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!
Chelsea
2025-26 FPL: Best XI and Captain Choice for Gameweek 4
Best FPL XI for Gameweek 4, captain pick, budget enablers and bench options before Saturday 11am BST
The international break has given Fantasy Premier League managers a pause before Gameweek 4. With several enticing fixtures this weekend, selecting a balanced eleven alongside a reliable captain is the priority.
In goal, Robert Sánchez (£5.0m) is among the top-scoring keepers after three rounds. The Chelsea goalkeeper has two clean sheets and 17 points, and he has earned added save points in two of his three fixtures. Chelsea visit a Brentford side described as goal-shy, making Sánchez a strong pick. Martin Dúbravka (£4.0m) remains a sensible low-cost second keeper with a secure starting spot at Burnley.
We recommend starting three defenders. Virgil van Dijk (£6.0m) has collected defensive contribution points across wins over Bournemouth and Newcastle United and posted an eight-point return at home to Arsenal. Liverpool travel to Burnley on Sunday and another clean sheet is plausible. Crystal Palace wing back Daniel Muñoz (£5.5m) offers both defensive and attacking upside; he has 19 points from three games, including an assist and a nine-point haul at Aston Villa, and Palace host Sunderland. Pedro Porro (£5.6m) has featured in Tottenham’s organised defence — Spurs have conceded once in three matches and visit West Ham United, where Porro could target a clean sheet and an attacking return.
Fulham’s Joachim Andersen (£4.5m) and Leeds United’s Gabriel Gudmundsson (£4.0m) are useful bench options.
Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) has a goal and an assist from three matches and is the captain recommendation as Liverpool face a Burnley defence that has conceded six goals so far. Cody Gakpo (£7.7m) has provided a goal and two assists and is a strong partner in attack.
Antoine Semenyo (£7.4m) and Jack Grealish (£6.7m) have been standout performers and both have home matches this weekend. Fulham’s Josh King (£4.5m) is a budget enabler after an offside/VAR intervention denied a goal at Chelsea.
João Pedro (£7.7m) leads the forwards with two goals and two assists (26 points). Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.5m) is Palace’s route into attack after opening his account at Villa Park; an injury to Ismaïla Sarr increases his responsibility. Viktor Gyökeres (£9.0m) could be appealing when Arsenal host Nottingham Forest; Forest have changed manager and the incoming Ange Postecoglou will need time to implement his approach, which may affect Forest defensively in the short term.
The deadline for Gameweek 4 is Saturday, 13 September at 11 a.m. BST (6 a.m. ET, 3 a.m. PT) ahead of Arsenal’s lunchtime fixture with Nottingham Forest.
FPL
FPL Gameweek 3 Dream XI: Haaland, João Pedro and a Forest trio
FPL Gameweek 3 picks: a Nottingham Forest trio, two Manchester United options and Haaland to captain
Gameweek 3 brings a final Fantasy Premier League decision before the September international break. Liverpool vs. Arsenal will unnerve managers, but several attractive home fixtures mean there are still clear options for big returns.
Goalkeeper
Matz Sels (£5.0m) remains a budget pick thanks to Nottingham Forest’s strong defensive record. The Midlands side have conceded once in both opening matches, and Sels should benefit when Forest host hopeless West Ham United in Gameweek 3.
Defence
Marc Cucurella (£6.1m) has returned in both gameweeks, beginning with a clean sheet and an eight-point haul against Crystal Palace and following that with an assist against West Ham. Fulham visit Chelsea and Cucurella’s attacking potential makes him an appealing option.
Pedro Porro (£5.6m) has prospered from Tottenham Hotspur’s improved defensive performances under Thomas Frank, recording two clean sheets so far. He offers attacking threat against a Bournemouth side that conceded four to Liverpool in their opener and that remain unsettled after summer exits.
Patrick Dorgu (£4.5m) is a low-cost pick despite Manchester United’s embarrassing Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town midweek. He should have license to attack newly-promoted Burnley at Old Trafford and could even help to a clean sheet.
Midfield
Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m) is still an excellent asset despite his wayward penalty at Fulham. He managed 13 defensive contributions at Craven Cottage and remains a set-piece taker and chief creator for United at home to Burnley.
Mohammed Kudus (£6.6m) produced two assists on his Spurs debut for ten points and impressed at Manchester City. At home to Bournemouth he is a creative, cheaper alternative to Brennan Johnson (£7.1m).
Morgan Gibbs-White (£7.5m) has created four chances, recorded 0.49 expected goals and registered an assist across the opening two matches. He faces a West Ham defence that have conceded three or more in all three competitive games this term.
Morgan Rogers (£7.0m) is at home to Crystal Palace and could exploit fatigue after Palace’s Europa Conference League qualifying trip to Norway on Thursday.
Attack
Chris Wood (£7.7m) has two goals from the opening weekend against Brentford and should target West Ham’s disjointed defence.
João Pedro (£7.6m) produced a 15-point haul with two assists and a goal in the 5–1 win over West Ham; with Cole Palmer (£10.5m) absent again, João Pedro can drop deeper and influence play and is a strong captain candidate.
Erling Haaland (£14.1m) remains a premium option. After two in the opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers and an inefficient display versus Tottenham, he faces Brighton & Hove Albion, who have conceded in both opening matches. Haaland scored at the Amex Stadium last season and should be in contention for further returns.
FPL
FPL Gameweek 3 Transfer Tips: Forwards, Midfielders, and Who to Hold
FPL GW3 transfer tips: Best forwards, midfield gems, and who to hold or sell for the weeks ahead.
Gameweek 2 has given us plenty to think about. We’ve already seen early price rises, some surprise performances, and a number of popular picks who’ve started slowly. As we head into Gameweek 3, the big question is who to bring in, who to hold, and who to move on. Let’s break it down.
Forwards Around £7.5m: Pedro, Wood, or Mateta?
A lot of managers are hunting for a forward in the £7.5m bracket. The three names leading the conversation are João Pedro (7.6m), Chris Wood (7.7m), and Jean-Philippe Mateta (7.5m).
João Pedro
Pedro absolutely smashed it in Gameweek 2 with three attacking returns. But let’s not forget how Gameweek 1 looked: hooked on 72 minutes, no returns. His minutes are the main concern.
- If Cole Palmer is out for an extended period, Pedro becomes a much stronger pick. He could play in the number 10 role, remain first-choice striker, and maybe even get penalties.
- If Palmer is fine, Pedro is still decent, but expect the odd frustrating early sub.
Chelsea’s fixtures are fine, not great. United away in GW5 and Liverpool at home in GW7 could be tricky, but Liverpool’s defense currently looks open.
Chris Wood
Wood looks appealing, especially if you’re considering a Free Hit in GW4.
- GW3: West Ham (H) – excellent.
- GW4: Arsenal (A) – can be avoided with a Free Hit.
- GW5: Burnley (A).
- GW6: Sunderland (H).
Those four look brilliant. Minutes seem secure for now, but with Europe coming, his long-term game time might be tested.
Jean-Philippe Mateta
Mateta is quietly the cheapest of the three and arguably has the best run of fixtures if you’re looking beyond the next four.
- GW3: Villa (A).
- GW4: West Ham (A).
- GW5: Bournemouth (H).
- GW7: Everton (A).
- Both Mateta and Wood are on penalties. The question marks lie with Palace’s attack after losing Eze, but the fixtures are kind.
Verdict:
- Short-term: Chris Wood edges it.
- Longer-term: Mateta looks safer.
- João Pedro could become the standout if Palmer is sidelined, but otherwise he feels riskier than his ownership suggests.
Midfield Dilemmas: Bowen and Wirtz
Two popular names who haven’t delivered yet: Jarrod Bowen (7.9m) and Florian Wirtz (8.4m).
Jarrod Bowen
- Two blanks to start, price drop already.
- Fixtures: Forest (A), Spurs (H), Palace (H).
- Not sparkling form-wise, but he always plays 90 minutes and has been consistent in past seasons.
If you want to move him on, that’s fine. But he’s not a “must sell.” Only move him if you’ve got a second free transfer or a stronger priority like replacing an injured player.
Florian Wirtz
A lot of hype pre-season, but no goals or assists yet. He doesn’t look especially threatening around the penalty area either.
- Fixtures: Arsenal (H), Burnley (A), Everton (H).
- His minutes are safe, and a benching in GW3 seems unlikely despite speculation.
Like Bowen, he’s not an urgent sell, but patience is wearing thin. The Arsenal fixture is tough, but selling before Burnley (A) feels risky.
Verdict: Both Bowen and Wirtz are holds if you have fires elsewhere. If you’re restructuring or chasing form, moving them is reasonable.
Midfield Replacements: Who to Buy
If you are selling Wirtz, Palmer, or Saka, here are some strong options:
Around £8.0 – 7.0m
- Cunha (8.0m) Excellent one-week punt vs Burnley (H). Could even be a cheeky captain shout. But beware: Man City (A) and Chelsea (H) follow.
- Semenyo (7.2m) Always shoots, plays close to 90 minutes, and has a strong run of fixtures. Could be a “buy and hold” until your Wildcard.
- Morgan Rogers (7.0m) Fixtures are good, but he’s wide rather than central. Hold if you already own him, but buying now feels less appealing than cheaper options.
Around £6.5 – 6.6m
- Sarr (6.5m) Nailed, good fixtures, huge differential under 5% ownership.
- Kudus (6.6m) Very popular, safe for minutes right now, and Spurs have good fixtures. Only slight worry is whether Spurs sign another winger.
Budget Options
- Tielemans (6.0m) Always starts, steady but not explosive. Safer as a filler, but Sarr and Kudus look more exciting.
- Reijnders (5.7m) A Manchester City attacker for under £6m. Inconsistent but the price is too good to ignore.
Spurs Attackers: Which One?
Spurs are flying under Thomas Frank and many managers are eyeing up their attackers.
- Kudus (6.6m): The standout pick. Minutes look strong, and he’s central to their attack.
- Brennan Johnson (7.0m): Gets great chances but minutes are less secure. A new signing could reduce his starts.
- Richarlison (6.7m): Currently starting as number nine, but Solanke will threaten his spot long term.
Verdict: Kudus is the one.
Final Thoughts
- Forwards: Wood for the short term, Mateta for the longer run. Pedro if Palmer is out.
- Midfielders: Bowen and Wirtz aren’t urgent sells, but plenty of exciting options are emerging. Sarr and Kudus stand out.
This is one of those weeks where patience could pay off. But if you’re itching to make a move, the £6.5–7.5m midfield bracket is where the real value lies.
Download the We Play FPL app for transfer planning, player comparisons, and points predictions to give yourself the best chance of climbing the ranks.
May your arrows be green. Happy managing!
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