2026–27 Fantasy Premier League: Top Picks for Gameweek 1

The 2026–27 Premier League season begins with Arsenal hosting Coventry City on Friday, August 21. Fantasy Premier League managers face a tight deadline to finalize their Gameweek 1 squads by 6:30 p.m. BST (1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT) that day. Excitement mixes with uncertainty as managers worldwide prepare their teams.

Goalkeeper Strategies

There are two main approaches to selecting goalkeepers in FPL. One is to pick a dependable starter and pair them with a budget-friendly £4.0m option who seldom plays. Arsenal's David Raya (£6.0m) fits well in this plan. Another, often better tactic is rotating two affordable goalkeepers based on fixture advantages.

The favored duo at the moment includes Tottenham Hotspur’s first-choice Antonín Kinský (£4.5m) and Brighton & Hove Albion’s steady Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m). Deciding who starts Gameweek 1 is tricky since Kinský faces Brentford away, while Verbruggen hosts Aston Villa.

Defensive Choices

Following a notable price increase, Arsenal’s Gabriel (£8.0m) is less automatic than before. Instead, managers eye his defensive partners. Left-back Riccardo Calafiori (£5.5m) stands out due to his attacking threat, highlighted by his goal in the recent Community Shield.

Calafiori’s playing time isn’t guaranteed, with Piero Hincapié (£5.5m) posing competition. This might push some managers toward Cristhian Mosquera (£5.5m) or Ben White (£5.5m), both expected starters because of injuries in Arsenal’s defense.

Manchester United’s Harry Maguire (£5.0m) offers a mix of scoring potential, defensive contributions, and favorable early fixtures, opening with matches against Hull City (A) and Ipswich Town (H).

Ola Aina (£4.5m) from Nottingham Forest should see advanced roles under new coach Oliver Glasner. He starts Gameweek 1 against Leeds United (H), though tougher games follow.

Sunderland’s Trai Hume (£4.5m) impresses, starting with matches at Ipswich (A) and Fulham (H). He has featured as a winger in preseason, scoring in consecutive friendlies.

For budget enablers, Ipswich signing Issa Diop (£4.0m) works well for Gameweek 1 but faces tough opponents like Manchester United (A) and Liverpool (H) soon after, limiting his appeal beyond the opener.

Midfield Options

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) remains a must-have, delivering 235 points last season. Despite missing penalties in preseason, he promises consistent goal involvements and is a strong candidate for captaincy in the first two gameweeks.

Bryan Mbeumo (£8.0m) provides good value and is likely to start as a striker under Michael Carrick due to Benjamin Šeško’s injury. He scored three goals and assisted one in preseason, adding to his 148 points from last year.

Dominik Szoboszlai (£7.0m), Liverpool’s Player of the Season 2025–26, may take a deeper role but retains set-piece duties, possibly including penalties now that Mohamed Salah has left. He is expected to play every minute.

Iliman Ndiaye (£6.0m) of Everton appears cheaper than expected and could take penalty duties. He starts against Crystal Palace (H), a team struggling under new management.

Brighton’s Pascal Groß (£5.5m) should feature regularly and is a key creative player under Fabian Hürzeler, having earned 78 points from 19 matches last season.

Forward Lineup

Erling Haaland (£15.5m) is an expensive but essential pick. Despite a lackluster Community Shield showing, he consistently begins seasons strongly. Bournemouth (H), Crystal Palace (A), and Coventry (H) are his early opponents.

João Pedro (£7.5m) is a bargain after seven preseason goals under Chelsea’s new boss Xabi Alonso. Without European fixtures to distract, he is expected to thrive in a more attack-minded Chelsea squad. Last season, he netted 15 Premier League goals.

Leeds United’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) stands out among reasonably priced forwards, boasting five goal involvements in preseason and 14 league goals last term. Other intriguing £6.0m options include Brian Brobbey, Igor Jesus, and Evanilson.

Sports Illustrated’s Recommended 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)