The Premier league and FPL is back today. We kick off this exciting 2025/26 season with the reigning Champions Liverpool hosting Bournemouth at Anfield. The deadline for this Gameweek is tonight at 18:30 BST. Here are some important tips to keep in mind for the new season.
Don’t chase Points: Often managers will buy players because they haul in one Gameweek. Keep faith in your team, always choose consistency over flashes of brilliance. Transfer players that perform throughout the season rather than praying for that player to have a surprise 20 pointer again.
Play the Fixtures: A strong start is crucial. Target teams with favorable opening schedules over the first 4-6 Gameweeks. This allows you to build momentum before needing to make major transfers.
Invest in Your Starting XI: Don’t waste your budget on a star-studded bench. Fill your starting lineup with players who will consistently start and score points. Your bench should consist of cut-price picks who can cover for emergencies, with some potential for rotation based on fixtures. With FPL having so many cheap options in defence and everyone’s favourite Dubravka for £4.0m. It does not make sense to spend your funds on players you would hardly use.
Embrace the New Rules: The defensive contribution points offer new avenues for scoring. Consider budget defenders and even defensive midfielders who could rack up unexpected points. Players like Nottingham Forest’s Murillo and James Tarkowski are being highlighted by top managers for their high potential in this new system.
Don’t trust Pep: Many managers have been hurt by Pep’s constant rotation, he will say a player is playing well in a press conference and the proceed to bench him in the next game. Keep your faith in City assets except Haaland at a low, until we find out how Pep wants this revamped City squad to play.
Structure for Flexibility: Plan your initial squad with future transfers in mind. A player at a specific price point, like Ollie Watkins (£9.0m), allows for a simple one-transfer move to a wide range of other forwards.
Ripping apart your team: If you have a bad Gameweek, don’t trigger your Wildcard and start buying players that did well in the previous Gameweek. After 3-4 Gameweeks when we have a bigger sample size and better understanding of where teams and players are at, then you should think about the Wildcard chip.
Remember as much as FPL is a game of analysis and strategy, sometimes the best player will blank against favourable opponents, surprise benchings will take place. FPL is also a game of luck and having the right player at the right time. Enjoy it and don’t stress about the little things, it will happen to every player eventually. Good luck and hope you have a green arrow.
