UPDATED DRAFT: FPL Tips Team Selection - Gameweek 1

It’s been four weeks since FPLTips’ First Draft Team Selection came out, but things have changed to his Fantasy Premier League team for Gameweek 1 since then

But nothing is set in stone and there will be a further Team Selection video for Gameweek 1 when we get into the final week before the season begins. However, if you’re feeling lucky, there are a tonne of UK football betting sites when you can place your football bets.

But, of course, I’ve been continuing to tinker with the squad and I thought it’d be a good idea to talk you through a couple of changes that I’m considering – and some plans for rotation strategy.

But nothing is set in stone and there will be a further Team Selection video for Gameweek 1 when we get into the final week before the season begins.

Please note that all player prices and ownership percentages were correct at the time of publishing.

Goalkeepers/Defenders

Robert Sanchez keeps his place between the sticks and it’s in defence where the first change comes.

It’s emerged that Luke Shaw played with broken ribs through the knockout stages of EURO 2020, casting doubts over his availability at the start of the season.

Of course, if we see him training and ready to go, come Gameweek 1, he’ll be straight back in but for the sake of exploring alternative options within this draft – he makes way for Tariq Lamptey.

The right-back suffered a hamstring injury that cut his 2020/21 campaign short, after impressing with a goal and 3 assists in the opening 7 Gameweeks.

But he’s back in training for pre-season and looks to be in-line to feature from the off.

Midfielders/Forwards

The rest of the defence remains the same for now, while Salah, Fernandes and Jota each keep their places in midfield.

But the plan here is to move to a 4-4-2 formation and to do that, some extra funds are needed from the forward line.

So, reluctantly, it’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin who’s been sacrificed – with Danny Welbeck coming in as a budget alternative; as highlighted in the recent ‘Top 5 Forwards’ video.

His end of season form and cheap price tag makes him ideal to use as a rotation option, with fixtures against Watford and Brentford in the opening 4 Gameweeks.

Bench

There are a further two changes on the bench, with Yves Bissouma making way to restore the quota of Brighton players down to the maximum of three.

It’s an upgrade to Mason Greenwood, who – as discussed in the ‘Differentials’ video – could make a big impact early on in the absence of Marcus Rashford.

The 19-year-old ended last season with 6 goals and 1 assist in 8 appearances.

And the final change for this updated draft sees Conor Coady make way for Luke Ayling; who works well in a rotation with Tariq Lamptey.

Despite failing to produce a goal or assist last season, the right-back created 5 big chances; only trailing Matt Lowton (7) amongst £4.5m defenders.

As mentioned, with those changes, the formation moves to 4-4-2, with Greenwood replacing Welbeck for Gameweek 1.

Rotation Strategy

To make full use of this squad, Fofana, Lamptey, Welbeck and Ayling can be rotated, over the first 5 Gameweeks.

Luke Ayling compliments Tariq Lamptey’s fixtures well, allowing for five consecutive matches with a difficulty rating of 2.

During this calendar year, Leeds (24) and Brighton (21) have conceded the fewest number of Premier League goals amongst teams outside of the ‘big six’.

Danny Welbeck, meanwhile, can cover the tougher fixtures for Wesley Fofana in the opening five Gameweeks; though it is a tough call between them for Gameweek 1.

Eight of Leicester’s 11 clean sheets last season came against teams that finished in the ‘bottom 8’.

So, that’s how the current draft is looking but again, remember – nothing is set in stone.

There will be a further Team Selection video for Gameweek 1 when we get into the final week before the season begins – so do stay tuned for that.

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Thank you for reading ‘Fantasy Premier League Tips: ‘UPDATED DRAFT: FPL Tips Team Selection – Gameweek 1 which was written and produced by FFPundits & FPLTips.