Fantasy Premier League (FPL) already gives managers plenty to think about across 38 Gameweeks, but one of the things that has always made FISO different is its community-run FPL side games.

Rather than asking managers to build another fantasy squad, these competitions take the scores from your normal FPL team and use them in completely different ways. Your same Gameweek score can become a cycling stage time, a football result, an F1 qualifying lap or part of a promotion battle.

Registration is currently open for several of these games ahead of the 2026/27 season. Below are four worth considering. FPL managers will also find our free EPL Fixture Difficulty Rating planner useful when planning your team selection for the 1st 10 GWs.

Tour of FPL – Turn Your FPL Season into the Tour de France

The newest addition to FISO’s side-game calendar is Mystery’s inaugural Tour of FPL, which asks a wonderfully simple question: what would happen if an FPL season was run like a Cycling Grand Tour?

The answer is a season-long competition that converts the Premier League campaign into a 30-stage cycling race, complete with a Grand Départ, flat stages, hills, mountains, cobbles and individual time trials.

Managers become riders competing not only for the overall General Classification but also stage wins, the Green Jersey and King of the Mountains.

The clever part is that different stages use different elements of your FPL team.

Flat stages might score only your midfielders, defenders or a combination of goalkeepers and forwards. Hilly stages use defensive contribution points from the full 15-man squad, while mountain stages are based on the normal Gameweek score. Individual time trials are based on Bonus Points System totals.

The scoring is then converted into time gaps, including Tour de France-style bunch finishes where managers posting similar scores receive the same stage time.

There are even racing incidents. Red cards, own goals and missed penalties can result in time penalties, while cobbled stages introduce extra punishment for yellow cards and reduce the benefit of clean sheets.

The route begins in GW2 with the Jersey Island Circuit before travelling through a virtual Brittany, Loire Valley, central France, the Alps and Pyrenees. There is even a two-Gameweek marathon stage later in the race.

This looks like one of FISO’s most inventive side games for years because success won’t simply depend on having the highest overall FPL score. Different squad strengths become important on different stages.

Registration is open by posting your FPL history-page ID in the Tour of FPL forum thread.

Divisional Championships – Promotion and Relegation Throughout the Season

For managers who enjoy league football rather than cycling, the Divisional Championships provide an entirely different challenge.

This is no new experiment: 2026/27 will be Season 22 of one of FISO’s established FPL side games.

The season is broken into seven rounds of five Gameweeks. At the end of every round there is promotion and relegation, meaning managers are repeatedly fighting either to move up the FISO pyramid or avoid dropping down it.

Returning managers start in the division they qualified for at the end of last season, while newcomers enter through the Sunday League.

There is also an early-season qualification period across GW1-GW3. Qualification takes account of a combination of factors, including previous FPL performance, last season’s Divisional Championships results and performance across the opening three Gameweeks of the new campaign.

That structure creates something traditional FPL cannot provide: several mini-seasons within the same campaign.

A bad five-week spell can result in relegation, while a well-timed run of form can earn promotion. Even if your overall FPL rank has drifted away from where you want it, there can still be something meaningful to play for throughout the season.

Registration is straightforward: post your FPL ID/history-page link in the Season 22 registration thread.

FISO Mirror Game – Play the Premier League Fixture List Yourself

The Mirror Game is another long-running FISO favourite, returning for Season 11.

Its concept is particularly clever. Each FISO manager is assigned a real football club whose Premier League fixtures they then “mirror” throughout the season.

Importantly, you do not have to select players from that club. Your normal FPL team still generates your score. The real Premier League club is used only to determine your fixture list.

If you are assigned Liverpool, for example, your FISO Mirror Game schedule follows Liverpool’s real Premier League fixtures. But instead of Liverpool’s goals deciding the result, your FPL Gameweek score is compared against the score of the FISO manager representing the opposition.

Leagues contain 20 managers, with the bottom three relegated and top three promoted.

There is also genuine home advantage: the home manager receives an additional five points when calculating the match result.

How many “goals” your score produces depends on the average FPL score of the 20 managers in that particular league. Transfer hits are deducted, so taking a -4 can genuinely influence whether you win, draw or lose your Mirror fixture.

Double Gameweeks are also accommodated. If your mirrored Premier League club plays twice, your FPL score is used for both fixtures.

Managers can request which real club’s fixtures they would like to mirror, although availability naturally depends on which clubs have already been claimed. New players can initially be placed on a standby list as spaces and additional leagues become available.

It effectively turns your normal FPL season into a 38-game football league campaign with home fixtures, away trips, promotion and relegation.

FISO F1 Style FPL League – Qualifying, Races and Constructors

If cycling and league football aren’t enough, FISO also has Formula One covered.

Ralfbergs’ F1 Style FPL League is returning for 2026/27 with two divisions and potential places still available. The organiser notes that once registered there is no additional team management required beyond playing your normal FPL season.

The previous-season rules linked from this year’s registration thread show how comprehensively the game recreates Formula One.

The 38 FPL Gameweeks are paired together to create race weekends. Generally the odd-numbered Gameweek acts as qualifying and the following Gameweek becomes the race.

Your qualifying performance determines bonus “FPL points” that are carried into the race. Finishing first in qualifying earns the biggest advantage, just as securing pole position does in Formula One.

The race itself then uses the familiar F1 points system:

1st – 25 points
2nd – 18
3rd – 15
4th – 12
5th – 10
6th – 8
7th – 6
8th – 4
9th – 2
10th – 1

Some qualifying rounds are replaced by Sprint races, where the leading managers can also earn championship points.

There are both Drivers’ and Constructors’ elements, with managers paired together under recognisable F1 team names. Promotion and relegation add another layer, with the bottom three Division 1 drivers dropping into Division 2.

The calendar itself travels around the Formula One world, with FPL Gameweeks representing races at venues such as Australia, Monaco, Silverstone, Monza, Singapore and Abu Dhabi.

For F1 fans who also play FPL, it is difficult to think of a more natural crossover.

Why FISO Side Games Are Different

What makes these competitions unusual is that none requires you to maintain another fantasy football team.

You continue playing ordinary FPL, but the same score suddenly means several different things.

A 75-point Gameweek might move you up the overall FPL rankings, win a Tour of FPL mountain stage, secure three points in the Mirror Game, earn promotion in the Divisional Championships and put you on an F1 podium.

It also means there is considerably more to play for when your main FPL season isn’t going according to plan.

An overall rank may become difficult to rescue, but you could still be battling for promotion, chasing a cycling jersey, trying to avoid Mirror Game relegation or fighting for an F1 championship.

That combination of competition, creativity and forum banter is something that has always made FISO’s community games a little different.

With the 2026/27 Premier League season approaching, registration is open now. Whether you fancy becoming an FPL cyclist, climbing the league pyramid, mirroring a Premier League club or taking your place on the Formula One grid, there should be a FISO side game to suit you. Register for FISO here.

With the 2026/27 Premier League season approaching, pre-season performances are starting to become increasingly useful for FPL managers trying to finalise their Gameweek 1 squads.

The ongoing FISO pre-season friendlies thread has done an excellent job of tracking line-ups, goals and notable performances across all 20 Premier League clubs. Rather than highlighting every player who has found the net once, this article concentrates only on those who have scored at least twice during pre-season so far. That does not guarantee Premier League starts or FPL returns, of course, but repeated goals are certainly more interesting than a solitary friendly strike.

João Pedro – Chelsea – 5 goals

The outstanding scorer so far has been João Pedro. He struck a remarkable hat-trick after coming on against Western Sydney Wanderers and followed that with two more against AC Milan, taking him to five goals in four pre-season appearances. The Premier League’s own FPL review specifically highlights his five-goal haul.

At £7.5m in FPL, he is certainly not cheap, but his form and central attacking role make him one of the most obvious players to monitor before GW1. If he continues to start centrally, five goals in pre-season is difficult to ignore.

Brian Madjo – Aston Villa – 4 goals

Young striker Brian Madjo has been one of the surprise performers of the summer. He scored twice against Walsall, added another against Real Sociedad and then made it four goals in four pre-season outings against Indonesia All Stars.

The complication for FPL managers is obvious: Villa still have more established attacking options to return after the World Cup. But four goals represents an excellent audition, and Madjo has certainly given Unai Emery something to think about.

Igor Jesus – Nottingham Forest – 4 goals

Igor Jesus has also quietly put together a very productive summer. He scored in Forest’s opening win over Notts County, added further goals against Blackburn and Vitória SC, and then took his tally to four during the Portuguese leg of their preparations.

For FPL purposes, this is particularly interesting because Forest need a reliable attacking focal point. Four goals across different matches carries more weight than a single hat-trick in one-sided opposition.

Justin Kluivert – Bournemouth – 3 goals

Kluivert scored all three of his pre-season goals in Bournemouth’s extraordinary 10-1 victory over Genoa. Two came from the penalty spot, which is also worth noting from an FPL perspective.

His role remains the key question. Bournemouth have several attacking options competing for places, but a hat-trick and potential penalty involvement keep him very much on the watchlist.

Enes Ünal – Bournemouth – 3 goals

Ünal has also reached three goals, scoring against Augsburg before adding two more during the 10-1 Genoa rout.

Minutes are likely to be the concern here, particularly given Bournemouth’s depth up front, so this is more evidence of squad strength than an automatic FPL recommendation.

Bryan Mbeumo – Manchester United – 3 goals

Mbeumo has produced arguably one of the most meaningful pre-season scoring runs because all three goals have come against elite opposition.

He scored twice as Manchester United beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 and then added the equaliser against Champions League holders PSG. With Benjamin Šeško yet to feature in pre-season, Mbeumo has been used through the middle and has clearly taken his opportunity. At £8.0m in FPL, his role when everyone is fit will be crucial, but three goals against Atletico and PSG is one of the strongest attacking signals of the summer.

Eddie Nketiah – Crystal Palace – 3 goals

Nketiah opened pre-season with two goals against Swindon and then scored again against Al-Ula.

With Palace having been without some of their more established forwards during early preparation, Nketiah has had the chance to lead the line. Whether that converts into a starting role when the competitive season begins remains uncertain, but three goals gives him a strong case.

Matheus França – Crystal Palace – 3 goals

França scored a hat-trick during Palace’s 5-1 victory over Swindon, all after the interval.

Like Kluivert at Bournemouth, all three goals came in one match, so some caution is needed. Even so, producing three goals in a half is exactly the sort of performance that can move a player up the manager’s pecking order.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Leeds – 3 goals

Calvert-Lewin has made one of the strongest cases among the promoted clubs. He came off the bench to score twice as Leeds overturned a 2-0 deficit to beat Liverpool 4-2 and followed that with another goal against RB Leipzig. The Premier League notes that his pre-season form has already pushed his FPL ownership above 20 per cent.

At £6.0m, he could become one of the more popular budget forwards if he begins the season as Leeds’ first-choice striker.

George Hemmings – Aston Villa – 2 goals

Hemmings scored in Villa’s 5-0 win over Walsall and then struck again against Real Sociedad.

Like Madjo, he has benefited from senior players returning late following the World Cup. That makes his GW1 prospects difficult to assess, but two goals represents a positive summer for another Villa youngster.

Emi Buendía – Aston Villa – 2 goals

Buendía has scored in successive August friendlies, opening the scoring against both Indonesia All Stars and BG Pathum United.

This may be more significant than some of the academy scorers because Buendía is genuinely competing for senior minutes. He is currently priced at £6.0m in FPL, and his role once Villa’s full squad is available will be worth monitoring, particularly if he’s on penalties.

Marcus Tavernier – Bournemouth – 2 goals

Tavernier scored against Augsburg and then opened the scoring against Real Betis on 8 August.

The fact his goals have arrived in separate matches is encouraging. Bournemouth also have an injury to Junior Kroupi, potentially creating more opportunities in their attacking positions.

Evanilson – Bournemouth – 2 goals

Evanilson scored against Augsburg and again against Real Betis, giving him two goals from Bournemouth’s summer schedule so far.

Unlike some of Bournemouth’s other scorers, he has also been regularly preferred from the start up front. That combination of goals and expected minutes makes his two strikes particularly relevant for FPL managers.

Alex Scott – Bournemouth – 2 goals

Scott scored twice in the 10-1 win over Genoa.

His goals came in an unusual 120-minute friendly, so this is one to treat more cautiously, but the attacking contribution is still encouraging from a midfielder.

Ben Gannon-Doak – Bournemouth – 2 goals

Gannon-Doak scored against St Pauli and then found the net again against Augsburg.

That represents a more convincing pattern than scoring twice in a single rout, although competition for Bournemouth’s wide positions remains significant.

Daniel Jebbison – Bournemouth – 2 goals

Jebbison is another Bournemouth player on two, scoring against St Pauli and again in the Genoa victory.

Minutes rather than form are likely to determine whether he becomes an FPL consideration.

Charalampos Kostoulas – Brighton – 2 goals

Kostoulas scored twice in Brighton’s opening 4-1 victory over Wycombe. The Premier League has already highlighted the young Greek forward as one to monitor.

At £5.5m, any sign of regular league minutes would immediately make him interesting as a cheap forward.

Yasin Ayari – Brighton – 2 goals

Ayari scored either side of half-time as Brighton beat Roma 3-0 on 8 August. The official report also praised his overall midfield performance, not just the goals.

That matters because this was against high-level opposition rather than a lower-league side. He is therefore one of the more interesting midfield risers from the latest round of friendlies.

Georginio Rutter – Brighton – 2 goals

Rutter scored against Wycombe in Brighton’s opening friendly and then produced a superb long-range goal against Roma.

Two goals in separate matches plus an advanced role gives his form more credibility than a one-game burst.

Oli McBurnie – Hull City – 2 goals

McBurnie has scored twice during Hull’s preparations, continuing the form that helped them win promotion. The Premier League specifically identified his two-goal summer tally when reviewing Hull’s pre-season.

At £5.5m, he could become relevant as one of the cheapest starting forwards if Hull can create enough chances after promotion.

Leif Davis – Ipswich – 2 goals

An unusual name among the multiple scorers is defender Leif Davis, who scored twice as Ipswich beat Rayo Vallecano 3-0 on 8 August.

Davis already has a reputation for attacking returns from full-back, and two goals in one friendly further underline that threat. At only £4.0m in FPL, his attacking potential is likely to attract plenty of attention.

Florian Wirtz – Liverpool – 2 goals

Wirtz scored against Leeds and followed it up with another goal against Monaco at Anfield. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has also indicated that the German is being developed for the No 10 position behind the striker.

That combination makes Wirtz one of the most interesting pre-season players from an FPL perspective. His two goals have come in Liverpool’s two most recent matches and from the attacking role managers would want him occupying.

Rayan Aït-Nouri – Manchester City – 2 goals

Aït-Nouri has scored in consecutive matches on City’s Asian tour, against the K-League All Stars and Atletico Madrid.

More interestingly, he has at times been used very high up the pitch rather than simply as a conventional full-back. Pre-season positioning can be misleading, but two goals from a defender is enough to put him firmly on the fantasy radar.

Omar Marmoush – Manchester City – 2 goals

Marmoush scored both of City’s first two goals in their 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid, with Semenyo supplying both assists.

The goals arrived within two minutes of each other and demonstrated exactly why Marmoush can be dangerous when used centrally. The question for FPL managers will be how his minutes look once Haaland returns.

Divin Mubama – Manchester City – 2 goals

Mubama scored against Inter Milan in City’s first friendly and again in the 3-1 win over the K-League All Stars.

He is unlikely to be a straightforward FPL option once the senior forwards return, but two goals have at least strengthened his case for involvement.

Enzo Le Fée – Sunderland – 2 goals

Le Fée scored twice in Sunderland’s 5-1 opening friendly victory at York City.

Following a very productive 2025/26 Premier League season, the midfielder remains one of Sunderland’s more interesting fantasy options heading into their second campaign back in the top flight.

The Players Whose Form Looks Most Meaningful

Not all pre-season goals are equal. A hat-trick against weakened opposition is useful, but repeated scoring across several matches against stronger opponents is generally more persuasive.

On that basis, the players whose pre-season numbers currently look particularly noteworthy are João Pedro, Brian Madjo, Igor Jesus, Mbeumo, Calvert-Lewin, Evanilson, Wirtz and Aït-Nouri.

Mbeumo’s three goals against Atletico Madrid and PSG stand out because of the quality of opposition. Wirtz has scored in Liverpool’s last two friendlies while being tested in the No 10 role. Calvert-Lewin has three goals across two matches, and Aït-Nouri has scored in consecutive City games.

There is another Manchester City player who deserves a mention even though he does not qualify under our two-goal rule. Antoine Semenyo has not scored twice, but he has produced four assists in City’s three-match Asian tour, including creating both Marmoush goals against Atletico. Enzo Maresca has specifically praised the threat being provided by City’s wide players.

Don’t Overreact to Pre-Season Goals

Pre-season remains exactly that: preparation.

Several clubs have been without World Cup players, managers are experimenting with formations, youngsters are receiving far more minutes than they are likely to get once competitive football begins, and some friendlies have been played over unusual formats such as 120 minutes.

The crucial next step for FPL managers is therefore not simply asking who has scored, but who is still starting when the strongest available XI appears in the final friendlies.

A player with two goals and a secure starting place is far more valuable than someone with four goals who will return to the bench once the senior players are back.

With the Premier League season beginning later this month, the final week of friendlies should therefore tell us even more than the early matches.

For anyone wanting to follow those matches in detail, the FISO pre-season friendlies thread continues to collate reports, line-ups and discussion from around the league.

The 2026/27 Fantasy Premier League season promises to be one of the most unpredictable in recent years, and few clubs have undergone as much change as Newcastle United. With a new manager at the helm, several high-profile departures, and a renewed focus on youth, the Magpies could become an excellent source of value picks for fantasy managers looking to gain an edge over the competition.

While many players will naturally gravitate towards proven stars from the traditional title challengers, Newcastle’s evolving squad may present several affordable options capable of outperforming their price tags. Those of you with an interest in online football betting will no doubt view the Toon as one of the most difficult clubs to predict ahead of next season.

A New Era Under Matthias Jaissle

It’s already been a summer of significant change at St James’ Park. Eddie Howe’s successful spell has come to an end, with Matthias Jaissle taking over managerial duties.

Jaissle has earned a reputation for developing young talent and implementing an energetic, high-pressing style of football. While adapting to a new league always presents challenges, his arrival signals a fresh direction for Newcastle both on and off the pitch.

Fantasy managers often benefit by identifying players who thrive under a new coach before their prices begin to rise, making Newcastle a team worth monitoring closely during the opening weeks of the campaign.

High-Profile Departures Create New Opportunities

Newcastle’s squad has already undergone major changes with established first-team players such as Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon departing the club.

Losing players of that quality naturally creates gaps in both the starting eleven and the squad rotation. More importantly for Fantasy Premier League managers, it opens the door for younger players to establish themselves as regular starters.

Minutes are often the most valuable commodity in fantasy football. A relatively inexpensive player guaranteed to start every week can often outperform a more expensive option who faces heavy rotation.

Newcastle’s Focus on Youth

Rather than replacing departing stars with expensive household names, Newcastle appear to be embracing a strategy centred around younger players with significant long-term potential.

This approach may not generate as many headlines, but it could create excellent fantasy opportunities.

Young players arriving from overseas leagues are often priced conservatively because they have yet to prove themselves in England. If they settle quickly, their value can increase dramatically over the course of a season.

Bazoumana Toure Could Be One to Watch

One player attracting attention is Bazoumana Toure.

Although unproven in the Premier League, he possesses the pace and attacking ability that could make him an exciting differential if he earns regular minutes under Jaissle.

Fantasy managers willing to take calculated risks often benefit from identifying emerging talents before they become popular selections across the game.

If Toure adapts quickly, he could become one of the bargains of the season.

Aladji Bamba May Offer Similar Value

Another newcomer who could appeal to fantasy managers is Aladji Bamba.

Like Toure, he arrives without Premier League experience, which is likely to keep his initial Fantasy Premier League price relatively low.

Should Bamba establish himself in Newcastle’s starting side, he may provide excellent value compared to similarly priced players at other clubs.

Keeping an eye on Newcastle’s pre-season matches and the opening fixtures should provide valuable clues about how Jaissle intends to use his younger arrivals.

William Osula Could Be the Standout Bargain

Perhaps the most intriguing option already at the club is William Osula.

The striker enjoyed a strong finish to last season and appears well placed to play a much bigger role during the upcoming campaign.

Because he has yet to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s leading forwards, his fantasy price is expected to remain considerably lower than many established strikers.

If Osula secures the starting role and continues the form he showed towards the end of last season, he could deliver exceptional value while freeing up budget elsewhere in your squad.

Finding reliable forwards at lower price points is often one of the biggest challenges in the Fantasy Premier League, making Osula a player many managers will want to monitor closely.

More Signings Could Still Arrive

Newcastle’s summer business is unlikely to be finished.

The club are expected to remain active throughout the transfer window as Jaissle continues shaping the squad to fit his preferred style of play.

New arrivals could further strengthen Newcastle’s attacking options or create additional fantasy bargains if more young players are recruited with affordable starting prices.

Equally, any further departures could increase opportunities for existing squad members to earn regular first-team football.

Patience Could Be Rewarded

Predicting which Newcastle players will emerge as fantasy stars before the season begins is difficult given the scale of change taking place at the club.

However, history shows that transitional periods often produce breakout performers who significantly outperform expectations.

Rather than immediately investing heavily, many fantasy managers may choose to monitor Newcastle during the opening few gameweeks before taking advantage of any players who establish themselves as regular starters.

Final Thoughts

Newcastle United enter the 2026/27 season with a new manager, a refreshed transfer strategy and several exciting young players looking to make their mark.

While there is naturally some uncertainty surrounding a squad in transition, that uncertainty could create outstanding value for Fantasy Premier League managers.

Bazoumana Toure and Aladji Bamba represent intriguing low-cost differentials with significant upside, while William Osula could prove to be one of the best budget forwards in the game if he builds on his impressive finish to last season.

With Newcastle also expected to remain busy in the transfer market throughout the summer, fantasy managers would be wise to keep a close eye on developments at St James’ Park before finalising their squads for the new campaign.

One of the biggest keys to success in Fantasy Premier League is not simply picking the highest-scoring players — it’s finding the players who massively outperform their price tags.

With managers restricted to a £100m budget, the optimal strategy is usually a blend of:

• premium heavy hitters such as Haaland or Bruno Fernandes
• combined with elite Value For Money (VFM) picks who free up budget elsewhere for the highest scoring FPL players

The 2025/26 season once again showed that defenders were the strongest VFM position overall, with cheaper centre-backs and goalkeepers dominating the rankings thanks to clean sheets, bonus points and the newly introduced Defensive Contribution points system. The VFM metric is calculated as total FPL points divided by final FPL player price.

Defensive Contribution Points Changed FPL

The introduction of Defensive Contribution (DEFCON) points had a massive impact on the game in 2025/26 and was one of the main reasons defenders dominated the VFM rankings.

Players could earn an additional 2 points per match if they reached specific defensive action thresholds.

Defenders

Defenders needed at least 10 combined:

• clearances
• blocks
• interceptions
• tackles

(commonly referred to as CBIT)

Midfielders and forwards

Midfielders and forwards needed:

• 12 combined CBIT actions plus recoveries

to qualify for the extra points.

The rule particularly benefited:

• centre-backs
• defensive midfielders
• teams with strong defensive structure

That is why players such as Guéhi, Senesi, Gabriel, Tarkowski and Van Hecke became exceptional season-long value picks.

Top 10 Overall Value For Money Players

Rank	Player	Club	Pos	Price	Total Points	VFM
1	Guéhi	Man City	DEF	£5.1m	179	35.1
2	Truffert	Bournemouth	DEF	£4.8m	165	34.4
3	Senesi	Bournemouth	DEF	£5.2m	175	33.7
4	Mukiele	Sunderland	DEF	£4.6m	151	32.8
5	Anderson	Nott’m Forest	MID	£5.7m	180	31.6
6	Van Hecke	Brighton	DEF	£4.7m	148	31.5
7	Garner	Everton	MID	£5.2m	159	30.6
8	E.Le Fée	Sunderland	MID	£4.8m	147	30.6
9	Alderete	Sunderland	DEF	£4.1m	125	30.5
10	O’Reilly	Man City	DEF	£5.3m	160	30.2

The immediate pattern is obvious: defenders dominated.

Cheap defenders from strong defensive sides once again offered the best route to maximising points per million spent.

Which Positions Offered the Best Value?

Defenders dominated VFM

The biggest lesson from the 2025/26 season was that defenders were comfortably the strongest VFM position.

Of the top 20 VFM players:

• 13 were defenders
• 4 were midfielders
• 2 were goalkeepers
• just 1 was a forward

Centre-backs in particular were exceptional value because they combined:

• clean sheets
• bonus points
• durability
• low rotation risk
• and DEFCON points

Players such as Guéhi, Senesi, Truffert, Gabriel and Van Hecke massively outperformed their prices.

Midfielders still provided elite balance

Midfielders offered the best blend of:

• strong points
• affordability
• captaincy flexibility

Players like Anderson, Garner, Wilson and Casemiro became season-long enablers who allowed managers to afford premium stars elsewhere.

Premium forwards remain necessary

Although forwards offered weaker VFM overall, elite scorers such as Haaland still justified inclusion because raw FPL points remain critical.

The winning FPL structure in 2025/26 was usually:

• 2–3 premium attackers
• surrounded by elite VFM defenders and midfielders

That allowed managers to spend close to the full £100m budget while maximising overall efficiency.

Best Value Players By Club

Arsenal

1. Gabriel (DEF, £7.3m) – VFM 28.6
2. Zubimendi (MID, £4.9m) – VFM 27.1
3. Rice (MID, £7.2m) – VFM 25.6
4. J.Timber (DEF, £6.0m) – VFM 24.8

Aston Villa

1. Cash (DEF, £4.6m) – VFM 25.4
2. Martínez (GKP, £5.0m) – VFM 24.0
3. Rogers (MID, £7.3m) – VFM 23.2
4. Konsa (DEF, £4.4m) – VFM 22.7

Bournemouth

1. Truffert (DEF, £4.8m) – VFM 34.4
2. Senesi (DEF, £5.2m) – VFM 33.7
3. Scott (MID, £4.9m) – VFM 27.8
4. Petrović (GKP, £4.6m) – VFM 27.0

Bournemouth were arguably the surprise VFM kings of the entire league.

Brentford

1. Kelleher (GKP, £4.8m) – VFM 29.8
2. Collins (DEF, £4.9m) – VFM 26.3
3. Thiago (FWD, £7.2m) – VFM 25.1
4. O.Dango (MID, £5.6m) – VFM 24.3

Brighton

1. Van Hecke (DEF, £4.7m) – VFM 31.5
2. Verbruggen (GKP, £4.6m) – VFM 28.3
3. F.Kadıoğlu (DEF, £4.5m) – VFM 26.2
4. Dunk (DEF, £4.5m) – VFM 22.2

Brighton defenders quietly became outstanding budget picks.

Burnley

1. Anthony (MID, £5.0m) – VFM 25.4
2. Dúbravka (GKP, £4.0m) – VFM 24.0
3. Estève (DEF, £3.8m) – VFM 22.4
4. Ugochukwu (MID, £5.0m) – VFM 19.4

Chelsea

1. Chalobah (DEF, £5.4m) – VFM 25.2
2. Enzo (MID, £6.5m) – VFM 24.2
3. João Pedro (FWD, £7.4m) – VFM 23.9
4. Sánchez (GKP, £4.8m) – VFM 23.5

Crystal Palace

1. Lacroix (DEF, £5.2m) – VFM 29.6
2. Richards (DEF, £4.4m) – VFM 29.1
3. Mitchell (DEF, £5.0m) – VFM 27.0
4. Henderson (GKP, £5.1m) – VFM 25.7

Palace’s defence became one of the best value units in FPL.

Everton

1. Garner (MID, £5.2m) – VFM 30.6
2. Tarkowski (DEF, £5.8m) – VFM 29.3
3. Keane (DEF, £4.5m) – VFM 29.1
4. Dewsbury-Hall (MID, £5.3m) – VFM 28.5

Everton again rewarded managers who trusted cheap defensive picks.

Fulham

1. Wilson (MID, £5.8m) – VFM 29.0
2. Andersen (DEF, £4.4m) – VFM 28.0
3. Leno (GKP, £5.0m) – VFM 24.4
4. Bassey (DEF, £4.4m) – VFM 23.4

Leeds United

1. Stach (MID, £4.8m) – VFM 28.5
2. Rodon (DEF, £3.9m) – VFM 27.9
3. Ampadu (MID, £4.9m) – VFM 27.3
4. Struijk (DEF, £4.2m) – VFM 25.7

Liverpool

1. Virgil (DEF, £6.1m) – VFM 28.7
2. Gravenberch (MID, £5.4m) – VFM 26.7
3. Konaté (DEF, £5.4m) – VFM 23.9
4. Szoboszlai (MID, £7.1m) – VFM 22.5

Manchester City

1. Guéhi (DEF, £5.1m) – VFM 35.1
2. O’Reilly (DEF, £5.3m) – VFM 30.2
3. Matheus N. (DEF, £5.3m) – VFM 29.1
4. Semenyo (MID, £8.0m) – VFM 25.2

City defenders dominated the VFM rankings despite the club losing the title.

Manchester United

1. Casemiro (MID, £5.8m) – VFM 28.4
2. Shaw (DEF, £4.5m) – VFM 25.1
3. Dalot (DEF, £4.5m) – VFM 24.7
4. B.Fernandes (MID, £10.4m) – VFM 22.6

Bruno Fernandes scored huge raw points, but Casemiro offered stronger value relative to price.

Newcastle

1. Thiaw (DEF, £4.9m) – VFM 25.7
2. Bruno G. (MID, £6.9m) – VFM 22.3
3. Pope (GKP, £5.0m) – VFM 19.2
4. Burn (DEF, £5.0m) – VFM 18.6

Nottingham Forest

1. Anderson (MID, £5.7m) – VFM 31.6
2. N.Williams (DEF, £4.8m) – VFM 26.7
3. Gibbs-White (MID, £7.6m) – VFM 24.7
4. Milenković (DEF, £5.1m) – VFM 23.3

Forest massively outperformed expectations both in reality and fantasy terms.

Spurs

1. Van de Ven (DEF, £4.4m) – VFM 26.4
2. J.Palhinha (MID, £5.5m) – VFM 22.9
3. Pedro Porro (DEF, £5.2m) – VFM 22.5
4. Vicario (GKP, £4.7m) – VFM 19.1

Even in another terrible season for Spurs, Van de Ven still produced some decent defensive value.

Sunderland

1. Mukiele (DEF, £4.6m) – VFM 32.8
2. E.Le Fée (MID, £4.8m) – VFM 30.6
3. Alderete (DEF, £4.1m) – VFM 30.5
4. Roefs (GKP, £4.8m) – VFM 28.3

Sunderland’s budget assets became essential enablers during large parts of the season.

West Ham

1. Mavropanos (DEF, £4.5m) – VFM 27.1
2. Diouf (DEF, £4.1m) – VFM 25.4
3. M.Fernandes (MID, £5.5m) – VFM 24.5
4. Bowen (FWD, £7.8m) – VFM 24.0

Despite relegation, West Ham still produced a few useful low-cost performers.

Wolves

1. S.Bueno (DEF, £4.4m) – VFM 20.9
2. J.Gomes (MID, £5.3m) – VFM 20.2
3. André (MID, £5.2m) – VFM 18.5
4. José Sá (GKP, £4.2m) – VFM 16.2

Wolves struggled badly overall, reflected by their relatively weak VFM numbers.

Final Thoughts

The 2025/26 season reinforced one of the oldest FPL truths:

Winning teams are rarely built purely around premium stars.

The best managers combined:

• elite captains such as Haaland and Bruno Fernandes
• with cheap defenders and midfielders massively outperforming their prices

The introduction of DEFCON points only strengthened the importance of centre-backs and defensively active midfielders.

Finding next season’s Senesi, Guéhi or Anderson before everyone else may once again be the key to climbing the rankings.

The above player prices are their final FPL season-ending price. Check out FISO’s FPL forum for more discussion about the 25/26 season and related FPL side-games.

Before the return of the Premier League in August, fantasy football fans have the World Cup to look forward to starting in the middle of June.

The 2025/26 Fantasy Premier League season delivered plenty of surprises, with defenders dominating the scoring charts, several mid-priced midfielders emerging as elite value picks, and a few newly-promoted clubs producing unexpected heroes. Using the final FPL Total Points rankings we’ve picked out the top FPL performers from every Premier League club.

First, here’s the overall top 10 highest-scoring players in FPL for 2025/26. Use it and our free 2026/27 Fixture Difficulty Ranking planner to select your best FPL squad for 2026/27.

Top 10 Overall FPL Point Scorers (2025/26)

Rank	Player	Club	Pos	Price	TSB	TP
1	Haaland	Man City	FWD	£14.7m	62.5%	239
2	Bruno Fernandes	Man Utd	MID	£10.4m	48.0%	235
3	Gabriel	Arsenal	DEF	£7.3m	45.4%	209
4	Semenyo	Man City	MID	£8.0m	46.2%	202
5	Gibbs-White	Nott’m Forest	MID	£7.6m	9.2%	188
6	Bowen	West Ham	FWD	£7.8m	17.5%	187
7	Rice	Arsenal	MID	£7.2m	23.3%	184
8	Thiago	Brentford	FWD	£7.2m	30.2%	181
9	Anderson	Nott’m Forest	MID	£5.7m	9.4%	180
10	Guéhi	Man City	DEF	£5.1m	32.6%	179

Arsenal

1. Gabriel (DEF, £7.3m) – 209 pts
2. Rice (MID, £7.2m) – 184 pts
3. Timber (DEF, £6.3m) – 173 pts

Arsenal’s title-winning campaign translated brilliantly into FPL returns. Gabriel was arguably the premium defender of the season thanks to clean sheets and attacking threat, while Rice evolved into a genuine box-to-box FPL asset. Timber also enjoyed an outstanding campaign at both ends of the pitch.

Aston Villa

1. Rogers (MID, £7.3m) – 169 pts
2. Watkins (FWD, £8.7m) – 167 pts
3. Martínez (GKP, £5.4m) – 141 pts

Morgan Rogers became one of the breakout stars of the season, combining creativity with goals at a modest price point. Watkins again proved reliable despite Villa balancing domestic football with their Europa League triumph, while Martínez remained a dependable goalkeeper option.

Bournemouth

1. Senesi (DEF, £5.2m) – 175 pts
2. Truffert (DEF, £4.8m) – 165 pts
3. Evanilson (FWD, £6.5m) – 151 pts

Bournemouth’s defensive assets massively outperformed expectations. Senesi and Truffert delivered exceptional value thanks to clean sheets and bonus points, while Evanilson became a popular mid-priced striker.

Brentford

1. Thiago (FWD, £7.2m) – 181 pts
2. Kelleher (GKP, £4.8m) – 143 pts
3. Damsgaard (MID, £5.6m) – 137 pts

Thiago became Brentford’s attacking focal point and one of the best-value forwards in the game. Kelleher rewarded patient managers with strong save volume, while Damsgaard quietly produced an excellent creative season.

Brighton

1. Van Hecke (DEF, £4.7m) – 148 pts
2. Verbruggen (GKP, £4.6m) – 130 pts
3. Welbeck (FWD, £6.1m) – 122 pts

Brighton’s defence quietly produced strong value over the season, while Welbeck enjoyed another productive year when fit.

Burnley

1. Anthony (MID, £5.0m) – 127 pts
2. Flemming (FWD, £5.3m) – 99 pts

Burnley struggled overall but Anthony still emerged as a useful differential during patches of the campaign. Burnley simply did not produce enough viable FPL assets to justify a third inclusion.

Chelsea

1. João Pedro (FWD, £7.4m) – 177 pts
2. Enzo (MID, £6.5m) – 157 pts
3. Palmer (MID, £10.6m) – 149 pts

Chelsea endured an inconsistent season but still produced several fantasy-relevant players. João Pedro was the standout, while Palmer still posted respectable returns despite Chelsea’s struggles.

Crystal Palace

1. Lacroix (DEF, £5.2m) – 154 pts
2. Muñoz (DEF, £5.9m) – 136 pts
3. Henderson (GKP, £5.0m) – 128 pts

Palace’s defensive setup underpinned their run to the Conference League final. Defensive points and bonus accumulation made their back line highly valuable.

Everton

1. Tarkowski (DEF, £5.8m) – 170 pts
2. Garner (MID, £5.2m) – 159 pts
3. Ndiaye (MID, £6.2m) – 144 pts

Everton’s defensive resilience again made Tarkowski an FPL machine, while Garner and Ndiaye consistently chipped in from midfield.

Fulham

1. Wilson (MID, £5.8m) – 168 pts
2. Andersen (DEF, £4.4m) – 123 pts
3. Iwobi (MID, £6.4m) – 118 pts

Harry Wilson’s creativity and set-piece role drove Fulham’s attack, while Iwobi again proved a useful differential option.

Leeds United

1. Calvert-Lewin (FWD, £5.8m) – 142 pts
2. Stach (MID, £4.8m) – 137 pts
3. Struijk (DEF, £4.3m) – 118 pts

Leeds exceeded expectations after promotion, with Calvert-Lewin rediscovering form and Struijk emerging as a strong budget defender.

Liverpool

1. Virgil (DEF, £6.1m) – 175 pts
2. Szoboszlai (MID, £7.1m) – 160 pts
3. Mac Allister (MID, £6.3m) – 156 pts

Liverpool’s transition season still produced major FPL points. Virgil rolled back the years with elite defensive output, while Szoboszlai and Mac Allister controlled midfield. Salah still reached 123 points despite an underwhelming final campaign before departing the club.

Manchester City

1. Haaland (FWD, £14.7m) – 239 pts
2. Semenyo (MID, £8.0m) – 202 pts
3. Guéhi (DEF, £5.1m) – 179 pts

Even in a season where City surrendered the title, Haaland remained the dominant FPL force. Semenyo’s explosive midfield campaign made him one of the best-value premium picks, while Guéhi anchored the defence impressively.

Manchester United

1. Bruno Fernandes (MID, £10.4m) – 235 pts
2. Casemiro (MID, £5.8m) – 165 pts
3. Šeško (FWD, £7.4m) – 148 pts

United’s resurgence was reflected heavily in FPL scoring. Bruno Fernandes produced a historic campaign, while Šeško’s arrival added much-needed firepower.

Newcastle United

1. Bruno G. (MID, £6.9m) – 154 pts
2. Thiaw (DEF, £4.9m) – 126 pts
3. Gordon (MID, £7.3m) – 118 pts

Bruno Guimarães remained Newcastle’s most reliable fantasy asset despite the club’s inconsistent season.

Nottingham Forest

1. Gibbs-White (MID, £7.6m) – 188 pts
2. Anderson (MID, £5.7m) – 180 pts
3. Sels (GKP, £5.2m) – 146 pts

Forest massively outperformed expectations and their midfield pairing became one of the best-value combinations in FPL.

Spurs

1. J.Palhinha (MID, £5.5m) – 126 pts
2. Richarlison (FWD, £6.5m) – 119 pts
3. Romero (DEF, £4.9m) – 104 pts

Spurs endured another miserable season near the relegation zone, but a handful of players still produced respectable returns.

Sunderland

1. Mukiele (DEF, £4.6m) – 151 pts
2. E.Le Fée (MID, £4.8m) – 147 pts
3. Xhaka (MID, £5.3m) – 129 pts

Sunderland’s first season back in the Premier League was a huge success, and their budget assets became useful enablers throughout the year.

West Ham

1. Bowen (FWD, £7.8m) – 187 pts
2. M.Fernandes (MID, £5.5m) – 135 pts
3. Wan-Bissaka (DEF, £4.1m) – 118 pts

Despite relegation, Jarrod Bowen still delivered elite fantasy output and remained one of the most explosive forwards in the game.

Wolves

1. J.Gomes (MID, £5.3m) – 107 pts
2. André (MID, £5.2m) – 96 pts

João Gomes at least offered occasional value in midfield. Too poor a side to produce a meaningful third fantasy asset, which ultimately reflected their struggles at the bottom of the table.

The above player prices are their final FPL season-ending price. Check out FISO’s FPL forum for more discussion about the 25/26 season and related FPL side-games.

Before the return of the Premier League in August, fantasy football fans have the World Cup to look forward to starting in the middle of June.

Gameweek 35 lands at a pivotal moment in the season, where motivation and fatigue increasingly outweigh raw form.

We now have:

• A tight relegation battle involving sides like West Ham and Spurs
• European semi-finals affecting team selection and intensity (Arsenal in the Champions League; Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace in European competitions)
• Clear separation between teams still pushing hard and those drifting

Using our established FISO prediction model (form + venue + xG + context), and building on strong recent returns, here are the GW35 projections — now with FPL picks based on the latest 30-day FPL form data.

FISO Goals is the EPL Predictions game for FISO Forum Members. See our predicted EPL scores for next GW using a statistical model. FISO was founded over 25 years ago in 2000 and is the longest-running UK fantasy sports online community – Independent, community-driven fantasy football analysis since before FPL existed!

You can also check our earlier GW34 predictions and reasoning on our homepage.

GW35 Predictions Table

Fixture	Score Prediction	Confidence
Leeds vs Burnley	2–0	High
Brentford vs West Ham	1–1	Medium
Newcastle vs Brighton	1–2	Medium
Wolves vs Sunderland	1–1	Medium
Arsenal vs Fulham	1–0	Medium
Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace	2–1	Medium
Man Utd vs Liverpool	2–2	Medium
Aston Villa vs Tottenham	2–1	Medium
Chelsea vs Nott’m Forest	2–1	Medium
Everton vs Man City	0–2	High

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Match-by-Match Analysis + FPL Picks

Leeds vs Burnley

Leeds have the stronger attacking output and far greater motivation, while Burnley’s defensive record remains poor following relegation confirmation.

Prediction: Leeds 2–0 Burnley
FPL Picks: Okafor (£5.5m), Justin (£3.9m)

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Brentford vs West Ham

This is shaped by relegation pressure, which often tightens games. Brentford’s draw tendency meets a West Ham side likely to prioritise structure over risk.

Prediction: Brentford 1–1 West Ham
FPL Picks:

• Brentford: Thiago (£7.4m)
• West Ham: Bowen (£7.7m)

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Newcastle vs Brighton

Brighton’s superior recent form and attacking consistency give them the edge despite being away.

Prediction: Newcastle 1–2 Brighton
FPL Picks: Osula (£5.4m), Groß (£5.5m)

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Wolves vs Sunderland

With Wolves already relegated and Sunderland inconsistent, this projects as a low-quality, low-event fixture.

Prediction: Wolves 1–1 Sunderland
FPL Picks: Mukiele (£4.6m), Le Fée (£4.8m)

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Arsenal vs Fulham

Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final second leg just days later suggests a controlled performance rather than a high-scoring one.

Prediction: Arsenal 1–0 Fulham
FPL Picks: Gabriel £7.2m, Raya £6.0m

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Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace are juggling a European semi-final, which may impact lineup strength and intensity. Bournemouth look well placed at home.

Prediction: Bournemouth 2–1 Crystal Palace
FPL Picks:

• Bournemouth: Scott (£5.1m), Truffert (£4.7m)
• Crystal Palace: Mateta (£7.6m)

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Man Utd vs Liverpool

A classic high-variance fixture:

• Man Utd’s elite home form
• Liverpool’s attacking consistency

BTTS looks highly likely.

Prediction: Man Utd 2–2 Liverpool
FPL Picks:

• Man Utd: Fernandes (£10.4m), Casemiro (£5.8m)
• Liverpool: Isak (£10.3m), Wirtz (£8.3m)

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Aston Villa vs Tottenham

Spurs’ relegation battle increases urgency, but Villa’s structure and home strength give them the edge, even with European commitments.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2–1 Tottenham
FPL Picks: Watkins (£8.7m), Rogers (£7.4m)

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Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest

Forest are also managing a European semi-final (vs Villa), which may affect freshness. Chelsea’s underlying numbers suggest they can edge this.

Prediction: Chelsea 2–1 Nottingham Forest
FPL Picks: Joao Pedro (£7.5m) CHE & for FOR: Gibbs-White (£7.6m), N. Williams (£4.8m)

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Everton vs Man City

Man City remain the most reliable side in the league:

• Best away form
• Strong motivation
• Defensive solidity

Prediction: Everton 0–2 Man City
FPL Picks:

• Man City: O’Reilly (£5.1m), Cherki (£6.4m)

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GW35 Key Themes

1. Relegation Pressure = Lower Risk Football

Expect tighter matches from teams near the bottom, particularly:

• West Ham
• Spurs

This often reduces goal totals and increases draw probability.

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2. European Semi-Finals Are a Major Factor

• Arsenal: Champions League focus
• Aston Villa & Nottingham Forest: Europa involvement
• Crystal Palace: Conference League

This typically leads to:

• Rotation
• Reduced tempo
• Narrower scorelines

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3. Form Sides Still Stand Out

• Man City remain elite
• Brighton continue to trend strongly
• Leeds offer value in favourable fixtures

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Final Word

At this stage of the season, the edge comes from correctly weighting context over averages:

• Who still has something to play for
• Who is managing energy for Europe
• Who is simply running out of quality

GW35 shapes up as a week of:

• Controlled wins rather than big margins
• Draws in pressure-heavy fixtures
• Selective away wins from elite sides

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Expect fewer surprises in structure — but plenty in execution as pressure ramps up across both ends of the table.

Good luck this week, and as always, keep the discussion going on the FISO forum.

Double Gameweek 33 presents one of the clearest Free Hit opportunities of the run-in, with a cluster of clubs playing twice across Tuesday and Wednesday.

Using the expected starting line-ups, recent team news and the latest FPL form data, this guide focuses on five key DGW sides — selecting four players per club with an emphasis on:

• players who should start both matches
• strong recent form and total points output
• favourable fixtures within the double
• and in defence, a clear preference for centre-backs over full-backs due to reduced rotation risk

Don’t forget, the deadline for Gameweek 33 is set at 11.00am (UK time) today Saturday, 18th April 2026. The free to play FPL or pay to play season/weekend/daily games like FanTeam are ideal ways of following the Premier League action. FISO was founded over 25 years ago in 2000 and is the longest-running UK fantasy sports online community – Independent, community-driven fantasy football analysis since before FPL existed!

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The five clubs to target are Bournemouth, Leeds, Brighton, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Bournemouth

Fixtures: Newcastle (A), Leeds (H)

Bournemouth are one of the more appealing attacking doubles. The Newcastle away fixture is not easy, but the home match against Leeds gives them a very attractive second bite at the cherry.

Players to consider:

Evanilson (£6.5)
He should lead the line in both games and remains the clearest Bournemouth route for goals.

Rayan (£5.5)
A useful midfield option with attacking upside, especially if Bournemouth can find space in transition.

Senesi (£4.6)
The preferred Bournemouth defender for a double because centre-backs are more likely than full-backs to get two starts.

Truffert (£4.5)
A viable second defensive pick, although slightly less secure than Senesi over two matches.

Bournemouth’s appeal lies mainly in their attackers. If you want a differential double-up, Evanilson and Rayan make sense, while Senesi is the most reliable defensive route.

Leeds

Fixtures: Wolves (H), Bournemouth (A)

Leeds are a very useful DGW33 club because both fixtures are playable and the team news points toward a fairly settled side. The predicted line-ups commentary makes it clear that Joe Rodon is unlikely to be ready, so the better defensive pick is Bijol.

Players to consider:

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.8)
Expected to start and gives Leeds a focal point up front for both fixtures.

Brenden Aaronson (£5.7)
An attacking midfield option who should get good minutes and has enough creativity to deliver in either game.

Jaka Bijol (£3.9)
A cheap centre-back who fits the “two starts over flair” principle perfectly.

Pascal Struijk (£4.3)
Another centre-back option and probably the safest Leeds defensive pick for minutes.

Leeds may not have the same glamour as Liverpool or Chelsea, but for a Free Hit they offer exactly what you want: two fixtures, sensible prices and likely high minutes.

Brighton

Fixtures: Spurs (A), Chelsea (H)

Brighton come into the double in strong enough form to warrant attention, even if the fixtures are not the easiest. This is not a team to overload on a Free Hit, but there are still several viable picks.

Players to consider:

Pascal Groß (£5.5)
More likely than Mitoma to start both games and offers a steady all-round profile.

Danny Welbeck (£6.2)
Expected to lead the line and carries goal threat in both matches.

Jan Paul van Hecke (£4.6)
The standout Brighton defender for DGW purposes because centre-backs are more likely to survive both starts.

Bart Verbruggen (£4.6)
A goalkeeper with the potential for save points as well as appearance points across two fixtures.

Brighton’s double is more about selective investment than going all in. Groß and van Hecke look the safest picks.

Chelsea

Fixtures: Man Utd (H), Brighton (A)

Chelsea’s double is not straightforward, but they still have some of the strongest individual picks in the player pool. Their attack is capable of delivering in both matches, and there are a couple of defensive options worth considering.

Players to consider:

Cole Palmer (£10.8)
Still the standout Chelsea asset. He should start both and remains central to almost everything good Chelsea do in attack.

João Pedro (£7.6)
Strong recent form and a very good route into the Chelsea frontline.

Enzo Fernández (£7.3)
Should start both and offers a more stable midfield option if you want reliability over explosiveness.

Marc Cucurella (£6.0)
The best Chelsea defender for this week based on the predicted line-ups commentary and likely minutes.

Chelsea’s double is harder than Bournemouth’s or Leeds’, but the quality of Palmer and João Pedro means they cannot be ignored.

Liverpool

Fixtures: Everton (A), Crystal Palace (H)

Liverpool are still one of the standout DGW33 teams, even with injury issues in attack. The attraction here is not just the double, but the quality of the players and the strong home fixture against Crystal Palace in the second game.

Players to consider:

Mohamed Salah (£13.3)
Still the premium headline pick. Even if his season has been quieter by his own standards, two starts make him one of the top captaincy options.

Cody Gakpo (£7.5)
Expected to start in attack and looks one of the strongest value picks from the Liverpool frontline.

Alexis Mac Allister (£5.8)
One of the best-form midfielders and likely to play a major role across both games.

Virgil van Dijk (£5.8)
The standout Liverpool defender and the safest route into their back line.

Liverpool are probably the easiest team to build around for a Free Hit. Salah, Gakpo, Mac Allister and Van Dijk all have strong cases.

DGW33 Free Hit strategy

The biggest lesson for this week is simple: minutes matter more than upside if that upside comes with rotation risk.

That is why centre-backs are preferred to full-backs. Across two matches in quick succession, the defenders most likely to start twice are usually those playing in the middle. That is why Senesi, Bijol, Struijk, van Hecke and Van Dijk all stand out.

The second key point is not to overreact to the fact a team has two fixtures. Two awkward matches do not automatically beat one excellent single fixture. That is why Brighton and Chelsea should be approached with a bit more caution than Liverpool, Bournemouth or Leeds.

Final word

A successful DGW33 Free Hit is likely to be built around Liverpool first, then supported by a mix of Bournemouth, Leeds, Chelsea and Brighton depending on your preferred balance of safety and upside.

If you want the safest route, prioritise players who should start both matches and lean on centre-backs in defence.

If you want the highest upside, build around Salah, Palmer, João Pedro, Evanilson and the Leeds attack.

Get the minutes right, and the points should follow.

 For further discussions have a look at FISO’s FPL forum where you can also see the FPL mini-leagues and FPL side-games available

The 2025/26 Fantasy Premier League campaign has delivered everything fantasy managers crave: breakout stars, premium consistency, and a handful of unexpected heroes. After 31 Gameweeks, a clear “Team of the Season so far” has emerged — and it tells a deeper story about strategy, squad structure, and where the smartest managers are gaining their edge.

With Arsenal leading the way with four players in the lineup, this season has been defined by defensive solidity, midfield creativity, and carefully selected attacking firepower.

Goalkeeper: Reliability Over Rotation

• David Raya (Arsenal) – 129 points

At the back, consistency is king — and no one embodies that better than David Raya.

With 15 clean sheets, he leads the Golden Glove race and has become both the most-owned and highest-scoring goalkeeper in FPL. His appeal goes beyond just clean sheets:

• High save potential
• Bonus point accumulation
• Stability in selection

For managers, Raya represents a key lesson: investing in a top-tier goalkeeper from a defensively elite side often pays off more than rotating cheaper options.

Defence: Arsenal’s Backbone + Budget Efficiency

• Gabriel (Arsenal) – 173 points
• Jurrien Timber (Arsenal) – 149 points
• James Tarkowski (Everton) – 142 points

The defensive unit is where this season’s fantasy narrative truly begins.

Gabriel Magalhães has been the standout defender, combining:

• 3 goals
• 4 assists
• 14 clean sheets

His ability to deliver at both ends of the pitch has given him a commanding lead in defender rankings.

Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber has redefined the modern full-back role in fantasy. With 3 goals and 6 assists, he offers attacking returns that rival midfielders — a crucial advantage in today’s game.

Then there’s James Tarkowski — the budget hero. His 142 points highlight how defensive contributions and consistency can turn a mid-priced defender into a season-long asset.

Midfield: Creativity, Consistency, and Value

• Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) – 189 points
• Antoine Semenyo (Man City) – 174 points
• Declan Rice (Arsenal) – 163 points
• Harry Wilson (Fulham) – 152 points

Midfield has once again proven to be the engine room of fantasy success.

Bruno Fernandes leads all midfielders with 189 points, driven by:

• 8 goals
• 17 assists
• 24 big chances created

He’s also delivered 11 double-digit hauls — making him one of the most explosive and reliable assets in the game.

A surprise inclusion is Antoine Semenyo, whose move to Manchester City transformed his season. With 15 goals and 6 assists, he has become a must-have option since Gameweek 22.

Declan Rice represents the ultimate all-rounder. His mix of goals, assists, defensive contributions, and bonus points makes him one of the safest picks in fantasy.

Finally, Harry Wilson stands out as the budget king. Starting at just £5.5m, his 10 goals and 8 assists have made him one of the best-value players of the season.

Attack: Premium Power Meets Emerging Stars

Player	Team	Points
Erling Haaland	Man City	197 points
Joao Pedro	Chelsea	164 points
Igor Thiago	Brentford	153 points

Up front, the narrative is all about the balance between premium dominance and rising challengers.

Erling Haaland started the season in unstoppable form, with 19 goals in the first 17 Gameweeks. However, his output has slowed in recent weeks — a reminder that even elite assets can fluctuate.

João Pedro has thrived after his move to Chelsea, delivering 14 goals and 9 assists. Under new tactical direction, his underlying stats have improved dramatically, making him one of the most dangerous forwards in the league.

Then there’s Igor Thiago — arguably the breakout striker of the season. With 19 goals, he’s second only to Haaland and has matched him in key attacking metrics like shots and big chances.

What This Team Tells Us About Winning FPL

Looking at the best-performing players across 31 Gameweeks reveals several key insights:

1. Defensive Investment Pays Off

Arsenal’s dominance shows that building around a strong defensive core is still one of the most reliable strategies.

2. Midfield Depth is Essential

Four midfielders in the team highlight the importance of flexibility and consistent point generation.

3. Value Picks Make the Difference

Players like Harry Wilson and Tarkowski enable managers to afford premium stars without sacrificing balance.

4. Form Over Reputation

Semenyo and Thiago prove that emerging players can outperform established names — if you spot them early.

A Note on Regulation and Responsible Play

As fantasy football continues to grow, its connection to the wider betting ecosystem has become more visible. The same applies to online/offline gambling. Here, the issue of responsible gambling arises. Organizations like the UK Gambling Commission ensure that platforms operate fairly and transparently. Major industry names such as Playtech, Skybet, and Leovegas are all part of a regulated environment designed to promote responsible engagement.

For fantasy managers, the takeaway is simple: enjoy the competition, but keep it strategic and controlled.

Final Thoughts: Lessons from the 2025/26 Season

The “Team of the Season so far” isn’t just a list of high scorers — it’s a blueprint for success.

Winning managers in 2025/26 have:

• Trusted defensively strong teams like Arsenal
• Invested heavily in midfield consistency
• Identified breakout stars early
• Balanced premium and budget assets

As we head into the final stretch of the season, one thing is clear: fantasy football is no longer just about picking good players — it’s about building a system.

And if you can crack that system, you’re not just playing the game — you’re mastering it.

With Blank Gameweek 31 removing Arsenal (1st overall), Manchester City (2nd), Crystal Palace (14th) and Wolves (20th/Last) from the BGW31 schedule, many managers will be considering playing their Free Hit chip. Here we highlight a dozen players to consider bringing in either under a free hit or permanently using your spare transfers and we base those recommendations on:

• projected GW31 results
• recent FPL player form (last 30 days)
• and the GW31–GW38 fixture run

This article builds directly from our GW31 score predictions where we project several clear winners this week based on recent Home & Away form. Don’t forget, the deadline for Gameweek 31 is set at 18:30pm (UK time) tomorrow Friday, 20th March 2026. The free to play FPL or pay to play season/weekend/daily games like FanTeam are ideal ways of following the Premier League action. FISO was founded over 25 years ago in 2000 and is the longest-running UK fantasy sports online community – Independent, community-driven fantasy football analysis since before FPL existed!

GW31 Overview: Where the Points Should Come From

From our GW31 score projections:

• We predict Fulham to beat Burnley 2–0 (highest confidence result)
• We predict Manchester United to beat Bournemouth 2–1
• We predict Liverpool to beat Brighton 2–1
• We predict Brentford to beat Leeds 2–1
• We predict Newcastle to beat Sunderland 2–1

These five teams form the backbone of the GW31 strategy — with Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest offering stronger medium-term runs just beyond this week. See who the FISO Forum like for their GW31 Captain.

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Top 12 GW31 Picks (Form + Fixtures + Minutes)

Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) — £10.2 — 43.6% Selected by

Form: 8.2 | Total Points: 176

We predict Manchester United to win at Bournemouth, and Fernandes remains the standout all-round pick in the active GW31 pool. He dominates both form (8.2) and involvement, and with Leeds, Brentford and Sunderland to follow, he is a clear buy-and-hold GW31 captaincy contender.

Next five: BOU (A), LEE (H), CHE (A), BRE (H), LIV (H)

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Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) — £6.3 — 2.5%

Form: 8.0

Liverpool are projected to win at Brighton, but it’s the run after that which really stands out. Mac Allister combines elite form with security of starts and a strong upcoming fixture block (although Liverpool retain UCL involvement), making him one of the best-value midfielders this week.

Next five: BHA (A), FUL (H), EVE (A), CRY (H), MUN (A)

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João Pedro (Chelsea) — £7.8 — 50.6%

Form: 7.5

Chelsea’s trip to Everton is less convincing from a team perspective, but João Pedro’s form and central role keep him firmly in the conversation. He should start and remains one of the most consistent forwards playing this GW.

Next five: EVE (A), MCI (H), MUN (H), BHA (A), NFO (H)

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Hugo Ekitiké (Liverpool) — £9.2 — 36.0%

Form: 5.0

We predict Liverpool to score at least twice at Brighton, and Ekitiké should lead the line again. With Fulham, Everton and Palace next, he offers both immediate and medium-term upside (although the Fulham match occurs midway during Liverpool’s 2-leg UCL quarter final with PSG).

Next five: BHA (A), FUL (H), EVE (A), CRY (H), MUN (A)

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Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) — £6.2 — 35.3%

Form: 5.2

Brighton away is not the easiest clean sheet fixture, but Liverpool’s defensive prospects improve significantly from GW32 onwards. Van Dijk should start even before/after UCL matches and adds attacking threat from set pieces.

Next five: BHA (A), FUL (H), EVE (A), CRY (H), MUN (A)

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Alex Iwobi (Fulham) — £6.4 — 3.0%

Form: 7.0

We predict Fulham to beat Burnley 2–0, making them the standout one-week target. Iwobi’s form is strong and he should start in an advanced role. Ideal for managers chasing a short-term punt with upside.

Next five: BUR (H), LIV (A), BRE (A), AVL (H), ARS (A)

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Harry Wilson (Fulham) — £6.0 — 23.8%

Form: 5.8

Another Fulham attacker worth considering for this specific week. If Fulham deliver as projected, doubling up in midfield could pay off.

Next five: BUR (H), LIV (A), BRE (A), AVL (H), ARS (A)

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Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford) — £5.6 — 1.0%

Form: 6.0

We predict Brentford to win at Leeds, and their next two home games (Everton and Fulham) strengthen the case further. Damsgaard should start and offers a strong blend of form and fixtures at a low ownership.

Next five: LEE (A), EVE (H), FUL (H), MUN (A), WHU (H)

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Thiago (Brentford) — £7.3 — 36.4%

Form: 4.0

Less explosive in recent form but still heavily backed and should start up front having started hitting the back of the net again. With Leeds, Everton and Fulham next, he has one of the best forward fixture runs.

Next five: LEE (A), EVE (H), FUL (H), MUN (A), WHU (H)

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Anthony Gordon (Newcastle) — £7.3 — 6.1%

Form: 5.5

We predict Newcastle to win the derby against Sunderland. Gordon should start and remains their most direct attacking outlet. The next two (CRY, BOU) keep him viable beyond GW31.

Next five: SUN (H), CRY (A), BOU (H), ARS (A), BHA (H)

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Morgan Gibbs-White (Nott’m Forest) — £7.4 — 5.1%

Form: 5.5

Not a pure GW31 pick, but one of the best forward-looking differentials. Forest’s fixture run is decent after the relegation clash against Spurs, with Burnley and Sunderland ahead and they’ll be desperate to avoid 18th place this season. Forest also play tonight away in Denmark in their 2nd leg Europa league KO.

Next five: TOT (A), AVL (H), BUR (H), SUN (A), NEW (H)

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Casemiro (Man Utd) — £5.7 — 3.2%

Form: 5.8

A second route into a Manchester United side we project to win. He should start and benefits from the same strong fixture run as Fernandes.

Next five: BOU (A), LEE (H), CHE (A), BRE (H), LIV (H)

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Strategy Summary

Best teams to target

• Manchester United
• Liverpool
• Brentford
• Fulham (short-term)
• Newcastle

Best short-term punts (GW31 only)

• Iwobi
• Wilson
• Fulham attackers generally

Best medium-term holds

• Fernandes
• Ekitiké
• Mac Allister
• Damsgaard

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Final Thought

By limiting selection to players who should start, and combining that with projected results, recent form and fixture strength, the optimal GW31 approach becomes a little clearer:

• attack Fulham for one week
• build around Manchester United and Liverpool
• and position for Brentford’s upcoming run

If you get that balance right, GW31 becomes less about surviving the blank — and more about gaining ground. For further discussions have a look at FISO’s FPL forum where you can also see the FPL mini-leagues and FPL side-games available

Gameweek 30 arrives in the middle of six (yes 6!) Premier League sides battling to continue in the Champions League knockout stages so don’t be surprised with rotation/rest for some popular players. GW30 also marks the start of Fanteam’s EPL Sprint game covering GW30 to GW38 – a chance to play afresh with a game that lasts just nine gameweeks.

Our GW30 Score Predictions indicate a lot of close games with top sides distracted and tired from European matches. Don’t forget, the deadline for Gameweek 30 is set at 13:30pm (UK time) tomorrow Saturday 14th March 2026. The free to play FPL or pay to play season/weekend/daily games like FanTeam are ideal ways of following the Premier League action. FISO was founded over 25 years ago in 2000 and is the longest-running UK fantasy sports online community – Independent, community-driven fantasy football analysis since before FPL existed!

Gameweek 30 begins with Burnley hosting Bournemouth and concludes with Brentford taking on Wolves on Monday night. With just nine Gameweeks remaining, fixture quality and recent form become increasingly important when identifying the best Fantasy picks.

Using the GW30 fixtures alongside the Premier League home and away form tables, we try to identify which teams are most likely to score goals and which may deliver clean sheets. We then combine those clubs with players who are both expected to start and who rank highly in FPL total points or recent form.

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GW30 Fixture List

14 Mar
Burnley v Bournemouth
Sunderland v Brighton
Arsenal v Everton
Chelsea v Newcastle
West Ham v Man City

15 Mar
Crystal Palace v Leeds
Man United v Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest v Fulham
Liverpool v Spurs

16 Mar
Brentford v Wolves

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Ranked GW30 Teams – Clean Sheet Potential

This ranking combines:

• defensive form
• opponent attacking weakness
• fixture location

Rank	Team	Opponent	Reason
1	Brentford (H)	Wolves	Wolves bottom of away form table
2	Liverpool (H)	Spurs	Spurs bottom of overall form
3	Arsenal (H)	Everton	Strong defensive home record (although Everton top of Away form table)
4	Man United (H)	Villa	Best home form in league
5	Brighton (A)	Sunderland	Sunderland low scoring
6	Crystal Palace (H)	Leeds	Leeds struggle for away wins

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Ranked GW30 Teams – Attacking Potential

Rank	Team	Fixture	Reason
1	Liverpool (H)	Spurs	High scoring attack vs struggling defence
2	Man City (A)	West Ham	City strong away record
3	Brighton (A)	Sunderland	Weak opponent defence
4	Chelsea (H)	Newcastle	Chelsea attack improving
5	Brentford (H)	Wolves	Wolves concede regularly away
6	Man United (H)	Villa	Top home form

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Goalkeepers to Consider

Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford)

Brentford host Wolves, who sit bottom of the away form table with the lowest points per game. This is arguably the strongest clean sheet opportunity of the Gameweek.

Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)

Brighton travel to Sunderland. While Brighton’s away form is mixed, Sunderland’s attack has been among the least productive sides in the league.

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Defenders to Consider

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Liverpool host Spurs, who currently sit bottom of the league’s recent form table. Van Dijk offers both clean sheet potential and aerial threat from set pieces.

Nathan Collins (Brentford)

Brentford’s fixture against Wolves is the standout defensive matchup this week.

Gabriel (Arsenal)

Arsenal’s home defensive record remains strong and Everton have struggled to score consistently away despite sitting top of the Away form table.

Luke Shaw (Man United)

United top the Home form table and Villa’s away attack has been inconsistent.

Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace)

Palace host Leeds, who have one of the weaker away records in the league.

Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton)

Brighton’s centre-back offers a budget route into a fixture against a low-scoring Sunderland side.

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Midfielders to Consider

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Liverpool’s talisman faces Spurs at Anfield in what could be one of the most open matches of the weekend.

Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

Palmer remains Chelsea’s primary attacking outlet and penalty taker.

Bruno Fernandes (Man United)

United’s captain is central to their attacking play and consistently ranks highly for chances created.

Phil Foden (Man City)

With City facing West Ham away, Foden provides a high-upside attacking option from Guardiola’s side.

Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Rogers has emerged as Villa’s most advanced midfielder and remains heavily involved in their attacking transitions.

Pascal Gross (Brighton)

Rejoined Brighton in January and has helped with set-pieces although if fully fit, Mitoma remains Brighton’s most explosive attacking player.

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Forwards to Consider

Erling Haaland (Man City)

City’s striker continues to offer the highest ceiling in Fantasy. Even in tougher fixtures he remains the standout captaincy option.

Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool)

Expected to lead Liverpool’s line against Spurs in a fixture that could produce several goals.

João Pedro (Chelsea)

Chelsea’s central striker role gives Pedro consistent involvement in the team’s attack.

Danny Welbeck (Brighton)

Brighton’s likely starting forward against Sunderland offers a solid differential option.

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Final Thoughts

Gameweek 30 looks particularly favourable for Liverpool, Brentford and Manchester City assets, with Brighton also enjoying a promising fixture. See who the FISO forum think should be their GW30 FPL captain.

The key tactical approach is likely to be:

• Target Liverpool attackers against Spurs
• Back Brentford defensively against Wolves
• Maintain exposure to Manchester City’s attack
• Consider Brighton attackers against Sunderland

Managers who combine these fixture advantages with players already performing well in the FPL points and form tables should be well positioned for Gameweek 30.

For further discussions have a look at FISO’s FPL forum where you can also see the FPL mini-leagues and FPL side-games available