Pro Pundits - FPL General
26 August 2026 170 comments
@FPLGeneral @FPLGeneral
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Our team of contributors are returning as we count down to the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 2 deadline.

This time, we hear from FPL General, who shares his Gameweek 2 team reveal.

General, aka Mark, is no longer shackled by the Haaland-less experiment of 2025/26! He has three top 500 finishes to his name, as well as a further nine inside the top 50k.



Gameweek 1 Review

The Troops got off to a great start in Gameweek 1, racking up 82 points, thanks in large part to a 16-point Bench Boost. A Gameweek rank of 68k is very satisfying after all the pre-season tinkering! 

Going back to my final few decisions on Friday, I wanted to triple up on Arsenal for the Coventry fixture. To do so, I dropped right down to Regan Slater (£4.5m) as my fifth midfielder. I wasn’t too bothered about what the bench scored. Instead, I focused on getting the starting XI exactly how I wanted it. I figured Slater would be good for my long-term team structure (if I don’t use the Wildcard early). The assist against Manchester United was a lovely slice of luck. The clean sheet from Joe Rodon (£4.5m) ensured it was a successful deployment of the chip. It feels liberating to have it out of the way already! 

Cristhian Mosquera (£5.5m) was in every draft until Arsenal’s signing of Ezri Konsa (£4.5m). Shoehorning the Gunners’ two full-backs in instead couldn’t have gone any better! Midfielder Martin Odegaard (£6.5m) was in my first pre-season draft, so I followed my initial gut instinct and went back to him on Friday – and boy, I am glad I did.

The Manchester United triple-up was a disaster but they’ve got Ipswich Town at home this weekend, which should yield better returns. If not, they will be the first guys on the chopping block! 

It was very satisfying to see Dominik Szoboszlai (£7.0m) step up and score a late penalty for Liverpool. He could now be a 38-Gameweek pick this season with so many routes to points. 

Following the Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) blank, who was captained by many, I was hopeful that Erling Haaland (£15.5m) would capitalise and send me towards a 100-point Gameweek – but it wasn’t to be. After last season, was nice to be able to watch a Manchester City match on the sofa rather than behind it! 

Like Szoboszlai, Chelsea’s Joao Pedro (£7.5m) is another Gameweek 1 pick that could be there for the long-term. He’s likely to be my captain in Gameweek 4 for the home tie against Hull City, unless his teammate Cole Palmer (£9.5m) is purchased by then.

Gameweek 2 Team + Future Transfer Plans



170 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    3 hours, 8 mins ago

    Pick 1 to play from

    DCL
    Slater
    Thomas

    Any ideas would be appreciated

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 hours, 25 mins ago

      To play gw2? DCL

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      2 hours, 24 mins ago

      dcl

    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      2 hours, 23 mins ago

      DCL

    4. MEGPAL
      • 14 Years
      2 hours, 18 mins ago

      DCL

    5. Assisting the assister
      • 10 Years
      1 hour, 16 mins ago

      Dcl

  2. estheblessed
    • 11 Years
    3 hours, 7 mins ago

    G2G or use FT?

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori, Gvardiol, Thomas, Shaw
    Bruno, Mbeumo, Szobloslai, Tzolis
    Haaland, JP

    Kinsky, Gross, O'Nien, Wright*

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 hours, 25 mins ago

      Gtg

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      2 hours, 24 mins ago

      would play kinksy over verbruggen but gtg if happy

    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      2 hours, 23 mins ago

      Absolutely gtg

  3. Mr Turnip 1
    • 1 Year
    3 hours, 1 min ago

    Bench two. I have to play at least one of the defenders

    Sangare (lee)
    DCL (BRE)
    Thiago (lee)
    Wirtz (NFO)
    Semenyo (cry)

    Ajer (lee)
    Muharemovic (BRE)

    1. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      2 hours, 18 mins ago

      Ajer & Sangare

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        2 hours, 14 mins ago

        That’s what I’m on right now, I just can’t tell whether to try to chase what feels like safer DefCons from defenders and mids over the chance of attacking returns, especially with Thiago and DCL, I’m not sure that game will be free scoring. I think you’ve probably made the sensible choices though

  4. BrockLanders
    • 11 Years
    2 hours, 59 mins ago

    Anyone give Richarlson a chance of starting at the weekend after his complete no show tonight?

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      2 hours, 15 mins ago

      With Marmoush coming in? I wouldn’t like to bet on it

      1. BrockLanders
        • 11 Years
        2 hours, 14 mins ago

        Yeah. Agreed 🙁

  5. MEGPAL
    • 14 Years
    2 hours, 58 mins ago

    Quite odd Moyes giving his best players 80+ mins with Bournemouth 3pm on Saturday

    1. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      2 hours, 17 mins ago

      Frustrating to see Ndiaye linked with City tonight. Hopefully still get the weekend out of him

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 hours, 9 mins ago

        He looked extremely happy tonight with the team. Every celebration joked and laughed about. The morale looked really good. Himself, KDH, Barry even Brennan Johnson. To leave that to be a bench option at City, I don’t get it…

        1. CoracAld2831
          • 5 Years
          2 hours, 6 mins ago

          UCL.

        2. Qaiss
          • 10 Years
          1 hour, 54 mins ago

          Man City’s attack is currently thin, they wouldn’t sign him to sit on the bench

      2. Qaiss
        • 10 Years
        1 hour, 55 mins ago

        Is it that bad? Surely his goal output would increase. £6m Man City attacker

        1. Feanor
          • 17 Years
          1 hour, 47 mins ago

          He would lose penalties

  6. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 hours, 36 mins ago

    Start DCL or Gross?

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      1 hour, 51 mins ago

      Probably DCL

      1. JBG
        • 8 Years
        1 hour, 50 mins ago

        But can easily see Chelsea concede, even at home, but Brighton goals spread out

  7. HollywoodXI
    • 12 Years
    2 hours, 36 mins ago

    Who should I bench?

    Verbruggen Kinsky
    Maguire O’Reilly Neco Williams Calafiori White
    Bruno Mbeumo Semenyo Tzolis Szoboslai
    Pedro Thiago DCL

    1. BR510
      1 hour, 46 mins ago

      One of Thiago and DCL, Williams, Verbruggen and someone else

  8. BR510
    2 hours, 27 mins ago

    Lammens Verbruggen
    Cala Palestra Rodon Hume Vuskovic
    Bruno Mbeumo Semenyo Tzolis Schade
    Isak Havertz Joao Pedro

    1. FH3 - Get rid of Chelsea and Arsenal for one week, hold off wildcard until IB
    2. WC3 - Weaker bench and roll transfers until GW6/7 for fixtures swings

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 hour, 40 mins ago

      I like 1 so that you have more information before permanently committing to any players

      1. BR510
        1 hour, 31 mins ago

        Would you wildcard 4 using this one? Thanks

  9. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    2 hours, 25 mins ago

    Better 6.5m punt?

    1. Rayan
    2. Savio

    1. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      2 hours, 22 mins ago

      1

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      2 hours, 3 mins ago

      2

    3. Meechum
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 hour, 27 mins ago

      1

  10. FPL_trail_runner
    • 6 Years
    2 hours, 21 mins ago

    A or B ? Currently on B as Saka with pens and potential ceiling of 200+ points

    A) Trafford White VVD Tzolis + 4mil benched defender
    B) Kinksy konsa Ajer Saka + Ajer (rotate with Rodon)

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 hour, 39 mins ago

      B for me. Don’t trust White’s minutes at all. Kinsky great value. Not convinced by pool defence. Think Saka will be fantastic

  11. BR510
    2 hours, 6 mins ago

    For GW4 onwards:
    1. Haaland Slater Palmer -4
    2. Haaland Sangare Mbeumo (save FT)

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 hour, 23 mins ago

      2

      1. BR510
        1 hour, 21 mins ago

        How would you get Palmer in GW4? Wildcard or go without

  12. FPL_trail_runner
    • 6 Years
    2 hours, 5 mins ago

    Somehow this is within budget on WC

    Kinksy 4mil
    Cala Rodon Ajer Gvardiol Konsa
    Palmer Tzolis Bruno Szob Slater
    Haaland Pedro W-E

    Basically
    A) O reilly Saka mBuemo or
    B) Gvardiol Tzolis Bruno.

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      1 hour, 23 mins ago

      A

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 6 Years
        1 hour, 16 mins ago

        So why A over B, close no?

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 hour, 22 mins ago

      a

    3. BR510
      1 hour, 21 mins ago

      That is a tempting wildcard right there

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 6 Years
        1 hour, 19 mins ago

        So B?

  13. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    1 hour, 56 mins ago

    Feels so weird benching hinshelwood
    But will u start him over any of my front 7?

    Ndiaye brunoF szobo ode
    Dcl haaland pedro

    1. The Pretender
      • 11 Years
      24 mins ago

      Nah he gets benched this week for mine.

  14. Warby84
    • 11 Years
    1 hour, 52 mins ago

    This is my WC

    Trafford Dubs
    Calafiori Gvardiol Konsa Ajer De Cuyper
    Palmer Saka Cherki Szobo Sangare
    Haaland Pedro W-E

    Think I’m locked in on this..

    1. FPL_trail_runner
      • 6 Years
      1 hour, 11 mins ago

      Doubt Cherki starts yet. Week 3 yes

      1. Warby84
        • 11 Years
        1 hour, 10 mins ago

        I’ll take a punt on him…

      2. Warby84
        • 11 Years
        1 hour, 8 mins ago

        Surprised you stick with Kinsky, think I’d still go Verbruggen or even Leno if I went for a 4.5.. I’ve gone Trafford at 5m, tempted to go with a 4.5 and get Muharemovic but haven’t decided

        1. FPL_trail_runner
          • 6 Years
          1 hour, 4 mins ago

          Spurs have the fixtures. and 4.5 is cheap bet low risk, Verb has europe and poor fixtures so fatigue i fear.

          Playing with this currently , very attacking, not really on defcon defenders. probably Cherki for mBuemo week 3, or FH3.

          Kinsky
          White Cala O Reilly (Egan, O Shea)
          Tzolis Rogers Mbeumo Palmer Szob
          Haaland Pedro (W-E)

          1. Warby84
            • 11 Years
            56 mins ago

            I think the worry is if they keep conceding then Dubravka is back up, so maybe ensure he’s your no2.. Why don’t you think Cherki starts? Lack of pre-season due to Workd cup?

            1. FPL_trail_runner
              • 6 Years
              48 mins ago

              Maresca hasnt started him yet , so dropping Foden would be a big change , i can see that happen after another cameo in week 2

              What you think on the 3-5-2 with the attacking midfield?

              1. Warby84
                • 11 Years
                29 mins ago

                Yes I like it, I’m tempted to go dbl Arsenal attack and allow a move for Cherki for GW3, I’m going for a set 3-5-2 as well.

                1. The Pretender
                  • 11 Years
                  21 mins ago

                  I would prefer double ARS def to double ARS attack. Value in points per million is much higher unless Ode returns to 200 point seasons (he won't, too much rotation).

    2. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      1 hour, 3 mins ago

      Giggety!

  15. thetommy14
    • 5 Years
    1 hour, 33 mins ago

    Start Ajer or Thiaw?

    1. The Pretender
      • 11 Years
      30 mins ago

      Thiaw and hope that he jags attack and defcon. It's super close.

  16. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 hour, 26 mins ago

    Hold Wirtz or sell?

    1. thetommy14
      • 5 Years
      57 mins ago

      Hold

      1. CelticBhoy1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        just now

        I tend to agree. Forest, Ipswich, Fulham but its difficult

  17. Clintymints
    • 17 Years
    1 hour, 19 mins ago

    If you have to choose 2 4.0 defenders going forward, Who's your picks?

    Currently on Egan/Thomas purely for the defcons. Who you going for?

    1. The Pretender
      • 11 Years
      1 hour, 12 mins ago

      I wouldnt run 2 in this era of FPL. I would like a 4th genuine rotation option. Rather a 4.5 or fwd.

      1. Clintymints
        • 17 Years
        1 hour, 9 mins ago

        Going 343 mostly, and 1 defender spot to rotate, to get the extra .5, it's Cherki inor Mbuemo. Current dudes are

        Calafiori, Gvard, De Cuyper 4.0 4.0

        1. The Pretender
          • 11 Years
          58 mins ago

          Yeah that def is too cheap for mine, but to each their own!

          1. Clintymints
            • 17 Years
            2 mins ago

            Yep valid, I usually juice the funds out elsewhere

            Raya/4.0
            Calafiori Gvard De Cuyper Egan Thomas
            Palmer Szob Tzol Mbuemo Slater
            Haaland Thiago JP

  18. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    1 hour, 19 mins ago

    Start hinshelwood or dcl?
    Also will u do palestra to justin?

    1. The Pretender
      • 11 Years
      50 mins ago

      DCL, just.

      I wouldnt trade Palestra unless I was on BB2. Wait for press conferences imo.

      1. Letsgo!
        • 9 Years
        48 mins ago

        The thing is even if palestra is fit. I dont like or trust chelsea defence now

        1. The Pretender
          • 11 Years
          46 mins ago

          I would still roll and bench. I much prefer to have 2 FT's and one more week of information going into GW3.

          1. Letsgo!
            • 9 Years
            10 mins ago

            Fair enough then i will need start neco williams haa

            1. The Pretender
              • 11 Years
              4 mins ago

              None of your 4.0's have solid matchups?

              1. Letsgo!
                • 9 Years
                3 mins ago

                I only have davis

                1. The Pretender
                  • 11 Years
                  1 min ago

                  I think you just play either of Neco or Palestra, stomach it for a week and make an informed decision next week.

                  In saying that, if you absolutely cannot handle it, I understand the FT I just have an ongoing rule that I always roll GW2.

  19. FantasyClub
    • 5 Years
    1 hour, 15 mins ago

    Play?
    A) MGW
    B) Hume

    Thinking play Hume once more and dreamingly get something similar to De Cuypers...?
    Hume had 0.27 XA. Created 5 chances. 2 big chance. 2 shots. Played 80mins.

    1. The Pretender
      • 11 Years
      33 mins ago

      I like Hume, but im not playing a 4.5 def over an 8.0 mid unless hes confirmed injured. Pool defense is leaky.

      1. FantasyClub
        • 5 Years
        30 mins ago

        I agree.
        I can just see a scenario where Hume hauls since Sunderland are usually stronger at home. That would make me rage.
        But yeah benching MGW is crazy i guess

        1. The Pretender
          • 11 Years
          17 mins ago

          Not crazy, I just wouldnt do it. I can see Hume hauling - no other potential bench options?

  20. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 hour, 11 mins ago

    Hold Kinsky or sell?

    1. FantasyClub
      • 5 Years
      29 mins ago

      Wouldnt waste a FT on a GK.
      If i were on WC id get rid for Trafford and 4.0

      1. The Pretender
        • 11 Years
        16 mins ago

        If you are going 9.0 at GK, give me a 4.5 rotation to at least play the odds game on CS. Also I would rather Muhar as a Leeds 5.0 or def in general.

  21. Jacquet of all trades, mast…
    • 6 Years
    1 hour, 5 mins ago

    Brentford to do a Leicester and be Champions is that crazy of a Shout ?
    They can do Europe for sure

    1. The Pretender
      • 11 Years
      15 mins ago

      Champions against that ARS side would be a hell of an effort - but doable.

  22. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    57 mins ago

    Is Konsa likely to start this weekend?

    1. KLOPPTOMANIA
      • 16 Years
      7 mins ago

      By no means nailed on

  23. KLOPPTOMANIA
    • 16 Years
    51 mins ago

    Gtg?

    Starting XI

    1. Kinsky
    2. White
    3. Ballard
    4. Maguire
    5. Calafiori
    6. Mbeumo
    7. B. Fernandes
    8. Szoboszlai
    9. M. Sangaré
    10. Isak
    11. Haaland

    Subs

    1. McNally
    2. Thomas
    3. Slater
    4. Walle Egeli

    1. The Pretender
      • 11 Years
      6 mins ago

      New layout - but yes you're never going to play any of those bench over anyone except in the most dire circumstances.

  24. Dynamic Duos
    • 13 Years
    48 mins ago

    A,B or C please 12.5m to spend

    Kinsky Matthews
    VVD Calafiori Gvardiol Thomas ***
    Palmer Szoboszlai Tzolis Sangare ***
    Haaland Pedro Wissa

    A) Cherki and Thiaw
    B) Mbeumo and De Cuyper/Justin
    C) Semenyo and O'Shea

    1. The Pretender
      • 11 Years
      19 mins ago

      If this is on WC, no chance I would be getting Mbeumo.

    2. thetommy14
      • 5 Years
      11 mins ago

      D) Rogers and Thiaw

  25. Doolittle
    • 14 Years
    39 mins ago

    Only decision to make. Start:
    A) Sangare
    B) DCL

    Currently on Sangare as I feel like he's more likely to return in some capacity (due to DefCon potential), but pretty torn on it.

    1. The Pretender
      • 11 Years
      5 mins ago

      Got the same issue. I want to play DCL but boy is it close.

  26. Bluebulls
    15 mins ago

    Start who?

    Vuskovic or Hume
    Sangare or Tzolis/Le Fee

  27. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    4 mins ago

    Capt brunoF or ode?