FPL Scout Unveils Key Player Selections for the 2026/27 Season

The highly anticipated Fantasy Premier League (FPL) for the 2026/27 season is now live, prompting managers worldwide to begin crafting their initial squads. Early insights from 'The Scout' highlight a core group of players deemed essential for a strong start, though their combined cost presents a significant challenge for the £100.0m budget.

Erling HaalandPlayer·Erling Haaland of Manchester CityTeam·Manchester City, priced at a substantial £15.5m, remains a cornerstone of many FPL strategies. His consistent goal-scoring prowess makes him a near-certainty for the captaincy in numerous Gameweeks. Since the game's launch on July 23, Haaland has been selected by an impressive 75.2% of managers, a testament to his reliability. Across his four seasons with Manchester CityTeam·Manchester City, he has averaged nine goals and 61.3 points in the first six Gameweeks, establishing himself as a low-risk, high-reward option.

Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United's Bruno FernandesPlayer·Bruno Fernandes, valued at £12.0m, is another popular choice, featuring in 48.8% of squads. His exceptional form under Michael Carrick, who took over as Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United's head coach in Gameweek 22 of the 2025/26 season, saw him become the top-scoring player in Fantasy during that period. Fernandes accumulated 129 points at an average of 7.6 per match, contributing a goal or assist in 14 of his 17 appearances under Carrick.

Defensive solidity comes in the form of ArsenalTeam·Arsenal's GabrielPlayer·Gabriel, priced at £8.0m. Despite making only 30 starts last season, he delivered the third-highest total ever by a defender in Fantasy, securing three goals, five assists, and 18 clean sheets for a total of 209 points. His consistent returns make him a premium defensive asset.

Upfront, ChelseaTeam·Chelsea's Joao PedroPlayer·Joao Pedro, available at £7.5m, has rapidly emerged as a preferred partner for Haaland. He is currently in over 50% of squads, with his ownership 25% higher than any other forward apart from Haaland. Pedro's strong pre-season form, including a hat-trick and an assist in Xabi AlonsoCoach·Xabi Alonso's inaugural pre-season match as ChelseaTeam·Chelsea manager, has significantly boosted his appeal, despite some inconsistencies in his 2025/26 campaign.

The combined cost of Haaland, Fernandes, and GabrielPlayer·Gabriel stands at £35.5m, representing a £6.5m increase from their starting prices in the 2025/26 season. This necessitates careful budget management elsewhere. The favorable £4.0m pricing of all promoted defenders for the 2026/27 season offers a solution, with Hull CityTeam·Hull City's John EganPlayer·John Egan and Coventry CityTeam·Coventry City's Bobby ThomasPlayer·Bobby Thomas highlighted as viable options to balance the squad.

Early gameweek strategies are also taking shape. Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United boasts the most favorable schedule over the opening two Gameweeks, facing promoted Hull CityTeam·Hull City and Ipswich TownTeam·Ipswich Town. This makes doubling up on their attacking assets, potentially alongside players like BrentfordTeam·Brentford's Bryan MbeumoPlayer·Bryan Mbeumo (£8.0m) or Wolverhampton WanderersTeam·Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus CunhaPlayer·Matheus Cunha (£8.0m), an attractive proposition. Mbeumo, who scored both goals in a 2-1 friendly win over Atletico MadridTeam·Atletico Madrid, currently shows better form and fitness than Cunha. Manchester CityTeam·Manchester City also enjoys favorable early fixtures, with Haaland expected to be a popular captain choice in Gameweeks 1, 3, and 5 against Bournemouth, Coventry CityTeam·Coventry City, and SunderlandTeam·Sunderland respectively.

Other budget-friendly considerations include Kinsky as a goalkeeper option and Pascal GrossPlayer·Pascal Gross in midfield, whose penalty duties enhance his appeal. Igor JesusPlayer·Igor Jesus is identified as a form budget forward. Meanwhile, managers should note that James GarnerPlayer·James Garner is unlikely to feature in Gameweek 1 due to groin surgery, and Eli Junior KroupiPlayer·Eli Junior Kroupi is sidelined for months with a foot injury. In managerial news, Eddie HoweCoach·Eddie Howe has departed Newcastle UnitedTeam·Newcastle United, a development that could influence player performance and team dynamics for the upcoming season.