FPL
11 August 2025 664 comments
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Shortly after the relaunch of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) for 2025/26, we attempted to pick out the best £4.0m defenders in the game.

Now that we’ve seen every pre-season friendly take place, we have an even better idea of which of these bargain buys will start in Gameweek 1.

£4.0M DEFENDERS – PRE-SEASON GAME-TIME

Before we go further, a quick look at the £4.0m defenders with the most pre-season minutes. This data comes courtesy of our trusty Pre-Season Minutes Tracker.

We should stress that some sides contested friendlies, especially earlier in the summer, that were played behind closed doors and were kept relatively hush-hush. Line-up information wasn’t available for those games, so the true number for some of the names below may be slightly different.

With that caveat ringing in your ears, here are the leading names for (known) pre-season game-time:

 

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  1. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    Pedro or Mateta can only have one 🙁

    1. Eric Banternaaa
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Pedro

    2. JerseyD
      • 15 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Pedro

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      I’ve gone Mateta for more minutes

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        11 months, 9 days ago

        This is my dilema, gets 90 & pens vs playing in a team with Palmer feeding a prolific striker?

        1. AAAFootball
          • 1 Year
          11 months, 9 days ago

          Pedro for fixtures, but i like both and will certainly consider JP (Mateta) when i wildcard

          Just realised that JP refers to both of them lol

        2. Ron_Swanson
          • 15 Years
          11 months, 9 days ago

          Pedro scored 5 non penalty goals in each of the last two seasons

    4. benbrowning81
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Pedro.

      I’ve swung completely around in this.

      I didn’t think he was amazing at Brighton. Too streaky.

      But he seems to be loving playing with Palmer. (to be fair, who wouldn’t?)

      May have minutes managed but Delap has still got a lot to prove if Lego maintains form and the first few fixtures give Pedro the edge.

      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 9 days ago

        I think Pedro has a huge advantage in his versatility

        He could be played as 9, as LW, as RW, or as 10 with CP at RW

        Palmer has made him a good player

    5. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Cry with me

      Let me guess
      Haaland and Watkins?

    6. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Sels,
      Munoz, Cucu, Diouf
      Palmer, Salah, Bruno, Reijnders, Ndoye
      Pedro, Watkins

      Dubs, Konsa, Gudmund, Guiu

      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 9 days ago

        Oh interesting

        Sell cucu to tark
        sell munoz to lacroix
        sell bruno to rogers

        and get mateta in there!!!!!

    7. Boz
      • 14 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      I'm on JPM at the moment. The Delap factor puts me off Pedro

    8. Mother Farke
      • 2 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Pedro scored v Milan, but he was also clean through - from a Sanchez pass - for Milan's red card. He will 100% be amongst the points when he starts.

      Perhaps it's wise to start with him, but entertain the thought of selling once Delap genuinely looks a threat? This will be around the Champions League starting imo.

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        11 months, 9 days ago

        Leaning that way. I've got so many possible exit routes that I feel comfortable starting with him

        1. Mother Farke
          • 2 Years
          11 months, 9 days ago

          Yeah, loads of choice around 7.5.

          If course, it's worth noting Pedro could fall in price early in a worst case scenario.

    9. mike8272
      • 3 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Mateta is the safer pick because Pedro and Delap could get rotated.

      Which player has the most upside out of Mateta and Pedro? Flip a coin.

  2. JerseyD
    • 15 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    Ok, my first and hopefully only RMT of the season:

    Sanchez
    N Williams, Van De Ven, Diouf
    Saka, Wirtz, Bruno, Reijnders
    Haaland, Watkins, Pedro

    Dubravka, Drewsbury-Hall, De-Cuyper, Gudmudsson

    Any feedback appreciated

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      I like it, very nice. Similar structure for me playing 343

      1. Boz
        • 14 Years
        11 months, 9 days ago

        Really like it!

    2. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Pretty decent

      Watch:
      - dub injury
      - Reijnders rotation
      - Apparantely forest are considering a Neco replacement
      - KDH is a minor rotation doubt with all of the new signings. He should start but will likely be playing 8 instead of 10. Not a problem on the bench
      - Would not reccomend going without palmer, probably saka> palmer and drop one of bruno, wirtz, de cuyper for someone like 7.5s or 4.0

      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 9 days ago

        Sorry that sounds like i hate your draft. Its a good draft, just telling you any concerns that may arise

        1. JerseyD
          • 15 Years
          11 months, 9 days ago

          Thanks, I agree with your comments KDH is a concern for me but I’m going to WC 3”early (I always end up doing it) so I’m happy he’ll start for the first few GW’s

    3. benbrowning81
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 9 days ago

      It’s amazing how much easier the game feels with Haaland over Salah isn’t it?

      De Cuyper doesn’t excite me in that bracket. I don’t see Brighton scoring many and I think Mitoma will get frustrated. That could mean he comes inside opening up space for DC but my feeling is he will probably stay wide and hog the ball blocking the channel.

      Front three is beautiful.

      I worry about a slow start at Spurs so VDV hasn’t made the cut for me.

      1. JerseyD
        • 15 Years
        11 months, 9 days ago

        VVD has been in and out, I’m going to see how they deal with PSG before making a final decision.

        Decuyper is due to his good rotation with Diouf but I share your concern there

  3. Mother Farke
    • 2 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    I think I'm at peace with this:

    Sels
    Cucurella Tarkowski De Cuyper
    Saka Palmer Wirtz Rutter* Reijnders
    Watkins (C) Joao Pedro

    Dubravka Evanilson Konsa Munoz

    * Still switching between him and Minteh.

    1.0m banked for tweaks.

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Rutter IMO has the 9 more likely and the 10 as well

      By the looks of things you have a complicated rotation going

      Best of luck!

      1. Mother Farke
        • 2 Years
        11 months, 9 days ago

        Thanks!

        Yeah, Munoz and Tarkowski compliment each other:

        lee NFO wol SUN whu WHU

        Then I will WC most likely.

        1. AAAFootball
          • 1 Year
          11 months, 9 days ago

          TBH if you want to save funds you can just set and forget Tark

          He gets so much DC and random CS or goals

          1. Mother Farke
            • 2 Years
            11 months, 9 days ago

            That's true, but I really like Munoz haha. I like being entertained by my teams, usually. Never going to win the whole tthing, might aswell enjoy myself.

            1. AAAFootball
              • 1 Year
              11 months, 9 days ago

              Yeah fair enough he is excellent

              Could then drop Cucu and De cuyper for a lot of cash and a good set and forget 3

              Although with no ultra premiums you aren't really strapped for money

    2. benbrowning81
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 9 days ago

      I like the Rutter pick. Kind of.

      Concerned about Brighton output.

      They won’t get many cs either so De Cuyper is a pick I can’t get into.

      Plus Fulham are exactly the kind of team Brighton have tended to struggle against.

      He’s a wait and see for me.

      1. Mother Farke
        • 2 Years
        11 months, 9 days ago

        With De Cuyper being a set-piece specialist, I think he's worth the risk. His FPL potential is certainly there.

        I'd rather risk him than get someone like Van de Ven, for example, who can't stay fit.

        Which 4.5s are you eyeing up out of interest?

        1. AAAFootball
          • 1 Year
          11 months, 9 days ago

          Konsa is reliable but boring

          For now i have Diouf but will likely sell for konsa gw2

          I also have Van de ven with gritted teeth

          Was very interested in David moller Wolfe but the price is still waiting

          Agbadou also

          But my ideal would be Udogie if he recovers in time

          1. Mother Farke
            • 2 Years
            11 months, 9 days ago

            Yeah, agree on Konsa. That said, I watched the Villa highlights and he almost scored from a corner.

            Both Van de Ven and Udogie rule themselves out of my thinking due to them being unreliable fitness wise. Imagine being letdown by an injury when you really need them to play?

            Agbadou is a good player, but I can see Wolves really struggling this season. I'd rather stick with De Cuyper. At least Brighton are on the front-foot in most games?

  4. FHRITP
    • 2 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    Nouri or Gvardiol???

    Well, I mean if Nouri starts every game, then Nouri. But will he???

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Ask a magic bird

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Gvardiol is injured

      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 9 days ago

        Thank you magic bird

      2. FHRITP
        • 2 Years
        11 months, 9 days ago

        Problem solved.

  5. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    (c) Salah or Haaland in GW1?

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Haaland all the way

      Or bowen if you have him because isn't that the point of having him?

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 13 Years
        11 months, 9 days ago

        No Bowen for me.

  6. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 6 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    Hey FFScout, any news on the guess-the-fpl-prices-for-2025-26-and-win-ffscout-membership competition?
    Can't see any announcement on HT or Community

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2025/06/30/guess-the-fpl-prices-for-2025-26-and-win-ffscout-membership

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Yeah fact

      I could have won!!

      but the rest of you would have had to be so bad for that to happen lol

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 6 Years
        11 months, 9 days ago

        Time is running out to take advantage of free membership before the deadline.

        1. Ze_Austin
          • 7 Years
          11 months, 9 days ago

          The flashbacks...

  7. AAAFootball
    • 1 Year
    11 months, 9 days ago

    WTF are these ads?

    "Teacher in bikini leaves nothing to the imagination?"

    WTF?
    This is a family friendly website!

    1. MC Hammer
      • 14 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Taking the name 'Fantasy' in a whole new direction

      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 9 days ago

        {face palm}

        lol

  8. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    Will Bizot be the new number 1 at Villa or they are looking to buy a new keeper?

    1. 2008 Antony
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Martinez is still there, but suspended for GW1

    2. mike8272
      • 3 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      All depends on if Martinez leaves, but since Gauci has gone out on loan, they would probably need to sign another goalkeeper if Martinez left. Whether that would be as backup or to start is debatable.

  9. Zenith UK
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    The final drawing? BB1

    Sels, Dubravka
    RAN, VVD, VDV, Diouf, Gudmundsson
    Salah, Palmer, Kudus, Rice, Reijnders
    Watkins, Joao Pedro, Fullkrug

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Gudmunsson will not keep it clean

      at least esteve will get the dcs and whats the bet spurs bottle

      1. Zenith UK
        • 9 Years
        11 months, 9 days ago

        After GW1 he’s there for the bench at 4.0, I also don’t have EVE pegged as massive scorers so here hoping

        1. AAAFootball
          • 1 Year
          11 months, 9 days ago

          I hate playing fpl against my own team lol so could never start leeds gw1

          I also rate us a lot more than i probably should.
          ( although playing beto plus tark vs pool was a masterstroke last year)

    2. benbrowning81
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Some really nice picks there.

      I think Rice + Reijnders could be incredible.

      Little bit risky for me though.

      Something I’m toying with is, can I get better returns off 2x 5.5 and 2x 5’s in defence?

      Not figured it out yet but maybe something to look into if you haven’t already.

      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 9 days ago

        Interesting thought i am thinking right now to go with two 5.5s and then a rotating pair of 4.5s

        A huge question is if 4 at the back with 2 bench attackers outscores a traditional lineup

      2. Zenith UK
        • 9 Years
        11 months, 9 days ago

        Reijnders is already 5.5 so only risking Rice/Kudus, I think Rice is a banker with Zubamendi signing. Kudus will probably switch out eventually

        Happy with Diouf plus VDV can become someone like Guehi if TOT don’t kick on is my though process

        1. DavvaMC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          11 months, 9 days ago

          Do you think Rice will be more advanced now?

          1. Ze_Austin
            • 7 Years
            11 months, 9 days ago

            I'm not sure he's looked that way in preseason. The last one even got me interested in Zubimendi himself:

            https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2025/08/10/fpl-pre-season-gyokeres-goal-4-0m-hill-kluivert-injury

            1. DavvaMC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              11 months, 9 days ago

              You prefer Zub then? Not see any preseason yet.

              1. Ze_Austin
                • 7 Years
                11 months, 9 days ago

                No preference yet. Just what happened when I read about their roles on the pitch

                I thought Zubimendi would stay withdrawn and allow Rice to be more forward. Now they're interchanging instead

                Rice still has some set pieces, and does get forward himself too. My expectations have been tempered a bit though

        2. benbrowning81
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 1 Year
          11 months, 9 days ago

          I like it. Just posted my 5.5 defenders draft for your delectation / desecration.

  10. FPL Sanky
    • 2 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    How is this looking?

    Kelleher Dubravka
    Diouf Guehi N.Williams DeCuyper Gudmundson
    Palmer Wirtz Saka KDH Sarr
    Haaland Watkins Piroe

    1. FPL Sanky
      • 2 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Piroe at 5.5 is a regular starter for LEE....right?

  11. AAAFootball
    • 1 Year
    11 months, 9 days ago

    Here is my draft.

    It is called "Where did all the money go?"
    Sels
    Milenkovic Tarky Diouf Van de ven
    Palmer Kudus Grealish
    Haaland Watkins J Pedro

    Hegyi I.Sarr Malen Esteve

    1.0 ITB but i wanted to have 0.5 to start.

    I wanted VDV to porro but then not quite good
    I wanted malen to rogers but also not quite good

    Has excellent rotation but a lot of ifs

    1. el polako
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Kudus and Grealish in midfield is one punt too many for my liking.

    2. Mother Farke
      • 2 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      I like the general build, but regarding the midfield:

      - I can't see Grealish being fit to start v Leeds
      - Kudus reminds me of Saint-Maximin. Lots of industry, but little delivery. Can be very frustrating in FPL terms.
      - Malen won't start

      I love the Sarr pick. In fact, I'd start him every week.

  12. Coaly
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    a) Bowen, Rogers, Potts
    b) Thiago, Wirtz, KDH

    1. el polako
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      A

  13. pmletch
    • 11 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    No premium looks aggressive, a high ceiling to. Considering it as Salah could share points this year.

    0.5ITB:
    Verbruggen (Dub)
    Saliba, Cucurella, Diouf (Richards, Esteve)
    Wirtz, Palmer, Bruno, Gakpo (Dewsbury-Hall)
    Gyokeres, Watkins, Pedro

  14. benbrowning81
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    11 months, 9 days ago

    I really like the 5.5 defenders which gives options.

    Sanchez, (Dubravka)

    Murillo, Tarkowski, AWB, *, (Esteve)

    Palmer, Salah, Wirtz, **, Rice

    Bowen, Pedro (Guiu)

    So, QUESTION:

    * Lewis-Skelly / Mikilenkovic
    ** Rutter / Reijnders +.5 / Anderson +.5

    QUESTION 2:

    With +.5
    Esteve => VVD
    Or
    Tarkowski => VDV

    1. Dutchy FPL
      • 3 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Maybe consider Munoz, can hide him on your bench for GW1 with this team, for the ** I'm on Anderson at the moment, others a wait and see for me.

      1. benbrowning81
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        11 months, 9 days ago

        Yea, I like that Munoz move thanks Duchy

  15. Dutchy FPL
    • 3 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    Solanke has been in my draft since day one, but moving him to Mateta and accept the three 'difficult' fixtures seems more logical now. J. Pedro is another option at my 7.5 price point but I just can't look past the minutes risk. I will only add one of these and Wildcard late (probably GW13). Who would you choose?

    1. el polako
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      I’m on Mateta at the moment - 90 minutes plus pens.

      Thinking Joao Pedro may be this seasons main flop pick.

      1. Dutchy FPL
        • 3 Years
        11 months, 9 days ago

        Leaning that way to. Are you planning on starting him in GW1?

        1. el polako
          • 9 Years
          11 months, 9 days ago

          Yes, with my team set up will start him every week.

    2. benbrowning81
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 9 days ago

      I have fully swung round to Pedro.

      Seems to be loving link up with Palmer.

      A better player than last season. His issue was being so streaky. He was also playing in a severely hampered Brighton team without a settled attack around him.

      Fully expect him to be worth the minutes risk especially in those first few fixtures. Hard for Delap to get game time if JP keeps up preseason form.

  16. Silecro
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    Hello,
    Which one would you start?

    A) Evanilson vs liverpool
    B) Sarr vs chelsea

    1. Dutchy FPL
      • 3 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      B

  17. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    Are people BB gw1 with Dubravka?
    He's a risk right?
    If not, interested to hear your BBgw1 gk pairing

    1. benbrowning81
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      11 months, 9 days ago

      I see BB1 as a risk anyway.

      Too many new signings I want that could miss minutes this week, and too few nailed enablers (eg Dub, Guiu).

      That said I’m looking to run Laterisers WC13 Stratrgy so may have a little while to use the BB.

    2. Dutchy FPL
      • 3 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      If you go for a BB1 I think a 4.5 GK pairing and an early Wildcard is the way to go now (Verbruggen and Areola / Kelleher, if fit).

    3. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      As strong an indication as any other to delay the chip, imo. Along with Kelleher & Perri knocks, Bijol's suspension, West Ham GK uncertainty, Guiu's slow integration, not sure which 4.5 mid will start

      *If* you're going Dúbravka/Guiu cheap on BB1, you could just "throw it away" in a random later GW when we're sure of which cheap guys are starting, so you'll already have them for your bench anyway... And won't need a WC to sell after

      Imo, the non-risky GKs who seem likely to keep a GW1 CS are 5.0+: Vicario and Pickford. Maybe Bizot at 4.5, if you're set on WC2

  18. ☈☾
    • 8 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    Cant wait for Sesko v Gyokeres GW1!

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Gyroscope will bury him

  19. Wirtz Nightmare
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    11 months, 9 days ago

    eam after lots of chopping and changing , maybe a little template.
    Like to hear your thoughts

    Sanchez
    VVD VDV williams
    Salah Palmer Bruno Reindeer i.Sarr
    Watkins Pedro

    Dubz Guiu Richards esteve

    1. Boz
      • 14 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Solid and that's what you need for GW1

  20. Downtown
    • 15 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    Haaland or Palmer?

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Cold Palms

  21. amsemp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    G2G? Monitoring Rogers and Baleba at the moment. I can’t bring myself to tinker anymore.

    Sanchez, Dubravka
    Murillo, Tarkowski, Lacroix, Diouf, Esteve
    Salah, Palmer, Semenyo, Rogers, Baleba
    Watkins, Evanilson, Strand Larsen

  22. Stockport Hatter
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    Is Estevao likely to be starting for Chelsea?

  23. Rabb05
    • 5 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    2 of these 3 please (don't have salah but have wirz)

    1. Ekitike
    2.Gyokores
    3. Watkins

  24. b91jh
    • 9 Years
    11 months, 9 days ago

    A) Sels, Cucu, Gakpo, Rogers
    or
    B) Sanchez, Neco, Bruno, Reijnders
    ?
    (Have Wirtz, Salah-less)

    1. b91jh
      • 9 Years
      11 months, 9 days ago

      Gakpo should be I.Sarr for option A, typo

  25. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    11 months, 8 days ago

    GW 1 BB team

    Viacrio
    Takowski - Spence - VdV
    Salah - Palmer - Ndiaye - Reijnders
    Watkins - Pedro - Wood

    Sels - KDH - Williams - Diouf

    WC GW 4 and FH GW 6 is the plan. So, very short term picks. Thoughts? 🙂