The Premier League returns this weekend and along with it does Fantasy Premier League. The most popular fantasy sport game had over 5 million people taking part last season and the numbers only increase exponentially every single year. This has also led to the game becoming more competitive, with it being played across friend groups and offices, acting as a way of bonding.
Goals are the best way of getting FPL points and it is the forwards who get these goals. Getting the right combination of forwards os therefore very crucial to doing well in the game. Everyone will have Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak so it the cheaper budget buys that will make all the difference.
Honourable mentions:-
Apart from the 5 names mentioned here, there are also a few really nice cheap striker options. Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest are expected to share minutes but form could be important. Matheus Cunha of Wolves isn’t the biggest goalscorer but new signing Jorgen Strand Larsen would well turn out to be. Also remember that Jamie Vardy is back in the league and available for cheap.
1. Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro has emerged as a very appealing FPL option following a breakout season last year, which saw him score 9 times and assist thrice. His importance to Brighton’s attacking play is undeniable, and his penalty-taking duties enhance his goal-scoring potential. The Brazilian’s ability to contribute both goals and assists makes him a valuable asset.
With the departure of Roberto De Zerbi, Brighton’s style of play under their new manager Fabian Hürzeler will be a key factor to consider. If the Seagulls maintain their attacking philosophy, Pedro could thrive. However, any significant tactical shift could impact his FPL value. His price point £5.5m however makes him a very desirable asset.
2. Yoane Wissa
Yoane Wissa is a very popular FPL asset among managers. The Brentford forward has quietly established himself as a consistent goal scorer. His knack for finding the net, often stepping up when teammates like Bryan Mbuemo or Ivan Toney are absent or misfiring, makes him a valuable asset. Wissa’s ability to contribute points consistently, coupled with his relatively affordable price tag of £6.0m makes him an attractive option. However it does remain to be seen whether he actually starts games. To be honest, he is also lethal of the bench.
Brentford’s overall attacking output isn’t the greatest and their fixture difficulty should be assessed. He had 131 FPL points last season with 12 goals and 3 assists.
3. Rodrigo Muniz
Rodrigo Muniz has emerged as a great FPL option after a great breakthrough season last time out. He has cemented his place as Fulham’s main striker and their big hope to score the goals. His young age and raw talent suggest he could get more dangerous.
Muniz’s goalscoring ability and physical presence make him a fox in the box. Fulham’s attacking style under Marco Silva provides a conducive environment for him to flourish.
The signing of players like Emile Smith Rowe and Ryan Sessegnon have shown that Fulham are ready to threaten big teams. If Muniz can replicate last season’s success, he could become a valuable asset for FPL managers at £6.0m, once again. He scored 97 points last season with 9 goals and an assist.
4. Dominic Calvert Lewin
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a divisive FPL asset. When fit, he boasts an impressive goal-scoring record. His aerial prowess is a significant asset and he also benefits from penalty-taking duties However, his persistent injury problems have significantly hampered his consistency.
If Calvert-Lewin can manage to stay fit for a sustained period, he could be a potent force in Everton’s attack. His ability to score goals and win aerial duels makes him a very interesting pick. But it is also a very risky one. Everton have some great fixtures to start with so it remains to be seen. He scored 7 times last season and managed 101 points. His price stands at £6.0m.
5. Marc Guiu
Perhaps the most wildcard of all the options on this list, Marc Guiu is an 18 year old that Chelsea have signed out of Barcelona’s B team for a paltry £5m sum. Given the way Chelsea have functioned over the last couple of years, this was the sort of deal that could have easily gotten lost. However that was far from what happened. Guiu was trusted in pre season and gave a very good account of his abilities, endearing himself to the Chelsea fans as well as Enzo Marcesca. Guiu might be very young but physically he is built to play in the Premier League. He is very energetic and is always running, either into the channels or pressing. His finishing is also really sharp. Will he get too many minutes? Maybe at the beginning he is a bench option but trust him to take over from Nico Jackson sooner than later. He’s available for £5.0m.