Fantasy Premier League 25/26

[Maluco]

Interesting discussion about the Salah-Palmer vs Salah-Haaland Combo. I'm currently trying to figure it out as well. The one thing which speaks for the Salah-Haaland Combo for me is, that you can cover Chelsea Attack with Joao Pedro. If you go Salah-Palmer there is no other standout Player from City to cover their attack.

Have currently two Drafts, will be one of them (Injuries aside). And please forgive me my United picks. But i love my 1-2 United players in my Team until i see them play at least:

Salah-Palmer Draft:
Sels (Dubravka)
AWB Saliba Van de Ven (Dorgu, Esteve)
Salah Palmer Ndiaye Cunha Kudus
Watkins Bowen (Guiu)

Salah-Haaland Draft
Sels (Dubravka)
AWB Saliba Van de Ven (Dorgu, Esteve)
Salah Wilson Rogers Cunha Kudus
Haaland Pedro (Guiu)

Both Drafts look very tempting to me with the first one a bit more balanced with good fixtures for Bowen, Watkins and Co. But no City Cover.

In second one I would be able to cover City, Chelsea, Villa, Liverpool attack. But would have to take punts on Wilson and to some extent also on Pedro as its not 100 sure if he is a minutes risk or not.

In a nutshell:
For my two drafts its basically

Palmer/Watkins/Bowen/Ndiaye
Vs
Haaland/Wilson/Pedro/Rogers

Rest of Team stays the same. Which Combo looks better to go?

I just like Haaland/Salah better at this stage because you will have the one that goes off, and it’s two transfers to go anywhere you want with it. And, you have the best captain every game week.

He captaincy is the most important part of the game, so I think it makes sense to start with the two best potential captains and work from there.

To be able to have both, and still have your choice of 7,5 attacker, Rogers, Cunha/Wirtz/Marmoush and a decent bench etc…

 

[Chipper]

No way, Spread Ex now offering a betting market on total FPL points.

Covers midfielders and forwards only.


Data from here.

 

[WayneKing]

Thoughts on this BB team? My plan is BB GW1, FH2 and WC3 or 4.

Sels-Verbruggen
Colwill-Mykolenko-Spence-VDV-Diouf
Palmer-Ndiaye-Salah-Gakpo-Kudus
Bowen-Fullkrug-Wood

I would switch out one of Ndiaye or Kudas for a more steady option like Rice or Enzo

 

[JBG]

I would switch out one of Ndiaye or Kudas for a more steady option like Rice or Enzo

That team is for GW1 only, I'm bench boosting. GW3 or 4 is when I think about mid-long term

 

[SmashedHombre]

I've never really done FF before, but my work colleagues have finally roped me into it. Can anyone tell me how to make my team less shit so that I don't finish last?

Spoiler: Team

 

[Sarni]

I've made slight tweaks to my team, now leaving 0.5m in the bank for possible future adjustments. Still trying to go with 4 premiums.

Kelleher
AWB Dorgu Konsa (Esteve Gudmundsson)
Salah Palmer Saka Anderson Baleba
Haaland Beto (Guiu)

Not much of a bench but I'd not be bench boosting anyway and I still have 0.5m to upgrade one of the defenders should I need it.

 

[Vidyoyo]

Would it be crazy to take a punt on Amad over Rogers? 0.5m cheaper and Amad looks a threat in pre-season, much as he did last year when he was fit. He averaged 5 points a game last season(!).

This then has the benefit of freeing up some extra money to get Bowen over one of the 7.5m options like Wissa, Pedro etc.

Anyway, here's my current draft for week 1:

Sanchez (Dubravka)
AWB Ait-Nouri Ainu (Konsa Esteve)
Amad Bruno Palmer Salah Baleba
Watkins Bowen (Obi)

A lot hinges on that midfield three and Watkins. Will likely remove him after GW5 when Gyokeres' fixtures become nicer.

 

[Andycoleno9]

Would it be crazy to take a punt on Amad over Rogers? 0.5m cheaper and Amad looks a threat in pre-season, much as he did last year when he was fit. He averaged 5 points a game last season(!).

This then has the benefit of freeing up some extra money to get Bowen over one of the 7.5m options like Wissa, Pedro etc.

Anyway, here's my current draft for week 1:

Sanchez (Dubravka)
AWB Ait-Nouri Ainu (Konsa Esteve)
Amad Bruno Palmer Salah Baleba
Watkins Bowen (Obi)

A lot hinges on that midfield three and Watkins. Will likely remove him after GW5 when Gyokeres' fixtures become nicer.

Nah, Rogers is fpl points magnet. First name on the sheet peoole would say.

 

[Chipper]

I've never really done FF before, but my work colleagues have finally roped me into it. Can anyone tell me how to make my team less shit so that I don't finish last?

Spoiler: Team

Better than my first ever stab at this!

Esteve is a popular pick for that cheap defender as he should start every week for Burnely and he's been popular for filling it that role for a lot of people's teams. Same for Wilson in the midfield, and he's been flying in pre-season, one of the players that a lot are thinking might be a potential bargain this season. Guiu with with his Sunderland loan another one that many have reacted to as he's one of the very few 4.5m forwards who could well get a solid amount of playing time. Not sure if Guiu will be a starter or just a sub right for them now, but there's certainly a school of thought that thinks he might well start. Even if he's a sub that comes on regularly that's more than the other 4.5m forwards look like they'll do.

You're certainly budget aware for the most part, those cheap guys allowing you plenty of money to spend elsewhere.

Goalkeepers look a little bit different but maybe you're on to something!

It's more normal to see 2 goalkeepers who start for their sides as 2 x 4.5 ones to free up funds for the rest of the squad if someone wants to pick 2 starting 'keepers like that. If going for a 5.0+ one most will pick a 4.0 goalie to free up money that way. You could go with a 9 million spend on goalies instead of the 9.5m. That said, Guiu is unusually cheap for a forward who could potentially play often and that's already freeing up a lot of money so perhaps not so essential to squeeze that money away from the goalies too.

If going for a 4.0 'keeper as the backup it's common to see one of 3 different tactics:

1 - the backup goalie from the same club as your starter so he's ready to step in if your main one gets injured. If we say that's Sels then that would normally be Carlos Miguel from Forest as they've sold Matt Turner. Problem with that might be that someone called Aaron Bott has been getting some of the recent pre-season minutes between the sticks and he's not even in the FPL game as of now. I don't know if Miguel got injured or Bott is now Forest's #2.

2 - A 4.0 who might start for their team. Doesn't seem to be much out there. Were some rumours of Darlow at Leeds or Kinsky at Spurs if they sold Vicario but I'm not sure on that now.

3 - just some random 4.0 choice who sits on his team's bench to make up the numbers. Transfer out the 5.0+ 'keeper for a different one if you hear he's injured.

 

[WayneKing]

Would it be crazy to take a punt on Amad over Rogers? 0.5m cheaper and Amad looks a threat in pre-season, much as he did last year when he was fit. He averaged 5 points a game last season(!).

This then has the benefit of freeing up some extra money to get Bowen over one of the 7.5m options like Wissa, Pedro etc.

Anyway, here's my current draft for week 1:

Sanchez (Dubravka)
AWB Ait-Nouri Ainu (Konsa Esteve)
Amad Bruno Palmer Salah Baleba
Watkins Bowen (Obi)

A lot hinges on that midfield three and Watkins. Will likely remove him after GW5 when Gyokeres' fixtures become nicer.

Yeah the whole expert space is avoiding all Man Utd players as if they are radioactive. I've never seen anything like it. Mbeumo Cunha Amad are about 0% owned in expert teams. Amad looked solid out there and im considering him over Rice or Enzo

 

[Andycoleno9]

How nailed is Joao Pedro? With Celski having 234 players will he even start regulary?

 

[Vidyoyo]

Nah, Rogers is fpl points magnet. First name on the sheet peoole would say.

Yeah the whole expert space is avoiding all Man Utd players as if they are radioactive. I've never seen anything like it. Mbeumo Cunha Amad are about 0% owned in expert teams. Amad looked solid out there and im considering him over Rice or Enzo

I get the thinking but when you look a little deeper, Amad had 8 goals and 8 assists last year after starting 17 fewer games than Rogers (who registered 3 more assists).

I find the decision a little less clear cut when you realise Amad is an even bigger points magnet

 

[Andycoleno9]

I get the thinking but when you look a little deeper, Amad had 8 goals and 8 assists last year after starting 17 fewer games than Rogers (who registered 3 more assists).

I find the decision a little less clear cut when you realise Amad is an even bigger points magnet

Amad will play as a wing back. Plus not so easy schedule. But i agree that he is one to watch.
I am going with Rogers and Kudus as budget options.

 

[Maluco]

I've never really done FF before, but my work colleagues have finally roped me into it. Can anyone tell me how to make my team less shit so that I don't finish last?

Spoiler: Team

This is a good team! Just watch a video about defensive contributions as there are better options at 4,5 who will pick up more points.

 

[Andycoleno9]

Do we have Wolves fans around here? I really need help about Larsen. What are thougts about him? Price looks good, can be differential but feck me, Wolves look awful in friendlies.

 

[RDCR07]

Do we have Wolves fans around here? I really need help about Larsen. What are thougts about him? Price looks good, can be differential but feck me, Wolves look awful in friendlies.

Not without Cunha. I can’t trust their attack.

 

[sizzling sausages]

Not without Cunha. I can’t trust their attack.

He had his best spell last season during one of Cunha's suspensions if I remember right.

@Andycoleno9 I have him as my 3rd striker, with Gyorekes and Solanke.

 

[RDCR07]

He had his best spell last season during one of Cunha's suspensions if I remember right.

@Andycoleno9 I have him as my 3rd striker, with Gyorekes and Solanke.

And how long was his suspension? 3 games?

 

[Andycoleno9]

Not without Cunha. I can’t trust their attack.

He had his best spell last season during one of Cunha's suspensions if I remember right.

@Andycoleno9 I have him as my 3rd striker, with Gyorekes and Solanke.

Yeah, i am in and out with him. Pedro and Watkins are absolutely nailed for me. Pedro is rotation risk but his schedule is just too good.
3rd spot is between Wood and Larsen (that one million difference is bench midfielder so no issues there).

 

[LukeTheRed]

Do we have Wolves fans around here? I really need help about Larsen. What are thougts about him? Price looks good, can be differential but feck me, Wolves look awful in friendlies.

Wolves have lost arguably their 3 most creative players in Cunha, Nouri & Semedo

I can’t see whose going to create the chances for him.

Rumours are that Dubravka is going to Burnley he becomes the perfect 4.0 choice

 

[Chipper]

That new Solio Analytics tool launched last night. Based on betting market data. Kind of fun to play around with (free during August) but with no news about how much it might cost thereafter from anything I could see yesterday. Not sure I'd want to pay anyway.

https://fpl.solioanalytics.com/

 

[RDCR07]

Is Tewksbury Hall a realistic option at 5.0m?

 

[Chipper]

Is Tewksbury Hall a realistic option at 5.0m?

Perhaps as perma-sub, or a player to have if trying to squeeze in extra premiums such as going for Salah + Haaland team. Would certainly expect him to start, don't really see Everton spending that amount only to view him as a squad player.

Seeing lots of doubts on FWDs for one reason or another. How will Gyokeres adapt to the league? Where will Wissa and Isak be and will they be sulky if they stay? What's Ekitike's role? How will Strand-Larsen do without Cunha and Ait-Nouri? Why have Forest only scored 1 goall all pre-season (Wood)? Will Watkins' minutes get eaten into with either Guessand or Malen? How ready is Solanke given he's missed a large part of pre-season? How nailed is Joao Pedro? The list is almost endless.

A lot of these doubts might work themselves out by GW1 but right now I think a lot of people are looking at stacking their midfields in current drafts just in case some of these aren't resolved and Mr. Hall doesn't really fit that.

 

[Chipper]

That's all given me an idea.

Going to play around with some 4-5-1 setup drafts. See if I can squeeze Haalaad in there with Guiu and someone else cheap up top. Ideally Beto/Piroe level but maybe even cheaper than that.

 

[Maluco]

That's all given me an idea.

Going to play around with some 4-5-1 setup drafts. See if I can squeeze Haalaad in there with Guiu and someone else cheap up top. Ideally Beto/Piroe level but maybe even cheaper than that.

I think you need at least a Fullkrug there or you have a dead bench. Moyes was down on Beto last few days.

5,5 mids are so much more reliable to have on the bench.

 

[Chipper]

I think you need at least a Fullkrug there or you have a dead bench. Moyes was down on Beto last few days.

5,5 mids are so much more reliable to have on the bench.

Probably right, and having just had a quick look there's still sacrifices to be made so maybe not the best. Can't really have Palmer otherwise it still pretty much utilises a budget midfielder.

Guess you could go completely crazy and not have Salah in a 4-5-1 then almost take your pick of any other midfield but that's obviously a big risk.

Sure I read that Muniz is expected to take over as first choice FWD at Fulham for 5.5 the other day but I don't know how solid that info was and even then I'm sure Raul Jimenez will be subbed in often around 65-70 minutes to replace him.

 

[Chipper]

4-5-1 probably looks more like this now I've played around with it.

More in terms of prices than anything else. Players could be shuffled around and absolutely zero attention paid to fixtures here. So hard to squeeze Haaland + Salah in there.

Could have Watkins as the main forward instead of Gyokeres, and plenty of different ways of making up that midfield. It would shift to a 3-5-2 if subs are utilised. Could get 4 good priced defenders that way.

If needing a 6.0 striker like Fullkrug on the bench would have to find that extra 0.5 from somewhere on the way. Either drop the 6.0 or 5.5 defender down a notch or find it in midfield.

 

[ManchesterMats]

I’m going hard on City this time with Halland, Marmoush and Cherki to start of with. It kinda dels like people are sleeping on Haaland.

Feel free to join our H2H League: https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/6bil7x

 

[Chipper]

How is everyone planning the first 3-6 weeks in general? I know some are considering BB in GW1, it's more a question for those not doing that.

Are you already looking at transfers to make during that time, targetting players for 2 or 3 weeks dependant on fixtures or is it case of trying to build a quality squad that hopefully lasts 5 or 6 weeks without having to dip into transfers too much early on, hoping to bank some?

I'm more in the second camp, but I know I could fall slightly behind early if others duck and dive, making a string of correct moves. I also know that even if trying to set up for a period of a few weeks I'm probably going to have to burn some transfers anyway due to unexpected benchings, starters, injuries or even real-world transfers.

 

[Sarni]

Which £5.5m or below midfielders are people going with? I currently have Baleba and Anderson but with a possible Baleba move will probably swap him for Wilson or Arias. Also considering downgrading Saka which would allow me to upgrade that fifth midfielder (or add a striker) but I’m not sure I really want it. I have grown fond of the idea of having all of Salah, Haaland, Palmer and Saka.

 

[Andycoleno9]

4-5-1 probably looks more like this now I've played around with it.

More in terms of prices than anything else. Players could be shuffled around and absolutely zero attention paid to fixtures here. So hard to squeeze Haaland + Salah in there.

Could have Watkins as the main forward instead of Gyokeres, and plenty of different ways of making up that midfield. It would shift to a 3-5-2 if subs are utilised. Could get 4 good priced defenders that way.

If needing a 6.0 striker like Fullkrug on the bench would have to find that extra 0.5 from somewhere on the way. Either drop the 6.0 or 5.5 defender down a notch or find it in midfield.

Wow. My team and yours have exactly one!! player shared.
Two completely different visions.

 

[Chipper]

Wow. My team and yours have exactly one!! player shared.
Two completely different visions.

Was more of an experiment to see how one might fit a 4-5-1 together, focusing on prices rather than players although quite a lot of those guys I do rate.

Are you playing that formation?

8.5m on goalkeepers
Around 21.5m on 4 defenders + a 4.0
Around 47m in midfield
1 main striker for 9 or so + 2 cheap bench options for around 10 combined.

Was assuming Salah too. Could always go Haaland and no Salah but difficult to go both and have quality throughout of course.

So many ways that could be changed keeping to roughly the same price structure and would need to continually be able to find one main forward who is not Isak or Haaland to be performing well at all times. Perhaps whoever he is could be switched around to find good fixtures. Gyokeres, Watkins, Bowen, Solanke, Ekitike, Joao Pedro, perhaps even Sesko if he is 9m or less.

 

[Andycoleno9]

Was more of an experiment to see how one might fit a 4-5-1 together, focusing on prices rather than players although quite a lot of those guys I do rate.

Are you playing that formation?

8.5m on goalkeepers
Around 21.5m on 4 defenders + a 4.0
Around 47m in midfield
1 main striker for 9 or so + 2 cheap bench options for around 10 combined.

Was assuming Salah too. Could always go Haaland and no Salah but difficult to go both and have quality throughout of course.

So many ways that could be changed keeping to roughly the same price structure and would need to continually be able to find one main forward who is not Isak or Haaland to be performing well at all times. Perhaps whoever he is could be switched around to find good fixtures. Gyokeres, Watkins, Bowen, Solanke, Ekitike, Joao Pedro, perhaps even Sesko if he is 9m or less.

I am going 343.
Sanchez (Dubravka or Darlow)
Aina, VVD, VDV (Dorgu, Esteve/Bijol)
Salah (TC), Palner, Kudus, Rogers (Ramsey)
Watkins, Pedro, Wood

All 11 play at home. Only thing which is open is 3rd striker. Wood, Bowen or Larsen. At this moment i am closer to Wood.

Arsenal is a no go for me first 6 games. City's rotation also turned me down from them.

 

[WayneKing]

The case for NO Salah.

Salah's points were trending down for the last 3 years before the outlier year of 2024. 2024 was the biggest personal over performance in the history of the game. It is the definition of a statistical anomaly. He is year older (33) and is now the most expensive asset in FPL. He is priced based on that anomaly. The chances of him coming even close to that kind of performance again are near zero. The team he is on has also changed a lot. There is no TAA on the back end. And some young highly rated players have been added. This should theoretically reduce his goal share on the team.

But we all just have him out of fear and confirmation bias. It is just circular group-think.

 

[Chipper]

The case for NO Salah.

Salah's points were trending down for the last 3 years before the outlier year of 2024. 2024 was the biggest personal over performance in the history of the game. It is the definition of a statistical anomaly. He is year older (33) and is now the most expensive asset in FPL. He is priced based on that anomaly. The chances of him coming even close to that kind of performance again are near zero. The team he is on has also changed a lot. There is no TAA on the back end. And some young highly rated players have been added. This should theoretically reduce his goal share on the team.

But we all just have him out of fear and confirmation bias. It is just circular group-think.

I do have his goal share down a touch on the attempt of a model I was working on, but it could also be that Liverpool's goals just go up and it stays the same. Open play goals down from 26.7% to 23.2%.

Not saying I'm going to go for 4-5-1 but after experimenting with it tonight and it being fresh in the mind it could make that formation easy to manage if that's how someone wanted to play. Insert Haaland up front, hopefully for the entire season instead of having to rotate between in-form strikers and then there's lots of money to spread around. If Isak is even close to matching Haaland then even more to play with if bringing him in instead.

Perhaps captaincy worry, but could be a fun way to play. Needs Bravery!

 

[WayneKing]

I do have his goal share down a touch on the attempt of a model I was working on, but it could also be that Liverpool's goals just go up and it stays the same. Open play goals down from 26.7% to 23.2%.

Not saying I'm going to go for 4-5-1 but after experimenting with it tonight and it being fresh in the mind it could make that formation easy to manage if that's how someone wanted to play. Insert Haaland up front, hopefully for the entire season instead of having to rotate between in-form strikers and then there's lots of money to spread around. If Isak is even close to matching Haaland then even more to play with if bringing him in instead.

Perhaps captaincy worry, but could be a fun way to play. Needs Bravery!

Yeah. Speaking of Haaland, judging by Salah's FPL price history, the best times to buy him was in the years his price came down. And it just makes sense from an averages standpoint. And we are in a price down year for Haaland.

 

[LukeTheRed]

I think I’m about 90% there now with my team

Verbruggen Dubravka

AitNouri Cucurella DeCuyper Dorgu Esteve

Salah Palmer Rogers Kudus Mitoma

Watkins Wood Guiu

If Solanke is fit I might swap him for Wood.

 

[windycityfan]

Can’t locate Caf’s 2025/26 FPL code. Is it out yet?

 

[Chipper]

Can’t locate Caf’s 2025/26 FPL code. Is it out yet?

It's up and running and I'm in it. No idea what the code is.

Only the league starter has that, and they renewed the league which automatically invited everyone who was in it last year. Not sure who that person is.

Did ask what it was a while back thinking I could edit the OP as thread starter and drop it in there but nobody answered. Guess they haven't been too active in here so far.

 

[windycityfan]

It's up and running and I'm in it. No idea what the code is.

Only the league starter has that, and they renewed the league which automatically invited everyone who was in it last year. Not sure who that person is.

Did ask what it was a while back thinking I could edit the OP as thread starter and drop it in there but nobody answered. Guess they haven't been too active in here so far.

But it does require a code doesn’t it? Or is it public? What’s the name?

Appreciate your feedback.