FPL
Bench Boost GW1: FPL GW1 Squad And Chip Plan
20 August 2026
Bench Boost GW1 is built for managers who prefer to use bench boost while unlimited preseason transfers can create 15 active picks. This is one of ten legal GBP100.0m scenario solves, not a claim that one preseason draft is certain to win.
StrategyBench Boost GW1
The 15-Player Squad
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| GK | Lammens, Dovin |
| DEF | Van Dijk, O'Reilly, Lacroix, Gvardiol, Canvot |
| MID | Palmer, Saka, Mbeumo, Sarr, O.Dango |
| FWD | Thiago, Joao Pedro, Calvert-Lewin |
GW1 Team, Captain And Bench
Starting XI: Lammens; Van Dijk, O'Reilly, Lacroix; Palmer, Saka, Mbeumo, Sarr, O.Dango; Thiago, Joao Pedro.
Bench order: Dovin; Calvert-Lewin, Gvardiol, Canvot. Captain: Saka. Vice-captain: Palmer.
GW1-GW5 Transfer And Chip Path
| Gameweek | Action | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| GW1 | Bench Boost | All 15 score; Saka captains Coventry at home. |
| GW2 | Roll | Palmer captains Brighton and the squad returns to normal XI selection. |
| GW3 | Roll | Thiago becomes the model captain; bench Palmer at Arsenal if projections hold. |
| GW4 | Use saved transfers | React to confirmed starters and the first clear fixture swing. |
| GW5 | Save chips | Do not automatically Wildcard merely because Bench Boost has been used. |
Why This Route Can Work
- Unlimited preseason transfers make it easier to start with 15 plausible players.
- The official Premier League chip guide explicitly identifies GW1 as a possible Bench Boost window.
- Saka, Palmer and Mbeumo provide captaincy alternatives without Haaland.
Chip Strategy
Bench Boost in GW1. Save the Wildcard unless confirmed lineups expose several misses.
Main Risk
GW1 has the least reliable lineup information, particularly after the World Cup, and funds are spread away from the best XI.
Demon Verdict
Viable, not mandatory: use it only if all 15 survive the final team-news check.
Model basis: FPL Demon GW1-GW5 xPts and expected minutes generated 18 August 2026, current official prices and positions, a GBP100.0m budget, 2 GK/5 DEF/5 MID/3 FWD, no more than three players per club, and legal starting formations. Recheck late injuries, price changes and confirmed lineups before the deadline.
