FPL GW1 Tips: Captain, Best XI and Differentials
TL;DR
The Gameweek 1 record: the captain picks, the differentials under 12% ownership and the shape of a strong opening squad, on the projections at the time. For the current gameweek use GW8 tips.
Best GW1 Captain Picks
Haaland
MCI
GW8 xPts
Palmer
CHE
GW8 xPts
B.Fernandes
MUN
GW8 xPts
Gabriel
ARS
GW8 xPts
Mbeumo
MUN
GW8 xPts
João Pedro
CHE
GW8 xPts
Captaincy is the biggest single decision you make each week. In Gameweek 1, Haaland topped the projections on 7.7 xPts, with B.Fernandes next in line. Check the gap between them on the cards below before you commit: some weeks it is a gulf, some weeks it is a rounding error.
If you did not own Haaland, B.Fernandes was the next-best armband. Gabriel (£7.9m) is a genuine differential captain for the brave, given his set-piece threat and clean-sheet upside.
Best GW1 Differentials
Thiago
BRE · 8.8%
GW8 xPts
Neto
CHE · 2.9%
GW8 xPts
Gibbs-White
NFO · 11.5%
GW8 xPts
Mukiele
SUN · 1.8%
GW8 xPts
Doku
MCI · 2.8%
GW8 xPts
Barnes
NEW · 7.6%
GW8 xPts
Stach
LEE · 2.3%
GW8 xPts
Muharemović
LEE · 5.1%
GW8 xPts
Differentials are low-owned players who let you gain rank when they return. These all project a strong Gameweek 1 while sitting under 12% ownership, so they separate you from the template.
A Strong GW1 Team Shape
You do not need to overthink the opener. A winning Gameweek 1 team looks like this:
- Haaland plus one premium midfielder as your captain rotation.
- Value mids at £6.0m to £6.5m with nailed minutes, where differentials like Anderson and Tavernier live.
- A value defence from teams with easy opening fixtures, so you are chasing clean sheets cheaply.
- A playing bench, not fodder, so an early injury or rotation does not cost you points.
A model-built GW1 draft on real data
This is the same solver you can run on your own squad. Enter your Team ID at /solver.
For the full 15-man template, see the best FPL team this season, and check the easiest opening fixtures before you lock your defence. New to the season? Start with the preseason guide.
Get Your GW1 Draft Scored
Run your team through the rater any week. It scores your starting XI, checks your captain, grades your bench, and tells you the single biggest change to make.
Then let the solver build the optimal version and plan your first few gameweeks ahead.
FAQ
What happens if my captain does not play in FPL?
Your vice-captain's points are doubled instead. If neither plays, nobody's points are doubled, so pick a vice the FPL predicted points project to start.
What is a differential in FPL?
A low-owned player, under 12% ownership on this page's cards, who gains you rank when he returns because few rivals have him. That is how differentials separate you from the template.
How many transfers should I make before Gameweek 1?
Before Gameweek 1 every transfer was free. Since then you get one free transfer a week and each extra move costs 4 points, so make only the moves the FPL planner says are worth the hit.