Pro Pundits

FPL General’s Gameweek 1 team: No Salah or Haaland, triple Forest defence!

14 August 2025 298 comments
@FPLGeneral @FPLGeneral
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With Gameweek 1 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) nearing, our pundits are starting to get closer to finalising 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 latest team thoughts here…

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General no Salah Haaland

The calm before the storm… 

As I sit down to write this piece, there are just over 24 hours to go until the Gameweek 1 deadline. The research is done, the Fixture Ticker has been studied to death and DEFCON analysis from previous seasons is complete. Is my team settled? Absolutely not! 

VAN DIJK + MUNOZ DOUBTS

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The same thing happens every year. I have a few players in every draft during the summer, then, when the deadline approaches, they make way for the first time as I enter the overthinking phase of Gameweek 1 planning.

Two such players are Virgil van Dijk (£6.0m) and Daniel Munoz (£5.5m). I like both picks as potential season-keepers but Liverpool’s first three games are tricky and Crystal Palace play European qualifiers on August 21 and 28, which gives me pause on selecting any of their assets to begin with. I’m now asking myself, can I go without these two and pick them up later?

TRIPLE FOREST DEFENCE

Sels Haaland

I’m keen to go against the grain at times this season. Something I’ve been strongly considering is triple Nottingham Forest defence for the first six Gameweeks (at least). I don’t think too many managers will do that. No Mohamed Salah (£14.5m), no Erling Haaland (£14.0m) and a triple-up in defence, what could possibly go wrong?!?

PORRO COMES IN

pro-pundit-article 2

Tottenham Hotspur full-back Pedro Porro (£5.5m) has made his first draft appearance. Seeing Spurs set up with wing-backs (this won’t happen all the time) and Porro taking set pieces against PSG on Wednesday night reminded me how much I love the guy as a Fantasy pick.

Spurs have got good fixtures, he’s got various routes to points and I trust Thomas Frank to make them more solid defensively this season. I think he’s going to make it in. I haven’t ruled out starting with a 4-4-2 setup, which could see one of Virgil or Munoz come back in. 

GAKPO OR GAK-NO?

FPL pre-season: Malen + Watkins again, Xhaka debut, secretive Man City 2
298 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Sanchez
    Porro, VDV, ?
    Salah, Wirtz, Bruno, Palmer, ?
    Watkins, JSL

    Dubravka, Richards, Esteve, Guiu

    Complete the last two places?

    A Anderson and Konsa
    B KDH and Williams

    Would you change anything else with this draft?

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    1. Prusina
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I would downgrade Bruno to make a better combo of those last 2 players. Or perhaps JSL to Fullkrug. You really want to play Konsa (weak attack returns, weak DC) every week without proper rotation?

      B is better but for +0.5 you get Reijnders (exciting pick if plays) or Anderson/Caicedo who will have a bunch of DC and occasional attacking return.

      And if you don't choose Williams then I would go Sels>Sanchez.

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    2. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      B

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  2. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Rank these 5.5 defenders to start the season with:

    A) Murillo
    B) Tarkowski
    C) Porro
    D) Munoz

    Have two 5.5 spots, Would you also, downgrade one spot of the above to 5.0 (Lacroix/N.Williams & Upgrade Esteve to Anderson)

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    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      ACDB

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  3. Prusina
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    De Cuyper, Diouf, Reijnders. GW1 play 2 bench 1?

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    1. TafOnTour1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Play - De Cuyper, Reijnders, bench - Diouf.

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  4. DavvaMC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Seeing a lot of teams now with Porro in.

    If Eze goes to Spurs would you still have him?

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    1. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Will get Munoz Gw4 till Eze gets in to Spurs.

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  5. Timanfaya
    • 2 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Salah's popularity CRASH continues. Now 7 %points off the top:

    Palmer 60.3
    Pedro 55.3
    Salah 53.3
    Wirtz 34.9

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  6. Jstap94
    • 2 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Sels
    Milenkovic, Van Dijk, VDV,
    Sarr, Wirtz, Gakpo, Rutter
    Haaland, Bowen, Watkins

    Dubravka, Reijnders, Gabriel, Heaven

    But differential but I don't think it's egregious. Any thought/feedback?

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    1. n-doggg
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Too much cash on the bench. Gabriel to 4.0 and upgrade Bowen or sarr or gakpo to palmer somehow

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    2. Prusina
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I would play Gabriel over Sarr GW1. Perhaps gamble on James over Gabriel (if he stays injury free he is massive) which would allow you to have 0.5 ITB.

      I feel more risky approach could be good so I would rather go with Ait Nouri/Frimpong over Van Dijk.

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  7. Kane Train
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Which one would you rather ?

    A) Wood
    B) Bowen

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    1. n-doggg
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Wood

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    2. TafOnTour1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Bowen - Wood potential rotation risk with Igor Jesus, Awoniyi, and the imminent arrival of Kalimuendo.

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    3. Prusina
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Bowen

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    4. Sun God Nika
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      both i think will tick along

      im going with bowen for first couple weeks depending on my rage transfer if he doesnt return for me as captain choice 🙂 then will either go wood or mateta or even etikike (got 0.5 saved in the bank )

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  8. n-doggg
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Thoughts on this please.

    Sanchez, dubrav
    Williams, VdV, anderson, rodon, esteve
    Salah, palmer, wirtz, Bruno, reijnders
    Watkins, Pedro, Guiu

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    1. TafOnTour1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Good to go mate, defence very template but all good to go, lock it in.

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    2. Jrot94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      I've gone Rogers/Mitoma (13.5) vs Bruno/Reindeer (14.5). I spent the extra 1.0 on upgrading the two 4.0 defenders. I like a cheap defense out of the gate too, but went De Cuyp and Konsa as rotating 5 cheap defenders gets me about 5-6 weeks of great fixtures before I need to reset

      all depends on Rogers health of course

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  9. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    @fplgeneral:
    I'm also going no Haaland or Salah.

    Rogers>Gakpo
    funded by
    Bowen>Mateta

    I could do it without losing Bowen but that leaves 0.0m itb and think it's sensible to have 0.5m spare.

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  10. b91jh
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Two dilemmas left.

    A) Dorgu vs Diouf (both will be 1st sub)
    B) Fullkrug+0.5 (great pre-season) vs JSL (better fixtures)

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  11. vincentwsho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Which is better?

    1) Neco + Anderson
    2) De Cuyper/Diouf + Rutter

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  12. ABCDEFC
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Which combo do you prefer?
    A) Virgil, Rogers, Sarr
    B) N. Williams, Bruno, E. Anderson

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    1. n-doggg
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      B if you have Watkins

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  13. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Would you bench boost this front 8 in gw2?

    Salah Palmer Bruno Georginio Reijenders
    Watkins Larson Fulkrug

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  14. The 12th Man
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    How does this Haaland draft look?

    Sanchez,
    N.Williams,Porro,Gundmundsson
    Palmer,Wirtz,Gakpo,Reijnders
    Haaland,J.Pedro,Watkins

    Dubravka,KDH,Dorgu,Anderson

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    1. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Good

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  15. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    A) Verbruggen + Strand-Larsen
    B) Sanchez + Fullkrug

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  16. Mirec007
    • 2 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Finally satisfied with this team. With few differentials like Collins or Evanilson. What do you think?

    Sels (Dubravka)

    Porro - Murillo - Collins (Esteve, Bijol)

    Palmer - Wirtz - Gakpo - Reijnders (P. M. Sarr)

    Haaland - Watkins - Evanilson

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  17. DavvaMC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 23 days ago

    Is their a preference of Gudmundsson and Rodon?

    Both nailed to start. Not sure who has more attacking points?

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    1. jrliester
        3 months, 22 days ago

        I think Rodon is better for defcon, Gudmundson probably a bit more attacking.

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      • The Mentaculus
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        I don't expect Gudmundsson will have the same attacking license that Firpo had. I'm going with Rodon - not much attacking threat but decent chance of DC pts

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        1. DavvaMC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Thanks good to know.

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    2. southernrocker1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Wharton or dews Hall? Heeeeelp

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    3. Ste75
      • 12 Years
      3 months, 23 days ago

      Would appreciate a RMT

      Sels
      Porro Diouf Murillo
      Salah Wirtz Palmer Reijnders
      Watkins Ekitike
      Dubravka Munoz Esteve Guiu

      Gone for triple Liverpool attack with Bournemouth's decimated defence. Thoughts?

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      1. TafOnTour1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Other than Diouf, think it's very good! Just don't trust West Ham's defence.

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        1. Ste75
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          cheers for feedback Taf

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      2. Ste75
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        *forgot to add DBH to the mids

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    4. mayorofjamcity
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Locked in. Good luck everyone.

      (Planning an early WC)

      Sels
      Frimpong - Porro - Ait-Nouri
      Wirtz - Fernandes - Gakpo - Palmer
      Gyokeres - Pedro - Fullkrug

      Dubravka - Reijnders - De Cuyper - Murillo

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      1. Prusina
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        If you are planning BB with this why not 2x4.5 keepers. I don't think Dubravka plays GW1.

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    5. SomeoneKnows
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A) Salah + Guiu
      B) Haaland + KDH

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      1. theshazly
        • 2 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        A

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    6. The Big Fella
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Which three would you choose? Cucurella Gvardiol Gabriel and Virgil - currently have all four but reckon it may be too much in defence. Debating Gvardiol downgrade as City more likely to rotate and they always concede

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      1. Prusina
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Gabriel based on fixtures.

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      2. Davido989
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Virgil, Gabriel, Cucurella.

        Easy.

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    7. Koflok
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Bowen + Kudus
      Or
      Pedro + Rogers

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      1. Boxwoods
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        PR

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    8. TafOnTour1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A or B?

      A) Sels, Neco Williams, De Cuyper, Saka

      B) Verbruggen, Milenkovic, Munoz, Bruno Fernandes?

      Currently on A.

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    9. jrliester
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Sels-Verbruggen
        Cucu-Milenkovic-Collins-Dorgu-Gudmnsn
        Palmer-Wirtz-Rogers-Rutter-P.M.Sarr
        Haaland-Watkins-Guiu

        Thoughts? Any red flags?

        How do you all feel about Diakite with Bournemouth? I really like their fixtures, he's got decent goal threat.

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      • Dogs Of War
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Who is the best £4.5m defender?

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        1. the FPL Derby
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 2 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          In my book it's Andersen.

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      • My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        So, anyone considered 3x.4.0 defenders, or is it asking for trouble?

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      • PiggyRangers
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Sanchez / Dubs

        Diouf
        Nico W
        Guehi
        Esteve
        ********

        Saka
        Palmer
        Reijnders
        Kudus
        ********

        Haaland
        Watkins
        Guiu

        So my quandary is should I go with:
        A - Porro and Gakpo
        Or
        B - VdV and Wertz

        Cheers

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      • Count of Monte Hristo
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Triple Forest defence is just screaming for a Kevin Schade consolation goal.

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        1. Conners
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          I bet you 50p he changes it before deadline.

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      • Falafel333
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        A or B guys?

        A: Kudus, Sesko, Gyokeres and Cuccurella
        B: B Fernandes, Evanilson, Joao Pedro and Porro

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