EPL Supercoach | Oscar’s team reveal + analysis

The Premier League kicks off this weekend, and with it, the second ever season of EPL Supercoach.



I managed to finish 95th last season, which I was happy with, considering I had a lot go my way but also a lot go wrong.



Hopefully, we can replicate another top 100 finish this season, but I imagine the competition will improve significantly, with last year being a major learning curve for many managers out there.



My main tactic at the start of every season is to load up on players from teams I am confident will be good.



I think last year, over half of my team were from Arsenal and Manchester City.



However, this season there seems to be more uncertainty than ever around most of the big clubs, with lots of change and unknowns.



This has made picking a starting side a bit more difficult, but after much chopping and changing, I have come to a side I am pretty happy with.



Some players are locked in; some I am still not 100% sure about, but here is my current starting side for EPL Supercoach 2026-27.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Goalkeeper</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="127" src="https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-12.59.42 PM-1024x127.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2406362" srcset="https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-12.59.42 PM-1024x127.png 1024w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-12.59.42 PM-300x37.png 300w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-12.59.42 PM-768x95.png 768w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-12.59.42 PM-640x80.png 640w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-12.59.42 PM-1200x149.png 1200w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-12.59.42 PM.png 1464w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 98vw, (max-width: 1199px) 64vw, 770px" /></figure>



David Raya was the first player I selected, and he is a lock in my starting side.



Goalkeeper is by far the least important position in Supercoach, and with trading saves always a challenge, I ideally do not want to expend a single trade here all season long.



In fact, I am pretty sure I started with Raya and held him for all 38 gameweeks last season. I plan to do the same this season.



Arsenal are the one team I am confident will be good, especially defensively; no other team comes close.



Although there is definitely more value in other options, I am happy to pay the premium for the set-and-forget option.



I have gone with Tommy Setford, Arsenal&#8217;s 4th keeper, as my bench loop option.



If you are starting Raya, I highly recommend you choose Setford as well, as this maximises your ability to loop (for timing reasons, as they play on the same team).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defenders</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="305" src="https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-1.07.58 PM-1024x305.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2406363" style="width:993px;height:auto" srcset="https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-1.07.58 PM-1024x305.png 1024w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-1.07.58 PM-300x89.png 300w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-1.07.58 PM-768x229.png 768w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-1.07.58 PM-640x191.png 640w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-1.07.58 PM.png 1028w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 98vw, (max-width: 1199px) 64vw, 770px" /></figure>



Defence may have been the position I struggled with the most, in that there are so many good options, especially on the cheapie front.



But let&#8217;s start with my one premium defender pick in Nico O&#8217;Reilly.



I had some major doubts about City without Pep already, and watching them get their pants pulled down by Arsenal in the Community Shield definitely did not help that.



Even still, having Nico O&#8217;Reilly as a defender in Supercoach this season just adds too much value to pass up.



He averaged 8.1 points last season, with no clean sheet bonuses. Now, I haven&#8217;t exactly done the maths, but I imagine that with clean sheets last season, he would have averaged similarly to Gabriel.



City&#8217;s fixtures to start the season are also decent, so I am happy to lock him in as my premium defender choice.



With so many good cheapies available in the position, I actually struggled to trim it down to these four.



<a id='sy6oGEq2SCBD8V2a5OHSXQ' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2290854187' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'sy6oGEq2SCBD8V2a5OHSXQ',sig:'HbJiJKA4iYXFqsCzJmh2gWHov93qS2_Vih2fKqLk2Vs=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2290854187',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



As things stand, unless Arsenal sign another centre-back, Cristhian Mosquera looks to have locked down the spot as Saliba&#8217;s replacement in the team. 



Arsenal&#8217;s defence is so much better than anyone else&#8217;s that I am more than happy doubling up with Raya and Mosquera; in fact, I have even considered tripling up with a player like Calafiori.



Mosquera is clearly severely underpriced and offers both value and high point-scoring potential.



The rest of my defence are all new signings from foreign leagues, which I would usually advise against for attacking players, but for defenders I do not think it overly matters.



From all reports Tarik Muharemovic is a base stat monster. I expect Leeds to be a very competitive side this season, and with a favourable early draw, the pick seems safe for at least some value.



<a id='FxYklA-3SlJmHqkc589I7Q' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2290625027' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'FxYklA-3SlJmHqkc589I7Q',sig:'a16PJZZ_QDf0b4p5boqAEYA4HnIau1fIwjSCKzBFn6I=',w:'594px',h:'421px',items:'2290625027',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



As a Chelsea fan, I am so excited for Marco Palestra as a player, but even more excited for him as a Supercoach asset. 



I have watched every minute of Chelsea&#8217;s preseason, and I can tell you that Palestra is basically playing as an out-and-out winger in a wingback system.



I expect his base to be low, and I am not overly confident in Chelsea&#8217;s defence as a whole. But the attacking upside in itself at near-basement price is too hard to pass up.



Jeremie Frimpong is a similar pick that has just missed my squad for now.



Going off preseason, he appears to have locked down that right-back spot for Liverpool, picking up a couple of assists as well. 



Liverpool also have favourable fixtures to start the season, so for his price, I do not mind the pick at all.



Luka Vuskovic is the final player that rounds out my defence. 



Brighton&#8217;s new centre-back is bottom-dollar, and another base-state monster.



This high floor immediately offers value and even makes him a viable play to start the season with lots of uncertainty elsewhere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Midfielders</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="268" src="https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-1.55.53 PM-1024x268.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2406364" srcset="https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-1.55.53 PM-1024x268.png 1024w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-1.55.53 PM-300x79.png 300w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-1.55.53 PM-768x201.png 768w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-1.55.53 PM-640x167.png 640w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-1.55.53 PM.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 98vw, (max-width: 1199px) 64vw, 770px" /></figure>



From one end of the scale to the other, there is a severe lack of quality options in the midfield, especially at lower price-points.



I have tinkered with a few lower ownership options (that I may include in a later article), but I have ended up going pretty boring with my picks.



Bruno Fernandes was the best player in Supecoach last season. I&#8217;m not sure if he can replicate it, but with some tasty early match-ups, I think you have to have him.



Think of the high price as including a premium fee for a week-in, week-out captaincy option.



<a id='mnJv7S00SSJ5TSei16uCNw' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2290398899' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'mnJv7S00SSJ5TSei16uCNw',sig:'r88dUddLfkZTck0j96VCfFrAwHmS-w2I2nHmdHfRH7Y=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2290398899',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



Florian Wirtz is my next midfielder pick, as more of a mid-priced value play.



Although I am not 100% sold on Liverpool, the early fixtures are definitely favourable, and Wirtz offers unique value in one of the few out-and-out attackers available in the midfield.



He has also picked up 2 goals in just 3 preseason outings.



I have also gone with Martin Ødegaard as another midpriced play, but this one is heavily reliant on team sheets.



Arsenal are stacked with midfield options, but I still expect Ødegaard to be the starting 10, which should see plenty of attacking opportunities fall his way.



This is mostly a case of wanting an Arsenal attacking asset and not having room for one in my forward line.



Finally, my two cheapie picks to round out the midfield slots.



<a id='XjdiHIwVRA9AdaZaWN9new' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2290810158' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'XjdiHIwVRA9AdaZaWN9new',sig:'xNaOcaGj3_AUD_cMdSUYO2JM0dVrnR_U14AVyplFR8c=',w:'594px',h:'427px',items:'2290810158',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



Mamadou Sangaré is Brentford&#8217;s new midfield signing from Ligue 1.



I don&#8217;t love this pick, but he should have a decent base through defensive contributions and should be nailed on for 90. 



If he can pick up a goal like in their latest preseason match, plenty of price rises will come with it.



Andrey Santos is my final cheapie pick in the midfield, and it is a bit of a boring one.



He has been impressive in preseason for United, and looks to have locked in a starting midfield spot in that team for now.



Base numbers should be decent, and he does have a knack for finding an attacking stat which could skyrocket his price.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Forwards</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="179" src="https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-2.13.51 PM-1024x179.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2406365" srcset="https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-2.13.51 PM-1024x179.png 1024w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-2.13.51 PM-300x52.png 300w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-2.13.51 PM-768x134.png 768w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-2.13.51 PM-640x112.png 640w, https://blog.scplaybook.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-18-at-2.13.51 PM.png 1032w" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 98vw, (max-width: 1199px) 64vw, 770px" /></figure>



Despite plenty of intriguing options in the forward line and only three available spots, I actually selected these forwards in my first draft, and haven&#8217;t wanted to change it since.



Erling Haaland speaks for himself as a pick. The second-highest-scoring player in Supercoach last season has to be near a must-have.



Despite my uncertainty around City, and the fact that he may not be the best value-for-money pick out there, the risk vs reward of starting without him is just not worth it.



João Pedro is actually priced quite highly, but I think he is worth every penny. 



Maybe it is my Chelsea bias, but I genuinely believe he will be one of the best players in the Premier League this season.



He has been on fire in preseason, picking up a ridiculous 7 goals and 2 assists, and I expect him to carry this purple patch of form into matchweek 1.



Alexander Isak rounds out my team as an easy pick with insane upside in both scoring and cash generation.



We have already mentioned Liverpool&#8217;s ideal early fixtures, so don&#8217;t be surprised to see Isak on the scoresheet plenty of times early on in the season.

EPL Supercoach | Oscar’s team reveal + analysis

Discussion (0)

Six Again | NRL Supercoach Round 25, everything you need to know

Six Again | NRL Supercoach Round 24, everything you need to know

Six Again | NRL Supercoach Round 23, everything you need to know

EPL Supercoach | Best strategies for the 2026-27 season