Getting off to a good start is key in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and in this blog the teams with the best and worst opening four fixtures are analysed using the Fixture Planner.

Best Attacking Fixtures

Arsenal are top of the ticker for 'Attack Difficulty' over the first four gameweeks. The Gunners have strengthened their squad with the signings of Vieira (6.0) and Jesus (8.0) while the likes of Saka (8.0) and Martinelli (6.0) also emerged as reliable FPL picks last season. As the Stats Sandbox image below shows, the Gunners were ranked fifth for 'Expected Goals' (xG) (59.85) last season which would indicate that including one of their attackers early doors is a good idea.

Wolves fixtures look appealing on paper but it is worth noting that the Midlands side were ranked 19th for xG (38.24) with only Norwich (31.88) faring worse. A double-up on the Liverpool attack looks very appealing with two promoted sides Fulham and Bournemouth in the first four gameweeks. Brighton were ranked 10th for xG (47.82) but only 16th for goals scored (42). The signing of the highly-rated striker Undav (5.5) could go someway in remedying that gap. Brentford also have a great opening run, Wissa (5.5) impressed towards the end of the season and Toney (7.0) is one of the most reliable strikers out there. Mbeumo (6.0) is now classified as a forward.

Best Defensive Fixtures

In defence, four of last season's top six Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal and Man. City appear to have the best fixtures. The likes of Alexander-Arnold (7.5) and Robertson (7.0) have been kindly priced and as the below image from the Fix Heatmaps feature shows, they both averaged a similar points-per-game (PPG) of approximately 6.5 over the 2021/22 season.

Man. City (23.95), Liverpool (32.56) and Spurs (40.98) were ranked first, second and fifth for 'Expected Goals' conceded over the 2021/22 season and have plenty of attacking options such as Cancelo (7.0), Perisic (5.5) and Doherty (5.0). Going with defenders from these three sides offers good potential for points at both ends of the pitch.

Worst Fixtures

All the three promoted teams Bournemouth, Fulham and Forest have difficult fixtures to start the season which is unfortunate given some of the value there. Mitrovic (6.5), Solanke (6.0) and B. Johnson (6.0) all had excellent seasons in the Championship but a wait and see approach is suggested for the first few weeks. Newcastle finished the season strong but have games against Brighton, Man. City and Wolves in the first four gameweeks who were all decent in defence. Palace also have plenty of options in attack and defence but the Eagles' fixture run includes away games against last season's top-two in their first four.