Introduction

As the 2025-26 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season approaches, managers are busy tinkering with their teams to gain an edge. With the deadline looming, our panel of experts—Pras, FPL Heisenberg, Gianni Buttice, and Holly Shand—have analyzed all 20 Premier League teams to provide valuable insights. Here’s a breakdown of their recommendations, including differential picks, players to avoid, and each team’s talisman.

Arsenal

Talisman: Bukayo Saka (£10m) Saka remains a reliable FPL asset despite injury concerns last season. With 17 goal involvements in a shortened campaign, he’s a safe bet for 200+ points if fit.

Differential: Declan Rice (£6.5m) Rice’s defensive contributions and set-piece involvement make him a strong differential pick, especially with Arsenal’s favorable early fixtures.

Player to Avoid: Gabriel (£6m) Gabriel’s limited pre-season minutes and competition in Arsenal’s defense make him a risky investment.

Aston Villa

Talisman: Ollie Watkins (£9m) Watkins has been a consistent performer with 50 goals and 34 assists over the past three seasons. His price makes him an enticing option.

Differential: Donyell Malen (£5.5m) Malen’s pre-season form and goal-scoring potential make him a budget-friendly differential, though his minutes may be limited.

Player to Avoid: Alex Moreno (£4m) Moreno is unlikely to feature regularly, making him a poor choice despite his low price.

Bournemouth

Talisman: Evanilson (£7.5m) The Brazilian striker underperformed his expected goals last season, suggesting he has more to offer. With potential penalty duties, he’s a strong pick.

Differential: Antoine Semenyo (£7m) Semenyo’s shot volume and potential for improved conversion rates make him an attractive differential.

Player to Avoid: Marcos Senesi (£4.5m) Bournemouth’s defensive reshuffle makes Senesi a risky pick.

Brentford

Talisman: Kevin Schade (£7m) Schade’s creativity and goal-scoring form make him a key asset for Brentford, especially with Bryan Mbeumo’s departure.

Differential: Igor Thiago (£6m) Thiago’s return from injury and low ownership make him a potential bargain.

Player to Avoid: Nathan Collins (£5m) Collins’ high price and limited clean sheet potential make him a poor choice.

Brighton

Talisman: Kaoru Mitoma (£6.5m) Mitoma’s goal-scoring and creative abilities make him a top pick if he stays fit.

Differential: Danny Welbeck (£6.5m) Welbeck’s penalty duties and goal-scoring record make him a strong differential.

Player to Avoid: Georginio Rutter (£6m) Rutter’s underwhelming performances make him a risky pick.

Burnley

Talisman: Jaidon Anthony (£5.5m) Anthony’s creativity and goal contributions make him a key asset for Burnley.

Differential: Maxime Esteve (£4m) Esteve’s defensive contributions and low price make him a top pick.

Player to Avoid: Aaron Ramsey (£4.5m) Ramsey’s injury history and lack of Premier League experience make him a poor choice.

Chelsea

Talisman: Cole Palmer (£10.5m) Palmer’s goal contributions and central role make him a must-have.

Differential: Pedro Neto (£7m) Neto’s strong form and potential for regular minutes make him a solid differential.

Player to Avoid: Joao Pedro (£7.5m) Pedro’s shared minutes and lack of penalty duties make him a risky pick.

Crystal Palace

Talisman: Eberechi Eze (£7.5m) Eze’s creative and goal-scoring abilities make him Palace’s top FPL asset.

Differential: Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.5m) Mateta’s goal-scoring record and low ownership make him a strong differential.

Player to Avoid: Tyrick Mitchell (£5m) Mitchell’s lack of standout FPL metrics makes him a poor choice.

Everton

Talisman: Iliman Ndiaye (£6.5m) Ndiaye’s penalty duties and goal-scoring potential make him a top pick.

Differential: James Tarkowski (£5.5m) Tarkowski’s defensive contributions make him a valuable differential.

Player to Avoid: Beto (£5.5m) Beto’s competition for minutes makes him a risky pick.

Fulham

Talisman: Raul Jimenez (£6.5m) Jimenez’s penalty duties and goal-scoring record make him Fulham’s top FPL asset.

Differential: Joachim Andersen (£4.5m) Andersen’s defensive contributions make him a strong differential.

Player to Avoid: Rodrigo Muniz (£5.5m) Muniz’s limited minutes make him a poor choice.

Leeds

Talisman: Dan James (£5.5m) James’ goal contributions and budget price make him a key asset.

Differential: Gabriel Gudmundsson (£4m) Gudmundsson’s attacking threat and low price make him a top pick.

Player to Avoid: Patrick Bamford (£5m) Bamford’s lack of game time makes him a risky pick.

Liverpool

Talisman: Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) Salah’s historic season makes him the top FPL asset, though his high price is a consideration.

Differential: Cody Gakpo (£7.5m) Gakpo’s goal-scoring potential and midfield classification make him a strong differential.

Player to Avoid: Dominik Szoboszlai (£6.5m) Szoboszlai’s uncertain starting role makes him a risky pick.

Manchester City

Talisman: Erling Haaland (£14m) Haaland’s goal-scoring record makes him a must-have, though his high price is a consideration.

Differential: Tijjani Reijnders (£5.5m) Reijnders’ goal-scoring potential and low price make him a strong differential.

Player to Avoid: Omar Marmoush (£8.5m) Marmoush’s uncertain minutes make him a risky pick.

Manchester United

Talisman: Bruno Fernandes (£9m) Fernandes’ penalty duties and creative abilities make him United’s top FPL asset.

Differential: Patrick Dorgu (£4.5m) Dorgu’s attacking potential makes him a strong differential.

Player to Avoid: Bryan Mbeumo (£8m) Mbeumo’s reduced role at United makes him a risky pick.

Newcastle

Talisman & Player to Avoid: Alexander Isak (£10.5m) Isak’s uncertain future makes him a risky pick, though he’s Newcastle’s top asset if he stays.

Differential: Anthony Gordon (£7.5m) Gordon’s potential for increased goal contributions makes him a strong differential.

Nottingham Forest

Talisman: Chris Wood (£7.5m) Wood’s goal-scoring record and penalty duties make him a top pick.

Differential: Neco Williams (£5m) Williams’ attacking and defensive contributions make him a strong differential.

Player to Avoid: Taiwo Awoniyi (£5.5m) Awoniyi’s lack of game time makes him a risky pick.

Sunderland

Talisman: Simon Adingra (£5.5m) Adingra’s goal-scoring potential and consistency make him a top pick.

Differential: Granit Xhaka (£5m) Xhaka’s defensive contributions and low price make him a strong differential.

Player to Avoid: Reinildo (£4m) Reinildo’s limited attacking returns make him a poor choice.

Tottenham

Talisman: Dominic Solanke (£7.5m) Solanke’s goal-scoring and penalty duties make him Spurs’ top FPL asset.

Differential: Christian Romero (£5m) Romero’s clean sheet potential makes him a strong differential.

Player to Avoid: Mohammed Kudus (£6.5m) Kudus’ uncertain role makes him a risky pick.

West Ham

Talisman: Jarrod Bowen (£8m) Bowen’s goal contributions make him West Ham’s top FPL asset.

Differential: El Hadji Malick Diouf (£4.5m) Diouf’s attacking potential makes him a strong differential.

Player to Avoid: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.5m) Wan-Bissaka’s defensive contributions make him a poor choice.

Wolves

Talisman: Jorgen Strand Larsen (£6.5m) Larsen’s goal-scoring form and penalty duties make him Wolves’ top FPL asset.

Differential: Jhon Arias (£5.5m) Arias’ creative potential makes him a strong differential.

Player to Avoid: Hwang Hee-chan (£6m) Hwang’s uncertain starting role makes him a risky pick.

Conclusion

With the 2025-26 FPL season just around the corner, these expert picks and avoids can help you build a competitive team. Remember to consider form, fixtures, and player roles when making your final decisions. Good luck!