The Scout's panel of experts reveal who they currently plan to pick in their Gameweek 1 squad for 2020/21 Fantasy Premier League, and explain their decisions.
Geoff Dance (@GeoffreyDance)
Alex McCarthy (SOU) £4.5m
With a stronger Gameweek 1 fixture than Mat Ryan (£4.5m) of Brighton & Hove Albion, and arguably a better first four, McCarthy is an excellent value pick.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV) £7.5m
With 28 assists in the last two seasons, Alexander-Arnold can't be ignored. An opening home fixture against Leeds United could bring points at both ends of the pitch.
Matt Doherty (WOL) £6.0m
Doherty had an excellent 2019/20 with Wolverhampton Wanderers. A potential transfer to Tottenham Hotspur could further improve his output this season.
Ruben Vinagre (WOL) £4.5m
Expect a strong defence again this season from Wolves. Jonny’s (£5.5m) knee injury means that Vinagre should get a string of starts.
Mohamed Salah (LIV) £12.0m
One of Salah or Sadio Mane (£12.0m) was always my plan, and I’ve gone with the Egyptian partly because he should be on penalties. Salah will often be my captain this season.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ARS) £12.0m
With Fulham and West Ham United in the first two Gameweeks, Aubameyang is an easy pick. He has penalties, a strong scoring record and is now an FPL midfielder.
Son Heung-min (TOT) £9.0m
The South Korean could easily match or outscore Harry Kane (£10.5m). With a strong run of fixtures, I am pinpointing Spurs early on to boost my rank.
Ayoze Perez (LEI) £6.5m
I'm looking to a Leicester City midfielder for Gameweek 1 and Perez is currently my pick. I expect to move the Spaniard out in my Gameweek 2 Wildcard.
Tomas Soucek (WHU) £5.0m
At only £5.0m and with some pre-season form, Soucek is at home to Newcastle United in Gameweek 1 before a trying set of fixtures. He is a perfect pick for those playing a Gameweek 2 Wildcard.
Jamie Vardy (LEI) £10.0m
His scoring record over the last five seasons speaks for itself. With a strong opening schedule, I’m happy to back him at the start of the season.
Michail Antonio (WHU) £6.5m
When Antonio features in the first XI, he scores points. I’ve included him for the Newcastle match in Gameweek 1 and will remove on my early Wildcard.
Substitutes
Orjan Nyland (AVL) £4.0m
I generally pick a £4.0m bench option goalkeeper to help invest in my starting XI. Nyland fits the bill but could also get starts while Tom Heaton (£4.5m) is out.
Rhian Brewster (LIV) £4.5m
He won’t play for me in Gameweek 1 but Brewster looks like he has the most potential among the budget strikers. A loan move to a different Premier League side would make him an intriguing option going forward.
Jarrad Branthwaite (EVE) £4.0m
Branthwaite isn’t a sure starter but I do expect him to get minutes throughout the season. I’m looking to Wildcard after Gameweek 1 so am not too worried about his long-term potential.
Ben Johnson (WHU) £4.0m
At £4.0m, Johnson is another bench option to optimise my Gameweek 1 squad ahead of the early Wildcard.
Gameweek 1 is just two weeks away! Register your team now at fantasy.premierleague.com.
Also in this series
Part 1: Alexander-Arnold can be a record-breaker
Part 2: Double up on Wolves wing-backs
Part 3: Get Vardy from the start
Part 4: Ings spearheads Saints triple-up
Part 5: Kane can profit from early fixtures
Part 7: Build defence around Liverpool duo
