GW 1 squad for FPL 20 -21 

As I begin planning my squad for the new FPL season, I have a few things in mind: 

• Reflecting on the Key Results that I have set:
  • Average of 62 points every GW 
  • 80% success in captaincy picks 
  • No more than 4 players excluding the captain should blank each GW 

• Blank GW1 for Manchester United, Manchester City, Burnley and Aston Villa 
• Possibility of using wildcard during the first international break after GW 4 

My first instinct was to pick the team specifically for GW1 and use the first Wildcard right away for subsequent GWs. However, given the blanks in the first GW, after giving more thought to it I feel it is wiser to pick a team based on form and fixtures till at least GW4, this will give me leeway to use the Wildcard for GW5 – enough to understand the dynamics for this season, how teams are lining up, key players, in form players and fixtures GW 5 onwards  

Hence my decisions have been based on review of GW1 – GW4 fixtures for each team, focusing on attacking returns and having players who can easily be swapped for United and City assets GW 2 onwards. Below is the breakdown of how I arrived at my decisions: 

I looked at the Fixture Difficulty Rating (FDR) from FPL site (while I do not agree with all the ratings, decided to go with it because any difficulty rating is bound to subjectivity) and calculated the average difficulty rating for 4 GWs 

Goalkeeper  

My plan for the first 4 GWs is to have the goal keepers from the same team, to cover any rotation and avoid decision fatigue to choose which goalkeeper to play. Eventually I might end up getting Nick Pope but given the blank in GW1 for him I decided to go with this approach.  

My choices came down to pair of goalkeepers from either Fulham, Southampton or West Brom. Average FDR rating tempted me towards Fulham and Southampton, for now I have decided to go with Fulham, given the fixtures and difference of 0.5 in the combined price of the GKs, so Marek Rodák and Fabri it is.  

Defenders 

My preferred formation for FPL team is 3-4-3 or 3-5-2. Hence the plan is to have 2 main defenders who will feature permanently in the team till I wildcard and pick 2 defenders with lower price, who I can rotate based on the fixtures and one 4.0M defender to fill the quota.  

Options for 2 premium priced defenders were Azpilicueta, Digne, Doherty, Ben Davies, Trent-Arnold, Van Dijk, Robertson, Tierney.  

I had to choose 1 Liverpool defender, there are many that have gone with 2 in the past seasons, but I usually like to hedge my risks and following the same philosophy I settled on 1. Previous season I had Van Dijk for the start of the season to save funds, but in hindsight it was a passive move, and hence I decided to go to Trent-Arnold this time around. He is the highest priced defender for a reason, his attacking instincts are top notch and will continue to gather defensive points as Liverpool team keeps clean sheets 

Now that I am decided on TAA, I wanted to save some funds on the second of my core defenders. This might prove to be a gamble as well, given I am not sure if he is guaranteed a place in starting XI – but I have gone for Ben Davies. If guaranteed a place in starting XI, I believe he is underpriced for a key defender in a team managed by Mourinho. 

For the next two positions in defence, I wanted two 4.5M defenders who could be rotated based on fixtures – I focused on Newcastle and WBA given they have a relatively better avg FDR for first 4 GWs – could have chosen Southampton as well, but was not sure of a defender priced 4.5M. Hence, I have gone for Lacalles and Gibbs.  

For the last spot, I selected 4.0M priced Kilman to complete my squad.  

Midfielders 

Midfielders provide the best value for money in my opinion, and hence I decided to invest heavily in my midfield – 2 premium priced midfielders, 2 medium priced and 1 pound shop mid who plays regularly.  

Before the delayed start to the season for Manchester sides was confirmed I had my eyes set on Kevin De Bruyne and Bruno Fernandes for the premium midfielder slot and Aubameyang was another premium mid in my potential list. As soon as the fixtures were announced and blank for Manchester clubs was confirmed, I was pretty sure of Aubameyang and a Liverpool mid. I decided to go for Mane over Salah, due to his lower ownership, a relative differential.  

Regarding the medium-priced midfielders, I have Willian, Son, Alli, Pulisic, Mount in my plans. I had also been considering punts on Foden and Greenwood however, given their recent off field issues and the blank game week I have held back for now. 

As I am already going with Aubameyang and I need to have Chelsea and Spurs coverage I decide to not go with Willan. Regarding Spurs coverage, I think Alli is a best option in midfield, he is priced lower than Son and seems to be reinvigorated under Jose.  

Chelsea have plethora of options in midfield, and since I want to wait on Werner, it is almost a must for me to get Chelsea coverage in midfield. Ideally, I would want to have Pulisic in my team, but the fact that he is just returning from an injury and the new signings will take some time to settle, I am going ahead with Mason Mount, who could get good game time in first few game weeks.  

For the 5^th midfielder spot, I go for Brighton’s Dale Stephens priced at 4.5M and will guarantee 2 points every match if ever called upon from the bench.  

Forwards 

3-4-3 is now emerging as my go to formation as I have chosen 4 main midfielders with 5^th as a backup in case someone doesn’t play. I have spent heavily on midfield and TAA therefore, I need medium priced assets in the forward line. Also, I need to keep the option of bringing Martial into my team in next few game weeks. 

Basis the FDR sheet above Everton, Fulham, Southampton and Newcastle are decent options to choose forwards from for GW 1 to 4 and thus, I have Calvert Lewin (DCL), Mitrovic, Ings and Wilson on my mind.  

Ings is pretty much confirmed, he had a brilliant last season, fixtures are decent and can easily be converted to Martial if required. DCL has been performing well under Ancelotti and is being touted for a big season this year, hence going for him in my first team for the season.  

For the final spot, it was a tossup between Wilson and Mitrovic. Wilson joined a new club this summer but has a proven track record in the premier league, on the other hand Mitrovic was brilliant in the Championship last season but was injured at the end of last season, so I will wait and watch on him and go ahead with Wilson.  

My Team  

Rodák (Fabri) 

Gibbs – Trent Alexander Arnold – Davies (Lascelles, Kilman) 

 Aubameyang – Sadio Mané – Alli – Mount (Stephens) 

Calvert Lewin – Ings – Wilson