FPL preset squads: Haaland, Salah AND Alexander-Arnold

The Scout is helping Fantasy Premier League managers to build their 15-man squads ahead of Gameweek 1 with some ready-made solutions. 

Haaland, Salah and Alexander-Arnold

While having all three of Erling Haaland (£14.0m), Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.0m) in a squad is certainly affordable, a 4-4-2 formation is perhaps the best way to accommodate the trio and keep a balanced XI.  

By assessing the fixtures, managers should look to the value offered by Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford over the opening Gameweeks. 

Selecting Brentford's Yoane Wissa (£6.0m) as a second forward, for example, means more money can be invested in midfield.

That allows managers to own Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (£8.5m), the most-popular midfielder in the game, while also doubling up on Manchester City's attack by bringing in Phil Foden (£7.5m) alongside Haaland.

Goalkeeper

Everton’s Jordan Pickford (£4.5m) is currently one of the few £4.5m-priced goalkeepers who is a guaranteed starter heading into the new season, with the No 1 jersey up for grabs at a host of other clubs.

Home encounters with Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers combined with a visit to Sheffield United in the first four Gameweeks, gives Pickford the chance to enjoy a fine start to 2023/24.

Defenders

Alexander-Arnold’s new deep-lying playmaker role when Liverpool are in possession revived his output last term. 

The England star produced one of his two goals and seven of his 11 assists over the Reds’ final 10 matches in 2022/23. 

Added to his clean sheet prospects, there’s every chance Alexander-Arnold could break the points record for a defender this term. 

Man City’s John Stones (£5.5m) is another defender in Fantasy who now moves into midfield when his side are in possession.

His ownership in Fantasy continues to rise after he scored Man City’s opening goal in pre-season.

Indeed, he is their second most-owned player, found in over 24 per cent of squads.

Brighton and Arsenal both have four home matches in the first six Gameweeks, giving Pervis Estupinan and Gabriel (both £5.0m) the chance to thrive at both ends of the pitch. 

Estupinan has soared to over 50 per cent ownership, higher than any other defender in Fantasy.

The Ecuadorian combined a goal and seven assists with 10 clean sheets last season, highlighting his many routes to returns.

Arsenal’s Gabriel finished fourth among defenders in 2022/23, on 146 points.

The Brazilian boasted a far greater goal threat than any defensive team-mate. Indeed, his 26 shots in the box were more than the combined 19 of the rest of Arsenal's first-choice back four.

Midfield

Saka looks a must-have alongside Salah after recording back-to-back career-high campaigns in Fantasy.

The Arsenal winger has been quick to find his form over the summer, too, scoring twice and supplying two assists in four appearances. 

That has taken Saka’s ownership to over 53 per cent, more than any other midfielder and second only to Haaland’s huge 86 per cent. 

Meanwhile, Foden’s chances of pitch-time at the start of the season could be improved by the recent departure of Riyad Mahrez at Man City.  

A cost of £7.5m could prove exceptional value if the England winger finally secures a regular role under Pep Guardiola this term.

Brighton’s run of home matches has made Kaoru Mitoma (£6.5m) the standout pick for managers in the mid-price bracket, with an ownership of 37 per cent.

The Japanese returned a team-leading 134 points after Roberto De Zerbi was appointed head coach in Gameweek 9 last season. 

Forwards

Haaland is partnered by Brentford’s Wissa in a two-man frontline. 

Wissa is expected to start the campaign as the Bees’ lone striker in the absence of Ivan Toney (£8.0m).

He has an extended run of favourable opponents to be a big success as a budget forward in Fantasy.

According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), five of Brentford's opening seven matches score just two. 

Brentford's first seven matches

Bench

Alphonse Areola (£4.0m) is the most-owned ‘keeper in Fantasy and is expected to challenge Lukasz Fabianski (£4.5m) to be West Ham United’s No 1 this season.

In defence, there are a number of £4.0m-priced starters from promoted clubs, including Burnley’s Jordan Beyer, Sheffield United’s George Baldock and Luton Town’s Amari’i Bell.

Luton's Marvelous Nakamba, meanwhile, is among the few £4.5m-priced midfielders who are expected to start this season.

West Ham’s Divin Mubama (£4.5m) has already scored three goals over pre-season and is an example of a cut-price forward who can sit on managers' benches.

Also in this series

Part 1: Haaland, Alexander-Arnold and a 3-5-2
Part 2: The No Haaland draft
Part 4: Planning ahead with strong bench