Best forwards to pick in YOUR fantasy teams: Ollie Watkins is behind FOUR strikers for predicted points early on... and is Erling Haaland worth his £15m price tag according to FPL experts?

FPL managers demand plenty from their three coveted forward spots, with strikers offering the best chance of loading up on those all-important goal points. 

The spread across premium and budget forwards has never been so diverse, and AI's predicted points model across the first four gameweeks suggests fantasy managers may well get what they pay for.

So, with just two days left until Friday's 6.30pm deadline, Fantasy Football Hub's Holly Shand takes a look at five forwards you should consider for your 15-man squads.  

5. Rodrigo Muniz - 20.4 predicted points

Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz presents an intriguing option, despite a price increase to £6.0million. He managed 11 goal involvements in 18 appearances last season, establishing himself as a regular in the side and is among the leading budget options, in nearly 10 per cent of teams.

He provides a fantasy investment in the opening game of the season, with a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the Friday night game. It’s expected that Fulham will be a more potent attacking outfit for this campaign after a busy window, including signing Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal.

One key reason for Muniz’s high prediction and interest as an acquisition is that Fulham have one of the best fixture runs to start the season, including facing promoted teams Leicester and Ipswich Town in Gameweek 2 and Gameweek 3. 

He should be your key contender in this cheap price bracket.

4. Ollie Watkins - 20.5 predicted points 

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins ended last season as the top performing forward in the game. He provided amazing consistency across the campaign, with a leading tally of 37 goal involvements from 37 appearances, as well as winning the Playmaker award, with 18 fantasy assists to his name.

There are a couple of unknowns heading into this campaign, however.

Champions League involvement will continue to put demands on Aston Villa’s squad, and Watkins has had no pre-season involvement after the Euros.

Defensive midfielder Douglas Luiz will be a big loss, having moved to Juventus, which may weaken the side.

It could open up the opportunity for Watkins to be on penalties, having missed from the spot in pre-season last summer. 

However, he’s proven that he doesn’t need spot-kicks to be the key fantasy performer. He’s among the most owned forwards in the game, sitting in around half of all sides, although he hasn’t played a single minute in pre-season.

3. Kai Havertz - 21.7 predicted points

Arsenal’s Kai Havertz is an intriguing fantasy option. He has been reclassified as a forward in the game, from midfield, having finished last season out of position as their false nine. 

It’s a position in which he thrived, producing 18 goal involvements in 2024, accounting for 78 per cent of his returns.

However, there’s now competition for places in Arsenal’s front line, with manager Mikel Arteta full of praise for Gabriel Jesus’ condition to start the season - and so there’s a strong feeling that he may get the nod in this early phase of the season. 

Meanwhile, the Gunners could still sign an additional No 9 in the window. This could mean a move further back to the eight role for Havertz, which almost nullifies his fantasy potential. 

Backers will be encouraged to see that he produced two assists in pre-season from this position, but reverse out-of-position players are rarely credible fantasy options.

2. Alexander Isak - 26.7 predicted points

Form and fixtures collide to give Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak almost must-have status in the game. He’s the most owned player in current drafts and the only player in over 50 per cent of sides, as the template forward line emerges as the countdown to Gameweek 1 commences.

Isak had a spectacular campaign last season, with nine goals and four assists in his final ten games. 

His underlying numbers were high throughout, second only to Haaland for big chances on goal with 40 and third for expected goals on 20.22, finding the back of the net on 21 occasions.

The competition for places in Newcastle United’s front line has reduced given that striker partner Callum Wilson will miss the season opener against Championship Play-Off winners Southampton through injury. 

The Magpies then travel to the south coast to play Bournemouth in Gameweek 2.

1. Erling Haaland - 30.7 predicted points

Back-to-back Golden Boot winner, Erling Haaland has seen a significant price increase to £15m in FPL this season, which is dividing fantasy managers on whether to select him. 

AI projections suggest he should be a key consideration, predicted to score a leading 30.7 points in the opening four gameweeks.

Non-owners should be mindful that Haaland has started each of his previous seasons with a brace in Gameweek 1 and then Manchester City play promoted Ipswich Town at the Etihad in Gameweek 2, where Haaland is the overwhelming captaincy favourite, with 8.5 predicted points.

Haaland’s numbers speak for themselves, being top across all scoring metrics last campaign from shots in the box, with 125, to big chances, with 55. 

The Norwegian failed to start 25 per cent of Manchester City’s games last season, largely due to an injury sustained in December, but when it came to points per appearance among regulars, he ranked second only to Cole Palmer, on seven points per game. 

Ignore him at your peril!

Join Fantasy Football Hub today with 50% off and if you don't win your mini league you'll get your money back.