Targeting teams with favorable fixture schedules early in the season is one of the most effective ways to build initial momentum and generate early price rises. With the 2026/27 Premier League season kicking off on Friday, August 21, 2026, structure your initial Gameweek 1 draft around opening fixture runs.
Below is a breakdown of the teams to target and avoid across Gameweek 1 to Gameweek 6, highlighting key assets to maximize early points returns.
Teams to Target (GW1–GW6)
1. Arsenal 🏴
Opening Fixtures: Coventry City (H), Aston Villa (A), Chelsea (H), Sunderland (A)
Why Target: Arsenal open the season on Friday night hosting newly promoted Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium. With two promoted sides in their first four matches, double coverage in defense and key attacking assets offer strong early points potential.
Key Assets: Premium defenders, Bukayo Saka, and midfield focal points.
2. Manchester City 🏴
Opening Fixtures: AFC Bournemouth (H), Crystal Palace (A), Coventry City (H), Manchester United (A)
Why Target: Man City host Bournemouth and Coventry City in two of their first three matches. These home fixtures make their key attackers strong captaincy choices for early gameweeks.
Key Assets: Erling Haaland, attacking midfielders.
3. Liverpool 🏴
Opening Fixtures: Newcastle United (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Ipswich Town (A), Fulham (H)
Why Target: Outside of a tough GW1 trip to St. James’ Park, Liverpool enter a very favorable run against Nottingham Forest, Ipswich Town, and Fulham.
Key Assets: Mohamed Salah, wing-backs, and attacking differentials.
🔴 Teams to Avoid (GW1–GW6)
1. Newcastle United 🏴
Opening Fixtures: Liverpool (H), Tottenham Hotspur (A), AFC Bournemouth (H), Leeds United (A)
Why Avoid: Facing Liverpool and Tottenham in their first two weeks presents significant defensive risks. Holding off on high-priced Newcastle defenders until their schedule clears up is a safer early strategy.
2. Chelsea 🏴
Opening Fixtures: Fulham (A), Brighton & Hove Albion (H), Arsenal (A), Hull City (H)
Why Avoid: Opening with a tricky London derby away at Craven Cottage, followed by Brighton and a trip to Arsenal in GW3, makes double-investing in Chelsea options risky during the opening month.
📊 GW1–GW6 Fixture Difficulty Rating (FDR) Overview
| Team | GW1 | GW2 | GW3 | GW4 | Early Schedule Rating |
| Arsenal | Coventry (H) | Aston Villa (A) | Chelsea (H) | Sunderland (A) | Very Favorable |
| Man City | Bournemouth (H) | Crystal Palace (A) | Coventry (H) | Man Utd (A) | Favorable |
| Liverpool | Newcastle (A) | Notts Forest (H) | Ipswich (A) | Fulham (H) | Favorable |
| Tottenham | Brentford (A) | Newcastle (H) | Notts Forest (A) | Everton (H) | Moderate |
| Newcastle | Liverpool (H) | Tottenham (A) | Bournemouth (A) | Leeds (A) | 🔴 Tough |
💡 Key Takeaways for Draft Setup
Prioritize Home Attackers in GW1: Target players with favorable home matches on opening weekend (e.g., Arsenal and Man City attackers) to maximize starting points.
Plan an Early Wildcard Strategy: If you pick players with short-term favorable fixture runs (GW1–GW4), prepare your initial squad for a Gameweek 5 or Gameweek 6 Wildcard transition.
