Verified 15 October 2026. The GW7 deadline is Saturday 17 October at 11:00 BST. Treat this as an early XI and recheck Friday team news.
Manchester City v Ipswich is the standout Fantasy fixture. Ipswich have conceded 12 league goals and remain without a clean sheet, while City have scored 16. That makes City attack the centre of the GW7 plan. (PL transfer radar)
OneFPL early GW7 Scout Picks
| Pos | Player | OneFPL case |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Bart Verbruggen | Brighton exposure and a reasonable save/clean-sheet route |
| DEF | Maxim De Cuyper | Attacking defender in the highest-demand FPL team |
| DEF | Riccardo Calafiori | Arsenal defence plus attacking involvement |
| DEF | Josko Gvardiol | City clean-sheet ceiling if projected to start |
| MID | Bukayo Saka | Elite chance quality despite recent under-returning |
| MID | Pascal Groß | 53 points, set pieces and multiple routes to returns |
| MID | Rayan Cherki | Four goals, six attacking returns and Ipswich at home |
| MID | Morgan Rogers | Strong Chelsea attacking route at a mid-premium price |
| FWD | Erling Haaland | Best captain and leading Triple Captain candidate |
| FWD | João Pedro | Reliable Chelsea route without paying premium-midfielder money |
| FWD | Thierno Barry | Value structure and strong shot volume |
Captain: Haaland Vice-captain: Saka
The important caveat: City rotation
Cherki has started five of City's first six league matches and leads their midfielders for both shots and chances created with 14 each. But Phil Foden is available again and Jeremy Doku has returned, so the upside comes with real rotation risk. (PL)
Gvardiol is similarly a conditional pick. If final team-news signals are weak, prioritise secure minutes over forcing a third City slot.
Latest FPL news
Brighton remain difficult to ignore
De Cuyper and Groß are among the most-bought players of the week. That does not make them automatic buys, but it confirms the market is moving toward Brighton before GW7. (price/transfer tracker)
Bench alternatives
- Savio — strong Spurs fixture swing, corners and low ownership.
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall — Everton's chance-creation leader.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin — six big chances and improving fixtures.
- Johan Manzambi — aggressive budget midfield option.
- Bobby Thomas — budget defender for squad structure.
OneFPL verdict
Build around Haaland + at least one Brighton attacker/defender + Arsenal quality, then use Friday news to decide how hard to lean into City.
Use OneFPL Fixtures, Planner and Team News before the deadline.
FAQ
Who is the best FPL captain for GW7?
Erling Haaland is the clear first choice at home to Ipswich.
Who is the best vice-captain?
Bukayo Saka is the safest alternative, with Pascal Groß and João Pedro also viable.
Should European matches change the final XI?
Yes. Recheck Manchester City, Brighton and other European teams after midweek minutes and Friday press conferences.