{"id":1146491,"date":"2026-08-13T16:09:40","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T16:09:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1146491\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T16:09:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T16:09:40","slug":"the-fpl-watchlist-ranking-the-best-players-in-each-position","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1146491\/","title":{"rendered":"The FPL Watchlist: Ranking the best players in each position"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Watchlist returns for 2026\/27 as we take a look at the standout Fantasy Premier League (FPL) options over the medium term.<\/p>\n

In this article, we discuss the headline inclusions.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

MORE ABOUT THE WATCHLIST<\/p>\n

\"FPL<\/p>\n

Players are selected and ranked according to factors such as club injuries, forthcoming fixtures,\u00a0Rate My Team\u2019s (RMT) points projections<\/a>\u00a0and whether or not the player in question is likely to be a bargain in FPL.<\/p>\n

\u2018Form\u2019 also comes into the equation after the season kicks off.<\/p>\n

Arrows before the name indicate whether a player has climbed or fallen in our reckoning since the previous Gameweek or if they are a new entry into the tables.<\/p>\n

The key for the factors you\u2019ll see in the tables below is as follows:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

THE WATCHLIST: BEST FPL GOALKEEPERS<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

David Raya<\/strong> (\u00a36.0m) tops our goalkeeper list. <\/p>\n

The Spaniard is the most expensive shot-stopper in FPL this season, but could still justify the outlay.<\/p>\n

He secured the Golden Glove award in 2025\/26 (19 clean sheets), and subsequently finished as FPL\u2019s highest-scoring \u2018keeper (162 points).<\/p>\n

The only concern ahead of next week\u2019s opener against Coventry City is the uncertainty around Arsenal\u2019s defence. William Saliba<\/strong> (\u00a36.0m) and Jurrien Timber<\/strong> (\u00a36.5m) are both injured, of course.<\/p>\n

Still, Raya remains a nailed-on route into the division\u2019s best defence. \u00a0<\/p>\n

He also tops RMT\u2019s points projections for goalkeepers over the first six Gameweeks.<\/p>\n

But in terms of \u2018value\u2019 (projected points per million), Senne Lammens<\/strong> (\u00a35.0m), Antonin Kinsky<\/strong> (\u00a34.5m) and Bart Verbruggen<\/strong> (\u00a34.5m) lead the way over the same period.<\/p>\n

With the early fixture list on his side, Lammens is a very decent option in between the sticks. Notably, after Michael Carrick\u2019s arrival at Manchester United last season, he was the second highest-scoring \u2018keeper in FPL:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Above: Goalkeepers sorted by FPL points after Michael Carrick arrived at Manchester United in Gameweek 22<\/p>\n

Verbruggen and Kinsky are the \u00a34.5m goalkeepers of choice.<\/p>\n

Brighton and Hove Albion boasted the fifth-best defence for expected goals conceded (xGC) in 2025\/26.<\/p>\n

Tottenham Hotspur meanwhile improved defensively under Roberto De Zerbi. The rebuild at the back is taking shape in north London, too, with Jan Paul van Hecke<\/strong> (\u00a35.0m) among the new arrivals.<\/p>\n

As for Jordan Pickford<\/strong> (\u00a35.5m), there is plenty to look forward to both before and after the first international break, with back-to-back matches against newly-promoted opposition. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

THE WATCHLIST: BEST FPL DEFENDERS<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Even with those aforementioned injuries, Arsenal defenders will remain a top priority for most FPL managers.<\/p>\n

Gabriel Magalhaes<\/strong> (\u00a38.0m) has been handed a \u00a32m price hike this year. However, had he not been reduced to substitute duty on the final day of 2025\/26, he could potentially have beaten Andrew Robertson<\/strong>\u2019s (\u00a34.5m) record points haul for a defender (213).<\/p>\n

And whilst pricey, in his meetings with his Gameweek 2-8 opponents last season, the Brazilian averaged 8.2 points per start. Up first is newly-promoted Coventry, of course.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Above: Gabriel\u2019s returns against his Gameweek 2-8 opponents in 2025\/26<\/p>\n

But due to Saliba\u2019s injury, there\u2019s a potentially much cheaper alternative to highlight. Will Cristhian Mosquera <\/strong>(\u00a35.5m) become \u2018nailed\u2019 in the Frenchman\u2019s absence? Hopefully Sunday\u2019s Community Shield encounter against Manchester City will offer some clarity.<\/p>\n

There are also defensive concerns at Liverpool<\/a>. However, Virgil van Dijk<\/strong> (\u00a36.5m) certainly has the fixtures on his side in the first five Gameweeks. The Dutch centre-back scored more goals than any other defender last season (six). And at the other end, let\u2019s not forget that Liverpool were the third-best team for xGC.<\/p>\n

Harry Maguire<\/strong> (\u00a35.0m) meanwhile had a defensive contribution (DefCon) success rate of 34.8% in 2025\/26. With Casemiro no longer around, he could be the primary target from set-pieces.<\/p>\n

Josko Gvardiol<\/strong> (\u00a35.5m) and James Tarkowski<\/strong> (\u00a36.0m) are both among the top seven defenders for projected points in Gameweeks 1-6. \u00a0<\/p>\n

There are some appealing cheaper picks further down the list.<\/p>\n

Jaydee Canvot<\/strong> (\u00a35.0m) and Tarik Muharemovic<\/strong> (\u00a35.0m) offer DefCon and clean sheet potential. They also carry a bit of goal threat from set plays.<\/p>\n

If Oliver Glasner sets up his Nottingham Forest side with wing-backs, it could have a positive impact on Neco Williams<\/strong> (\u00a35.0m). The Welshman was already last season\u2019s top defender for shots (46).<\/p>\n

THE WATCHLIST: BEST FPL MIDFIELDERS<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Bruno Fernandes<\/strong> (\u00a312.0m) is the penalty-taking midfielder most FPL managers will covet.<\/p>\n

As a No 10 under Carrick, he scored four goals and supplied 16 assists in 17 matches.<\/p>\n

And there\u2019s a compelling case to double-up on Manchester United\u2019s midfielders this year due to the fact that they have two of the newly-promoted sides up first.<\/p>\n

Bryan Mbeumo<\/strong> (\u00a38.0m) subsequently features \u2013 he was the top midfielder for expected goals (xG) in 2025\/26, and could potentially start the season up front.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Above: Midfielders sorted by expected goals (xG) in 2025\/26<\/p>\n

We discussed the merits of Liverpool\u2019s Dominik Szoboszlai<\/strong> (\u00a37.0m) and Florian Wirtz<\/strong> (\u00a37.5m) here<\/a>, so we\u2019ll swiftly move on to Antoine Semenyo<\/strong> (\u00a38.5m).<\/p>\n

The early signs of his new role under Enzo Maresca in pre-season<\/a> have been positive, with plenty of freedom to stay high and wide and isolate defenders. Indeed, he\u2019s already supplied five assists in only three friendly matches this summer.<\/p>\n

Cole Palmer<\/strong> (\u00a39.5m) is Chelsea\u2019s penalty taker<\/a> and has a full pre-season under his belt. We are yet to see the best of him in the friendlies to date, but improvement is expected under Xabi Alonso. There are some favourable fixtures to come, too, especially from Gameweek 4.<\/p>\n

In terms of best projected value in Gameweeks 1-6, Pascal Gross<\/strong> (\u00a35.5m), Ismaila Sarr<\/strong> (\u00a36.5m), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall<\/strong> (\u00a36.5m) and Enzo Le Fee<\/strong> (\u00a36.0m) are all among the top 10 midfielders. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Morgan Gibbs-White<\/strong> (\u00a38.0m) has been handed a price rise for 2026\/27, having finished last season with 15 goals and four assists in 37 matches. The attacking midfielder has had a full summer off, of course.<\/p>\n

Despite some tricky opening fixtures, Forest still rank mid-table for projected goals<\/a> in the first six Gameweeks.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWithout Morgan Gibbs-White\u2019s goals, we would probably have been relegated. He is already at a top level, but I can help him and improve his game \u2014 maybe in a few little parts. He has a very high influence [in the team]. Morgan has everything. He can finish, he can assist. He\u2019s very important.\u201d \u2013 Oliver Glasner on Morgan Gibbs-White, via The Athletic<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

THE WATCHLIST: BEST FPL FORWARDS<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The forwards list was relatively easy to put together, with Erling Haaland<\/strong> (\u00a315.5m), Joao Pedro<\/strong> (\u00a37.5m) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin<\/strong> (\u00a36.0m) the template front three:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Next, Alexander Isak<\/strong> (\u00a39.0m) certainly has the medium-term fixtures on his side. He\u2019s also looked sharp in pre-season.<\/p>\n

As for Igor Thiago <\/strong>(\u00a38.0m), he was the surprise hit of 2025\/26. Even if you strip away penalties, the Brazilian international still netted 13 goals.<\/p>\n

Three \u00a36.0m-and-under options round off the list \u2013 Brian Brobbey<\/strong> (\u00a36.0m), Igor Jesus<\/strong> (\u00a36.0m) and Oli McBurnie<\/strong> (\u00a35.5m).<\/p>\n

McBurnie is notably the joint-top forward for projected value in the first six Gameweeks.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Watchlist returns for 2026\/27 as we take a look at the standout Fantasy Premier League (FPL) options…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1146492,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[4100],"tags":[311747,143635,94,311748,311749,79,16,15,311750],"class_list":["post-1146491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-best-fpl-picks","tag-best-fpl-players","tag-football","tag-fpl-watchlist","tag-gameweek-1","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-watchlist"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/117089077077878636","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1146491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1146491"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1146491\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1146492"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1146491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1146491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1146491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}