Top FPL forwards: Erling Haaland is the clear favorite, plus a striker with only 5.2% ownership that’s flying under the radar.
Five forwards are standing out as top picks for Fantasy Premier League this season, including one player who’s flying under the radar.
With the Premier League about to kick off—Arsenal hosting Coventry City at the Emirates—FPL fans are busy planning their teams. The last pre-season games are just days away, giving us one final look at potential picks before Gameweek 1.
This season feels different because there are so many great options. Several star players look set to score big points, making it a tough but exciting time to build your squad.
To help you out, here’s the first of a series of tips focused on forwards—a position that’s often tricky to get right in FPL.
Last season showed how crucial your forwards can be; only four forwards made it into the top 35 point scorers for 2025/26, proving that picking the right ones matters a lot.
Here are five forwards who really stand out this year. One of them is in just 5.2% of teams, making him a great differential pick.
First up, Man City’s superstar Erling Haaland. He’s widely seen as the must-have player this season. Even though he’s the most expensive player ever in FPL at £15.5 million, his record is hard to ignore. Haaland has scored on opening day for the past four seasons and averages over 61 points in his first six matches. Last season, he took 126 shots—42 more than any other forward—and led in expected goals. While some worry about Pep Guardiola’s departure, Man City’s early fixtures against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, and Coventry look promising.
Next, Chelsea’s striker Pedro might be the best value pick at just £7.5 million—£8 million less than Haaland. Already owned by 55.5% of teams, Pedro was the fourth-highest scoring forward last season with 15 goals and nine assists. Under new manager Xabi Alonso, many expect Pedro to keep shining. Chelsea looks strong this year, and Pedro offers a cheaper way into their attack compared to teammates like Cole Palmer. He even scored a quick hat-trick in pre-season, so he’s coming in hot.
Many FPL managers have been hunting for a budget forward to fill their last forward spot, and this year, Calvert-Lewin stands out. After moving to Leeds, he bounced back with 14 goals last season and earned 142 points—the fifth-best among forwards. Though he has had some injury issues, he played plenty last season and impressed in pre-season by scoring three goals. Leeds has some favorable early matches, and with Calvert-Lewin likely taking penalties, he’s a smart pick to start the season.
Liverpool’s Alexander Isak had a tough first year after his record £125 million transfer, scoring late in the season before suffering a broken leg. But the new season offers a fresh start with a new coach and a full pre-season. With no big competition upfront and possibly taking penalties after Salah’s departure, Isak has big potential. At £9 million, he’s a bit pricey and a risk, but his early fixtures are attractive, and he could be a hidden gem.
Finally, if you want something different, check out Nottingham Forest’s Brazilian forward. He’s been in amazing form, scoring four goals in four pre-season matches and seems key to the team under new manager Oliver Glasner. Yet, he’s only in 5.2% of teams, making him a great differential. His price is just £0.5 million more than Calvert-Lewin, but tough first games against Leeds, Liverpool, and Tottenham might make some managers hesitate.
These five forwards give you a mix of safe bets and exciting options to build your FPL squad this season. Keep an eye on how they perform once the action begins!