Gameweek 1 FPL Team Reveal: Balanced Squad With Early Fixtures in Mind

It’s that time again. The Premier League is back, and so is the familiar itch of FPL tinkering. With pre-season out the way and team sheets just around the corner, I’ve locked in my Gameweek 1 squad. This FPL team reveal walks through the logic behind my picks, some risks I’ve taken, and how fixture difficulty has helped shape the build.

Let’s get into it.

A Flexible Backline for Fixture Flexibility

Goalkeeper: Matz Sels (Nott’m Forest)
On the face of it, picking a Forest keeper doesn’t scream clean sheets. But with Brentford (H) up first and a decent 6-game run (see the fixture difficulty table), Sels looks like a sneaky shout. He rotates decently with Dubravka too, who sits on my bench for now.

Defenders: Tarkowski (Everton), Pedro Porro (Spurs), Murillo (Forest)

• Tarkowski’s appeal lies in nailed 90s, set-piece threat, and an opening fixture against Leeds.
• Porro’s attacking output is where the real upside is. Spurs have Burnley (H) and Bournemouth (A) in their first three, and there’s potential for points at both ends.
• Murillo is a fixture play. Brentford and Crystal Palace at home in the opening two. Decent enough for a 5.5m starter and DefCon.

There’s also a safety net on the bench with Andersen (Palace) and Estève (Burnley), who can come in if needed. Rotation could bite early doors, so having three defenders with strong GW1 fixtures was key.

Midfield: A Mix of Secure Starters and Explosive Differentials

Midfield: Bruno Fernandes, Kaoru Mitoma, Cole Palmer, Florian Wirtz

This is where it gets a bit spicy.

• Bruno is on pens, nailed for 90, and a proven FPL asset. Arsenal away in GW1 is tricky, but I’m thinking medium term here. Fixtures improve after GW2.
• Mitoma at home to Fulham is about as juicy a start as you could want. Brighton’s fixtures (FUL, EVE, AVL) in the first three are tempting even without European distractions.
• Palmer is a set-and-forget option right now. Nailed in Chelsea’s front line and one of their most creative outlets.
• Wirtz is the big gamble. It’s rare we see Bundesliga imports priced this low, and at home to Bournemouth in GW1, I’m banking on an explosive start. Ownership is relatively low (35.1%), which could be gold if he bangs.

Dewsbury-Hall is bench cover, but with a decent fixture at Leeds, I’m tempted to rotate him in for GW2 or 3 if injuries pop up.

Haaland… and Then What?

Forwards: Erling Haaland (C), Thiago (Brentford), Danny Welbeck

No surprises on the captaincy. Haaland is locked in against Wolves, and you just don’t back against him.

The real question is what goes around him. Here’s what I’ve gambled on:

• Thiago is a Brentford forward with Forest away. Cheap, nailed, and could benefit from Wissa’s impending departure. Not flashy, but smart.
• Welbeck is a smart pick. Brighton at home to Fulham is a great opener, and he’s shown sharpness in friendlies. Might be short-term, but I like him for now. I think Brighton will do very well this season.

The idea was to structure the team in a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 depending on matchups. Flexibility is key.

Fixtures First: How the Difficulty Chart Shaped My Picks

Looking at the fixture difficulty graphic, it’s clear that Nottingham Forest, Spurs, and Sunderland have the best short-term schedule. That made Murillo, Porro, and even Sels attractive options.

On the flip side, Arsenal, Brighton, and Man United have rougher starts. But I’ve stuck with Bruno and Mitoma anyway, trusting form over fixtures in their case.

Key insights:

• Forest: Brentford (H), Palace (A), West Ham (H), Arsenal (A), Burnley (A), Sunderland (H) – Very usable early games for defenders and cheap assets.
• Spurs: Burnley, Bournemouth, Villa, Brighton in the first four. Good enough for one defender or even Solanke if you’re braver than I am.
• Man City: WOL, TOT, BHA, MUN, ARS, BUR. Not amazing but Haaland is fixture-proof.

I’ve steered clear of Liverpool and Arsenal defenders early on. Clean sheets feel unlikely, and there’s too much rotation risk at full-back.

What Could Go Wrong?

Let’s be honest, there are a few weak spots:

• Wirtz could flop. We’ve seen plenty of hyped newcomers blank for weeks before settling.
• No Salah.
• Sels and Murillo double-up might be a stretch if Forest start slowly.
• Thiago and Welbeck are both rotation risks long-term. Might need an early transfer if they lose minutes.

Going without Salah this season feels strange, almost reckless, but there’s logic behind it. Pre-season raised a few red flags, especially with Jeremie Frimpong’s aggressive overlaps pulling defenders into Salah’s zone and limiting his usual freedom to cut inside. That dynamic seemed to blunt his usual dominance on the right. Add to that the uncertainty around penalties, as he kept on missing them! And you start to question whether he justifies the premium price tag. It’s not about writing him off, but right now, the value looks better spread across midfield.

But that’s part of the fun. The team structure allows quick pivots, and I’ve left enough in the bank to upgrade a mid or striker if a bandwagon starts rolling.

FPL Team Reveal: Eyes on the Future

This squad isn’t just about Gameweek 1. It’s built to navigate the first six weeks without panic hits. The plan is to hold the wildcard till at least GW8, ideally later, when fixtures swing and we know more about nailed players and surprise packages.

Here’s what I’ll be monitoring:

• Chelsea’s attacking shape and Palmer’s role
• How Wirtz settles and whether Bayer Leverkusen form translates
• Brentford’s forward options if Wissa stays
• Brighton rotation and if the young Greek lads get minutes
• Spurs defence under Frank – Porro could be gold or a trap

Rolling Into GW1 With Controlled Chaos

I’m under no illusion this team is perfect, but it’s balanced, adaptable, and designed around early fixture advantage. A mix of solid performers like Bruno and Palmer with high-upside punts like Wirtz and Welbeck makes this FPL team fun without being reckless.

Let’s see how it plays out. One thing’s for sure, the planning is done, and now the chaos begins.

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