The Premier League season kicks off on Friday, which means it’s time to finalize your Fantasy Premier League teams. Once your team is set, there are still big decisions to be made. Arguably no decision is more important than who you will captain. This is a breakdown of the five best FPL captains to choose for Matchweek 1.
Best FPL Captain Picks Matchweek 1 2026/27
| Player | Position | Club | Cost | Opponent |
| Erling Haaland | FWD | Manchester City | £15.5m | Bournemouth |
| Bruno Fernandes | MID | Manchester United | £12.0m | Hull |
| Declan Rice | MID | Arsenal | £7.5m | Coventry |
| Dominik Szoboszlai | MID | Liverpool | £7.0m | Newcastle |
| Antoine Semenyo | MID | Manchester City | £8.5m | Bournemouth |
1. Erling Haaland, Manchester City (£15.5m)
Erling Haaland is my top choice to captain this week, as he will be almost every week of the season. It’s always nice to try something unique when crafting your FPL team, but when it comes to the captain pick, there is no other choice. Haaland was the highest-scoring player last season, and there is no reason to think that will change this season. The big striker was in great form at the World Cup and should carry that into Matchweek 1, where Manchester City has a favorable matchup at home against Bournemouth.
2. Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United (£12.0m)
As brilliant as Haaland was last season, Bruno Fernandes was right on his heels. Haaland finished with 239 points, and Fernandes was just behind him with 234 points, 26 points more than the next-best player. Fernandes set the Premier League single-season assist record last season and will contribute goals as well. It will be hard for Fernandes to replicate those numbers all season, but United has a great Matchweek 1 opponent, Hull. This will be Hull’s first match in the top flight since the 2016-17 season, and it is against a tough opponent. Fernandes should carry over his momentum from last season for this season opener.
3. Declan Rice, Arsenal (£7.5m)
Declan Rice was the sixth-highest point scorer in FPL last season. He not only played a lot of minutes and was invaluable in the midfield but also established himself as Arsenal’s primary set-piece taker. Arsenal is the best team in the Premier League at creating set-piece goals, and that allowed Rice to start racking up assists. Arsenal will be hosting Coventry to open the season on Friday, a very favorable matchup for Rice. The Gunners should be controlling the ball for most of the match and creating a lot of chances. Rice should have a great game and is a strong captain option this week.
4. Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool (£7.0m)
Dominik Szoboszlai was the player of the season for Liverpool last season. The Reds are hoping that more players step up in this first season under Andoni Iraola, but for now, Szoboszlai still seems like the team’s most dependable player. He will constantly be on the ball in the midfield and creating chances for his teammates. Just like Rice, Szoboszlai established himself as the primary set-piece taker for Liverpool last season. He scored some dazzling free-kick goals and assisted on some more. Szoboszlai should have another great season for Liverpool, starting with this match against Newcastle.
5. Antoine Semenyo, Manchester City (£8.5m)
Antoine Semenyo was the fourth-highest scoring player in FPL last season. He moved from Bournemouth to Manchester City mid-season and immediately found a place in the City side. He kept up his great numbers after moving clubs and should be ready for a huge season in his first full campaign with City. Semenyo starts the 2026-27 campaign with a trip to his former home stadium to face his old club. Semenyo should use this familiar setting as a great launching point for his season.
