For each Fantasy Premier League Gameweek, The Scout concludes his FPL analysis with a select XI, deployed in a valid formation and to a budget of £83m or less.
With little but pre-season form to go on, we have turned to players who enjoy home comforts for our initial selection. Just two of the line-up are on the road over the opening weekend.
Goalkeeper/defenders
Victor Valdes (£4.5m) of Middlesbrough claims the goalkeeper jersey as we back Aitor Karanka’s side to translate outstanding home defensive form from the Championship to the opening day meeting with Stoke City.
Goal threat from set-pieces provides the foundation of the back three.
The trio of Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk (£5.5m), Burnley’s Michael Keane (£5.0m) and Scott Dann (£5.5m) of Crystal Palace are all major weapons at set-plays.
All three also boast the promise of clean-sheet returns and bonus in home matches against West Bromwich Albion, Watford and Swansea City respectively.
Midfielders
Leicester City’s prospects at an injury-troubled Hull City inspire our selection of Riyad Mahrez (£9.5m) in midfield.
By covering the Algerian and Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) in attack, the team should be in line to profit should the Foxes prevail at the KCOM Stadium.
Goal threat is key to the selection of Andros Townsend (£6.5m). His left foot is likely to be the main source of danger for visitors West Bromwich Albon at Selhurst Park.
On the opposite flank, Nathan Redmond (£6.0m) makes his Premier League debut for Southampton and, based on Claude Puel’s pre-season teamsheets, is likely to be deployed as part of a front two in a 3-5-2 against Watford at St Mary’s.
Eden Hazard (£10.0m) completes the midfield, as he takes decent UEFA Euro 2016 and Chelsea summer form into Monday night's derby clash with West Ham United.
Forwards
Andre Gray (£6.5m) is our second pick from Sean Dyche’s Burnley.
Nine goals in pre-season ensure that the 2015/16 Championship Player of the Year heads into his top-flight debut flowing with confidence.
A Swansea City side, bereft of the influence of Ashley Williams, may just struggle to contain him.
The almost inevitable selection of Sergio Aguero (£13.0m) finalises the XI. The Argentinian also wears the captain's armband, having notched three goals and provided two assists in his last three Premier League outings against Sunderland.
It could be a tough afternoon for David Moyes and a profitable one for those backing Aguero from the get-go.
Register your team by 11.30am BST at fantasy.premierleague.com.
