Fantasy Premier League Rankings: Gameweek 1

Fantasy Premier League Rankings: Gameweek 1

This article is part of our Fantasy Premier League Rankings series.

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

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 below, find me on Twitter @RotoWireAndrew or reach out in our subscriber Discord chat.

FORWARDS

RankPlayerTeamOPPH/AWIN%CS%Notes
1Harry KaneTOTAVLH72.6048.68The 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.
2Sergio AgueroMCIWHUA77.5348.02Manchester City are expected to be the highest scoring team in the league, and Aguero is the most likely player to lead them in goals.
3Roberto FirminoLIVNORH82.0352.92It doesn't get much better in terms of opening matchups.
4Pierre-Emerick AubameyangARSNEWA52.6333.73Aubameyang and Lacazette represent Arsenal's upside, though it sounds like Lacazette could miss the opener.
5Callum WilsonBOUSHFH48.0832.89Wilson'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).
6Jamie VardyLEIWOLH43.4033.97I have high expectations for Leicester this season, though opening against Wolves isn't a cakewalk.
7Marcus RashfordMUNCHEH44.7232.48The Manchester United attack will look a little different this season without Romelu Lukaku, but you could argue that's actually a plus for Rashford.
8Troy DeeneyWATBHAH50.4239.05Gerard Deulofeu may be the more active attacker, but Deeney is front and center.
9Dominic Calvert-LewinEVECRYA39.6932.48Moise 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.
10Joshua KingBOUSHFH48.0832.89Wilson 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.
11Gerard DeulofeuWATBHAH50.4239.05Probably more assists than goals, but he's always capable of blowing up.
12Raul JimenezWOLLEIA27.4425.54Patrick Cutrone will put pressure on Jimenez and Diogo Jota, but he's unlikely to supplant either one in the short term.
13Divock OrigiLIVNORH82.0352.92With 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.
14Tammy AbrahamCHEMUNA26.8323.68The Chelsea center-forward pool is crowded but it seems like Abraham could get the first shot.
15Ashley BarnesBURSOUH36.0827.96Barnes, Chris Wood and Jay Rodriguez aren't exactly a murderer's row of attackers, but Barnes showed some solid life at points last season.
16Danny IngsSOUBURA34.3827.68There's lot of Che Adams optimism, but Ings is more likely to lead the team in goals, if he can stay healthy.
17JoelintonNEWARSH21.0516.40Newcastle 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.
18Diogo JotaWOLLEIA27.4425.54Jota is popular in FPL because he's a cheap forward, but Jimenez is definitely better.
19Glenn MurrayBHAWATA22.1821.94Who else might score for Brighton?
20Billy SharpSHFBOUA25.9619.64The 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

RankPlayerTeamOPPH/AWIN%CS%Notes
1Mohamed SalahLIVNORH82.0352.92There are likely only to be a handful of weeks this season when Salah isn't the top midfielder.
2Kevin De BruyneMCIWHUA77.5348.02A 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.
3Raheem SterlingMCIWHUA77.5348.02Only 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.
4Gylfi SigurdssonEVECRYA39.6932.48Sigurdsson's goal scoring has really improved, and the fact he's on penalties certainly doesn't hurt when Richarlison is around.
5Christian EriksenTOTAVLH72.6048.68Eriksen 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.
6Ryan FraserBOUSHFH48.0832.89The Bournemouth attack could be really fun this season, and the ball moves thanks to Fraser.
7James MaddisonLEIWOLH43.4033.97High expectations for Leicester CIty this season surely means high expectations for Maddison, even in an tough opening matchup.
8Lucas MouraTOTAVLH72.6048.68With Dele Alli hurt and Son Heung-Min suspended, Lucas will get a great chance to step up against the newly promoted side.
9Ayoze PerezLEIWOLH43.4033.97Perez 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).
10Dwight McNeilBURSOUH36.0827.96Johann 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.
11Paul PogbaMUNCHEH44.7232.48Didn't get his move but it's clear this team will revolve around Pogba.
12Bernardo SilvaMCIWHUA77.5348.02The 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.
13Youri TielemansLEIWOLH43.4033.97Leicester 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.
14RicharlisonEVECRYA39.6932.48Richarlison took a leap last year and another this year could surely be in the cards.
15Ross BarkleyCHEMUNA26.8323.68I 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.
16James Ward-ProwseSOUBURA34.3827.68Set-piece takers against Burnely are always worth consideration.
17Andros TownsendCRYEVEH31.3626.09The lack of Wilfried Zaha pushes Palace down, and specifically Luka Milivojevic, who won't benefit from his ability to draw penalties.
18Joao MoutinhoWOLLEIA27.4425.54Moutinho is just so boring, but a set-piece taker for a team with solid finishers has to get consideration.
19Oliver NorwoodSHFBOUA25.9619.64This is more a play on the Bournemouth defense than Sheffield's attack, but Norwood's role cannot be understated.
20Pascal GrossBHAWATA22.1821.94Brighton 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

RankPlayerTeamOPPH/AWIN%CS%Notes
1Trent Alexander-ArnoldLIVNORH82.0352.92No 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.
2Lucas DigneEVECRYA39.6932.48Digne 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.
3Virgil van DijkLIVNORH82.0352.92Alexander-Arnold has the set pieces but van Dijk is the giant in the box.
4Aymeric LaporteMCIWHUA77.5348.02Laporte 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.
5Jan VertonghenTOTAVLH72.6048.68The Tottenham fullbacks will likely look different this season, but central defense looks pretty stable unless Davinson Sanchez crashes the party or Toby Alderweireld moves.
6Andrew RobertsonLIVNORH82.0352.92Robertson needs to create his chances in open play, but he proved last year that he can do that plenty.
7Kyle WalkerMCIWHUA77.5348.02Walker offers plenty as a starter for Man City, but Joao Cancelo's imminent arrival will surely raise eyebrows.
8Jose HolebasWATBHAH50.4239.05Holebas 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.
9Danny RoseTOTAVLH72.6048.68Rose 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.
10Toby AlderweireldTOTAVLH72.6048.68Alderweireld is certainly safer than Kyle Walker-Peters, who can't possibly be the solution at right-back, right?
11Nathan AkeBOUSHFH48.0832.89Whether Ake is worth 80 million or not, a home match against Sheffield is surely looking at.
12Ryan BertrandSOUBURA34.3827.68I'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.
13Ricardo PereiraLEIWOLH43.4033.97Ricardo 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.
14Seamus ColemanEVECRYA39.6932.48Coleman 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.
15Ben ChilwellLEIWOLH43.4033.97Chilwell's attacking potential gets overlooked thanks to Ricardo, but he's even nabbed a few random set pieces to show what he can contribute.
16Diego RicoBOUSHFH48.0832.89Rico has shown a solid ability to attack on the wing, and he's very cheap in the Premier League's official game.
17KikoWATBHAH50.4239.05Daryl Janmaat is always around for competition, but Kiko is the better player and gets a solid opening matchup.
18Patrick van AanholtCRYEVEH31.3626.09The 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.
19Aaron Wan-BissakaMUNCHEH44.7232.48I 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.
20Ainsley Maitland-NilesARSNEWA52.6333.73The Arsenal defense is definitely the worst among the top six, but Newcastle's attack shouldn't be feared right away.

GOALKEEPERS

RankPlayerTeamOPPH/AWIN%CS%Notes
1Alisson BeckerLIVNORH82.0352.92I 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.
2Hugo LlorisTOTAVLH72.6048.68
3EdersonMCIWHUA77.5348.02
4Ben FosterWATBHAH50.4239.05
5Kasper SchmeichelLEIWOLH43.4033.97
6Artur BorucBOUSHFH48.0832.89
7Bernd LenoARSNEWA52.6333.73
8Jordan PickfordEVECRYA39.6932.48
9Nick PopeBURSOUH36.0827.96
10David de GeaMUNCHEH44.7232.48

CAPTAIN RANKINGS

RankPlayerTeamOPPH/AWIN%CS%Notes
1Mohamed SalahLIVNORH82.0352.92Salah is likely to be the most-captained player this week, so you're fading him at your own risk.
2Harry KaneTOTAVLH72.6048.68If not Salah then Kane, who could really explode against this Villa back line.
3Sergio AgueroMCIWHUA77.5348.02Tied with Kane for the highest anytime goal scorer odds of the week.
4Pierre-Emerick AubameyangARSNEWA52.6333.73With so many people looking at the first three on the list, Aubameyang will surely go overlooked.
5Lucas MouraTOTAVLH72.6048.68A sneaky differential to Kane, or even Eriksen, Lucas is here for those who really like to play the differential.

Want to Read More?
Subscribe to RotoWire to see the full article.

We reserve some of our best content for our paid subscribers. Plus, if you choose to subscribe you can discuss this article with the author and the rest of the RotoWire community.

Get Instant Access To This Article Get Access To This Article
RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only Soccer Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire Soccer fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew M. Laird
Andrew is a former RotoWire contributor. He was the 2017 and 2018 FSWA Soccer Writer of the Year. He is a nine-time FSWA award finalist, including twice for Football Writer of the Year.
Fantrax Finds & Sleeper Adds: Waiver Wire Pickups for Gameweek 14 & 15
Fantrax Finds & Sleeper Adds: Waiver Wire Pickups for Gameweek 14 & 15
Fantrax Premier League Player Rankings: Gameweek 14
Fantrax Premier League Player Rankings: Gameweek 14
Fantasy Premier League Player Rankings: Gameweek 14
Fantasy Premier League Player Rankings: Gameweek 14
Premier League Preview: Liverpool vs. Manchester City Predictions, Odds, & Notes
Premier League Preview: Liverpool vs. Manchester City Predictions, Odds, & Notes