FPL GW1 in a nutshell
Team Name: Pointers
Chip Played: Bench Boost
GW Rank: 642,808
Team score (Including BB): 67 points (Included 23 from bench)
Captain score: Joao Pedro (Chelsea) 11 points, (22 as C)
Bench score: 23 points
Squad value: 100.0m
In the bank: 0.0m
FPL GW1 Strategy
The decision was made to use the BB chip, because there are only two GW’s in August so I figured why not give it a shot. It earned me 23 extra points, so it dramatically influenced the final score.
The decision to make Joao Pedro captain was due to his preseason form, scoring plenty of goals and showed promise.
The formation was irrelevant as I chose BB, which meant every player in the 15 player squad scored points.
FPL GW1 Goalkeeper
Robin Roefs (Sunderland) had a fantastic season in 2025/26 and viewed the fixture against newly promoted Ipswich Town, but it wasn’t to be as Sunderland conceded two goals.
FPL GW1 Defenders
Harry Maguire (Manchester United) seemed to be a good choice on the surface, as they were playing against newly promoted Hull City who scored two goals in a massive upset.
Trai Hume (Sunderland) was in good form in the preseason, but unfortunately it was a day to forget for him, being substituted off late in the game.
Luke Shaw (Manchester United) played every game in season 2025/26 and was at an affordable 4.5m. Shaw played a solid game, but only scored one point.
FPL GW1 Midfielder
Morgan Rogers (Chelsea) had a fantastic season in 2025/26 for Aston Villa, selecting him paid off as Rogers scored a goal and earned a bonus point.
Harry Wilson (Leeds United) played 65 minutes and his team kept a clean sheet, but Wilson failed to deliver in the final third.
Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest) captained Nottingham Forest, but only scored 2 points in GW1, which was a disappointing output considering that he scored high last season.
Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City- V) struggled to get into the game and have an impact in the final third.
FPL GW1 Forward
Alexander Isak (Liverpool) had a tough day at the office. It just wasn’t his day, as he didn’t look like getting opportunities to score.
Igor Thiago (Brentford) was a focal point for Brentford and took a penalty that hit the post, therefore, unfortunately he scored no points.
Joao Pedro (Chelsea- C) had a great preseason, so selected him on that basis. He played 90 minutes and got a goal and an assist.
FPL GW1 Substitute
Goalkeeper: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford) wasn’t expected to keep a clean sheet against a Spurs team that spent money in the off season.
Defender: Michael Kayode (Brentford) may have only played 75 minutes, but he was the highest scoring player for “Pointers” scored the third goal for Brentford and contributed to them keeping a clean sheet against Spurs.
Defender: Reinildo Mandava (Sunderland) played a full game, but Sunderland conceded two goals.
Midfielder: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) didn’t look good; the Manchester United skipper was off the pace and would be disappointed with his performance.