FPL Pre-Season Guide 2026/27: What Managers Must Track
Pre-season goals matter far less than minutes, roles and set-piece duties. Here is the checklist every FPL manager should work through before Gameweek 1.
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Pre-season goals are useful, but they are not the most important information for FPL managers.
A player can score three times against weak opposition and still begin Gameweek 1 on the bench. Another player may not return at all but quietly establish themselves as a first-choice starter, penalty taker or attacking wing-back.
A useful pre-season process must therefore track roles and minutes — not only goals and assists.
1. Starting lineups
Record whether a player:
- Starts with the likely first team.
- Starts with a reserve-heavy side.
- Enters at half-time.
- Plays out of position.
- Is absent entirely.
- Plays in the final two friendlies.
The final one or two matches usually provide the strongest lineup clues because managers begin moving closer to their intended competitive team. Our predicted lineups page tracks expected XIs once competitive fixtures begin.
2. Minutes played
Minutes help separate likely starters from squad options.
Track:
- Total pre-season minutes.
- Minutes in the most recent friendly.
- Whether the player regularly reaches 60 minutes.
- Whether another player is sharing the same role.
- Whether international players have returned.
The 2026 World Cup creates additional uncertainty because players who progressed deep into the tournament have limited recovery and preparation time before the Premier League season starts.
Do not assume a star player is ready for Gameweek 1 merely because they have returned to training.
3. Tactical position
The position shown in FPL does not always describe the player's actual role.
Monitor whether a player is operating as:
- A traditional full-back.
- An advanced wing-back.
- An inverted full-back.
- A defensive midfielder.
- A number eight.
- A number ten.
- A wide winger.
- An inside forward.
- A central striker.
A £6.5m midfielder playing near the penalty area may be much more attractive than a similarly priced midfielder operating deep beside the centre-backs.
4. Formation
Eight Premier League clubs are beginning the season with new managers.
This makes formation especially important.
A switch from a back four to a back three can change:
- Which defenders start.
- How high the wing-backs play.
- The number of attacking midfielders selected.
- A forward's support.
- Set-piece personnel.
- Defensive stability.
Do not assume last season's best asset remains the best asset under a different system. We cover each club's situation in our guide to the eight new Premier League managers.
5. Set pieces and penalties
Record every meaningful clue involving:
- Penalties.
- Direct free kicks.
- Indirect free kicks.
- Left corners.
- Right corners.
- Shared duties.
One pre-season penalty does not guarantee permanent responsibility. Check whether the regular taker was on the pitch and whether the manager later explains the decision.
6. New signings
New players should be evaluated through role and competition.
Ask:
- Are they immediately starting?
- Which existing player loses minutes?
- Are they playing in their usual position?
- Do they improve the team's attack or defence?
- Are they on set pieces?
- Will they be rotated because of Europe?
Avoid judging a signing purely through reputation or transfer fee.
7. Injuries and availability
Track confirmed injuries separately from unexplained absences.
Use labels such as:
- Confirmed injury.
- Fitness management.
- Post-tournament rest.
- Transfer-related absence.
- Illness.
- Reason unknown.
Uncertainty itself is a risk. A Gameweek 1 squad does not need unnecessary doubts when unlimited transfers remain available before the deadline. The injury and doubt list tracks every flagged player.
8. Pre-season results
Results are less important than tactical evidence, but they still provide context.
Review:
- Quality of opposition.
- Strength of both lineups.
- Chances created.
- Shots conceded.
- Whether goals came from repeatable patterns.
- Whether defensive problems persist across several matches.
The OneFPL pre-season checklist
Before selecting a player, confirm:
- They are expected to start.
- They have sufficient fitness.
- Their tactical role supports FPL returns.
- Their price provides value.
- Their early fixtures are acceptable.
- Their place is not threatened by a returning international.
- Their appeal does not depend on one friendly performance.
Once you are ready to assemble a squad, follow our step-by-step guide to building your Gameweek 1 team and check the best and worst opening fixtures.
Open the OneFPL fixture difficulty tool** to map the opening six Gameweeks while you track pre-season.
FAQ
Are pre-season goals important for FPL?
They can reveal form and role, but minutes, starting status and tactical position are far more important.
Which friendlies matter most?
The final one or two friendlies generally provide the clearest indication of the intended starting XI.
Should managers avoid World Cup players?
Not automatically. Monitor their return date, training involvement and friendly minutes before deciding.
How often should this guide be updated?
Update your notes after every significant friendly and immediately after confirmed injuries or role changes.
Does a pre-season penalty confirm the penalty taker?
No. Check whether the club's established taker was on the pitch at the time before drawing conclusions.