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

FPL Gameweek 26 round-up: Saturday’s goals, assists, bonus points + stats 7

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. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    3 months, 22 days ago

    Who would U captain out of

    Palmer
    Bowen/Pedro
    Watkins
    Saka

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    1. Moxon
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Salah

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

        Don't have him or Haaland. I might get Haaland but definitely not Salah. Most probably neither

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        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Need to adapt, Liverpool have gone crazy with forward transfers and points "may" be more spread but also it may take more time to gel.
          I think Haaland is more tempting and cheaper.

          However, your team has viable c options for first few weeks

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

            I just think Salah is too expensive for a team with a lot of new players going forward...and he pretty much needs to score big bs Bournemouth or it's already a bad pick for first 3 gws cuz Salah owners won't be capping him in the next two

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    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      all good options, probably palmer

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

        Yes I'm on him. Only issue is if I go with Pedro In The team that's too many eggs in one basket

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        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          maybe but forwards are generally rubbish

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

      Palmer

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    4. The Mandalorian
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Pedro or Watkins

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    5. AIRMILES
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Not Palmer or Pedro. Palace's season has already started and they'll be more comfortable than most going into GW1. Also, as things stand, not much in the way of change to their team.

      I'd probably go with Bowen.

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

        Yes palace isn't a perfect fixture for captaincy

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    6. Ball Ake
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Palmer

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    7. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Thank you all

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    8. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Watkins!

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

      Bowen out of those for GW1. Though will probably cap someone else.

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    10. FPL BHAVZ
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Palmer

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    11. suddenorgan
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Thought I was having a year off, in a moment of weakness decided to make a team, but of course the website is worse than ever.. I'm stuck in an initial squad selection loop, is there a hack to get out of this? Is it a known thing? Not really been following updates beyond people generally complaining about the site so haven't found my specific problem mentioned

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      1. The Mandalorian
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Delete cache and cookies ??

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        1. suddenorgan
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Thanks but already tried, used a different browser, different device.. just still bouncing back to a sad empty squad

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          1. The Mandalorian
            • 13 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            Or try contacting them on X

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      2. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Or get the App

        PC is dire & it was down yesterday, ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ !

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      3. Rider on the Storm
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        The app

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    12. The Mandalorian
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      When I suggested in pre season that VVD would be a bad pick I was basically told to shut up.

      Where are they now?

      VVD is hardly in any picks and blanked by content creators.

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      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Yes, he was the king of defensive contributions and now he's disappeared. Have a feeling same thing will happen with "essential" salah and wirtz

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        1. The Mandalorian
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          You will probably be right. Slot confirmed he wants to keep overlapping chaotic Frimpong who has taken chances from Sal.

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      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Ooh bit sensitive for a mandalorian..vvd haul incoming:)

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

        Don't think the Community Shield did much for his popularity.

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    13. Karan_G14
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Better option?

      A) Sanchez & Murillo
      B) Sels & Munoz

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      1. The Mighty Hippo
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        B

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      2. CYN
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        A to start. Munoz comes in GW4

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    14. CYN
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      A. Sarr and Watkins
      B. Gakpo and 7.5 fwd
      C. Wirtz and Larsen

      With B and C, I get 0.5 to maybe upgrade VDV to Romero or Neco.

      Thanks in advance!

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      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        A

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    15. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Sorry for asking again but different crowd different viewpoint..

      A mateta and kudus
      B Pedro and sarr

      Cheers

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      1. Captain Mal
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Don't like any of the 7.5 forwards, but Mateta would be ahead of Pedro if I had to choose mainly due to better minutes and being on pens.
        6.5 mids is equally tricky, the two picks I like (Mitoma and Sarr) don't have the best opening fixtures, but I'd have no interest in Kudus. Excellent footballer but lacks the output to be a viable FPL asset.
        All in all, I'd probably do Sarr and Mateta despite the fixtures (unless you plan an early WC of course). And if you don't like the double up, you could replace one of them with Mitoma or Evanilson respectively.

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        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Thank you v much for your help 🙂

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    16. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Is Beto still no.1 pick of Everton forward?

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      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        I wouldn't pick him

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        1. NATSTER
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          I'm looking at cheap 2nd fwd.

          Beto did well last season with good early fixtures this season.
          But I've seen some starter predictions have new fwd, Barry, starting.

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    17. Mother Farke
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 22 days ago

      How's my squadron?

      Sels
      Cucurella Munoz Diouf
      Gakpo Semenyo Wirtz Palmer Malen
      Watkins Haaland (C)

      Dubravka Konsa Esteve Guiu

      Munoz set-and-forget cause he's essentially a winger?

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    18. Thanos
      • 4 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Crazy to go without Chelsea attackers?

      Prefer Saka and Mateta to Palmer and Pedro? Looking at first 3-4 GWs.

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

        Gyökeres!

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

        ... and Palmer

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

      XXX
      Murillo, Pedro Porro, XXX
      Salah, Palmer, XXX, Anderson, Reijnders
      Watkins, Joao Pedro

      (Dubravka, Guiu, Richards, Esteve)

      A) Sanchez, Tarkowski, Fernandes
      B) Sanchez, Tarkowski, Wirtz
      C) Sels, Cucurella, Wirtz

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    20. Fernandito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Which team would you go for?
      Team A
      Sanchez
      VVD Murillo VDV
      Salah Palmer Bruno Rutter Reijnders
      Watkins Pedro
      Dubravka Dorgu Guiu Esteve

      Team B
      Sanchez
      VVD Murillo Porro
      Salah Palmer Rutter Gakpo
      Watkins Pedro Fullkrug
      Dubravka Dorgu King Esteve

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    21. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      cant see the captains poll,nothing on my desktop to direct me to it,windows7 and chrome,people say left hand side go to the bottom,for me doesnt exist

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    22. The Mandalorian
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      If Salah blanks GW1 will you swap for Saka who has Leeds?

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      1. Club-De-Belon
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        I do not intend to sell anyone for like 3GWs.
        Just rotate 1 player on bench.

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

        Possibly popular move. It will depend on details of the blank, e.g. convincing but bad luck or uninvolved.

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

        That's the main knee jerk I might do.

        Otherwise not planning to do much.

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    23. The Mandalorian
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      ARS has looked the most settled team pre season.

      CHE, LIV and City have made big personel changes in attack.

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      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Arsenal sign a new striker = settled
        City have the same front 3 = big "personel" changes

        ???

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        1. Club-De-Belon
          • 4 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          arsenal also changed roles a lot
          - dm to be more passive and screening
          - striker to help less in build up
          - potentially more inverted fullback involvement in midfield...

          i am just guessing based on player profiles, i did not see them play yet

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          1. x.jim.x
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 22 days ago

            From what I've read from fans, it's still the same old 'horse-shoe' attacking from them - they'd be much better switching to a 4-2-3-1 and letting Odegaard play behind the striker, but I'm not a Legoheaded Pep disciple, so what do I know.

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    24. NotsoSpursy
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Are Anderson and Reijnders the best picks for £6m max?

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    25. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Best place to trim 0.5 from this lot?

      Sels
      Milenkovic, Porro, Tarkowski, Neco
      Salah, Palmer, Wirtz, Reijnders
      Watkins, Gyokeres

      Dubravka, Guiu, Esteve, Ramsey
      Bank 0.0m

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      1. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Could trim £1M VDV

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    26. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      First to 5: Munoz or Neco Williams, own Sels & I Sarr

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    27. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      New article

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    28. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Cash or Maatsen are no go ?

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      1. Club-De-Belon
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        in GW1 the unnecessary risk is a no go

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      2. Hint
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Cash will almost certainly start but I'd just go for Konsa. Not like Cash offers loads of attacking threat and Konsa is the only nailed starter long term in that back four.

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    29. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      Is the Dubravka flag officially cleared?

      And any Guiu news is embargoed newspaper comments for around 11 pm tonight?

      Cheers

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      1. Club-De-Belon
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Dubravka was confirmed as not injured.
        He has not been confirmed as number one goalkeeper though.

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        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Cheers

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    30. revelc
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      G2G? Any input appreciated

      Sanchez
      Gabriel - AWB - VdV
      Palmer - Salah - Kudus - Wirtz
      Wood - Strand Larsen - watkins

      Dubravka - Ramsey - Esteve - Richards

      Thanks!!

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      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        V nice

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      2. tsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 22 days ago

        I’m not a fan of Gabriel/ Arsenal defence for the first few gws, but if your looking at a season keeper that for sure.

        Wood doesn’t seem to firing, might be a risk but might also pay off if he does

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    31. Schvensk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 22 days ago

      How about this team?:

      Sels
      Murillo, Van Dijk, James
      Wirtz, Bruno, Palmer, Saka, Reijnders
      Watkins, Ekitiké

      Bench: Dúbravka, Truffert, Hartman, Marc Guiu.

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

        I really like the midfield and am probably opting for the same, but not bought into the defence, especially James. I’m also nervy about Van Dijk but will stick with him.
        Ekitiké Is probably one ‘new’ player too many, so will opt for tried and tested (prob Bowen) and watchlist him.

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    32. FPL BHAVZ
        3 months, 22 days ago

        Is yoro good for defcon? Is dorgu nailed?

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      • FPL BHAVZ
          3 months, 22 days ago

          Is yoro good for defcon and is dorgu nailed, considering to go for a man utd 4.5 defender

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          1. nico05
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 months, 21 days ago

            Dorgu all the way

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        • nico05
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 21 days ago

          How's this folks?
          Verbruggen
          AWB-VanDeVen-N.Williams
          Palmer Mbuemo Rogers Gakpo Wirtz
          Haaland Watkins
          (Dorgu-Rodon-Gui

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