With the Premier League fixtures finally revealed, the countdown to FPL 2025/26 is officially on.

Now that we’ve got our first look at the opening gameweeks, it’s time to start thinking about those crucial early moves. Whether you’re chasing mini-league glory or eyeing a top 10k finish, getting off to a fast start is everything. From fixture-friendly players to underpriced gems, here are some early picks, along with their predicted prices, that could shape your season before it even kicks off. With the assistance of fpl.team we have been able to provide you with some of next season’s player price points.

What To Aim For

Striking the right balance is crucial for FPL. This year will see an increase in premiums available to players, widening the possibilities but also increasing room for error. Together, Salah and Haaland will end up costing around £30m, which is just under 1/3 of the total £100m budget. Players like Cherki, Wirtz, Frimpong and other incoming players will be pricey, along with risers like Mbuemo and Marmoush.

For a couple of seasons, FPL has become extremely template, meaning many teams look extremely similar. These new arrivals should hopefully shake up the experience for players.

In the first few gameweeks, statistically, Sunderland has the lowest FDR (fixture difficulty rating), but they are also a favourite to be relegated, so aren’t a go-to for picks. The teams to aim for early on will be Brentford, Chelsea, Everton, Spurs and West Ham, who are joint-second lowest for FDR. Man City, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest are at a similar FDR, as sides who have a few promising picks to their name.

Which Players To Pick?

Based on data, predicted prices and reviews from last season, here are some of the best players to consider for your draft.

Forget your Isaks, Salahs and Haalands; these picks are the ones that you might be caught between when filling out the rest of your squad!

Goalkeepers

Caoimhín Kelleher – £4.5m

Brentford have the joint-best FDR among teams that were in the Premier League last season. The London-based club kept 8 clean sheets in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, a solid figure. With Thomas Frank leaving, next season could be different, but Kelleher is an improvement over Mark Flekken. Yet again, as Southampton saw last season with Aaron Ramsdale, a goalkeeper in FPL is only as useful as the defence in front of him. Kelleher is a great keeper, but whoever is brought in as manager will affect the number of clean sheets his side will keep.

Matz Sels – £5.0m

Sels was the go-to goalkeeper choice in the 2024/25 season, as Forest kept the joint-most clean sheets in the league. Last season, Sels started at £4.5m, but for an expected £0.5m more this year, you can get quite the reliable goalkeeper again. When choosing goalkeepers in FPL, managers usually either choose one premium and one £4.0m or two £4.5ms. Sels comes as a slightly more premium option this year but is a steadfast pick. Nottingham Forest have a favourable start to the season, so the Belgian could be one to jump on before a possible price rise!

Defenders

Jeremie Frimpong – £6.0m

Liverpool often start seasons extremely well, and picking new signing Jeremie Frimpong could be an excellent move. The wing-back is likely to operate in high positions, as an attacking outlet as much as a defender, allowing him the same opportunities former Liverpool player Trent had. Despite being a premium, Frimpong could be a great pick.

Rayan Ait-Nouri – £6.0m

In the past couple of seasons, Josko Gvardiol had become the only decent defender pick for Manchester City, who was utilised as an extremely high wing-back. However, Pep has gone and upgraded on Gvardiol by signing an out-and-out full-back in the form of Rayan Ait-Nouri. The Algerian was in the top 2 for dribbles completed by defenders in 2024/25, only behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Rayan Ait-Nouri was also in the top 5 defenders for chances created and the second most assists among them too. City have already strengthened with so much creativity, so Ait-Nouri will only level up this creative City team. A no-brainer for your FPL team.

Michael Kayode – £4.5m

The Italian youngster has just wrapped up his permanent transfer to the Bees, after an extremely successful loan last season. A rotation option for your FPL side, Kayode can offer a reliable clean sheet option and G/A threat. At just the £4.5m mark, he could be an excellent pickup.

Vitaly Mykolenko – £4.5m

David Moyes came in and revolutionised the defence at Everton, and the move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium could enhance their defensive capabilities even more, with 52,000 Blues behind the team. Everton have a strong start to the season, facing newly promoted Leeds and then opening their new stadium against Brighton. The Toffees will certainly be a team to jump on early on in the season.

Midfielders

Jarrod Bowen – £8.0m

Jarrod Bowen is one of the most underrated FPL picks, providing owners with a return in 7 of the last 8 gameweeks in 2024/25. West Ham’s reliable man might not be part of the most glamorous team at the moment, but he has been delivering consistently. The Englishman may be slightly overpriced if he is £8.0m, but if Bowen continues his great vein of form from the end of last season, it would be well worth it. West Ham have a good start to the season, so it could just be a continuation for the Hammers skipper!

Kevin Schade – £6.0m

After losing key man Bryan Mbuemo, Brentford will look for another winger to step up as Yoanne Wissa’s strike partner. German playmaker Kevin Schade has already started to step up to the hotplate, with 13 G/A last season in the Premier League. Set to be priced at around the £6.0m mark, he is a budget equivalent to last season’s Mbuemo. Not too much risk, but a lot of rewards based on the last season.

Florian Wirtz – £9.5m

Liverpool’s incoming German is set to become the most expensive signing in Premier League history. The Champions aren’t messing about, strengthening their already formidable attack; Wirtz is almost guaranteed returns. With the support of the likes of Mohamed Salah, Wirtz could be an amazing choice if you wanted to double up on Liverpool.

Forwards

Joao Pedro – £7.0m

Looking increasingly likely to leave Brighton, Pedro has reportedly been shortlisted by Chelsea and Newcastle this Summer. Listed as a forward in FPL, Pedro is a troublesome player who found 16 G/A in just 27 Premier League appearances last season. If a move to either of these clubs materialises, Joao Pedro could be an enticing coup. If not, he will end up a little bit cheaper than the predicted price, but still a good pick.

Liam Delap – £7.5m

Delap was a solid rotational option last season, despite playing for a side that lacked goals. The striker scored 1/3 of Ipswich’s total Premier League goals in 2024/25, so his introduction to a Chelsea side that can offer better service should increase his already great tally of 12. Delap should experience a considerable price hike but become a more consistent goal threat playing around Palmer and Chelsea’s playmakers. Expect him to be a top striker pick with similar owners to Isak and Haaland.

Jørgen Strand Larsen – £6.5m

With the exit of Matheus Cunha, Jørgen Strand Larsen becomes Wolverhampton Wanderers’ focal point up front. Another rotational pick last season who could become a primary striker in the 2025/26 campaign for FPL managers, Strand Larsen picked up 14 goals and 4 assists in a strong season. He should receive a price hike but stay affordable for most managers to accommodate.

The FPL Strategy

As the pre-season draws closer, the focus leans toward the price reveals. It’s early days, but getting ahead of the curve can make all the difference. Keep an eye on pre-season form, transfer activity, and fixture swings—but for now, these picks offer a solid foundation. Tweak wisely, stay flexible, and may your arrows be green!

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