Scout Picks

FPL Gameweek 1 Scout Picks: Four double-ups

14 August 2025 469 comments
avfc82 avfc82
Share:

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

 

1



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

1

469 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. TAnderson
      3 months, 23 days ago

      One day to go until the season opener! ⚽ Stay ahead with Knocks & Bans – track injuries, suspensions
      https://www.knocksandbans.com/

      Open Controls
    • tristanabc
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      G2G?

      Perri
      Murillo Williams VDV
      Palmer Bruno Wirtz Xhaka
      Haaland Watkins Pedro

      Dubravka KDH Rodon Esteve

      Only temptation is to downgrade Watkins to JSL or Evanilson and upgrade defence for a bit more balance.

      Open Controls
      1. Big Mike
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        A) If you want a 4.5 goalie, then I'd either go for Kelleher or Verbruggen.
        B) Bring in Tarkowski for Murillo OR keep Murillo and downgrade Xhaka to a 4.5, then use the extra 0.5 to upgrade Williams to Tarkowski
        C) Play KDH over Xhaka

        Open Controls
    • ididnt
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      How is this looking.

      Sels (Dubravka)
      VDV, Murillo, Diouf (Konsa, Rodon)
      Salah, Gakpo, Wirtz, Rutter, Reijnders
      Watkins, Pedro (Guiu)

      Open Controls
      1. ididnt
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Wirtz can become Bruno.

        Open Controls
        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          Looks good. Perhaps go Bruno with all his points variety

          Open Controls
    • RedJive79
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Trying a Salah+Haaland draft. Any good? Thanks.

      Sels
      Konsa / Aina / Diouf
      Salah / Reijnders / Anderson / Kudus / Palmer
      Joao Pedro / Haaland

      Dub / Guiu / Richards / Gudmundsson

      Open Controls
    • RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Any reason people are going Pedro over Delap?

      Open Controls
    • gomez123
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Thoughts on Reece James?? Deffo a dont go there??

      Open Controls
    • BusbySwede
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Anyone with a thought on this?
      Sels
      Porro, Cucurella, Milenkovic
      Palmer, Bruno, Wirtz, Kudos
      Watkins, Pedro, Fullkrog

      Dubravka, Rogers, Tarkowski, Konsa

      Have i spread the money too much and stuck with constant benching headache?
      Too much spent on defense, or forwards?

      A) Cucurella, Bruno, Kudos, Pedro
      B) Salah, De Cuyper/Diouf,

      Open Controls
      1. BusbySwede
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        B Should be Salah, De Cuyper/Diouf, Anderson, Guiu

        Open Controls
    • chocolove
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      No Wissa, touch and go Schade
      Triple def Forest, here we gooo

      Open Controls
    • WVA
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Quite tempted to bb my budget bench of Dubravka King Rodon Reinildo, got to be 10points there?

      Open Controls
    • Espanyolie
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Is Solanke fully out of grace? Or did I miss something? His ankle seems to be ok based on his cameo yesterday.
      Saw him quite a bit in early drafts but seems to have completely disappeared from them? If fully focussing on GW1 (BB + early WC), is he still a viable option in the 7.5 fwd mix?

      Open Controls
      1. dabber7
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Hasn't played any pre-season at all save for coming on for the last 20 mins on Wednesday, so question marks over his match fitness. Based on how well Richarlison played against PSG, you'd think it's highly likely that he will start ahead of Solanke, at least in GW1.

        Open Controls
    • royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      RP

      Please your help is needed

      In your opinion what is the best 4/4.5 GK and 2 x 5.0 MFers for this team

      Verbruggen xxxxxxxx
      Tarkowski Williams Rodon Andersen Konsa
      Salah Palmer Saka xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
      Bowen Mateta Evanlison

      No BB GW1
      FH GW4 following IB

      Any ideas would be appreciated

      Open Controls
      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        No use having 2x 5m mfers. 4.5 fodder and Reijnders/Anderson/Arias imo.
        Just go Dubravka 2nd keeper and have KDH/Pape Sarr 8th attacker

        Open Controls
    • RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Found picking a team very easy this year. Are most people seeing that? Are there just too limited options? My last choice anyways is this. Same 3 teams. Best one?

      A. Porro+Pedro+Fullkrug
      B. VdV+Delap+Bowen

      Open Controls
      1. Boxwoods
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        A. Pedro seems more in favor than Delap, atm.

        Open Controls
    • DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Does this look ok?

      Kelleher/ Dubravka
      De Cuyper/ VDV/ Andersen/ Konsa/ Esteve
      Palmer/ Saka/ Bruno/ Wirtz/ Reijnders
      Haaland/ Pedro/ Gulu

      Thanks!

      Open Controls
    • Powers106
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Having trouble deciding between Sels and Sanchez (dubravka 4.0)

      Is there a rotating 4.5 duo?

      Open Controls
    • Pedersen
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Sanchez
      Van de Ven / Porro / Murillo / Diouf
      Salah / Palmer / Bruno / Reijnders
      Watkins / Strand Larsen

      Dubravka / Konsa / Guiu / Ramsey

      I really want to find 1m to get Bowen over Guiu (that is what I am short on). Is that possible in this team? Murillo?

      Open Controls
    • C_G
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      is this gtg?

      Sels

      Diouf Neco James

      Salah Saka Bruno Harry Wilson

      Pedro Bowen Watkins

      Dubravka Gudmunsson Esteve Ramsey

      Open Controls
    • Fernandito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Which team would you go for?
      Which is the better team?

      Team A
      Sels
      Chalobah Murillo Porro
      Salah Palmer Bruno Rutter Reijnders
      Watkins Pedro
      Dubravka Dorgu Guiu Esteve

      Team B
      Sanchez
      VVD Murillo Porro
      Salah Palmer Rutter Gakpo
      Watkins Pedro Fullkrug
      Dubravka Dorgu King Esteve

      Open Controls
      1. Bluetiger1
        • 3 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        b

        Open Controls
    • davewg59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Nobody considering Sesko or Ekitike just in case they hit the ground running?

      Open Controls
      1. ball c
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Ekitike is good option more so than sesko.. but I’m waiting and seeing how he gets on
        Prefer Salah and Writz

        Open Controls
      2. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        My wife.

        Open Controls
    • Slitherene
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Is Marmoush nailed?

      Open Controls
    • ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Is a Forest double up in defence too much?
      Going with Sels & Milenkovic.

      Also which option:
      A) Cucurella
      B) A Nouri

      If i don’t go with cucurella I can have Sanchez in goal.

      Open Controls
    • martynteresa
        3 months, 23 days ago

        i absolutely love pedro is in 56 percent of teams, tee hee

        Open Controls
        1. RICICLE
          • 3 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          Still toying with whether to put him in for Solanke, reckon pedro will flop?

          Open Controls
          1. martynteresa
              3 months, 23 days ago

              yes

              Open Controls
          2. Dosh
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            Doesn't that scare you if you don't go for him?

            Open Controls
            1. martynteresa
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Nope he has 5 and 6 goals in last 2 seasons on 2000 mins each and with delap for competition he probably wont get more than 2500 mins max if that.
                Brighton high attacking team create lots of chances so how much gain is there in the chances created at Chelsea,not a lot of upside here.
                Maybe he gets 10, maybe 12 but theres better choices that will score more than that
                Wissa for example 19 goals last season,no penalties

                Open Controls
          3. Raybel22
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            What's the deal with Marmoush? No one seems to have him at all.

            Open Controls
            1. Pedersen
              • 7 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Only played when Haaland was injured

              Open Controls
            2. martynteresa
                3 months, 23 days ago

                I do. Played when Haaland wasnt injured too

                Open Controls
            3. Manani
              • 14 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              is this 5 man mid too weak?

              PMSarr Wirtz Salah Palmer Reij

              Open Controls
              1. Drip Doctor
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 15 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Nah, its fine

                Open Controls
            4. Bumbaclot
              • 15 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Final RMT if possible guys.

              Sanchez
              Frimpong/murillo/vdv
              Salah/palmer/rogers/wirtz/anderson
              Watkins/evanilson

              Petrovic/konsa/esteve/guiu

              Thanks in advance for any feedback and I’ll make sure to comment on others! X

              Open Controls
            5. klopp it guys
              • 8 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Liverpool fans, is gakpo nailed?

              Open Controls
              1. Bleh
                • 8 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Yes, as long as we don’t sign another forward/LW.

                Open Controls
                1. klopp it guys
                  • 8 Years
                  3 months, 23 days ago

                  Brillant, I think he could be a great differential

                  Open Controls
                  1. Kiwivillan
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    3 months, 23 days ago

                    Great home form, awful away

                    Open Controls
                    1. For Beto or Wirtz!
                      • 1 Year
                      3 months, 23 days ago

                      Yeah ur right. I remember this from last season but forgot.

                      Open Controls
            6. Drip Doctor
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Any Liverpool fans here?

              Mad to go Gakpo captain instead of Wirtz?

              Open Controls
              1. Bleh
                • 8 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Not mad, I’ve gone with Gakpo to bolster my backline.

                Open Controls
              2. Dreaming of glory
                • 9 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Yes, not a ff captain

                Open Controls
            7. My heart goes Salalalalah
              • 8 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Every RMT has Wirtz. I don't know football well enough to make my own decision on this, but will he easily outscore Gakpo? That 1m goes a long way in my team...

              Open Controls
              1. Drip Doctor
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 15 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                I don't think he'll easily outscore him when they both play. He's more nailed though. In harder games, you could see Wirtz LW and Szobozlai coming into midfield

                Open Controls
              2. Dreaming of glory
                • 9 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Dont rate gakpo but wirtz is unknown to an extent in the league so be interesting to see him. Could be alot of jota emotion at anfield as well

                Open Controls
            8. Dreaming of glory
              • 9 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Kelleher/dubravka

              James-aina-VDV
              Salah-palmer-oreilly-kudus-rejinders
              Haaland-pedro

              Barnes-esteve-rodon

              Bit too narrow??
              Dropping haaland for watkins gives me wirtz, Rogers and Watkins

              Open Controls
              1. My heart goes Salalalalah
                • 8 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                No Haaland then

                Open Controls
            9. RICICLE
              • 3 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Hi chaps! Hope everyone is well and buzzing for tomorrow!

              Didn’t think I’d make this many changes to my team but right now I’m at:

              Sanchez
              Munoz - Milenkovic - Porro
              Tielemans - Wirtz - Palmer - Salah - Anderson
              Solanke - Watkins
              ______________________________________
              Dubravka: Diouf: Esteve: Marc Guiu

              But gutted about losing Bruno but Wirtz could become him?

              Thoughts overall gents?

              Many thanks!

              Open Controls
              1. Bluetiger1
                • 3 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Solanke ?

                Alternative

                Mateta 7.5m
                Wood 7.5m
                Strand Larsen 6.5m (1m ITB)
                João Pedro 7.5m

                Open Controls
            10. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
              • 14 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              A Konsa
              B VDV

              Needed in the 11 most weeks

              Open Controls
              1. Dreaming of glory
                • 9 Years
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Vdv for me

                Open Controls

            You need to be logged in to post a comment.