Let\u2019s get into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Why Target These Teams in GW1?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Early analytics point to the following clean sheet favourites for Gameweek 1:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Liverpool (40%)<\/strong> Home to Bournemouth, who have sold most of their starting defence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Spurs (46%)<\/strong> Host promoted Burnley, lacking their standout goalkeeper from last season.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Manchester City (40%)<\/strong> Away to Wolves, who\u2019ve lost their two best players and will likely be penned in all game.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Chelsea (38%)<\/strong> Strong home fixture against Palace.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Nottingham Forest<\/strong> Brentford could be without both Mbeumo and Wissa.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Attacking threat from defenders is a big part of the calculation, but we start with clean sheet probability, then build up from there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe Top Defensive Picks for Gameweek 1<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pedro Porro (\u00a35.5m) \u2013 Spurs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pedro-Porro-1024x894.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Fixture:<\/strong> Burnley (H)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Last season:<\/strong> 2 goals, 6 assists<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Set-piece duties:<\/strong> Yes (likely on majority with Maddison out)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Porro has one of the most favourable opening fixtures. Burnley\u2019s attack was modest in the Championship, and Spurs under Thomas Frank will be far more disciplined than under Ange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Add in Porro\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nVirgil van Dijk (\u00a36.0m) \u2013 Liverpool<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Virgil-Van-Dijk-1024x891.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Fixture:<\/strong> Bournemouth (H)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Career record:<\/strong> 25 Premier League goals<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- DEFCON threat:<\/strong> Achieved defensive contributions bonus 11 times last season<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Liverpool\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bournemouth\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nRayan Ait-Nouri (\u00a36.0m) \u2013 Manchester City<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ait-Nouri-1024x888.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Fixture:<\/strong> Wolves (A)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Last season:<\/strong> 4 goals, 7 assists<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Style:<\/strong> Essentially a winger in build-up play<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Signed to be a first-team regular, Ait-Nouri gives City another overlapping threat. Wolves away isn\u2019t quite as scary as it sounds \u2013 they\u2019ve lost their most dangerous attackers, and City should control the game from start to finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ait-Nouri is expensive for a defender, but his attacking numbers justify the price. The clean sheet odds sweeten the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nMarc Cucurella (\u00a36.0m) \u2013 Chelsea<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Cucurella-1024x894.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Fixture:<\/strong> Crystal Palace (H)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Predicted points:<\/strong> 5.1 (3rd highest)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Last season:<\/strong> 5 goals, 2 assists<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Under Enzo Maresca, Cucurella has become an attacking outlet from the left. Chelsea\u2019s defensive record last season (43 goals conceded, 3rd best) suggests stability, and Palace at home is a good starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His crossing and link-up play make him dangerous in the final third, and he\u2019s locked in as a starter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nMurillo (\u00a35.5m) \u2013 Nottingham Forest<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Murillo-1024x894.webp\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n- \n
- Fixture:<\/strong> Brentford (H)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ownership:<\/strong> 5%<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bonus magnet:<\/strong> 19 games last season (38 extra points with DEFCON)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Murillo doesn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At \u00a35.5m, he\u2019s a shrewd pick for managers looking beyond the obvious names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nBudget-Friendly Alternatives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re looking to free up cash, a couple of cheaper options stand out from expert reveals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka (\u00a34.5m)<\/strong> Now at West Ham, with early fixtures against Sunderland and Palace. Brings attacking threat alongside clean sheet potential.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Micky van de Ven (\u00a34.5m)<\/strong> Set-piece danger and likely to benefit from Spurs\u2019 improved defensive structure under Frank.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
These can be used to balance out a premium-heavy defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nExpert Manager Insights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Elite FPL managers are placing strong emphasis on Defensive Contributions (DEFCON)<\/strong> this season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nGW1 Defensive Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Taking into account fixtures, clean sheet odds, attacking threat, and value:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Pedro Porro (\u00a35.5m)<\/strong> Best balance of fixture and multiple routes to points.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Virgil van Dijk (\u00a36.0m)<\/strong> Rock-solid premium option with goal threat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Marc Cucurella (\u00a36.0m)<\/strong> Strong attacking numbers and fixture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Rayan Ait-Nouri (\u00a36.0m)<\/strong> High upside, but slightly riskier.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Murillo (\u00a35.5m)<\/strong> Bonus point magnet with a great GW1 matchup.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Budget watchlist: Wan-Bissaka (\u00a34.5m), Micky van de Ven (\u00a34.5m).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFinal Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re going premium in defence, make sure you\u2019re also getting attacking potential. If you\u2019re going budget, target DEFCON specialists who can rack up bonus points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With so many managers focusing on midfield and forward fireworks, a smart defensive setup could quietly put you ahead right from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n - Virgil van Dijk (\u00a36.0m)<\/strong> Rock-solid premium option with goal threat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Micky van de Ven (\u00a34.5m)<\/strong> Set-piece danger and likely to benefit from Spurs\u2019 improved defensive structure under Frank.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Ownership:<\/strong> 5%<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Predicted points:<\/strong> 5.1 (3rd highest)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Last season:<\/strong> 4 goals, 7 assists<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Career record:<\/strong> 25 Premier League goals<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Last season:<\/strong> 2 goals, 6 assists<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Spurs (46%)<\/strong> Host promoted Burnley, lacking their standout goalkeeper from last season.<\/li>\n\n\n\n