FPL Gameweek 2 Tips: Best Transfers, Captain Picks and Differentials for This Weekend

FPL Gameweek 2 Tips: Best Transfers, Captain Picks and Differentials for This Weekend

Gameweek 2 of the 2025/26 Fantasy Premier League season provides a key opportunity for managers, whether they are starting fresh or using their Wildcard chip. With one round of matches complete, it is a chance to refine squads, target high-upside players, and position for favourable fixtures over the coming weeks. Careful planning now can help maximise points and set the tone for the season ahead.

The Scout has selected their dream line-up for Gameweek 2 ⭐️

Read more about the selections 👉 https://t.co/qowh4Sp3BG pic.twitter.com/7rqamLTpLH

— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) August 21, 2025

Wildcard and New Starter Strategy

Managers building a new squad for Gameweek 2 may want to temporarily overlook Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) and his Liverpool team-mates. The Reds face a tough short-term schedule, visiting Newcastle before hosting Arsenal, with both matches ranked four in the Fixture Difficulty Ratings. In addition, ongoing reports linking Liverpool with a move for Newcastle forward Alexander Isak (£10.4m) suggest it is sensible to delay committing funds to Salah until after the summer transfer window, giving clarity on Liverpool’s attacking options by Gameweek 4.

Instead, premium assets with favourable fixtures are better options. Bukayo Saka (£10.0m) and Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m) are strong captaincy candidates, with Saka hosting promoted Leeds United and Fernandes facing Burnley in Gameweek 3. Cole Palmer (£10.5m) and Erling Haaland (£14.0m) also offer strong returns, with Chelsea’s Palmer up against West Ham and Fulham, and Manchester City’s Haaland facing Spurs and Brighton & Hove Albion. Combined, Palmer and Haaland cost £24.5m, leaving £0.5m in the bank and providing flexibility to move back to Salah once Liverpool face Burnley after the first international break.

Budget forwards also present attractive options. AFC Bournemouth’s Evanilson (£7.0m) has multiple favourable fixtures, including a visit to promoted Leeds, and is likely to be on penalty duty in Justin Kluivert’s absence. Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen (£6.5m) will take penalties and faces three promoted clubs in the next eight Gameweeks, offering strong mid-term value. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson (£5.5m) is a budget midfielder with multiple routes to returns, including corner-taking responsibilities and a high defensive contribution potential. Defensively, Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi, Manchester United’s Patrick Dorgu, and Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky van de Ven (£4.5m each) offer rotation options alongside premium pick Marc Cucurella (£6.0m). Martin Dubravka (£4.0m) and Leeds’ Joe Rodon (£4.0m) provide low-cost emergency bench coverage, with Fulham’s Josh King (£4.5m) as a budget midfielder or forward option.

Bench Boost Squad

Gameweek 2 also presents a rare opportunity to deploy the Bench Boost chip. Burnley’s home match against Sunderland makes Martin Dubravka (£4.0m) an ideal bench goalkeeper, freeing funds for other positions while still contributing points.

Four premium attackers are highlighted: Saka, Ollie Watkins (£9.0m), Haaland, and Fernandes. Haaland is the preferred captain against Tottenham, following a two-goal, 13-point display in Gameweek 1, while Saka offers consistency against promoted Leeds United. Watkins and Fernandes have the potential to bounce back from blank opening-week appearances against Brentford and Fulham, respectively.

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo (£7.1m) impressed with two goals at Anfield, while Tijjani Reijnders (£5.6m) contributed a goal and an assist on his Manchester City debut. Defensively, Cucurella, Dorgu, and Senesi offer both clean sheet potential and attacking returns, while David Raya (£5.5m) provides a premium goalkeeper option at home to Leeds. The bench features Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£5.0m), Dan Ballard (£4.6m), and Maxence Lacroix (£5.0m), all capable of contributing points in emergencies, ensuring the Bench Boost chip can be used effectively.

Captaincy: Haaland vs Saka vs Salah

The captaincy debate for Gameweek 2 is finely balanced. Salah, the most-picked captain in Gameweek 1, scored 16 points but now faces Newcastle, who ranked joint-top for home clean sheets in 2024/25. Haaland and Saka enjoy their first home fixtures this season, with Haaland’s six shots in the box and three big chances in Gameweek 1 illustrating his sharp form.

Last season, Saka and Haaland were near-identical for home output. Saka scored and assisted five goals each, being involved in 53 per cent of Arsenal’s home goals, while Haaland scored 11 times and was involved in 44 per cent of Manchester City’s. Analysing big chances, Haaland had 18 and created four, while Saka had eight and created 13, leaving total big chance involvement almost identical at 22 and 21, respectively. Early-season form, combined with Haaland’s finishing, makes him the preferred captain, though Saka remains a reliable alternative with an appealing fixture.

Transfer Radar: Players to Consider

Key transfers for Gameweek 2 include Ollie Watkins, Marc Cucurella, Tijjani Reijnders, and Bafode Diakite. Watkins is expected to deliver against Brentford, having scored in his last four appearances versus the club and with a favourable fixture run to Gameweek 9. Cucurella combines attacking potential and clean sheet probability, having produced two shots and a created big chance in Gameweek 1, while Reijnders impressed on his debut and remains under 30 per cent ownership ahead of Spurs at home. Diakite offers strong value at a budget price, combining defensive contribution points with goal threat and facing Wolves this weekend.

Tijjani Reijnders is the most transferred in player for #FPL Gameweek 2 👏

Do you have him in your team? 👀

— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) August 19, 2025

Newly Added Players and Their Prices

FPL managers should also be aware of new players added to the game since launch on 21 July. Nottingham Forest midfielder Douglas Luiz (£5.0m) is the most recent addition, while other notable inclusions include Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal, £9.0m), Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool, £8.5m), Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United, £7.5m), and Evann Guessand (Aston Villa, £6.5m). Several mid-range midfielders and forwards have also been added, such as Dan Ndoye (£6.0m), Arnaud Kalimuendo (£6.0m), Callum Wilson (£6.0m), and Omari Hutchinson (£5.5m). Budget defenders and goalkeepers now available include Bafode Diakite (£4.5m), Adam Aznou (£4.5m), Angus Gunn (£4.0m), Omar Alderete (£4.0m), and Nordi Mukiele (£4.0m), among others. These new additions offer managers additional options for both transfers and squad building, especially for those looking to exploit value at lower price points.

Arnaud is now available in @OfficialFPL. 🫡🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/diRqOnWbsQ

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) August 20, 2025

Gameweek 2 requires measured decisions, balancing early-season form with fixture potential. Wildcarders and new starters can take advantage of favourable matches while avoiding early commitments to Liverpool assets. Haaland is the most reliable captain, Saka provides an attractive alternative, and several budget and mid-price options offer strong value. Newly added players further expand squad-building choices, providing flexibility for transfers and differential picks. Whether targeting immediate points or setting up for future weeks, careful squad construction this weekend can provide a strong platform for the early weeks of the 2025/26 FPL season.