A new season of Fantasy Premier League is finally upon us, so we have picked out the best captains from which to choose in Gameweek 1 of FPL.
FPL Deadline: Friday, 15 August, 18:30 BST.
The Football Faithful FPL league code: 7vry2r
Fantasy Premier League: The best captains in FPL GW1
Erling Haaland vs Wolves (A)
In five matches against Wolves, Erling Haaland has scored eight goals and created one assist. He netted a hat-trick against them in 2023 and four goals in 2024, both at the Etihad Stadium.
The Norwegian striker’s record against Wanderers on the road is not that impressive, though; he’s breached their defence just once in three trips to Molineux. That doesn’t mean he won’t haul on this occasion; the man is a goal machine and will be hungrier than ever to make amends for a frustrating 2024/25 campaign.
Haaland also gets off the mark early doors every season, scoring five goals for Manchester City on the opening weekend over the last three years.
Fantasy Premier League – Every major change announced ahead of this season
Cole Palmer vs Crystal Palace (H)
After his form dropped off a cliff in the second half of last season, Cole Palmer should be back to his best at the beginning of this one after excelling at the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer.
Crystal Palace at home isn’t an amazing fixture for Chelsea, but it’s also not a bad one and you’d back Palmer to return in just about any game at Stamford Bridge.
The big worry is that he has only played 45 minutes in pre-season, due to said Club World World Cup involvement. While this writer has full faith in his ability to dominate Sunday’s game, the Blues may lack sharpness overall.
Fantasy Premier League – The best FPL team names to use in 2025/26
Ollie Watkins vs Newcastle (H)
Momentum is huge in FPL, and Ollie Watkins has that in spades coming into this season. The Aston Villa centre-forward went on a five-match scoring run in pre-season, netting in each of his appearances and grabbing an assist.
Newcastle United is not ideal opposition, but Villa are at home and the Magpies are a demoralised outfit due to a nightmare transfer window and poor form in their recent friendlies.
Watkins is a reliable fantasy pick at this stage of his career, but fitting him into your team means sacrificing one or more of Haaland, Palmer and Mo Salah. Is it worth owning the 29-year-old over one of those premiums?
Fantasy Premier League – How will defensive contributions work?
Jarrod Bowen vs Sunderland (A)
This is one is all about your appetite for risk; do you go against the grain of a safe pick versus the potential upside of a great fixture against promoted opposition?
Jarrod Bowen was the best attacker on a poor West Ham United side last season, registering 13 goals and eight assists in 34 matches. The England international finished the campaign strongly, returning in each of his last six matches, and he will be their talisman once again this term.
Unfortunately, Bowen’s position has been changed from midfielder to forward, so he will earn fewer points for goals, making him a less attractive option.
Fantasy Premier League – The most expensive FPL players in 2025/26
Mo Salah vs Bournemouth (H)
If there’s one rule you should abide by in FPL, it’s KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid. Setting and forgetting Mo Salah as your captain every gameweek will usually work out, especially when he had a season as good as last year’s.
The Egyptian winger provided a record-breaking 47 goal involvements to Liverpool‘s title-winning campaign. Although he will likely drop off a bit in terms of production as he enters his ninth season at Anfield, he will still be one of the top performers in the Premier League.
👑🔥Mo Salah now has returned in every GW1 fixture since joining Liverpool!
⚽ vs Watford (17/18)
⚽ vs West Ham (18/19)
⚽🅰️ vs Norwich (19/20)
⚽⚽⚽ vs Leeds (20/21)
⚽🅰️🅰️ vs Norwich(21/22)
⚽ vs Fulham (22/23)
🅰️ vs Chelsea (23/24)
⚽🅰️ vs Ipswich (24/25)FPL🐐❤️ pic.twitter.com/bAja9fsVaT
— ALLABOUTFPL (@allaboutfpl) August 14, 2025
Salah’s performance in the Community Shield was slightly worrying as he barely touched the ball, but his record in GW1 over the years is impeccable; he has returned in every single opening fixture for the Reds, averaging 12.25 points.
Read – Top FPL tips to help you master Fantasy Premier League
See Also – 69 classic Fantasy Premier League team names to use next season
