10 Common FPL Gameweek 1 Mistakes to Avoid (2026/27)

1. Chasing pre-season form

Every summer there are players who score in every friendly and suddenly become the talk of the FPL community.

The problem is that pre-season football is very different from Premier League football. Opposition quality varies, substitutions are unlimited, and managers often use matches to improve fitness rather than settle on their strongest starting XI.

Treat pre-season performances as clues, not guarantees. Look for repeated evidence of a player's role and minutes rather than letting one good highlight decide your Gameweek 1 squad.

2. Picking players who are not guaranteed to start

A talented player is no use if they are watching from the bench. One of the biggest causes of poor Gameweek 1 scores is selecting exciting players who only play 20 or 30 minutes.

Before choosing any player, ask yourself:

• Are they first choice?
• Have they started regularly in pre-season?
• Is there serious competition for their position?

Reliable starters usually outperform risky rotation options over the opening weeks. Minutes are especially valuable early in the season, when you have not yet built up a bank of transfers or enough information to repair a weak squad.

3. Ignoring the opening fixtures

Fixtures matter — especially at the beginning of the season. Even great players can struggle through a difficult run, while average FPL assets can become excellent value during a favourable fixture swing.

Rather than focusing only on player quality, consider who each player faces over the first five or six gameweeks. A good run gives you time to assess a player properly, while a difficult run can make an otherwise attractive pick frustrating from day one.

Fixtures should not override everything else. A nailed attacker with a clear role is still valuable in a difficult match. But when two players are close on quality and price, the opening fixture run can be the deciding edge. For more on planning around fixtures, read our FPL transfer planner guide.

4. Spending every penny of your budget

Many managers feel they have to spend all £100m before Gameweek 1. In reality, leaving £0.5m or even £1.0m in the bank can make future transfers much easier.

That extra flexibility can save you from taking unnecessary points hits when prices begin to change. It can also make it easier to move to an emerging player without tearing apart the rest of your squad.

5. Filling your squad with differentials

Differentials are exciting. Owning a player that nobody else has can shoot you up the rankings when it works.

The problem is that if your entire squad is made up of differential picks, you are taking unnecessary risks before the season has even started. A low-owned player may have a clear reason for being low-owned — uncertain minutes, poor fixtures or a role that is not as attacking as it appears.

Build your team around reliable performers first, then add one or two carefully chosen differentials. You want enough uniqueness to gain rank, but enough proven stability to avoid a disastrous opening.

6. Forgetting about your bench

Your bench is not just there to make up the numbers. Unexpected injuries, rotation and suspensions happen every season, and your substitutes protect you when they do.

Choose bench players who are likely to get regular minutes. A playing £4.5m defender is usually worth far more than a non-playing bargain, because the reliable starter can step in when your first-choice player misses out.

You do not need an expensive bench. You do need a bench with a realistic chance of entering your team and contributing points. Check your bench order before every deadline as well as your starting XI.

7. Choosing a captain without thinking ahead

Your captain will often score more points than any other player in your squad, so a rushed decision can undo several good picks.

Instead of making a last-minute choice before the deadline, look at fixtures several weeks ahead. Managers who plan captaincy early often avoid unnecessary transfers just to chase one favourable fixture. Our FPL captain picks guide explains what to look for beyond last week's score.

For Gameweek 1, start with the obvious combination of a strong player, a secure role and a favourable fixture. Save the high-risk captaincy call for a week when the evidence genuinely points away from the popular option.

8. Taking too many risks on new signings

Every season brings exciting new arrivals to the Premier League. Some settle immediately. Others take weeks — or even months — to adapt.

Unless you are confident a new signing will start regularly and suits their team's style, it can be sensible to watch for a couple of gameweeks before investing. You will learn more from competitive minutes, team selection and the player's actual role than from transfer fees or pre-season hype.

There is nothing wrong with buying a new signing early when the evidence is strong. The mistake is selecting several untested players at once and leaving yourself no reliable information about how your squad will perform.

9. Making transfers too early

The temptation is understandable. You build your team, feel happy with it and immediately hit confirm. Then an injury happens in training, a player is unexpectedly ruled out, or a manager hints at a different starting lineup in a press conference.

Whenever possible, wait until the latest reliable team news before locking in your squad. Information close to the deadline is usually more valuable than the small chance of catching an early price change.

10. Not reviewing your team objectively

This might be the biggest mistake of all. It is easy to fall in love with your own draft. You have spent hours building it, so naturally it feels strong.

Before the Gameweek 1 deadline, step back and ask yourself:

• Is my bench strong enough?
• Are my defenders too expensive?
• Do I have enough captain options?
• Are my players likely to start?
• Am I relying too heavily on one team?

Sometimes a fresh look is all it takes to spot an issue before it costs you points. A structured review is more useful than asking whether you still like every player you picked. You can also compare your squad against the checklist in our Rate My FPL Team guide.

Final thoughts

No Gameweek 1 squad will be perfect. Unexpected injuries, surprise line-ups and breakout players are part of what makes Fantasy Premier League so enjoyable.

The goal is not to predict everything correctly — it is to give yourself the strongest possible foundation for the opening weeks of the season. Before the deadline, take one final look at your squad and ask whether you are making decisions based on evidence rather than excitement.

Then set your captain, check your bench order and enjoy the first weekend. Good luck for Gameweek 1 — and may your captain return a double-digit haul.