FPL
20 August 2026 583 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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Our latest Fantasy Premier League (FPL) 2026/27 team preview focuses on Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham Hotspur, who keep spending big.

Here, we discuss their best FPL picks for the upcoming campaign. We’ll also attempt to predict the line-up for Gameweek 1, review pre-season, look at their set-piece takers and more.



REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL

Spurs appoint De Zerbi as new head coach 1

NEW ARRIVALS

After flirting with relegation, Tottenham have made a real statement of intent this summer, bringing in six new players, from the big-money midfield acquisitions to some savvy frees at the free.

Mateus Fernandes (£6.0m), Sandro Tonali (£5.5m), Jan Paul van Hecke (£5.0m), Marcos Senesi (£6.0m), Andrew Robertson (£4.5m) and Martin Dubravka (£4.0m) have already joined the squad, adding some much-needed Premier League experience.

De Zerbi has recently insisted that Spurs aren’t yet done in the transfer market, either.

THE DE ZERBI EFFECT

Just one point above the relegation places at the point of Igor Tudor’s departure, Tottenham ended 2025/26 with three wins, two draws and only one defeat from their final six matches.

De Zerbi injected new life into Spurs, with progress made at both ends of the pitch:

Tottenham conceded only four goals and kept two clean sheets in their last five matches, so there is a quiet confidence ahead of De Zerbi’s first full season in charge.

The importance of a full pre-season with his squad cannot be underestimated after he took over from Tudor at a very chaotic time, too.


REASONS TO BE FEARFUL

FPL notes: Shot-shy Villa rotate + is Richarlison worth a punt?

LACK OF CREATIVITY

Tottenham have been active in the summer transfer window, but after a poor season in front of goal, much more is needed up top.

In 2025/26, Spurs ranked 17th for expected goals (xG), with 40.04, which tells us there were real creativity issues.

Richarlison (£6.0m) was their top Premier League goalscorer with 11, but after that, there was a drop-off, with Joao Palhinha (five), Cristian Romero, Mathys Tel (£6.0m) and Micky van de Ven (£5.0m, all four) their next highest.

Injuries played a part, notably to creators such as Xavi Simons (£6.0m), James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus (all £6.5m), but there is clear work for De Zerbi to do from an attacking perspective.

Indeed, going into Gameweek 1, and despite all the money spent, we’re looking at Richarlison, Tel and even Mikey Moore (£5.0m) forming the front three!

N17 FORM

Tottenham’s home record in the Premier League was pitiful last season.

They won only three matches, with their total of 15 points fewer than every other team apart from relegated duo Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley.

In contrast, they secured 26 points while playing away, which is 11 points more than they achieved at home.

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If Tottenham are to achieve anything in 2026/27, their home form simply has to improve.


TOTTENHAM: SUMMER TRANSFER ACTIVITY

Key Transfers In:

DEF | Andrew Robertson Liverpool (free)
GK | Martin Dubravka | Burnley (free)
DEF | Marcos Senesi | Bournemouth (free)
DEF | Jan Paul van Hecke | Brighton and Hove Albion (£52m)
MID | Mateus Fernandes | West Ham United (£85m)
MID | Sandro Tonali | Newcastle United (£100m)

Key Transfers Out:

MID | Yves Bissouma Released
FWD | Alejo Veliz Bahia (£8m)
DEF | Radu Dragusin | Fiorentina (loan)
DEF | Luka Vuskovic | Brighton and Hove Albion (£46m)
MID | Manor Solomon West Ham United (£5m)
DEF | Cristian Romero | Atletico Madrid (£34.2m)
GK | Guglielmo Vicario | Juventus (loan)

TOTTENHAM: PRE-SEASON FPL REPORTS

Jul 22 | Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers (h) | Fernandes
Jul 26 | Auckland FC 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur (a) | Scarlett (Solomon assist), Richarlison (Tel assist)
Jul 29 | Sydney FC 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur (a) | Tel (Solomon assist)
Aug 1 | Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Chelsea (n) | Tonali (Solomon assist), Richarlison (Donley assist)
Aug 8 | Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Getafe (h) | Gallagher
Aug 15 | Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 1899 Hoffenheim (h) | Richarlison (Robertson assist), Moore (Tel assist), Moore (Tel assist)
Aug 16 | Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 1899 Hoffenheim (h) | Davies (Fernandes assist), Williams-Barnett (Sarr assist)

Form Players: Tel (1 goal, 3 assists), Richarlison (3 goals), Solomon (3 assists), Moore (2 goals), Fernandes (1 goal, 1 assist)


OPENING FIXTURES

Spurs’ first six matches sit in the middle of our Fixture Ticker. Last season’s equivalent fixtures ended with four defeats, one draw and that dramatic final-day home win over Everton.

Then again, their poor recent record versus Newcastle – six losses from nine in all competitions – means almost nothing, considering the huge changes at both clubs.

Gameweek 7 is where the schedule improves, ranked as the Ticker’s second-best between then and Gameweek 13.

Such a spell has them at home to two newly promoted teams, alongside solid trips to Leeds United and Sunderland.

With players back from injury and the transfer market shut by that point, this might be the time to pounce in FPL.


PENALTY + SET-PIECE TAKERS

 

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The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

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New FPL Stats Centre: Find the best picks, differentials + DefCon stars 2

FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

583 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    19 hours, 59 mins ago

    So Groß captain Brighton last night and played 90 minutes. Is he Teflon and will play every minute?

    1. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      19 hours, 52 mins ago

      Near enough, given the injuries. But his longevity is the problem.

    2. Dutchy FPL
      • 3 Years
      19 hours, 52 mins ago

      Wouldn't say that. Obviously he is important for the team, but Hinshelwood was benched, so I can see some rotation or reduced minutes because of the 0-0. But for 5.5M he should get enough minutes

  2. C. SAMBA
    • 13 Years
    19 hours, 58 mins ago

    Pick 1:

    A) Xhaka
    B) Sangare

    For first 5 gameweeks.

    1. C. SAMBA
      • 13 Years
      19 hours, 57 mins ago

      Sangare from Brentford

    2. WannabeScout
      • 8 Years
      19 hours, 57 mins ago

      A

    3. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 42 mins ago

      I'm on B

  3. WannabeScout
    • 8 Years
    19 hours, 58 mins ago

    Bottomed

    Pulled BB on this, thoughts????
    New year same me, trynna think outside the box.. that will end with egg on my face

    Kinsky verbruggen
    Calafiori de cuyper Maguire Diop O'nien
    Mbuemo Semenyo Wirtz Tzolis Aaroson
    Haaland Isak JP

    1. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 41 mins ago

      Don't like Aaronson as a pick, hem only play if Okafor isn't up to speed. Otherwise I like it

  4. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    19 hours, 56 mins ago

    I really can't see the appeal of Brobbey at all, when one has DCL and Richarlison at the same price point. 😕

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      19 hours, 46 mins ago

      IPS is the main attraction.

      1. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        19 hours, 43 mins ago

        Thanks - what are IPS?

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          19 hours, 40 mins ago

          Ipswich

        2. Christina.
          • 16 Years
          19 hours, 40 mins ago

          ipswich and fulham first 2 fixtures
          Most managers looking at short term with early BB and WC in play

          1. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            19 hours, 33 mins ago

            Ta. I am BB1, but wouldn't dream of it. 🙂

        3. NZREDS
          • 13 Years
          19 hours, 36 mins ago

          15 years and a member and you don’t know what ISP is? Not having a go but that’s wild

          1. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            19 hours, 33 mins ago

            You are having a go. Context. Silly comment.

    2. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 39 mins ago

      I can see it for the first two games, but I'd rather go LeFee, Hume or Ballard and don't want too many Sunderland to take out when Europe starts and the fixtures turn. DCL for the longer term for me

      1. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        17 hours, 20 mins ago

        Exactly right.

  5. PEP G
    • 10 Years
    19 hours, 54 mins ago

    Konsa a good pick now that he's going to Arsenal?

    1. Old Gregg
      • 9 Years
      19 hours, 49 mins ago

      I doubt he will start Gw1. After that probably.

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 9 Years
        19 hours, 29 mins ago

        I doubt he will start GW2 too 😉

  6. Old Gregg
    • 9 Years
    19 hours, 53 mins ago

    Pretty locked in. Final 2 spots. Please help.

    a) Muhraemovic + Grob
    b) Rodon + N’diaye
    c) Rodon + Schade

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 9 Years
      19 hours, 27 mins ago

      a) if you must, but I prefer Sangaré over Groß...

    2. Home Late From Age
      • 10 Years
      19 hours, 26 mins ago

      B

  7. davewg59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    19 hours, 52 mins ago

    Verbruggen and Ballard
    or
    Roefs and Ajer?

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      19 hours, 51 mins ago

      Verbruggen + Ballard certainly

    2. Old Gregg
      • 9 Years
      19 hours, 48 mins ago

      Ver Ball

    3. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 39 mins ago

      A

  8. TochanMama
    • 14 Years
    19 hours, 51 mins ago

    RMT please!
    Going for BBGW1

    Kinsky - Verbruggen
    Calafiori - Gvardiol - Maguire - Hume - O'Shea
    Semenyo - Mbuemo - MGW - Tzolis - KDH
    Haaland - JP - Brobbey

    1. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 38 mins ago

      A few variations from the template and looks solid to me. I like it

  9. timawflowers
    • 8 Years
    19 hours, 50 mins ago

    Semenyo or DCL for the first few gameweeks? Cant decide

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      19 hours, 50 mins ago

      Semenyo for me

    2. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 48 mins ago

      Dcl as he’s on pens

    3. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 36 mins ago

      Not really a fair comparison... I think Semenyo will score more, but he costs 2.5 more and you can still get decent scoring mids for less, while DCL won't be far behind and is basically the cheapest reliable option in his position

  10. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    19 hours, 50 mins ago

    BB1

    a) Ballard + Groß

    b) Hume + Le Fee

    1. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 48 mins ago

      A

    2. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      19 hours, 48 mins ago

      B.

    3. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      19 hours, 39 mins ago

      hume and Gomez

    4. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 36 mins ago

      B

  11. Milner4eva
    • 13 Years
    19 hours, 49 mins ago

    Any love for Havertz here? Not seeing him in many if any drafts, and at 7.5 playing for Arsenal seems like a really good pick?

    1. TochanMama
      • 14 Years
      19 hours, 47 mins ago

      Him starting over Gyokeres is basically a coin toss at this point

      1. 17th Time Lucky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        19 hours, 35 mins ago

        Exactly this. I think Gyork is more likely to play easier games so be better for FPL. But while they're both around, neither are a good pick

  12. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    19 hours, 49 mins ago

    Which option:

    A) O’Reilly & DCL
    B) De Cuyper & Thiago

    1. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      19 hours, 43 mins ago

      A

    2. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 35 mins ago

      A

  13. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
    • 9 Years
    19 hours, 48 mins ago

    How was Gomez last night?

    1. Sterops
      • 7 Years
      19 hours, 45 mins ago

      Anonymous and hooked after 68 minutes...

      1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
        • 9 Years
        19 hours, 20 mins ago

        Damn ok

        1. Sterops
          • 7 Years
          18 hours, 49 mins ago

          Yep, my thoughts exactly...I am not a Brighton fan but watched the game as a number of their players are 'in or around my squad'...bit of a chastening yet informative experience really albeit watching a rotated, ad hoc selected side....Gomez did absolutely nothing whilst my differential selection of De Cuyper as OOP winger has also been seriously reappraised as the lad who played wide left was Brighton's best player by a country mile ( and as another contributor has pointed out, isn't even in the Brighton 'FPL team list')...Verbruggen was impressive behind a very high line defence in which 'another candidate',Vuskovic looked callow..left me with more questions than answers really...

  14. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    19 hours, 48 mins ago

    Savinho 85 mill to spurs, maybe marmoush to, plus there other signings, see what kind of season they have now

  15. cutch
    • 12 Years
    19 hours, 46 mins ago

    Is Foden a good alternative to Semenyo to save some money? Or is Semenyo worth the higher price?

    1. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      19 hours, 45 mins ago

      Sooner pay more for Semenyo

    2. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 33 mins ago

      Foden has had so much opportunity in pre-season to show what he's about, and hasn't stepped up at all. Definitely wouldn't start with him.

      He may come good and make a mockery of his price tag, but you can wait until he actually does it before getting him

  16. ghost__5
    19 hours, 45 mins ago

    Ballard and Shaw
    Or
    Hume and Maguire

    1. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      19 hours, 42 mins ago

      Close, maybe B
      I’m on Ballard and maguire

      1. ghost__5
        19 hours, 39 mins ago

        I’m just stuck on whether I should run Hume and Maguire or Ballard and shaw

        1. Gizzachance
          • 11 Years
          19 hours, 35 mins ago

          You on bb? Early w/c? Fixtures ok first couple weeks for both, after that not great

          1. ghost__5
            19 hours, 34 mins ago

            Yeah I’ve got bench boost active for gw1

    2. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 33 mins ago

      B

      1. ghost__5
        19 hours, 31 mins ago

        Ok ill run Hume and Maguire and then over time as the gw begin to get worse maybe swap or wildcard later on

  17. Friday's Press Conference Times
    Skonto Rigga
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 9 Years
    19 hours, 45 mins ago

    Morning folks, here are the remaining GW1 press conference times:

    10am - Arbeloa (FUL)
    12pm - Hurzeler (BHA)
    1.30pm - Andrews (BRE), Moyes (EVE), O'Neil (IPS), Iraola (LIV), Maresca (MCI), De Zerbi (TOT)
    2pm - Emery (AVL)

    Times in BST, and come from Sky Sports.

    1. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 32 mins ago

      Thanks

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      19 hours, 19 mins ago

      I wonder how grumpy Moyes will be because the Prime Minister said he needed a right back?

  18. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    19 hours, 44 mins ago

    Rank these 3 forwards for first two gw’s..
    Price being a consideration too.

    A) J Pedro
    B) Thiago
    C) Dcl

    I’m currently on Isak - Pedro - Dcl but considering Thiago - fixtures are good first couple

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      19 hours, 41 mins ago

      I want to take punt on Thiago with eye on BB GW2

      1. BR510
        19 hours, 35 mins ago

        His gw 2 fixture isn’t that good

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          19 hours, 34 mins ago

          Leeds away is bad fixture??

    2. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      19 hours, 37 mins ago

      d) brobbey - ips/FUL

    3. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 31 mins ago

      Template answer, but ACB for (talking the price in. Do think Thiago might outsource DCL, but not by 2mil worth)

    4. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      19 hours, 31 mins ago

      B)
      C)
      A)

  19. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    19 hours, 42 mins ago

    Will Cherki start?

    1. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 30 mins ago

      No one knows, so I'd avoid personally, unless you have the bench to cope with a rest and the patience to cope with 1pt cameos

  20. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    19 hours, 42 mins ago

    Mbeumo and saka
    Better than brunoF and ode?

    1. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 29 mins ago

      If sooner go Bruno and Tzolis, just because Tzolis is the only one who looks nailed in the arsenal attack right now.

      If you're happy with the risk, then I reckon Mbuemo Saka has the highest potential

  21. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    19 hours, 41 mins ago

    Can you see the striker in the predicted line-ups?

    I don't log on with a lap top and I can't see it in either view on this handheld device.

    Would be good if the graphics can be fixed when the update for the new players is done, so you can see the centre forward in the majority of the formations posted in Team News for the upcoming weekend.

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/team-news

  22. cutch
    • 12 Years
    19 hours, 41 mins ago

    Best 4.5/5.0 MF with realistic chances of being a regular starter?

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      19 hours, 40 mins ago

      Maybe new Coventry signing

    2. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 27 mins ago

      Sangare and Schlager at forest? Grimes at Cov? Rohl at Everton?

      Short term, Gomez at Brighton looks best

  23. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    19 hours, 41 mins ago

    No mention of Conor Gallagher. Can he get back to his best?

  24. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    19 hours, 39 mins ago

    Guys. "Shouldn't tinker" anymore, but I have had Gross and Gomez for a while and yesterday gave quite a headache.

    Yesterday's Brighton match was quite a surprise for me - could not have thought that Gross would play 90 and overall play a strong XI but still probably not full first team which made it even more confusing. Point being, absolutely no clue how that 90 impacts (old) Gross and there is new Euro game next week. Gomez played confusing 60 mins and the all the guys that come in at 60 could well be the actual first teamers.

    Where are you at with Gross and Gomez? If you are replacing, what combo? Looking at Ndiaye/Schade + Slater.

  25. davewg59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    19 hours, 38 mins ago

    Could Schade be a good pick? He has scored more points than Ndiaye over last 2 seasons

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      19 hours, 36 mins ago

      yes, much prefer him over Ndiaye

    2. Pompel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      19 hours, 28 mins ago

      Not quite, last season Ndiaye outscored Schade by 3 pts

      1. davewg59
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        19 hours, 25 mins ago

        I said 2 seasons tho

    3. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 26 mins ago

      Could definitely be a good pick

  26. Kebab pig
    • 6 Years
    19 hours, 38 mins ago

    Why no love for Canvot from Crystal palace? Lots of defcons and in a solid defence

    1. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 26 mins ago

      Sage is an unknown quantity

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 9 Years
      19 hours, 21 mins ago

      You can get a decent DC for £5m so why pay an extra mill?

      1. Kebab pig
        • 6 Years
        19 hours, 14 mins ago

        He is 5

  27. Falafel333
    • 4 Years
    19 hours, 38 mins ago

    Last minute tinkering...

    A: Gabriel, Semenyo, Mbuemo
    B: White, Bruno, Foden

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      19 hours, 37 mins ago

      a

    2. BR510
      19 hours, 36 mins ago

      A

    3. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 25 mins ago

      A, easily for me

  28. sentz05
    • 10 Years
    19 hours, 37 mins ago

    Which BB?

    A Gros Ajer Davis
    B Gomez De Cuyper Hume

    1. BR510
      19 hours, 36 mins ago

      A

    2. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 25 mins ago

      B

  29. MOZIL
    • 10 Years
    19 hours, 37 mins ago

    For the next 2 game week?

    a) Isak, Writz, Frimpong

    or

    b) Brobbey, Palmer, O'Reilly

    and why?

    1. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 24 mins ago

      A
      Don't trust Palmer as a player or NoR as a player in Maresca's team. Will wait for both to prove me wrong before getting them

  30. BR510
    19 hours, 36 mins ago

    Who scores more first two weeks strictly?

    1. Bruno Isak
    2. Haaland Sangare

    1. 17th Time Lucky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      19 hours, 23 mins ago

      I think 1