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

The new Premier League season kicks off on Friday, August 21, with Arsenal facing Coventry City. Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers must finalize their Gameweek 1 squads before the deadline at 6:30 p.m. BST (1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT), sparking a mix of excitement and nerves across mini-leagues worldwide.

Managers face important decisions, from selecting premium players to budget-friendly options. Time is short, so here’s Sports Illustrated’s recommended FPL squad for Gameweek 1 and beyond.

Goalkeepers

Choosing goalkeepers in FPL often splits between picking one reliable starter and a cheap backup or rotating two affordable keepers with favorable fixtures. The popular choice now is Tottenham Hotspur’s first-choice goalkeeper Antonín Kinský (£4.5m), paired with Brighton & Hove Albion's dependable Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m). For Gameweek 1, Kinský faces Brentford away while Verbruggen hosts Aston Villa, making the starting keeper pick tricky.

Defenders

Arsenal's defense has shifted after price changes, with Riccardo Calafiori (£5.5m) standing out for his attacking threat, highlighted by a goal in the recent Community Shield. Yet, his playing time isn't guaranteed due to competition from teammates Piero Hincapié, Cristhian Mosquera, and Ben White, who are expected starters given injuries.

Harry Maguire (£5.0m) from Manchester United offers strong potential with his scoring and defensive contributions, backed by early matches against Hull City and Ipswich Town. Nottingham Forest’s new wing-back system under Oliver Glasner elevates Ola Aina (£4.5m) as a promising option starting against Leeds United. Sunderland’s Trai Hume (£4.5m) impresses with attacking performances in preseason, scoring in friendlies versus Lens and Rennes, ahead of matches against Ipswich and Fulham.

For budget enablers, Ipswich newcomer Issa Diop (£4.0m) offers a solid start but faces tough fixtures soon after, limiting his longer-term viability.

Midfielders

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) remains a vital pick after tallying 235 points last season. Despite missing penalties in preseason, he is a prime candidate for captaincy in the opening weeks.

With back-to-back matches against promoted teams, doubling up on United attackers makes sense. Bryan Mbeumo (£8.0m) is set to start as a striker under Michael Carrick due to Benjamin Šeško’s injury and has shown good preseason form.

Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai (£7.0m), last season’s Player of the Year, is expected to play deeper but will handle set pieces and penalties, providing consistent points. Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye (£6.0m) is a cheaper pick who should take penalties and opens against a struggling Crystal Palace team. Brighton’s Pascal Groß (£5.5m) is another creative force likely to get plenty of minutes under Fabian Hürzeler.

Forwards

Manchester City's Erling Haaland (£15.5m) commands attention despite a subdued Community Shield showing. His record-breaking price is justified by consistently strong starts to seasons and favorable early fixtures versus Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, and Coventry.

Chelsea’s João Pedro (£7.5m) is a bargain after netting seven preseason goals under Xabi Alonso. Without European distractions, he should thrive offensively. Leeds United’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) also stands out among budget forwards, boasting five goal involvements in preseason and 14 league goals last term.

Other intriguing forward picks include Brian Brobbey, Igor Jesus, and Evanilson, all priced around £6.0m.

Sports Illustrated’s Recommended FPL Squad for Gameweek 1

  • GK: Antonín Kinský (TOT) - £4.5m - Brentford (A)
  • GK: Bart Verbruggen (BHA) - £4.5m - Aston Villa (H)
  • DEF: Riccardo Calafiori (ARS) - £5.5m - Coventry (H)
  • DEF: Harry Maguire (MUN) - £5.0m - Hull (A)
  • DEF: Ola Aina (NFO) - £4.5m - Leeds (H)
  • DEF: Trai Hume (SUN) - £4.5m - Ipswich (A)
  • DEF: Issa Diop (IPS) - £4.0m - Sunderland (H)
  • MID: Bruno Fernandes (MUN) - £12.0m - Hull (A)
  • MID: Bryan Mbeumo (MUN) - £8.0m - Hull (A)
  • MID: Dominik Szoboszlai (LIV) - £7.0m - Newcastle (A)
  • MID: Iliman Ndiaye (EVE) - £6.0m - Crystal Palace (H)
  • MID: Pascal Groß (BHA) - £5.5m - Aston Villa (H)
  • FOR: Erling Haaland (MCI) - £15.5m - Bournemouth (H)
  • FOR: João Pedro (CHE) - £7.5m - Fulham (A)
  • FOR: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (LEE) - £6.0m - Nottingham Forest (A)

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