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AIPROPX ReportYahoo Sports · 30m ago
FPL Gameweek 2 Scout Picks: The Best £100m Squad for GW2
HULL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United runs to take a corner during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Hull City and Manchester United at MKM Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Hull, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Gameweek 1 gave Fantasy Premier League managers plenty to think about.
Some big-name players blanked, several budget options made an immediate impression and a few teams produced results that were difficult to predict before the season began.
But with Gameweek 2 approaching, the key is separating genuine changes in player outlook from the noise of one opening weekend.
Our FPL Gameweek 2 Scout Picks bring together the players we believe offer the best combination of fixtures, expected minutes, attacking potential, defensive potential and value.
The squad costs £99.6m , leaving £0.4m in the bank .
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Position Player Club Price Gameweek 2 Fixture GK David Raya Arsenal £6.0m Aston Villa (A) DEF Ben White Arsenal £5.5m Aston Villa (A) DEF Riccardo Calafiori Arsenal £5.5m Aston Villa (A) DEF Bobby Thomas Coventry £4.0m Hull (H) MID Bryan Mbeumo Man Utd £8.0m Ipswich (H) MID Dominik Szoboszlai Liverpool £7.0m Nottingham Forest (H) MID Bruno Fernandes Man Utd £12.0m Ipswich (H) MID Enzo Le Fée Sunderland £6.0m Fulham (H) MID Mamadou Sangaré Brentford £5.6m Leeds (A) FWD Erling Haaland Man City £15.5m Crystal Palace (A) FWD João Pedro Chelsea £7.6m Brighton (H) Starting XI £82.1m Bench GK Martin Dúbravka Tottenham £4.0m Newcastle (H) Bench DEF Cody Drameh Hull £4.0m Coventry (A) Bench MID Regan Slater Hull £4.5m Coventry (A) Bench FWD Sindre Walle Egeli Ipswich £4.5m Man Utd (A) Squad Total £99.6m
The team is built around a 3-5-2 formation , allowing us to maximise the midfield while keeping Haaland up front.
Goalkeeper: David Raya
Arsenal — £6.0m
Raya gets the nod in goal despite Arsenal facing a tougher test away to Aston Villa.
Arsenal began the season with a clean sheet against Coventry and have one of the strongest defensive units in the league. That makes Raya one of the safer premium goalkeeper options, particularly for managers looking beyond a single Gameweek.
Villa should provide a much sterner test, but Arsenal’s defensive strength gives Raya a reasonable chance of another clean sheet, while saves could provide additional points if Villa create opportunities.
Verdict: Start.
Defenders
Ben White — £5.5m
Arsenal v Aston Villa
White keeps his place after starting Arsenal’s opening match and providing an attacking return in the 3-0 victory over Coventry.
Arsenal’s defensive appeal is obvious. The Gunners kept 19 clean sheets in 2025/26 , and remain one of the strongest defensive teams in the division.
The Gameweek 2 fixture is tougher than Arsenal’s opener, but Aston Villa’s 4-0 defeat to Brighton gives White and Arsenal’s defence additional appeal.
There is also attacking upside from Arsenal’s full-backs, making White preferable to a purely defensive £5.5m option.
Verdict: Start.
Riccardo Calafiori — £5.5m
Arsenal v Aston Villa
Calafiori gives us a second Arsenal defender.
He started the season strongly and remains one of the more interesting £5.5m defensive options, particularly with Arsenal’s defensive strength.
There is, however, an important caveat.
The arrival of Ezri Konsa has introduced additional competition in Arsenal’s back line. Konsa can operate at centre-back or right-back and currently looks a secure starter while William Saliba and Jurrien Timber recover their fitness.
That makes Calafiori a player to monitor for team news rather than a completely risk-free pick .
For managers already owning him, though, there is no reason to panic after one Gameweek.
Verdict: Start.
Bobby Thomas — £4.0m
Coventry v Hull
Thomas is the budget pick at the back.
At £4.0m, the priority is finding a defender who has a realistic route to regular minutes rather than expecting consistent clean sheets.
Coventry’s home fixture against Hull makes Thomas more appealing than he would be in a difficult away match, while his ability to earn defensive-contribution points gives him another route to returns.
Verdict: Start.
Midfielders
Bryan Mbeumo — £8.0m
Manchester United v Ipswich
Mbeumo is one of the standout mid-priced midfielders for Gameweek 2.
His attacking role makes him particularly attractive against Ipswich at Old Trafford, and his £8.0m price sits comfortably below the premium midfield bracket.
Manchester United need a response after their opening-week defeat, and Mbeumo is one of the players most likely to benefit if they improve in attack.
Verdict: Start.
Dominik Szoboszlai — £7.0m
Liverpool v Nottingham Forest
Szoboszlai is one of the strongest value picks in this squad.
He scored Liverpool’s stoppage-time penalty again...
GameweekFantasy Premier LeagueSomeHULLENGLANDBryan MbeumoManchester UnitedPremier LeagueHull CityMKM StadiumPhotoGeorge Wood
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