FPL
FPL Budget Picks for 2025/26: Forwards, Midfielders, and Defenders
Top FPL budget picks for 2025/26: best value forwards, midfielders, and £4.0m defenders revealed.
As FPL managers, we all know the thrill (and pain) of hunting for those budget gems. Nailing the cheap options is the difference between a great start and weeks of painful, sideways transfers. The 2025/26 season throws up some interesting names, and it’s more important than ever to spot the value early, especially with new scoring tweaks and promoted clubs in the mix.
Here’s your comprehensive breakdown of the best budget picks across forwards, midfielders, and defenders for the 2025/26 FPL campaign.
Budget Forwards
Finding a reliable budget forward is tough. The pool is small, game time is never guaranteed, and many options are streaky at best. But a well-chosen cheap striker lets you load up on premiums elsewhere, so let’s dive into the standouts between £5.0m and £6.0m.
Igor Thiago (Brentford) – £5.5m
Thiago arrived at Brentford with a strong scoring record from Club Brugge, and with Bryan Mbeumo now at Manchester United and Yoane Wissa possibly leaving, the path is clear for him to start. He’s fit, looks set for plenty of minutes, and might even be on penalties. At £5.5m, he’s not just a budget pick, he’s a potential enabler for your whole squad. Brentford’s opening fixtures are decent, making Thiago a solid early punt.
Beto (Everton) – £5.5m
Beto became Everton’s first-choice striker towards the end of last season, finishing with eight goals. His physicality fits David Moyes’ style perfectly, and while new arrival Thierno Barry is lurking, Beto should get the nod to start the season. With a good fixture run and reliable minutes, Beto is the type of set-and-forget pick you want from your bench forward.
Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham/Leeds) – £5.5m
Muniz showed his goal threat last season even in limited minutes. He’s one to watch in the transfer market, if he moves to Leeds, he’ll be the main man and likely on penalties. At Fulham, there’s still competition with Raul Jimenez. Either way, Muniz is an ideal third striker for rotation or emergencies, and could end up being a steal if his minutes are secure.
Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland) – £5.0m
Sunderland are blessed with a generous fixture run, and Mayenda is set to start as their striker with Isidor still regaining fitness. His numbers don’t jump off the page, but with injuries elsewhere, he’s great value for now. Mayenda is perfect if you’re looking for a cheap enabler who actually plays.
Joel Piroe (Leeds) – £5.5m
Piroe bagged 19 goals and seven assists in the Championship last season, scooping the Golden Boot. With Leeds strengthening up front, his position is a bit less nailed, but he’s featured as a number 10 in pre-season. Keep an eye on him, if he holds his spot, Piroe could be one of the surprise packages.
£4.0m Defenders: Enablers With Real Minutes
The £4.0m defender slot is the ultimate budget hack in FPL. You want someone who’ll play, won’t tank your team value, and might, just might, get you a clean sheet or an attacking return. Here are the best options this year:
Joe Rodon (Leeds) – £4.0m
Rodon is about as safe as they come. He started every single Championship game for Leeds last year and should anchor their Premier League backline. While attacking threat is low, he’ll hoover up clearances, blocks, and tackles, perfect for bonus points.
Gabriel Gudmundsson (Leeds) – £4.0m
If you like a defender who gets forward, Gudmundsson is your man. He’s versatile, takes set-pieces, and has even chipped in with goals. He’s likely to start at left-back, replacing Junior Firpo, and offers more attacking upside than most at this price.
Maxime Esteve (Burnley) – £4.0m
Esteve played every match for Burnley in the Championship and was key to their amazing defensive record. Burnley will be up against it this year, but that means more chances for clearances and blocks, and thus bonus points. If you want nailed minutes, Esteve is your guy.
Reinildo (Sunderland) – £4.0m
Signed from Atletico Madrid, Reinildo offers flexibility (LB and CB) and attacking promise with goals and assists last season. Sunderland’s defence is thin, so he’s almost certain to start. He’s a short-term enabler, especially while Sunderland’s injury crisis continues.
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) – £4.0m
Heaven is one for the watchlist. He impressed in his brief appearances and pre-season, even winning a penalty and scoring. If injuries continue to trouble United’s backline, Heaven could force his way in. If he nails a spot, he’ll be the £4.0m defender everyone scrambles to get.
Aaron Hickey (Brentford) – £4.0m
Fresh off a long injury layoff, Hickey is versatile and has attacking pedigree. If he wins a starting spot, his attacking threat could make him a season-defining bargain. One to monitor as pre-season develops.
Budget Midfielders (£5.0m–£6.0m): Safe Points and Bonus Potential
A strong fifth midfielder gives you flexibility and sometimes a surprise haul. These are the standouts:
Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa) – £6.0m
Tielemans is a proven performer, with three goals and seven assists last season. He racks up bonus points for his all-action style and could be Villa’s penalty taker. He’s nailed for minutes and is a safe, steady pick.
Moises Caicedo (Chelsea) – £5.5m
Caicedo’s attacking returns are rare, but under the new rules, his defensive work is a goldmine for bonus points. He played every league game last year and is locked into Chelsea’s midfield. With great opening fixtures, Caicedo could offer a solid four-point floor most weeks.
Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest) – £5.5m
Anderson offers a blend of attacking and defensive returns. With Elanga gone, Anderson should have more set-piece duties and a clearer run at starts. Forest’s fixtures are friendly early on, so Anderson is a great cheap option.
Ryan Christie (Bournemouth) – £5.0m
Christie’s injury record is a concern, but when fit, he racks up defensive contributions and can chip in with goals and assists. Fixtures after Gameweek 1 are promising, so if he’s healthy, don’t sleep on him.
Enzo Le Fée (Sunderland) – £5.0m
Le Fée is Sunderland’s set-piece maestro. His minutes look assured, and he’s got the attacking threat to go with it. If Sunderland hit the ground running, Le Fée will be involved.
Ready to give your squad the ultimate edge? Download the We Play FPL app today for free transfer planning, instant player comparisons, and the most up-to-date points predictions. Don’t leave your team to chance, use our tools for the best possible start.
May your arrows be green. Happy managing!
FPL
FPL Gameweek 12: Key Picks, Prices and the Deadline
FPL Gameweek 12 preview: recommended goalkeepers, defenders and attackers plus deadline details.GW12
The international break has given Fantasy Premier League managers a breather, but the scramble resumes for Gameweek 12 with a full slate of fixtures and a handful of injury concerns carrying over from November’s internationals.
Goalkeepers to consider start with David Raya (£5.9m). Arsenal face a strong away Spurs side in the north London derby on Sunday, but Raya’s consistency is evident: seven clean sheets from 11 games. Robin Roefs (£4.7m) has been a standout signing for Sunderland and is currently FPL’s top-scoring goalkeeper ahead of a trip to Fulham, a side only four teams have scored fewer goals than this season. Emiliano Martínez (£5.0m) is another option after a 14-point haul that included a penalty save in the 4–0 win over Bournemouth; Aston Villa travel to Leeds United.
Defenders: Marc Cucurella (£6.1m) offers attacking threat and recent form, with six or more points in four of his last five outings and a start at Burnley in Saturday’s early match. The absence of Gabriel frees funds in many squads, making Jurriën Timber (£6.2m) and William Saliba (£6.0m) viable Arsenal defensive replacements. For Crystal Palace, Daniel Muñoz (£5.8m) combines attacking and defensive potential against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Chris Richards (£4.5m) is a budget route into Palace’s backline. Virgil van Dijk (£5.9m) remains a value pick for Liverpool against Nottingham Forest at home. Marcos Senesi (£5.0m) is attractive for Bournemouth managers; only five defenders have more points than his 58.
Midfield and attack: Bukayo Saka (£10.1m) is Arsenal’s principal attacking threat, scoring in four of his last six games and with six goal contributions in his last ten clashes with Spurs. Bryan Mbeumo (£8.5m) has hit six or more FPL points in four of his last five matches. Jérémy Doku (£6.5m) impressed recently with 11 points versus Liverpool and three goal contributions for Belgium during the break. Ismaïla Sarr (£6.7m) could be productive at Wolves, while Enzo Fernández (£6.7m) should be rested and available for Burnley after missing international duty. Yankuba Minteh (£6.0m) offers a differential for Brighton against Brentford, with four goal contributions and the highest chance-creation numbers at his club.
Strikers: Erling Haaland (£14.9m) is the obvious captaincy pick after his season tally rose to 32 goals for club and country during the international period. Jean-Philippe Mateta (£8.1m) has two goals and an assist in his last four matches, including a France strike, and João Pedro (£7.5m) returned 16 points across his last two games. Igor Thiago (£6.3m) scored twice and earned 13 points against Newcastle before the break and faces Brighton away.
The GW12 deadline is 11 a.m. GMT (6 a.m. ET) on Saturday, Nov. 22.
FPL
Gameweek 10 FPL: Goalkeepers, Defenders, Midfielders and Forwards to Consider
GW10 FPL guide: top goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward picks ahead of Saturday deadline GW
Gameweek 10 brings a fresh set of fixtures and clear FPL options across every position. Below are the players backed by recent returns and upcoming opponents to consider before the Saturday deadline.
Goalkeepers: David Raya (£5.7m) is a reliable option after helping Arsenal keep six clean sheets in nine Premier League matches. He offers steady six-point returns despite limited save and bonus returns and will face Burnley (A) this weekend. Sunderland stopper Robin Roefs (£4.7m) leads the goalkeepers for points, with 52 from nine matches and four clean sheets; Everton (H) is his next fixture. Nick Pope (£5.2m) is level on points with Raya and provides clean-sheet potential as Newcastle, who have five this season, travel to West Ham United (A).
Defenders: Gabriel (£6.5m) is an Arsenal mainstay with 62 points this term; he has posted nine-plus points in five of his last six games and was used only from the bench in the Carabao Cup midweek. Jurriën Timber (£6.1m) offers double-up value in the Arsenal backline. Dan Burn (£5.1m) is Newcastle’s highest-scoring defender. Crystal Palace defenders Daniel Muñoz (£5.7m) and Marc Guéhi (£4.9m) are attractive with Brentford (H) up next, while Nordi Mukiele (£4.1m) has produced two double-digit hauls in the past six games and looks nailed for the clash with Everton on Monday evening.
Midfielders: Bryan Mbeumo (£8.2m) returned 15 points last weekend and sits as the second-highest scoring midfielder, with Nottingham Forest (A) his next test. Bruno Fernandes (£8.9m) has 40 points and remains central to Manchester United’s attacking output despite a four-point return at Brighton. Arsenal’s Declan Rice (£6.7m) and Bukayo Saka (£10.0m) are their key attacking assets versus Burnley; both were substitutes midweek and Saka scored on his arrival. Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh (£6.0m) has one goal and two assists and faces Leeds United (H). Ismaïla Sarr (£6.5m) impressed with a midweek brace in the Carabao Cup and has three goals and an assist in seven league matches.
Forwards: Erling Haaland (£14.8m) was blanked only for the second time this season against Aston Villa and was rested midweek; he faces Bournemouth (H). Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.7m) scored three at Selhurst Park in his last home league appearance and played one half in the midweek win. Hugo Ekitiké (£8.6m) has six goals this term and was rested on Wednesday, with Aston Villa (H) to come. Nick Woltemade (£7.5m) has six in 11 for Newcastle and has recorded six or more points in four matches, while Danny Welbeck (£6.4m) has five goals this season, including three in his last two league appearances.
There is no Friday night or early Saturday kick-off this week. The Gameweek 10 deadline is 1.30 p.m. GMT on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Arsenal
2025/26 FPL: Gameweek 9 player picks and the Oct. 24 deadline
FPL Gameweek 9 picks: goalkeepers, defenders and forwards to consider for the Oct. 24 deadline. BST.
Gameweek 9 offers few standout heavyweight clashes, which can make it an ideal week for FPL managers hunting steady returns. Below are considered selections drawn from the current form and fixtures ahead of the Oct. 24 deadline.
Goalkeepers: David Raya (£5.7m) is highlighted for clean sheet potential after conceding just three times in all competitions this season and is described as a set-and-forget option. Nick Pope (£5.2m) sits as FPL’s second-highest scoring goalkeeper through the opening eight rounds and has kept three clean sheets in his last four matches in all competitions, with Newcastle hosting Fulham on Saturday. Robert Sánchez (£4.9m) is the cheaper alternative; he will be aiming for a shutout at home to Sunderland, who have scored in only one of their four away games.
Defenders: Marc Cucurella (£6.1m) offers attacking and defensive upside, having delivered 15 points across his past two matches and creating 11 chances for Chelsea this term. Gabriel (£6.4m) is the leading defensive candidate, having provided more points than any other defender this term and 45 in his last five Premier League matches. Marcos Senesi (£5.0m) is the obvious Bournemouth route into defence at home to Nottingham Forest, with 48 points this term. Dan Burn (£5.1m), Kieran Trippier (£5.0m) and Joe Rodon (£4.1m) are also noted as solid defensive choices.
Midfield and attack: Antoine Semenyo (£8.1m) has outscored other midfielders by 24 points and is a must-have at home to Forest, having produced five-plus points in all his home games. Declan Rice (£6.6m) could benefit from Arsenal’s set-piece threat at home to Palace. Bukayo Saka (£10.0m) remains a reliable long-term option despite fitness setbacks.
Forwards: Erling Haaland (£14.7m) remains a must-have after 11 goals in eight league games and is primed to score as Manchester City visit Aston Villa. Cody Gakpo (£7.5m) has scored in his past five matches for club and country and faces Brentford. Igor Thiago (£6.1m) is a budget gamble after five league goals in eight matches.
Reminder: The Gameweek 9 deadline is 6:30 p.m. BST (1:30 p.m. ET, 10:30 a.m. PT) on Oct. 24.
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