Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 1: Strategic Captaincy Picks and Injury Updates
The Gameweek 1 deadline is hours away, and according to Planet Football's complete guide, the captaincy conversation is already narrowing to three clubs.
If you're still tinkering with your squad before Arsenal host newly-promoted Coventry under the Friday night lights, here's how to think through the final call.
Captain picks: the realistic shortlist
We can save ourselves some time here. Given this weekend's fixtures, you'd be daft to look beyond Arsenal, Manchester City or Manchester United for the armband.
Haaland is the safe floor. He's won the Golden Boot in three of four Premier League seasons, hit 14 goals in his first 11 league outings last campaign, and Bournemouth at home is the kind of fixture that lets him come racing out of the traps again. If variance isn't your friend, he's the man.
Want a bigger swing? Gabriel Magalhaes is the differential punt against Coventry. He kept a clean sheet in five of his six appearances against promoted opposition last season, and Frank Lampard's side at the Emirates doesn't exactly scream goals.
Going the other way, Bruno Fernandes is last season's must-have and travels to Hull — early relegation favourites. Bryan Mbeumo is also worth a look if you're chasing a cheaper route into that United attack against the unfancied Tigers.
Absences and late flags
Three players carry suspensions from last season: Bournemouth's Ryan Christie, Chelsea's Wesley Fofana (who'll also miss Gameweek 2 against Brighton), and Fulham's Joachim Andersen are all unavailable.
The injury list is messier and worth a final check before you confirm. Arsenal lose Jurrien Timber for the opener, with William Saliba expected out for months. Bruno Guimaraes faces a late fitness test and may miss Newcastle's clash with Liverpool. Manchester City are without Jeremy Doku; Matheus Nunes is a doubt. Liverpool themselves are missing Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez at St James'.
Chelsea, for what it's worth, have a clean bill of health under Xabi Alonso. Elsewhere: Leeds are without Gabriel Gudmundsson and Wilfried Gnonto at Nottingham Forest, who lose Nicolo Savona. Dean Henderson is a doubt for Crystal Palace at Everton; James Garner and Christian Norgaard are unavailable. Sunderland are without Simon Adingra.
Lock it in
The FPL site flags major confirmed injuries on the squad page, so give that a final once-over before the deadline rolls around. After that, pick your captain from the shortlist, trust the eye test, and enjoy the first weekend back.