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Top Fantasy Premier League Squad for Gameweek 1 of 2026–27 Season

The new Premier League campaign begins with Arsenal facing Coventry City on Friday, August 21. Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers must finalize their squads by 6:30 p.m. BST (1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT) that day. The deadline brings a mix of anticipation and pressure as teams prepare for the opening fixtures.

Goalkeepers

Choosing goalkeepers often splits opinions. One popular tactic is the "set-and-forget" approach, which involves selecting a dependable first-choice keeper and pairing them with an inexpensive £4.0m backup who rarely plays. Arsenal's David Raya (£6.0m) fits this method well.

A different plan involves rotating two affordable goalkeepers with favorable matchups. This seems like the smarter route at the season's start. Tottenham Hotspur’s Antonín Kinský (£4.5m), now their first-choice goalkeeper, combined with Brighton & Hove Albion’s consistent Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m), is currently the favored pairing. However, deciding who starts in Gameweek 1 is tricky since Kinský faces Brentford away and Verbruggen hosts Aston Villa.

Defenders

After price rises have reshaped defender selections, Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori (£5.5m) stands out due to his attacking threat, demonstrated by scoring in the recent Community Shield. His playing time isn't guaranteed because of competition from Piero Hincapié (£5.5m), pushing some managers toward options like Cristhian Mosquera (£5.5m) or Ben White (£5.5m), who are set to start amid injuries in Arsenal's defense.

Manchester United's Harry Maguire (£5.0m) remains a solid pick, offering goal threat and defensive points potential. Early matches against promoted Hull City (A) and Ipswich Town (H) offer good opportunities.

Nottingham Forest’s new coach Oliver Glasner favors wing-backs, which boosts the appeal of Ola Aina (£4.5m) playing an advanced role. He kicks off against Leeds United at home. Sunderland's Trai Hume (£4.5m) also catches the eye; he’s been featuring on the wing during preseason and scored in friendlies versus Lens and Rennes, with games starting at Ipswich (A) and Fulham (H).

As a budget enabler, Ipswich’s summer signing Issa Diop (£4.0m) works well for Gameweek 1 but faces tough opponents Man Utd (A) and Liverpool (H) in following weeks, limiting his longer-term value.

Midfielders

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) is a must-have, expected to deliver points consistently and serve as a prime candidate for captaincy in the first two gameweeks despite missing penalties in preseason. His 235 points last season underline his quality.

With back-to-back games against promoted teams, doubling up on United attackers looks smart. Bryan Mbeumo (£8.0m) is priced well and should start as a striker due to Benjamin Šeško’s injury. He’s in good form, having scored three times and assisted once in preseason, and gathered 148 points last season.

Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai (£7.0m), last season’s Player of the Year for the club, might play deeper but will handle set-pieces and penalties after Mohamed Salah’s departure. He’s a fixture starter and defensive contributor.

Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye (£6.0m) offers value at a lower price and should take penalties. He earned 128 points last term and faces Crystal Palace at home, a team struggling under new management.

Brighton's Pascal Groß (£5.5m) is expected to feature heavily and acts as a key creator under Fabian Hürzeler, finishing last season with 78 points from 19 matches.

Forwards

Despite a subdued performance in the Community Shield, Erling Haaland (£15.5m) remains indispensable. The Manchester City striker often bursts into form early in the season, with initial matches against Bournemouth (H), Palace (A), and Coventry (H) favoring him.

Chelsea’s João Pedro (£7.5m) is a bargain at his price. Scoring seven goals in preseason under new manager Xabi Alonso and benefiting from Chelsea’s absence in European competitions, he netted 15 league goals last season and should thrive in a more attacking side.

Among the affordable forwards, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) leads the pack. The England international had five goal involvements in preseason and scored 14 league goals last term. Other intriguing options include Brian Brobbey (£6.0m), Igor Jesus (£6.0m), and Evanilson (£6.0m).

Sports Illustrated’s FPL Squad for Gameweek 1

  • GK: Antonín Kinský (TOT) - £4.5m - vs Brentford (A)
  • GK: Bart Verbruggen (BHA) - £4.5m - vs Aston Villa (H)
  • DEF: Riccardo Calafiori (ARS) - £5.5m - vs Coventry (H)
  • DEF: Harry Maguire (MUN) - £5.0m - vs Hull (A)
  • DEF: Ola Aina (NFO) - £4.5m - vs Leeds (H)
  • DEF: Trai Hume (SUN) - £4.5m - vs Ipswich (A)
  • DEF: Issa Diop (IPS) - £4.0m - vs Sunderland (H)
  • MID: Bruno Fernandes (MUN) - £12.0m - vs Hull (A)
  • MID: Bryan Mbeumo (MUN) - £8.0m - vs Hull (A)
  • MID: Dominik Szoboszlai (LIV) - £7.0m - vs Newcastle (A)
  • MID: Iliman Ndiaye (EVE) - £6.0m - vs Crystal Palace (H)
  • MID: Pascal Groß (BHA) - £5.5m - vs Aston Villa (H)
  • FOR: Erling Haaland (MCI) - £15.5m - vs Bournemouth (H)
  • FOR: João Pedro (CHE) - £7.5m - vs Fulham (A)
  • FOR: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (LEE) - £6.0m - vs Nottingham Forest (A)

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