Pro Pundits - Tom

FPL team reveals: 4-4-2 with Diaz as the ‘third’ Liverpool player

With Gameweek 1 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) almost upon us, we’re welcoming back our stellar team of Pro Pundits, Hall of Famers and guest contributors for the new campaign.

Our writers will be providing regular articles and team reveals throughout the new season, with only Premium Members able to access every single one.

Next up is five-time top-1k finisher and Scout’s Deputy Editor Tom Freeman, who talks through his Gameweek 1 plans.

The FFS Pro Pundits 27

On the eve of the new FPL season, I’m ready to share my Gameweek 1 team.

I’ve opted for a 4-4-2 formation which includes big-hitters Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) and Erling Haaland (£11.5m), as well as two outfield substitutes who should both get plenty of minutes.

If you’re anything like me, then tinkering will undoubtedly continue right up until deadline, but it does feel like I’m almost there with this latest draft.

AARON RAMSDALE

I usually start with a £4.5m/£4.0m ‘keeper combo, but this year I am spending a bit more on Aaron Ramsdale (£5.0m). The 24-year-old finished with a very decent 4.0 points per match last season, despite a late run of blanks which coincided with an injury to Thomas Partey (£5.0m). Arsenal were significantly weaker at the back without the Ghanaian, conceding an average of 0.96 goals per game in matches he appeared, compared to 1.64 without him. They also struggled to control matches, so the return of their best defensive midfielder is huge, as is adding Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.0m) into the mix. It’s also worth noting that Arsenal have a great run of fixtures to start the season – they only play Manchester United from last season’s top six in the first eight Gameweeks.



1,276 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dragon1983
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    A or B please

    A Robbo & Mount
    B Walker & Sterling

    Thanks

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      A with mahrez

    2. james 101
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      A

      1. Dragon1983
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks. Dont think Mahrez starts

        1. james 101
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          Thoughts on my question below mate?

    3. Eyes of Blue
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      A

    4. maglia rosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I’d suggest A with Foden tbh.

      1. Jock Grealish
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Lack of match fitness for Foden

    5. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Mount is a player who generally does well over the course of a season but I never seem to have him at the right time and usually miss his hauls. Different this season as will have him from the off.

  2. james 101
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed…

    Mendy (Ward)

    TAA Robbo Cancelo James Perisic

    Salah Mount Saka Martinelli (Neto)

    Jesus (4.5 4.5)

    £0.5m spare.

    Smoke it? Blow it on fast cars / faster company?

    What to do with it?

    Thanks!

    1. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Keep the .5 but i would do saka> mahrez/kulu as you have martinelli

    2. Dragon1983
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I would do Mart to Rashford - i think Rash starts up front GW1 and Utd will be better than people think

    3. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Really like the 8m range but going without 11.5 fwd is risky business

    4. maglia rosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Keep the 0.5……very handy when panic sets in with price rises post the carnage of Wk 1.

  3. Gudge
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    G2g?

    Ward
    Trent, Dias,Trippier, Walker
    Salah, KDB, Bailey, Martinelli
    Kane, Jesus

    1. Dragon1983
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  4. Bobby Digital
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    I think I will puke a bit in my mouth if Neto, Martinelli and Bailey works out.

    1. Hinchcliffe Thumper
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      It's decent *ss r*** for my mind.

    2. Zimo
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Why wouldn't it?

  5. WrightnBright
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on Kulusevski? Can't believe he's a differential after his returns last season. Will surely only build on that.
    Preferring him over Mount atm.

    1. Hinchcliffe Thumper
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I believe Chelsea play well and Mount is involved in goals. Have Kane, so no Kulu for me.

    2. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      He’s a great pick no doubt but I think some are worried he may lose minutes to richarlson.

    3. Jock Grealish
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      They bought richarlison so his minutes will be a worry

  6. Hinchcliffe Thumper
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    I'm ditching the last minute idea of 3 premium strikers. It's not good balance.

    1. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      What are you looking to instead? I’m looking at 3 premium myself. Salah, Haaland and Kane. Hoping Haaland outscores Jesus and saves me switching Kane over week 2

  7. Livfc
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    G2g?

    Sanchez
    Trent, Robbo, Cancelo, Zinchenko, Neco
    Salah, Mahrez, Martinelli, Neto, Andreas
    Kane, Jesus, 4.5

    1. Leeroy357
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      yep

  8. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Is this good to go?

    Sánchez, Iversen
    Alexander-Arnold, Cancelo, James, Walker, N. Williams
    Salah, Luis Diaz, Rashford, Martinelli, Andreas
    Kane, Jesus, Greenwood

    Thank you!

    1. Jock Grealish
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Ward starts

      1. Haalander
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Agree I think ward it the more likely starter

    2. Speedu
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Is Ward better option than Iversen

      1. Jock Grealish
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Yes cos he starts

  9. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    1) Perisic (5-3-2)
    Bench of Neto/Bailey, Pereira & Greenwood

    2) Rashford (4-4-2)
    Bench of N. Williams, Pereira & Greenwood

    1. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      2

  10. Speedu
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Currently on this, any hints?

    Ward
    TAA Cancelo Doherty (*)
    Salah Saka Mount Martinelli Bailey
    Haaland Jesus

    Bench: sanchez, williams, Patterson, greenwood

    Sanchez to iversen to get 0.5 m more to upgrade Doherty to ?
    Or something else?

  11. Azzastaan
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Rmt
    Ward/sanchez
    Taa cancelo trippier white
    Salah Son Kdb Andreas Bailey
    Jesus

    1. Speedu
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Brave and different

  12. M2.0
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    a) Raya
    b) Sanchez

    Ward on the bench.

    1. Danstoke82
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      B.

      Strahoska signing for Brentford causes a bit of concern on Raya’s place

    2. Eyes of Blue
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      B

  13. Danstoke82
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Evening all, interested to gauge feedback on my team. GTG or last changes needed? 5-3-2 and big at the back.

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo Robbo James Perisic
    Salah Bailey Martinelli
    Kane Jesus

    Subs: Ward, Neto, Archer, Andreas.

    £0.0ITB

    Thanks in advance!

    1. Speedu
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      This is probably the most template team

      I just dont remember a season start where defenders got a lot of vlean sheets for the first couple of gws. Thats why i dont like 5 at the back for start of the season.

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Not bad, just preferring a 8m mid than Perisic

    3. Jock Grealish
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      You're fecked if one midfielder dies

      1. Danstoke82
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks for the feedback all, much appreciated

  14. frenchfries
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Kane or Haaland and why?

    1. M2.0
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Haaland. Bournemouth GW2, nuff said.

      1. Jock Grealish
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        That's gw2. Kane is better option gw1

    2. Danstoke82
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I’ve gone Kane for now. Has been on fire pre-season and guaranteed hauler in FPL

      1. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        This

    3. Leeroy357
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Haaland, will play the majority of minutes until champs league starts. Plays for the best team in the league, with some of the best creators behind him and he was in all the right places in the community shield. He hasn't become a bad finisher overnight so the fact he got chances against Liverpool is promising

  15. Leeroy357
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Don't love the keepers and not sold on Saka. Any thoughts?

    Iverson- Ward
    Trent - Robbo - Cancelo - Walker - James
    Salah - Saka- Neto - (Andreas) - (Colback)
    Haaland - Jesus - (Archer)

    1. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Saka -> Martinelli and upgrade keepers. I like Saka though

  16. Jones Kusi
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Walker and Cancelo.
    Yes or no?

    1. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I’m on it

  17. WibblesTeam
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    A) Ederson Gabriel Diaz
    B) Ramsdale Robbo Rashford

  18. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone going with this power 5?

    TAA, Robbo, Cancelo, James & Perisic

    1. WibblesTeam
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Have the same problem as you above, the first 4 and then Perisic or Rashford haha

      1. Tmel
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        For me at the moment it's:

        Ramsdale (Ward)
        TAA Robbo Cancelo James X
        Salah Martinelli Bailey Pereira X
        Haaland Jesus Greenwood

        a) Perisic & Neto
        b) N. Williams & Rashford

        1. WibblesTeam
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 1 month ago

          I have
          X
          TAA Cancelo James X
          Salah Martinelli Neto X
          Jesus Haaland

          A) Ederson Gabriel Diaz
          B) Ramsdale Robbo Rashford

          1. Tmel
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 1 month ago

            Would personally go for B. Not sure Ederson is worth tying up a third City spot

    2. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      It’s definitely a great backline. Will go with the three but leaving out robbo and cancelo to add weight up front.

    3. AIRMILES
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I had that, but currently dropped cancels to Walker to upgrade Martinelli to Mount.

    4. Danstoke82
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Yea currently but still unsure on it

  19. mdm
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    A. TAA and Neto
    or
    B. Robbo and Martinelli

    Thanks.

    1. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      B

  20. Eyes of Blue
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    No Ramsdale.

    A) Trippier
    B) Gabriel

    1. M2.0
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      a

    2. BremerHB
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. Goodfeathers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I fancy B for the start of the season. Palace & Leicester both poor defending set pieces last year so could be an opportunity for a goal

  21. have you seen cyan
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Really need Newcastle to mash it GW1, invested heavily in them, Wilson, Almiron, and Trippier.

    How do you think they do at Home vs NFO?

    1. Jock Grealish
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't have 3

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        In for a penny, in for a pound

    2. AIRMILES
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I admire your optimism

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Lol thanks, fingers crossed 😀

    3. Flaming Flamingo
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Will be a tight game I reckon

    4. LarryDuff
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Almiron sweet Jesus

  22. Lacikasz01
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Which option?

    A) Rashford
    B) Neto

    1. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      A

  23. Edge
    • 15 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    I'd like to fit in James, I can do that by either –

    A) Ramsdale Trippier > Ward James
    B) Mount Trippier > Coutinho James

    A acceptable with other Leicster 4m for cover?

    1. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Yep I’d choose A

  24. goriuanx
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    I hope Klopp comes out tomorrow and says Nunez will start.

    1. Jock Grealish
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      He was bigging up Firmino the other day so doubt it

      1. goriuanx
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Nunez's runs are something else. He'll be a starter within a few weeks if not now.

    2. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Can’t see it happening. He’s going to be eased into the team. Saying that 30 mins of Nunez against tired legs could do a lot of damage

      1. goriuanx
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        Probably but I can see a 30 min brace, he's a big chance machine

  25. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Who don’t you own that you will want week 2?

    Hahaland & Sterling

    1. goriuanx
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      de Bruyne.

    2. M2.0
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Mahrez

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        I have him but want Sterling

    3. Jock Grealish
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling v spurs?

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        After he’s ripped Everton a new one & if he gets the chances provided to Werner last season could be mega hauls.

    4. Jock Grealish
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I'll bring in whoever I want

    5. AIRMILES
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      A City attacker

  26. HurriKane
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Perisic vs Roma last pre season game.

    https://youtu.be/tHfjbMLJR54

    Looked so Dangerous !! Doesn't look like a player lacking match fitness right?

    He has to play more minutes to get back to 100% imo and 60 mins against saints will help hima lot before chelsea clash

    1. goriuanx
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I think 60 vs Saints is a fair call.

      Even a 20 min cameo vs Saints may not be the worst thing in the world.

    2. M2.0
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      100% agree. I don’t know why people perceive “lacking match fitness” as a doubt. What’s the best way to gain match fitness?….

    3. Zimo
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      He's probably saying this stuff so if he doesn't adjust instantly to the Premier league the media doesn't start calling him a flop.

    4. Sickboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      This is exactly my thinking.

    5. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I watched the game he was on fire. He played higher than Kane and son at times. He’s nailed on my team. If he stays injury free I think he’s capable of being top scoring defender for the season

      1. maglia rosa
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 1 month ago

        I’m so sure about that tbh…..minutes alone would indicate the usual suspects score much more come the end of the season.

    6. Flaming Flamingo
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Honestly, it sounds like you are trying to convince yourself a little. He might, but it doesn't seem worth the risk imo

    7. maglia rosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      I totally agree with this. And Useruser r.e. A sub on and a possible haul off the bench. 🙂

  27. TheTruth
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Conte not 100% sure on Perisic fitness saying he will decide tomorrow on who gets to start out of Perisic or Sessegnon.

  28. TheBiffas
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    White or Saliba?

    1. Jock Grealish
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      Sally

  29. Lebowski85
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Im fairly locked in. Keep tweaking the same old few positions and feel the need for some chelsea attacking cover. 2 potential dilemmas...

    1) Saka / Dalot / James / Midfodder or Mount / Trippier Martinelli / Patterson

    2) James / Dalot or Perisic / Trippier

    Would appreciate a bit of A B action please folks

  30. jack88
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 1 month ago

    Robbo + mount + trippier+ bailey

    Or

    James+ diaz + perisic + Neto

    1. Eyes of Blue
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 1 month ago

      A