Pro Pundits
14 August 2025 697 comments
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With the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 1 deadline just a day away, our pundits are sharing their teams with us.

Here, eight-time top 10k finisher Zophar talks us through three-way defensive rotation and reasons for overlooking Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m).

Make sure you sign up for the new season to get all the Member-only articles, tools and features to make 2025/26 your best FPL campaign yet!

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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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FPL pre-season: Malen + Watkins again, Xhaka debut, secretive Man City 2
697 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Ohh1454
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    What would you prefer ?
    A. Reijnders and Cucurella
    B. Rogers and VDV

    1. SalahFingers
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      B

    2. luk46
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      B

    3. Scheister
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      B

    4. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A

    5. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A

    6. Steirish
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A

  2. Scheister
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Going to BB GW1.
    One last decision to make:

    A) Rutter + Beto
    B) KDH + Fullkrug

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I dont like Beto so B for me out of those

    2. luk46
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      B just

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

      Beto is huge rotation risk

    4. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      B just because of the Beto doubt

    5. Scheister
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Cheers All!

  3. _figu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Would you start with Bruno or Wirtz? I'll get Bruno for GW3 captaincy regardless.

    I think I got there with my team finally. Going to BB1 and FH4 (triple Pool, Arsenal, Palace)

    Sels Verbruggen
    Porro Williams Konsa De Cuyper Rodon
    Salah Palmer Wirtz Anderson Reijnders
    Watkins Pedro Piroe

    BB - Verbruggen Rodon Konsa Piroe

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Start with Bruno

    2. luk46
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      going wirtz, much more advanced and more goals coming

      1. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Bruno loves scoring against Arsenal though :/

        I feel it's really close and I should go with Bruno to save the transfer

        1. luk46
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          go with him if you prefer him, defcon potential and pens are there
          I just think 9m is quite much for playing pretty deep and wirtz plays for the best team in the league

    3. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Surprised you’re waiting that long to use FH/WC. You think that team floats by for three gameweeks? Not saying it doesn’t but wondering your thoughts

      1. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Yeah, playing Konsa & De Cuyper in GW2 not ideal, but I see higher ceiling in FH4.

        GW3 I'll do De Cuyper to Dorgu if he starts against Fulham.

        Then I'll see if I WC in 5 or not, Salah to Haaland would work nicely for GW6.

        Obviously requires a lot of things to go well, I usually WC really early so let's see haha

        1. ★Kuntheman★
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          I’m likely wildcarding to bring in Arsenal players for GW2. If you can manage to last that long you’ll be golden!

          1. _figu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            There are many viable strategies, makes the game interesting

            1. ★Kuntheman★
              • 10 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Feels like so much more variety than usual. Love it

      2. One Man
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Good team. Are you going to WC or play FH gw2 ?

  4. luk46
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    whats better?
    A - bowen + vdv + williams
    B - füllkrug + porro + murillo

    1. Rico123
      • 3 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A as not convinced by Fullkrug

      1. luk46
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        bowen is the guy ye, Im currently on this, would like murillo munoz/porro but I think Im gonna stick

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      JSL Porro and Williams

      1. luk46
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        I like the 5.5m def bracket, just not sure if its worth going without bowen
        jsl for the first 5? think hes underrated, but can come in later init

    3. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A

  5. adstomko
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Which GK bench option:

    A) Turner (Stays 4m due to leaving club)
    B) Dubravka (could play, but could go down in price)

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      B

  6. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    I’ve landed on this BB for GW1 with view to wildcard or free hit shortly afterwards.

    Sels (Verbruggen)
    Porro Williams VDV (Diouf, AWB)
    Salah Wirtz Kudus Giorginio (Reijnders)
    Watkins Ekitike Bowen

    No Haaland, no Palmer, no Pedro. I feel like their GW1 fixtures will be a little more difficult than people expect. Anything to sweat, or is this in a good place?

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I like it. Mine is sort of similar but wanted Palmer so made some sacrificies (see above)

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        No Palmer makes me nervous but I think Palace are a tough game

        1. _figu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          Did you consider starting with Saka? Amazing differential captain for GW2.

          1. ★Kuntheman★
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            Planning on bringing him and Gyokeres in for GW2!

            Planned team:

            Sanchez (Dubravka)
            Murillo VDV Konsa (Dorgu, Esteve)
            Palmer Saka Bruno Wirtz (Potts)
            Watkins Gyokeres Pedro

    2. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Who is Goerigino?

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Rutter!

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      What kind of points are you expecting from Salah?
      How much more points could you gain if you downgraded him to Gakpo and spread the money?

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        It’s definitely a thought. I just find myself having no idea who to captain when I do the BB without Salah, and I’m pretty terrified that he starts off how he always does. What do you think?

    4. Mino Raiola
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Really strong!

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Cheers Mino!

  7. Meta12345
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Would you play lacroix home to forest or neco away to crystal?

    1. adstomko
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Lacroix for sure

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

        Even with guehi departing? Plus forest scored more goals away than palace at home

  8. jonnybhoy
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    What to change here?

    Sanchez
    Porro Frimpong N Williams
    Salah Palmer Rogers KDH
    Mateta Watkins J Pedro

    Dubravka Konsa King Truffert

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Looks really solid

    2. Mino Raiola
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Real nice!

    3. cassanata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Very solid team, I personally wouldn't go with both Rogers and Watkins from the start but just a preference of mine.

  9. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Is there any 4.5 mid that looks to start?

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Potts

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

        Highly unlikely

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      King maybe

      1. baines is god
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        i don't think he's nailed on at all, fulham have so many midfield options

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          I'd find the 0.5 and get a 5mil mid.

  10. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Murillo/Kudus

    or

    Neco/B. Johnson

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A by some distance

  11. Weeb Kakashi
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Final Thoughts?

    Vicario Dubs
    Aina VdV Richards Senesi Gudmunsson
    Salah Palmer Gakpo Rogers Kudus
    Watkins Gyokeres Guiu

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Senesi to Andersen. Who knows how BOU def will be?

    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Nice team. Will Gyokeres get thrown in from the start? Also is Rogers gonna start this week. If both was a yes id say great selection!

  12. baines is god
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Anthony Gordon a good pick? might have pens now too. Surprised only 1.5% managers have gone for him

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      They will get a striker, so short term pick imo

    2. cassanata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I think people may be put off because of their opening 2 games and the disruption Isak may have caused. Could be a great pick though

    3. Ball Ake
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I think he is a dark horse, other than the Isak nonsense Newcastle still look a strong unit

  13. RogueBlood
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Hows this shaping up what changes would you suggest?

    Sanchez
    Williams, VdV, De Cuyper
    Salah, Palmer, Wirtz, KDH, Kudus
    Gyokeres, Pedro

    Dubravka, Evanilson, Konsa, Esteve

  14. cutch
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    I asked something similar before, now asking for a bit more information:

    A) Van der Ven (4.5)
    B) Pedro Porro (5.5)

    1) Reijnders (5.5)
    2) Kudus (6.5)
    3) Ndiaye (6.5)

    I can't afford neither B2 nor B3.

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      B1

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

      B1

    3. Mino Raiola
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      B1

    4. Ball Ake
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A1

  15. Khalico
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Thoughts on Maatsen for the final defender - basically going for 4.5m defenders that are fullbacks.

    Currently have Diouf, Dorgu, Truffert, De Cuyper, ?

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

      Digne might start. Too much rotation risk for Digne and Maatsen

    2. cassanata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Overall that looks like a weak enough defence. On Maatsen I really don't understand why he doesn't start more, he is a much better player than Digne but unfortunately gets rotated.

    3. Jrot94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      I’ve gone cheap as well, these 5 rotate well for awhile…

      Nico, VVD, de cuyp, truffert, konsa

  16. Mata of opinion
    • 6 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Looking at BB for this week. Hoping dubravka starts.
    Sels
    Porro Cucu Decuyper
    Palmer Bruno Wirtz Rutter
    Watking Ektike Gykoeres
    Dubravka Reijnders Diouf Rodon

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

      Burnley forums say Dubravka doesn't start

      1. Mata of opinion
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Oh really? Have 0.5 itb so can upgrade. Rest of the team seem ok?

    2. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      There's enough doubt in that 15 to make a BB very risky. Dubravka unlikely to feature (although I'm certain he's there to be number 1), & Gyokeres being eased in as well and suddenly you're boosting a 2-man bench, one of which is susceptible to Pep-roulette.

    3. Mino Raiola
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Like it. As mentioned that BB could be pretty worthless, but that is always the case. U get another chance on it after Xmas

    4. Mata of opinion
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Thanks for input everyone. Might have to rethink the BB

  17. Fernandito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Sanchez
    VDV Murillo Porro
    Salah Palmer Bruno Rutter Reijnders
    Watkins Bowen

    Dubravka Dorgu Guiu Esteve

    Undecided on whether to go with Bruno & VDV or Gakpo & VVD

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

      Like it.
      I’ve got Rutter currently too.. seems a nice differential but not set on him. What your thoughts on him?

      Go with the Bruno VDV

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Bruno and

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        VdV

    3. Mino Raiola
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Nice!

    4. Fernandito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Hes played a lot in preseason as a number 9 so having him in as a differential hoping that continues

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

    A) Fullkrug & Reijnders (questionable minutes risk for both? Guiu 8th attacker)
    Or
    B) Larson & Carvalho (Carvalho minutes risk? Guiu 8th attacker)

    1. Mino Raiola
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A

    2. Football99
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A

  19. Yes Ndidi
    • 6 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Has it come to this?

    Is KDH a viable 7th forward? Price aside, because his price reflects his CFC status, could he be this year's Enzo?

    Asking due to the rumours that Forest could be in for Doug Luiz, James McAtee & Omari Hutchison and thinking that Elliot Anderson might not be the asset we all think he is. Already have Guiu, so it's KDH vs 4-4-2

    TY

    1. Bored Ape Jota Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Interesting

  20. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Love this 4mium draft

    Petrovic
    Williams - VdV - Diouf
    Salah - Palmer - Reijnders - KDH
    Haaland - Watkins - Fullkrug

    Dubravka - Dorgu - King - Esteve

    Thoughts? 🙂

    1. Mino Raiola
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Actually don’t look too bad. But I expect that midfield to underperform massivly

      1. pundit of punts
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Nah

        King play #10 as well

        Steady flow of points from 3 cheapies in midfield

  21. Moon Dog
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Been chatting with an AI about Dewsbury-Hall and his last full season at Leicester with Maresca: https://ibb.co/C3hDz8mJ

      This AI has banter.

      1. Yes Ndidi
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Don't go there, Dog. They listen, they learn, they become self aware, and suddenly you're in the middle of a Schwarzenegger movie.

        I do like a bit of bot banter though. Might have to have a look

      2. AAAFootball
          3 months, 23 days ago

          Lol

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

        Final midfield spot:

        A) Rutter
        B) Reijnders
        C) Harry Wilson

        A & C are differentials and both goal threat.

        Other mids are:
        Salah - Writz - Palmer - KDH

        1. Mino Raiola
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          B

        2. Wolfman180
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          Harry Wilson has just found his way back into my team

      4. Mino Raiola
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Please rate my bb1 team:)

        Verbruggen
        Porro, Neco, Diouf
        Salah(c), Palmer, Wirtz, Gakpo, Reijnders
        Watkins, J.Pedro

        Kelleher, Guiu, De Cuyper, Rodon

        1. Football99
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 23 days ago

          Don’t think you need 3 Liverpool mids

        2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          Kelleher a doubt
          Guiu won't start

          Hold the BB

          1. Mino Raiola
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            Thanks. Makes sense to wait. Then I can upgrade gk to sels also…

        3. nico05
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 23 days ago

          Nice team. Possible game time doubts with Diouf, reijnders & Pedro going forward i believe

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

            Who is Diouf under threat from?

            1. TallestJohn
              • 8 Years
              3 months, 22 days ago

              They've still got Emerson

      5. Football99
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 23 days ago

        Sels
        Van de ven, wan bisska , de cuyper
        Salah , saka, palmer, mbembo, reinjeers
        Bowen , pedro

        1m in bank- Possible change Bowen to Watkins in GM2? Thoughts on team please and any suggestions

      6. baines is god
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 23 days ago

        strujik a good pick? only 4.5 mil and could be only defender on pens in the game, threat off set pieces too

        1. AAAFootball
            3 months, 23 days ago

            Definitely not

          • IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            Not nailed

          • Football99
            • 1 Year
            3 months, 23 days ago

            No

          • Kiwivillan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            Don't mind most Leeds players at their price points. I have GK and Stach

            1. Yes Ndidi
              • 6 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Stach looks great. Owning him could be a real hoot this season.

          • TallestJohn
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Owned him in Fantasy EFL last year - was very good when he played and scored penalties but the other Leeds defenders more than made up ground when he was out of the team.

        2. Football99
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 23 days ago

          Wan bisska or diouf?

          1. AAAFootball
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Diouf more exciting for me

              1. Football99
                • 1 Year
                3 months, 23 days ago

                Is he nailed? See he got a couple assist in pre seasons

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

                  Yes

            • nico05
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Going AWB looked like their best attacking threat barring Bowen at times at the end of last season

            • Sideways Backwards
              • 10 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Gone Diouf but no doubt that mean AWB is the pick

            • Bored Ape Jota Club
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              3 months, 23 days ago

              Loved what Diouf did at Tromsø IL (my hometown club) so I'm running with him. Exciting in attack. PL is a different beast than Eliteserie though. Not sure if that helps you at all...

              1. TallestJohn
                • 8 Years
                3 months, 22 days ago

                He was no Runar Norheim

          2. nico05
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            No Salah team.

            A. Gakpo + Mateta
            B. Rogers + Bowen

            Also is Porro better than VVD?

            Thanks 🙂

          3. Royal5
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            Is Aron Ramsey Burnley expected to start?

          4. Coys96
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            1) Sarr & Ekitike
            2) Gakpo/Gordon & Mateta

            Like Gordon as on pens and likely starting up top at least for first couple. Don’t have Salah or Wirtz…

          5. Sideways Backwards
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 23 days ago

            I wonder how many people have complained about the kit designs on FPL site. Obviously a lot for there to be that massive annoying banner on it