FPL 2020-21: Best Fantasy Team for Gameweek 1 | FPL Tips

Goalkeeper:

McCarthy is a good budget FPL goalkeeper.

Alex McCarthy (SOU)- £4.5 m | Opponent: CRY(A): Southampton shot-stopper Alex McCarthy is one of the best budget goalkeepers in FPL this season. At £4.5 m, McCarthy offers both save and clean sheet points. Southampton look to be the best side for budget FPL options this season and given their favourable opening run of fixtures, McCarthy is a great pick.

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Defenders:

Alexander-Arnold is an FPL must-have.

James Justin (LEI)- £4.5 m | Opponent: WBA(A): Leicester right-back James Justin offers good FPL value for the opening game weeks of the season. Justin has played in that position since the injury of Ricardo Pereira and has received praise from both his manager and the fans. While Pereira is expected to return to training soon, Justin is an excellent short-term FPL option from Leicester, who have good opening fixtures.

Eric Dier (TOT)- £5.0m | Opponent: EVE(H): Eric Dier offers a cut-price route into the Spurs' defence. Mourinho's side have a good run of opening fixtures, and their signings in the transfer window should shore up their defence. Dier offers consistent clean sheet points and the possibility of bonus points, making him an excellent FPL option.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV) - £7.5 m | Opponent: LEE(H): The most-owned player in FPL, Alexander-Arnold is a must-have this season. He has a high ceiling for attacking returns, both from set-pieces and from open play. With Liverpool's defensive solidity, Trent is a bargain FPL option at £7.5 m.

Ruben Vinagre (WOL) - £4.5 m | Opponent: SHU(A): Ruben Vinagre is the most popular budget FPL pick in defence after Jonny's injury. The young Portuguese, at £4.5m, can offer great value if he plays at left wing-back. The arrival of Marcal, however, does create some doubts over whether he'll start, so try to have some backup options for him in your FPL team.

Kyle Walker-Peters (SOU) - £4.5 m | Opponent: CRY(A): The Southampton right-back wasn't initially in my plans, as I was thinking of benching a Burnley defender for GW 1. The threat to Vinagre's game-time meant that I needed another starting defender for gameweek 1, and Walker-Peters fits the bill perfectly.

He wasn't my first pick because I didn't want to double-up on Southampton's defence, but they do seem on course for a clean sheet in their first match, so Walker-Peters is a pretty good pick.

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Midfielders:

Can Mohamed Salah have yet another record-breaking FPL season?

Heung-Min Son (TOT) - £9.0 m | Opponent: EVE(H): Heung-Min Son is one of the most popular FPL midfielders owing to his £9.0 m price tag and his impressive pre-season performances. Son has had the most goal involvements under Mourinho and is a cheaper alternative to Kane. He's likely to remain in my team for an extended period.

Mohamed Salah (LIV) - £12.0 m | Opponent: LEE(H): Salah hasn't been in good form since Gameweek 34, and that combined with his unremarkable pre-season showing and Aubameyang's reclassification as a midfielder has pushed his FPL ownership down.

He's still owned by close to 30% of FPL managers and remains the best attacking option from the Reds. The fact that he's on penalties and tends to get more chances makes him a better choice than Mane. He looks likely to remain in my FPL team for the entirety of the season.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ARS) - £12.0m | Opponent: FUL(A): Aubameyang's FPL ownership has risen since the fixture postponement of the two Manchester sides. Aubameyang has two great opening fixtures against Fulham and West Ham. His price of £12.0 m means that he can be moved on to accommodate the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, or Bruno Fernandes.

He's undoubtedly the most exciting option for the opening two gameweeks and is a prime FPL captaincy pick.

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Forwards:

Calvert-Lewin offers excellent value to FPL managers.

Eddie Nketiah (ARS) - £6.0 m | Opponent: FUL(A): Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah is another placeholder for FPL assets from Chelsea or Manchester City, and has good short-term fixtures to shine. While he's not assured of a start, his good showings in pre-season and for the England U-21s might get him the nod over Lacazette. He offers great short-term FPL value, especially at £6.0m.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (EVE)- £7.0 m | Opponent: TOT(A): Dominic Calvert-Lewin wasn't the first name I had on my mind, but looking at their new signings and the underlying stats from last season, I quickly included in him in my FPL team. He offers a very high goal threat and should get some quality chances, now that Everton have strengthened their midfield.

With a good run of fixtures, Calvert-Lewin is practically a steal at £7.0 m.

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Bench:

Mat Ryan has been a valuable FPL asset in recent seasons

GK: Mathew Ryan (BHA) - £4.5 m | Opponent: CHE(H): Mathew Ryan is the perfect £4.5 m FPL goalkeeper to rotate with McCarthy. Brighton's defence looks to be settled, and they should get more clean sheets than they did last season. Ryan also offers a lot of save points.

1st Sub: Marcus Rashford (MID) (MUN)- £9.5 m | Opponent: None: Marcus Rashford's reclassification to a midfielder makes him a very attractive FPL option. Manchester United have a great run of fixtures, and that's why I'm benching him for this gameweek to avoid using a free transfer in the next one.

2nd Sub: Oliver Norwood (MID) (SHU)- £5.0 m | Opponent: WOL(H): With Tomas Soucek a doubt for the start of the season, I have selected Sheffield United's captain Oliver Norwood as my midfield enabler. Norwood is a guaranteed starter and is a very creative player. He's on penalties and set-pieces for the Blades and is a decent FPL pick.

3rd Sub: Keinan Davis (FWD) (AVL) - £4.5 | Opponent: None: Keinan Davis is another enabler in the forwards position. There aren't any £4.5m FPL forwards who consistently start games, but Davis is the most likely to get some game-time among the available options.

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