See the dream line-up for this weekend’s matches, including who you could pick using the Bench Boost chip

The Scout picks a 15-man squad for Gameweek 2 of Fantasy Premier League, with the idea of helping managers who may be playing their Bench Boost chip. 

Burnley’s home encounter with Sunderland is one of the main reasons why deploying the Bench Boost chip in Gameweek 2 can pay off. 

The Clarets’ Martin Dubravka (£4.0m) is the most-owned goalkeeper in Fantasy, found in over 34 per cent of squads. 

Although his popularity is mainly to the fact that he is the only starting ‘keeper at that ultra-low price point and can simply sit on your bench in case of emergencies, playing the Bench Boost chip allows you to target Burnley’s home contest against another promoted club.

Although the funds are spread evenly elsewhere here, there is still room for FOUR big-hitting attackers: Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (£10.0m), Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins (£9.0m), Manchester City star Erling Haaland (£14.0m) and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m)

Haaland’s form and peerless goal threat earns him the not for the captaincy at home to Tottenham Hotspur, just pipping the all-round potential offered by Saka, who admittedly has the more attractive fixture of the two, at home to Leeds United.

David Raya (Arsenal) £5.5m

The goalkeeper offers a secure route into Arsenal’s defence at home to Leeds. Raya made seven saves in the Gunners’ 1-0 win at Man Utd last weekend, collecting 10 points. 

Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) £6.0m

Chelsea’s left-back visits West Ham United on the back of a clean sheet and two bonus points last time out. Cucurella’s line-breaking runs are a key part of the Blues’ attacks, helping him score five goals and supply two assists last season. 

Patrick Dorgu (Man Utd) £4.5m

The Man Utd defender’s goal threat was immediately in evidence against Arsenal last weekend, striking the post with one of his two shots. Dorgu’s advanced role as a left wing-back can help him provide great value against Fulham. 

Marcos Senesi (AFC Bournemouth) £4.5m

AFC Bournemouth’s centre-back offers strong all-round potential at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Senesi produced four goals and five assists in his last season as a regular starter in 2023/24, while the Cherries kept seven of their nine clean sheets last season at Vitality Stadium.

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) £10.0m

The Arsenal star average 7.0 points per start at Emirates Stadium last season, with five goals and five assists over a total of 13 appearances. 

Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) £9.0m

Man Utd’s playmaker offers multiple routes to returns against Fulham. Fernandes took both of his side’s free-kicks and two of their three corners against Arsenal and is expected to remain their first-choice for penalties. Add in his potential for defensive contribution points and he can produce a big haul at Craven Cottage. 

Antoine Semenyo (AFC Bournemouth) £7.1m

Bournemouth’s winger overshadowed Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) and the rest of the Liverpool attackers with two goals and 15 points at Anfield in the opening match of the season. Semenyo now faces a Wolves side who suffered a 4-0 home defeat to Man City last time out.

Tijjani Reijnders (Man City) £5.6m

A massive 930,000+ managers have made the Dutchman this season’s first major bandwagon after his goal and assist on his Man City debut last weekend. If he continues to play in an advanced role against Spurs, Reijnders can immediately reward that collective show of faith. 

Erling Haaland (Man City) £14.0m

The Norwegian made his customary fast start to a new season with two goals and 13 points against Wolves. Haaland’s peerless goal threat is highlighted by the statistics – his six shots in the box were TWICE the total of all but five other players in Gameweek 1. 

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) £9.0m

A visit to Brentford gives the Aston Villa talisman the chance to bounce back from his blank against Newcastle United last weekend. The Bees conceded a league-high four big chances – situations where the player is expected to score – in Gameweek 1. 

Thiago (Brentford) £6.0m

At a cost of only £6.0m, the Brazilian is one of the cheapest starting forwards in Fantasy. As evidenced by his converted penalty against Nottingham Forest last weekend, Thiago also appears to be on spot-kick duties for Brentford this season.

Bench
Martin Dubravka (Burnley) £4.0m

As the cheapest starting goalkeeper in 2025/26, Dubravka is a great addition to your squad for the rest of the campaign. 

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Everton) £5.0m

The midfielder has taken on set-piece duties for David Moyes’ Everton following his summer switch from Chelsea. Dewsbury-Hall’s free-kicks and corners could prove decisive for the Toffees’ home meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion, their first Premier League match at Hill Dickinson Stadium.  

Dan Ballard (Sunderland) £4.6m

Sunderland’s centre-back was the top-scoring player in Gameweek 1, scoring and earning three bonus points in their 3-0 win over West Ham, along with two defensive contribution points. However, it’s the underlying numbers that earn Ballard a call-up over his less expensive team-mates; his four shots in the box ranked top among defenders in Gameweek 1.

Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace) £5.0m

A home match against Nottingham Forest gives the Crystal Palace centre-back the chance to continue his strong start to 2025/26 Fantasy. Lacroix helped the Eagles to a 0-0 draw at Chelsea in Gameweek 1, earning two points for his defensive contributions in the process.