The 2026/27 Fantasy Premier League game is live, prices are out, and the opening deadline is 21 August at 18:30 BST. There is enough time to compare squad structures, but it is too early to lock a final team before pre-season line-ups, injuries and transfers become clearer. Build a flexible draft around dependable captaincy, then leave room to react.
These Fantasy Premier League tips for 2026/27 focus on players whose price, role and opening potential make them serious shortlist candidates. Treat them as foundations for a draft that should be reviewed close to the Gameweek 1 deadline.
Start With Your Captaincy Plan
Captaincy should shape your opening squad rather than being decided after selecting 15 players. Erling Haaland enters at £15.5m, the highest price ever assigned to an FPL player. His early-season record and home fixtures against promoted Coventry City and Ipswich Town in the first seven Gameweeks make him difficult to ignore.
Bruno Fernandes at £12.0m is the clearest premium alternative. He finished 2025/26 on 235 points, only four behind Haaland, and Manchester United start against promoted Hull City and Ipswich Town. Managers avoiding Haaland can use the savings across defence and midfield, although that comes with captaincy risk.
A useful rule is to own at least one premium you would comfortably captain in four of the first six Gameweeks. A clever differential is rarely worth the gamble when a highly owned star has the best fixture and strongest route to a major haul.
Best Premium and Mid-Priced Attackers
Haaland remains the safety-first pick
Haaland scored 27 goals and supplied eight assists last season, finishing on 239 points. His price forces compromises, but it buys reliable minutes, penalties, elite goal threat and straightforward fantasy football captain picks. Draft him first, then test whether the remaining £84.5m can still create a balanced squad.
Fernandes offers an alternative structure
Fernandes produced nine goals and 24 assists in 2025/26. His creative role, set pieces and opening fixtures make him more than a consolation choice. Pairing both premiums is possible, but it may leave weak starters elsewhere, so compare a two-premium draft with a deeper one-premium setup.
Cole Palmer could be a rebound pick
Cole Palmer has dropped to £9.5m after a 114-point season. That reflects recent output, but not the back-to-back 200-plus campaigns that came before it. With no European football for Chelsea and a full pre-season under Xabi Alonso, Palmer could become one of the strongest FPL value players if his central role and penalty duties remain secure.
Alexander Isak has major upside
Alexander Isak is £9.0m following an injury-hit first Liverpool season. With Hugo Ekitike facing a long-term injury and Mohamed Salah no longer at the club, Isak could lead the line and potentially take penalties. Monitor his fitness and pre-season minutes, but the price offers an attractive route into Liverpool’s attack.
Where to Find Value
Igor Thiago at £8.0m scored 22 league goals and 181 FPL points last season, so his price is backed by volume. Dominic Calvert-Lewin at £6.0m is the budget-friendly alternative. He scored 14 goals, added two assists and remains Leeds’ first-choice penalty taker.
Junior Kroupi at £7.5m has been reclassified from forward to midfielder after scoring 13 goals for Bournemouth. Midfield status adds clean-sheet points and an extra point per goal, increasing his appeal if his advanced role continues.
Ethan Ampadu at £5.5m offers a different type of value. His defensive contribution numbers were excellent last season, allowing him to collect points without relying solely on goals or assists. He is better suited to a steady fourth or fifth midfield slot than an explosive weekly role.
How to Build the Defence
Gabriel is the headline option among the best FPL defenders, but his £8.0m price demands thought. He scored 209 points last season through 18 clean sheets, three goals, five assists and 22 defensive contribution returns. He can justify the premium, although the investment may restrict upgrades elsewhere.
Tyrick Mitchell at £4.5m is more flexible after scoring 135 points last season, the best total among defenders now priced below £5.0m. Crystal Palace have a new manager, so pre-season shape matters. If Mitchell remains a wing-back, his price looks particularly attractive.
Bobby Thomas and Charlie Hughes are £4.0m promoted defenders worth tracking for the bench. Thomas recorded three goals and four assists in the Championship, while Hughes averaged 11.8 defensive actions. A confirmed starter at £4.0m can release essential funds for captaincy.
Antonin Kinsky at £4.5m is an early goalkeeper candidate if he remains Tottenham’s number one. Spurs allowed very few big chances late last season under Roberto De Zerbi, making a starting goalkeeper behind that improving defence interesting.
A Practical Opening-Squad Strategy
Build two drafts. In Draft A, start with Haaland, one mid-priced forward, Palmer or Isak, Gabriel, and two £4.5m defenders. In Draft B, replace Haaland with Fernandes, upgrade the second forward, and strengthen two midfield or defensive positions. Compare captaincy, weak starters and bench spending rather than simply counting star names.
Keep at least two viable substitutes because early rotation is common, but avoid leaving excessive money unused. Monitor pre-season starts, penalty takers and injuries. Prices are locked until the Gameweek 1 deadline, so rushed selections bring no advantage. Once the season begins, the new official Price Change Predictor can help identify likely rises and falls.
Useful next reads include early Premier League fixture difficulty, budget fantasy football players and a weekly FPL captaincy guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best FPL captain for Gameweek 1?
Haaland and Fernandes are the leading early candidates because both face promoted opponents. The final choice should reflect pre-season fitness, expected minutes and late team news.
Is Haaland worth £15.5m?
His cost weakens other positions, but his scoring record and captaincy security can justify it. Compare a Haaland draft with a balanced Fernandes-led draft rather than judging the price alone.
Which cheap defenders should be considered?
Mitchell at £4.5m has proven scoring potential, while Thomas and Hughes are £4.0m bench options if they secure regular starts. Confirmed minutes matter more than the lowest price.
When should an opening FPL squad be finalised?
Create drafts now, but decide close to the 21 August deadline. Waiting brings better injury updates, transfer information, predicted line-ups and pre-season evidence without risking price changes before Gameweek 1.
Final Thoughts
The strongest FPL tips 2026/27 are built around flexibility rather than certainty. Secure a reliable captain, target clear roles and multiple routes to points, and use budget picks to support the structure instead of filling it with hopeful punts. Haaland, Fernandes, Palmer, Isak, Gabriel and several lower-cost options deserve consideration, but the best early draft will respond to reliable team news before the deadline.