Looking for an under-the-radar gem to start the 2026-27 Premier League season? We’ve crunched the Opta data and picked out five potential FPL stars for Gameweek 1.
Strap yourselves in as the Premier League returns for the 2026-27 campaign, and so does Fantasy Premier League.
Double Arsenal defence? Matz Sels and the Nottingham Forest defence may benefit from the Austrian’s appointment.
You only have to look at Palace’s backline, and specifically Dean Henderson, to understand the reasoning behind this selection. Only two goalkeepers kept more clean sheets than Henderson’s 11 in last season’s Premier League, despite Palace finishing 15th.
In fact, only six teams conceded fewer expected goals against (xGA) than Palace’s 51.9 in the competition last season. Forest ranked 16th for the same metric (57.3 xGA), suggesting Glasner will look to fix those issues with his trusted five-man defence.
And if Sels’ fantasy football history is anything to go by, we could be in for a treat. Starting at a £4.5m price point in the 2024-25 campaign, the Belgian kept the joint-most clean sheets (13, along with David Raya) and accumulated 150 points, ranking only behind Jordan Pickford’s 158 among all goalkeepers.
There should be some long-term caution with Sels, though. An opening meeting at home to Leeds United is inviting for a potential clean sheet, but Forest then travel to Liverpool and Aston Villa either side of hosting Tottenham.
But with Glasner at the helm, could Sels recreate his previous FPL heroics and prove his worth as an under-the-radar pick?
DEF – Dan Ballard | 5.0m | 4.7% Ownership
Fantasy Football managers around the world will be keen to make a fast start, and to do so, it may be worth taking advantage of Sunderland’s opening fixtures.
Travelling to newly promoted Ipswich Town in Gameweek 1 before welcoming Fulham to the Stadium of Light, Anton Stach is a prime example of that. The Leeds midfielder collected 137 points last campaign, averaging a steady 4.9 points per start.
The German reached the defensive contributions threshold – 12 for midfielders and forwards – in 35.7% of his games and registered 20 points for doing so.
Having also scored five goals and supplied six assists, Stach could be another that sneaks past a few managers, despite his all-round attributes and set-piece responsibilities.
Harry Wilson’s arrival at Elland Road may see Stach play deeper and share corners, although Daniel Farke will still want him heavily involved going forward. Stach created 63 chances in last season’s competition, with Brenden Aaronson the next-best Leeds player on 34.
Leeds’ opening five fixtures are far from intimidating, either. They visit Forest in the aforementioned opener before hosting Brentford, Newcastle United and Palace, along with a trip to Brighton.
FWD – Oli McBurnie | 5.5m | 1.5% Ownership
In truth, few players fall into the 10% Club at the top end of the pitch. Last season’s top six forwards, based solely on points scored, are unsurprisingly all selected by more than 10% of managers.
The other four of the top 10 scoring attackers are either uncertain for minutes (Danny Welbeck and Richarlison), injured (Hugo Ekitiké) or have a tough opening fixture (Evanilson, Bournemouth away to Manchester City).
So, why not take a punt on
Hence then, the article about the 10 club opta s best under the radar fpl picks for gameweek 1 was published today ( ) and is available on The Analyst ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( The 10% Club: Opta’s Best Under-the-Radar FPL Picks for Gameweek 1 )
Also on site :
- This ‘Whimsical’ 100% Cotton Throw Blanket With Cottagecore Charm Is Giving Major Anthropologie Vibes for Under $20
- Rosen Law Firm Encourages Suja Life, Inc. Investors to Inquire About Securities Class Action Investigation - SUJA
- The IRS is scrutinizing how UnitedHealth moved money through foreign subsidiaries—and whether it underpaid taxes