We are here with our top five FPL tips this week for Gameweek 1 of the 2026/27 season. With the new campaign about to begin, making the right decisions early can give you a strong foundation. From picking teams to target to managing your chips, here are five important FPL Gameweek 1 tips to consider.
Arsenal and Manchester United Are the Best Teams for a Double-Up or Triple-Up
On paper, Arsenal and Manchester United have the two best fixtures in Gameweek 1, with the Gunners facing Coventry at home and United travelling to Hull City.
Arsenal are the slightly better team to target for a double-up or even triple-up. Apart from their superior quality compared to Manchester United, they also have the advantage of playing at home. Their favourable fixture makes Arsenal's attackers and defenders particularly attractive for Gameweek 1.
Manchester United are the next-best option for managers looking to double or triple up. The fixture against Hull is away from home, but United's attacking players could still have plenty of opportunities to deliver.
If you're looking for teams to invest heavily in from the opening week, Arsenal should be the first name on your list, with Manchester United a close second.
Avoid the Arsenal Striker Situation Unless You're Willing to Take a Risk
The Arsenal striker situation is one of the biggest headaches for FPL managers heading into Gameweek 1.
Viktor Gyökeres was widely expected to start the Community Shield against Manchester City, but just like in the Champions League final, Kai Havertz was preferred from the beginning. The German also scored in the game, making the situation even more complicated.
Havertz is therefore expected to start against Coventry, but there is always a possibility that Mikel Arteta makes another surprise decision and hands Gyökeres a start.
With Arsenal playing Coventry at home, the fixture is excellent from an FPL perspective. However, the uncertainty over who starts makes both forwards risky selections.
Unless you're comfortable taking a gamble, this is a situation we would avoid for Gameweek 1.
Gameweek 1 Captaincy Is a Toss-Up Between Bruno Fernandes and Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland is likely to be the most popular captain for Gameweek 1. Manchester City face Bournemouth at home, while Bournemouth have also lost manager Andoni Iraola, who played a huge role in their historic success last season.
Haaland's goalscoring record and City's home advantage make him an obvious captaincy candidate.
However, Bruno Fernandes is an equally attractive option. The Manchester United midfielder is coming off a historic 2025/26 Premier League campaign in which he broke Thierry Henry's assist record.
United face Hull City away, but Fernandes remains central to everything they do in attack.
These are likely to be the two most popular captaincy choices, and ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. Haaland offers explosive goalscoring potential, while Fernandes' involvement in United's entire attacking structure makes him extremely appealing.
Bench Boost Can Be a Practical Gameweek 1 Option
The general consensus is that FPL managers should strategically plan when to use their chips because Fantasy Premier League is a long-term game. However, Bench Boost in Gameweek 1 can still be a practical option for some managers.
Transfers, fitness concerns and injuries can quickly change a team's expected starting XI this week i. Gameweek 1. As a result, some managers may unexpectedly have players on their bench who are not involved, potentially limiting their points.
A well-planned Gameweek 1 Bench Boost can instead allow you to maximise points from all 15 players. Another advantage is that you can set up your bench exactly how you want it before the season begins, rather than trying to build towards a Bench Boost later.
It isn't necessarily the best strategy for everyone, but if your squad is built specifically for it, Gameweek 1 could be an interesting opportunity.
Remember: FPL Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Perhaps the most important FPL Gameweek 1 tip is to remember that the season lasts 38 Gameweeks.
A poor start doesn't mean your season is over, just as a huge Gameweek 1 score doesn't guarantee success. There will be plenty of opportunities to make up ground, find differentials and overtake other managers throughout the campaign.
Ultimately, FPL is supposed to be enjoyable. Don't let a disappointing opening week ruin the experience. Be patient, make decisions based on your strategy rather than emotion, and remember that there are still dozens of Gameweeks left to turn things around and finish the season strongly.
