Sponsored by FanTeam
As part of an exciting partnership with FanTeam, we at Scout recently published our first attempt at picking the perfect initial 2025/26 EPL Fantasy squad.
A blueprint is now in place, one which aims to take advantage of the small differences in point-scoring compared to Fantasy Premier League (FPL), so it’s time to reveal our Gameweek 1 selection.
- READ MORE: A season-long FanTeam strategy guide
- READ MORE: Key players + differentials for 2025/26 EPL Fantasy
With a guaranteed minimum prize pool of £175k up for grabs, the fight to finish inside the top 10% will be extremely competitive. The season-long game costs £10 to enter.
DON’T MISS OUT, CLICK HERE TO JOIN FANTEAM AHEAD OF AN EXCITING SEASON
WHAT IS FANTEAM EPL FANTASY?
Managers will be familiar with this simple, straightforward format that embraces the roots of Fantasy Football.
Just like FPL, managers have a £100m budget to select 15 players (no more than three per club), making weekly decisions about captaincy and how to use the latest free transfer.
The only chip is a Wildcard – one for each half of the season. There aren’t any defensive contribution (DC) points either.
SCOUT TEAM REVEAL
STAR PLAYERS
When picking out a strategy that considers shots on target, goals, chance creation, 90-minute completions and some strong early fixtures, the same names keep coming up: Mohamed Salah (£13.5m), Erling Haaland (£13.0m), Cole Palmer (£11.0m), Ollie Watkins (£9.5m), Bruno Fernandes (£8.5m) and Jarrod Bowen (£8.0m).
Our first draft had the Salah and Haaland duo. But, while both cost less than in FPL, it still feels like one needs to be sacrificed, enabling the rest.
Let’s proceed with the Liverpool superstar.
After these, Palmer was 2024/25’s next best for shots on target (49) – each rewarded with 0.4 FanTeam points (0.6 for defenders). He also created the second-most overall chances (89), bettered only by fellow penalty-taker Fernandes (91).
Seemingly rotation-proof, the Portuguese playmaker completed 28 of the 33 starts that didn’t end in a red card. Here, midfielders and forwards who successfully play all 90 minutes are given a crucial extra point, which will often benefit Bowen too.
West Ham United’s talisman ended last season in blistering form, bagging six goals and three assists in eight matches. Unlike in FPL, Bowen retains his midfielder status here, adding further appeal. He opens this one with a favourable trip to Sunderland, while Aston Villa’s longer stretch of positive fixtures is hard to ignore. Especially with Watkins ranking joint-second for big chances last season (40).
FINALISING THE SQUAD
Elsewhere, we’re using a 3-4-3 formation because there are lots of decent £4.5m midfielders – usually from Brighton and Hove Albion – but no nailed-on forward until £5.5m.
And EPL Fantasy doesn’t require squad depth because the Bench Boost chip doesn’t exist. Now that Enzo Le Fee‘s game time feels insecure, Matt O’Riley pips Yasin Ayari and Mathias Jensen to the £4.5m spot.
That same price is attached to many appealing defenders. James Tarkowski and Maxence Lacroix ultimately get the nod, but Maxim De Cuyper and El Hadji Malick Diouf deserve a mention.
Our defence isn’t starting with any Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea or Liverpool assets, but Nottingham Forest’s Neco Williams (£5.0m) has a superb opening schedule.
Meanwhile, Pedro Porro (£5.5m) showcased his attacking potential once more in the UEFA Super Cup. Last season’s second-best for crosses (196), he could dominate set-pieces now that Son Heung-min has departed and others are injured.
Completing the frontline is in-form Niclas Fullkrug (£6.5m) and Evanilson (£6.5m), whose matches look great from Gameweek 2 onwards.
Finally, another fun difference to FPL is that a 0.5 reward is given for each save, whereas FPL adds a singular point for every three of them. Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m) stopped 91 shots last time.
With all pieces in place, Scout’s team is locked in and ready to go. A careful balance of proven performers, favourable fixtures and a sprinkling of calculated risks, now is when the real test begins. As the season unfolds, it’ll be fascinating to see how our selections fare, whether the star names deliver, and which budget picks emerge as unexpected heroes. Whatever happens, it promises to be an exciting ride.
BEST-EVER WELCOME OFFER
New to FanTeam?
Registrations can take place in more countries than ever before, as some previously restricted territories are now eligible. Head to the registration page and check.
This time, there is a generous welcome offer that should attract new customers.
Register, deposit £10 and play any paid contest, and you’ll get:
- A free ticket to enter the 2025/26 EPL Fantasy Season Game
- An additional £20 in contest tickets to use across a variety of sports
DON’T MISS OUT, CLICK HERE TO JOIN FANTEAM AHEAD OF AN EXCITING SEASON
In partnership with FanTeam, 18+, Play Responsibly | BeGambleAware.org | #ad
