FPL
19 August 2025 242 comments
Rocky7 Rocky7
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Most Fantasy Premier League (FPL) squads will contain at least one budget enabler.

Here we look through the cheapest starting players in FPL Gameweek 1, as well as those making an appearance off the bench.

We’ll be going through all four Fantasy positions: goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards.



GOALKEEPERS

Following his summer move to Burnley, Martin Dubravka (£4.0m) was a popular choice for FPL managers as a reserve goalkeeper. Indeed, with a 34.6% ownership, the Slovak is the most popular keeper in the game.

In Gameweek 1, Dubravka played the full 90 minutes for the Clarets against Tottenham Hotspur but did little wrong in the 3-0 reverse. He saved 50% of the six shots he faced and half of the two big chances with which he was confronted.

DEFENDERS

 

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  1. Crazy RedDevil
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 3 days ago

    Palmer to Saka or Watkins to Gyokeres? I'll captain Saka /Gyokeres. Please suggest.

    1. jayzico
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Saka all day long

    2. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Saka but neither worth doing

    3. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Considering both myself but swaying to taking another week to asses further

    4. 824545201
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Saka rumored to be off pens.

    5. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 3 days ago

      I’d roll and captain Watkins. Brentford were ripped apart and Wood took advantage

    6. MJF
        10 months, 2 days ago

        Think West Ham are worse than Leeds tbh, its marginal as to whether Saka outscores Palmer and then he faces Anfield in GW3 while Palmer is home to Fulham.

      • Full Kit Wonkas
        • 5 Years
        10 months, 2 days ago

        Transferring a non-injured asset after one GW is desperate

        Roll your transfer, get more data

    7. TKC07
      • 6 Years
      10 months, 3 days ago

      Which season was it when Spurs lost GW1 without scoring Vs some weak team and Son and Kane went ballistic second GW?

      1. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        10 months, 3 days ago

        20/21!

        Lost 1-0 to Everton in Gameweek 1, then went to Southampton and thrashed them 5-1.

        Son scored four, Kane got one goal and four assists 🙂

        1. TKC07
          • 6 Years
          10 months, 3 days ago

          Thanks. Unfortunately I was one to rage transfer Kane out..

          1. avfc82
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            10 months, 3 days ago

            I didn't have either of them, it was painful.

        2. MJF
            10 months, 2 days ago

            Pretty sure I sold Kane that week!

          • Esraj
            • 10 Years
            10 months, 2 days ago

            Mourinho was the manager.

          • brianutd-why always we? 20
            • 14 Years
            10 months, 2 days ago

            And I had Son captain and Kane so remember that well

          • Feanor
            • 17 Years
            10 months, 2 days ago

            When did Son have a hat trick off the bench? That was crazy

            1. Dubem_FC
              • 10 Years
              10 months, 2 days ago

              Against Leicester City. Should be 2022/23.

      2. Sandy Ravage
        • 10 Years
        10 months, 3 days ago

        Best GW for Frimpong + Palmer + Wirtz > 4.0 + Salah + M.Cunha?

        1. 824545201
          • 10 Years
          10 months, 3 days ago

          No way. For -8, absolutely no way.

        2. SINGH
          • 7 Years
          10 months, 3 days ago

          Do it man

      3. Eddie Nketamine
        • 2 Years
        10 months, 3 days ago

        Ignoring long term and purely just for GW2
        What combo scores more?

        Reijndeers + Haaland
        Or
        Palmer + Gyokores

        1. 824545201
          • 10 Years
          10 months, 3 days ago

          R+H by far.

          1. Eddie Nketamine
            • 2 Years
            10 months, 3 days ago

            Any reason to go for the other one?

            1. SINGH
              • 7 Years
              10 months, 3 days ago

              Bro you asked and he answered. Why are you asking about the other option?

            2. Tomerick
              • 11 Years
              10 months, 2 days ago

              If you are happy with getting less points?

        2. Miguel Sanchez
          • 9 Years
          10 months, 3 days ago

          City boys

        3. nico05
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          10 months, 3 days ago

          top one by a mile

      4. 824545201
        • 10 Years
        10 months, 3 days ago

        Wirtz to Semenyo with a plan to do JPedro to Etiquette next GW? Yay or nay?

        1. nico05
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          10 months, 3 days ago

          Give Wirtz another week imo

        2. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
            10 months, 2 days ago

            I think Wirtz will come good

          • Feanor
            • 17 Years
            10 months, 2 days ago

            I did it on Sunday to catch the price rise

            have 2m in the bank now to upgrade Fullkrug

        3. nico05
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          10 months, 3 days ago

          Hey guys, can I afford to roll? Or would you swap anything.
          Kelleher
          AWB Dorgu N.Williams
          Palmer Mbuemo Gakpo Wirtz Rogers
          Watkins Haaland
          (Van de Ven-Rodon-Guiu)

          1. FPL Laurenzo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 months, 3 days ago

            roll

          2. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
              10 months, 2 days ago

              Yes I had him in an early draft but not safe enough I don’t think, especially with the shadow of Donarumma hanging over him

            • cravencottage
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              10 months, 2 days ago

              Excellent team- no need to change

          3. FPL Laurenzo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 months, 3 days ago

            Appreciate opinions on whether Trafford is a safe starter yet to get into the city defense

            1. The Bandit
              • 15 Years
              10 months, 3 days ago

              Hard to tell. Will Ederson be back next week, will they sign Donnarumma?

              1. The Bandit
                • 15 Years
                10 months, 3 days ago

                He’s in my WC atm, but not confident

            2. D6er
                10 months, 3 days ago

                He supposedly only played because Ederson was ill, so defo not a safe starter as yet.

                1. The Bandit
                  • 15 Years
                  10 months, 3 days ago

                  If you believe Pep. I don’t

                  1. FPL Laurenzo
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    10 months, 2 days ago

                    Thanks, all. Tough one.

                    1. The Bandit
                      • 15 Years
                      10 months, 2 days ago

                      Hopefully we get more info nearer the time

            3. SINGH
              • 7 Years
              10 months, 3 days ago

              Worth doing a -4 which would be Frimpong to AIt Nouri or JPedro to Ekitike? Already done gakpo to wirtz

              1. cravencottage
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                10 months, 2 days ago

                If Frimpong is good to go, I wouldn’t change yet. Interesting that you got rid of Gakpo for Wirtz. many are doing the opposite.

            4. thom830g
              • 8 Years
              10 months, 2 days ago

              To hold your transfer must be the most reasonable if no injuries, suspensions etc. or do you have any other suggestions for this team? Maybe start esteve or Vdv over Malen ?

              Sanchez
              Virgil - murillo - dorgu
              Salah - palmer - Rutter - Bruno - malen
              Watkins - Pedro
              (Esteve - Van de ven - Guiu)

            5. Count of Monte Hristo
              • 13 Years
              10 months, 2 days ago

              Haaland and Saka owners, who are you captaining?

              1. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
                  10 months, 2 days ago

                  I’ve got both and leaning towards Saka for the differential. I’ve also got Watkins though and he’s got me pondering

                  1. Tomerick
                    • 11 Years
                    10 months, 2 days ago

                    Haaland is differential enough.

                • Nightcrawler
                  • 7 Years
                  10 months, 2 days ago

                  On Saka currently

                  1. Nightcrawler
                    • 7 Years
                    10 months, 2 days ago

                    If I get him

                • The Bandit
                  • 15 Years
                  10 months, 2 days ago

                  Unsure - haven’t ruled out a punt on Semenyo

                  1. Nightcrawler
                    • 7 Years
                    10 months, 2 days ago

                    Semenyo is the master of disappointing when U expect him to do well

                    1. Feanor
                      • 17 Years
                      10 months, 2 days ago

                      Surely he can't disappoint for the next weeks!

                      1. Feanor
                        • 17 Years
                        10 months, 2 days ago

                        * 8 weeks

                        WOL
                        @ Tot
                        BHA
                        NEW
                        @ Lee
                        FUL
                        @ Cry
                        NFO

                  2. The Bandit
                    • 15 Years
                    10 months, 2 days ago

                    Probably favouring Saka

                  3. Mother Farke
                    • 2 Years
                    10 months, 2 days ago

                    My man!

                • jayzico
                  • 15 Years
                  10 months, 2 days ago

                  Saka mate.

                • cravencottage
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  10 months, 2 days ago

                  Haaland by a mile

              2. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
                  10 months, 2 days ago

                  Which keeper to start, Verbruggen vs Everton or Dubravka vs Sunderland. After GW1 I’m favouring Verbruggen but as a Sunderland fan myself I know we’re unlikely to string two results together

                  1. jayzico
                    • 15 Years
                    10 months, 2 days ago

                    Verbruggen

                  2. Feanor
                    • 17 Years
                    10 months, 2 days ago

                    Is Roefs nailed?

                    1. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
                        10 months, 2 days ago

                        I think he’s a fairly safe bet, can’t see Patterson getting the nod ahead of him

                  3. Ronnies
                    • 10 Years
                    10 months, 2 days ago

                    Play?

                    A) Sels
                    B) Dubravka

                    1) Murillo
                    2) Esteve

                    Play ne from each team or double up on NFO?
                    Cheers.

                    1. Vasshin
                      • 7 Years
                      10 months, 2 days ago

                      A1

                      1. Punned It
                        • 1 Year
                        10 months, 2 days ago

                        Double Forest v Palace?! Playing Dubravka and Milenkovic myself. And also Lacroix. And Wood. How did I get into this mess?

                        1. Ronnies
                          • 10 Years
                          10 months, 2 days ago

                          A mixed bag!

                    2. AC/DC AFC
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 10 Years
                      10 months, 2 days ago

                      B1

                  4. Meta12345
                    • 1 Year
                    10 months, 2 days ago

                    Play two:
                    A) reijnders
                    B) mitoma
                    C) tarkowski
                    D) esteve

                    1. Eightball
                      • 5 Years
                      10 months, 2 days ago

                      A & C

                      1. Meta12345
                        • 1 Year
                        10 months, 2 days ago

                        Even if everton are without branthwaite and mykolenko? Leeds played all over them.

                  5. Meta12345
                    • 1 Year
                    10 months, 2 days ago

                    Gw3 will you play mitoma home to man city or saka away to liverpool?

                    1. Eightball
                      • 5 Years
                      10 months, 2 days ago

                      Play your better players.

                    2. Nightcrawler
                      • 7 Years
                      10 months, 2 days ago

                      Saka of course. Semenyo just scored twice from the wing

                    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                      • 9 Years
                      10 months, 2 days ago

                      Saka

                    4. jayzico
                      • 15 Years
                      10 months, 2 days ago

                      Saka > Mbeumo(c) for me

                  6. MJF
                      10 months, 2 days ago

                      The members area is ridiculously slow for me.

                    • IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                      • 9 Years
                      10 months, 2 days ago

                      Is this too wild?
                      Feels very fun right now, but maybe not when we are seeing City's lineup

                      Petrovic Dubravka
                      Cucurella Calafiori Aina Dorgu Gudmundsson
                      Salah Semenyo Rogers Bobb Reijnders
                      Haaland Ekitike Guiu

                    • Punned It
                      • 1 Year
                      10 months, 2 days ago

                      Bench Rogers or Rutter? I have Watkins. Gut says Rogers is ready again, but Rutter is tempting me.

                      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                        • 9 Years
                        10 months, 2 days ago

                        Rutter

                    • Eddie Nketamine
                      • 2 Years
                      10 months, 2 days ago

                      Evanilson on Pedro on a free hit?

                      1. Eddie Nketamine
                        • 2 Years
                        10 months, 2 days ago

                        Or*

                    • Count of Monte Hristo
                      • 13 Years
                      10 months, 2 days ago

                      Is Palmer’s drop off in form to do with his motivation, confidence? Is it positional and he does not enjoy playing centrally compared to how good he was on the right? He was so good when Chelsea as a team were awful, now the team has improved but it feels like Palmer isn’t playing with that spark from 1-2 years ago.

                      1. Mother Farke
                        • 2 Years
                        10 months, 2 days ago

                        His best form was under a different manager. The plot twist, of course, is Maresca managed him first at City's development squad.

                        I do doubt it's a motivational thing, though, because he's carried on in the same manner despite it being a World Cup season.

                      2. AC/DC AFC
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 10 Years
                        10 months, 2 days ago

                        His heat map did lean towards the left against Palace.

                        Maybe he's just a massively streaky player?

                        He's not had many full seasons, is this just the start of the second season in fact? Or is it 3?

                        1. MBK 42
                          • 11 Years
                          10 months, 2 days ago

                          Third season now

                    • Vasshin
                      • 7 Years
                      10 months, 2 days ago

                      How long are you holding Palmer if he doesn’t return?

                      1. Bobby Digital
                        • 8 Years
                        10 months, 2 days ago

                        GW4

                      2. AC/DC AFC
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 10 Years
                        10 months, 2 days ago

                        The next 3 fixtures look good and arguably West Ham is the better one.

                        It's tricky though because with one free transfer the Saka switch is tempting...

                        Antoine Semenyo also has Wolves at home next!

                      3. Feanor
                        • 17 Years
                        10 months, 2 days ago

                        If he blanks again and Haaland braces again, I'm gonna have to take a hit and make a double swap, such as:

                        Palmer -> Eze
                        Gyokores -> Haaland

                      4. Snoopydog
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 1 Year
                        10 months, 2 days ago

                        This main question for me.

                        Probably GW4. May pivot without WC from Salah + Palmer to Salah + Haaland if Palmer continues to blank or fall short of the other two.

                        There's at least two firing 5.5 mids out there to enable this now.

                        1. Snoopydog
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 1 Year
                          10 months, 2 days ago

                          (Sorry, one 5.5 now 5.6 but already had him)

                    • Stimps
                      • 12 Years
                      10 months, 2 days ago

                      Who's on Watkins (c)?

                      1. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
                          10 months, 2 days ago

                          Very very tempted, I have him, Saka and Haaland so bouncing about who to go with

                        • theodosios
                          • 8 Years
                          10 months, 2 days ago

                          After Newcastle game I don't even know what to do with him.

                        • Capocannonieri
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 7 Years
                          10 months, 2 days ago

                          Not me, not Watkins.

                          My timing on Watkins returns is awful. I just own him and expect good returns for the year, but week-by-week, that's a different story.

                          1. AC/DC AFC
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 10 Years
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            Watkins is a pretty streaky player.

                            I started last season with him but he came good later on, this year he said he was flying with a proper pre-season tbf.

                        • Snoopydog
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 1 Year
                          10 months, 2 days ago

                          Yep

                      2. Eddie Nketamine
                        • 2 Years
                        10 months, 2 days ago

                        Evanilson or J.Pedro on a free hit

                        1. MJF
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            I’d go Evanilson of the two.

                          • Dthinger
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 9 Years
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            definitely evanilson

                        2. Khalico
                          • 10 Years
                          10 months, 2 days ago

                          Wirtz in mid or Etikite in fwd? Already have Gakpo

                          1. AC/DC AFC
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 10 Years
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            As a transfer?

                            Etikite, I wouldn't let Isak put you off either.

                        3. g40steve
                          • 8 Years
                          10 months, 2 days ago

                          Eze closer to Spurs move this is getting interesting?

                        4. Capocannonieri
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 7 Years
                          10 months, 2 days ago

                          Last week, my whole team was the Bus team. Had a terrible result. This week, I am Bus Free!

                          1. AC/DC AFC
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 10 Years
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            Choo choo ...

                            All aboard the band-free wagon?

                          2. g40steve
                            • 8 Years
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            We had friendlies & this week we got to see the shiny new objects.

                        5. AC/DC AFC
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 10 Years
                          10 months, 2 days ago

                          All those choices into gw1 squads and suddenly gw2 choices of roll or 1 FT seems quite limited.

                          And Sels or Dubravka.

                          Would you start Dorgu instead of Diouf too? Away at Fulham or home to Chelsea.

                          1. g40steve
                            • 8 Years
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            If I had double or triple Forest defo Dubs to spread the odds.

                            Eze going or gone by weekend who knows?

                          2. Mambino
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 12 Years
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            Dorgu - more chance of a clean sheet and he is n less attacking than Diouf. Dubravka if you are playing a NF defender to spread risk

                            1. Mambino
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 12 Years
                              10 months, 2 days ago

                              *no less attacking

                              1. AC/DC AFC
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 10 Years
                                10 months, 2 days ago

                                Cheers

                                I agree

                                Currently on Dubravka and Dorgu, with Milenko and Munoz.

                                Diouf might assist but Dorgu probably more likely to.

                        6. Dthinger
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 9 Years
                          10 months, 2 days ago

                          Which keeper to start--Sanchez or Dubravka?

                          In theory, West Ham should be the more likely to score of the two opponents...but after last week, I'm not so sure.

                          1. Miguel Sanchez
                            • 9 Years
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            Sanchez

                        7. Bambi
                          • 14 Years
                          10 months, 2 days ago

                          Start Porro (mci) or Esteve (SUN)?

                          Was impressed by Spurs defensive setup vs PSG so maybe Porro is a differential this week?

                          1. Leo14CFC
                            • 1 Year
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            Esteve, city will destroy spurs

                          2. Miguel Sanchez
                            • 9 Years
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            Go for Porro - think both concede but he offers some attacking threat

                          3. teddy.
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 16 Years
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            I would always plan ahead to avoid this kind of scenario. It's only GW2...

                            I think if you pick a dirt cheap bench, you keep them on the bench, right? This season DCs might mitigate some of the impact of tougher fixtures.

                            1. Snoopydog
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 1 Year
                              10 months, 2 days ago

                              Did ok with Leeds starter GW1. Granted, probably only time he'll start for me first few weeks but would be happy to give Esteve a go against Sunderland.

                          4. Snoopydog
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 1 Year
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            Esteve

                        8. Khalico
                          • 10 Years
                          10 months, 2 days ago

                          Eze or Gordon ?

                          1. teddy.
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 16 Years
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            Gakpo?

                          2. Leo14CFC
                            • 1 Year
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            Gordon , Eze is going to, Gordon on pens

                            1. Feanor
                              • 17 Years
                              10 months, 2 days ago

                              Missed his last one in the PL, though. October 5 vs Everton

                        9. Leo14CFC
                          • 1 Year
                          10 months, 2 days ago

                          Dubravka or Sells please ?

                          1. Miguel Sanchez
                            • 9 Years
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            Sels

                          2. CoracAld2831
                            • 5 Years
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            Dubravka cause it's a home match.

                          3. Mother Farke
                            • 2 Years
                            10 months, 2 days ago

                            Palace play in Europe on Thursday. Forest could have an easier game...

                            1. Leo14CFC
                              • 1 Year
                              10 months, 2 days ago

                              True , cheers