Top 10 Best FPL Defenders to Pick for Gameweek 1

The Fantasy Premier League season is upon us, and the hunt is on for the perfect FPL squad. We all love a good bargain forward or a differential midfielder, but never underestimate the impact of a rock-solid backline. Selecting the best FPL defenders can be a game-changer, especially now that defensive contribution points (DC) make defending more rewarding than ever. Let’s jump right into the top 10 FPL defenders you should consider for Gameweek 1 in 2025/26.

Top 10 Best FPL Defenders to Pick for Gameweek 1 in 2025/26

For a list of the best defenders for Gameweek 1, there are a lot of things to consider, ranging from their opponents on the opening weekend, pre-season form, and attacking potential. But with Defensive Contribution points this season, this list will also include the set-and-forget defenders to act as the pillars of your defence. Here is who you should be picking for Gameweek 1.

10. Marc Cucurella (Chelsea, £5.5m)

Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella has been largely overlooked, but the club’s opening fixtures are on the softer side, and he’s been racking up decent defensive contribution stats. As the team gets more settled, you can expect clean sheets and occasional assists from the defender. Cucurella might not be the most glamorous option, but he ticks all the best FPL defenders boxes if you want reliable points.

9. Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool, £6.0m)

Liverpool may rotate at times, but the former Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong has forward instincts few defenders can match, especially with surging runs. He’s expected to play an even larger role this season. Fixtures are alright, and he’s someone who could easily bag a goal in any week, as he has done in his previous club. He even showed great attacking intent in his pre-season games leading up to the season.

8. Nathan Collins (Brentford, £5.0m)

Collins is a true wild card. Brentford may be in transition, but Collins managed 2 goals and 7 assists last season, mainly from set-pieces. With Brentford’s defence fairly stable and easier home fixtures early on, he has the upside to be a fantastic FPL best defender differential pick to sneak into your squads.

7. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, £6.0m)

Liverpool's commanding centre-back Virgil van Dijk brings both security of starts and a considerable threat from set-pieces. With Liverpool’s renewed defensive focus, he could echo his best seasons. van Dijk benefits a lot under the new DC scoring, and you’ll feel safer captaining anyone else with him in your lineup.

6. Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City, £6.0m)

No, City weren’t their dominant defensive selves last season, but that only makes Josko Gvardiol a bigger differential. He has an attacking license under Pep and is increasingly nailed, and with his Champions League heroics last season, expect him to be on the scoresheet several times this year. All this, coupled with his solid defensive capabilities. The first few fixtures aren’t the easiest, but with City’s clean sheet odds, you’ll want a slice of that defence at some point.

5. Murillo (Nottingham Forest, £5.5m)

Forest’s fixture run to start the season is quietly appealing. Murillo’s DC stats are through the roof, and he’s joint-second among defenders for defensive contributions last season (10.66 CBIT/90). He lacks the goal threat of some premium wing-backs, but is a mainstay in the Forest XI and will hoover up defensive points while being largely overlooked. He's the kind of no-nonsense defender you need to rack up those defensive points this season.

4. Antonee Robinson (Fulham, £5.0m)

Robinson, the marauding fullback, is a gem. He produced 10 assists last season, the most among all defenders! Fulham have shown decent defensive steel, and Robinson’s fixtures at home (Man United, Leeds, Brentford) look promising for clean sheets and some bonus attacking points, and for some reason, he seems to love playing his best football against the top 6 in the league. Last season’s underlying numbers show he could do even better with the DC system this year.

3. Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace, £5.0m)

If funds are a little tight, Lacroix provides the perfect Palace alternative. He’s quietly been one of the top defenders for DC, and his set-piece threat is not to be ignored (he ranked 1st for headed attempts among defenders last season). His early fixtures are mixed, but Palace’s defensive setup means you could set and forget.

2. James Tarkowski (Everton, £5.5m)

Everton’s defensive record under Moyes is robust, and James Tarkowski is simply one of the best defenders for Defensive Contribution Points in FPL for GW1. Last season, he racked up the most DC points among all defenders, with a Hall of Fame-worthy 10.96 CBIT/90 (clearances, blocks, interceptions, tackles per 90 min). Everton have Leeds, Brentford, and Wolves in their opening three, which screams clean sheet potential. He is undoubtedly one of the best FPL defenders for both consistency and ceiling at his price.

1. Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace, £5.5m)

If you want attacking threat and defensive stability, Munoz is the player you're looking for. He put up 142 points last season, boasting 4 goals and 6 assists. Munoz is effectively Palace’s wing-back, almost playing as a right winger at times, and easily outpaces his competition in terms of offensive output. His stats also show a high DC (defensive contribution) rate, which is key with the new FPL scoring rules. Even though Palace’s fixtures start tough, there’s enough attacking upside to lock him in.

Honourable Mentions

• Joachim Andersen (Fulham, £4.5m): Budget enabler and set-piece threat, especially with home games early on.
• Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa, £4.5m): Villa’s defence improved massively at the end of last season, and their first three fixtures are every defender's dream. He could be another set-and-forget defender for your team, or you could keep him on the bench for rotations.
• Ruben Dias (Man City, £5.5m): For clean sheet hunters, Manchester City's defensive mainstay, Ruben Dias, is a good option, but with less attacking upside.
• Livramento (Newcastle, £5.0m): Rotational risk, but big upside if nailed.

Fixture Watch: Why Early Fixtures Matter

The best FPL defenders (and FPL best defender picks) should balance clean sheet potential, attacking threat, and a pathway to regular minutes. Crystal Palace defenders like Munoz and Lacroix shine despite their tough opening, since attacking wing-backs don’t need cleans to deliver FPL points. Tarkowski and Murillo excel if DC points take off, especially with kind opening fixtures for Everton and Forest, respectively. Meanwhile, Gvardiol and Van Dijk are classic “set and forget” picks, premium, but worth the outlay for defensive stability.

Sample Team Structure

Aim to have a blend:

• One premium (Van Dijk/Gvardiol)
• One attacking wing-back (Munoz/Robinson)
• Two solid mid-price defenders (Tarkowski/Lacroix/Murillo)
• One budget enabler (Andersen/Konsa)

Mixing and matching the best defenders FPL offers is the way to go!

Final Thoughts

Whether you chase clean sheets, attacking hauls, or the new DC points, stacking your squad with these best FPL defenders should get you off to a flying start in your predicted Gameweek 1 lineup. Monitor preseason match fitness and potential surprise transfers, but rest assured that locking in a couple of these players is as close to an FPL “life hack” as you can get this season. With the new Defensive Contribution Points, you may even have weeks where the defence line outscores the attack in terms of points. Remember, managers win leagues at the back, and with these defensive picks, you're set for a winning season.