Best budget players for FPL Gameweek 1

We pick out the best budget players for FPL Gameweek 1. With the help of the Fantasy Football Scout fixture ticker and underlying stats we provide some of the best cheap players, whether that be goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders or forwards for the round ahead.

Finding some of the best budget players in any round can be extremely useful to FPL managers. Cheap players are vital when it comes to trying to fit in the more expensive options and can even be great standalone assets.

Fixtures

Below we can see the ticker in order of fixture difficulty. The teams at the top have the easiest fixtures and the teams at the bottom have the toughest fixtures.

Joao Pedro

Brighton sit at the top of the Gameweek 1 fixture ticker with an opening match at home against Luton. Luton progressed to the Premier League through the play-offs and are also un-tested in the top tier of English football.

The home side registered some fantastic attacking data last campaign – they ended the season with more shots on target than any other side in the league. With that in mind and their reasonably cheap assets, they could be some of the most investable to start the season with.

One player attracting the FPL community is Joao Pedro (£5.5m). The striker impressed during pre-season – he picked up an assist against Chelsea, scored from the spot kick then scored another penalty in Brighton’ most recent friendly against Spanish side Ray Vallecano.

Arnaut Danjuma

Everton start their 23/24 campaign against Fulham in Gameweek 1. Although Fulham exceeded fans expectations last season they still conceded some concerning defensive stats. In fact, when compared to every other side in the division they ranked joint worst for big chances conceded last season (111).

Some may look at the Everton of 22/23 and decide against backing an attacker but there have been clear signs of improvements since new manager Sean Dyche took over as manager. ‘The Toffees’ also managed to find the net in all but one of their pre-season frendlies.

Rumours that striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6m) will miss the first round are intensifying. This could provide an opportunity to midfielder Arnaut Danjuma (£5.5m) to play in an advanced position. The Dutchman impressed during his 21/22 Champions League campaign creating seven goal contributions in 11 matches. Danjuma has the quality, fixture and price-tag to become one of the best budget players for Gameweek 1.

George Baldock

It could be a good return Premier League football for Sheffield United as they sit inside the top 10 on the ticker. ‘The Blades’ managed an impressive 19 clean sheets in the Championship last season which reflects defensive strength.

Sheffield United play with a back-three system and that means their wing-backs can into some of the most advanced positions on the pitch. One of their wing-backs is George Baldock who comes in at one of the cheapest prices in the game (£4m). Baldock showed his goal threat in one of his most recent pre-season friendly matches where he scored.

Carney Chukwuemeka

Chelsea have a tough-on-paper tie against Liverpool in the first round. ‘The Reds’ may be a force to be reckoned with offensively but there are serious question marks around their defence, especially after pre-season where they banked just one clean sheet in five matches.

New manager Mauricio Pochettino has clearly improved the once blunt attack of Chelsea – they racked up 13 goals in five pre-season friendlies. During that time striker Christopher Nkunku (£7.5m) picked up a long term injury. This could mean solidified gametime for midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka (£4.5m) who impressed in a number 10 role during the break. At his price and against a ropey Liverpool defence, Chukwuemeka could be a great enabler for Gameweek 1.