Best FPL Picks 2025/26 – Top Premier League Fantasy Football Players

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is back, and with over 11.5 million players preparing squads for 2025/26, getting your picks right from Gameweek 1 is crucial. Whether you’re chasing overall rank or mini-league bragging rights, success in FPL depends on strategic planning—selecting reliable point-scorers, grabbing early differentials, and managing your budget effectively.

This in-depth guide breaks down the top 20 FPL players to own for the new season, based on a combination of data (xG, xA, xP), fixture strength, ownership trends, and transfer impact. We’ll explore all positions—goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards—highlighting premium assets, value bargains, and emerging differentials. You’ll also learn how summer transfers affect FPL dynamics, when to use your chips, and how to build a team ready to climb the ranks.

If you want to finish top 10k or dominate your mini-league, this article is your comprehensive blueprint.

How We Chose the Top 20

Data-driven metrics

Our player selections are based on expected points (xP), goal involvement, and minutes-per-return. We emphasize VAPM (value above points metric) to spot undervalued picks and filter out overpriced traps.

Premium versus budget balance

A good FPL team isn’t made up of just stars. You need a mix of consistent high-performers and budget enablers. Our list reflects this balance: some players are must-have premiums, others are key bench options or tactical differentials.

Goalkeepers and Defenders

Premium clean-sheet keepers

Ederson (Man City) and Alisson (Liverpool) offer clean sheet potential with bonus point appeal. But in 2025/26, many managers are opting for mid-price keepers due to better budget flexibility elsewhere.

Pick to watch: David Raya (Arsenal) – He’s expected to start the season as first-choice. With Arsenal’s defensive solidity and early fixtures, he’s great value at £5.0m.

Attacking full-backs and wing-backs

Modern FPL defenders are often attackers in disguise. Trent Alexander-Arnold remains popular despite a high price, while Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie offer attacking threat and decent fixtures.

Differential: Joško Gvardiol (Man City) – Featured late last season and brings attacking promise. One to monitor for nailed-on status.

Budget defensive gems

You need £4.5m–£5.0m defenders to afford your midfield premiums. Players like Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton) or Charlie Taylor (Burnley) rotate well and offer clean sheet potential.

Midfield Maestros

Elite midfielders

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Phil Foden (Man City), and Cole Palmer (Chelsea) are all top picks. Salah remains an elite captain option. Foden and Palmer provide explosive returns and may outscore most strikers.

Palmer was involved in 55% of Chelsea’s goals last season. His consistency and penalty duties make him an essential.

LSI keyword: premium midfielders FPL 2025/26

Box-to-box movers and set-piece threats

James Ward-Prowse, new arrival Florian Wirtz, and Martin Ødegaard offer value with consistent returns. Ødegaard’s set-piece share and positioning make him a key asset if you can’t afford Saka.

Insight: Target midfielders who take corners or free-kicks and have high expected assists (xA).

Hidden gem mid-price picks

Watch Pascal Groß, Luis Sinisterra, and Harvey Elliott. Each may see increased minutes or role changes under new systems.

Striking Force: Forwards

Must-have premium strikers

Erling Haaland (Man City) is still essential unless injured. He led the league in expected goals and is almost impossible to fade.

Alexander Isak (Newcastle) is a clinical finisher who could become a captaincy option with favorable fixtures.

Value strikers delivering goals

Dominic Solanke and João Pedro offer great returns for their price. Solanke’s talisman status at Bournemouth makes him a great second forward.

Keyword: value strikers in Premier League FPL

Differential picks for explosive DGWs

Double Gameweeks can define a season. Players like Chris Wood or Danny Welbeck often become great short-term plays due to fixture congestion or injuries.

How Transfers Affect FPL Value

High-impact summer moves

New arrivals like Benjamin Šeško (RB Leipzig to Arsenal) and Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen to Liverpool) shift value. Keep an eye on how quickly they’re integrated.

Tactical changes under new managers

Managers like Arne Slot at Liverpool may favor different systems, impacting player minutes. For example, the 4-2-3-1 could reduce midfield output while boosting striker appeal.

Fixture Analysis

Best early run of fixtures

Arsenal, Man United, and Spurs all have favorable opening 5 gameweeks. Target teams with easy fixtures early to build momentum.

Tool tip: Use an FPL fixture ticker to prioritize initial Gameweeks.

Rotation risks and blank gameweeks

Monitor teams like Man City or Newcastle with deep squads. Pep roulette is real—avoid loading up unless the player is nailed.

Captaincy Picks

Rotating captains based on form and fixtures

Plan for alternating between Salah, Haaland, and Palmer in the early weeks depending on home fixtures and xG threat.

Data note: Haaland averages over 9 PPG at home.

Differential captaincy strategies

On certain weeks, captaining a player like Saka or Isak can be high-reward. These strategies are best used in mini-leagues or when chasing rank.

Budget and Bench Boost Strategy

Early Bench Boosts with playing £4.5m defenders and £5.0m keepers can help maximise early season rank. Focus on nailed players, not just price.

Example: A bench of Branthwaite, Flekken, and Gross could return 18+ points in a good Gameweek.

Chips and Strategy

Wildcard early if your team underperforms or new information emerges. Free Hit is best saved for blank Gameweeks or DGW swings.

Triple Captain can be powerful when Haaland plays a double against weaker teams.

Quick Takeaways

• Salah, Palmer, and Haaland remain elite FPL assets with explosive potential
• Budget enablers like Branthwaite and Solanke unlock premium flexibility
• Use data like xG, xA, and VAPM to guide player selection
• Monitor new signings like Šeško and Wirtz for early form
• FavoUr teams with strong opening fixtures—Arsenal and Spurs are key
• Rotate captaincy based on fixture difficulty and home form
• Plan chips and wildcards around fixture swings and injuries
  

Conclusion

Building a successful FPL team in 2025/26 starts with informed decisions. From premium picks like Salah and Haaland to differentials like João Pedro or Gvardiol, this guide gives you the full spectrum of value and potential. Using fixture analysis, VAPM, and expected points, you can construct a team that balances explosive returns with consistent performance.

Don’t chase last week’s points. Look ahead, plan your chip strategies, and trust the data. With patience, a touch of boldness, and this blueprint in hand, you’re already ahead of the competition.

Now go build your squad—and climb those ranks.

FAQs

Who is the best FPL player for captaincy Gameweek 1?
Erling Haaland, given his home fixture and consistent xG threat.

What’s the best formation in FPL 2025/26?
3-5-2 is popular due to midfield value, but 3-4-3 remains strong with value strikers.

Should I start with Salah or spread the funds?
If you can captain him reliably, he’s worth it. Otherwise, spreading funds across multiple £8.0m mids may bring more balance.

When should I use my first wildcard?
Between Gameweeks 4–8 is optimal once form and fixtures settle.

Topics