Gross remains one of the better 5.5 midfielders and should start for Brighton against Aston Villa despite playing consecutive full matches.

Reasoning: The creator expects Gross to be in Brighton's starting XI because of their thin squad, while noting his set pieces, chances and possible penalties.

Players/teams: Pascal Groß (Subject), Brighton & Hove Albion (Team context), Aston Villa (Opponent)

I'd be shocked if Gross is not in the 11 for Aston Villa at home... He's still got most set pieces... Might be on penalties. So, I still think he's one of the better 5.5s.

Gomez is a strong 5.0 midfielder option for Gameweek 1 because the creator expects him to start, although early substitutions should be expected.

Reasoning: The creator expects a start, sees little competition at the price, and repeatedly warns that Gomez may be substituted early.

Players/teams: Simon Adingra (Subject), Brighton & Hove Albion (Team context)

I think we should expect early subs from him, but for 5 million, it doesn't really get much better than him... I would expect him to start gameweek one.

Saka and Rice should be avoided for Gameweek 1 because being fit enough to be involved does not guarantee their starts or reliable minutes.

Reasoning: The creator says both should be ignored despite their availability, citing uncertain starts and the post-Coventry fixture outlook.

Players/teams: Declan Rice (Subject), Arsenal (Team context), Bukayo Saka (Subject)

It doesn't guarantee a start with Saka in particular... Either way, both those players should be ignored for me. I just don't think you can trust the minutes.

Ben White should be secure at right-back for Arsenal for roughly the first three to four weeks while Timber remains unavailable.

Reasoning: The creator expects White to continue at right-back until Timber returns, barring fitness-related rotation.

Players/teams: Jurriën Timber (Competition), Arsenal (Team context), Ben White (Subject)

I think Ben White's going to play right back until Timbers's back essentially... I think Ben White's fine for three to four weeks. After that, who knows?

Cole Palmer is still the creator's expected Chelsea penalty taker despite comments creating uncertainty.

Reasoning: The creator says he would be shocked if Palmer gave up penalties and is pretty sure Palmer will continue taking them.

Players/teams: Cole Palmer (Subject), Chelsea (Team context)

For what it's worth, I'd be shocked if Palmer doesn't take them... I'm pretty sure it will still be Cole Palmer.

Inbermo is a good short-term pick for the first couple of Gameweeks, but his minutes become more questionable later.

Reasoning: The creator expects Shesha's return and Ahmad's competition to affect Inbermo's role after the opening weeks.

Players/teams: Inbermo (Subject), Manchester United (Team context), Ahmad (Competition)

I still think in Burma is pretty good for the first couple of weeks. After that, it might get a little bit more sketchy in terms of minutes.

Solace is a strong early-season punt for the first three matches, but his minutes should decline once the club signs a new left winger.

Reasoning: The creator likes Solace's opening home fixture and has already contracted him for three matches, while expecting reduced minutes later.

Players/teams: Solace (Subject), Arsenal (Team context)

Great pick for commentary at home. I've got in contracted for three games... eventually the minutes will come down once they sign a new left winger. But early on in the season, great punt.

Enzo Lefay is attractive for the first three fixtures because of penalties, but the creator would not want him after the difficult Gameweek 4 and 5 fixtures.

Reasoning: The creator highlights his penalty role and opening fixtures, then explicitly says the later fixtures make him a short-term option.

Players/teams: Sunderland (Team context), Enzo Le Fée (Subject)

Lefay's basically got free reign over penalties and three very good fixtures to start... After that I don't think you want him. The two fixtures in game weeks four and five are tough.

The creator prefers Zolis over Odegaard as the Arsenal attacker to target for Coventry at home because Zolis currently has less competition for minutes.

Reasoning: He identifies Zolis as his preference, expects a start, and believes Odegaard faces more substitution risk through the central role.

Players/teams: Arsenal (Team context), Christos Tzolis (Subject), Martin Ødegaard (Alternative)

My preference I think is Zololis... he's actually got a little bit less competition for minutes... if it's a choice between the two... I'd probably just go for Zolace.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the creator's preferred 6.0 forward because he expects strong minutes and penalty duties.

Reasoning: The creator calls him nailed on, highlights penalties, and expects him to start most matches even if Leeds sign a forward.

Players/teams: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Subject), Leeds United (Team context)

It's Dominic Calbertt Lewen. Nailed on great minutes, penalties... Calbert Lewan's still going to start the majority of games and play the majority of minutes in my opinion.

Ballard is a strong short-term defender punt for an aggressive early-wildcard strategy, but not a long-term Sunderland pick.

Reasoning: The creator likes Ballard's Defcon and set-piece goal threat plus the first two fixtures, while warning about Sunderland's season and the fixtures after that.

Players/teams: Dan Ballard (Subject), Sunderland (Team context)

He is really good for Defcon... He's also got genuine goal threat as well. IPS away Fulham at home first, too. Pretty decent... for those of you that are on an early wildcard aggressive strategy, definitely look at Ballard.

Harry Maguire is a preferred longer-term 5.0 defender because of his expected security, opening fixtures, Defcon potential and goal threat.

Reasoning: The creator likes his first fixtures and believes his place is not under immediate threat.

Players/teams: Manchester United (Team context), Harry Maguire (Subject)

Harry Magguire I really like. First two fixtures are great... could get Defcon has got a bit of goal threat... I don't think his place is really in threat anytime soon either.

The creator prefers Pstra as the Chelsea defensive punt at 5.5, despite uncertainty over his weekly starts and system.

Reasoning: He rejects James, Colwill and Laqua for immediate selection, but says Pstra should get decent minutes and is the one he would choose if starting with a Chelsea defender.

Players/teams: Pstra (Subject), Chelsea (Team context)

I'm pretty sure Pstra is going to get decent minutes. And for 5.5 million, that is the punt I would take in this Chelsea team... if I was going to start with one fairly sure I would go Pstra.

Gakpo is an appealing low-owned Gameweek 1 differential, but his longer-term minutes are uncertain because Liverpool are expected to add another wide player or he could move.

Reasoning: The creator likes Gakpo's current role and opportunity but warns that transfer activity could reduce or alter his minutes.

Players/teams: Cody Gakpo (Subject), Liverpool (Team context)

I kind of love him at 3.6% ownership because he will get chances... I think he will be first choice left wing as it stands. The problem is the rumors for Liverpool buying Barka aren't going away... So how long will Gapo's minutes be good for? That's the thing I'm not sure about.

The creator prefers rolling the Gameweek 2 transfer rather than using it for a bench boost, because an early injury could force a poor transfer.

Reasoning: Although he acknowledges Gameweek 2 may have better bench-boost fixtures, he prioritizes preserving two free transfers for Gameweek 3 and avoiding an injury-forced move.

Players/teams: Ipswich Town (Team context), Coventry City (Team context)

The key thing for me though is not wanting to make a transfer in gameweek two... having two free transfers in three just puts you in a much more flexible position... I want to roll in gameweek two and so I'm not willing to risk a potential injury.

The creator views an early wildcard around Gameweeks 3 or 4 as viable because major-team fixture swings and transfer activity arrive early.

Reasoning: He expects better information on value defenders and new signings after the opening weeks, while also seeing strong fixture swings for Manchester City and Chelsea shortly afterward.

Players/teams: Manchester City (Team context), Manchester United (Team context), Liverpool (Team context), Chelsea (Team context)

You're still going to be able to build a pretty good wild card team in three or four... there's a lot of fixture swings for big teams early on... Maybe an early wild card helps me fix all that later on.

Managers generally should spend most of their budget rather than leaving 2.5 million in the bank for a planned future transfer.

Reasoning: The creator accepts keeping a small amount unused when no upgrade exists, but says 2.5 million is excessive because expensive players generally produce more points and plans can change.

I would probably argue though that 2.5 million is too much... as a general rule, I would spend most of your budget.

Haaland is not automatically the best Gameweek 1 captain because his preseason minutes may limit his appearance, making Bruno Fernandes a viable alternative.

Reasoning: The creator questions whether 70–75 minutes from Haaland against Bournemouth is better than Fernandes against Holloway and says he expects to captain Bruno in Gameweek 2.

Players/teams: Bruno Fernandes (Subject), Manchester City (Team context), Manchester United (Team context), Erling Haaland (Alternative)

Are we absolutely sure that Harland's the best captain? I don't know if he is... Is 70 75 minutes of Harland against Bournemouth at home better than Fernandez against Holloway?... gameweek two, I'm definitely captaining Bruno.