The Scout's panel of Fantasy Premier League experts are revealing their current 15-man squads for the start of the 2023/24 season.
Nick Harris (@WGTA_Nick)
Goalkeepers
Jordan Pickford (£4.5m): I'm always a fan of £4.5m goalkeepers, with the idea that it maximises value on your outfield players. Everton were poor last season but Pickford still picked up plenty of extra points from saves as he was regularly tested.
Alphonse Areola (£4.0m): Areola could well be a starting goalkeeper for West Ham United this season as he competes with Lukasz Fabianski (£4.5m), who has struggled in recent times. If Areola does start he could be a real bargain at his price.
Defenders
Andrew Robertson (£6.5m): Although he would be on my bench for Gameweek 1 when he faces Chelsea, Robertson will be straight back into the team for Liverpool's decent run of fixtures afterwards. There is no space for affording Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.0m) in my squad, but Robertson could well match Alexander-Arnold, as he has been close to doing in some previous seasons.
Gabriel (£5.0m): Arsenal had an excellent season and Gabriel was core to some of their defensive solidity, contributing towards 14 clean sheets. He also showed up with three goals, which further increases his value.
Pervis Estupinan (£5.0m): Brighton & Hove Albion were another team that had a great 2022/23, with Estupinan offering both an attacking threat and defensive discipline. A home match against Luton Town looks like the perfect fixture to start the season.
Sven Botman (£4.5m): Botman looks the pick of the £4.5m defenders. Although he lacks the attacking threat of his Newcastle United team-mate Kieran Trippier (£6.5m), that £2.0m extra goes a long way when investing elsewhere in the team.
Jordan Beyer (£4.0m): Beyer played more than 30 matches for Burnley's successful promotion-winning team. If he maintains his place in their starting XI this season, he can be a very cheap and useful bench option.
Midfielders
Marcus Rashford (£9.0m): Rashford looked back to his best last season and was a constant thorn in opponents' defences. He was talismanic for Manchester United and his ability to play across the forward line nails him as a sure starter for them and my FPL team.
Bruno Fernandes (£8.5m): A £1.5m price drop from last season makes Fernandes an enticing prospect. The creative midfielder offers both goals and assists, finishing last season with 17 attacking returns in total.
Bukayo Saka (£8.5m): He just looks better and better every season. He was key to Arsenal's title challenge last season and, despite 26 attacking returns and 202 points in 2022/23, he is still very affordable in FPL.
Gabriel Martinelli (£8.0m): Like his Arsenal team-mate Saka, Martinelli had his best campaign in FPL last season. There will be plenty of competition for places in their attack now, but Martinelli proved many times why he should be picked. I expect him to press on again this season.
Kaoru Mitoma (£6.5m): Mitoma emerged as a real breakthrough talent last season. His impressive performances and contribution to Brighton's attacking play make him a budget-friendly choice with potential for significant returns.
Forwards
Erling Haaland (£14.0m): Despite the intimidating price tag, going without Haaland this campaign feels like it would be a huge mistake. His 36 goals last season was a Premier League record, and a total that he will no doubt be looking to beat in 2023/24. He will be my FPL captain in Gameweek 1, and I expect he will keep it for the vast chunk of the season.
Evan Ferguson (£6.0m): This is a little bit of a risk as there is plenty of competition in that Brighton forward line, especially with new signing Joao Pedro (£5.5m). However, Ferguson is an excellent prospect who is ready to fully shine on the biggest stage.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m): Another player who could easily rotate with my other starting forward Ferguson. Calvert-Lewin was ineffectual last season due to injuries, but in 2020/21 he scored 16 goals and there will be a hope that he can return to his best.
Also in this series
Part 1: Pras's FPL squad
Part 3: Harry Daniels's FPL squad
Part 4: Lee Bonfield's FPL squad
Part 5: Utkarsh Dalmia's FPL squad
