Scout Selection: The best FPL squad for the opening Gameweeks
The Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season is upon us, and over 1.8 million managers have already begun building their squads for 2024/25. As the excitement builds, it’s time to delve into the opening Gameweeks and uncover the best FPL squad to maximize your points potential.
- Choosing between Haaland and Foden is a key decision for FPL managers, with Haaland’s high price tag and reduced ownership opening the door for alternative captaincy options.
- Opting for Foden over Haaland allows for a significant cost saving of £5.5m, enabling managers to invest in premium defenders and create a more balanced team.
- Targeting promoted opponents’ key attackers can be a successful strategy in the opening Gameweeks, with players like Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah emerging as top captain picks.
- Consider diversifying your captaincy choices by looking at matchups against struggling promoted clubs like Southampton and Ipswich Town.
- Building a squad with a mix of premium attackers and defenders can lead to more consistent points returns throughout the season, rather than relying solely on one star player.
Why Haaland v Foden is a key decision
Erling Haaland’s (£15.0m) influence on FPL is undeniable. His dominance in the last two seasons has shaped how managers approach the game, often leading to a predictable captaincy strategy. However, his record-breaking price tag for 2024/25 has created a fascinating dilemma for FPL managers.
Haaland is currently owned by only 32% of managers, a significant drop from his near-universal popularity in previous seasons. This shift could drastically alter the FPL landscape, making the decision to own or avoid Haaland a pivotal one.
The reduced ownership of Haaland opens the door for alternative captaincy options, giving managers greater flexibility and potentially leading to more diverse and exciting strategies.
Phil Foden (£9.5m), Haaland’s teammate, is also owned by 32% of managers after a stellar campaign that saw him finish as the second-highest scoring player in FPL. Foden’s impressive form and central attacking midfield role make him a compelling pick, especially considering the significant cost saving compared to Haaland.
With a £5.5m price difference, choosing Foden over Haaland allows managers to invest in premium defenders and build a balanced team from the start. This strategic approach could lead to a more consistent points haul throughout the season, rather than relying solely on Haaland for explosive returns.
Target promoted opponents with your captaincy
The struggles of the promoted clubs in 2023/24 provide a valuable insight for FPL managers – target their opponents’ key attackers. Burnley, Luton Town, and Sheffield United all suffered relegation back to the Championship, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities.
Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak (£8.5m) and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) emerge as top captain picks in Gameweek 1. Isak faces Southampton, while Salah takes on Ipswich Town – both teams newly promoted to the Premier League.
Isak’s home form last season was particularly impressive, with 14 of his 21 goals coming at St. James’ Park. His high number of big chances in home matches makes him a tempting captaincy choice against a potentially shaky Southampton defense.
Gameweek 2 presents another captivating captaincy opportunity. Manchester City will host Ipswich in their first home match, creating a prime scenario for Haaland to unleash his attacking prowess.
However, Foden’s impressive home form last season, where he outscored Haaland in terms of points per start, makes him a strong contender for the captain’s armband. The funds saved by not owning Haaland allow managers to explore other top-tier options like Salah at home to Brentford or Cole Palmer (£10.5m) away at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Follow the fixtures to find value
Analyzing the opening fixtures is crucial for identifying value picks. Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz (£6.0m) and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze (£7.0m) are two players who stand out in this regard.
Both Fulham and Palace have a favorable run of fixtures in the first four Gameweeks, with three of their matches receiving a Fixture Difficulty Rating (FDR) of only two. This indicates relatively easy opponents against whom they could rack up points.
Muniz, expected to be on penalty duties for Fulham, has back-to-back encounters with promoted Leicester City and Ipswich in Gameweeks 2-3, while Eze faces Leicester in Gameweek 4. These favorable fixtures make them attractive picks for FPL managers seeking value and potential for consistent returns.
| GW | FUL | FDR* | CRY | FDR* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MUN (A) | 3 | BRE (A) | 2 |
| 2 | LEI (H) | 2 | WHU (H) | 2 |
| 3 | IPS (A) | 2 | CHE (A) | 4 |
| 4 | WHU (H) | 2 | LEI (H) | 2 |
*1 = easiest possible fixture, 5 = hardest possible fixture
See: Fixture Difficulty Ratings for 2024/25 season
Combine premiums with budget assets at the back
The defensive line is often an overlooked area in FPL, but it can provide crucial points. Arsenal’s Gabriel and Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol, both priced at £6.0m, offer a blend of attacking prowess and defensive solidity.
Their potential for clean sheets and goal contributions makes them valuable assets to any FPL squad.
Newcastle’s Dan Burn (£4.5m), similarly to Muniz and Eze, provides early value at the back due to a favorable early schedule. Newcastle’s opening two matches, at home to Southampton and away to AFC Bournemouth, offer potential for clean sheets and bonus points.
From Gameweek 3 onwards, Ipswich’s Leif Davis (£4.5m) emerges as a standout budget option. The FDR indicates seven of their next eight matches have a rating of two, suggesting a favorable run of fixtures.
Davis’s set-piece dominance saw him contribute two goals and 18 assists in the 2023/24 Championship, making him a tempting pick for FPL managers looking for value in defense.
Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis is another £4.0m-priced defender who could be a regular starter for the promoted club.
In goal, pairing Brentford’s No. 1 Mark Flekken with his deputy Hakon Valdimarsson costs a modest £8.5m in total, providing a solid and cost-effective goalkeeper duo.
Bournemouth’s Jaidon Anthony (£4.5m), although not a starter at the moment, could be a valuable asset for the opening two Gameweeks. This allows managers to gather information and potentially use two free transfers to restructure their squad and bring in a fifth midfielder.
As the FPL season unfolds, remember to stay informed about player performances, injury updates, and fixture changes to adjust your squad and maximize your points potential. The key to FPL success lies in making informed decisions, embracing flexibility, and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of the beautiful game.
