Fantasy Premier League Rankings: Gameweek 1

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Updated on August 6, 2019 6:17PM EST

Not that predicting what will happen in the Premier League each week is easy, but Gameweek 1 is particularly difficult because there are still just so many questions about who has won all of the starting jobs, and which reported injuries are only slight issues and not worth worrying about versus those that will keep players out of the first XIs to begin the season. Additionally, there are players who just recently returned to their clubs after a long summer playing international football, and we could see some of them unexpectedly starting right away. But enough complaining, it's time to really gear up for Gameweek 1 of the 2019/20 season because everything kicks off Friday with Liverpool hosting newly promoted Norwich City.

The rankings below are primarily focused on the league's official game, both salary cap and draft, but they can be used for deeper formats as well. Also, if there are similar players within a team or tier, I tend to side with the one who has more upside, which generally makes them applicable to fantasy formats that use additional peripheral stats beyond goals, assists and clean sheets.

I included notes on most players below, but as I did last year, I will generally include some additional player stats after a few gameweeks. Additionally, these rankings will be updated throughout the week if there's news that requires the lists to be adjusted. As always, if you have any questions, comments or feedback, please feel free to leave a message

FORWARDS
Rank	Player	Team	OPP	H/A	WIN%	CS%	Notes
1	Harry Kane	TOT	AVL	H	72.60	48.68	The odds favorite to win the golden boot begins his season with a prime matchup against a Villa side that will likely be fighting relegation this season.
2	Sergio Aguero	MCI	WHU	A	77.53	48.02	Manchester City are expected to be the highest scoring team in the league, and Aguero is the most likely player to lead them in goals.
3	Roberto Firmino	LIV	NOR	H	82.03	52.92	It doesn't get much better in terms of opening matchups.
4	Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang	ARS	NEW	A	52.63	33.73	Aubameyang and Lacazette represent Arsenal's upside, though it sounds like Lacazette could miss the opener.
5	Callum Wilson	BOU	SHF	H	48.08	32.89	Wilson's goal totals have increased each of the past four years, and while Sheffield were fine defensively in the Championship last season, this is another level (literally).
6	Jamie Vardy	LEI	WOL	H	43.40	33.97	I have high expectations for Leicester this season, though opening against Wolves isn't a cakewalk.
7	Marcus Rashford	MUN	CHE	H	44.72	32.48	The Manchester United attack will look a little different this season without Romelu Lukaku, but you could argue that's actually a plus for Rashford.
8	Troy Deeney	WAT	BHA	H	50.42	39.05	Gerard Deulofeu may be the more active attacker, but Deeney is front and center.
9	Dominic Calvert-Lewin	EVE	CRY	A	39.69	32.48	Moise Kean's per-90 numbers were ridiculous at Juventus, but it was also a fairly small sample and transferring to a new league will require an adjustment, which is simply time for Calvert-Lewin to stake his claim to the starting striker job.
10	Joshua King	BOU	SHF	H	48.08	32.89	Wilson has the better golden boot and anytime goal scorer odds, but King is no slouch and has the benefit of being their primary penalty taker.
11	Gerard Deulofeu	WAT	BHA	H	50.42	39.05	Probably more assists than goals, but he's always capable of blowing up.
12	Raul Jimenez	WOL	LEI	A	27.44	25.54	Patrick Cutrone will put pressure on Jimenez and Diogo Jota, but he's unlikely to supplant either one in the short term.
13	Divock Origi	LIV	NOR	H	82.03	52.92	With Sadio Mane just getting back to England following a long run at the Africa Cup of Nations, Origi could get an early season start in a prime matchup.
14	Tammy Abraham	CHE	MUN	A	26.83	23.68	The Chelsea center-forward pool is crowded but it seems like Abraham could get the first shot.
15	Ashley Barnes	BUR	SOU	H	36.08	27.96	Barnes, Chris Wood and Jay Rodriguez aren't exactly a murderer's row of attackers, but Barnes showed some solid life at points last season.
16	Danny Ings	SOU	BUR	A	34.38	27.68	There's lot of Che Adams optimism, but Ings is more likely to lead the team in goals, if he can stay healthy.
17	Joelinton	NEW	ARS	H	21.05	16.40	Newcastle are probably going to be a mess this season, and Joelinton isn't exactly a potent goal scorer, but there really isn't anyone else playing the role right now.
18	Diogo Jota	WOL	LEI	A	27.44	25.54	Jota is popular in FPL because he's a cheap forward, but Jimenez is definitely better.
19	Glenn Murray	BHA	WAT	A	22.18	21.94	Who else might score for Brighton?
20	Billy Sharp	SHF	BOU	A	25.96	19.64	The Sheffield attack is probably not one we'll be looking toward much this season, but the Bournemouth defense, even at home, may be worth a long-shot attempt.

MIDFIELDERS
Rank	Player	Team	OPP	H/A	WIN%	CS%	Notes
1	Mohamed Salah	LIV	NOR	H	82.03	52.92	There are likely only to be a handful of weeks this season when Salah isn't the top midfielder.
2	Kevin De Bruyne	MCI	WHU	A	77.53	48.02	A fit De Bruyne could put pressure on Salah as the top midfielder, though the former relies much more on assists than goals, which limits his upside.
3	Raheem Sterling	MCI	WHU	A	77.53	48.02	Only Kane, Aguero, Aubameyang and Salah have better golden boot odds, but you always have to remember that there are plenty of mouths to feed at Man City.
4	Gylfi Sigurdsson	EVE	CRY	A	39.69	32.48	Sigurdsson's goal scoring has really improved, and the fact he's on penalties certainly doesn't hurt when Richarlison is around.
5	Christian Eriksen	TOT	AVL	H	72.60	48.68	Eriksen didn't get his move to Real Madrid, but he stays at Tottenham as their best chance creator, especially now that he could have a monopoly of set pieces following Kieran Trippier's departure.
6	Ryan Fraser	BOU	SHF	H	48.08	32.89	The Bournemouth attack could be really fun this season, and the ball moves thanks to Fraser.
7	James Maddison	LEI	WOL	H	43.40	33.97	High expectations for Leicester CIty this season surely means high expectations for Maddison, even in an tough opening matchup.
8	Lucas Moura	TOT	AVL	H	72.60	48.68	With Dele Alli hurt and Son Heung-Min suspended, Lucas will get a great chance to step up against the newly promoted side.
9	Ayoze Perez	LEI	WOL	H	43.40	33.97	Perez was great with Newcastle last season, and while he finds himself in a better situation this time around, there are also more players to score goals (which means fewer for Perez).
10	Dwight McNeil	BUR	SOU	H	36.08	27.96	Johann Berg Gudmundsson still has a solid share of set pieces, but McNeil's activity in open play (plus a few corners) makes him an attractive option at home.
11	Paul Pogba	MUN	CHE	H	44.72	32.48	Didn't get his move but it's clear this team will revolve around Pogba.
12	Bernardo Silva	MCI	WHU	A	77.53	48.02	The fantasy expectations are very high for Bernardo this season after how good he was last year, but you have to wonder how his playing time will change if De Bruyne stays fit and Leroy Sane stays.
13	Youri Tielemans	LEI	WOL	H	43.40	33.97	Leicester were a totally different team with Tielemans (in a good way), and his creating will be a huge benefit again this season; you just have to decide how much it helps players like Ayoze and Maddison and how much it might hurt them.
14	Richarlison	EVE	CRY	A	39.69	32.48	Richarlison took a leap last year and another this year could surely be in the cards.
15	Ross Barkley	CHE	MUN	A	26.83	23.68	I can't believe this either. You could make an argument for Christian Pulisic, Willian or Pedro, but Barkley's preseason has been great, and he's taken two penalties with Jorginho on the pitch. Chelsea are fairly big underdogs at Old Trafford, but this match could get exciting.
16	James Ward-Prowse	SOU	BUR	A	34.38	27.68	Set-piece takers against Burnely are always worth consideration.
17	Andros Townsend	CRY	EVE	H	31.36	26.09	The lack of Wilfried Zaha pushes Palace down, and specifically Luka Milivojevic, who won't benefit from his ability to draw penalties.
18	Joao Moutinho	WOL	LEI	A	27.44	25.54	Moutinho is just so boring, but a set-piece taker for a team with solid finishers has to get consideration.
19	Oliver Norwood	SHF	BOU	A	25.96	19.64	This is more a play on the Bournemouth defense than Sheffield's attack, but Norwood's role cannot be understated.
20	Pascal Gross	BHA	WAT	A	22.18	21.94	Brighton are likely to be one of the worst teams in the Premier League this season, and while the matchup away to Watford is hardly ideal, it's also not impossible to see Gross having an impact.

DEFENDERS
Rank	Player	Team	OPP	H/A	WIN%	CS%	Notes
1	Trent Alexander-Arnold	LIV	NOR	H	82.03	52.92	No other team boasts such strong clean sheet odds and attacking upside from their defenders, which means the Liverpool back line will be very popular -- and near the top of the rankings -- all season.
2	Lucas Digne	EVE	CRY	A	39.69	32.48	Digne is the best attacking left-back in the Premier League (a share of set pieces certainly helps), and facing a Zaha-less Crystal Palace is a fine clean sheet opportunity, even in London.
3	Virgil van Dijk	LIV	NOR	H	82.03	52.92	Alexander-Arnold has the set pieces but van Dijk is the giant in the box.
4	Aymeric Laporte	MCI	WHU	A	77.53	48.02	Laporte may be the only reliable player along the Man City back line, with Nicolas Otamendi battling John Stones for minutes, not to mention Danilo and Benjamin Mendy possibilities for Oleksandar Zinchenko and Kyle Walker. And that's before they announce Joao Cancelo.
5	Jan Vertonghen	TOT	AVL	H	72.60	48.68	The Tottenham fullbacks will likely look different this season, but central defense looks pretty stable unless Davinson Sanchez crashes the party or Toby Alderweireld moves.
6	Andrew Robertson	LIV	NOR	H	82.03	52.92	Robertson needs to create his chances in open play, but he proved last year that he can do that plenty.
7	Kyle Walker	MCI	WHU	A	77.53	48.02	Walker offers plenty as a starter for Man City, but Joao Cancelo's imminent arrival will surely raise eyebrows.
8	Jose Holebas	WAT	BHA	H	50.42	39.05	Holebas takes most of Watford's set pieces and crosses a bunch in open play, but he's so inaccurate and gets too many yellow cards to move into an elite tier. That being said, home against Brighton might allow him to get there.
9	Danny Rose	TOT	AVL	H	72.60	48.68	Rose keeps looking for a move away from Tottenham, but with few takers and Ben Davies out injured, it looks like he's there to stay.
10	Toby Alderweireld	TOT	AVL	H	72.60	48.68	Alderweireld is certainly safer than Kyle Walker-Peters, who can't possibly be the solution at right-back, right?
11	Nathan Ake	BOU	SHF	H	48.08	32.89	Whether Ake is worth 80 million or not, a home match against Sheffield is surely looking at.
12	Ryan Bertrand	SOU	BUR	A	34.38	27.68	I've been much more optimistic on Southampton than others, and Bertrand's reliability on the back line -- and possibly some set pieces -- always makes him a fantasy consideration.
13	Ricardo Pereira	LEI	WOL	H	43.40	33.97	Ricardo flies up the wing like an attacking midfielder, and while he may need to stay back a little more against Wolves, he won't be glued back there, that's for sure.
14	Seamus Coleman	EVE	CRY	A	39.69	32.48	Coleman doesn't attack nearly as much as Digne, but if Palace can't get much going themselves, Coleman may be able to move up into the attacking third.
15	Ben Chilwell	LEI	WOL	H	43.40	33.97	Chilwell's attacking potential gets overlooked thanks to Ricardo, but he's even nabbed a few random set pieces to show what he can contribute.
16	Diego Rico	BOU	SHF	H	48.08	32.89	Rico has shown a solid ability to attack on the wing, and he's very cheap in the Premier League's official game.
17	Kiko	WAT	BHA	H	50.42	39.05	Daryl Janmaat is always around for competition, but Kiko is the better player and gets a solid opening matchup.
18	Patrick van Aanholt	CRY	EVE	H	31.36	26.09	The only reason to consider Crystal Palace is that they're at home and maybe try to hold onto dear life, and if that's the case then van Aanholt's upside may be capped.
19	Aaron Wan-Bissaka	MUN	CHE	H	44.72	32.48	I actually think there are goals on both sides of this match, but if you play by the odds, Wan-Bissaka is worth rolling out there.
20	Ainsley Maitland-Niles	ARS	NEW	A	52.63	33.73	The Arsenal defense is definitely the worst among the top six, but Newcastle's attack shouldn't be feared right away.

GOALKEEPERS
Rank	Player	Team	OPP	H/A	WIN%	CS%	Notes
1	Alisson Becker	LIV	NOR	H	82.03	52.92	I am not here to say all goalkeepers are the same because they aren't. But I am here to say that it's a very tough position to project on a week-to-week basis because sometimes the stupidest things can ruin a clean sheet and you're left with a dud. It's obvious each week who the best plays are because of their team matchups (you can see the clean sheet odds to the left of this box), and a lot of people don't rotate their goalkeepers anyway, so there's a good chance I use this section each week for my favorite dad jokes.
2	Hugo Lloris	TOT	AVL	H	72.60	48.68
3	Ederson	MCI	WHU	A	77.53	48.02
4	Ben Foster	WAT	BHA	H	50.42	39.05
5	Kasper Schmeichel	LEI	WOL	H	43.40	33.97
6	Artur Boruc	BOU	SHF	H	48.08	32.89
7	Bernd Leno	ARS	NEW	A	52.63	33.73
8	Jordan Pickford	EVE	CRY	A	39.69	32.48
9	Nick Pope	BUR	SOU	H	36.08	27.96
10	David de Gea	MUN	CHE	H	44.72	32.48

CAPTAIN RANKINGS
Rank	Player	Team	OPP	H/A	WIN%	CS%	Notes
1	Mohamed Salah	LIV	NOR	H	82.03	52.92	Salah is likely to be the most-captained player this week, so you're fading him at your own risk.
2	Harry Kane	TOT	AVL	H	72.60	48.68	If not Salah then Kane, who could really explode against this Villa back line.
3	Sergio Aguero	MCI	WHU	A	77.53	48.02	Tied with Kane for the highest anytime goal scorer odds of the week.
4	Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang	ARS	NEW	A	52.63	33.73	With so many people looking at the first three on the list, Aubameyang will surely go overlooked.
5	Lucas Moura	TOT	AVL	H	72.60	48.68	A sneaky differential to Kane, or even Eriksen, Lucas is here for those who really like to play the differential.