Gameweek 1
This Week's Honest Calls
AI Gameweek Briefing
Gameweek 1 sets up around Manchester United's attacking trio, and Bruno Fernandes is the clear captain call — the highest-scoring reliable option this week, backed by a favourable-looking Old Trafford setup that also features Mbeumo and Cunha in the top mid picks.
B.Fernandes
MUN
Fernandes is United's guaranteed starter and set-piece taker, making him the most reliable attacking points source in the squad this week.
View full breakdown →
Vice-Captain
Haaland MCI
Haaland is City's automatic first name on the sheet and, price tag aside, still the most efficient goal threat in the league.
Ranked on fixture ease, form, minutes reliability & value
Goalkeepers
Lammens
GKP · MUNLammens is set to be a regular starter between the sticks for United, and even with form yet to fully click, he's cheap enough to stash for the long haul.
Roefs
GKP · SUNRoefs remains Sunderland's undisputed No.1 despite a quieter run of form, and his price makes him an efficient enabler pick.
A.Becker
GKP · LIVAlisson's clean sheet form has cooled a touch, but he's still nailed on between the posts for Liverpool and priced sensibly for the shot-stopping he offers.
Donnarumma
GKP · MCIDonnarumma: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Kelleher
GKP · BREKelleher: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Vicario
GKP · TOTVicario: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Defenders
Virgil
DEF · LIVVan Dijk's underlying numbers have dipped from last season's heights, but he's still first name on the Liverpool team sheet and priced well below the elite defensive tier.
Maguire
DEF · MUNMaguire's returns have tapered off recently, yet he remains a guaranteed 90 minutes in United's back line at a price that makes him an easy budget slot.
Senesi
DEF · TOTSenesi's output has slowed of late, but he's still a lock for minutes and remains cheap enough to fund elsewhere in the squad.
Guéhi
DEF · MCIGuéhi: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Gabriel
DEF · ARSGabriel: nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
O'Reilly
DEF · MCIO'Reilly: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Midfielders
B.Fernandes
MID · MUNFernandes is United's guaranteed starter and set-piece taker, making him the most reliable attacking points source in the squad this week.
Mbeumo
MID · MUNMbeumo's scoring rate has slowed since his move, but he's still a fixture in United's front line and good value relative to his output.
Cunha
MID · MUNCunha's returns have gone quiet lately, though he remains a certain starter for United and still represents solid value for the role he plays.
Semenyo
MID · MCISemenyo: nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Szoboszlai
MID · LIVSzoboszlai: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Gravenberch
MID · LIVGravenberch: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Forwards
Haaland
FWD · MCIHaaland is City's automatic first name on the sheet and, price tag aside, still the most efficient goal threat in the league.
Thiago
FWD · BREThiago's numbers have cooled from earlier in the campaign, but he's an ever-present starter for Brentford and cheap enough to justify the pick.
João Pedro
FWD · CHEJoão Pedro's returns have gone quiet recently, but he's still starting every week for Chelsea and offers strong value at his price point.
Calvert-Lewin
FWD · LEECalvert-Lewin: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Brobbey
FWD · SUNBrobbey: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Watkins
FWD · AVLWatkins: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
High ownership, but the numbers say otherwise this week
Thomas COV
Thomas: form has dropped off a cliff, real rotation or fitness doubt, despite the high ownership.
van Ewijk COV
van Ewijk: form has dropped off a cliff, real rotation or fitness doubt, despite the high ownership.
Palmer IPS
Palmer: form has dropped off a cliff, real rotation or fitness doubt, despite the high ownership.
Davis IPS
Davis: form has dropped off a cliff, real rotation or fitness doubt, despite the high ownership.
Tzolis ARS
Tzolis: form has dropped off a cliff, real rotation or fitness doubt, despite the high ownership.
Kusi-Asare FUL
Kusi-Asare: form has dropped off a cliff, real rotation or fitness doubt, despite the high ownership.
Strong engine score, under 10% ownership
Senesi
DEF · TOTSenesi: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Gravenberch
MID · LIVGravenberch: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Anderson
MID · MCIAnderson: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Wilson
MID · LEEWilson: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Stach
MID · LEEStach: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Dalot
DEF · MUNDalot: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Ballard
DEF · SUNBallard: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Dorgu
MID · MUNDorgu: form has cooled off, nailed-on starter, excellent value for price.
Paraphrased from reputable sources, linked below
Arteta confirms Saliba and Timber will miss Arsenal's title defence opener
Mikel Arteta confirmed William Saliba is in 'rest mode' for a persistent back issue while Jurrien Timber is nursing a groin problem, with both defenders set for extended spells on the sidelines as Arsenal open their title defence against Coventry.
Source: Goal.com
Andersen suspended for Fulham's Gameweek 1 clash with Chelsea
Fulham centre-back Joachim Andersen is suspended for the opening-weekend home game against Chelsea, with new signing Jorge Cuenca in line to deputise at the back.
Source: Premier League
Butland ruled out for months as Tzolakis set to be Hull's No.1
New Hull goalkeeper Jack Butland is set to be sidelined for at least three months through injury, leaving fellow summer arrival Konstantinos Tzolakis to start in goal for the club's Premier League return.
Source: Premier League
Norgaard's Everton debut in doubt, Garner fitness uncertain
Summer signing Christian Norgaard has yet to feature for Everton in pre-season, casting doubt on a Gameweek 1 start, while midfielder James Garner's return from groin surgery around the opener remains uncertain after missing the final friendly.
Source: Premier League
Fofana suspended as Chelsea trio return to fitness
Wesley Fofana will serve the first two matches of a suspension, meaning Reece James could feature in a back three, while Levi Colwill, Maxence Lacroix and new arrival Morgan Rogers all look set to start Gameweek 1 after playing against Real Sociedad.
Source: Premier League
Abraham injury clouds Villa's striker options for opener
Tammy Abraham was forced off injured in Aston Villa's final pre-season friendly against Borussia Monchengladbach, creating uncertainty over who leads the line in Gameweek 1, while new midfield signings Alejandro Garnacho and Johan Manzambi have also been hit by fitness issues.
Source: Premier League