Five Premier League Clubs with Easiest Opening Fixtures for 2026/27 Season
As the new Premier League season approaches, Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers are gearing up for the challenges ahead. The initial gameweeks can be unpredictable, making fixture analysis crucial for effective team planning. Here’s a look at the five clubs that appear to have the most favorable starts to the 2026/27 campaign.
5th Place: Manchester United
Manchester United begins the season with a promising schedule, facing two newly promoted teams in the first two gameweeks. In Gameweek 1, they will visit Hull City, who are returning to the Premier League after a nine-year absence. This is followed by a home match against Ipswich Town in Gameweek 2.
Bruno Fernandes, priced at £12.0 million, is projected to be a standout performer in these fixtures. According to Fantasy Football Hub’s AI predictions, he has been selected by 48% of managers, thanks to his penalty-taking duties and set-piece prowess. Last season, he converted four penalties and was heavily involved in goal-scoring opportunities.
Investing in United’s attacking options could be beneficial, with Bryan Mbeumo likely to start as the number nine. He scored 11 goals and provided three assists last season. Additionally, budget-friendly defensive options include Harry Maguire (£5.0m) and Luke Shaw (£4.5m), who could offer solid returns given their clean sheet potential.
4th Place: Manchester City
Manchester City also boasts an appealing set of fixtures, with three home games in the opening five weeks. A highlight of their schedule is a home match against Championship winners Coventry City in Gameweek 3, followed by a challenging Manchester derby in Gameweek 4.
Erling Haaland, priced at £15.5 million, remains a key figure for City. With 140 goal involvements over four seasons, he is considered essential by approximately 75% of managers. However, a limited pre-season following his World Cup performance may impact his early form.
To maximize points, doubling up on City’s attack by adding a midfielder could be wise. Phil Foden (£7.0m) is expected to play a significant role, while Antoine Semenyo (£8.5m) has shown promise during pre-season with five assists.
Defensively, City presents a challenge for FPL managers due to the late return of key players from international duty. Josko Gvardiol (£5.5m) has been active in pre-season and could be a valuable asset.
3rd Place: Arsenal
Arsenal’s early-season schedule includes home matches against promoted Coventry City and London rivals Chelsea. However, they will also face tougher opponents, including away games against Aston Villa, Sunderland, and Brighton.
With Arsenal favored to secure a clean sheet in their opening match, investing in their defense is advisable. Gabriel (£8.0m) was the highest-scoring defender last season, trailing only Haaland and Fernandes in overall fantasy points. However, his £2.0 million price increase may deter some managers.
Goalkeeper David Raya (£6.0m) is expected to be a top performer again this season, having secured a third consecutive Golden Glove. Cheaper options like full-back Riccardo Calafiori (£5.5m) are also gaining traction, especially after his goal in the Community Shield.
2nd Place: Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest enters the season with significant changes, including key player departures and the arrival of manager Oliver Glasner. Their schedule is favorable, featuring three home games against Leeds, Tottenham, and promoted Coventry City, alongside away matches against Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Defender Neco Williams (£5.5m) is a popular choice among FPL managers, with over 10% including him in their Gameweek 1 teams. His role as a wing-back in Glasner’s 3-4-3 formation could lead to increased attacking returns, as he had eight goal involvements last season.
Morgan Gibbs-White (£8.0m) is another player to watch, having produced 15 goal involvements in the second half of last season. He may also take penalties, especially with Chris Wood expected to have reduced playing time.
1st Place: Brentford
Brentford tops the fixture ticker for the opening five gameweeks, benefiting from three home matches against Tottenham, Sunderland, and Chelsea, while avoiding last season’s top five teams.
Striker Igor Thiago (£8.0m) is expected to be a key player, having scored 22 goals last season. He is projected to be among the top-scoring forwards, although Leeds United’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin offers a cheaper alternative.
Defensively, Brentford is appealing, having recorded ten shut-outs last season. With a stable managerial situation and narrowly missing out on European football, their prospects look bright. Kristoffer Ajer (£4.5m) could be a valuable addition, especially with Sepp van den Berg sidelined due to injury.
Midfielder Dango Ouattara (£6.5m) has already shown promise in pre-season, registering five goal involvements and is predicted to be a high-scoring midfielder at his price point.
For FPL managers, these insights into fixture difficulty and player potential can guide team selections for the upcoming season.
Source: www.mirror.co.uk
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Published on 2026-08-18 11:00:00 • By the Editorial Desk
