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
GW23 FPL: Defensive Anchors, Value Midfielders and Budget Forward Targets
GW23 FPL: defensive must-haves, cheap forwards and mid-priced midfielders with promising fixtures 23
With Gameweek 23 on the horizon managers should balance safe, high-floor options with a handful of budget differentials. For those using a two-keeper rotation, Robin Roefs (£5.0m) of Sunderland is the standout short-term pick; he is the game’s second highest-scoring stopper and faces West Ham United (A). Brentford’s Caomhín Kelleher (£4.6m) looks appealing against Nottingham Forest (H), who arrive tired after a midweek defeat to Braga. Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m) offers slightly better value than Bernd Leno (£4.9m) for the Fulham v Brighton meeting, while David Raya (£5.9m) remains a set-and-forget despite an awkward clash with Manchester United (H). Arsenal’s defence continue to be the strongest in the division by some distance.
At the back, Gabriel (£6.9m) is essential after 38 points in the last four gameweeks, and pairs well with Jurriën Timber (£6.3m) or William Saliba (£6.0m) for those wanting an Arsenal double-up. Chelsea begin a favourable run with Crystal Palace (A), making Trevoh Chalobah (£5.6m) a compelling pick. James Tarkowski (£5.7m) has three clean sheets in his last five and could reward managers against Leeds United (H). Budget defenders Omar Alderete (£4.1m) and Nordi Mukiele (£4.4m) have clean sheet potential away at London Stadium, and Micky van de Ven (£4.6m) gains appeal versus Burnley (A) after a positive Champions League result for Tottenham Hotspur.
Manchester City face Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) on paper but recent defeats to Man Utd and Bodø/Glimt are a concern; Rayan Cherki (£6.7m) is a cost-effective route into their attack, having scored two in his last three matches in all competitions, while Antoine Semenyo (£7.6m) remains a riskier pick. Declan Rice (£7.4m) combines defensive returns with goals and is the highest-scoring midfielder. Cole Palmer (£10.4m) should be fit for Chelsea’s trip to Selhurst Park but Enzo Fernández (£6.6m) is the smarter, cheaper alternative. Harry Wilson (£5.9m) is exceptional value against Brighton.
Up front, Erling Haaland (£15.1m) stays essential for most squads. Hugo Ekitiké (£8.9m) could threaten at the Vitality Stadium after a lively display against Marseille despite failing to score (well, an onside goal at least). Brentford’s Igor Thiago (£7.2m), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) and budget option Eli Junior Kroupi (£4.6m) are all listed as weekend differentials with immediate upside.
FPL
FPL Gameweek 22: goalkeepers to target, defensive doubles and midfield differentials
Budget goalkeepers, Arsenal defensive doubles and differential midfielders to target for Gameweek 22
Domestic cup action provided a brief mental break for Fantasy Premier League managers, but focus returns for Gameweek 22. The round opens with the Manchester derby at Old Trafford and finishes with a south coast battle on Monday night.
Goalkeepers on the radar include Robin Roefs (£4.9m) of Sunderland, who faces Crystal Palace (H); Palace are winless in nine matches and low on confidence after their FA Cup exit to Macclesfield Town. David Raya (£5.9m) remains a safe option given Arsenal’s knack for clean sheets as they travel to Nottingham Forest (A). Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m) offers a budget route between the posts after the Seagulls kept clean sheets in their last two home matches and now host Bournemouth (H).
At the back, Arsenal defenders stand out. Gabriel (6.7m) is essential for his clean sheet potential and attacking returns, having produced 30 points in the last three matches following two goals and a shutout. Jurriën Timber (£6.3m) provides a sensible double-up for extra Arsenal coverage. Matty Cash (£4.8m) is attractive for Aston Villa at home to Everton (H), offering attacking potential with three goals and two assists in the league this term. Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk (£5.9m) is a short-term punt against Burnley (H). Cheaper defensive options include Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven (£4.6m) versus West Ham (H) and Sunderland’s Nordi Mukiele (£4.4m) and Omar Alderete (£4.1m).
Midfield looks lively. The Manchester derby is made more interesting by the return of Bruno Fernandes (£9.1m), who is described as fixture-proof and could thrive playing further forward under Michael Carrick. Rayan Cherki (£6.8m) is Manchester City’s standout midfield option, with seven goal contributions in his last 10 games across all competitions. Antoine Semenyo (£7.6m) could be worth the gamble after an excellent start to life at the Etihad. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (£10.2m) and Declan Rice (£7.3m) are both options at the City Ground, with Rice offering arguably better value. Florian Wirtz (£8.2m) has 34 points from his last five games and is the Liverpool midfielder to consider for Burnley. Enzo Fernández (£6.4m), Bruno Guimarães (£7.2m), Harry Wilson (£5.9m) and Morgan Rogers (£7.7m) are other midfield names to note.
Among forwards, Erling Haaland (£15.1m) remains essential despite recent form and has a strong Manchester derby record: eight goals and three assists in nine previous meetings with Man Utd. Hugo Ekitiké (£8.9m) returned from injury with a goal and assist in the FA Cup and has eight goals and two assists this season, making him a strong pick against 19th-place Burnley. Igor Thiago (£7.1m) has scored five goals in his last two games and is on 16 Premier League strikes this term. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) and Raúl Jiménez (£6.2m) are both recommended for the potentially high-scoring meeting at Elland Road.
Arsenal
FPL Gameweek 18: Goalkeepers, Bargains and Must-Haves for the Deadline
FPL GW18 picks and deadline details: goalkeeper sleeper plays, budget forwards and premium options..
The Boxing Day sequence leaves Fantasy Premier League managers choosing carefully ahead of Gameweek 18. Several goalkeeper and outfield options stand out given the fixtures and recent form.
Alisson Becker (£5.4m) remains a contender despite Liverpool not keeping many clean sheets this season; Wolverhampton Wanderers have scored only nine times in 19 games. Caoimhín Kelleher (£4.5m) is an alternative after Bournemouth were held by Everton and Chelsea earlier this month, and Burnley conceded just once in their most recent match. Bernd Leno (£4.9m) is an attractive differential for Fulham at home against West Ham United.
Joško Gvardiol (£6.0m) is recommended as Manchester City aim to extend a run of successive clean sheets against Nottingham Forest, and his attacking output offers additional upside. James Tarkowski (£5.5m) could provide value for Everton against Burnley, who are among the lowest scorers in the division. Piero Hincapié (£5.5m) has been collecting points in Gabriel’s absence and should feature this week.
On the attacking side, Morgan Rogers (£7.2m) is under-selected by FPL managers and could offer an edge given his role in a high-performing team. Mason Mount (£5.9m) is a budget midfield option to consider while Bruno Fernandes will miss out on Boxing Day through injury, placing creative responsibility elsewhere. Anthony Gordon (£7.3m) arrives off recent double-figure hauls for Newcastle United and poses a direct threat to Manchester United.
Erling Haaland (£15.1m) remains the premium forward for many squads, having scored almost half of his team’s goals and ranking behind only Phil Foden for current form; 74.1% of FPL players own him. Hugo Ekitiké (£8.9m) has been scoring regularly and benefits from Alexander Isak being out injured. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.8m) is the budget forward option after 22 points across the last two gameweeks and a favourable match-up with Sunderland.
The GW18 deadline for FPL is at 6:30 p.m. GMT (1:30 p.m. ET, 1.:30 a.m. PT) on Friday, Dec. 26.
