There is no single correct way to build an FPL Gameweek 1 squad.
The best structure depends on your preferred captaincy options, confidence in budget players and willingness to accept a weaker bench.
Instead of repeatedly changing one draft, create several different structures and compare their strengths.
Here are three useful approaches for the 2026/27 season.
Structure one: Haaland as the main premium
This structure begins with Erling Haaland at £15.5m.
The objective is to secure Manchester City’s main goalscorer and use him as the primary captain during favourable fixtures.
Suggested budget shape
- Premium forward: £15.5m
- Second forward: £6.0m to £8.0m
- Main midfielder: £8.0m to £10.0m
- Two mid-priced midfielders
- One budget midfielder
- Mostly budget and mid-priced defenders
- One starting goalkeeper
- Low-cost playing substitutes
Advantages
- Access to the most obvious captaincy option
- Protection against a highly captained Haaland haul
- Strong early-season scoring history
- Easier to sell him than buy him later
- Potential Triple Captain opportunities
Disadvantages
- Less money for premium midfielders
- A weaker defence or bench
- Greater dependence on budget players
- Fewer expensive transfer alternatives
- Difficult to include both Haaland and several other premiums
Who is this structure for?
This structure suits managers who value captaincy security and believe budget players will emerge during pre-season.
It is also the safer approach when Haaland is expected to be highly owned.
Structure two: Haaland plus Bruno Fernandes
This structure attempts to own the two highest-priced captaincy options.
Haaland costs £15.5m and Fernandes costs £12.0m, meaning £27.5m is committed to two players.
Suggested budget shape
- Haaland as the premium forward
- Fernandes as the premium midfielder
- One mid-priced forward
- Three budget or mid-priced midfielders
- A value-focused defence
- A low-cost goalkeeper combination
- Minimum-price playing substitutes
Advantages
- Excellent captaincy rotation
- Access to Manchester City and Manchester United’s main attackers
- Strong options for the opening fixtures
- Less need to make early premium transfers
- High ceiling when both deliver
Disadvantages
- Very limited defensive budget
- Greater reliance on £4.0m and £4.5m players
- Limited flexibility for a third premium
- Weak substitutes may create problems
- One injury can force a major restructure
Who is this structure for?
This approach suits managers who believe premium captaincy will decide the opening Gameweeks.
It requires confidence in several cheap players receiving regular minutes.
Structure three: Balanced squad without Haaland
This structure removes Haaland and spreads the £15.5m across several positions.
A manager could instead select:
- A £9.0m forward
- Another premium or upper mid-priced midfielder
- A stronger defender
- A deeper bench
Suggested budget shape
- One £8.0m to £10.0m forward
- One premium midfielder
- Several midfielders between £6.5m and £9.5m
- At least one premium defender
- Two playable substitutes
- Greater money in the bank
Advantages
- Stronger overall starting eleven
- More transfer options across different price points
- Better substitutes
- Reduced dependence on one player
- Easier rotation between fixtures
Disadvantages
- No obvious Manchester City captain
- Significant rank damage if Haaland hauls
- Difficult to buy Haaland without multiple transfers
- Captaincy may become more complicated
- Extra squad strength is wasted if budget players perform equally well
Who is this structure for?
This approach suits managers who believe several mid-priced players can collectively outperform Haaland and the cheaper players required to own him.
It is a higher-risk strategy because of Haaland’s ownership and captaincy.
How to compare the three structures
Do not compare only the premium players.
Compare the complete starting elevens.
Ask:
- Which structure has the strongest captain each Gameweek?
- How many players are secure starters?
- Does the bench contain usable substitutes?
- How many transfers are needed to change structure?
- Are there several players at common price points?
- How much money remains in the bank?
- Which draft looks strongest across the first six Gameweeks?
Avoid building for only Gameweek 1
A strong opening draft should survive several Gameweeks.
Do not select a player only because they have one attractive fixture if their following schedule is difficult.
Review:
- The first six fixtures
- Home and away rotation
- Captaincy options
- Pre-season minutes
- Injury status
- Set pieces
- Starting security
Keep several scenarios
The first draft you build is unlikely to be your final team.
Create separate scenarios for:
- Haaland as the only premium.
- Haaland and Fernandes together.
- A balanced no-Haaland squad.
Update each scenario as new transfer, injury and pre-season information becomes available.
OneFPL verdict
The Haaland structure is likely to be the safest.
The two-premium structure offers the strongest captaincy but requires reliable budget players.
The balanced structure may produce the strongest starting eleven, but it carries significant risk if Haaland begins the season quickly.
Use the OneFPL Transfer Planner to save each draft and compare them across the opening Gameweeks before making your final decision.
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OneFPL is an independent Fantasy Premier League companion. OneFPL is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Premier League or Fantasy Premier League.
OneFPL analysis. OneFPL is an independent Fantasy Premier League companion and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Premier League or Fantasy Premier League.
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