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.
Nick (@WGTA_FPL)
Alex McCarthy (SOU) £4.5m
Southampton have some great opening fixtures, and that factor nudges him ahead of Mat Ryan (£4.5m) among the cheap goalkeepers. I always target a cut-price No 1 as it allows more money to be spent on key positions in the team.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV) £7.5m
A must-own in my eyes. He can score goals, keep clean sheets and also gets plenty of assists. First name on the teamsheet.
Matt Doherty (WOL) £6.0m
Another defender who has an amazing attacking threat and provides fantastic value in FPL.
Ruben Vinagre (WOL) £4.5m
I've doubled up on Wolverhampton Wanderers defensively as they were extremely impressive at the back last season, especially after Willy Boly (£5.5m) came back from injury. The long-term injury for Jonny (£5.5m) means Vinagre looks a bargain pick.
William Saliba (ARS) £4.5m
There are other good options at this price but currently I'm taking the gamble on Saliba, thanks to Arsenal's very nice opening couple of matches. If he doesn't look like a sure starter, he'll be replaced.
Mohamed Salah (LIV) £12.0m
Salah is such a dangerous player and I don't want to risk going without this FPL legend. Last term he was unlucky not to have a third consecutive season as FPL's top-scoring player.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ARS) £12.0m
My captain for Gameweek 1, Arsenal couldn't have wished for a better opening fixture at Fulham. His reclassification from a forward to a midfielder only enhances Aubameyang’s appeal in 2020/21 FPL.
Mason Mount (CHE) £7.0m
A little bit of a differential pick but Mount impressed greatly in his maiden season in FPL. He started last term strongly and could do so again with Chelsea's decent opening fixtures.
Tomas Soucek (WHU) £5.0m
Soucek looks like an excellent enabler in midfield. He scored three goals after the restart and looked deadly in the air on set-pieces.
Jamie Vardy (LEI) £10.0m
Last season's Golden Boot-winner was the player I always wished I owned but never seemed to. I'm not making that mistake again, particularly as Leicester City have some excellent opening fixtures.
Timo Werner (CHE) £9.5m
New to the Premier League, he represents a little bit of a risk, but his pedigree in the Bundesliga speaks for itself. Werner scored 28 goals in 2019/20, more than any Premier League player.
Substitutes
Orjan Nyland (AVL) £4.0m
It’s unknown at present who will start in goal for Aston Villa but, at £4.0m, Nyland still acts as an excellent placeholder and his fixtures work well alongside Southampton’s.
Nathan Ferguson (CRY) £4.0m
While the Crystal Palace full-back currently has a knee problem, it's rumoured he will be in the starting XI this season. A great bargain option to sit on the bench, even if he misses the start of the season.
Anthony Gordon (EVE) £4.5m
My pick of the £4.5m midfielders. He isn't a guaranteed starter for Everton but is a young player with lots of potential and is playing an attacking role. He's more exciting than the other options in this price bracket.
Rhian Brewster (LIV) £4.5m
If he gets a loan move from Liverpool, he could be an absolute bargain as a third striker option. Should Brewster remain at Anfield, I will look for a replacement.
Also in this series
Part 1: Alexander-Arnold can be a record-breaker
Part 2: Double up on Wolves wing-backs
Part 4: Ings spearheads Saints triple-up
Part 5: Kane can profit from early fixtures
Part 6: Double up with West Ham
Part 7: Build defence around Liverpool duo
