The new Fantasy Premier League season kicks off this Friday, bringing another exciting campaign for FPL managers eager to navigate the game’s constantly changing dynamics and improve on last season’s global ranking.
At Total Football Analysis, we are ready to provide the insights you need.
In this article, we will examine the most popular player selections ahead of Gameweek 1, highlight the club with the most favourable early fixtures, and discuss budget-friendly options that could bring excellent value to your squad.
This season, we also invite you to join the TFA League and enjoy the journey with us in the spirit of healthy competition.
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FPL Gameweek 1 Deadline
The Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 1 deadline is Friday, 15 August 2025, at 19:30 GMT.
FPL Gameweek 1 Fixtures
The Champions kick things off at Anfield against Bournemouth.
Aston Villa are hosting Newcastle.
Fulham will travel to Brighton.
Sunderland play at home against West Ham.
Spurs welcome Burnley.
Manchester City are away to Wolves.
Nottingham Forest will host Brentford.
Crystal Palace will visit Chelsea.
Manchester United face Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Everton will travel to Leeds.
Most Selected FPL Assets For Gameweek 1
Let’s start by looking at the most selected FPL assets for Matchweek 1.
Goalkeepers:
- Martin Dúbravka is first with 27.0%
- Caoimhín Kelleher is second with 22.4%
- Matz Sels is third with 19.3%
Defenders:
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka is first with 30.1%
- Jeremie Frimpong is second with 29.0%
- Ezri Konsa is third with 24.0%
Midfielders:
- Cole Palmer is first with 56.8%
- Mohamed Salah is second with 54.3%
- Florian Wirtz is third with 34.1%
Forwards:
- João Pedro is first with 54.2%
- Viktor Gyökeres is second with 25.7%
- Erling Haaland is third with 22.2%
Cole Palmer Is The FPL Main Attraction
Finishing last season as the third-highest FPL scorer is just one of the reasons why Cole Palmer currently sits at the top of the ownership list.
Palmer amassed a total of 214 points in the previous campaign, a tally bettered only by Mohamed Salah and Bryan Mbeumo.
Palmer ended the season with 15 goals and 8 assists, while Salah recorded 29 goals and 18 assists, accumulating a remarkable 344 FPL points.
Mbeumo scored 20 goals and provided 7 assists, finishing with 236 FPL points.
Both Salah and Mbeumo outscored Palmer in total FPL points and goal contributions.
One is significantly more expensive than Palmer, while the other is cheaper.
This might leave some managers wondering whether the FPL community currently overvalues Palmer.
Chelsea’s convincing victory over European champions PSG in the final of the Club World Cup has undoubtedly boosted confidence among both Chelsea fans and FPL managers considering Chelsea assets, but there are other factors to consider.
When comparing Salah and Palmer as FPL options at the start of the campaign, many managers will focus on price and fixtures.
Salah is the most expensive player in the game at £14.5m, while Palmer comes in £4.0m cheaper at £10.5m.
In FPL terms, that difference is huge and can be enough to fully fund budget defenders like Burnley’s Maxime Estève, who is currently owned by 15.9% of managers.
Beyond price, Chelsea’s short-term fixtures are the most favourable in the Premier League.
They face Crystal Palace, West Ham, Fulham, and Brentford in their first four matches.
FPL managers will expect strong performances in these games and anticipate that Palmer will play a major role.
Bryan Mbeumo, on the other hand, starts the campaign priced at £8.0m and is owned by only 16.3% of managers, despite outperforming Palmer last season.
One reason may be uncertainty around Manchester United’s prospects for this season, as many of their signings in recent years have failed to meet expectations.
They also open with a tough run, starting against Arsenal, followed by Fulham, Burnley, and Manchester City.
While the ownership percentages for Palmer and Salah are very close, it is clear that many FPL managers will ideally be looking to fit both stars into their squads.
Budget Options That Could Provide Big Returns
When searching for budget options with the potential to outperform their price tags this season, the defensive and midfield areas stand out as the most promising.
Here are a few players who could offer excellent value based on their current prices.
£4.5M Defenders
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka is the most-owned defender heading into Gameweek 1, and for good reason.
He ranked among the top 15 highest-scoring defenders last season in terms of FPL points, and with guaranteed minutes on the pitch, he looks like a strong pick.
The new scoring system that rewards defensive actions further boosts his appeal, and he also has the potential to deliver the occasional attacking return.
Micky van de Ven
One of the fastest centre-backs in the league, Micky van de Ven, could play a key role for Spurs under new manager Thomas Frank.
If Spurs can resolve the defensive issues that plagued them last season, van de Ven has the potential to be an outstanding pick, provided he stays fit and enjoys consistent minutes throughout the campaign.
Ezri Konsa
Aston Villa’s sixth-place finish last season provides a strong platform for another promising campaign.
If the team builds on that success, Ezri Konsa could be an important contributor.
Remaining injury-free and securing regular starts will be key to unlocking his FPL potential this year.
£6.5M Midfielders
Iliman Ndiaye
Everton open the season with a favourable run of fixtures against Leeds, Brighton and Wolves.
Iliman Ndiaye is expected to be the club’s penalty taker, which could make him an excellent value pick at his current price.
Mohammed Kudus
One of Spurs’ exciting new signings, Mohammed Kudus, brings energy and flair every time he steps onto the pitch.
If he earns consistent minutes under Thomas Frank, he is likely to be heavily involved in Spurs’ attacking play throughout the season.
Rayan Cherki
It is surprising that a player as thrilling as Rayan Cherki, now at Manchester City, is available at such a low price.
However, he remains a big gamble for FPL managers.
His starting role is not yet certain, and regular minutes are crucial for any strong FPL asset.
If Cherki can establish himself in the City lineup, he could prove to be one of the bargains of the season.
Top 3 FPL Gameweek 1 Captain Picks:
- Mohamed Salah vs Bournemouth
- Cole Palmer vs Crystal Palace
- Erling Haaland vs Wolves
Differential Captain Pick Of The Week
Hugo Ekitike
With Darwin Núñez sold and speculation around Alexander Isak still ongoing, it appears almost certain that Hugo Ekitike will lead the line for Liverpool this weekend.
Fresh from scoring in the Community Shield, Ekitike should be brimming with confidence, and our FPL GW1 tips are that he could mark his Premier League debut with one or more goal contributions.
FPL GW1 Squad Suggestion
For anyone looking for inspiration or ideas when finalising their FPL squads in the lead up to this weekend, see our FPL Tips for matchweek 1 below:
GK: Robert Sánchez (£5.0m)
DEF: Ola Aina (£5.0m)
DEF: James Tarkowski (£5.5m)
DEF: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.5m)
MID: Cody Gakpo (£7.5m)
MID: Cole Palmer (£10.5m)
MID: Mohamed Salah © (£14.5m)
MID: Brennan Johnson (£7.0m)
MID: Iliman Ndiaye (£6.5m)
FWD: Jarrod Bowen (£8.0m)
FWD: Hugo Ekitike (£8.5m)
BENCH: Martin Dúbravka (£4.0m)
BENCH: Micky van de Ven (£4.5m)
BENCH: Ezri Konsa (£4.5m)
BENCH: Marc Guiu (£4.5m)
Final Thoughts
As we head into the first game of the new season, FPL managers should remember that nothing you do in Gameweek 1 will completely derail your campaign.
That said, it is wise to start the season by focusing on proven talent, while leaving space in your squad for players you believe can outperform their price tags.
Differential picks can be exciting, but building a squad heavily around them will almost always lead to long-term regret.
Aim to make well-informed decisions and stay on top of the latest news and Fantasy Premier League tips, especially updates on injuries and transfers as the window remains open.
Best of luck to all of you for the season ahead!
