The best FPL team for Gameweek 1 - AI picks
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By Holly Shand
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Fantasy Football Hub’s My Team tool is their hero product for a reason, with leading AI recommendations and their Best Team every single gameweek. Here’s their recommended team to start the season with - a hotly favoured 3-5-2 formation that includes the top goalscorer from last year's edition and an old FPL favourite of millions of managers around the globe.
Goalkeeper: Sam Johnstone (£4.0m) | Predicted Points: 4.0
Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson is a decent shout in what is a premium defence, but it's new Crystal Palace number one Sam Johnstone, who faces newly-promoted Sheffield United on the first day, who gets the nod for Gameweek 1.
Defender: Pervis Estupinan (£5.0m) | Predicted Points: 4.8
The Brighton full-back bagged one goal and two assists in the final ten gameweeks of last season while the Seagulls kept four clean sheets in this time. Estupinan is one of the most advanced full-backs currently in the Premier League, facing promoted Luton Town in Gameweek 1.
Defender: Gabriel (£5.0m) | Predicted Points: 4.6
The main man in an Arsenal backline that kept 14 clean sheets last season, Gabriel has an eye for goal himself, finding the back of the net on ten occasions in three seasons with the Gunners. Nottingham Forest visit the Emirates in Gameweek 1 having narrowly escaped relegation last season.
Defender: Ben Chilwell (£4.5m) | Predicted Points: 3.4
The Mauricio Pochettino era gets underway at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea take on Liverpool - a mouthwatering clash for Gameweek 1. Chilwell may not be the first name on your mind for a clean sheet, but his attacking capability make him an intriguing pick.
Midfielder: Marcus Rashford (£9.0m) | Predicted Points: 6.5
A home game for Marcus Rashford usually means goals, finding the back of the net on 13 occasions last season. An opening day clash against Wolves, who have parted ways with Julen Lopetegui, could yield further returns for the England man who may lead the line in Gameweek 1 with Rasmus Hojlund sidelined through injury.
Midfielder: Bukayo Saka (£8.5m) | Predicted Points: 5.9
14 goals and 12 assists was a hugely impressive FPL return for Saka in 2022/23, with his progression evident as Arsenal pushed Manchester City all the way in the Premier League title race. Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Fulham provide three tasty-looking fixtures to open up the new campaign, and Saka is pretty much a certainty to start in each.
Midfielder: Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) | Predicted Points: 5.9
Many people had written Mohamed Salah off after a (relatively compared to his standards) sluggish start to last season. But the Egyptian fired back to his best, accumulating 239 points across the season to finish with 19 goals and 13 assists. A trip to Stamford Bridge could see Salah improve on his record of four Premier League goals against Chelsea in 12 prior meetings.
Midfielder: James Maddison (£7.5m) | Predicted Points: 4.6
James Maddison's arrival at Tottenham Hotspur could be exactly what's needed in north London, providing creative impetus into a side who often rely on Harry Kane for inspiration. In a relegated Leicester side, he managed ten goals and nine assists - Brentford the side he's hoping to open his account against on Gameweek 1.
Midfielder: Bryan Mbeumo (£6.5m) | Predicted Points: 4.3
With Ivan Toney suspended from football until January, the pressure is on Bryan Mbeumo to deliver the goals for Thomas Frank and Brentford. The wide forward found the back of the net nine times last season and produced far more assists than his xG expected - 3.47 the additional output he delivered in red and white.
Forward & Captain : Erling Haaland (£14.0m) | Predicted Points: 8.2
A true must-have of any fantasy squad, Haaland broke almost every record going in the Premier League for his debut season and that looks set to continue. The Golden Boot winner is the standout captain pick in Gameweek 1 with a trip to promoted Burnley on opening night to kick-start his charge to improve on the 36 goals he scored last season.
Forward: Joao Pedro (£5.5m) | Predicted Points: 3.9
Joao Pedro is an exciting new arrival at Brighton & Hove Albion, who enjoyed a superb 2022/23 season under the management of Roberto De Zerbi. The Brazilian is likely to get the nod up front as Luton Town travel to the AMEX Stadium for Gameweek 1 - a real opportunity for him to get among the goals.
Bench: Matt Turner (£4.0m), George Baldock (£4.0m), Divin Mubama (£4.5m), Issa Kabore (£4.0m)
It’s a bargain basement bench with the least amount of funds spent on the remaining squad players to make up the 15. Sheffield United wing-back George Baldock is a viable twelfth man for Gameweek 1 while Divin Mubama may see minutes off the bench for West Ham - the young striker a viable alternative to Michail Antonio and Danny Ings.
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