FPL 2026/27: the complete guide before the opening gameweek
The Premier League is only days away from kicking off and anyone who plays Fantasy Premier League already feels the familiar butterflies. The deadline to lock in your 2026/27 squad is Friday 21 August, and before that it is worth pulling together everything we know about injuries, transfers and the first impressions from pre-season.
Absences that shake up the planning
The news that caught everyone off guard was Eddie Howe’s departure from Newcastle. A manager who built much of the club’s recent reputation walking away on the eve of the opener is the kind of earthquake that forces any fantasy manager to rethink picks tied to Newcastle players, at least until the dust settles.
On the injury front, two absences are already all but confirmed for the first gameweek. James Garner has had groin surgery and is unlikely to be available for the opener. Eli Junior Kroupi faces a more serious problem: a foot injury that should keep him out for several months. That is two names fewer on the shortlists of anyone who was considering them as midfield or attacking options.
The names trending for the opening XI
Among the recommendations already circulating, a few prices stand out for value. Position by position, Antonin Kinsky, priced at 4.5 million pounds, looks like the best of the cheaper goalkeepers. In defence, Bobby Thomas at 4.0 million and Luke Shaw at 4.5 million split the analysts’ preference.
In midfield, the highlights are Regan Slater and Enzo Le Fee, priced at 4.5 and 6.0 million respectively. Up front, Sindre Walle Egeli, also at 4.5 million, emerges as an affordable entry option for anyone looking to save budget without sacrificing minutes.
- Best value goalkeeper: Antonin Kinsky (£4.5m)
- Best cheap defenders: Bobby Thomas (£4.0m) and Luke Shaw (£4.5m)
- Best midfielders: Regan Slater (£4.5m) and Enzo Le Fee (£6.0m)
- Best budget forward: Sindre Walle Egeli (£4.5m)
What the pre-season games revealed
The friendly window, even while competing for space in the calendar with the World Cup, has already offered valuable clues. Nottingham Forest, with Igor Jesus finding the net for the fourth time in pre-season, continue to work with three centre-backs under Glasner, which projects Neco Williams and Ola Aina as the side’s main routes to defensive points.
Brighton impressed by scoring four set-piece goals against Strasbourg, with Pascal Gross, at just 5.5 million, involved in a goal and an assist. At Chelsea, sticking with a back four and Kinsky’s solid display between the posts strengthen the case for the Czech goalkeeper. In Manchester, Enzo Maresca’s debut in charge of City ended in a draw, but it was Antoine Semenyo who drew the most attention, outperforming even Phil Foden.
On the Leeds and Liverpool side, Dominic Calvert-Lewin returned with a taste for goals, scoring twice off long throws, while Florian Wirtz, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexander Isak each logged only 45 minutes, a sign of caution from Liverpool before the official opener.
Chip strategy and what lies ahead
With Arsenal arriving as reigning champions, the race promises to be even tighter this time around. The chip strategy guide for 2026/27 is already available, setting out when it is worth using Bench Boost, Wildcard, Free Hit and Triple Captain – decisions that can shape an entire season from the very first gameweeks.
It is worth remembering that last season brought significant rule changes, with points for defensive contribution and extra chips, so anyone returning to the game after a break would do well to review the rules before locking in their squad.
