As the new Premier League season is set to kick off, fantasy football managers are finalizing their squads ahead of the Gameweek 1 deadline. With the transfer window in full swing, there are several new faces and price changes to consider, along with a few rule tweaks that could impact strategy.
One of the most talked-about topics is the new "defensive contribution" points system, which awards points to defenders and midfielders based on certain defensive actions. This has led many managers to consider players who excel in this area, such as Murillo of Nottingham Forest and James Tarkowski of Everton, both priced at £5.5m.
In terms of premium assets, the debate between Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland for the captain's armband continues. While Salah delivered a record-breaking 344 points last season, some managers are leaning towards Haaland due to a perceived greater certainty in his role and Manchester City's favorable early fixtures. Another popular premium pick is Cole Palmer, who is the most-owned player in the game and has a kind fixture run to start the season with Chelsea.
The official FPL Scout has released their selection for the opening gameweeks, which includes a number of popular picks. Alongside Salah and Palmer, they have highlighted Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa, citing his pre-season form and an excellent run of fixtures. Other players to watch include Tijjani Reijnders of Manchester City and Joao Pedro of Chelsea, both of whom have been strong performers in pre-season.
Finally, managers are reminded to check for the latest injury news before the deadline, as a number of key players are carrying knocks. Tottenham's Destiny Udogie and James Maddison are among the notable absentees, and a number of Friday's press conferences are expected to provide further clarity on player availability.
