As the first deadline for the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season approaches, Fantasy Football Hub expert Holly Shand has provided key strategies and player recommendations for Gameweek 1. A central piece of advice focuses on the potential advantage of using the 'Bench Boost' chip early in the season, particularly Gameweek 1 or 2.

Shand suggests that an upcoming extended international break in September creates an opportune window for an early Wildcard, which can be used in conjunction with an early Bench Boost. This strategy allows managers to optimize their starting XI by reallocating funds from the bench shortly after. The primary challenge for an early Bench Boost lies in selecting 15 players who are likely to start, a task complicated this season by new management across several clubs and players returning late from the World Cup.

Gameweek 2 is highlighted as another potential Bench Boost opportunity, especially with a fixture between Championship winners Coventry City and play-off winners Hull City, featuring potentially low-cost defensive options. Using the Bench Boost early and then employing a Wildcard shortly after can help rebalance the squad, shifting value from the bench to the core starting lineup.

Fixture Analysis and Top Club Prospects

When selecting teams for the initial gameweeks, Shand emphasizes analyzing fixtures for the opening five matches. While pre-season form can be unreliable due to late returns from the World Cup and an active transfer window, a solid fixture ticker can provide guidance. Several top clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United, feature prominently at the top of the fixture ticker for the early part of the season.

Arsenal begins with a home fixture against Coventry City, followed by hosting Chelsea within the first five gameweeks. Manchester United faces promoted teams Hull City and Ipswich Town in their opening matches. Manchester City's most appealing early fixture is a home game against Coventry City in Gameweek 3, preceding a Manchester derby in Gameweek 4.

Brentford is identified as having the most favorable fixtures over the initial five-week period, with three home games, including an opener against Tottenham Hotspur. Nottingham Forest also has three home fixtures during this span and is expected to improve under new manager Oliver Glasner.

AI-Driven Player Recommendations

Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing FPL strategies, with AI assistants recommending a starting team and player selections. AI predictions suggest a 4-4-2 formation, emphasizing defensive contributions. Three Arsenal players are featured in AI's best XI.

Top Defensive Picks

Among the top-rated defenders based on predicted points are:

  • Gabriel (Arsenal, £8.0m): Topping the charts with 28.9 predicted points, Gabriel is noted for consistent routes to points through clean sheets, goals, and bonus points. Despite a significant price increase, his reliability makes him a strong pick.
  • Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, £6.5m): With 27.9 predicted points, Van Dijk is recognized for his consistent performances, including involvement in clean sheets and goal threat. He played every minute of Liverpool's previous season, contributing to 10 clean sheets and scoring six goals.
  • Maxence Lacroix (Chelsea, £6.0m): Predicted to score 25.2 points, Lacroix's high price tag reflects his importance. He registered defensive contribution points in 21 of his 35 appearances last season.
  • Malick Thiaw (Newcastle, £5.0m): With 24.9 predicted points, Thiaw is highlighted for his aerial threat from set pieces and defensive contributions in a significant portion of his appearances. Newcastle's change in management could potentially improve their defensive record.
  • Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City, £5.5m): Gvardiol is ranked fifth with 23.9 predicted points. He has been described as a 'pillar' in the squad by his new manager and contributes to a defense that consistently keeps clean sheets.

Top Attacking Picks

For attacking selections, AI has identified the following players:

  • Erling Haaland (Manchester City, £15.5m): Unsurprisingly, Haaland leads with 37.8 predicted points. He was the highest-scoring player last season with 27 goals and 8 assists, and despite a price increase, remains a top target.
  • Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, £12.0m): Fernandes is second with 31.2 predicted points. He finished last season strongly with four goals and 17 assists in 18 appearances, leading in key passes and big chances created. His involvement in set pieces, including penalties, makes him a valuable asset.
  • Bruno Guimaraes (Arsenal, £7.0m): Transferring to Arsenal, Guimaraes is predicted to score 30.1 points. He offers multiple routes to points with 16 goal involvements last season and potential clean sheet bonuses.
  • Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City, £8.5m): With 27.1 predicted points, Semenyo has shown strong pre-season form with five assists in three appearances. He scored 17 goals and provided six assists last season.
  • Igor Thiago (Brentford, £8.0m): Rounding out the top five with 26.7 predicted points, Thiago scored 22 goals last campaign. AI predictions support his potential for continued success with Brentford, especially with favorable opening fixtures and penalty duties.

Fantasy Football Hub also offers a free AI team rating service, providing managers with a percentage score and transfer suggestions to optimize their squads before the Gameweek 1 deadline.