The new Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season is here, and whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a first-time manager, the right strategy can make the difference between glory and frustration. This guide will help you build a winning squad, avoid early mistakes, and maximize points all season long.
Table of Contents
🚀 Gameweek 1 Essentials
1. Build a Balanced Squad
- Salah + Haaland? The eternal debate.
- Both: Guaranteed points but limits squad depth.
- One: Frees up funds for a stronger XI.
- Neither? High-risk, high-reward (not recommended).
- Fixtures > Form Early On: Target teams with soft opening schedules (e.g., Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City).
- Nailed Starters Only: Avoid rotation risks in GW1.
2. Captaincy: Play It Safe
- Early Weeks = Salah/Haaland (C).
- Save differential picks for later.
3. Defenders Get a Boost
- New Rule: 2 extra points for 10+ clearances/blocks/interceptions/tackles.
- Target: CBs with high defensive stats (e.g., Saliba, Van Dijk).
🔥 Chip Strategy (New This Season!)
You now get TWO of each chip (Wildcard, Bench Boost, Free Hit, Triple Captain). Plan wisely:
- Bench Boost (GW1-3): Maximize early points before rotations kick in.
- Wildcard (GW8 or GW13): Reset after early trends emerge.
- Triple Captain (Double Gameweeks): Save for Haaland/Salah in DGWs.
💡 Pro Tips for Long-Term Success
✅ Avoid Knee-Jerk Transfers – Wait for injury news before making moves.
✅ Roll Transfers When Possible – Flexibility is key.
✅ Goalkeeper Strategy:
- Option 1: One premium (e.g., Alisson) + £4.0m backup.
- Option 2: Rotating £4.5m GKs (e.g., Flekken/Raya).
✅ Check Team News Before Deadline – Late leaks win mini-leagues.
✅ Prioritize 90-Minute Players – Late goals win weeks.
📈 Key Players to Watch
🔴 Liverpool (Strong Early Fixtures)
- Salah (Still the FPL king?)
- Florian Wirtz (£8.5m – Potential bargain)
- Alexander Isak (If he joins, could be a Haaland alternative)
🔵 Man City (Haaland or Bust?)
- Haaland (The ultimate FPL cheat code)
- Foden (Pep Roulette risk, but explosive)
⚪ Arsenal (Solid Defense + Attack)
- Saka (Consistent returns)
- Ødegaard (Set-piece threat)
- Saliba (Defensive bonus magnet)
🎯 Final Advice
FPL is a marathon, not a sprint.
- Stick to your plan.
- Don’t panic after one bad week.
- Trust the process.
Your mini-league rivals won’t know what hit them.
🔔 Follow for weekly FPL updates, differential picks, and captaincy tips!
Are you going Salah + Haaland? Or picking one? Let’s debate in the comments! 🚀⚽
