The Fantasy Premier League season is upon us, marking the beginning of another thrilling journey for football enthusiasts worldwide. As millions of managers gear up to assemble their dream teams, the Premier League’s unpredictable nature promises excitement and challenges ahead. With the first gameweek just around the corner, strategic planning and informed decision-making have become crucial for a strong start.
This essential guide aims to provide valuable insights to help managers navigate the complexities of Gameweek 1. It covers a range of topics, including top premium players to consider, budget-friendly gems that could make a difference, key defensive picks to bolster your team’s backline, and effective captain choices and strategies. By exploring these areas, managers can gain a competitive edge and set themselves up for success in the opening round of the Fantasy Premier League season.
Top Premium Players to Consider
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah remains a top choice for Fantasy Premier League managers. Despite a slight dip in form towards the end of the previous season, Salah’s underlying statistics were impressive. He ranked second in shots (44) and ‘big chances’ (10) among midfielders, with the highest number of shots in the box (35). Salah’s consistency in Gameweek 1 is remarkable, having never blanked in eight opening-round appearances and accumulating 99 points, including six double-figure hauls.
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland, priced at £15.0m, is the most expensive player in FPL history. He was the top goalscorer last season with 27 goals and has consistently been the most popular captain choice. Haaland’s underlying numbers were only rivaled by Salah, and he is the designated penalty taker for Manchester City. His elite consistency return rate of 61% overall (63% at home, 60% away) makes him a reliable captain option. The potential return of Kevin De Bruyne could further boost Haaland’s productivity, given De Bruyne’s superior creativity compared to other City midfielders.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has shown promise in recent performances. In a recent match, he played as a No. 9 in the absence of Rasmus Hojlund and registered an impressive individual expected goals (xG) figure of 1.19. Although he missed two big chances, Fernandes’ involvement and attacking potential suggest that returns are likely in the near future. His versatility and influence on Manchester United’s attack make him a valuable premium option for FPL managers to consider.
Budget-Friendly Gems
Morgan Rogers
Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers (£5.0m) stands out as a promising budget option. The versatile player has impressed in pre-season, scoring three goals and providing two assists. His ability to play centrally as a No. 10 or up front increases his chances of significant pitch time. In a recent friendly against Athletic Bilbao, Rogers assisted Jaden Philogene, showcasing his potential. With Unai Emery easing regular players back into action, Rogers’ versatility could prove valuable for Fantasy Premier League managers.
Chris Wood
Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood (£6.0m) presents an excellent budget-friendly option for FPL managers. Wood’s impressive form at the end of last season, scoring five goals in the final nine gameweeks, makes him a standout choice. His underlying statistics are promising, with 14 ‘big chances’ and an xG of 6.35 during that period. Forest’s favorable early fixtures, combined with Wood’s aerial threat, make him an attractive option. Bournemouth, their first opponent, conceded 89 headed shots last season, aligning well with Wood’s strengths.
Yankuba Minteh
Brighton’s new signing Yankuba Minteh (£5.5m) has been turning heads in pre-season. The 20-year-old winger has contributed three goals and two assists, earning praise from coach Fabian Hurzeler. Minteh’s impressive loan spell at Feyenoord last season, where he averaged a goal or assist every 125 minutes, suggests he could be a valuable FPL asset. Expected to start on the right wing, Minteh’s ability to exploit half-spaces could be particularly effective against Everton in Gameweek 1, especially with the absence of Jarrad Branthwaite in their defense.
Key Defensive Picks
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) remains a top defensive pick for Fantasy Premier League managers. Despite a dip in form last season, his underlying statistics are impressive. He ranked second in shots (47) and fourth in key passes (64) among defenders, showcasing his attacking potential. Alexander-Arnold’s versatility is noteworthy, as he has played both as a right-back and in central midfield. His career tally of 23 goals and 85 assists underlines his attacking prowess. Liverpool’s favorable fixture against Ipswich presents an opportunity for returns at both ends of the pitch.
Ben White
Ben White (£6.5m) emerged as the top-scoring defensive asset in the 2023/24 season, amassing 182 FPL points. His impressive tally included four goals, five assists, and 18 clean sheets. White’s attacking contributions were notable, with only seven defenders managing more assists. He ranked sixth among defenders for ‘Expected Assists’ (xA) at 4.56. Arsenal’s defensive solidity is evident, having conceded just five goals in the last 10 Gameweeks of the previous season, keeping seven clean sheets. Their opening fixture against Wolves, who struggled offensively last season, bodes well for White’s potential returns.
Pervis Estupinan
Pervis Estupinan (£5.0m) had a standout debut season for Brighton. He ranked fourth for overall attacking returns among defenders, with one goal and seven assists. Brighton’s defensive record was impressive, conceding 53 goals (sixth-best) with an Expected Goals Conceded (xGC) of 48.4 (fourth-best). Their opening fixture against newly-promoted Luton Town presents an excellent opportunity for both defensive and attacking returns. Brighton are joint favorites to keep a clean sheet (55%) and third favorites to score 2.5+ goals (45%). Estupinan’s consistent starts and attacking potential make him an attractive option for FPL managers.
Captain Choices and Strategies
Analyzing fixture difficulty
Selecting the right captain is crucial for Fantasy Premier League success. When analyzing fixture difficulty, managers should consider the odds of teams scoring goals. Arsenal leads with a 91% chance of scoring at least one goal and a 55% likelihood of netting 2+ goals in Gameweek 1. Liverpool and Newcastle follow closely, both with 91% odds of scoring at least once and 52% and 50% chances of scoring 2+ goals, respectively. Manchester City sits fifth with an 85% probability of scoring and a 36% chance of scoring multiple goals against Chelsea.
Form vs. fixtures
Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland top the projection rankings, both with a 69% chance of returns and 7.2 projected points for Gameweek 1. Isak’s home performance is particularly impressive, averaging 7.8 points per start last season. Haaland, despite potential risks due to missing key players in pre-season, has shown sharpness with five goals in warm-up matches. Mohamed Salah ranks third with a 68% chance of returns and 7.5 projected points, while Bukayo Saka takes fourth place with a 61% chance and 7.0 projected points.
Differential options
For managers looking to differentiate, Son Heung-min presents an intriguing option. Owned by only 10% of teams, Son has had a strong pre-season with three goals and an assist. His clinical finishing in away matches, converting 23.7% of his shots last season, makes him stand out among midfield options. Another differential pick could be Diogo Jota, owned by just 12% of managers, who is likely to start as a center-forward for Liverpool despite being classified as a midfielder in FPL.
As the Fantasy Premier League season kicks off, managers have a wealth of options to consider for their teams. From premium players like Salah and Haaland to budget-friendly gems such as Rogers and Wood, the choices are plentiful. Defensive picks like Alexander-Arnold and White offer potential for points at both ends of the pitch, while captain strategies revolve around analyzing fixture difficulty and balancing form with fixtures. These insights aim to give managers a head start in the opening gameweek.
Ultimately, success in Fantasy Premier League comes down to making informed decisions and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of the game. While this guide provides a solid foundation to build upon, managers should keep an eye on team news, form changes, and emerging trends as the season progresses. By staying alert and flexible, FPL managers can position themselves for a strong start and set the stage for a successful campaign ahead.