Fantasy Premier League 2021/22 gameweek one starts this Friday night with newly-promoted Brentford taking on Arsenal. With fans back at the stadiums, this season should be pretty exciting. In terms of FPL, the game itself remains the same overall. Read on to find out about how to tackle the first gameweek of the new season.
Fantasy Premier League 2021/22 Gameweek One Picks
Quick Tips
Many players were involved in the international competitions and may not be fit for gameweek one. In addition, one has to consider the quarantine issues for players coming back from countries red-listed by the United Kingdom as well. For example, Edinson Cavani is yet to return to Manchester. The transfer window is open until the end of the month which will also affect the squad compositions.
Goalkeepers
Emiliano Martinez has had a brilliant year and a half for both club and country. Everything he touches seems to be turning to gold. He remains the most popular goalkeeper pick on FPL. However, his cost is £5.5 this season which makes it a bit tough to own him. Aston Villa have some decent fixtures to start the season with though.
From the cheaper options, Robert Sanchez is the best option on paper. Brighton & Hove Albion have great fixtures for the first few weeks and they were defensively solid last season. The loss of Ben White might make them weaker but they should still be good at the back.
Best Options
Premium (>=£6.0): Alisson, Edouard Mendy, Ederson
Cheap (£4.0-4.5): Robert Sanchez, Daniel Bachmann
Defenders
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luke Shaw are the most popular defenders in the game. Both have excellent opening fixtures. Also, they take set-pieces.
Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell, Matt Targett and Ryan Bertrand are good options from the £5-5.5 bracket. Bertrand has done well during pre-season for Leicester City while Coufal had a solid season last time around and Cresswell got quite a few assists from set-pieces.
Konstantinos Tsimikas has emerged as a brilliant option at only £4.0 units. The injury to Andrew Robertson has offered the Greek a rare chance to impress. It is an opportunity FPL managers will also hope he takes with both hands. Daniel Amartey is another option at £4. He should start the first couple of games but Leicester are actively looking to buy a centre-back with the injury to Wesley Fofana.
Luke Ayling, Ben White and Joel Veltman are the best options at £4.5. All three are certain starters for their sides.
Best Options
Mid-Range (£5.0-5.5): Luke Shaw, Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell, Matt Targett, Ryan Bertrand
Cheap (£4.0-4.5): Luke Ayling, Joel Veltman, Ben White, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Daniel Amartey
Midfielders
In midfield, there are some fantastic options in the mid-range bracket. One has to choose between quite a few picks, all of whom look good on paper.
With Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne out injured, Ilkay Gundogan should play a prominent role for Manchester City. Riyad Mahrez should start after having a full pre-season. Ferran Torres might start upfront where he impressed last season.
West Ham United fans are excited about Said Benrahma after an impressive pre-season campaign. Jarred Bowen is another good option.
Diogo Jota and Mason Greenwood are explosive options but carry rotation risks, whereas Harvey Barnes and Raphinha offer alternative options. Barnes was good in the Community Shield and could do well for your team.
Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes are must-haves. One doesn’t need much to explain about the two premium options. Both have good fixtures to start the season with and are great captaincy options also.
Son Heung-min costs more this season but is always a great attacking option. He might play as a striker if Harry Kane misses out.
Emile Smith-Rowe will wear the number ten shirt for Arsenal and should be a regular starter for them. He is a fantastic option at £5.5. However, the Gunners have a tough start to the season to contend with.
Best Options
Premium (>=£10.0): Mohamed Salah, Bruno Fernandes, Son Heung-min, Sadio Mane
High-End (£8.0-9.5): Riyad Mahrez
Mid-Range (£6.0-7.5): Diogo Jota, Mason Greenwood, Ilkay Gundogan, Harvey Barnes, Said Benrahma, Raphinha, Ferran Torres
Cheap (£4.5-5.5): Emile Smith-Rowe
Strikers
Only Jamie Vardy is worth considering from the premium options. However, better value is available in the £7.0-8.5 range where one can choose between Michail Antonio, Danny Ings, Patrick Bamford and Callum Wilson. Antonio and Ings have the better fixtures from those. Bamford is a reliable pick in a Leeds United side that can score in any game.
Newcomers Brentford will look up to Ivan Toney to provide the goals if they are to have a good season. Amazingly, he is the most popular striker pick in the game at the moment. The striker himself was asked about this and he actually advised FPL managers to make him captain!
Best Options
Premium (>=£9.0): Jamie Vardy
Mid-Range (£7.0-8.5): Michail Antonio, Danny Ings, Patrick Bamford, Callum Wilson
Cheap (£4.5-6.5): Ivan Toney
Fantasy Premier League 2021-22 Gameweek One Captaincy Picks
Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes
Draft Squad
Sanchez, Steele
Ayling, White, Alexander-Arnold, Shaw, Tsimikas
Salah, Bruno, Benrahma, Gundogan, Smith-Rowe
Toney, Antonio, Ings
Main Photo
