Top 5 FPL Goalkeeper to Pick For Gameweek 1

Picking the right goalkeeper for your Fantasy Premier League squad is anything but easy. Sure, you can blow your budget on a premium, set-and-forget shot-stopper, but historically, those mid-range and budget goalkeepers have delivered fantastic value and often end up as the best FPL goalkeepers by season’s end. Let’s break down the top 5 FPL goalkeepers you should seriously consider for GW1, and naturally, we’ll mix in plenty of tips, stats, and the best keepers FPL can offer right now.

Top 5 FPL Goalkeepers for Gameweek 1

Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford, £4.5m) – The People’s Choice

If you’re after a budget-friendly pick with immense upside, it’s Brentford’s Caoimhín Kelleher you need to watch. The Irish international is the most-owned goalkeeper in FPL, sitting in over 32% of squads, and for good reason. His move from Liverpool was a statement. Brentford wanted Caoimhín Kelleher as their number one, and they’re sticking with their tried-and-true tactics: allow opponents plenty of low-quality shots from distance, boosting their keeper’s save points. Last season, Brentford’s No.1, Mark Flekken, managed 138 FPL points despite just 7 clean sheets, thanks to a league-high 156 saves. With the same defensive structure and Kelleher’s reputation for reflex saves, he’s locked in as one of the best FPL goalkeepers at his price. He can easily make it into the Predicted Lineup for Gameweek 1.

Why Pick Kelleher?

• Brentford’s defensive style racks up save points, bonus points, and clean sheets vs. mid-table sides.
• £4.5m price means you can spend extra in midfield/attack.
• Best keeper FPL for maximizing budget and flexibility.
• High ownership – shields your rank if he performs.

Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest, £5.0m) – Last Year’s Superstar

Say hello to the joint Golden Glove winner and last season’s second-highest-scoring keeper: Matz Sels. He kept 13 clean sheets, made 119 saves (a 74% save rate!), and was a bonus magnet thanks to the tweaked BPS rules that now reward high-volume shot-stoppers even more. Nottingham Forest have kept their defensive spine together, and if anything, could improve with a more settled back four.
Why Sels Makes the Cut:

• Budget-friendly at £5.0m compared to premium keepers.
• Steady clean sheet and save potential – rarely blanks.
• Forest starts with good fixtures and rotates well with other mid-table sides.
• He’s one of the best goalkeepers FPL for consistent points but without spending top dollar.

Robert Sánchez (Chelsea, £5.0m) – Cheap Route Into Chelsea’s Defence

If you want a Chelsea defender but don’t fancy splashing £6.0m, Robert Sánchez is your man. He finished top-5 for GK points last year, kept a clean sheet vs PSG at Club World Cup, and Chelsea’s opening fixtures are some of the easiest: only one top-half opponent in their first five. Genuinely, Sánchez is overlooked, but he’s easily one of the best keepers FPL managers can grab for early points.
Chelsea GK Highlights:

• Favourable opening fixtures (CRY/WOL/FUL/BHA).
• None of Chelsea’s defenders offers as good a value for bonus and clean sheet upside as Sánchez.
• Five of the first six matches are at Stamford Bridge.
• Rotates well with Petrovic for fixture play.

Jordan Pickford (Everton, £5.5m) – The Steady Premium Pick

Everyone wants to save money, but sometimes you need real reliability. Jordan Pickford quietly scored the most FPL points of any goalkeeper or defender last season – 158 points with 12 clean sheets and 122 saves. Everton’s defensive structure under Moyes is rock solid, and they’ve got some of the best xCS (expected clean sheets) in the first 10 gameweeks. Pickford also earns the most bonus points of any keeper, thanks to the new BPS awarding him for every save.
Premium Keeper Pros:

• Consistent performer year-on-year, proven FPL output.
• Loads of bonus points and saves.
• 15 bonus points last season – more than any GK.
• Everton open the season with two promoted sides and fixtures to target clean sheets.

Djordje Petrovic (Bournemouth, £4.5m) – Under-the-Radar Gem

Here’s a wildcard for those chasing the Best FPL Budget Goalkeeper with starter security: Djordje Petrovic. The new arrival at Bournemouth should be their number one; he kept 10 clean sheets in 31 games last season for Strasbourg and was their player of the year. Bournemouth’s fixtures are mixed, but if you play your GK rotation right, Petrovic and Kelleher together let you dodge games vs. top sides and chase clean sheets against the promoted teams and low scorers.
Why Petrovic?

• Low price, nailed starter.
• Excellent rotation with Kelleher or Sánchez.
• Clean sheet upside and bonus eligibility with the new BPS.
• Unfussy differential – most managers overlook him.

Honourable Mentions

• Alphonse Areola (West Ham, £4.5m): Great fixture run in first six weeks, but West Ham are not the most reliable defense, so maybe better as a second keeper.
• Lucas Perri (Leeds, £4.5m): Big summer signing, should be Leeds’ first choice. Promoted teams can surprise early, and he’s a potential hidden gem if you’re feeling brave.
• Jose Sa (Wolves, £4.5m): If Wolves find form, he’s a fantastic rotation option for fixtures vs. newly promoted sides.

How To Pick The Best FPL Goalkeeper

So, who are the best goalkeepers for FPL Gameweek 1? It comes down to a mix of fixture strength, clean sheet potential, bonus/saves upside, and price. Gone are the days when you just plump for Ederson or Alisson and forget about it. The new bonus point system means high-volume shot stoppers like Kelleher, Sels, and Sánchez are serious options, and you can use the savings elsewhere for those premium midfielders and forwards. Pairing two £4.5m or £5.0m keepers and playing the fixtures is arguably the smartest play for GW1.

Sample Gameweek 1 Drafts Featuring Best Goalkeepers FPL

Let’s quickly sketch a draft or two so you see how these picks fit into a real squad:
Draft 1 – Mid-Price Rotation

• GK1: Kelleher (£4.5m)
• GK2: Petrovic (£4.5m)
• Rotate for fixtures; save budget, play the home GK.

Draft 2 – Premium Anchor

• GK1: Pickford (£5.5m)
• GK2: Kinsky (£4.0m, bench fodder)
• Set and forget, rely on Pickford’s bonus and clean sheet points.

Draft 3 – Safety and Upside Mix

• GK1: Sels (£5.0m)
• GK2: Areola (£4.5m)
• Rotate Areola for West Ham’s easier early games, then swap to Sels as fixtures toughen up.

Final Tips and Casual Wisdom

Don’t stress too much about getting “the best keeper FPL” in week 1. Fixtures will change, injuries will happen, and someone will always emerge from nowhere. Keep an eye on pre-season form, squad updates, and most importantly, your own playing style. If you love chasing differentials, go for Petrovic or Perri. If you prefer safe, proven picks, Pickford and Sels are your go-to.
Just remember: your FPL goalkeeper isn’t only about clean sheets, saves, bonus, and even a sneaky penalty stop can rack up massive points. Rotate wisely, watch those early fixtures, and don’t be afraid to play the fixtures instead of the name.