Pro Pundits
14 August 2025 697 comments
zøphar zøphar
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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!

FPL 2025/26 first draft team reveals: DC magnets + Bench Boost 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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FPL pre-season: Malen + Watkins again, Xhaka debut, secretive Man City 2
697 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    RMT guys, If you'd be so kind 🙂

    Sels,
    Porro, Ait Nouri, Cucurella,
    Saka, Wirtz, Reijnders, KDH,
    Haaland, Watkins, J Pedro

    Dubravka, H Wilson, Diouf, Esteve.

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Very good team

    2. Football99
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Looks good.

    3. Coys96
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      One too many punts for my liking

      Pedro is one poor performance away from a benching, Wilson not nailed. Don’t know how Reijnders will fit in

      Rest looks good. Unpopular but would fancy a bench boost GW1. Think Burnley will frustrate spurs, they’re gonna go and play 541, and they’re organised

      Also prefer others to Saka but the GW2 fixture is good so can see why you’d go that way

      1. Wolfman180
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Thanks for your thoughts 🙂
        To be fair I haven't considered BB1 in a good while now. Just set it in my mind that I'd play it at some point where I had a really bad benching headache. Don't think Dubravka plays GW1 though so I'm gonna wait and see.
        Pedro could get benched but I think he gets enough time in squad until Mateta becomes a better option, after Europe games etc.
        I know Wilson ain't nailed but if he plays then he rotates well from what I can see.
        I'm just not that keen on Palmer (famous last words) and I think Saka is being slept on slightly. Even without pens he's a good option and with a decent number 9 now I think his assist tally will increase.
        I get ya that there are a few punts in there, but I think there are also quite a few template picks in there too.

    4. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Big fan. I got Palmer over Saka, but very similar. Haaland is a great differential. Will be top scorer this year.

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

      Great team

    6. Wolfman180
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Cheers Guys

  2. Football99
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 22 days ago

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

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

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Utd tough fixtures

  3. Maresca–Ball
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Which £4.0 DEF is best to go for:

    A). Esteve
    B). Reinildo

    1. AAAFootball
        3 months, 22 days ago

        E

        1. nico05
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Is he nailed long term?
          Dont suppose I could be cheeky and and hijak t ask the best 4.5 mid?

    2. kings of kafiristan
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Ekitike or Watkins GW1 only. Have frimpong and wirtz. Thanks

      1. AAAFootball
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Watkins probably

      2. AAAFootball
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Someone RMT please

          Selsz
          Porro Murillo Diouf
          Palmer Rogers Ndaiye Kudus
          Haaland Watkins Joao Pedro

          Hegyi Isarr Esteve hoever

          Plan to sell Diouf gw2for konsa
          Wc7

          Good to go?

          1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Bad transfer plan

            Where did the money go

            1. AAAFootball
                3 months, 22 days ago

                Lol yeah it slipped through my fingers.

                The towards are not cheap, and nobody bought just for price

                I just can't resist Diouf honestly

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

                Spent some on Pedro, Ndiaye, booze and hookers, the rest he just wasted

            2. AAAFootball
                3 months, 22 days ago

                Is the bench alright?

              • BrockLanders
                • 10 Years
                3 months, 22 days ago

                Massive lack of Liverpool

                1. AAAFootball
                    3 months, 22 days ago

                    Everton fan lol

                2. Bored Ape Jota Club
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  3 months, 22 days ago

                  Silly transfer

                  1. AAAFootball
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      What would you suggest

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

                        Maybe Ndiaye or Kudos to Gakpo and Pedro to JSL

                      2. Bored Ape Jota Club
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 10 Years
                        3 months, 22 days ago

                        Don't plan for a defense transfer in gw2. That is all.

                3. Roshen
                  • 3 Years
                  3 months, 22 days ago

                  Kelleher – Valdimarsson
                  VdV – Nico – AWB – De Cuyper – Dorgu
                  Salah – Palmer – Rogers – Reijnders – Xhaka
                  Haaland – Solanke – Guiu

                  gtg?

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

                    looks good for a Salah + Palmer + Haaland team

                  2. AAAFootball
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      Light at the back but no glaring holes

                      Better options than Xhaka around though

                      1. Roshen
                        • 3 Years
                        3 months, 22 days ago

                        Xhala + Rogers –> Ndiaye + Wilson?

                  3. Manani
                    • 14 Years
                    3 months, 22 days ago

                    gtg?

                    Sels Dub
                    NWilliams Cucu Porro Diouf Rodon
                    Salah Palmer Reij PMSarr Wirtz
                    Watkins Pedro Guiu

                    1mITB

                  4. hazza44
                    • 13 Years
                    3 months, 22 days ago

                    A) Rejinders or B) Anderson
                    &
                    1) Sels or 2) Sanchez

                    1. cassanata
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 16 Years
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      A2

                    2. Feed tha Sheep
                      • 13 Years
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      A2

                  5. Football99
                    • 1 Year
                    3 months, 22 days ago

                    Salah or haaland or both?

                    1. Sideways Backwards
                      • 10 Years
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      Neither for me

                    2. cassanata
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 16 Years
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      I'm going with Haaland, not saying its right though.

                    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                      • 9 Years
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      Neither

                  6. Sideways Backwards
                    • 10 Years
                    3 months, 22 days ago

                    Play
                    A) Kudus
                    B) Reijnders

                    Captain
                    1) Pedro
                    2) Wirtz

                    1. Coys96
                      • 8 Years
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      A (why have him if you’ll bench him in the best possible fixture)

                      Oof.. you got anyone else? Probably 2 as more likely to play 90

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

                      B2

                  7. Emiliano Sala
                    • 9 Years
                    3 months, 22 days ago

                    Which one is a better pick you think?
                    Gakpo or Ekitike?

                    1. Mino Raiola
                      • 9 Years
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      Gakpo

                    2. Feed tha Sheep
                      • 13 Years
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      Both could be good but with Gakpo he at least knows the league

                    3. Coys96
                      • 8 Years
                      3 months, 22 days ago

                      Ekitike

                  8. Feed tha Sheep
                    • 13 Years
                    3 months, 22 days ago

                    Best way to save 0.5?

                    A. Murillo > Williams
                    B. Bruno > Wirtz
                    C. Reijnders > Dewsbury-Hall

                    1. AAAFootball
                        3 months, 22 days ago

                        Not a

                      • Coys96
                        • 8 Years
                        3 months, 22 days ago

                        B, don’t get the Bruno hype. Relying on pens, defcons and set pieces for 9 mil!!!

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

                          Me either, he'll be playing deeper and until Utd sign a midfielder with legs Bruno is going to be chasing a lot of empty space rather than supporting the front 3. Good for Defcon maybe but 9m is a high price

                      • Bored Ape Jota Club
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 10 Years
                        3 months, 22 days ago

                        A

                      • Moon Dog
                          3 months, 22 days ago

                          C for me Sheep. I'm convinced by Mr. DH

                        • Manani
                          • 14 Years
                          3 months, 22 days ago

                          b

                        • IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                          • 9 Years
                          3 months, 22 days ago

                          I would do both A and B

                          1. Feed tha Sheep
                            • 13 Years
                            3 months, 22 days ago

                            You think Williams is a better pick than Murillo?

                            1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                              • 9 Years
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              Not necessarily, just dont think Murillo is worth 0.5 more

                      • Coys96
                        • 8 Years
                        3 months, 22 days ago

                        Bottomed

                        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…

                      • adstomko
                        • 9 Years
                        3 months, 22 days ago

                        G2G? A bit different:

                        Sels
                        Romero - Lacroix - Collins
                        Palmer - Saka - Fernandes - Wirtz - Rogers
                        Watkins - Gyökeres
                        (Turner* - Diakité - Bijol - Wheatley*)

                        *Denotes player has left club - keeps their starting price.

                        1. Moon Dog
                            3 months, 22 days ago

                            I would replace Turner with Dubravka. Should be 1st choice when fit.

                            And Wheatly to Guiu, who apparently has assurances about gametime in his loan contract. Being the highest scoring 4.5m forward always stops price falls. It's the one everyone moves to.

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

                              Is that true about highest scoring players at their price point keeping price?
                              I didn’t even know that.

                              1. Moon Dog
                                  3 months, 22 days ago

                                  It's not a sure thing in the rules, just something I've noticed with 4.5m forwards and mids. A behavioural pattern. When managers pick a dud player for their early WC or restructuring, they pick the 4.5m with the most points. Every time. It stops the rot.

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

                                    I see what you mean. Thanks for this.

                            2. Ray85
                              • 7 Years
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              Not sure about both Gyokores and Saka with those fixtures

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

                                Got Gyökeres in case he hauls in GW2 or 4, then I can easily drop down to any striker

                          • Ubique_Ash
                            • 3 Years
                            3 months, 22 days ago

                            How’s she looking?

                            BB Active

                            Sánchez
                            Van De Ven | Gabriel | Aït-Nouri
                            Fernandes | Palmer | Wirtz | Reinjders | Kudus
                            Gÿokeres | Ekitiké

                            Dúbravka | João Pedro | Williams | Andersen

                          • Pep Roulette
                            • 8 Years
                            3 months, 22 days ago

                            Georginio has finally crossed 1% ownership

                          • cutch
                            • 11 Years
                            3 months, 22 days ago

                            I want a player for the Monday game. Is Ndiaye nailed?

                            1. AAAFootball
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                Yes

                              • Yes Ndidi
                                • 6 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                He's virtually an anagram of the word!

                            2. Ray85
                              • 7 Years
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              Rate my team please - BB

                              Sels
                              Cuca Diouf De Cupyer
                              Mo, Palmer, Kudus, Adingra
                              Watkins, Gyokeres, Fullkurg

                              Dubravka, VDV, Wilson, Reinaldo

                              Thanks 🙂

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

                              Help please. I will probably be travelling near deadline. If anyone gets any news on Rogers please notify meeeeeeee.

                              1. Ray85
                                • 7 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                He's back training, that's all we will know

                            4. Yes Ndidi
                              • 6 Years
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              Best use of 10.5 please

                              a. KDH & Porro

                              b. Rutter & VdV (or Diouf)

                              All likely to have to play most weeks.

                              TY

                              1. Ray85
                                • 7 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                B

                              2. Bleh
                                • 8 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                B with Diouf.

                            5. Bleh
                              • 8 Years
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              Would you change anything here? Feel like the only major punt is Cunha. Chickened out of Mateta for Pedro’s form/fixtures.

                              Sels
                              Murillo, Lacroix, Diouf
                              Salah, Palmer, Wirtz, Cunha, Reijnders
                              Watkins, Pedro

                              (Dubravka, Guiu, Rodon, Esteve)

                              1. Yes Ndidi
                                • 6 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                Cunha could be inspired if the players around him click. Love him as a player. Should be nailed, and should score well. So no, not really.

                            6. Emiliano Sala
                              • 9 Years
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              Thoughts on pedro neto?

                              1. Ray85
                                • 7 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                Too much of a rotation risk

                              2. nico05
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 7 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                Great but far from nailed imo

                            7. TafOnTour1
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 1 Year
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              A or B? (Currently on A)

                              A) Sels, De Cuyper, Neco Williams, Van De Ven, Saka, Wirtz, Kroupi Jr

                              B) Kelleher, Munoz, Pedro Porro, Milenkovic, Bruno Fernandes, King, Joao Pedro?

                            8. Football99
                              • 1 Year
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              Team A, B or C

                              A
                              Sels
                              Van de ven, diouf , de cuyper
                              Salah , saka, palmer, mbembo, reinjeers
                              Bowen , pedro

                              1m in bank - possibly change Bowen and upgrade in GM2

                              B
                              Sels
                              Van de ven, diouf , de cuyper
                              Salah, saka, Tielemans, reinjeers , 7m mid maybe neto
                              Haaland , Pedro

                              C
                              Sels
                              Van de ven, wan bisska , de cuyper
                              Saka, palmer, mbembo, reinjeers
                              Haaland , pedro, ekikite
                              1m in bank

                              1. nico05
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 7 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                I like B - consider Rogers as your mid

                              2. Royal5
                                • 14 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                Need more options 🙂

                            9. nico05
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 7 Years
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              Best 4.5 def (already have 1 spurs)
                              Best 4.5 mid please

                            10. blacky7475
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 13 Years
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              Evening folks.

                              The wait is nearly over and after a week of week of Mo Hokey Cokey, he's out again...I think.

                              Any comments or suggestions before I shut the laptop and forget all about it...until Mo wakes me in a cold sweat at 4am, wheeling away in celebration of his first half hat-trick, despite Wirtz's early red card

                            11. Fer Fuch's Ake
                              • 12 Years
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              Best 4.5 Defender?

                              1- Andersen
                              2- Dorgu
                              3- De Cuyper

                              cheers

                              1. Football99
                                • 1 Year
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                3

                                1. nico05
                                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                  • 7 Years
                                  3 months, 22 days ago

                                  Is he nailed though?

                              2. nico05
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 7 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                2. - consider van de ven?

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

                                1 or Richards

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

                                All decent at the price. I like 3 as a punt provided your team isn't full of punts. 1 is safer.

                              5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                                • 9 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                Fixtures aren't easy, but Dorgu

                            12. Pep Roulette
                              • 8 Years
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              Would Dan James & Gnonto be too much for Everton's defence? Does it make Leeds attack including Piroe an under the radar pick in GW1?

                              1. nico05
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 7 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                its a good front 3 to be fair, they may sign a new CF though?

                              2. nico05
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 7 Years
                                3 months, 22 days ago

                                who do you prefer James or Gnonto?

                            13. Dutchy
                              • 7 Years
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              A. Cucurella Reijnders
                              B. VDV Rogers

                            14. Besaid_Auroch
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 10 Years
                              3 months, 22 days ago

                              Here we go. Any thoughts welcome...

                              Sels / Dubrav'

                              Porro / Murillo / Diouf (De Cuyper / Esteve)
                              Salah / Palmer / Ndiaye / Gakpo / Mitoma
                              Watkins / Bowen / Giui