{"id":18419,"date":"2026-08-11T19:08:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T17:08:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/2026\/08\/11\/best-fpl-forwards-2026-27-haaland-joao-pedro-and-the-6-0m-decision\/"},"modified":"2026-08-11T19:08:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T17:08:17","slug":"best-fpl-forwards-2026-27-haaland-joao-pedro-and-the-6-0m-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/2026\/08\/11\/best-fpl-forwards-2026-27-haaland-joao-pedro-and-the-6-0m-decision\/","title":{"rendered":"Best FPL Forwards 2026\/27: Haaland, Jo\u00e3o Pedro and the \u00a36.0m Decision"},"content":{"rendered":"

Erling Haaland, Jo\u00e3o Pedro and Dominic Calvert-Lewin give FPL managers a clean starting structure for Gameweek 1. The trio covers premium captaincy, a mid-priced attacker and a playable third forward for \u00a329.0m.<\/p>\n

That structure can support a Bench Boost or a flexible 3-4-3. It also leaves one decision in each price bracket. You can move from Jo\u00e3o Pedro to Thiago for \u00a30.5m, switch Calvert-Lewin to Brian Brobbey at the same price, or drop the third slot to \u00a34.5m and commit to a 3-5-2.<\/p>\n

The right front line depends on how you plan to use all three slots. Pick the structure first, then decide whether any alternative gives you enough fixture, role or budget value to change it.<\/p>\n

Give each forward slot a job<\/h2>\n

Haaland costs \u00a315.5m and sits in 73.8% of teams. His opening run gives him Bournemouth at home, Crystal Palace away and Coventry City at home. Managers paying that price want a captaincy option, not a forward who needs to justify himself through small fixture gains.<\/p>\n

Jo\u00e3o Pedro costs \u00a37.5m with 55.5% ownership. He occupies the middle slot, where price and access to Chelsea’s attack matter as much as raw upside. Chelsea visit Fulham, host Brighton and travel to Arsenal across the first three Gameweeks.<\/p>\n

Calvert-Lewin costs \u00a36.0m with 24.8% ownership. He keeps the third slot playable without forcing a \u00a34.5m pick whose minutes may never arrive. Leeds start at Nott’m Forest, host Brentford and visit Brighton.<\/p>\n

Those three jobs create a useful test. An alternative should improve one slot without damaging the rest of your squad. Lower ownership alone does not count as an improvement.<\/p>\n

Keep Haaland as the premium reference point<\/h2>\n

Haaland offers three captaincy routes in the opening three Gameweeks. Bournemouth and Coventry visit the Etihad, with the Crystal Palace trip between them. Official FPL lists him as available.<\/p>\n

His \u00a315.5m price still demands a final minutes check. Community Shield involvement and the last pre-season updates should tell you whether he can start GW1 at full intensity. Managers who doubt his opening minutes can spread the money, but they must replace both his points potential and his captaincy value.<\/p>\n

Alexander Isak provides the main expensive alternative at \u00a39.0m with 13.0% ownership. Liverpool visit Newcastle, host Nott’m Forest and travel to Ipswich. Isak costs \u00a31.5m more than Jo\u00e3o Pedro and \u00a33.0m more than Calvert-Lewin, so he fits as a structural choice rather than a casual upgrade.<\/p>\n

Test Isak against the player you would lose elsewhere. If the move forces a weak midfield slot or removes a defender you expect to start each week, the forward upgrade may leave the squad worse.<\/p>\n

Jo\u00e3o Pedro or Thiago?<\/h2>\n

Jo\u00e3o Pedro remains the stronger default at \u00a37.5m. His ownership protects the structure, while his price leaves more room across midfield and defence. Chelsea’s fixtures mix two appealing matches with Arsenal away in GW3, so your bench should cover that harder week if needed.<\/p>\n

Thiago costs \u00a38.0m with 16.1% ownership. Brentford host Spurs, visit Leeds and host Sunderland. That run gives him a fixture case, but the extra \u00a30.5m needs to buy secure starts and a strong attacking role.<\/p>\n

Choose Jo\u00e3o Pedro when the saving improves another starter or protects your preferred squad shape. Choose Thiago when \u00a30.5m has no better use and the final pre-season evidence supports his minutes and penalty role.<\/p>\n

Penalty order remains a deadline check for both players. Do not build the choice around an assumed role that the clubs have yet to establish.<\/p>\n

Calvert-Lewin or Brobbey at \u00a36.0m?<\/h2>\n

Calvert-Lewin gives managers the clearest starting point at \u00a36.0m. Leeds have one home fixture in the first three, against Brentford in GW2, with trips to Nott’m Forest and Brighton around it. His value depends on fitness, starts and penalty duty.<\/p>\n

Brobbey also costs \u00a36.0m and sits in 17.5% of teams. Sunderland visit Ipswich, host Fulham and travel to Brentford. He offers a direct route away from Calvert-Lewin without changing the budget.<\/p>\n

The same price can hide a different job. Calvert-Lewin suits managers who want the default route if Leeds confirm his role. Brobbey suits managers prepared to accept more uncertainty for a different fixture path and lower ownership.<\/p>\n

Final pre-season line-ups matter more than the ownership gap. A \u00a36.0m forward who loses starts or penalties can force an early transfer, wiping out the benefit of the original choice.<\/p>\n

Treat the \u00a35.5m bracket as a watchlist<\/h2>\n

Haji Wright costs \u00a35.5m with 1.8% ownership. Coventry visit Arsenal, host Hull and travel to Man City. The Hull match offers interest, but the two difficult away fixtures make him a rotation option rather than a blind GW1 pick.<\/p>\n

Georginio Rutter also costs \u00a35.5m and sits in 1.0% of teams. Brighton host Aston Villa, visit Chelsea and host Leeds. His case needs a secure central role before the saving can help your squad.<\/p>\n

Benjamin \u0160e\u0161ko costs \u00a37.0m, but official FPL lists him at a 75% chance of playing because of a shin injury. Leave him on the watchlist until his status changes and Manchester United’s final matches clarify his expected minutes.<\/p>\n

The \u00a35.5m and \u00a37.0m options can become useful, but managers should wait for evidence on fitness and starts. Saving \u00a30.5m has little value if the forward needs an immediate transfer.<\/p>\n

Decide whether you need three playable forwards<\/h2>\n

A GW1 Bench Boost needs three forwards with credible minutes. Haaland, Jo\u00e3o Pedro and a \u00a36.0m third slot support that plan. Cutting the last position to \u00a34.5m weakens the chip and leaves less cover for a surprise benching.<\/p>\n

A fixed 3-5-2 has different needs. Managers who plan to start five midfielders can use a \u00a34.5m forward and move the saving into the first XI. That choice commits the bench slot to a narrow role, so check whether any player in the bracket has a path to regular minutes.<\/p>\n

Squad flexibility has value before the season begins. A playable third forward lets you change formation, cover an injury and attack a good fixture without spending a transfer. The \u00a34.5m route works when the midfield upgrade gives you more value than those options.<\/p>\n

Run the final deadline checks<\/h2>\n

Use the final pre-season matches and club updates to settle five questions:<\/p>\n