchez minutes.

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    3. KieranKA
      • 4 Years
      4 months, 46 mins ago

      Feel like this team is pretty template, any issues?

      Sanchez // Dubravka
      Virgil Murillo V.d.Ven // Konsa Gudmundsson
      Salah Palmer Wirtz Sarr Anderson
      Watkins J.Pedro // Guiu

      A: Sanchez, Van de Ven, Anderson, J.Pedro
      B: Kelleher, Van de Ven, Kudus, Evanilson
      C: Kelleher, Ait-Nouri, Dewsbury-Hall, Evanilson

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    4. jrliester
        4 months, 42 mins ago

        Ndiaye or Rutter?
        I also want P.M.Sarr, so this would be my #4 midfielder behind Palmer, Wirtz, and Rogers (going Haaland over Salah).

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        1. _figu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 months, 37 mins ago

          Brighton more attacking so I would go Rutter. But not too familiar wirh Ndiaye.

          P.M. Sarr would be good option for GW1 BB. Anderson the boring template pick which makes a lot of sense, Reindeer tempting

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          1. 420king
            • 11 Years
            4 months, 36 mins ago

            Agree, ditch Sarr if you aren't playing BB

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          2. jrliester
              4 months, 36 mins ago

              Is Rutter nailed? I know he's been playing different positions in preseason

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          3. 420king
            • 11 Years
            4 months, 36 mins ago

            I would go Rutter

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          4. TanN
            • 4 Years
            4 months, 35 mins ago

            I have both Rutter and Ndiaye.

            I think Ndiaye might end up being this seasons Nkunku if you catch my drift but going to punt on him still in GW1.

            Rutter seems likely to lead the line for a Brighton team that seem solid and quite attacking in pre-season. Would expect most attacks to go through / culminate with Rutter. As a 6.0m midfielder playing as a no9 he seems a no brainer but lets keep that one quiet for those who have picked up on him and want him as their no1 differential eh.

            I imagine spurs will sign a no10 so sarr is a short term pick, would prefer Andersen Reijnders or even Xhaka longer term

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          5. Stranger Mings
            • 5 Years
            4 months, 16 mins ago

            Rutter

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        2. Feanor
          • 16 Years
          4 months, 42 mins ago

          Grealish has never been great in FPL has he.

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          1. _figu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 months, 40 mins ago

            Was amazing at Villa

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          2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
            • 14 Years
            4 months, 40 mins ago

            He was alright for Villa, iirc.

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            1. The Bandit
              • 15 Years
              4 months, 31 mins ago

              149pts was his best ever. Not great tbf

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          3. TallestJohn
            • 8 Years
            4 months, 36 mins ago

            Good for Villa until I bought him and Dean Smith said "Grealish will totally be back next week, I swear on my mother's life" every week for about three months. Had a nice connection with Håland in 2022-23.

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        3. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          4 months, 42 mins ago

          This place, yesterday no mention of Spurs, 30 mins ago 3 Spurs appear in drafts.
          10 minutes ago normal service no Spurs 🙂

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          1. AAAFootball
              4 months, 42 mins ago

              Lol

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            • Stranger Mings
              • 5 Years
              4 months, 17 mins ago

              Just vdv

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          2. Dynamic Duos
            • 12 Years
            4 months, 41 mins ago

            Neco or Romero then, Spurs look good from set pieces and Romero looks a really threat? Did Romero come away with enough defcon points for extra 2 pts?

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            1. woodca007
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 2 Years
              4 months, 39 mins ago

              Romero. But he’s always got cards in him!

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          3. The Colonel
            • 11 Years
            4 months, 39 mins ago

            Kelleher (Dubravka)

            Porro, Neco, Konsa, (Diouf), (Esteve)

            Salah, Wirtz, Kudus, Reijnders, Anderson

            Haaland, Watkins, (Guiu)

            Think I'm OK or giving up too much to get in Salah and Haaland?

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            1. woodca007
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 2 Years
              4 months, 36 mins ago

              I just don’t think the maths can work with Haaland and Salah. If you look at their points:price value, they are only worth the money with captaincy. Having both means you have one overpriced asset every week. And that’s even if they both perform well.

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              1. TanN
                • 4 Years
                4 months, 32 mins ago

                Fully agree with you. There will be an upside if they both perform well and you pick the correct one to captain each week (tricky).

                Downside is having to play Reijnders Andersen every week (city rotation and andersen not very attacking).

                Plus bench is weak, unable to BB without multiple transfers and leaves you short in case of injuries / players not starting.

                I get why Kelleher is popular but dont see Brentford keeping as many clean sheets this time round - many are tipping them for relegation

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          4. AD105
            • 9 Years
            4 months, 38 mins ago

            A) Anderson
            B) Reijnders

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            1. _figu
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 months, 37 mins ago

              I have both atm haha. Who is your 4th/5th?

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              1. AD105
                • 9 Years
                4 months, 30 mins ago

                Sarr/Anderson currently, but thinking about Reijnders, Rogers and possibly Rutter

                Sanchez
                Murillo Porro Anderson
                Salah Palmer Bruno Sarr Anderson
                Watkins Pedro

                Dubravka Konsa Esteve Guiu

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            2. theshazly
              • 2 Years
              4 months, 31 mins ago

              B

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            3. Stranger Mings
              • 5 Years
              4 months, 18 mins ago

              B

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          5. Silecro
            • 8 Years
            4 months, 37 mins ago

            Do we reckon Liv vs Bou friday night to be high scoring affair?
            Have Evanilson, Salah and Gakpo in my team, reluctant to bench Evanilson but also affraid to play 3 of the attackers in one game

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            1. _figu
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 months, 35 mins ago

              Pool def not settled yet. I expect Bournemouth to score at least one. Could be smth like 3,4-1

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            2. WVA
              • 9 Years
              4 months, 28 mins ago

              0-0

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            3. Stranger Mings
              • 5 Years
              4 months, 18 mins ago

              2-0 or 2-1 liverpool

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          6. El_Matador
            • 14 Years
            4 months, 36 mins ago

            More or less settled on my startimg XI. I like to max out the starters and pay bare minimum for subs. Currently on Dubs Reinildo Esteves Barnes. Any better options and please also state why? Tia

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            1. _figu
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 months, 33 mins ago

              If you dont plan to BB early that's the way. Kroupi (bou) over Barnes. He started the last friendly iirc

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          7. Dutchy
            • 7 Years
            4 months, 36 mins ago

            A) Sels / Cucurella / Reijnders / Mateta

            B) Kelleher / Diouf / Wirtz / Larsen

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            1. Aaa
              • 11 Years
              4 months, 35 mins ago

              A

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            2. theshazly
              • 2 Years
              4 months, 32 mins ago

              A

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            3. Stranger Mings
              • 5 Years
              4 months, 19 mins ago

              A

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          8. Aaa
            • 11 Years
            4 months, 35 mins ago

            A - Strand L & I.Sarr

            B - Bowen & KDH

            Sels
            Tark/Williams/VDV
            Salah/Palmer/Bruno/Marmoush/*
            Pedro/*
            (Dubr/Dorgu/Guiu/Esteve)

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            1. Camzy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              4 months, 32 mins ago

              Easy A from me. I really like Sarr. He's very likely to make my team.

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              1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                • 9 Years
                4 months, 29 mins ago

                Wood was 100% for you the other week
                Still is?

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            2. TanN
              • 4 Years
              4 months, 31 mins ago

              B as a short term pick

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            3. Stranger Mings
              • 5 Years
              4 months, 19 mins ago

              B

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          9. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
            • 11 Years
            4 months, 34 mins ago

            Help please squires?

            Such a big one!!

            F) Verbruggen & Diouf
            U) Areola & De Cupyer

            ?

            Either keeper would by normal back up (Sanchez) but BB in week 1

            So I guess it rests on which defender really….

            Thoughts esteemed people?

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            1. TanN
              • 4 Years
              4 months, 29 mins ago

              U

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          10. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 months, 33 mins ago

            Big vote for Salah and Watkins there in Scout Squad

            Plus Sels etc.

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            1. TanN
              • 4 Years
              4 months, 30 mins ago

              Haaland the better premium imho

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              1. AC/DC AFC
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                4 months, 26 mins ago

                I agree

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          11. theshazly
            • 2 Years
            4 months, 32 mins ago

            PMS & Frimpong or Kudus DeCuyper ?

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          12. Khalico
            • 10 Years
            4 months, 31 mins ago

            Best 6.5m midfielder or below? Someone who’s attacking and in attacking position

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            1. RedKev81
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              4 months, 29 mins ago

              I’m going Mitoma and probably Kudus for gw1 but hoping Cherki/Reijnders nail their positions

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              1. Khalico
                • 10 Years
                4 months, 28 mins ago

                Thoughts on Sarr from Palace?

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                1. RedKev81
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 4 Years
                  4 months, 25 mins ago

                  Like him, was just too inconsistent for me when had him last season and with Eze maybe leaving could really effect their attack

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                  1. AC/DC AFC
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 10 Years
                    4 months, 24 mins ago

                    It was just a timing issue really and recency bias as they say.

                    Bur yeah, Eze is better if you can stretch to him?

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            2. TanN
              • 4 Years
              4 months, 29 mins ago

              My top 3 in no particular order:

              Ndiaye
              Kudus
              Rutter

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            3. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              4 months, 25 mins ago

              Sarr

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            4. theshazly
              • 2 Years
              4 months, 22 mins ago

              Kudus

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          13. RedKev81
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            4 months, 31 mins ago

            BB GW1 …who would you prefer?

            A-Johnson/Murillo/Vicario/Verbruggan

            B-Kudus/Murillo/Vicario/Sels

            C-Kudus/Ait-Nouri/Sels/Verbruggan

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          14. OverTinker
            • 7 Years
            4 months, 30 mins ago

            VDV or Porro?
            Kudus, Rogers or I.Sarr?

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            1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
              • 9 Years
              4 months, 30 mins ago

              Porro
              Rogers

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            2. Dynamic Duos
              • 12 Years
              4 months, 29 mins ago

              Porro is on all sets and basically playing as a winger so him. Rogers if fit

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            3. Stranger Mings
              • 5 Years
              4 months, 21 mins ago

              P and r

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            4. theshazly
              • 2 Years
              4 months, 18 mins ago

              .

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          15. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 9 Years
            4 months, 30 mins ago

            Back heavy 4-4-2?

            Kelleher
            Cucurella RAN Frimpong Porro
            Palmer Wirtz Gakpo Rogers
            Haaland Pedro

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