Fantasy Premier League

Scout Selection: Best FPL team for Gameweek 1

By The Scout 10 Aug 2023

THREE Man City players are chosen in the ideal XI for the opening weekend. Does Salah make the cut?

John Stones (£5.5m) is among three Manchester City players included in The Scout’s best XI for the opening Gameweek of 2023/24 Fantasy Premier League.

The centre-back has profited from a new role for his club, moving into central midfield when they are in possession.

Having scored Man City's opening goal of pre-season, Stones has climbed to 29 per cent ownership ahead of the champions' trip to Burnley, with the FPL deadline fast approaching at 18:30 BST this Friday, 11 August.

Stones is joined by his team-mates Erling Haaland (£14.0m) and Julian Alvarez (£6.5m) in a 3-4-3 formation, with Haaland handed the armband and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford (£9.0m) named vice-captain.

Andre Onana (MUN) £5.0m

A home encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers gives Man Utd’s No 1 the chance to get off to a fast start in Fantasy. The Red Devils kept a league-high 11 clean sheets in home matches last season, while Wolves’ total of 12 away goals was the second-lowest, better only than the 11 of Nottingham Forest.

John Stones (MCI) £5.5m

The centre-back’s improved attacking prospects have made him Man City’s second most-popular player in Fantasy and the fourth most-selected defender.

See: Reigning FPL champion Ali Jahangirov reveals his GW1 squad

Gabriel (ARS) £5.0m

Arsenal’s Brazilian boasts strong all-round potential at home to Nott'm Forest. Gabriel’s total of 26 shots in the box last season was more than the combined 19 of the rest of Mikel Arteta’s first-choice back four.

Pervis Estupinan (BHA) £5.0m

Brighton & Hove Albion’s left-back is the most-owned defender in Fantasy, found in over half of squads for his home fixture against Luton Town. Estupinan’s 28 shots and 46 chances created both placed third among defenders after Roberto De Zerbi’s arrival as head coach last term.

Mohamed Salah (LIV) £12.5m

Liverpool’s Egyptian was the player who produced the best form over the summer, playing a part in nine goals as he scored two and assisted a further seven. Salah was also the top-scoring player in 2022/23 Fantasy after the Reds changed their formation to 3-2-2-3, averaging 7.8 points per match over his final 10 outings.

See: FPL stats from EVERY player during pre-season

Marcus Rashford (MUN) £9.0m

His goal and assist against Lens last weekend highlighted his potential as a captain alternative to Haaland. Rashford averaged 8.4 points per start in home matches last term, compared with the Norwegian’s 6.5 points per start in away fixtures.

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Bukayo Saka (ARS) £8.5m

Arsenal’s winger is the most-owned midfielder and second most-popular player overall, selected by 57 per cent of managers. Saka was far more reliable for huge hauls at Emirates Stadium in 2022/23, producing all four of his double-figure hauls in home matches.

Eberechi Eze (CRY) £6.5m

The Crystal Palace star visits promoted Sheffield United on the back of two goals and five assists over pre-season. Eze amassed 67 points after Roy Hodgson returned as manager in Gameweek 29 last term, second only to the 85 of Salah among midfielders in Fantasy.

Erling Haaland (MCI) £14.0m

Despite his hefty price tag, Man City’s forward is owned by a remarkable 86 per cent for his visit to Burnley. Haaland’s record against promoted sides shows why millions of those backers will captain him. He amassed 47 points against such opponents last season, joint-top among all players.

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Julian Alvarez (MCI) £6.5m

The Argentinian is one of only two players to play the full 90 minutes in each of Man City’s last two matches. Alvarez averaged 11 points per start against promoted sides last season, scoring five goals and supplying two assists in those four outings.

Joao Pedro (BHA) £5.5m

Managers in Fantasy have flocked to Brighton’s Brazilian, who appears to have secured a starting role after signing from Watford over the summer. Pedro also looks to be on penalty duties, and can offer outstanding value at home to Luton.