The 2026/27 Premier League fixtures are finally here, and that can only mean one thing, FPL season is officially back.
While we’re still waiting for the game to launch, there is already plenty to analyse. As is the case every year, fixture analysis is usually the first rabbit hole FPL managers jump into. A favourable run of fixtures can turn a good option into an essential pick, while even proven performers become much harder to justify if they’re handed a difficult opening schedule.
Of course, fixtures are only one piece of the puzzle. Transfers, pre-season performances, tactical changes and player prices will all influence our final Gameweek 1 squads. However, understanding which teams have the kindest starts allows us to identify potential captaincy candidates, premium investments and budget enablers long before the game goes live.
This season also comes with a couple of scheduling changes that are worth keeping in mind. The biggest one is the revised international calendar.
Instead of separate September and October breaks, FIFA has merged them into one extended three-week international window running from 21 September to 6 October. Managers will then have another international break between 9 November and 17 November later in the year. These dates could become important when planning transfers or an early Wildcard.
European football will also play a significant role in the first half of the campaign. Nine Premier League clubs have qualified for UEFA competitions once again, meaning several popular FPL assets will be juggling domestic and European commitments. Rotation is likely to become a genuine factor much earlier than usual.
Promoted clubs also deserve a mention after the impact they made last season. Sunderland surprised everyone by qualifying for Europe, while Leeds comfortably secured survival. Coventry, Ipswich and Hull will now look to follow a similar path, although their opening fixture lists suggest life won’t be easy.
Link to all our 2026/27 Pre-Season articles including all team pre-season friendly updates, best drafts, fixture analysis, position-wise analysis, differentials, players to target, budget enablers and more. Completely free to access as well!
FPL Fixture Ticker: Best & Worst Fixtures Over the First Five Gameweeks
I have used the fixture ticker shared in FPL Page by FPL Focal
According to the Fixture Ticker, these are the teams with the best opening five Gameweeks:
- Leeds United
- Liverpool
- Manchester City
- Brentford
- Everton
- Manchester United
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Arsenal
At the other end of the spectrum, the teams with the most difficult opening schedules are:
- Newcastle United
- Fulham
- Hull City
- Ipswich Town
- Nottingham Forest
- Sunderland
- Bournemouth
- Coventry City
Rather than covering every club, we’ll focus on the teams that are likely to have the biggest influence on early FPL drafts. With that in mind, let’s dive into the Fixture Ticker.
Teams With the Best Opening Fixtures
Manchester United
One team that immediately catches the eye is Manchester United. Michael Carrick’s side have arguably been handed one of the kindest starts in the entire league. They open the season away at Hull City before hosting Ipswich Town, meaning back-to-back fixtures against promoted opposition right from the off. Those two matches alone are enough to make United assets major Gameweek 1 contenders.
What’s even more encouraging is that the favorable run doesn’t end there. Apart from the Manchester derby in Gameweek 4, United enjoy a very appealing fixture list that stretches all the way to Gameweek 8. If you’re planning to invest in United players early, there shouldn’t be any immediate need to move them on.
Naturally, Bruno Fernandes will dominate most conversations.
The Portuguese midfielder finished last season as Fantasy’s highest-scoring midfielder and, more importantly, became the standout player after Michael Carrick took charge. His output under the new manager was simply outstanding, making him one of the strongest premium options heading into the new campaign. The fixtures only strengthen that case.
If Fernandes is priced aggressively, there will still be a strong argument to own him simply because of how attractive United’s first few matches are.
One thing I also like about United’s schedule is the possibility of doubling up in attack. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha immediately become interesting alternatives alongside Fernandes, especially with those opening fixtures against Hull and Ipswich. Depending on pre-season, Benjamin Sesko could also enter the conversation.
United aren’t just a one-player team from an FPL perspective anymore. There is, however, one small note of caution. Manchester United return to the Champions League this season, meaning European football resumes between Gameweeks 3 and 4. Rotation is always something to keep an eye on, although Carrick’s strongest players are still expected to feature regularly during this excellent opening run.
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Manchester City
Whenever Manchester City receive a favourable fixture run, the conversation almost immediately turns towards one man, Erling Haaland. That is no different this season. City sit near the top of the Fixture Ticker and have two home fixtures against promoted clubs within the opening seven Gameweeks, giving Haaland multiple standout captaincy opportunities early in the campaign.
If you’re someone who likes planning captaincy several weeks in advance, Manchester City’s schedule immediately stands out.
Interestingly, history is also on Haaland’s side. The Norwegian has finished as Fantasy’s highest-scoring player after the opening six Gameweeks in each of his four seasons at Manchester City, averaging an incredible nine goals during those periods.
There’s another interesting angle this year though. For the first time since joining Manchester City, Haaland enters a Premier League season after playing in a major international tournament with Norway. Whether that has any impact on his sharpness remains to be seen, but it’s certainly something worth monitoring during pre-season.
Away from Haaland, Manchester City’s supporting cast could be one of the biggest talking points before the game launches. Pep Guardiola’s departure means Fantasy managers will have to reassess how City line up under their new manager. That makes pre-season absolutely crucial.
Rather than rushing into secondary City assets immediately, it may be wiser to wait and see how roles develop over the coming weeks. Several players could emerge as excellent value options.
Nico O’Reilly, Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki all impressed during the previous campaign and will be hoping to build on that momentum. Meanwhile, Phil Foden heads into the season with the benefit of a full pre-season after missing England’s World Cup squad.
City often produce one or two underpriced Fantasy gems every season. Pre-season should give us a much clearer indication of who those players might be.
Further Read: 2026/27 FPL Season – New Rules & Changes | What’s New in FPL?
Arsenal
The defending champions once again find themselves among the teams with the most favourable opening fixtures, and it’s easy to see why they’ll be one of the most targeted teams when the game launches. Looking at their first eight matches, the Gunners face just one of last season’s top six. On paper, that’s exactly the kind of fixture run FPL managers love to see, especially when it belongs to one of the league’s strongest defensive sides.
The opening fixture couldn’t have been much kinder either. Newly-promoted Coventry travel to the Emirates in Gameweek 1, immediately putting Arsenal assets firmly on the radar. It won’t all be straightforward after that, with trips to Aston Villa and a home game against Chelsea arriving early, but once those fixtures are out of the way, Arsenal embark on another excellent run that extends right through to Gameweek 10.
That’s perhaps the biggest takeaway here. This isn’t simply a team with two or three nice fixtures. Arsenal have a schedule that allows managers to invest from Gameweek 1 and potentially hold those players for several weeks without worrying too much about fixture swings.
Naturally, Gabriel stands out as the headline pick.
He was comfortably the highest-scoring defender in Fantasy last season, combining clean sheets with consistent attacking threat to finish well clear of every other defender. Three goals, five assists and 18 clean sheets underline why he continues to be such a reliable FPL asset. In fact, there is a genuine argument for doubling up on Arsenal’s defence from the very beginning.
David Raya and Gabriel could easily become one of the most popular defensive combinations if prices are reasonable. Arsenal’s defensive numbers under Mikel Arteta have consistently been among the best in the league, and this fixture run only strengthens that appeal.
There is, however, one storyline worth monitoring over the coming weeks.
William Saliba’s fitness. The French international played through a persistent back problem during the World Cup before eventually being forced off in France’s semi-final defeat. Initial fears suggested surgery could keep him out for several months, but more recent reports indicate Arsenal are leaning towards a rehabilitation programme instead.
Even so, Saliba is expected to miss at least part of pre-season, making his recovery one of the biggest stories to follow before Gameweek 1. If he’s available, Arsenal’s defence immediately becomes one of the safest places to invest. If not, we’ll have to see whether Arteta’s side can maintain the same defensive solidity early in the campaign.
Further Read: Best & Funny FPL Team Names for 2026/27 PL Season
Liverpool
If there’s one premium side whose fixture list immediately jumps off the page, it’s Liverpool. The Reds have arguably been handed the best opening schedule among all of last season’s top teams. They avoid every club that finished inside last season’s top ten across their opening four matches, beginning the campaign against Newcastle before facing Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and Fulham. Those are fixtures that will naturally encourage plenty of investment from Gameweek 1.
The timing also couldn’t be much better. A new manager usually brings uncertainty, but Andoni Iraola has been given an ideal run of fixtures to settle into life at Anfield. Rather than being thrown into a sequence of heavyweight clashes, Liverpool have an opportunity to build rhythm and confidence before their schedule stiffens.
One thing that really stands out is how long managers may be able to hold Liverpool assets. It’s not just about the opening four fixtures. The first genuinely difficult fixture arrives against Manchester City immediately after the three-week international break. That period already feels like a natural point where many FPL managers could consider using their first Wildcard, making Liverpool players excellent medium-term holds.
Virgil van Dijk remains the obvious defensive pick. His combination of clean-sheet potential and attacking threat has made him one of Fantasy’s most dependable defenders over recent seasons, and there’s nothing about this fixture list that changes that outlook.
The more interesting discussion could revolve around Dominik Szoboszlai. His role under Iraola will be one of the biggest tactical talking points during pre-season. The expectation is that Liverpool’s aggressive pressing style could see him operate in a more advanced central role, potentially increasing both his goal threat and overall Fantasy appeal.
Fortunately for Liverpool supporters and FPL managers alike, Szoboszlai also benefits from a full pre-season after not being involved at the World Cup. That could prove valuable under a new manager implementing new ideas.
Everton
Everton won’t dominate the headlines like some of the premium clubs, but quietly, they’ve been handed one of the better fixture runs among the mid-table sides. Sometimes that’s exactly where early-season value emerges.
Their opening two fixtures against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth are perfectly respectable without being spectacular, but things become much more interesting from Gameweek 5 onwards. Everton face Ipswich before travelling to Hull, meaning they are one of the few clubs to play back-to-back promoted sides during the opening six Gameweeks.
Those fixtures immediately increase the appeal of Everton assets, particularly for managers looking beyond the obvious premium names.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall stands out as the most exciting option. He averaged an impressive 5.0 points per start during his debut campaign at Everton, combining goals, assists and consistent all-round contributions to emerge as the club’s leading Fantasy performer. If Everton carry that momentum into the new season, he’ll once again be one of the first names managers consider.
The defensive options also deserve some attention. James Tarkowski and James Garner continue to rack up defensive contributions, giving them multiple routes to points even when Everton don’t necessarily dominate matches.
Leeds United
Leeds sit at the very top of the Fixture Ticker across the opening five Gameweeks. At first glance, that’s enough to attract attention. Interestingly, they achieve that without having a single red-rated fixture during this period while also playing three of their first five matches at Elland Road. That’s a dream start on paper for a side hoping to build momentum early in the campaign.
However, this is probably the most interesting fixture run in the entire article because it comes with a major caveat. Extend the ticker beyond the opening five Gameweeks and Leeds plummet down the rankings. If I include fixtures till GW17, they drop all the way to 14th. Mainly because they play Arsenal and Manchester United in GW6 and 7.
One factor working in Leeds’ favour though is their home form. Last season, they collected 32 of their 47 league points at Elland Road, and with three home matches arriving during the opening five Gameweeks, there’s every chance they make another strong start in front of their own supporters.
The fixture ticker may rank them first, but it’s important to remember why. This is very much a short-term play. If you’re planning an early Wildcard, Leeds assets become much easier to justify. If you’re hoping to hold your team for a longer period, you may need to think a little more carefully before committing.
Further Read: Best & Funny FPL Team Names for 2026/27 PL Season
Teams With the Toughest Opening Fixtures
While it’s tempting to fill our Gameweek 1 squads with players from teams at the top of the Fixture Ticker, identifying the teams to avoid can be just as valuable.
According to the Fixture Ticker, the bottom eight teams for the opening five Gameweeks are:
- Newcastle United
- Fulham
- Hull City
- Ipswich Town
- Nottingham Forest
- Sunderland
- Bournemouth
- Coventry City
However, as with every fixture ticker, context is important. Some teams have a difficult run throughout, while others are only dragged down by one or two tough fixtures before their schedule improves dramatically. Let’s take a closer look.
Newcastle United
Seeing Newcastle rooted to the bottom of the Fixture Ticker might surprise a few managers. But once you look a little deeper, it quickly becomes clear why they’re there. Their low ranking is largely driven by a difficult opening couple of Gameweeks – Liverpool and Spurs. Beyond that, the picture changes significantly.
In fact, if we extend our view beyond the first two matches, Newcastle suddenly become one of the most appealing teams to target. Gameweek 3 sees them host Bournemouth before a very attractive run against Leeds, Hull and Coventry. That’s a massive fixture swing in a very short period.
This is exactly the sort of situation that FPL managers should be planning for. Instead of forcing Newcastle players into our Gameweek 1 squads because we know they’re quality assets, it may simply be better to wait a couple of weeks and buy them when the fixtures turn. That approach also saves an early transfer.
Another positive for Newcastle this season is the absence of European football. Unlike several of the other premium sides, Eddie Howe won’t have midweek European commitments to manage. That immediately reduces rotation concerns and should allow Newcastle’s key players to play consistently once the fixture run improves.
One thing I particularly like here is the timing. Many managers naturally make their first transfers around Gameweeks 2-4 once we’ve seen a couple of weeks of data. Newcastle’s fixture swing arrives almost perfectly during that period.
Sometimes the best FPL strategy isn’t identifying the best Gameweek 1 picks. It’s identifying the best Gameweek 3 picks. Newcastle feel like one of those teams.
Further Read: 2026/27 FPL Season – New Rules & Changes | What’s New in FPL?
Sunderland
Sunderland’s opening fixtures tell two completely different stories. If you only looked at the first two Gameweeks, you’d probably be quite interested. They begin the campaign against Ipswich before hosting Fulham, two fixtures that immediately make Sunderland assets viable differential options for adventurous FPL managers. Unfortunately, that’s where the good news ends.
From Gameweek 3 onwards, the difficulty ramps up considerably. Arsenal and Manchester City both arrive within the opening six Gameweeks, with Sunderland’s first European fixture sandwiched in between. Add tricky matches against Brentford and Brighton into the mix and suddenly it becomes one of the least appealing schedules in the league.
European football is another factor that shouldn’t be overlooked. Last season’s remarkable campaign earned Sunderland a place in Europe, but with that success comes a much busier calendar.
Balancing Thursday nights with Premier League football is never straightforward, particularly for clubs experiencing European competition for the first time.
There’s another interesting point in the numbers. Defensively, Sunderland were one of the surprise packages last season. Only three teams conceded fewer goals. If you’re looking for a one-week punt in Gameweek 1, there are certainly worse places than Sunderland to look. But over the opening five or six Gameweeks, the schedule makes it difficult to justify investing heavily.
Bournemouth
Of all the teams in the bottom eight, Bournemouth arguably have the toughest task ahead. Marco Rose couldn’t have asked for a much more difficult introduction. The Cherries begin away at Manchester City before facing Everton, Newcastle, Brentford, Liverpool and Chelsea across the opening six Gameweeks. That’s a brutal run for any side, let alone one adapting to a new manager.
Normally, we’d look for opportunities to back talented players despite difficult fixtures. This feels different. There are simply too many unknowns: A new tactical system. A new manager. A difficult fixture list.
And on top of all that, Bournemouth will also begin their first-ever European campaign during this period. That’s a huge adjustment.
The encouraging news is that the fixtures improve from Gameweek 7 onwards. So rather than crossing Bournemouth off completely, this is probably a team worth revisiting after we’ve seen how Marco Rose’s side settles into life under a new manager. Sometimes patience pays off.
The Promoted Clubs
Promoted teams always generate excitement when a new FPL season begins. The big question is usually whether we can uncover the next budget gem before everyone else does. This year, though, the fixtures make that job considerably harder. All three promoted clubs have been handed difficult introductions to Premier League life.
Coventry arguably have the toughest start of them all. Frank Lampard’s side travel to Arsenal on the opening weekend before visiting Manchester City in Gameweek 3. In between those matches they host fellow promoted side Hull, while Brighton and Nottingham Forest complete their first five fixtures. It’s difficult to imagine a much tougher opening month.
Hull haven’t fared much better. Their reward for promotion is a home fixture against Manchester United before matches against Aston Villa, Chelsea and Newcastle all arrive within the opening five Gameweeks. It’s another schedule that immediately discourages investment.
Ipswich also feature among the bottom eight teams in the Fixture Ticker, underlining just how challenging life could be for all three promoted clubs during the opening weeks.
Of course, promoted clubs often surprise us. Every season, one or two budget assets emerge despite difficult fixtures. But if we’re looking purely at the fixture list, it’s difficult to make a convincing case for investing heavily from Gameweek 1.
Final Thoughts
Fixture analysis is always one of the most enjoyable parts of pre-season. It’s our first opportunity to start piecing together what Gameweek 1 squads might look like, even before prices are announced or pre-season gets into full swing.
And while fixtures should never be viewed in isolation, they do give us a strong indication of where early investment is likely to pay off. Looking at the opening five Gameweeks, four clubs immediately stand out.
Manchester United arguably have the best all-round run, with back-to-back fixtures against promoted sides making Bruno Fernandes and the United attack extremely difficult to ignore.
Manchester City once again provide multiple captaincy opportunities for Erling Haaland, while pre-season will be crucial in identifying the best supporting assets under a new manager.
Liverpool combine an excellent fixture run with a favourable medium-term schedule, making their key players ideal picks for managers looking to minimise early transfers.
Arsenal, meanwhile, once again look like the standout defensive investment, particularly if William Saliba returns in time for the start of the season.
Outside the traditional premium clubs, Everton quietly have one of the more appealing schedules and could provide excellent value once those back-to-back fixtures against promoted opposition arrive.
At the other end of the spectrum, Bournemouth look like the clearest avoid. A difficult fixture list, a new manager and European football all combine to make life extremely challenging during the opening weeks.
Sunderland also face a difficult balancing act after an incredible campaign last season, while the promoted clubs have all been handed challenging introductions to Premier League football.
The one exception is Newcastle. Their place near the bottom of the ticker can easily be misleading. Look beyond the opening two Gameweeks and they suddenly become one of the most attractive teams to target. If you’re already thinking a few moves ahead, Newcastle assets could become priority buys as early as Gameweek 3.
Finally, it’s worth remembering that this article is just the starting point. Between now and Gameweek 1 we’ll have pre-season friendlies, new signings, confirmed player prices, positional changes and plenty of tactical clues that will reshape how we view these fixtures.
But if there’s one lesson the Fixture Ticker has already given us, it’s this:
Plan for the first five Gameweeks, but don’t ignore what comes after them. The best FPL managers aren’t just building a strong Gameweek 1 squad; they’re building one that gives them the flexibility to attack the first major fixture swings without needing to tear their team apart.
And that’s exactly where these opening fixtures can give you an edge.
Further reads from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL GW1 of the 2026/27 FPL Season
FPL Basics:
2026/27 FPL Season – New Rules & Changes | What’s New in FPL?
What is Team ID in FPL? | How to Get a Low FPL Team ID for the 2026/27 Season
Best & Funny FPL Team Names for 2026/27 PL Season
Must Read Articles:
Best FPL GW1 Drafts for the 26/27 FPL Season with Pros & Cons
FPL Chip Strategy Guide- Best Windows to Play Free Hit, Wildcard, Triple Captain and Bench Boost
Ultimate DEFCON Analysis: Top Players & Best Opponents to Target
FPL Rotational Pairs and Combinations for 2026/27 FPL Season
Eight Simple FPL Tips to Secure a High Rank | 26/27 Season
FPL Fixture Analysis for 2026/27 Season- Teams with Best and Worst fixtures
Five Must Own Players in GW1 for FPL 2026/27 season
AK’s FPL First Draft & Team Reveal | 3x Top 5K Finishes
Position Analysis:
GKs and Defenders Series:
Best FPL Goalkeepers to Target based on Stats and Fixtures
Best £4.0 Million FPL Defenders for 2026/27 FPL Season
Best Premium Defenders for 2026/27 season based on Stats and Fixtures
Best £5.0-5.5 Million FPL Defenders for the 2026/27 FPL Season
FPL Rotational Pairs and Combinations for 2026/27 FPL Season
Midfielders Series:
Best FPL Premium Midfielders(8.0-12.0) for 2026/27 FPL season
Best Mid-Price FPL Midfielders for the 26/27 Season | £6.5 to 7.5M
Best Value for Money Midfielders for 2026/27 season
Forwards Series:
Best FPL Budget Forwards (£4.5 – £6.0 Million) | 26/27 FPL Season
Best £6m Forwards Comparison for the 2026/27 FPL Season
If you’re new to FPL, here is a link to all our FPL Beginners Guide including FPL Beginner’s Guide- How to play?, Bench boost, Team value, Triple captain, Effective ownership, Price Changes, Free Hit, Bonus Points, and more.
Link to all our 2026/27 Pre-Season articles including all position-wise analysis, team previews, fixture analysis, position-wise analysis, and more. Completely free to access as well!
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