Fantasy Premier League Tips Gameweek 1: FPL Captain Picks, Transfers & Strategy Guide

The first whistle of a new Fantasy Premier League season always feels like a mix of excitement, dread, and that strange optimism that this might finally be the year you crush your mates in the mini-league. Gameweek 1 is the canvas, and now is the time to paint your masterpiece – or scribble something chaotic and hope for the best.

The Buzz of a Fresh FPL Season

This week’s fixtures offer some juicy opportunities. Liverpool, opening at Anfield against Bournemouth, could turn into a demolition job. Manchester City face Wolves, a side who leaked goals for fun last season, and Aston Villa have Newcastle at home in what could be a statement performance. Then there’s Chelsea hosting Crystal Palace, Spurs taking on Burnley, and a West Ham trip to newly promoted Sunderland – all ripe for Fantasy football picks that could get you off to a flyer.

Captaincy: Salah, Haaland or a Brave Gamble?

Captaincy will dominate conversations. Mohamed Salah, £14.5m and owned by more than half the game, isn’t just a player – he’s a security blanket. He’s coming off a season where his home numbers were outrageous, and against Bournemouth he’s as close to a “set and forget” armband as you’ll get.

Erling Haaland, £14.0m, is somehow in fewer teams yet remains lethal, especially when you add in the arrival of Rayan Cherki, who seems intent on supplying him with more chances than he could possibly need. If Wolves defend like they did last year, we could be in for an early Haaland hat-trick watch.

But here’s where the FPL gameweek tips get interesting. Ollie Watkins has been quietly scoring in every pre-season game and faces a Newcastle side still trying to find their feet after a summer that’s been more soap opera than training camp. There’s a case for calling him the best FPL captain for Gameweek 1 if you fancy a cheeky differential. And speaking of differentials, Bruno Fernandes against Arsenal might sound insane at first glance, but given his past success versus that backline and penalty duties, it’s not as reckless as it sounds.

---

Transfers and Player Targets for Gameweek 1

Beyond the armband, there’s real scope for smart FPL transfers. Rayan Aït-Nouri moving to Manchester City could be a game-changer in defence – an attacking full-back in a possession-dominant side who can rack up assists. Brighton’s Maxim De Cuyper looks ready to pepper the box with crosses, and West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf could become one of those FPL budget players everyone scrambles for when they finally notice his numbers.

In goal, Lucas Perri at Leeds offers a safe pair of hands and a home fixture against Everton that could easily bring in a clean sheet.

---

Midfield Magic: Picking the Right Engine Room

Cole Palmer’s ownership is sky-high for a reason – Chelsea’s talismanic playmaker has already shown he can deliver in big games. Mohammed Kudus looks poised to cause havoc against Burnley, while Omar Marmoush might slip under the radar but could easily punish Wolves alongside Haaland if City rotate their attacking trio.

If you’re feeling adventurous, Sunderland’s Simon Adingra could be one of those fantasy football sleepers who makes you look like a genius – or leaves you with two points and regret.

---

Forward Thinking: Beyond the Premium Picks

Forwards outside the premium bracket shouldn’t be ignored. Joáo Pedro has been scoring for fun at Chelsea and should lead the line versus Palace. Hugo Ekitiké, fresh from opening his Liverpool account in the Community Shield, faces a Bournemouth defence that’s lost half its spine this summer.

Chris Wood, up against Brentford, remains an old-school penalty-box predator, and with Forest’s fixture run, he could quietly stack points.

---

Fixture Watch: Ranking the Week’s Points Potential

If you’re deciding between 50/50 calls, the fixture list can do a lot of the heavy lifting for you. Based on opponent weaknesses and attacking form, here’s how Gameweek 1 shapes up for FPL points potential:

1. Liverpool vs Bournemouth – Salah, Ekitiké and even a punt on a defender here could be gold. Bournemouth look vulnerable.
2. Man City vs Wolves – Haaland and Cherki are top targets, with Aït-Nouri offering attacking returns from defence.
3. Tottenham vs Burnley – Kudus against a promoted side? Yes please.
4. West Ham vs Sunderland – Diouf’s attacking threat from full-back and Bowen’s eye for goal both make sense here.
5. Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – Palmer and Joáo Pedro in a home opener could pay off big.
6. Aston Villa vs Newcastle – Watkins’ pre-season form makes him a live option.

Fixtures lower down the list can still produce points, but if you’re chasing early rank, it’s smart to load up on the top three or four.

Early-Season FPL Strategy

So, FPL strategy for the opener? Build your FPL team selection around a strong captain, avoid rotation traps, and don’t be seduced by every new signing without checking minutes risk. Fixture difficulty is king early on – target the sides with soft starts, and consider your chip strategy now.

Yes, you’ve got two Wildcards and extra transfers later, but wasting one in Gameweek 3 because you got carried away with punts is the fastest way to frustration.

---

Suggested Gameweek 1 Starting XI & Bench

GK: Lucas Perri (£4.5m) – Leeds (H v Everton)
DEF: Rico Henry (£4.5m) – Brentford (A v Nottingham Forest)
DEF: Maxim De Cuyper (£5.0m) – Brighton (H v Fulham)
DEF: El Hadji Malick Diouf (£4.5m) – West Ham (A v Sunderland)
MID: Mohamed Salah (C) (£14.5m) – Liverpool (H v Bournemouth)
MID: Rayan Cherki (£7.5m) – Man City (A v Wolves)
MID: Kaoru Mitoma (£7.0m) – Brighton (H v Fulham)
MID: Mohammed Kudus (£6.5m) – Tottenham (H v Burnley)
FWD: Erling Haaland (VC) (£14.0m) – Man City (A v Wolves)
FWD: Hugo Ekitiké (£7.0m) – Liverpool (H v Bournemouth)
FWD: Chris Wood (£6.0m) – Nottingham Forest (H v Brentford)

---

Bench

GK: Caoimhín Kelleher (£4.0m) – Brentford (A v Forest)
DEF: Jarrad Branthwaite (£4.0m) – Everton (A v Leeds)
DEF: Kayode (£4.5m) – Brentford (A v Forest)
MID: Andreas Pereira (£5.5m) – Fulham (A v Brighton)

---

Why These Bench Picks?

Kelleher is a handy second-choice goalkeeper who could step in for Perri if the fixtures swing in his favour, and he’s capable of making plenty of saves when called upon. Branthwaite is a bargain-priced defender with a strong chance of regular minutes for Everton, making him a safe plug-in option when needed. Kayode brings attacking intent from full-back and can be rotated in for games where Brentford’s defence has a better chance of a clean sheet. Pereira rounds out the bench with set-piece duties and creativity, giving reliable midfield cover without draining the budget.

If you want fantasy football advice in one sentence: start safe, pick your captain sensibly, sneak in one or two fantasy football bargains, and remember – nobody wins FPL in August, but you can definitely lose it.

FPL Rules Explained – Quick Q&A for Newcomers and Forgetful Veterans

Q: How does Fantasy Premier League scoring work?
A: Every player in your XI earns points based on what they do in real matches. Goals, assists, clean sheets, saves, and bonus points all add up. But beware — yellow/red cards, own goals, and missed penalties take points away.

Q: What’s this captain thing everyone talks about?
A: Simple — your captain’s points are doubled for that week. Pick wisely. Your vice-captain steps in only if your captain doesn’t play. This is why FPL captain picks are such a big deal.

Q: How much can I spend when building my team?
A: You get a £100m budget to pick 15 players: 2 goalkeepers, 5 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 3 forwards. Stay within budget, even if it means passing on your favourite star.

Q: Can I make changes during the season?
A: Yes — you get one free transfer per Gameweek. Extra transfers cost 4 points each. If you don’t use your free transfer, it rolls over (up to a max of two).

Q: What are “chips” and when should I use them?
A: Chips are special boosts:

• Wildcard – Change your entire squad with no point hits.
• Free Hit – Change your squad for just one week.
• Triple Captain – Triple your captain’s score for one Gameweek.
• Bench Boost – Your bench players’ points count too.
  This season, you get two of each chip — one set before Gameweek 19, one after.

Q: What’s new this season?
A: “Defensive Contributions” — players now earn bonus points for clearances, blocks, interceptions, recoveries, and tackles. This makes some defenders and even midfield enforcers more valuable.

Q: Any golden rules for beginners?
A: Don’t blow your budget on too many stars, always check fixture difficulty, avoid rotation risks early in the season, and for the love of your mini-league rank — don’t forget the deadline.

Rookie Mistakes to Avoid in FPL

1. Forgetting the deadline
It sounds obvious, but every season someone misses the cut-off and ends up with a half-injured striker as captain. Don’t be that person. Set reminders — multiple ones.

2. Going all-in on your favourite club
We get it, loyalty is nice. But if your team loses 3–0 every week, your FPL squad will sink with them. Mix in players from different clubs.

3. Ignoring fixtures
Even the best players struggle against a run of tough opponents. Always check fixture difficulty — it’s one of the easiest ways to find value picks.

4. Chasing one-week wonders
Someone will score twice in Gameweek 1 and triple in price by Tuesday. Before you panic-buy, check their minutes, fixtures, and whether it was just a freak performance.

5. Picking rotation risks early on
The first few weeks are about getting consistent points. Managers often rotate new signings or fringe players — avoid picking someone who’s likely to start on the bench.

6. Burning chips too soon
That Triple Captain in Week 2 might look tempting, but double and blank Gameweeks later in the season are where you’ll get real returns from chips.

7. Forgetting your bench matters
Injuries happen, suspensions happen, surprise rotations happen. Having two or three playable bench options can save you from disaster when the inevitable hits.

---

Enhance your betting game with our daily free betting tips, predictions, and accumulators.

For more betting tips and news, check out:

• Tennis Tips
• Our Comprehensive Betting News

Don’t forget to visit our Free Bets page for the best possible value as well as our Predictions.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter For Exclusive Tips

Want to have exclusive tips from experts tipsters delivered right into your inbox? Subscribe Now To Our Newsletter. We will never spam, we fully respect your privacy!

Selected Bookmakers Offers