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FPL 2025/26 team previews: West Ham – Best players, DC magnets + more

12 August 2025 374 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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Our Fantasy Premier League (FPL) 2025/26 team previews continue with Graham Potter’s West Ham United.

Here, their best FPL picks for the upcoming campaign are discussed. We’ll also attempt to predict the line-up for Gameweek 1, review pre-season, detail the best players for defensive contributions (DC) and more.

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL

3pm team news: First league starts for Fullkrug + Gruda 2

BOWEN + FULLKRUG IN TANDEM

Having replaced Julen Lopetegui in January, head coach Potter has now had a full summer to work with his team. Most of last season’s late months were spent lingering in 16th and 17th place but two wins in the final three took West Ham up to a lofty 14th.

What’s filling fans with summer optimism is the blossoming partnership between Jarrod Bowen (£8.0m) and Niclas Fullkrug (£6.0m).

The German’s first year in English football has been decimated by injury, but he finally seems ready to be unleashed. Between them, the pair have collected five goals and two assists in pre-season friendlies, combining to score the opener against Bournemouth.

“I think you can see the link-up is very good. I try to bring the ball to him in his strongest situation, where he can go one-on-one or go in behind. You could see also today, I think there were three or four situations where we linked up very well. He tried to do the same for me.

“Also, when I scored the goal, we worked very well against the ball. That’s also important for strikers. We are the defenders, we recognise it too. I love this guy. He’s my skipper.” – Niclas Fullkrug, speaking about Jarrod Bowen

DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT UNDER POTTER

Not exactly renowned for his defence-first approach, Potter nevertheless got more of a tune out of the West Ham backline than Julen Lopetegui did.

As you can see from the graphic above, West Ham’s rolling xGC average went in the right direction after the change in manager.

A tally of 23 goals conceded in 18 games under Potter was the joint-eighth best in the league.

Only three sides allowed the opposition fewer big chances (33) in that time, too.

It didn’t translate into an upturn in clean sheets (just three in 18) but at least the green shoots of recovery are there.

REASONS TO BE FEARFUL

WEAK UNDERLYING ATTACKING NUMBERS

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

374 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. DavvaMC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Do you think Guehi goes straight into Liverpool tram. Can't imagine him agreeing personal terms unless guaranteed of starts?

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    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Konate is a top defender though

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      1. Tommy Template
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 24 days ago

        Konate gets injured at some point you'd think? Nearly always happens. Although Guehi is a leftie same as VVD so I think hes his long term replacement (and VVD is quite old now)

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    2. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Easy wait-and-see until GW4, imo

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    3. Pointless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Really frustrating. Just when I thought I’d got my team sorted. Ugh! I’m not going to pick Guéhi if he’s literally a transfer waiting to happen. Back to to £4.5m drawing board for me.

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      1. Tommy Template
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 24 days ago

        The other thing is Kerkez and Frimpong might not work in a back 4, I've got quite big reservations about Frimpong in that regard who I think was more of a wing back in Germany than a traditional RB. Kerkez slightly less so but even then hhe had licence on that left because whoever the RB was either Smith or Cook or whoever didn't get forward much. If they are both just going on, it might not work as a 4 and they have to look at a back 5/3 cbs maybe?

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  2. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    If all are fit who you picking?

    A)Solanke
    B) Mateta
    C) Pedro

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    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      B

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    2. Ohh1454
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      I’d probably go A tbh

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    3. ritzyd
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      C is the safe pick given EO

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    4. Ausman
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      B

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    5. WVA
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      C for first 3 then move to B

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  3. NejiHyuuga01
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Good morning all!

    would you go:

    A)J Pedro+ KDH
    B)Guiu + Bruno

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    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      A

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    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Evanilson & Malen/Reijnders

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      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 24 days ago

        This is a great shout, I 2nd Evanilson and Reijnders

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      2. Thanos
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 24 days ago

        I’d wait up on Evanilson for now. Kluivert is probably out and they’ve had major changes to their team so playing style and approach may change.

        Would rather go with A from the options.

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  4. Mozumbus
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Best MF within 6.5m

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    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Gittens...

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    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      I like Sarr or Mitoma

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    3. ritzyd
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Cherki

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    4. Ausman
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Iwobi, Mitoma or Ismaila Sarr

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  5. SpaceCadet
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Best defender for 5m besides Forest?

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    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Lacroix or Collins I reckon

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      1. SpaceCadet
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 24 days ago

        Cheers

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    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Lacroix

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    3. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      O'Brien

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  6. OneArseneWenger32
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Ent
    Raya
    Cucurella, ait-nori, de cuyper
    Palmer, marmoush, wirtz, ndiaye
    Joao Pedro, gykores, Watkins,

    Kelleher, munoz, Lucas pires, Potts

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  7. Babit1967
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Fill in the gaps - Salah vs non Salah

    Sels (Dub)
    ____. Frimpong De Cuyper (Rodon Esteve)
    Wirtz Palmer ___ ___ ___
    Watkins Bowen ____

    A) Diouf Salah KDH P.M Sarr Mateta
    B) Tark Saka Bruno Gakpo Guiu

    B stronger overall but A has the main man.

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    1. Thanos
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      B is stronger obviously. But A got the MAN!

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    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      A

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    3. Babit1967
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Cheers guys I’ve been on A last few days, just fancied your thoughts.

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    4. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Prefer A, and that's without Salah swaying me too much

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  8. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Is it better to deploy entire budget in your first XI or to keep 0.5 ITB to make transfers later on without worrying about price changes or taking hits.

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    1. Ohh1454
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      I always prefer to go all in to maximise from the start and worry about transfers and price changes as they come

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      1. Thanos
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 24 days ago

        Good shout

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        1. Tommy Template
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 24 days ago

          I think this season with the uncertainty around how a lot of teams line up, how the new signings bed in etc I'd want the .5 in the bank more than ever. It might depend a bit on how 'safe' the team is and how early you plan to wc.

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    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      All depends how flexible your players are if a potential downgrade to raise funds is needed. Last year I went with a threemium and 0.0itb to start with and relied too much on 5.5 punt in midfield who ended up doing no good, but I was stuck with him as he dropped to 5.4 and none of the 5.0's were any good. And only way to have upgraded him was downgrading one of the big 3.

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    3. Timanfaya
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      ITB, especially if your bench is just fodder.

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  9. jdogg
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Petrovic dubravka
    Cucurella milenkovic vdv richards esteve
    Salah palmer bruno kdh arias
    Watkins pedro fulkrug

    Plan to rotate vdv and richards in 3rd def spot

    And kdh arias and fullkrug for the last 2 attacking spots

    Thoughts?

    Cheers in advance.x

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    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Looks good! Obviously having the expensive 3 in midfield means compromises but I am sure you know that already. The rotation you mentioned looks good

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      1. jdogg
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 24 days ago

        Cheers.x

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  10. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    After Guiu is Kroupi the most likely 4.5 forward to get minutes?

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    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Yes

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  11. Maxwellawless
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Watkins + Gakpo

    Or

    Ekitike + Bruno

    Wirtz Present regardless

    Thanks

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    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      First one for me, I think Watkins with a preseason and Gakpo without any real competition or European games to start with will be good. If Ekitike starts well then you can pivot if needed but may take some time to find his feet in the league

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    2. Ausman
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Watkins + Gakpo

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  12. Thomas Magnum
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    First RMT this season! Been on this the last few days, any thoughts?
    Sels Dubravka
    Cucurella Milenkovic Munoz Dorgu Gudmundsson
    Salah Palmer Semenyo Mitoma KDH
    Watkins Fullkrug Evanilson
    0.0itb. Only things I am tossing up with still is 4.5 defender, and whether to keep Semenyo or bring in Sarr and bank the 0.5 or upgrade Fullkrug
    Thanks in advance! 🙂

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    1. Mino Raiola
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Bar salad Palmer and Watkins, I think there’s is too much uncertainty of returns in mid and attack. Bowen, Gakpo, Wirtz, Saka, Bruno is all players I would look to get in

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    2. Ausman
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      I think that team is fine. The defence is solid as is the miidfield. Semenyo has a tough fixture first up, but he's a guy who likes to have a crack and Liverpool have been leaking goals in preseason. I'm a Watkins owner also and expect him to start well, his form in the friendlies has been good and Newcastle are apparently close to signing Jacob Ramsey, so that's less competion for Watkins. Fulkrug looks fit and could be a useful asset. GL 🙂

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  13. tristanabc
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Morning all, my dilemma of the morning

    A) Watkins, KDH
    B) JSL, Gakpo

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    1. Mino Raiola
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Maybe a. But I do fancy gakpo

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    2. RealSocialDads
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      Depends on whether KDH would be playing every week. If he is I'd go with B

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    3. Ausman
      • 2 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      I'd say B. Not really a Dewsberry Hall fan.

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  14. RealSocialDads
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Which option?

    A. JSL in 3-4-3
    B. Ndiaye in 3-5-2

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    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      B for start

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    2. sunzip14
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 24 days ago

      B

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    3. I Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      A

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  15. Chipster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 24 days ago

    Which same-priced combo is best (I already have Salah and Haaland):
    A: Palmer + Piroe (or other £5.5m FWD)
    B: Wirtz + J Pedro
    Thanks in advance 🙂

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