Sam FPL GW1 Draft Guide

Pick One GW1 Edition:

Aït‑Nouri or Gvardiol?

Manchester City signing confirmed: Aït‑Nouri joined City from Wolves on a five-year deal in June and he has been priced in FPL at £6.0m. He has an amazing season at Wolves as he recorded 11 goal involvements (4 goals, 7 assists), the most among Premier League defenders, and 2nd in expected assists among defenders.

Getting Rayan Aït‑Nouri could pay off handsomely, but only if he regularly starts at City. Given the early-season uncertainty under Pep, he’s more of a watch-and-wait asset. Once his role stabilizes, he can become an essential pick.

It’s always recommended to start safe in GW1. So, Nouri is going to be a less reliable pick than the consistent, nailed Gvardiol.

Salah or Haaland?

Salah has been priced as the most expensive asset in the campaign for a reason. He is £14.5 and Haaland is £14.0.

I’ve already decided to get only 1 premium out of Salah and Haaland. Getting both will negatively affect my team structure and leave my draft unbalanced. Salah proved his consistency and explosivity last season and is always a great captaincy pick in the opening GW. Wirtz will enhance Liverpool attack and Salah has higher ceiling due to the extra point for goal and CS as a mid. In addition, there are many mid-priced Forwards (or even Marmoush) that can cover Haaland’s points. In this case, I will prioritize Salah over Haaland.

Gyökeres or Watkins?

Gyökeres joined Arsenal after an astonishing season in 2024/25 for Sporting CP and confirmed himself as an elite finisher. Gyökeres is central to Arsenal’s ambitions this year, and experts rank him as a surprising favourite for the Golden Boot. On the other hand Watkins has been a reliable and proven forward in the league.

Both have similar value as they cost £9.0 m but Watkins is preferred as he brings reliability, established PL form, and easier fixtures. Gyökeres offers explosive upside but carries some adaptation risk in a new league.

 

FPL What to Do With…?

Isak £10.5m:

Isak’s future is in question. Liverpool bid ~£110–120m was rejected; Newcastle values him nearer £150m. He was absent from preseason and reportedly training separately as he pushes for a move.

The opening pair of matches are tough (Villa away, Liverpool home), making early returns from him if he stays at Newcastle less likely.

I’d prefer flexibility for early-season Midfielder picks or cheaper Forwards with steadier minutes. And wait for updates before Gameweeks 3 and 4 when Newcastle face Leeds away and Wolves at home.

Arsenal defense:

Apart from Leeds in GW2, Arsenal have one of the toughest schedule during the opening GWs of the season. They’re a strong side and can get some clean sheets in tough games but I believe they are going to be low ceiling picks.

• Saliba and Gabriel are priced at £6.0 (assuming Gabriel is fit for GW1).
•  Many defensive picks have better CS and attacking returns potential in early weeks.
• Don’t double up on ARS defense during GW1-6!
• Arsenal Defenders are better GW7 onward, when their fixtures become much easier.

My £4.0m Defender:

Estève is arguably the best £4.0m defender in the FPL game and is going to be my 5^th defender in my draft.

He is a centre-back currently at Burnley, firmly established as a key starter under Scott Parker. He played every Championship match in 2024/25, helping Burnley concede just 16 goals across 46 games and secure promotion with a record-breaking defensive record. He was included in the Championship Team of the Season. He is averaging 7 DC per game and has a good CS probability in easier games.

 

 

Now that you have taken a look at Sam FPL’s GW1 draft guide, check out our Haaland, Salah, Isak & Palmer draft and see if that high risk high reward type of team build suits you.

Some other great prep ahead of GW1 is our best FPL players series – every Premier League team’s players to target and players to avoid. We started with Liverpool and Arsenal and will be covering all 20 teams ahead of GW1.