Pro Pundits
22 August 2025 353 comments
@FPLGeneral @FPLGeneral
Share:

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…

Make sure you sign up for the new season to get all the Member-only articles, tools and features to make 2025/26 your best FPL campaign yet!

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
    3 months, 15 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
      3 months, 15 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
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 15 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
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 15 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
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 15 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
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Have you bumped Haaland for Saka?

    2. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 15 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
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Do you mean from the homepage mate?

        1. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 15 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
            • 7 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

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

    3. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 15 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
        3 months, 15 days ago

        You happy with double Arsenal defense?

        1. FPL Brains
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 months, 15 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
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        FM that's some defence.

      3. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

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

      4. chocolove
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Lewis, good shout

      5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 15 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
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Yeah I can't stretch to RAN unfortunately.

      6. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 15 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
          3 months, 15 days ago

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

          1. _Greg
            • 15 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Yeah I presumed it must be a typo.

        2. FplmorelikeFml
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 15 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
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Sorry, I meant Haaland + Salah double up.

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

      7. dansully3
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 15 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
          3 months, 15 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
            3 months, 15 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
        3 months, 15 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
          3 months, 15 days ago

          simultaneously*

    4. jayzico
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 15 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
        3 months, 15 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
        3 months, 15 days ago

        A

      3. T.Henry14
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Munoz easy

      4. jayzico
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Great advice. Thanks chaps. Munoz it is.

    5. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 15 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
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 15 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
        3 months, 15 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
        3 months, 15 days ago

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

    6. Mother Farke
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 15 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
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

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

        1. Mother Farke
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 15 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
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

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

            1. Mother Farke
              • 1 Year
              3 months, 15 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.

    7. AD2110
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 15 days ago

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

      1. Mother Farke
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 15 days ago

        After deadline today.

    8. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 15 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
          3 months, 15 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
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Lol. He is settled to brag

            1. pundit of punts
              • 12 Years
              3 months, 15 days ago

              Posting teams is to brag?

              Jealous much?

              1. ebb2sparky
                • 15 Years
                3 months, 15 days ago

                Why would anyone be jealous of a GW2 wildcard?

          2. Over Midwicket
            • 13 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Name checks out

          3. pundit of punts
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Changes happened

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

        • Stimps
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

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

          1. pundit of punts
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Cheers

            Looks like the optimal strategy for us GW 1 BBers

            1. Stimps
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 months, 15 days ago

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

              1. pundit of punts
                • 12 Years
                3 months, 15 days ago

                Fair enough.

                Good luck with the WC.

        • chocolove
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

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

          1. pundit of punts
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Feedback from the community is always valued.

            Spare me the negativity please.

        • FplmorelikeFml
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 15 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
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Cunha looks dangerous, he'd be my pick

      2. MetallicaJack93
        • 2 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

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

        1. Y26 Royal
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

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

      3. Y26 Royal
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 15 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
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

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

      4. Puncheon Guly
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 15 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
          3 months, 15 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
          • 2 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

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

          Hold

      5. Bobadoba
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Captain Semenyo over Palmer?

        1. Snoopydog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 15 days ago

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

          1. Bobadoba
            • 16 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

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

      6. chocolove
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Expecting goals and red cards in Newcastle Liverpool match

        1. _Greg
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

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

          1. ebb2sparky
            • 15 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            I doubt palace vs forest will be exciting

      7. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 15 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
          3 months, 15 days ago

          *Mateta or Evanilson?

          1. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Mateta or Wood?

      8. sk24
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 15 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
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Absolutely not

      9. Snoopydog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 15 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
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Stick to Esteve.

          1. Snoopydog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 1 Year
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Thanks

      10. Weeb Kakashi
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Captain Saka or Gyokeres?

        1. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 15 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
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 15 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
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Gyokeres. Go for it.

        4. _Greg
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

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

        5. dansully3
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

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

          1. _Greg
            • 15 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

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

      11. Evasivo
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Anyone going for Bruno(C)?

        1. _Greg
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

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

          1. Evasivo
            • 15 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

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

        2. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

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

          1. Evasivo
            • 15 Years
            3 months, 15 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

      12. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 15 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
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Thinking same

        2. Y26 Royal
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

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

      13. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 15 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
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 15 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
            3 months, 15 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
              • 1 Year
              3 months, 15 days ago

              Not sure on that one? 😀

          2. _Greg
            • 15 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Salah M'Hand sounds made up! :mrgreen:

        2. Tonyawesome69
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

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

        3. The Knights Template
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          The average cumulus cloud weighs 500t

          1. Merlin the Wraith
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

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

          2. Ball Ake
            • 1 Year
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Water's heavy, man.

        4. x.jim.x
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Mo Salah
          Bruno Fernandes

      14. WillK
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

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

      15. T.Henry14
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        BB?

        Dubravka, Porro, VDV, Kroupi

        1. _Greg
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          I would say no.

      16. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 15 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
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Spill the must have!

      17. ZeBestee
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        Start 1;

        a) Esteve
        b) VdV

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          CS odds:
          Burnley 35%
          Spurs 10%

      18. Bobby_Baggio
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 15 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
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Start Evanilson over Sarr

          1. Bobby_Baggio
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 15 days ago

            Agreed, thanks I missed that

        2. Tonyawesome69
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Start Evanilson over Bowen

      19. The Train Driver
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 15 days ago

        When are presser times usually announced?

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Whenever Neale can source the presser times

        2. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

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

      20. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 15 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

      21. Luis Suarez Ate My Homework
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 15 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?

      22. Warby84
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 15 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
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 15 days ago

          Solid, formatting hurts eyes 😉