Fantasy Premier League Tips: Gameweek 1 Review + Gameweek 2 Provisional Picks, Fixtures, Transfer Strategy & Who to Captain

What a wild ride Gameweek 1 turned out to be. From goal-fests to defensive meltdowns, Fantasy Premier League managers across the board were either left punching the air or punching the wall. And if you were one of the unlucky ones who benched Wood or skipped on Ekitike, don’t beat yourself up. It’s still very early days.

The Early Mayhem of Gameweek 1

Let’s not forget, this is just the opening chapter of a long, exhausting, glorious FPL saga. Haaland’s brace for City was predictable, yes, but it was the new names that really stirred the pot. Whether it was Reijnders’ explosive debut or Kudus pulling strings from midfield, it’s clear the 2025/26 season isn’t here to play it safe.

Reviewing the Key Gameweek 1 Performances

From a Fantasy football perspective, a few standouts are worth dissecting. Chris Wood’s brace in Nottingham Forest’s win over Brentford turned a few heads – especially those who had him buried on the bench. Meanwhile, Ekitike’s performance for Liverpool felt like a statement. A goal, an assist, and an all-round dominant display. Owned by just 19% so far, it’s baffling how many managers missed that boat.

Kudus was another to shine, bagging two assists for Spurs as they slotted three past their opponents. Salah, unsurprisingly, delivered as captain material, while Haaland did exactly what Haaland does.

But not everything was rosy. Branthwaite blanked and is now flagged. Diouf and Henry looked lost in defences that shipped goals, and West Ham were simply awful against newly-promoted Sunderland.

FPL Transfer Strategy: Don’t Panic… Yet

This is where most managers go wrong. One bad week and it’s full-blown panic mode – knee-jerk transfers, wasted chips, minus fours flying around like confetti. Don’t do it.

Yes, Reijnders and Ekitike are rising in price. But jumping on early bandwagons can backfire if they’re benched or pick up knocks. The sensible strategy right now is patience. One free transfer per week is gold dust, and unless your squad is crumbling, hold it until closer to the FPL deadline. We’ll know more as the week progresses – especially once injury updates and press conference news begin to trickle in.

So while we’ve made early suggestions for Gameweek 2, please treat these as provisional. A lot can change in 72 hours – and usually does. A follow-up article will drop later this week, packed with updated advice once line-up hints and fitness news become clearer.

Gameweek 2 Fixtures: Where the Points Could Be

The next round of fixtures is absolutely stacked with fantasy potential. Man City take on Spurs in what could be another goal-laden affair. Haaland’s already got two in the bag and is basically the human embodiment of a cheat code at home. Add Reijnders to that mix again if he starts, and you’re cooking.

Liverpool travel to Newcastle, a tougher fixture on paper, but Ekitike’s form makes it hard to bench him. He’s thriving with every touch, and if he keeps this up, he’ll be essential.

Forest go to Crystal Palace, and based on how Wood played, there’s every chance he keeps it rolling. Palace topped the blocks chart in Gameweek 1, but Wood’s physicality could be too much for them.

West Ham host Chelsea – a fixture that suddenly feels very one-sided after the Hammers were humiliated by Sunderland. This could be the week to back a Chelsea asset, though with our squad’s budget limitations, that may need to wait.

Sunderland themselves look like a team to respect. After thumping West Ham 3-0 and boasting players like Talbi and Sadiki with clean sheets and contributions, they might not be easy pickings as some had assumed.

Bargain Options & Differential Picks

If you’re looking for Fantasy football bargains, Wood (£7.5m) and Reijnders (£5.5m) are still underpriced relative to output. Kudus is another sleeper pick—quietly consistent, and crucial in attack.

Among FPL budget players, Longstaff at £5.0m won’t grab headlines but might nick you clean sheet points or an assist. And while Branthwaite is a concern, if fit, he still offers decent value at £5.5m.

Fantasy football differential picks could include Cherki, who’s quietly notched six points and looks well-positioned to do more against Spurs. And don’t write off De Cuyper either – Brighton conceded a fair amount of passes, and Leeds could exploit those gaps if they get adventurous.

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Our Provisional Starting XI Suggestion for Gameweek 2

Let’s stress this again – this line-up is subject to change. Injuries, late fitness tests, or just classic Friday chaos could reshuffle things dramatically. But if nothing changes, here’s how things look from today’s perspective:

Goalkeeper: Perri
Defenders: De Cuyper, Diouf, Henry
Midfielders: Salah (C), Kudus, Cherki, Longstaff
Forwards: Haaland (VC), Ekitike, Wood
Bench: Kelleher, Branthwaite (injury watch), Scott, Kayode

We’ve opted for Salah as captain for now given his talismanic role, but don’t sleep on Haaland at home against Spurs. And if you really want to gamble, Ekitike could explode once again.

Final FPL Tips for the Week

Don’t activate your wildcard yet unless your team is truly beyond saving. Most managers regret burning it this early. Stick with your Fantasy football strategy and avoid chasing points. Fixtures are your friend, but only if you combine them with actual form.

If you’re considering FPL transfers, wait. Updates from training grounds and pressers will shift the landscape by Friday. Right now, the players we’ve highlighted – Wood, Reijnders, Ekitike, Kudus – are trending in the right direction, but don’t lock anything in until the FPL injury news is more complete.

We’ll be back later in the week with a more refined guide based on updated Fantasy football form guides and confirmed line-ups. For now, hold tight, stay calm, and enjoy the chaos.

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