Scout Picks
14 August 2025 469 comments
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With Fantasy Premier League (FPL) 2025/26 getting underway tomorrow, it’s time to finalise our Gameweek 1 Scout Picks.

As usual, our Scout Picks selection is influenced by the Scout Squad submissions made by Neale (Editor), Tom (Deputy Editor), Sam (General Manager) and Marc (Staff Writer).

There are certain restrictions for our picks, however:

  • An £83.0m budget for our starting XI
  • An overall squad limit of £100.0m
  • No more than three players per team

GAMEWEEK 1 SCOUT PICKS

GOALKEEPER

Robert Sanchez (£5.0m) gets the nod in goal after being chosen by two of our Scout Squad pundits. The FIFA Club World Cup champions, Chelsea, are set to face Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon. Oliver Glasner’s troops have plenty of firepower, but the Blues enjoyed the third-best home record in the Premier League last season, conceding just 18 goals. The Club World Cup was a clear mark of progression, too, with Paris-Saint Germain among four clubs shut out.

With Marc Guehi (£4.5m) and Eberechi Eze (£7.5m) both linked with moves away from Selhurst Park this week, we’re hoping Palace are sufficiently disrupted to allow Sanchez to bag us a clean sheet as well as save points.

DEFENDERS

FPL notes: Why Porro was benched, in-form Chelsea, Martin sacked

 

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  1. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    A) Wirtz & Fullkrug
    Or
    B) Rogers & J.Pedro

    1. Drizzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Tough one, B.

      Just don't believe in Fullkrug yet

    2. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A

    3. Hint
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      B

  2. Wirtz Nightmare
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Team reveal!!!

    Sanchez
    Vvd Vdv Williams
    Salah Bruno Palmer Reindeer I.Sarr
    Pedro Watikins

    Dubz Richards guiu esteve

    I dont know about the defense, mabye would like some opinions and help with it

  3. Alli
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    A) Palmer, Wirtz, Haaland, Gyokeres, Guiu
    B) Saka, Salah, Pedro, Watkins, Beto

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      B but without Beto

  4. AB1792
    • 3 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    G2G?
    Throwing the kitchen sink at it from the beginning:

    Verbruggen(Kelleher not certain to start) - Dubravka

    Def:De Kuyper, AWB, VdV, Rodon, Hartman
    Mid:Salah, Palmer, PM Sarr, Reijnders, H.Wilson
    Att: Haaland, Watkins, Füllkrug

    Double Brighton backline is not ideal, but looking for another interesting 4,5m starting defender choice.

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      G2G, love it

    2. Oasthouse FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      G2G, looks good!

    3. GunnerStorm
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Konsa?

    4. Goodfeathers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      How about Anderson at Fulham for an alternate 4.5? Good defensive numbers last year.

  5. The Mighty One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Hi friends.

    How long until Guehi becomes a starter at Pool?

    I think I'm going with him right now and run with 4 LIV for a while.

    Here is my ranking of the 4.5s...anyone care to chime in on the best one?
    Diouf
    Dorgu
    Guehi
    De Kuyper
    Andersen

    Cheers. Good luck!

    1. Oasthouse FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Wan Bissaka not included? Still remains to be seen how good Diouf will be. The projections (not always right) have AWB scoring more points for the opening fixtures.

      1. The Mighty One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Thanks! I never really rate his attacking/passing skills highly...and I'm afraid of his crazy ability to slide tackle. Good point though.

    2. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      There's no guarantee Guehi will be a starter

      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        No guarantee he'd even go to Liverpool - be better off staying at Palace and going on a free next season. Failing that, go to Chelsea.

        1. TheBiffas
          • 5 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          True, but he wants Liverpool and we want him now

          1. x.jim.x
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            He's going to want guaranteed starts though - it's a World Cup year.

          2. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Need to pay around £40m for the season or he cashes in next year and could go abroad too.

        2. The Mighty One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Thanks. Is he better than Konate? I always respect the fact of actually taking/stealing the captain from another team. That is impressive.

          1. x.jim.x
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            I don't think so - Konate's the better player but he's just so injury-prone. He's only ever started more than 25 league games in season twice, and only once for Liverpool in four seasons.

            It'd be impressive to take a big club's captain - Liverpool are above Palace in the 'food chain' as disrespectful as that may be, so it's just the circle of life. Same as how Madrid could take theirs if they wanted to.

      2. Ozil Gummidge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Or a Liverpool player

  6. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Points predictions for Salah and Haaland here please.

    1. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      39points ,1 of em captain

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      2

      15

      I hope!

      1. Tomerick
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Yes please! Manifest it with me!

  7. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    First to 5,

    Munoz or Neco Williams, own Sels & I Sarr

    1. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Neco saves half mil. Buys you a nice bungalow in today's housing market.

    2. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      munoz,a great watch,bloke dont stop running

    3. The Mighty One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Neco. Better DEF, does attack, cheaper...though I like Milenko and Murillo even more.

      Also, shouldn't you change your name to g40esteve just out of respect for FPL?

      1. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        FLOL

    4. Punned It
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Get both!

        1. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Got no £££ left all on pitch 🙁

    5. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Hmm just learnt that there is no way to get one DC point. What do you think about that rule choice? Before this I didn't even check the rules since I automatically thought that 5 CBI gives you 1p, and 10 gives you 2 (defenders). Kind of unfair that if you get 9 each match, then it is zero reward all season.

      1. Ser Davos
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        I'm interest in how it plays out

        1. Ser Davos
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          *interested

    6. Oasthouse FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Who is the best of the 6.5's?

      A- kudus
      B - ndiaye
      C - I Sarr

      Currently on Kudus, but can't decide!

      1. BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Kind of like them all and kind of dislike them all. Currently I don't have anyone in that spot but Kudus for slighlty punty for Spurs fixtures or Sarr for slighlty more known asset in Palace team who is in good shape.

        1. Oasthouse FC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          yeah, feel the same - cheers!

    7. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      PS very annoying Kelleher "news". I would love to have him in my team.

      1. Club-De-Belon
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Out of all 4,5 GKs I chose Jose Sa.
        - even though Wolves are one of worst defences
        - he has best fixtures in GWs 2-11 e.g. BOU (A) EVE (H), LEE (H), SUN (A), BUR (H), FUL (A) with likes of striker-less NEW (A) or Spurs its Spurs TOT (A)
        - then its around wildcard time / 5 free afcon transfers time and you can feel free to swap GK
        - either lots of saves or good clean sheet games
        2,3% owned

        1. BobbyDoesNotLook
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          I have thought about him. Wolves just seems like a wildcard this season and feels bad having MCI as the first fixture.

          1. Club-De-Belon
            • 4 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            GW1 will be over quick though. Then you have no problem in goal.
            But I agree. I do not want WOL defence much.
            But I do want to save +0,5 on GK as well and he is a good 4,5 option.

      2. Ser Davos
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        why not just get Valdi as well then?

        1. BobbyDoesNotLook
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          It is a good point. Probably Burnley is not going to be defence masterclass and having Dub is overrated. What do you think?

          1. Ser Davos
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Dubravka isn't even guaranteed. They promoted Trafford after his previous experience was for L1 Bolton

            Kelleher + Valdimarsson

            or

            Play Valdimarsson this week and have Petrovic on the bench

    8. Ser Davos
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      An irritating question, but who could this year's Mbeumo be? A break-out auxiliary forward, nailed for 90? My best guess is Roger's atm

      1. Ser Davos
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        NDiaye? I like him as a player a lot, on pens, but early subbed and XG with Everton is not a thing

      2. The Mentaculus
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Rogers has already broken out. I'll go with Estêvão

        1. Ser Davos
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          mmm interesting shout. Only thing is, is that he's not guaranteed those minutes in the same way... unless he does a Cole Palmer

    9. theluckiest
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Keep tinkering.. Think I need to put my phone down and relax.

      Think I'm good to go?

      Sanchez - Dubravka
      Neco Williams, porro, de cuyper - diouf, Esteve
      Palmer, saka, wirtz, Bruno Fernandes - kdh
      Haaland, Watkins, mateta

      1. theluckiest
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Oops, that would be João Pedro instead of haaland!

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Oh, that would explain things!

          I've got Haaland, Palmer, Bruno and Wirtz but can't get to Watkins and Mateta but have the Liverpool forward for now.

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        That looks good

        Have you really got Palmer, Saka, Bruno and that front 3 in on budget?

        I might need to look again.

        That looks like a great team on paper.

    10. Bobadoba
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Frimpong or RAN?

      I think Frimpong will be more attacking, so am thinking Frimpong.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Pingpong

      2. GC123
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        I’ve gone both

        1. Bobadoba
          • 16 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Ok ta

    11. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      What are your thoughts on Cash or Maatsen?

    12. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A) Mateta and Strand Larson
      B) Watkins and downgrade someone
      Mateta seems in good form and could match Watkins?

    13. ebb2sparky
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Is Grealish likely to start in GW1?

      1. theluckiest
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Unlikely I would say

    14. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Milenkovic in the picks but hardly in anyone’s team

      Any specific reason? I am going milenkovic I think

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        I've got him

        I'm hoping for a few more goals this season...

      2. Ser Davos
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        torn on him and Murillo

        unable to squeeze that precious .5 to have both

    15. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Content creators posting their “final drafts”

      *disclaimer - the team may change up until deadline

      1. Supersonic_
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        To be fair, I've mentally been labelling every draft I make my 'final draft' until I pick up my phone an hour later

      2. WVA
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Why do you even look at content creators stuff, I don’t even know where to find it. This site is the best.

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Well, a few are regulars on here like the FPL Wire guys who I think do put out decent analysis and reasoning like Zopha for instance.

    16. Meta12345
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Isnt spence more secure to start gw1 than van de ven given udogie’s injury? Frank might protect van de ven given his injury history and the short turnaround between yesterday game and saturday. Looking to bbgw1 so it will be just that game. Wcgw2. What are your thoughts people?

    17. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      What do you reckon?

      Only decision is whether to go for Watkins instead of Gyokeres

      Sanchez
      Frimpong Ait-Nouri Konsa AWB
      Salah(c) Palmer(v) Wirtz Kudus
      Gyokeres Pedro

      Dubravka VdV Ramsey Guiu

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Why is vdv on the bench and Konsa starting

        1. diesel001
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          I think Villa will keep a CS whereas Spurs will concede and VdV already got his goal against PSG

          1. Nightcrawler
            • 6 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            If U think vdv will concede to Burnley u shd surely not have him then?

      2. Supersonic_
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Might be unpopular, but I plan to start with Watkins, then potentially move to Gyk once ive seen him in action.

    18. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      In your opinion who are the best 5.0 MFers to have for the few GWs (FHing in GW4)

      Any ideas would be appreciated

      1. CoracAld2831
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Maybe Xhaka or Sarr (TOT).

        Some people are saying KDH.

    19. mrpink32
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Team A or team B

      A) kelleher dubrav
      Diouf Murillo VDV (Anderson Rodon)
      Salah Wirtz Bruno I.Sarr Reijnders
      Haaland Fulkrug (guiu)

      B) Sanchez dubrav
      Diouf Murillo VDV (Anderson Rodon)
      Salah Saka Wirtz Reijnders (I.Sarr)
      Watkins Fulkrug Pedro

      Thanks!

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        A

        1. mrpink32
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Perfect thanks was leaning towards A

    20. Supersonic_
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Draft 500

      Thoughts should I just leave this alone

      Sanchez
      VDV AWB N.Williams
      Salah Palmer Bruno Wirtz KDH
      Watkins Pedro

      Dub Guiu Konsa Esteve

      1. FISSH
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        I think you should have a bit more in defence. One premium

        1. Supersonic_
          • 4 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Thanks mate.

      2. All Hail K
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Draft 500 sounds like a NASCAR race.

        1. Supersonic_
          • 4 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Haha

          1. All Hail K
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Diouf for AWB. A Westham mate of mine says Diouf may be a touch more offensive.

    21. FISSH
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A) Wirtz and Gyokeres

      B) Saka and Ekitike

      1. Letsgo!
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        B

      2. Nightcrawler
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        B

      3. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        A I think

    22. Letsgo!
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Vdv damsgaard
      Or porro pmsarr?

    23. SomeoneKnows
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Help me with my final decision...

      A) Sanchez, Tarkowski, Fernandes
      C) Sels, Cucurella, Wirtz

      XX
      Murillo, Pedro Porro, XX
      Salah, Palmer, XX, Anderson, Reijnder
      Watkins, Joao Pedro

      (Dubravka, Guiu, Richards, Esteve)

      1. JerseyD
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        C

    24. boombaba
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A. Salah Rogers Etikike
      B. Haaland Witrz Gakpo

      ?

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        B

      2. JerseyD
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        B

    25. JerseyD
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Best 4.0 defender that’s not Minecraft Steve

      1. the FPL Derby
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Roden or Gudmundsson, with the latter possibly the more nailed on the two.

        1. WVA
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          I’ve read Rodon more nailed

          1. the FPL Derby
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 2 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            I'm pretty sure that wasn't the case... but things change. I'm just going to have Electronic Steve as he can make an appearance off the bench for GW2.

      2. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Hartman

      3. Ser Davos
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Bijol/Rodon

      4. WVA
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Rodon and Reinildo have good fixtures but not sure that matters lol

        1. Ser Davos
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Rodon at home to Everton and Esteve at home to Sunderland GW2. Not a terrible way to start as the 11th man for a bit. With DC as well

    26. ABCDEFC
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Better combo?
      A) Virgil and N.Williams
      B) Porro and Murillo

      1. the FPL Derby
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        B

      2. BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Tight. Depends on how you see Pool.

    27. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A) 2x4.5def and 5.0gk
      B) 3x4.5 def and 4.5gk

      B gives my slightly cover for Fullkrug/Reijnders/Guiu choices. But gk is Sa/Ver/Kelleher.

      GK Dub
      Porro Neco 4.5 4.5 4.0/4.5
      Salah Palmer Bruno Wirtz Reijnders
      Watkins Fullkrug Guiu