FPL Best Picks: Writer’s Team of the Week for Gameweek 1 22/23

We’ve opted to go for 4 defenders, given their value and point potential at both ends of the pitch.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.5) of Liverpool is an auto pick most weeks

Liverpool open their campaign away to a promoted Fulham side who’ve lost one of their key creators in Harry Wilson, to injury. He was last year’s top-scoring defender and warmed up for this season with a goal against Manchester City in the Community Shield.

Next, we go for Joao Cancelo (7.0) of Manchester City

Cancelo has had consistent and predictable minutes in a City defense who were the league’s best for xG conceded last season. He had a huge 11 FPL assists last season and scored 1 goal from an xG roundabout 4. His fixture looks tough on paper with an away trip to West Ham but faith in City’s defense and Cancelo’s attacking prowess make him a strong pick for us.

Reece James (6.0) of Chelsea comes in ahead of an away trip to Everton

The Chelsea man can play right center-back but did play right wing-back in all his pre-season outings, suggesting he’s likely to get the nod in that attacking role once again. He was sensational when he was on the pitch last season, scoring 5 goals and bagging 9 assists.

Chelsea were third best for expected goals conceded last season. Everton struggled offensively and defensively last season and have lost Richarlison to a transfer and potentially Calvert-Lewin to injury, boosting Chelsea’s chances of a clean sheet.

For our final pick in defense, we’ve gone with a high-upside risky pick in Ivan Perisic (5.5) of Tottenham.

The Croat, who recently moved from Inter Milan, did start and play the majority of minutes at left wing-back in Spurs’ last pre-season friendly, suggesting he should be fit enough to start Gameweek 1.

He took up good attacking positions in the box and is home to a Southampton side likely to go with a 3-man defense, a setup that might allow an opponent’s fullback some joy, given their center-backs could be occupied by 3 forward players from Spurs. If he starts, Perisic has the potential to bag a monster haul.