With less than four days until the first FPL deadline, I’m sure you’ve been tinkering with your team just like I have—making changes and trying to fit in your favorite FPL assets. It hasn’t been easy, especially with the latest price hikes.
But don’t worry! In this article, we’re here to help by sharing three different FPL Gameweek 1 drafts, each using a unique strategy to give you a solid start.
1. FPL GW1 Team Strategy – Going Big At The Back
This is our first Gameweek 1 team, and we’ve opted for a ‘big at the back’ strategy, focusing on premium defenders. The defenders we’ve selected were among the top ten FPL point scorers last season, making them reliable choices for our draft.
This approach has allowed us to create a well-balanced team across all positions, with players capable of scoring points in defense, midfield, and attack.
However, the downside is that we’ve sacrificed premium players like Haaland, Salah, Saka, and Palmer. This could be a drawback, especially when it comes to selecting a captain, given the explosive potential of players like Haaland and Salah.
If you believe this team can thrive without premium picks, then this Gameweek 1 draft might be the right choice for you. But if you’re keen on including those high-profile players, our upcoming drafts might be more suitable. While we appreciate the balanced nature of this draft, we’re cautious about going without at least one premium pick.
2. FPL GW1 Team Strategy – Investing In Premiums(Haaland and Salah Drafts)
This is our two-premium draft, where we’ve opted for both Salah and Haaland—the most expensive players in the game. To accommodate these heavy hitters, we’ve had to make a few sacrifices, particularly in our defense.
In defense, we’ve gone for budget options with players like Barco (£4.0m), Quansah (£4.5m), and Andersen (£4.5m). Admittedly, this isn’t the strongest defensive lineup, and some of these players may not start every game.
However, if you’re setting up your FPL team this way, your primary focus will likely be on your midfield and attack. With an attack featuring Haaland, Solanke, Isak, Gordon, Nkunku, Salah, and Eze, it’s highly likely that your forwards will compensate for any defensive weaknesses.
Of course, this setup is flexible. You might choose to downgrade Isak or Solanke to a cheaper forward like Muniz or Chris Wood, then use the extra funds to strengthen your defense by upgrading Quansah to a Newcastle defender. This adjustment would still allow you to keep your two premium picks while improving your defensive options.
3. FPL GW1 Team Strategy – One Premium Drafts
Our final strategy is a balanced approach that offers a good mix of everything. In this Gameweek 1 team, we’ve included just one premium pick, Erling Haaland. However, you could opt for Mo Salah as your premium pick instead, depending on your strategy.
I believe this setup is the best option, as it allows you to field a strong starting eleven with solid coverage across the pitch, from defense to attack. There’s no glaring weakness in any area. The only drawback is that it can be challenging to fit in additional key players like Saka, Palmer, or Foden without sacrificing quality elsewhere.
To incorporate at least one of these players, our strategy would be to downgrade Isak to Muniz and then use the extra funds to upgrade Jota or Odegaard to Palmer or Saka. Overall, this is a very solid draft, and one that I feel comfortable and confident with.
In conclusion, selecting your Gameweek 1 FPL team is all about balancing your strategy with the resources available. Whether you opt for a premium-heavy approach, a big-at-the-back tactic, or a balanced squad, each strategy has its strengths and trade-offs.
The key is to choose a setup that aligns with your long-term plan and gives you confidence heading into the season. Remember, the first draft is just the beginning; flexibility and adaptability will be crucial as the season progresses. Good luck with your FPL journey!