With Gameweek 1 just around the corner, the right player picks can give your FPL squad a crucial early edge, writes FPL expert Blake Hurst.
This season, some stand-out options offer a blend of fixture promise, form and attacking potential.
Whether you’re chasing consistent points or explosive returns, these five players are highly recommended buys to kick off your campaign strongly.
From proven premium picks to under the radar gems, this group blends reliability and upside perfectly for the opening fixtures.
Let’s dive into why these players deserve a spot in your starting line-up for FPL 2025/26 GW1.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa, £9m)
Watkins is currently chosen by about 20% of FPL managers, often dismissed as a “safe and boring” option because of his price point.
The striker’s consistency is exactly why he deserves more attention. While he may not produce stunning hat-tricks every week, Watkins reliably delivers steady returns with goals and assists.
His ability to consistently contribute points makes him a fantastic addition in your squad, minimising the ups and downs of more explosive but unpredictable forwards.
If you want a forward who quietly racks up points week after week without drama, Watkins is a solid pick flying under the radar.
Pedro Porro (Tottenham, £5.5m)
Pedro Porro might cost more than teammates Cristian Romero (£5m) and Micky van de Ven (£4.5m) but his attacking upside at £5.5m is simply being overlooked by many engaged managers.
Spurs have excellent opening fixtures and Porro is one of the league’s most forward thinking full-backs.
Without James Maddison, who’s out injured, and with Son Heung-min now at LAFC, there’s every chance Porro gets a greater share of set pieces this season.
Last season, he ranked among the top defenders for shots and chances created, and could well be Spurs’ key source of attacking output from defence.
He’s a premium pick with a real ceiling early doors, targeting Spurs’ first fixtures.
Want more tips? You can also read 101GreatGoals.com’s guides to the best FPL defenders, midfielders, forwards, bargain picks and newcomers, as well as traps to avoid early on.
Bruno Fernandes (Man United, £9m)
A hefty price, but you know exactly what you’re getting. Even with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha arriving at the club and pushing him into a slightly deeper role, Bruno Fernandes remains central to everything his side does.
The playmaker is relentless at creating chances and has that knack for scoring when it matters most.
Add in his defensive contribution point potential and the returns won’t just come from goals and assists.
He’s proven, reliable, and fixture proof – exactly the kind of player you can set and forget in your XI while targeting riskier picks elsewhere.
Erling Haaland (Man City, £14m)
This decision always divides opinion. Let’s be real: squeezing both Mohamed Salah and Haaland into your squad, while keeping it balanced, borders on impossible.
So here’s my case for skipping Salah – the game’s top midfielder – and picking Haaland instead. The Norwegian comes in at 14m, but who else is capable of hat-tricks week after week, no matter the opponents?
After City’s stumble last season, expect them to be fired up from the off. Haaland faces Wolves, Spurs and Brighton early doors. Miss out on him and he explodes? Reshaping your team won’t be fun.
Going Haaland means probably no Salah, but with Liverpool’s patchy fixtures, if you’re free-hitting in GW4 then the argument is there to be had.
This is a risky move that could make or break your season early.
Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest, £5m)
If you’re hunting value in defence, look no further than Neco Williams. Priced £0.5m cheaper than teammates Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo, Williams stands out at an enticing price.
The Wales international has nailed down the full-back spot and signed a fresh deal, showing Forest’s faith in him.
Last season, Williams racked up 39 appearances and contributed one goal and three assists. With Forest’s defence largely unchanged and some kind opening fixtures, Williams offers strong potential for returns both defensively and going forward, plus only 8% of managers currently own him – making him a real differential for the early gameweeks
