Join JustArsenal’s 2025/26 EPL Fantasy League Group – Here are Dan’s First Predicitions

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·12 août 2025

Join JustArsenal’s 2025/26 EPL Fantasy League Group – Here are Dan’s First Predicitions

I know a few readers took part last year, so if you want to join the JustArsenal Fantasy League, here is the link: https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/r0s48e

My new tactic is to base my team on every five fixtures, as that is the maximum number of transfers you can store up. I will probably be chopping and changing before Friday night, but as things stand here is who is representing AFC DESTINY…

Vidéos OneFootball

GK – Henderson (Crystal Palace – £5 million)Even though I do not think he will keep a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge, I do not feel the need to chop and change my keeper, and it is not a position you need to pay top price for. Keepers also get awarded points for the number of saves they make, meaning Henderson gives you the perfect balance. He plays behind a defence which can be hard to break down but is also often busy during games. Hence why only three other goalkeepers got more points than the 28-year-old. I have noticed this season there is a lack of first-team players in the role who cost £4.5 million.

GK – Martin Dubravka (Burnley – £4 million)The plan will be for your back-up keeper not to play often. Yet Dubravka has been priced on his status as Newcastle’s number two. He has since moved to Turf Moor where he might be first choice. £4 million is the cheapest for a keeper, so it is best to select someone likely to play.

DF – Digne (Aston Villa – £4.5 million)Villa are another team who, on paper, have a reasonable start. Not many of their defenders were expensive, but I picked their left-back as he is the most likely to go forward, can cross a ball, and is decent at set pieces.

DF – Van de Ven (Spurs – £4.5 million)Because I spent heavily further forward, I had to find some value in defence. Spurs play Burnley and Bournemouth at home in two of their first three games, so clean sheet points are a possibility. If fit, the Dutchman can be a ball-playing centre-back and a threat at set pieces. If I knew he was fit, I would switch him for Udogie.

DF – Guehi (Crystal Palace – £4.5 million)This is thinking longer term than Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Steve Parish essentially said after the Community Shield that the defender most likely will be sold if he continues to refuse a contract extension. That means a first-choice defender for a top team could be available for £4.5 million. That price jumps the moment he transfers, so save some money early.

DF – Rodon (Leeds – £4 million)I do not mind spending £4 million on a player who will mostly be my last possible substitute. The majority of £4 million defenders do not play often, so finding someone at that price who I think will start is value. Plus, Leeds are going the physical and direct route, filling their team with tall players, so they will always be a threat at set pieces.

DF – Gabriel (Arsenal – £6 million)While I wanted to focus on teams with easier first five fixtures, I also identified a spine that I feel needs to be included. With Arsenal’s reliance on set pieces and our Brazilian defender the most obvious threat, he can pop up at any time to get serious points. Even more points when you consider who might be taking some of the Gunners’ free-kicks and corners.

Midfield picks

MF – Declan Rice (Arsenal – £6.5 million)Imagine the points if Gabriel is heading in a Rice set piece, which happened a few times last season. This time there are additional points for the kind of midfield work Rice does, but admittedly for the same price you can get more obvious attacking players. I will wait and see who starts in Manchester City’s midfield, but I feel Rice is increasingly adding goals to his game. His forward runs are increasing and he is becoming an all-round box-to-box midfielder.

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

MF – Xhaka (Sunderland – £5 million)Not long term, but Sunderland start with West Ham and Brentford at home and Brentford away. These are games the Black Cats can be competitive in, and I can see our former midfielder stepping up as their main leader. We know from experience he can pick a pass and get bonus points for defensive contributions. For £5 million, that is value, but be aware he will get the odd booking.

MF – Alcaraz (Everton – £5.5 million)I have been very impressed with the Argentine since he arrived in January, and he should improve now he has had time to settle. The benefit of the 22-year-old being listed as a midfielder is there will be times when David Moyes plays him further forward. This was a direct choice over Beto up front, with his manager critical of his striker during pre-season.

MF – Cole Palmer (Chelsea – £10.5 million)One of three players I believe you have to include in your team. While other midfielders can get points for goals, Palmer is capable of suddenly popping up with a hat-trick. Based on the UEFA Conference and Club World Cup finals, the 23-year-old is only going to grow as a big-game player. Chelsea have some winnable fixtures to start the season and everything goes through Palmer.

MF – Salah (Liverpool – £14.5 million)There will be a year when age catches up with him, maybe this season now that the Egyptian has signed his new contract. A few years ago, Fantasy Football started counting Salah as a midfielder, meaning you could not leave him out of your team. Arne Slot last season mastered the tactic of asking the attacker to no longer track back, just stay high up the pitch and save his energy. My captain for Game Week 1.

Striker selections

ST – Kostoulas (Brighton – £5 million)I am trusting Brighton’s recruitment to have found a potential gem. With Danny Welbeck available there is no need to rush the 18-year-old, but the Seagulls would not invest over £30 million unless they believed in him.

ST – Strand Larsen (Wolves – £6.5 million)In the run-in last season I found serious value in the Norwegian. His price has increased, most likely due to Cunha’s absence, meaning Larsen is now more likely to start every week.

ST – Haaland (Manchester City – £14 million)Many say you can only afford to pick between Haaland and Salah, but I think you need both, even if that means £28.5 million of my budget has gone on two players. That does not leave much room elsewhere, but when fit these two remain the best at destroying weaker opposition with doubles or hat-tricks.

Feel free to play for a bit of fun.

Dan Smith

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