The Premier League fixture list for the 2018/19 season was released earlier this week. It has given fans and FPL owners a chance to get a sneak peek at the season to come. Is it too early to start making decisions about how to set up your FPL lineup? Of course. Is that going to stop us? Of course not!
The Big Six:
The first place to start is the big six clubs. Arsenal and Manchester City is the mouth-watering opening fixture. What do we make of them meeting to start the season? It's hard to say. Arsenal's new manager is focusing on defense this summer, and it will face the ultimate test to start the season. Will the Gunners be ready?
You may want to play the goal scorers for these two clubs in this one.
Tottenham faces a tough test playing at Newcastle. You would not bet on a Spurs clean sheet in that one. Chelsea is also away, playing at Huddersfield. We still do not know what Chelsea will look like to start the season, but you would think that their test will be a little less difficult. Then again, Huddersfield is always good for a random moment of magic.
Liverpool and Manchester United start at home against decent mid-table clubs -- West Ham and Leicester respectively. They will be good season-opening tests for two clubs with title aspirations.
Promoted Clubs:
Sometimes, the Premier League sets up newly promoted clubs for failure, welcoming them to the league with one of the toughest fixtures they will have all season. That is not the case for the upcoming season.
Wolves and Fulham get to begin the season at home. Wolves will host Everton, who will be starting the season with a new manager, Marco Silva. Fulham will host Crystal Palace in a London derby that will test both clubs. Cardiff City go to Bournemouth to start the season, which always means a chance for goals.
Southampton-Burnley and Watford-Brighton make up the rest of the fixture list.
FPL Strategy:
If you listen to our pod, you know that we recommend that you build your initial squad for the initial fixtures. Don't build it for the whole season. Build out your first squad for GW1, with an eye toward GWs 1-4 until the first international break of the season.
At this point in the summer, there are no obvious places to start for GW1. More time and clarity in the summer transfer window will be necessary. Luckily, we have the ability to get both between now and August 11.
