Pro Pundits
22 August 2025 353 comments
@FPLGeneral @FPLGeneral
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With Gameweek 2 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) nearing, our pundits are starting to finalise their teams ahead of Friday’s deadline.

FPL General – who has three top 500 finishes to his name – is fully committed to going without Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) and Erling Haaland (£14.0m) this season. He shares his Gameweek 2 team thoughts here…

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General no Salah Haaland

It was so good to have the Premier League back on television last weekend. I can’t wait for more of it in Gameweek 2!

With it, of course, comes the wonderful game of FPL. I’ve been playing it since its inception way back in 2002/03, as a 12-year-old. I really should retire soon!

Going into this season without Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) and Erling Haaland (£14.0m) has given me the renewed enthusiasm for the game that I was looking for. Despite both players getting attacking returns (Salah owners were very lucky!), and my captain, Cole Palmer (£10.5m), blanking (yet again), I really enjoyed following the action over the weekend and the reactions of FPL managers to every kick of the ball on social media. It’s such a great form of escapism when played with the right mentality. Hopefully, the big two have a quieter weekend this time around.

Gameweek 1 Review

FPL pre-season: Malen + Watkins again, Xhaka debut, secretive Man City 2
353 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Thoughts on doing Frimpong to Porro but benching him this week and playing Dorgu? Other options are Gabriel or RAN. Which one would you think to be the best for next few at least?

    1. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Yeah get in Porro. But you can also wait til next gw and see how Spurs fare, how other teams perform and get more data which is the better option

    2. _Greg
      • 16 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Is Frimpong due a drop? Don't bother unless he is.

      I like Richards at Palace, I'd probably get him and bank 1.5m.

      1. FplmorelikeFml
        • 2 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        I thought Frimpong was going to drop last night based on livefpl but it seems I got it wrong, might be due to the flag.

  2. Totalfootball
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Had taken Saka specially for this Gameweek , and now because haaland scored in GW1 , isn't this contradicting my strategy ??

    1. Obi 1 Kenobi 0
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Have you bumped Haaland for Saka?

  3. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Stupid question but where have the latest articles links moved to, like this article?

    1. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Do you mean from the homepage mate?

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        From the home page or landing page, cheers Brains.

        Used to be Articles - latest but that seems to have gone since Wed?

        1. g40steve
          • 8 Years
          10 months, 26 days ago

          Found it won’t be using articles tab again, found it 🙁

  4. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Thoughts on this potential WC:

    Sanchez
    Gabriel - Saliba - Cucurella
    Saka - Gakpo - Kudus - Reijnders
    Haaland - Ekitike - Wood

    Dubravka - Lewis - King - Reinaldo

    0.5ITB

    Feel like it hits the price points I want to consider. I have no interest in Salah + Haaland and don't require a heavy bench.

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      You happy with double Arsenal defense?

      1. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        I'm just thinking, it's a good defence, I'll probably FH in GW3 to miss the worst of the fixtures and against the rare tougher opposition, they'll likely get DEFCONs

    2. jayzico
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      FM that's some defence.

    3. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Gabriel + Saliba is the way to go, think Arsenal could rack up a silly amount of clean sheets.

    4. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Lewis, good shout

    5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Personally I wouldn't double up on Arsenal def with their fixtures
      Lewis.. always disappointing to own

      It's a solid team however and it comes down to personal choices. Good luck!

      1. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Yeah I can't stretch to RAN unfortunately.

    6. _Greg
      • 16 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      You have no interest in Haaland so you are owning him to spite yourself?

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Is Haaland a mistake there? It doesn't look affordable with him in.

        1. _Greg
          • 16 Years
          10 months, 26 days ago

          Yeah I presumed it must be a typo.

      2. FplmorelikeFml
        • 2 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        I think he meant no interest to have both Salah and Haaland, that was my read

      3. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Sorry, I meant Haaland + Salah double up.

        But yes, I generally do spite myself in my decisions 😀

    7. dansully3
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      It's known as fantasy league suicide not having 1 of Salah or Haaland. I've gone Haaland since the start because Salah isn't half as much as involved in this new setup. That wildcard team is the template now going forward it seems.

      1. dansully3
        • 9 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Plus Palmer is a glaring omission but sure you can't have them all!

        1. FPL Brains
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 months, 26 days ago

          I think it was a massive oversight putting him in. I definitely had eyes for his CWC form and negated his league form. He will score and get points, obviously but I just don't think the value is there if I'm not captaining him.

    8. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      I feel like you are chasing gw1 points. Spurs have decent defensive options, Chelsea still have good fixtures and the likes of Villa/Forest can do well offensively and defensively sumulteneously

      1. ZeBestee
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        simultaneously*

  5. jayzico
    • 15 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Morning chaps. A little help please?

    A. Play Munoz (attacking but prob concede v the mighty Wood)

    or

    B. Reinildo (got either 0-0 or Sun 1-0 written all over it.

    1. dansully3
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      For me that Sunderland win with a clean sheet was without doubt a once off! They won't be doing that every week.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      A

    3. T.Henry14
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Munoz easy

    4. jayzico
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Great advice. Thanks chaps. Munoz it is.

  6. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Save FT here? Really tempted to do Diouf to Dorgu but not 100% sure.

    Sels
    Diouf DeCuyper Esteve
    Saka Palmer Wirtz Gakpo Reijnders
    Haaland Watkins

    Dubravka Gulu VDV Rodon

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      If Diouf goal shot wasn't cleared off line you'd be holding. I am

    2. Snoopydog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Giving West Ham a little longer before shipping out. Diouf is still a nice pick, despite GW1 and the wider line-up looks good. Roll.

    3. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Think you might be able to edge a couple clean sheets with Dorgu

  7. Mother Farke
    • 2 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Locked in:

    Dubravka
    De Cuyper Cucurella Dorgu
    Rogers Reijnders Palmer Wirtz Semenyo
    Haaland (C) Ekitike

    Sels Porro Guiu Konsa

    Still tempted by Semenyo (C).

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      I did -4 to get Haaland. No point for that if not C

      1. Mother Farke
        • 2 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        If Frank sets up Spurs like he did Brentford away, they'll be hard to break down. Only Arsenal, City and Everton conceded less away.

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 months, 26 days ago

          Quite possibly. I was partially looking ahead to Brighton next week and him rising in price

          1. Mother Farke
            • 2 Years
            10 months, 26 days ago

            That makes sense, mate. I think Im captaining a United mid next GW. Will watch the Fulham game to see who is best.

  8. AD2110
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    When will Konsa’s red flag be removed and safe from price drops?

    1. Mother Farke
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      After deadline today.

  9. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Mostly settled with my WC team. Thoughts? 🙂

    Raya
    Cucurella - Dorgu - Cash
    Palmer - Mbeumo - Semenyo - Reijnders
    Haaland - Watkins - Gyokeres

    Dubravka - King - Reinildo - Gudmundsson

    GW 3 - Gyokeres ➡ Wood
    GW 4 - FH
    GW 5 - Palmer + Mbeumo ➡ Salah + Stach

    Salah is a must for GW 5 captaincy. Hence a little bit of planning.

    P.S. - BB done in GW 1

    1. NoOneCares
      10 months, 26 days ago

      How many times are you going to post the same comment with the "settled" commentary, If you are settled, no need for the constant posts with 50 transfers in advance.

      1. chocolove
        • 15 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Lol. He is settled to brag

        1. pundit of punts
          • 13 Years
          10 months, 26 days ago

          Posting teams is to brag?

          Jealous much?

          1. ebb2sparky
            • 15 Years
            10 months, 26 days ago

            Why would anyone be jealous of a GW2 wildcard?

      2. Over Midwicket
        • 14 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Name checks out

      3. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Changes happened

        This site is for feedback. Didn’t realise there were limits to post. Don’t act like a policeman.

    2. Stimps
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Looks good. I'm also on WC and also free hitting GW4

      1. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Cheers

        Looks like the optimal strategy for us GW 1 BBers

        1. Stimps
          • 13 Years
          10 months, 26 days ago

          I didn't BB. I'm saving mine for AFCON transfers

          1. pundit of punts
            • 13 Years
            10 months, 26 days ago

            Fair enough.

            Good luck with the WC.

    3. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Locked and settled for another 99+ same post in the future

      1. pundit of punts
        • 13 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Feedback from the community is always valued.

        Spare me the negativity please.

    4. FplmorelikeFml
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Just curious why you went Mbeumo over Cunha, I'm unsure between both but leaning towards the latter cos I saw him carrying the ball in the match against Arsenal. He also looked hungrier to prove himself

      1. Dannyb
        • 9 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Cunha looks dangerous, he'd be my pick

  10. MetallicaJack93
    • 2 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Play verbruggen (everton A) or dubravka (Sunderland H)

    1. Y26 Royal
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      I'm unsure on Dubravka too. I'd go Verbruggen

  11. Y26 Royal
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Benching choices...
    Sels (cry) or Dubravka (SUN)?
    Anderson (cry) or Esteve (SUN)?

    We think Burnley will keep a clean sheet? Sunderland had a great first game!
    I've also got 2 Palace players so uncomfortable having 4 players in that game.

    1. _Greg
      • 16 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      I think both Forest and Burnley concede! I'd lean towards playing Sels and Anderson.

  12. Puncheon Guly
    • 15 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Anyone else struggling to remove Gvardiol? I've tried replacing him for Ruben and Chalobah and both times I press complete and when I go to Pick Team, Gvardiol is still there. It's my second transfer, no wildcard or anything.

    1. ebb2sparky
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Only time I've seen something like that happen was when I left the transfer page open (logged in) and a player changed price. Is the correct price shown for gvardiol on your transfer page?

    2. theshazly
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      He obviously doesn’t want you to sell him this GW, so its a sign

      Hold

  13. Bobadoba
    • 16 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Captain Semenyo over Palmer?

    1. Snoopydog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Tricky. Think Palmer will be better this week but totally get the Semenyo pick.

      1. Bobadoba
        • 16 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        I think I'll stick to Palmer....slightly put off by fact Chelsea playing away though

  14. chocolove
    • 15 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Expecting goals and red cards in Newcastle Liverpool match

    1. _Greg
      • 16 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Palace vs Forest and Newcastle vs Liverpool are both quite exciting this week.

      1. ebb2sparky
        • 15 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        I doubt palace vs forest will be exciting

  15. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    I'm WCing into this team with squad depth. I'll take the benching headaches.

    Petrovic
    Cucu RAN Muñoz
    Rogers Semenyo Gordon Reijnders
    Haaland Ekitike Mateta

    Dubravka Gakpo Porro Gudmundsson

    Mateta or

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      *Mateta or Evanilson?

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Mateta or Wood?

  16. sk24
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    What do you say about just cutting losses, with the risk of it being premature, by just doing Fullkrug to Thiago Igor?

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Absolutely not

  17. Snoopydog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    10 months, 26 days ago

    GTG?

    Sanchez
    Munoz Murillo Esteve
    Salah Palmer Wirtz Rogers Reijnders
    Watkins (c) Bowen

    Dubravka VdV Guiu Gudmundssen

    0itb 1FT

    Or should I go VdV over Esteve?

    1. Mother Farke
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Stick to Esteve.

      1. Snoopydog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Thanks

  18. Weeb Kakashi
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Captain Saka or Gyokeres?

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Gyokeres now that Havertz is out, that should give Gyokeres 90 minutes and he will be on penalties imo.

    2. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Both can do very well in this fixture so the difference might not be significant.

    3. Snoopydog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Gyokeres. Go for it.

    4. _Greg
      • 16 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Gudmundsson likes to get forward. Saka might have some joy. I'd go Saka.

    5. dansully3
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Gyok has the pace of a 90 yr old granny so Saka! Ynwa

      1. _Greg
        • 16 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        We all want Gyokeres to be really rubbish just for our own amusement don't we?

  19. Evasivo
    • 16 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Anyone going for Bruno(C)?

    1. _Greg
      • 16 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Watkins with Bruno vice. I'm tempted with Bruno.

      1. Evasivo
        • 16 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        I sold Watkins for Ekitike! My vice would be Salah but feeling a bit nervy 😉

    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      I'm playing with the idea that owning is a good enough diff and capping salah

      1. Evasivo
        • 16 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        I agree, I would like to take a leap of faith a captain to make even more difference but clearly that could be a decent jump up or down

  20. _Greg
    • 16 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    If Palmer blanks this weekend I might just get Anderson and build towards a Salah + Haaland draft.

    1. Snoopydog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Thinking same

    2. Y26 Royal
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      I wish i'd done this to start with. I bottled it cause of Palmer ownership.

  21. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Trivia question: Who are the players responsible for Salah being M.Salah and Fernandes being B.Fernandes in the game?

    1. Mother Farke
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Salah because that Arsenal player, Salah M'Hand?

      Bruno because of Southampton, soon to be West Ham's Fernandes.

      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Nice one (if you didn't cheat with AI :D)

        There was another Fernandes though who was in the prem when Bruno started, he's been B.Fernandes forever.

        1. Mother Farke
          • 2 Years
          10 months, 26 days ago

          Not sure on that one? 😀

      2. _Greg
        • 16 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Salah M'Hand sounds made up! :mrgreen:

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      It's the names they use on the back of their shirt i.e. Players decision

    3. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      The average cumulus cloud weighs 500t

      1. Merlin the Wraith
        • 10 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        The one over my head since GW1 weighs a hell of a lot more. 😀

      2. Ball Ake
        • 2 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Water's heavy, man.

    4. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Mo Salah
      Bruno Fernandes

  22. WillK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Where on the members area is this week’s over and under achievers for xg?

  23. T.Henry14
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    BB?

    Dubravka, Porro, VDV, Kroupi

    1. _Greg
      • 16 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      I would say no.

  24. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    All of the stuff behind the pay wall in this article is free on FPL Generals podcast btw. The 59th minute - good gw summary.

    1. dansully3
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Spill the must have!

  25. ZeBestee
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Start 1;

    a) Esteve
    b) VdV

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      CS odds:
      Burnley 35%
      Spurs 10%

  26. Bobby_Baggio
    • 15 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Morning all. Any suggestions welcome or happy to save.

    Kelleher
    DeCuyper - VVD - Richards
    Salah - Palmer - Wirtz - Rogers - Sarr
    Bowen - Wood

    (Valdimarsson) - Evanilson - Van DVen - Rodon

    1. ebb2sparky
      • 15 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Start Evanilson over Sarr

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 15 Years
        10 months, 26 days ago

        Agreed, thanks I missed that

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Start Evanilson over Bowen

  27. The Train Driver
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    When are presser times usually announced?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Whenever Neale can source the presser times

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Most of the main ones are usually around 1.30pm with a smattering before across the morning.

  28. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    I have done Bowen > Gyokeres(C) G2g?

    Kelleher
    Cucurella Porro Milenkovic
    Palmer Gakpo Rutter Minteh
    Haaland Gyokeres(C) Ekitike

    Valdimarsson Carvalho Hartman Rodon

  29. Luis Suarez Ate My Homework
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Hey all - draft question here.

    I picked 12th in my draft league and currently have a MF of:

    Grealish / Georgino Rutter / Foden / Arias / Tielemans

    Considering moving out Tieleman for Zubimendi, though there are other MF players available:

    Tavernier
    Rodri
    Estevao
    Tel
    Garnacho
    Kulusevski
    Smith Rowe
    Merino
    Mount
    James
    Nwaneri

    Decent options, but what are your thoughts? Keep Tielemans or move for another MF?

  30. Warby84
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 26 days ago

    Sels (Dubs) Esteve Virgil Munoz (Romero Diouf) Salah(c) Saka Wirtz Roger’s Reijnders Bowen Mateta (Guiu)

    Decided to do palmer to Saka.. How does the team look, anything worth a hit?

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 26 days ago

      Solid, formatting hurts eyes 😉