Key FPL Information
- Gameweek 1 Deadline: Friday, 21 August, 6.30pm BST
- The Football Faithful FPL League Code: zog9n6
As the new Fantasy Premier League season approaches, managers are finalizing their squads. While Erling Haaland (£15.5m) remains the most popular choice for the starting XI due to his consistent scoring record, his high valuation forces significant trade-offs elsewhere. Currently, nearly 30 percent of managers are opting to build teams without the 26-year-old, prioritizing a more balanced and deep squad structure.
The primary risk of this strategy is Haaland’s potential to punish non-owners with high-scoring performances. However, the opening two gameweeks offer a unique window to experiment. With Manchester United facing Hull City and Ipswich Town, Bruno Fernandes (£12.5m) emerges as a premier captaincy candidate for the initial fortnight. Managers choosing to bypass Haaland should consider maximizing their returns by utilizing chips early; Bench Boosting in GW1 or GW2 is a viable tactic, followed by a potential Wildcard to bring Haaland back in for the home fixture against Coventry City in GW3.
Managers must remain cautious, as Haaland could start the season in typical explosive form, while Coventry’s adaptation to the top flight remains uncertain. Should the latter occur, the Triple Captain chip could prove highly effective for Haaland in GW3.
Draft Strategy 1: Attack-Focused
This approach prioritizes offensive output. The front three features Joao Pedro (£7.5m), Alexander Isak (£9m), and Igor Thiago (£8m). The midfield includes Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo (£8m), supported by Antoine Semenyo and Florian Wirtz. Riccardo Calafiori (£5.5m) is the only defensive investment above £4.5m, complemented by budget-friendly options. Goalkeeper duties are split between two £4.5m picks, Bart Verbruggen and Antonin Kinsky. Christos Tzolis (£6.5m), Ola Aina, and Michael Kayode (£4.5m) provide strong bench depth, making this squad ideal for an early Bench Boost.
Draft Strategy 2: Balanced Approach
This iteration offers more stability while retaining key assets. We replace Thiago with a different forward and swap Wirtz for Dominik Szoboszlai (£7m) to free up funds for other areas. This squad remains compatible with the Bench Boost chip, though it allows for more flexibility in player selection to ensure a stronger overall starting lineup.
Draft Strategy 3: Defensive Foundation
Reflecting on last season’s successful trends, this final draft emphasizes defensive security. David Raya (£6m) takes the goalkeeper spot, while Gabriel Magalhães (£8m) replaces Calafiori. The midfield retains the core from the second draft, though Tzolis is downgraded to Diego Gomez (£5m) to accommodate the defensive upgrades. Note that this specific configuration is less suited for a Bench Boost unless further budget adjustments are made. The report also notes that it’s time to finalise those drafts and lock your team in ahead of the fast-approaching deadline, with the new Fantasy Premier League campaign about to get underway. The report also notes that who has consistently put up huge numbers in the top flight, the first name in most managers’ starting lineups will be Erling Haaland (£15.5m). The report also notes that as it allows managers to build a more balanced, arguably stronger side overall, that’s why almost 30 per cent of teams do not include the 26-year-old. The report also notes that of course, is that Haaland can punish you badly if you don’t own him, the problem with that. The report also notes that he has historically started every Premier League season very strongly and always ends up with one of the highest-points totals in the game. The report also notes that this year, though, offers an opportunity to gamble without the Norwegian for at least the first couple of weeks. The report also notes that starting off with Bournemouth at home before facing Crystal Palace away, city have decent but not amazing fixtures.
Upcoming Fixtures and Watchlist
- Los Angeles Football Club vs Sporting Kansas City II: Today, 07:30
- FK Auda vs FK Tukums 2000/Telms: Today, 20:30
- FK Liepāja vs Grobiņa: Today, 20:30
- SJK vs Lahti: Today, 21:30
- Waldhof Mannheim vs 1.FCK: Today, 21:30
- Preussen Münster vs Karlsruher SC: Today, 21:30
- St. Tönis vs Eintracht Frankfurt: Today, 21:30
- Union Berlin Women vs Bayern Munich Women: Today, 21:50
- Liefering vs Austria II: Today, 22:00
- SKU Amstetten vs Hertha Wels: Today, 22:00
- Austria Salzburg vs Kapfenberger SV: Today, 22:00
- Wacker vs St. Pölten: Today, 22:00
- Ried vs Grazer AK: Today, 23:00
- Admira Wacker vs First Vienna: Tomorrow, 00:00
- Vicenza vs Catanzaro: Tomorrow, 00:00
- Hansa Rostock vs VfB Stuttgart: Tomorrow, 00:15
- Eintracht Frankfurt Women vs Köln Women: Tomorrow, 15:30
- Manchester United U18 vs Manchester City U18: Tomorrow, 15:30
- Energie Cottbus vs Augsburg: Tomorrow, 16:30
- Wehen Wiesbaden vs Bayer Leverkusen: Tomorrow, 16:30
