Last updated on August 19th, 2025
The beautiful game is back, and with it comes the beautiful chaos only the Premier League can deliver. The 2025/26 season’s opening weekend served a delicious cocktail of triumph and heartbreak, which had Fantasy Premier League managers frantically refreshing their apps and questioning their pre-season homework.
Liverpool, defending champions, needed a late flourish to secure all three points against a resilient Bournemouth side, 4-2 on the opening Friday night, their six-goal thriller juxtaposed the drab 0-0 between Newcastle and Aston Villa that followed.
The champions showed their mettle, but not without giving their supporters a few anxious moments. Meanwhile, the weekend’s most heartwarming story unfolded at the London Stadium. The newly-promoted Sunderland announced their return to the top flight in spectacular style, defeating West Ham to claim their first Premier League victory since 2017.
The fantasy football landscape was equally dramatic, with the usual suspects, Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, Bryan Mbeumo, and Cole Palmer all under the microscope as millions of managers watched their carefully crafted squads come to life. Yet as always, the Premier League’s inherent unpredictability – reflected in the constantly shifting betting odds – served up its fair share of surprises.
The online betting options from Gambling.com showed that the goalscorer market was always one to watch. Fulham conjured up the late drama that makes the league so tough to predict, while some managers were already scrambling for the transfer button to replace disappointing showings that triggered mass sell-offs.
With Gameweek 2 just around the corner, managers will be weighing up transfers, price changes, and tactical tweaks as they look to maximise points while navigating the league’s unpredictability. Let’s break down the key winners and losers from the opening weekend, and what to watch for in the upcoming fixtures.
Winners
Hugo Ekiteke – Liverpool
The Reds’ summer signing couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to Premier League life. Ekiteke became just the second Liverpool player in history to register both a goal and an assist on his top-flight debut, scoring the opener and then setting up Cody Gakpo.
At an appealing price point, the French forward has immediately established himself as one of the season’s must-watch players. Arne Slot’s team travels to Newcastle next, where Ekiteke will be hoping his price increase to £8.6 million is justified.
Antoine Semenyo – Bournemouth
While Bournemouth ultimately fell short against the champions, Semenyo provided a silver lining that caught the attention of budget-conscious FPL managers. His brace at Anfield showcased exactly why he’s been tipped for a breakout campaign, with his direct running and clinical finishing causing Liverpool’s defense problems throughout.
Following his impressive showing, his price has already risen to £7.1 million, reflecting the immediate market confidence in his potential. Playing in a Bournemouth side that will create chances against most opponents, Semenyo appears perfectly positioned to provide excellent value for money.
Tijjani Reijnders – Manchester City
City’s newest midfield maestro delivered a performance with Pep Guardiola purring and FPL managers scrambling for their phones.
The Dutch international’s masterclass display suggested he is one of the season’s first price risers, building on impressive showings during the Club World Cup.
His 10 goals for AC Milan last season hinted at greater attacking potential, and his 77 shots ranked him among Serie A’s most active players.
His five penalty box touches and three shots in the 4-0 win over Wolves – second only to Erling Haaland – suggest he’ll be heavily involved in City’s attacking phases throughout the campaign.
Losers
Viktor Gy̦keres РArsenal
The signing of the summer, as many thought, managers watched on in anticipation for the debut of Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres, but the Swede left a lot to be desired.
The Swedish striker’s Premier League debut proved to be a humbling experience, with over 25% of FPL managers left disappointed by his subdued showing in United’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford.
A single-point return was a far cry from the explosive starts many had hoped for from the prolific striker. The performance raised questions about his ability to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity.
With his hefty price tag and ownership percentage, Gyökeres faces immediate pressure to bounce back and justify the faith of millions of managers who made him a cornerstone of their squads.
CaoimhÃn Kelleher – Brentford
The Irish goalkeeper’s move to Brentford was supposed to provide him with the regular first-team football he craved, but his debut under Keith Andrews proved to be a sobering experience.
Selected by numerous FPL managers for his appealing £4.5 million price point, Kelleher was beaten three times as the Bees suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat away to Nottingham Forest.
Having spent years as Alisson’s understudy at Liverpool – where he impressively managed 24 clean sheets – the step up to being a regular starter presents new challenges – mainly picking the ball out of the net.
Looking Ahead: Game Week 2 Key Information
The transfer market has already begun its familiar dance of price rises. It falls, with Ekiteke and Semenyo leading the charge as their impressive debuts trigger mass interest from FPL managers. Conversely, players like Florian Wirtz and Joao Pedro find themselves among the most transferred out, their Game Week 1 performances failing to justify their premium price tags.
Player prices in FPL change daily based on transfers: popular players rise by £0.1m, while heavily sold ones drop. Typically, a player moves around £0.3m per Gameweek. Tracking these trends helps managers grow team value above the starting £100m, while ignoring them risks being priced out. Changes update overnight UK time, so staying alert is key.
Game Week 2 Fixtures to Watch
Liverpool’s trip to Newcastle presents the first major test of their title credentials, with the ongoing Alexander Isak situation adding extra intrigue to proceedings at St. James’ Park.
Meanwhile, Tottenham’s visit to the Etihad Stadium offers Thomas Frank his first real examination as Spurs manager against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the early kick-off.
Both sides secured comfortable victories in Game Week 1, setting up what promises to be a fascinating tactical battle between two managers renowned for their innovative approaches to the game.
As we head into Game Week 2, the early evidence suggests this season will maintain the Premier League’s reputation for unpredictability. Smart FPL managers will keep close tabs on transfer trends while preparing for another weekend of potential surprises and strategic decisions.
