The new Premier League season has started with a bang, and the wait has certainly been worth it as we’ve been treated to a series of entertaining matchups.
The return of the Premier League also signals the comeback of FPL, and while the opening matches have given us plenty to think about, the question remains: what have we learned so far? What insights do the stats provide about the teams and players?
We’ll be covering all of these topics and more in this article.
Premier League Gameweek 1 FPL Key Stats And Player Analysis
Let’s dive into some key stats from Gameweek 1, and there’s no better place to begin than the first match of the season: Manchester United vs Fulham.
1. Manchester United vs Fulham – Premier League Review
As the opening game of the season, this matchup proved to be highly entertaining, with plenty of chances on both sides. But what can we take away from this encounter?
From Manchester United’s perspective, their performance against Fulham in Gameweek 1 was notably better than anything we saw from them last season.
United looked solid going forward and equally impressive at the back. Here are some key stats from their matchup:
- Possession: 54%
- Shots: 14
- Shots on Target: 5
- Big Chances: 4
- Big Chances Conceded: 0
- Shots on Target Faced: 2
Standout Performers from an FPL Perspective
Bruno Fernandes and Noussair Mazraoui were the standout performers for Manchester United in this fixture, and if you’re an FPL manager considering bringing in any United players in gameweek two, these two are the top picks based on their Gameweek 1 performances.
As for Fulham, I really did appreciate Robinson, Leno, Muniz and Traore I think they were the ones who stood out for me. And with a game against Leicester City next and a 38% chance of a clean sheet in gameweek two, Fulham’s defenders and attackers are worth keeping an eye on.
2. Liverpool vs Ipswich Town – Premier League Review
This was yet another entertaining matchup and truly a game of two halves. In the first half, Ipswich put up a strong performance, managing to disrupt Liverpool’s usual flow and preventing them from playing their best football.
However, after a few tactical adjustments in the second half, Liverpool took control of the game, dominating and ultimately securing the win. Liverpool’s display was solid both offensively and defensively, as they registered 18 shots, created six big chances, and posted an xG of 2.65 while conceding zero big chances.
Standout Performers from an FPL Perspective
From an FPL standpoint, Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Mohamed Salah were the standout performers, combining for a total of 30 points between them.
If you are looking to get in any Liverpool assets ahead of gameweek two, then any one of these three are great picks.
3. Arsenal vs Wolves – Premier League Review
Arsenal delivered a solid performance in this match, with few surprises as it felt like they simply picked up where they left off last season.
It was a classic Arsenal display, highlighted by a clean sheet and Bukayo Saka’s pivotal role, contributing both a goal and an assist. Kai Havertz also continued his form from last season, scoring and assisting in this game.
Wolves, on the other hand, gave a good account of themselves, creating several decent chances; however, Arsenal’s defense proved impenetrable, so it’s hard to fault them too much.
Standout Performers from an FPL Perspective
In this match, the standout performers for Arsenal were clearly Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, along with any of Arsenal’s defenders, including Raya, White, Saliba, and Gabriel. If you do not own any one of them, then they are worth considering ahead of gameweek two.
From the Wolves side, their center forward, Larsen, looked particularly lively and is definitely one to watch. Matheus Cunha also made a strong impact when he came off the bench.
4. Everton vs Brighton – Premier League Review
There were questions about how Brighton would fare under their new manager, and they answered them emphatically with an impressive display against Everton. Brighton kept possession well, created plenty of chances, and looked solid defensively throughout the match.
Everton also put in a strong performance and weren’t outplayed for the entirety of the game. In fact, they dominated the opening twenty minutes but just couldn’t find the back of the net.
Interestingly, the momentum graph shows that Brighton capitalized during their dominant spells, scoring when the tide was in their favor.
Standout Performers from an FPL Perspective
For Brighton, Mitoma, Minteh, and Welbeck were all standout performers. However, it’s worth noting that Minteh picked up a head injury, which could make him a doubt for the next match.
Mitoma and Welbeck are good differential options for managers looking in that direction in gameweek two.
As for Everton, it’s a bit more challenging to assess from an FPL perspective. Many FPL managers were banking on their defensive assets, and while doubts may be creeping in after this performance, I believe they’ll sort things out soon.
5. Newcastle vs Southampton – Premier League Review
This game is tricky to analyze due to the early red card Newcastle received, which significantly altered the course of the match. With the red card, Newcastle were dominated for the majority of the game.
However, despite being under constant pressure, they still managed to keep a clean sheet and secure a win, which is a testament to the strength of their backline.
Standout Performers from an FPL Perspective
For Newcastle, the standout performers remain the obvious picks: Isak, Hall, and now Pope, who was particularly impressive in this match. If you own any of these players, then it is best to hold them in gameweek two as Newcastle still have one of the best run of fixtures.
You might also like: FPL Gameweek Two Bus Team
6. Nott’m Forest vs Bournemouth – Premier League Review
Heading into this match, I had my eye on a few key players: Chris Wood, Hudson-Odoi, and Semenyo. How did they perform? Well, both Wood and Semenyo found the back of the net for their respective teams.
This was arguably the most evenly matched game of the week, with both sides ultimately cancelling each other out.
Standout Performers from an FPL Perspective
For Nottingham Forest, Chris Wood remains a standout as the focal point of their attack, while for Bournemouth, Semenyo continues to be a solid pick heading into Gameweek 2.
7. West Ham vs Aston Villa – Premier League Review
This was one of the games I was eagerly anticipating, and it certainly lived up to expectations with a thrilling, almost end-to-end contest that was highly entertaining. The stats highlight just how closely matched these two sides were.
West Ham edged possession with 52%, took only one shot less than Aston Villa, and both teams created four big chances during the game.
Standout Performers from an FPL Perspective
From an FPL perspective, two players from Aston Villa caught my attention: Morgan Rogers and Leon Bailey. Both showed great potential, and I believe they could be explosive this season, especially with the directness they displayed in this match.
If you are considering them in gameweek two, I will suggest you hold as they face Arsenal – we won’t expect them to have so much joy against a solid Arsenal defence.
As for West Ham, Kudus stood out as the liveliest player on the pitch, and if you already own him in FPL, it would be wise to hold on to him.
Related to read: FPL GW2 Points Predictions According To AI
8. Brentford vs Crystal Palace – Premier League Review
A London derby in matchday one, and what an exciting contest it was. This was a clash of two sides with very different philosophies—Crystal Palace played expansive football, while Brentford adopted a more pragmatic approach, soaking up pressure and hitting on the counter.
Brentford’s strategy paid off as they secured a 2-1 win. However, as a Manchester City fan and an FPL manager, I found myself more drawn to Palace and their assets than Brentford’s. Over the long run, Palace players seem likely to deliver FPL points more consistently due to their attacking style of play.
Standout Performers from an FPL Perspective
Eze, Munoz, and Mitchell stood out for me in this match. Palace’s system favors their attacking full-backs, and with the way they play high and wide, I expect them to bring in consistent FPL points this season.
For Brentford, Mbuemo is the standout pick. With Toney absent, he’ll be on penalties, and given his strong performances last season, he’s definitely one to keep an eye on.
Find out the best player to transfer into your gameweek 2 FPL side in our article: FPL Gameweek 2 Transfer Tips – Best Players To Buy
9. Man City vs Chelsea – Premier League Review
This was the game of the weekend, the one everyone had been anticipating, and it certainly sparked plenty of questions for FPL managers. How would Chelsea set up? Could Man City perform at their usual level without Rodri?
And for those who backed Haaland over Salah, the big question was whether Haaland could outperform Salah this gameweek. Additionally, would Nkunku live up to the preseason hype?
Well, as FPL managers, we got some answers. Salah outperformed Haaland, and Nkunku delivered a disappointing one-pointer after being subbed off before the 60th minute. Is it time to panic? Not quite. Choosing Haaland over Salah wasn’t a bad call, especially with Man City facing Ipswich next gameweek.
As for Nkunku, it’s best to wait and see how he performs against lesser opposition before making any drastic moves.
Standout Performers from an FPL Perspective
For Man City, Haaland and Gvardiol remain the safest picks, as they seem to be the most assured of regular minutes. However, it’s still tough to gauge as City haven’t had their best eleven together for more than a week.
With Ipswich town next Haaland, Gvardiol and an extra defender or midfielder, will be a really good pick as Man City have the highest odds of keeping a clean sheet in gameweek 2.
As for Chelsea, it’s wise to give them one more gameweek before making any firm decisions on who stands out from an FPL standpoint.
Find out more about gameweek two’s clean sheet odds predictions in our article: FPL Gameweek Two Clean Sheet Odds Prediction
Check out this gameweek’s expected points predictions in our article: FPL GW2 Points Predictions According To AI
For a detailed coverage on gameweek 2, check out our complete GW2 tips and guide article: FPL GW2 Tips – A Complete Gameweek 2 Guide
So there you have it folks, this is a breakdown of how each side performed in gameweek one. With this you have an insight on which players will be great transfer target for your FPL team in gameweek two.