Fantasy Premier League Gameweek One Insights with Expert Pras
Hey everyone! With the new Premier League season just kicking off, Fantasy Premier League—or FPL—is back, and it’s time to make some tough decisions for gameweek one. BBC Sport recently ran a Q&A with FPL expert Pras, who’s been finishing in the top 100k for over a decade and even hit 4,184th last season. He shared some great insights, and I thought I’d walk you through the highlights.
First off, let’s talk about the uncertainty around new Premier League players. Many managers shy away from them, worrying they won’t get consistent minutes early on. Pras points out, though, that while some newcomers like Werner, Reijnders, Ekitike, and Gyokeres have strong chances to deliver right away, there’s always a risk. It’s a balance of reward versus potential flop, and the veterans who’ve performed before often make safer bets.
One key topic Pras touched on is long-term planning. Some might think planning around fixtures is overrated because football is unpredictable, but having a transfer path and thinking about captaincy rotations can pay off. For example, Liverpool is likely to score more goals against Sunderland than Arsenal. Planning with fixture runs in mind increases the chances of success while reducing the need for frantic transfers later.
A common dilemma in FPL is who to pick for midfield or attack. Pras was asked about Bruno Fernandes versus Florian Wirtz. Both are strong picks, but Bruno now benefits from points for penalties, chance creation, and even defensive contributions, making him a reliable “glue” pick. Wirtz, on the other hand, has big attacking potential and plays for a strong team, so having both could be ideal if your budget allows.
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For newcomers to FPL, Pras offers some simple yet crucial advice: pick players whose starts are secure, select team talismans involved in a large percentage of goals, and pay attention to set-piece takers since those are essentially free points. He also emphasizes that defensive points matter more this season. Defenders and even some midfielders and forwards can earn bonus points for tackles, interceptions, and blocks, making a solid defense even more valuable.
When it comes to team strategy, Pras recommends his “Big Five” attack: Salah, Palmer, Bruno, Watkins, and Wirtz. These players provide both captaincy options and long-term scoring potential. He balances his defense by choosing Chelsea and Spurs players with strong fixture runs, while rotating defenders like Andersen and Esteve to maximize points from defensive contributions.
Of course, there’s the eternal FPL debate: Haaland or Salah? Pras advises thinking about captaincy and budget. Picking both takes a huge chunk of your budget when you can only captain one, so sometimes it’s better to balance the squad with other in-form players like Palmer or Wirtz.
Finally, it’s worth noting the injury news for gameweek one. Key players like Liverpool’s Gomez, Man City’s Rodri and Foden, and several others are doubts, so check lineups before making last-minute transfers. The deadline is always looming, and a late change could make a big difference.
So, as the season kicks off, remember Pras’ mantra: FPL is a bit like chess. It’s about planning, patience, and trusting the process—even if luck sometimes decides the outcome. Pick your players wisely, think about fixtures, and enjoy the unpredictability of gameweek one!
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