How to pick your first FPL squad — a step-by-step guide

Build your first FPL squad by deciding how to split the £100 million before you pick any names — two or three premium scorers, a dependable mid-priced core, and cheap enablers including a bench of players who actually start for their clubs. Spend big where points concentrate, respect the three-players-per-club limit, and treat your Gameweek 1 team as a starting point you will refine with transfers rather than a decision you have to get perfect.

A blank £100m squad is oddly stressful — fifteen slots, hundreds of players, and a nagging feeling everyone else knows something you don't. They don't. A good starting squad comes from a few sensible principles, not secret knowledge. Here's a calm way through it. If you haven't played before, how to play Fantasy Premier League covers the rules this guide assumes.

Start with the shape of your money, not the players

Before you pick a single name, decide roughly how you want to spread £100m. You're not buying fifteen equal players — you're buying a few expensive ones who'll score a lot, a few cheap ones who mostly sit on the bench, and a solid middle.

A common, sensible split is: two or three premium players (your big scorers), a core of dependable mid-priced players, and a handful of cheap enablers whose main job is to be cheap enough that you can afford the expensive ones. Get this balance right and the individual names matter less than you'd think.

Spend big where points are most concentrated

Points in FPL aren't spread evenly. A small number of elite attackers and the odd standout defender score far more than everyone else. That's where your premium money should go — on the players most likely to return points week after week, especially the ones who take penalties and stay fit.

The trap to avoid is spreading your budget too evenly. Fifteen £6.5m players looks balanced and scores like porridge. You want a few genuine difference-makers.

Build a bench you don't have to think about

Four of your fifteen players sit on the bench each week. For most managers, most of the time, the smart move is a cheap, low-maintenance bench — players who cost little and, ideally, actually play for their clubs so they're not a total zero if they're forced into your starting eleven by an injury.

A "playing bench" of cheap regulars is worth more than expensive names you'll never start. Spend the savings on your front eleven. Cheap defenders and midfielders who reliably rack up defensive contribution points are especially good value here.

Respect the fixtures — but don't marry them

It's tempting to load up on whichever team has the easiest opening run. A little of that is smart; too much is a mistake, because fixtures even out and a good player is a good player across a season. Lean towards nice early fixtures where it's a close call, but don't build your whole team around the first three Gameweeks.

Remember the three-per-club limit

You can hold at most three players from any one club. It sounds restrictive but it's healthy — it forces you to spread risk, so one team's bad week doesn't sink your whole Gameweek.

Use the assistant if you're stuck — then make it yours

FPL 2026/27 has a built-in squad-building assistant that'll suggest a team from a few quick questions. It's a perfectly good starting point if the blank squad is intimidating. Just treat what it gives you as a first draft to adjust, not a finished team.

Don't over-think the first squad

Here's the freeing part: your Gameweek 1 team is not your season. You'll make transfers every week, and you've got a Wildcard to overhaul things whenever you like. A sensible, balanced starting squad that you can tweak beats a "perfect" one you agonised over for a fortnight. Once the season starts, steering clear of the common mistakes beginners make matters far more than your opening fifteen.

Frequently asked questions

How should I split my £100m budget? A few premium scorers, a dependable mid-priced core, and cheap enablers — including a cheap, playing bench. Avoid spreading it evenly.

Should I pick players based on early fixtures? Use fixtures as a tie-breaker between similar players, not as the foundation of your whole team.

How many players can I have from one club? Three at most.

Do I need to get my first squad perfect? No. You make transfers every week and can Wildcard whenever you like. A balanced, flexible squad beats an over-optimised one.

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Building the squad is step one. The weekly grind of who to captain, who to bring in, and who to bench is where seasons are won and lost — and it's the part coachme takes off your plate, with a clear call for your exact team before every deadline. Try it free.