Last updated: Gameweek 7 · October 15, 2026
EPL fantasy start sit decisions for Gameweek 7
Erling Haaland projects 18.12 InfoSport Points against Ipswich at home, but Pascal Groß and João Pedro offer safer floors in tougher spots. This week’s hardest call isn’t the obvious captaincy—it’s whether to trust Brighton’s defensive volume over Chelsea’s attacking upside when both start.
Must-starts for Gameweek 7
- Haaland (Man City, FWD): 18.12 projected points, 18.58 per 90.
- Groß (Brighton, MID): 17.03 projected points, 1st in assists.
- João Pedro (Chelsea, FWD): 13.39 projected points, 87.8 expected minutes.
- Cherki (Man City, MID): 12.62 projected points, 2nd in expected assists.
- Mbeumo (Man Utd, MID): 12.49 projected points, 90 expected minutes.
- Rogers (Chelsea, MID): 12.47 projected points, 87.8 expected minutes.
- B. Fernandes (Man Utd, MID): 12.31 projected points, locked for 90 minutes.
- Belloumi (Hull City, MID): 12.17 projected points, 6th in tackles.
Starts and sits by position
Goalkeepers
START: Tzolakis (Hull City, GK) — Projects 7.15 InfoSport Points with 90 expected minutes; Hull’s 3 clean sheets give him upside even in a defensive fixture against Fulham.
START: Donnarumma (Man City, GK) — 6.8 projected points, 2nd in saves with 20 this season; Man City’s defensive schedule (Ipswich, Aston Villa, Brighton) supports clean-sheet ceiling.
SIT: Verbruggen (Brighton, GK) — Despite 21.9% FPL ownership and 4 clean sheets, projects only 7.0 InfoSport Points; Brighton’s next three include Liverpool (A) and Man City (A).
SIT: Jacquet (Liverpool, DEF/GK) — 8.25 projected points but Brentford (A) fixture and Liverpool’s 7 goals conceded limit upside this week.
Defenders
START: Tarkowski (Everton, DEF) — 12.06 projected points with 90 expected minutes; 6th in clearances, blocks and interceptions (55 this season) rewards defensive volume leagues.
START: Vuskovic (Brighton, DEF) — 11.6 projected points, 87.4 expected minutes; 9th in clearances and blocks (51) and tied 1st in clean sheets (4) despite low FPL ownership at 4.7%.
SIT: Gvardiol (Man City, DEF) — 10.28 projected points, down from rank 10 last week; only 73.6 expected minutes and 2nd in assists (4) makes him a midfielder scorer with defender upside.
SIT: Gabriel (Arsenal, DEF) — 7.64 projected points with 90 minutes locked in; Nottingham (A) and 5 goals conceded limit clean-sheet likelihood despite 3 on the season.
Midfielders
START: Saka (Arsenal, MID) — 11.87 projected points, 87.8 expected minutes; 3rd in expected goals (3.63) and locked into a high-volume team against Nottingham Forest.
START: Gibbs-White (Nottm Forest, MID) — 9.58 projected points with 90 minutes guaranteed; 1st in expected assists (1.87) and a home fixture against Arsenal creates playmaking upside.
SIT: Schade (Brentford, MID) — 9.08 projected points but only 75% chance of playing with a shoulder injury; 61.2 expected minutes if available and Liverpool (H) is a tough matchup.
Forwards
START: Barry (Everton, FWD) — 10.4 projected points, 84.8 expected minutes; 2nd in expected goals (4.4) this season and Chelsea (H) at home is a favorable matchup.
START: Kostoulas (Brighton, FWD) — 10.53 projected points, 77.2 expected minutes; 4th in assists (3) and tied 4th in expected assists (0.07) with tournament upside in a home fixture.
SIT: Calvert-Lewin (Leeds, FWD) — 9.46 projected points and 22.6% FPL ownership, but 83.8 minutes expected and 77th in tackles (0) means minimal defensive volume in category leagues.
SIT: Evanilson (Bournemouth, FWD) — 8.94 projected points, 88 expected minutes; Sunderland (H) is approachable but only 1.48 expected goals limits ceiling against category-scoring value.
Toughest calls: head-to-head decisions
Groß or Rogers? Start Groß. Groß projects 17.03 to Rogers’ 12.47 and leads all players in assists (5). Rogers has cleaner fixtures ahead but this week’s gap is too large.
Cherki or Semenyo? Start Cherki. Cherki projects 12.62 versus Semenyo’s 11.37 and ranks 2nd in expected assists (1.7) to Semenyo’s 4th (1.47). Both face Ipswich (H), but Cherki’s volume justifies the edge.
De Cuyper or Vuskovic? Start Vuskovic. Vuskovic projects 11.6 to De Cuyper’s 11.13 with 87.4 expected minutes; Vuskovic ranks 9th in clearances and blocks (51) versus De Cuyper’s 45th (10), rewarding defensive leagues more.
Mbeumo or B. Fernandes? Start Mbeumo. Mbeumo projects 12.49 to Fernandes’ 12.31 with identical 90-minute locks. Mbeumo ranks 4th in expected goals (3.31) versus Fernandes’ 8th (2.58), giving him ceiling edge despite tougher fixture.
Toughest availability flag
Schade (Brentford, MID): 75% chance of playing with a shoulder injury. If cleared before lock, his 13.35 points per 90 makes him a dart throw; if not, sit. Check team news 30 minutes before your league locks.
Goalkeeper streams this week
Tzolakis (Hull City, GK): 7.15 projected InfoSport Points; faces Fulham (A) but has recorded 3 clean sheets on the season and 21 saves, making him a playable stream if your starter is risky.
Donnarumma (Man City, GK): 6.8 projected points with 90 expected minutes; Man City’s Ipswich (H) fixture is the cleanest sheet opportunity in the top 80, supported by 3 clean sheets this season.
Bottom line
Haaland is the captain-or-nothing play at 18.12 projected points. For who to start in your EPL fantasy lineup this week, prioritize Groß (17.03) and the Brighton defence (Vuskovic, De Cuyper, defensive volume) over form plays. Man City’s Cherki and Ipswich fixtures create a green-light week for Mbeumo and B. Fernandes—lock both if you have them. Check our full player rankings for custom league scoring, and injury updates before lock. If you’re thin at forward, the waiver wire has Belloumi at 7.3% FPL ownership and Hull’s fixture advantage. Stream Tzolakis or Donnarumma if your starter is uncertain—full goalkeeper streaming advice is available.
