Fantasy Premier League Scout Selection: Top Picks for Opening Gameweeks

Fantasy Premier League Scout Selection: Top Picks for Opening Game Weeks

Erling Haaland of Manchester City poses with Phil Foden and the Premier League trophy after the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on May 19, 2024 in Manchester, England.(Image- Getty)

With over 1.8 million managers already building their squads for the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League season, the Scout has put together an early draft squad to help you get started. This 15-man team takes into account the early schedules, best captaincy options, and player ownerships to give you a solid foundation for the opening Gameweeks.

The Big Decision: Haaland vs Foden

Erling Haaland's record-breaking price of £15.0m has made him a less popular choice among managers, with only 32% ownership. Meanwhile, Phil Foden, who claimed his career-best total of 233 points in 2023/24, is also owned by 32% and offers a more affordable option at £9.5m. Picking Foden instead of Haaland saves managers £5.5m, allowing them to invest in premium defenses and build a balanced starting XI.

Captaincy Options

Targeting promoted opponents with your captaincy is a good move, with Newcastle's Alexander Isak (£8.5m) and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) being top picks in Gameweek 1. Isak scored 14 of his 21 goals at home last season, while Salah faces Ipswich Town in Gameweek 1.

Finding Value

Assessing the schedules over the opening Gameweeks is crucial in finding value. Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz (£6.0m) and Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze (£7.0m) tick several boxes, with Muniz facing promoted Leicester City and Ipswich in Gameweeks 2-3, and Eze facing Leicester in Gameweek 4.

Premium Defenses

Arsenal's Gabriel and Man City's Josko Gvardiol (both £6.0m) offer attacking options in the league's best defenses. Newcastle's Dan Burn (£4.5m) is the early value pick in his position, thanks to a kind early schedule. Ipswich's Leif Davis (£4.5m) looks like a standout mid-term budget option at the back.

Budget Options

Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis is among several £4.0m-priced defenders who are regular starters for promoted clubs. Pairing Brentford No 1 Mark Flekken with his deputy Hakon Valdimarsson will set you back £8.5m in total for both goalkeepers.

The Scout's Squad

Here is the Scout's 15-man squad for the opening Gameweeks:

Goalkeepers:

 Mark Flekken (£4.0m), Hakon Valdimarsson (£4.5m)

Defenders: 

Gabriel (£6.0m), Josko Gvardiol (£6.0m), Dan Burn (£4.5m), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (£4.0m), Leif Davis (£4.5m)

Midfielders:

 Phil Foden (£9.5m), Eberechi Eze (£7.0m), Rodrigo Muniz (£6.0m), Jaidon Anthony (£4.5m)

Forwards:

 Alexander Isak (£8.5m), Mohamed Salah (£12.5m), Cole Palmer (£10.5m)