FPL
Best FPL Defenders for Gameweek 1 – Stats, Fixtures, and Expert Picks
Top FPL defender picks for GW1 with stats, fixtures & expert insights.
Gameweek 1 is always a tricky balancing act. We don’t have fresh data yet, but we do have last season’s numbers, pre-season performances, and some juicy fixtures to target.
For this season opener, the early signs point to defensive value in Liverpool, Spurs, and Manchester City – with Chelsea and Nottingham Forest also offering under-the-radar potential.
Let’s get into it.
Why Target These Teams in GW1?
Early analytics point to the following clean sheet favourites for Gameweek 1:
- Liverpool (40%) Home to Bournemouth, who have sold most of their starting defence.
- Spurs (46%) Host promoted Burnley, lacking their standout goalkeeper from last season.
- Manchester City (40%) Away to Wolves, who’ve lost their two best players and will likely be penned in all game.
- Chelsea (38%) Strong home fixture against Palace.
- Nottingham Forest Brentford could be without both Mbeumo and Wissa.
Attacking threat from defenders is a big part of the calculation, but we start with clean sheet probability, then build up from there.
The Top Defensive Picks for Gameweek 1
Pedro Porro (£5.5m) – Spurs
- Fixture: Burnley (H)
- Last season: 2 goals, 6 assists
- Set-piece duties: Yes (likely on majority with Maddison out)
Porro has one of the most favourable opening fixtures. Burnley’s attack was modest in the Championship, and Spurs under Thomas Frank will be far more disciplined than under Ange.
Add in Porro’s overlapping/underlapping runs and set-piece delivery, and you have multiple routes to points. Spurs are the top clean sheet favourites in GW1, making Porro a high-ceiling pick.
Virgil van Dijk (£6.0m) – Liverpool
- Fixture: Bournemouth (H)
- Career record: 25 Premier League goals
- DEFCON threat: Achieved defensive contributions bonus 11 times last season
Liverpool’s defensive numbers last year were elite: 41 goals conceded (2nd fewest) and an xGC of 37.5. Van Dijk is nailed for 90 minutes every week, and his aerial presence means he can score at either end.
Bournemouth’s attack can be dangerous, but their defensive reshuffle means Liverpool will dominate possession. Van Dijk is a safe, premium way to start the season at the back.
Rayan Ait-Nouri (£6.0m) – Manchester City
- Fixture: Wolves (A)
- Last season: 4 goals, 7 assists
- Style: Essentially a winger in build-up play
Signed to be a first-team regular, Ait-Nouri gives City another overlapping threat. Wolves away isn’t quite as scary as it sounds – they’ve lost their most dangerous attackers, and City should control the game from start to finish.
Ait-Nouri is expensive for a defender, but his attacking numbers justify the price. The clean sheet odds sweeten the deal.
Marc Cucurella (£6.0m) – Chelsea
- Fixture: Crystal Palace (H)
- Predicted points: 5.1 (3rd highest)
- Last season: 5 goals, 2 assists
Under Enzo Maresca, Cucurella has become an attacking outlet from the left. Chelsea’s defensive record last season (43 goals conceded, 3rd best) suggests stability, and Palace at home is a good starting point.
His crossing and link-up play make him dangerous in the final third, and he’s locked in as a starter.
Murillo (£5.5m) – Nottingham Forest
- Fixture: Brentford (H)
- Ownership: 5%
- Bonus magnet: 19 games last season (38 extra points with DEFCON)
Murillo doesn’t offer the same attacking flair as others on this list, but his bonus point potential is massive when Forest keep a clean sheet. With Brentford possibly missing both Mbeumo and Wissa, this could be one of those low-scoring, bonus-heavy wins for Forest.
At £5.5m, he’s a shrewd pick for managers looking beyond the obvious names.
Budget-Friendly Alternatives
If you’re looking to free up cash, a couple of cheaper options stand out from expert reveals:
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.5m) Now at West Ham, with early fixtures against Sunderland and Palace. Brings attacking threat alongside clean sheet potential.
- Micky van de Ven (£4.5m) Set-piece danger and likely to benefit from Spurs’ improved defensive structure under Frank.
These can be used to balance out a premium-heavy defence.
Expert Manager Insights
Elite FPL managers are placing strong emphasis on Defensive Contributions (DEFCON) this season.
This explains why names like Murillo and Tarkowski are getting locked into drafts despite not being headline scorers last season, they clean up on bonus points in the right games.
GW1 Defensive Summary
Taking into account fixtures, clean sheet odds, attacking threat, and value:
- Pedro Porro (£5.5m) Best balance of fixture and multiple routes to points.
- Virgil van Dijk (£6.0m) Rock-solid premium option with goal threat.
- Marc Cucurella (£6.0m) Strong attacking numbers and fixture.
- Rayan Ait-Nouri (£6.0m) High upside, but slightly riskier.
- Murillo (£5.5m) Bonus point magnet with a great GW1 matchup.
Budget watchlist: Wan-Bissaka (£4.5m), Micky van de Ven (£4.5m).
Final Thoughts
Gameweek 1 is a perfect time to combine safe clean sheet bets with one or two high-upside defenders. Liverpool, Spurs, and City look like the most reliable foundations, while Chelsea and Forest offer differentials.
If you’re going premium in defence, make sure you’re also getting attacking potential. If you’re going budget, target DEFCON specialists who can rack up bonus points.
With so many managers focusing on midfield and forward fireworks, a smart defensive setup could quietly put you ahead right from the start.
Download the “We Play FPL” app to plan your transfers, compare players, and check points predictions so you can optimise your squad for both the short and long term.
May your arrows be green. Happy managing!
FPL
FPL team names to consider as preparations begin for 2026-27
Managers are already turning to 2026-27 FPL planning, starting with the team name choice.
The World Cup brought a brief pause after a demanding Fantasy Premier League campaign, but attention is already turning to 2026-27.
For managers, the first step is not selecting a squad, but settling on the name that sits above it. That part of the process has always carried its own importance. Since the game began, choosing a clever, pun-driven team name has been part of the routine, and for many managers it remains one of the most familiar and enjoyable decisions before the season starts.
With another campaign on the horizon, the focus returns to the usual build-up. Drafting a roster can wait. Before line-ups, transfers and early planning come the words that will identify the team throughout the season.
That tradition has endured because it gives Fantasy Premier League a character of its own. The right name can be a small detail, but it is one of the first choices managers make and one of the few that does not depend on form, fixtures or selection headaches. In a game shaped by constant decisions, it is a rare early call that can be made without stress.
As preparation for 2026-27 begins, managers will once again look for something smart, playful and memorable. The roster may change week to week, but the team name is where the season’s identity often starts.
Here are the FPL team names managers can consider ahead of the 2026–27 campaign.
Arsenal
- Old Havertz Kai Hard
- Shiver Me Timbers
- Eze Come Eze Go
- Quantum of Tzolis
- Livin Saliba Loca
- Saka Potatoes
Aston Villa
- Me Myself Unai
- Lord of the Mings
- McGinn and Tonic
- Pau Patrol
- Behind Emery Lines
Bournemouth
- Saving Private Rayan
- Evanilson Almighty
- Battle of Toth
- Guns N Rose
Brentford
- Dango Unchained
- 50 Schades of Grey
- Milambo No. 5
- Kayode Parfum
Brighton & Hove Albion
- Uptown Dunk
- Now I’m a Baleba
- Minteh Wonderland
- Gross Misconduct
- Mitomachondria
Chelsea
- Jolly Rogers
- Tosin and Turning
- Back of the Neto
- Reece’s Set Pieces
- Vote for Pedro
- Sega Emegha Drive
Coventry City
- ThrowTheKitchingSink
- Simms Card
- Haji Go Lucky
- Frank You Lampard
Crystal Palace
- Hakuna Mateta
- Lerma Driver
- Sarr Sarr Binks
- Pino Grigio
Everton
- Backstreet Moyes
- For Beto or Worse
- Escape From Alcaraz
- Me Myself Ndiaye
- Rock N Rohl
Fulham
- Iwobi Wan Kenobi
- Berge King
- The Bernd Leno Show
- Silent Bobb
Hull City
- Hit The Targett
- Belloumi Burger
- Egan to Please
- Millar’s Crossing
Ipswich Town
- PhilogenesNotMyLover
- Femme Fatawu
- Burns Baby Burns
- Greaves Lightnin’
Leeds United
- Tiki-Tanaka
- Stach of Cash
- Farke the Bus
- How Nmecha Mother
Liverpool
- Alisson Wonderland
- Wirtz Team Name Ever
- Frimp My Ride
- Endo The World
- LoveTheWaySzoboszlai
Manchester City
- Peaky Reijnders
- Champagne Khusanova
- Count Doku
- HaalandGlobetrotters
- GvardiolsOfTheGalaxy
- Beef Cherki
Manchester United
- Yoro Wizard Harry
- Afternoon De Ligt
- Stairway to Heaven
- Bruno Dos Tres
- Shut the Dorgu
Newcastle United
- Botman Begins
- DontLookBackInElanga
- Wissa of Oz
- Sonny and Schar
- Swedish Howe’s Mafia
Nottingham Forest
- Matz Sels Sea Shells
- MacAwoniyi Cheese
- Super Murillo Galaxy
- Wood I Lie to You?
Sunderland
- Through the Roefs
- Moves Like Xhaka
- Le Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum
- Talbi or Not Talbi
Tottenham Hotspur
- Los Porro Hermanos
- MaddisonSquareGarden
- What the Van Hecke?
- Return of the Djedi
- Gray’s Anatomy
The squad may change from one gameweek to the next, but the team name can remain part of a manager’s identity for the entire campaign.
Whether the choice is built around a favourite player, a club reference or a deliberately painful pun, selecting the name is where the new FPL season begins.
Arsenal
FPL Gameweek 35: Priority Picks and Value Options
GW35 FPL essentials: Raya, Darlow, Bruno, Haaland and budget defenders to boost your squad this wk.
With four gameweeks left, Gameweek 35 demands careful moves. Managers still chasing mini-league gains should prioritise reliable returns and inexpensive enablers that free funds for captains in the final stretch.
Goalkeepers: David Raya (£6.0m) remains the standout option among keepers after a 10-point haul last weekend and offers value alongside Arsenal’s defence. Fulham have blanked in four of their last six league games, making a home clean sheet plausible. At the other end of the budget spectrum, Karl Darlow (£3.9m) has accrued 24 points across his last five games and faces relegated Burnley at home, serving as a low-cost enabler. For managers planning ahead to double Gameweek 36, Dean Henderson (£5.1m) is an alternative given Crystal Palace’s two fixtures next round, despite a tricky away match with Bournemouth this Sunday.
Defenders: Gabriel (£7.2m) is a must, while Nico O’Reilly (£5.1m) has become increasingly attractive for managers preparing for City’s double in the next round; he has returned 27 points from his past three fixtures and faces low-scoring Everton away on Monday. Crystal Palace options include Jaydee Canvot (£4.5m) and Chris Richards (£4.4m) as budget routes into their backline, and Daniel Muñoz (£5.8m) offers more attacking upside after scoring in the defeat at Liverpool. Leeds defensive targets such as James Justin (£3.9m), Jayden Bogle (£4.4m) and Pascal Struijk (£4.3m) are also useful given a favourable fixture.
Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (£10.4m) stands alone as the essential midfield pick; he is chasing the Premier League assist record for a single season and has delivered returns in each of his past seven matches, even ahead of Manchester United’s home game with Liverpool. Other options highlighted are Eberechi Eze (£7.2m), who made an impact after being brought off the bench in Europe, Rayan Cherki (£6.5m) with 23 points across his last three matches, Ismaïla Sarr (£6.3m) ahead of a double, Noah Okafor (£5.6m) despite a slight injury concern, and Enzo Fernández (£6.5m) under Calum McFarlane.
Forwards: Erling Haaland (£14.5m) is essential following recent goalscoring exploits. Support options include Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.7m), who could benefit from Burnley’s struggles after Scott Parker’s dismissal, and Jarrod Bowen (£7.8m), who has produced 24 points across his past two home games for West Ham ahead of a trip to Brentford.
Arsenal
FPL Gameweek 34: Reliable Picks and Budget Options for the Decision Week
GW34 FPL guide: key goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders and forwards to consider. and captain choices
Gameweek 34 brings fresh headaches for Fantasy Premier League managers after an eventful double gameweek. Several clubs are blanking, but there remain clear options across all positions for those setting their squads.
Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley, Chelsea, Leeds United and Manchester City do not play this gameweek, narrowing choices for many managers. Among goalkeepers, Arsenal’s David Raya (£6.0m) stands out. He faces an out-of-form Newcastle United at the Emirates on Saturday, remains the highest-scoring stopper and has kept two clean sheets in his last four despite Arsenal’s slump. At the other end of the budget scale, Robin Roefs (£4.8m) has impressed in his Sunderland debut season and offers a favourable fixture against relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest at home; he returned 11 points in his most recent home match.
Liverpool’s goalkeeper situation has opened an intriguing enabler route. Freddie Woodman (£3.9m) is poised to make his first Premier League start against Crystal Palace at Anfield after injuries to Alisson and Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Defensive coverage can be provided by proven performers. Virgil van Dijk (£6.2m) has delivered 58 points across his last eight matches and remains a goal threat following his late winner against Everton. Arsenal defensive assets also merit consideration, notably Gabriel (£7.1m) who has seven goal involvements this season and will target a clean sheet against Newcastle. Jurriën Timber (£6.2m) is an option if passed fit.
In midfield, Tottenham’s Pedro Porro (£5.1m) looks lively after a 10-point return last weekend and has a favourable trip to relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers while operating in a more attacking role under Roberto De Zerbi. Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (£10.3m) continues to matter; he reached 18 assists for the season last time out and remains central to United’s remaining fixtures. Casemiro (£5.7m) and Matheus Cunha (£8.0m) provide cheaper United routes.
Other midfield and attacking choices include Mohamed Salah (£14.0m), who looked lively and scored at Everton, Dominik Szoboszlai (£7.1m), Harry Wilson (£6.0m), Morgan Rogers (£7.4m) and Morgan Gibbs-White (£7.5m) after his hat trick and 20-point haul. Xavi Simons (£6.5m) impressed with a goal and assist versus Brighton. In attack, Ollie Watkins (£8.7m) has six goals in his last five matches across all competitions and Jarrod Bowen (£7.7m) has amassed 41 points across his past five home games for West Ham and remains their primary threat against Everton at home.
These selections use only fixtures and performances relevant to Gameweek 34 and reflect the available options ahead of deadlines this weekend.
