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Welcome to the Gameweek 1 Drafts, RotoBallers! Earlier this week, we published our initial rankings (which will be updated later on Friday), a Staff Roundtable discussed the Gameweek 1 questions you need to know the answers to, and the FPL Manual gave us his best tips for Gameweek 1.
This article will preview the squad's Gameweek 1 drafts and where the RotoBaller squad lines up with just over 24 hours to go until the Gameweek 1 deadline. Euan and Jamie provide their current 15 players and give the readers a quick rundown of where their heads are before the lineups lock.
The Gameweek 1 deadline of the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League season is Friday, August 16 at 1:30 p.m. EDT, when Manchester United welcomes Fulham to open the campaign. Also, check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every English Premier League slate and UEFA Champions League game with our EPL DFS lineup picks and betting picks.
Euan's FPL Gameweek 1 Draft
Explanation
I am in full-on tinkering mode with my FPL draft. Every hour, I get another bright idea that will surely lead me down a path of heartbreak. I'm set on my defense with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Pedro Porro, Daniel Munoz, and Valentin Barco. The last spot up for debate is Antonee Robinson versus Lewis Hall versus Ezri Konsa. Robinson is the attacking option, Hall is the punt with unknown upside, and Konsa is the safe play. With TAA, Porro, and Munoz already so attacking, I'm leaning toward Robinson or Konsa for that final spot.
In the midfield, there's a lot up for debate. If I fall in love with Leon Bailey (£6.5M) in the next 24 hours, I can downgrade Bruno Fernandes to the Aston Villa midfielder and upgrade Joao Pedro to Dominic Solanke (£7.5M). Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Anthony Gordon have been in all my drafts for a few days now and I like their talismanic upside for their clubs. I'm not sure about Morgan Rogers, and I may need to find some big money to upgrade that spot.
At the top of the pitch, Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak are locked into my lineup. I was Team Mohamed Salah (£12.5M) for most of the preseason, but Isak's fixture versus Southampton in Gameweek 1 and Haaland's match versus Ipswich in Gameweek 2 swayed me this way. Joao Pedro and Bruno Fernandes versus Dominic Solanke and Yankuba Minteh (£5.5M) could be a deadline decision for my squad.
Overall, I feel good about 11 of my 15 picks heading into the final 24 hours before the Gameweek 1 deadline. Follow Jamie and Wale on X throughout Friday as we agonize over our deadline calls. Feel free to reach out and discuss your thoughts and dilemmas regarding your lineup!
Jamie's FPL Gameweek 1 Draft
Draft
Explanation
Having made tweaks pretty much every time I log onto the site, this is how I think I’ll start the season. I wanted to get some lower-rostered players in my midfield and attack while still backing my gut regarding who I believe will perform well. Gabriel Jesus (£7.0M) being on ~2% of rosters is my main differential in attack. Jesus will be a massive asset for Arsenal and FPL managers if he can stay fit. Hopefully, he can take his pre-season form into the campaign.
In midfield, Leon Bailey (£6.5M) should get a proper run in the team with Moussa Diaby’s departure. Bryan Mbeumo (£7.0M) and Emile Smith-Rowe (£5.5M), all rostered between ~4%-7%, give me differentials who should be regular starters and attacking midfielders. They are cheap enough to allow me to roster Erling Haaland (£15.0M) and Bukayo Saka (£10.0M).
My highest-rostered player in defense is Andy Robertson (£6.0M). There are 24 defenders more highly rostered than Robertson (5.8%), so it’s fair to say I’ve gone a bit off-script at the back. Depending on Sam Johnstone’s role or potential new team, any late alterations will come at the back.
Join the Rotoballer FPL League
Fancy pitting your wits against fellow RotoBallers? Then, join our free league to compete against the team and our dedicated FPL fans. Head to the official FPL site, click the Leagues and Cups tab, and enter the RotoBaller league code: b278pa.
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— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) July 18, 2024
Stick around for more 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League content coming soon. Hit us up on X @RotoBaller. We would love to hear your feedback and ideas!
