This guide looks at whether players are guaranteed starters ('nailed on') for their team or not, and it also assumes that players are fully fit and available for selection.
Arsenal
Player | Position | Starting Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Bellerin | Defender | 5.5 | Hairstyle is gradually getting worse |
Aubameyang | Forward | 11.0 | By far their best forward player |
Arsenal, led into the season by new manager Unai Emery, appear to have a number of positions up for grabs — with the midfield currently the most unclear.
Kolasinac (5.0) and Sokratis (5.5) would be expected to start in defence, the likes of Ramsey (7.5), Ozil (8.5), Mkhitaryan (7.0), Xhaka (5.5) and Torreira (5.0) should all play most matches in midfield — but we need to see this in action before confirming them as 'nailed' — and Lacazette (9.5) is probably assured of good minutes up front.
Arsenal have 5 or 6 players to fit into 3 or 4 attacking roles; this could lead to Rotation.
New signing Leno (5.0) is expected to battle Cech (5.0) for the goalkeeping spot, with the preferred option unclear at this moment.
Bournemouth
Player | Position | Starting Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Begovic | Goalkeeper | 4.5 | Played virtually every minute last season, will continue |
Ake | Defender | 5.0 | Played every match last season, one of their best players |
With new signing Diego Rico, old FPL favourite Daniels (4.5) is expected to be a rotation a risk — a shame with his attractive price point.
King (6.5) is arguably the most likely of the rest of the squad to feature in every game and is almost a certain starter — we're waiting for confirmation on this before adding to the table.
Brighton
Player | Position | Starting Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Ryan | Goalkeeper | 4.5 | One of the best PPM goalkeepers last season |
Dunk | Defender | 4.5 | Scored a joint-record 4 own goals last season |
Stephens | Midfielder | 4.5 | |
Groß | Midfielder | 7.0 | Key player |
Knockaert (5.5) tends to be involved in every game, although not always in the starting line-up and only completes 90 minutes around half of the time.
Murray (6.5) continues to lead the Brighton attack, but age means that he won't be able to feature in every game.
Burnley
Player | Position | Starting Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Tarkowski | Defender | 5.0 | Earned an England call-up thanks to his performances last season |
Mee | Defender | 5.0 | Regularly touches the ball in the opposition penalty area |
Ward | Defender | 5.0 | |
Cork | Midfielder | 5.0 | Plays every minute but doesn't offer much of a threat |
Defour | Midfielder | 5.5 | Plays every game but can be subbed early |
Burnley have a new beast to tackle this season: Europa League football. This means we will expect rotation.
Ignoring the Europa League, Gudmundsson (6.0) is likely to play whenever possible.
There is a battle between the sticks; will Heaton (5.0) or Pope (5.0) be favoured? It could be possible that Pope plays in the league and Heaton plays in Europe.
Lowton (5.0) should feature very often at right back.
Wood (6.5) would be expected to lead the line regularly, but hasn't proven to be a guaranteed starter every match yet.
Cardiff
Player | Position | Starting Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Bamba | Defender | 4.5 | Played in every match last season |
Morrison | Defender | 5.0 | Huge goal threat |
Ecuele Manga | Defender | 4.5 | |
Bennett | Defender | 4.5 | |
Hoilett | Midfielder | 5.5 | 9 goals, 11 assists in the Championship last season |
Ralls | Midfielder | 5.0 | |
It's currently unclear who the number one goalkeeper will be; Etheridge (4.5) (last year's number one) or new signing Smithies (4.5)?
Cardiff have a large squad but also appear to have plenty of nailed-on options too, barring moves in the transfer market.
Chelsea
Player | Position | Starting Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Courtois | Goalkeeper | 5.5 | Might be transferred |
Azpilicueta | Defender | 6.5 | Fits the profile of a Sarri right back, despite not actually playing his natural position much for Chelsea |
Hazard | Midfielder | 10.5 | Might be transferred |
Kante | Midfielder | 5.0 | Undroppable — the best in the world in his position |
New manager Sarri brings some selection headaches for FPL managers, specifically regarding prized assets like Alonso (6.5) (and the threat of Emerson (5.5) in his position).
However, Sarri has been known to avoid a lot of rotation; once his preferred starting XI becomes clear, it's likely he will stick to it. Players like Fabregas (6.5) could see a new lease of life in the expected formation, and new signing Jorginho (5.0) is likely to be a mainstay in the side.
Crystal Palace
Player | Position | Starting Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Tomkins | Defender | 4.5 | |
Van Aanholt | Defender | 5.5 | Huge goal threat, 5+ goals 3 seasons running |
Sakho | Defender | 5.0 | 10/10 scariest thing I've ever seen |
Milivojevic | Midfielder | 6.5 | 10 goals last season, mostly from penalties |
Townsend | Midfielder | 6.0 | Career has a new lease of life under Roy Hodgson |
Zaha | Forward | 7.0 | Reclassified as a forward this season |
Crystal Palace offer some of the predictability that FPL managers crave and the extreme meme potential of manager Roy Hodgson.
McArthur (5.0) should also see lots of minutes, likewise Benteke (6.5).
Everton
Player | Position | Starting Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Pickford | Goalkeeper | 5.0 | Rapid rise to become England's #1 goalie |
Keane | Defender | 5.0 | |
Coleman | Defender | 5.5 | Nostalgia pick appearing to provide great value |
Sigurdsson | Midfielder | 7.5 | Expected to take charge of all set pieces |
New manager Marco Silva brings some selection headaches. Richarlison (6.5), joining him now at Everton — would be expected to be nailed based on their time together at Watford.
The defence is a little unclear, but Baines (5.5) would be expected to see regular game time.
Tosun (7.0) is a likely candidate to be added to the above list.
Fulham
Player | Position | Starting Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Ream | Defender | 4.5 | Offers almost no threat |
Odoi | Defender | 4.5 | |
Seri | Midfielder | 5.5 | A coup for the club, should be first name on the teamsheet |
Sessegnon | Midfielder | 6.5 | 16 goals, 8 assists at 18-years-old in Championship last year |
Cairney | Midfielder | 5.0 | Set piece taker |
Fulham haven't acquired many players since getting promoted and their squad is looking a little threadbare. Still, this gives us plenty of nailed on options.
McDonald (4.5) played almost every match last season, and Johansen (5.5) too, but both may see rotation this season due to the arrival of Seri.
Huddersfield
Player | Position | Starting Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Lossl | Goalkeeper | 4.5 | A great value pick last season |
Zanka | Defender | 4.5 | |
Schindler | Defender | 4.5 | |
Mooy | Midfielder | 5.5 | Saw moderate success last season |
It's quite hard to get excited by Huddersfield's fantasy options.
One of Depoitre (5.5) and Mounie (6.0) could offer some value up front if the other gets injured.
Leicester
Player | Position | Starting Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Schmeichel | Goalkeeper | 5.0 | Could be transferred |
Maguire | Defender | 5.5 | Has an enormous head |
Ndidi | Midfielder | 5.0 | Starting to fill the void left by Kante's departure |
Vardy | Forward | 9.0 | WKD drinker, goal scorer |
Leicester have a number of interesting options in their team, but lack clarity with regards to rotation.
Chilwell (5.0) offers good fantasy prospects if he nails down the left-back slot, and with the arrival of Evans (5.0) it's unclear who will be Maguire's centre-back partner(s) out of Evans, Morgan (4.5) and Benalouane (4.0).
With the selling of Mahrez, Gray (5.5) and Maddison (6.5) are both aiming to fill his previous role, and whoever gets the nod may see solid returns...if one manages to become the preferred option.
Liverpool
Player | Position | Starting Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Alisson | Goalkeeper | 5.5 | Joined for a world record transfer fee |
Robertson | Defender | 6.0 | One of the best left backs in the league |
Van Dijk | Defender | 6.0 | Giant aerial threat |
Lovren | Defender | 5.0 | Klopp's clear preferred partner for Van Dijk |
Salah | Midfielder | 13.0 | Set the single-season FPL points record last year; is quite good |
Mane | Midfielder | 9.5 | Granted the number 10 shirt ahead of the new season |
Firmino | Forward | 9.5 | The only Liverpool player capable of playing the false 9 role adequately |
Liverpool have a host of exciting new signings. At least two of them (Fabinho (6.0) and Keita (7.5)) would be expected to be at least close to nailed, but we need to see proof of this as they probably need some time to settle and adjust. Klopp had some rotation in their positions last season.
Shaqiri (7.5), another new signing, is another rotation option for these centre-of-the-park slots, or could also be breathing down Mane's neck at some point.
Overall, Liverpool's line-ups are often fairly predictable, and they are joint-top of our nailed-on table with 7 players.
Manchester City
Player | Position | Starting Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Ederson | Goalkeeper | 5.5 | Ever-present until the league was won last season |
De Bruyne | Midfielder | 10.0 | Pep's most important player |
Fernandinho | Midfielder | 5.5 | Had a surprisingly good PPM last season |
Do not trust Pep. He will play the players he says he won't and he will rest the players he says will start and he will play the players he says he will and he will rest the players he says he will and oh god he's just such a confusing man.
The issue with Man City players is that they're essential when playing. It takes skill and some luck to ensure you have the right player at the right time, but there's a whole host you could pick from: Mendy (6.5), Otamendi (6.5), Kompany (5.5), Laporte (5.5), Walker (6.5), Sterling (11.0), Sane (9.5), Mahrez (9.0), David Silva (8.5), Bernardo Silva (7.5), Aguero (11.0), Jesus (10.5)
That's more than 11 players alone and they each cost a relatively pricey amount, emphasising the selection headache.
Manchester United
Player | Position | Starting Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
De Gea | Goalkeeper | 6.0 | Most expensive goalkeeper on the game |
Valencia | Defender | 6.5 | The new team captain |
Pogba | Midfielder | 8.0 | Benched for a period last season but expected to be nailed |
Matic | Midfielder | 5.0 | Mourinho's favourite player |
Sanchez | Midfielder | 10.5 | Could start the season as a striker |
Lukaku | Forward | 11.0 | United's only true out-and-out striker |
Mourinho's defensive rotation last season means it's hard to guess who will start out of Smalling (6.0), Jones (5.5), Lindelof (5.0) or Bailly (5.5). There are some attractive price points here if the preferred favourites become clear early on.
Shaw (5.0) will start the season at left-back but it's unclear as to whether Young (6.0) will replace him when he returns. New signing Dalot (5.5) provides competition for Valencia, but Mourinho is loyal to the Ecuadorian — the team's new captain.
Newcastle
Player | Position | Starting Cost | Notes |
---|---|---|---|