Best Forwards for EPL Fantasy 2026/27

Last updated: Gameweek 6 · October 5, 2026

Erling Haaland projects 17.07 InfoSport Points next gameweek—more than any forward in our model—because he leads all forwards in expected goals (4.42 xG) and has scored 5 goals in 5 starts. Forwards earn almost nothing from clean sheets in our scoring, so the tier separation this month is almost entirely about goal and assist volume. The gap between Haaland and the field is wide, but three other forwards (Charalampos Kostoulas, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Thierno Barry) offer reliable production at far lower FPL ownership.

Best Forwards for EPL Fantasy: Rankings

InfoSport Points model (see our methodology). Pts/90 blends the last five appearances with the full season; ⚠ = availability flag.

Tier 1: The Elite

Erling Haaland (Man City, FWD)

He is ranked 1st of 30 forwards in expected goals (4.42 xG) and 4th in points per 90, with 5 goals in 5 appearances. At 73.8% FPL ownership, he is a unanimous must-own despite facing Liverpool away in his next fixture.

Charalampos Kostoulas (Brighton, FWD)

Kostoulas ranks 1st of 30 in assists (3 in 5 games) with 14.32 points per 90 and projects 11.23 InfoSport Points next gameweek. Only 4.1% of FPL managers own him, despite two consecutive 20+ and 17-point displays (GW 4 and 5). His tackle count (2nd of 30) and clearance volume (10th of 30) make him particularly valuable in category-scoring leagues like Sleeper and Fantrax.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds, FWD)

Calvert-Lewin projects 10.2 InfoSport Points and ranks 1st of 30 in clean sheets (3 in 5 games), a rare advantage for a forward in our model. He boasts 10.96 points per 90 and expected minutes of 83.8, suggesting consistent availability. At 24.8% FPL ownership, he is moderately owned but underrated in Sleeper and Fantrax where defensive stats matter.

Thierno Barry (Everton, FWD)

Barry projects 10.01 InfoSport Points and grades 3rd of 30 in expected goals (3.5 xG), despite only 2 actual goals. He has earned 3 clean sheets in 5 starts and 10.8 points per 90. Just 8.3% of FPL managers own him, making him a logical target in draft or waiver wire moves.

Tier 2: Reliable Starters

Alexander Isak (Liverpool, FWD)

Isak is flagged doubtful with a 75% chance of playing, but projects 9.99 InfoSport Points with 14.52 points per 90 and ranks 2nd of 30 in goals (4). Expected minutes are 62 due to injury concerns, limiting ceiling potential.

Emersonn (Ipswich Town, FWD)

Emersonn projects 9.76 InfoSport Points and averages 13.85 points per 90 across limited minutes. He is available at just 3.5% FPL ownership and ranks 5th of 30 in assists (1) with a 100% chance of playing, though expected minutes (63.4) suggest rotation risk.

João Pedro (Chelsea, FWD)

João Pedro projects 9.32 InfoSport Points with 15.54 points per 90, ranking 1st of 30 in assists (tied, 3). He is flagged doubtful with a 75% chance of playing and expected minutes of only 54, following a missed gameweek 5. At 65.2% FPL ownership, his injury status is critical before gameweek 6 deadline.

Tier 3: Value Picks and Streamers

Brian Brobbey (Sunderland, FWD)

Brobbey projects 8.18 InfoSport Points and ranks 3rd of 30 in goals (3) with 12.3 points per 90. A 75% chance of playing means he is likely to start, but only 7% of FPL managers own him despite strong expected goals (2.94 xG).

Francisco Evanilson (Bournemouth, FWD)

Evanilson projects 7.92 InfoSport Points and ranks 1st of 30 in assists (tied, 3 in 5 games) with strong defensive volume (2nd of 30 in clearances, blocks, interceptions). Only 3.2% FPL ownership and 84.8 expected minutes signal a stable pick in category leagues.

Gonzalo García (Fulham, FWD)

Gonzalo projects 7.83 InfoSport Points with 8.29 points per 90 and ranks 3rd of 30 in expected assists (0.58 xA). He is available at just 3.9% FPL ownership and features 85 expected minutes against Ipswich (home) in the next fixture.

Georginio Rutter (Brighton, FWD)

Rutter projects 7.21 InfoSport Points with an exceptional 15.61 points per 90, ranking 5th overall in the metric. However, expected minutes are only 41.6 (indicating rotation), and FPL ownership sits at 0.5%—a sign of severe bench role. His upside is high if minutes increase.

Jørgen Strand Larsen (Crystal Palace, FWD)

Strand Larsen projects 7.09 InfoSport Points and is owned by just 0.7% of FPL managers. With 10.71 points per 90 and expected minutes of 59.6, he carries rotation risk but offers upside at minimal ownership in Sleeper and Fantrax.

Trending Up and Down This Month

Dominic Calvert-Lewin rose to 19.98 points in GW 4 following a goal, then stabilised at 6.08 in GW 5 but remains a rotation-proof option for Leeds.

Fallers: Yoane Wissa has declined from 4.14 points (GW 4) to 3.41 (GW 5) despite 90-minute starts, with only 1 goal in 5 games and 2.35 xG suggesting underperformance. Kai Havertz started at 14.93 points (GW 3) before dropping to 2.96 and 6.22 in consecutive weeks, and now carries a 75% chance of playing with hamstring concerns.

How to Draft and Manage Forwards

1. Separate minutes from talent. Expected minutes matter as much as points per 90; Georginio Rutter scores 15.61 points per 90 (5th of 30) but starts 14 matches expected, limiting floor. Evanilson’s 84.8 expected minutes and 8.4 points per 90 offer safer upside.
2. Stack around defensively strong forwards in category leagues. Kostoulas (2nd in tackles), Calvert-Lewin (4th in clearances, blocks, interceptions), and Evanilson (2nd in clearances, blocks, interceptions) earn category points in Sleeper and Fantrax that do not exist in FPL. Category-league managers should prioritise them over higher-owned peers with similar projected points.
3. Monitor xG versus goals. Barry (3.5 xG, 2 goals) and Thiago (3.13 xG, 1 goal) are underperforming their model predictions; positive regression could drive breakout weeks. Wissa (2.35 xG, 1 goal) has undershot by 1.35 goals.
4. Treat injury flags at 75% as likely starters. Isak, João Pedro, Brobbey, and Havertz carry doubtful tags but 75% playing chances mean they are more probable starts than sits. Check team news before the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should I prioritise in draft: Haaland or Kostoulas?

Haaland is non-negotiable at 73.8% FPL ownership and 17.07 projected points next gameweek. Kostoulas at 4.1% ownership and 11.23 projected points is a second-forward target; his assist rank (1st of 30, tied) and tackle count (2nd) make him more valuable in Sleeper and Fantrax than his 14.32 points per 90 alone suggests. Draft Haaland first, then Kostoulas if available.

Is João Pedro worth the injury risk?

João Pedro ranks 1st of 30 in assists (3 in 5 games) and scores 15.54 points per 90, but carries a 75% chance of playing and only 54 expected minutes. He projects 9.32 points next gameweek—solid but not elite. In Sleeper or Fantrax, only add him if you have injury cover or he clears the Friday injury report.

Which forwards offer the best value in Sleeper and Fantrax?

Evanilson (3.2% FPL ownership, 8.4 points per 90, 2nd in clearances/blocks/interceptions) and Strand Larsen (0.7% ownership, 10.71 points per 90) are under the radar. Brobbey at 7% ownership ranks 3rd in goals (3) with 12.3 points per 90. All three suit category leagues more than FPL because defensive work boosts their total. See our full rankings for deeper options.

Bottom Line

Haaland is non-negotiable. Use fixture difficulty ratings to stream tier-2 forwards through rotation, and check goalkeeper rankings to plan rest-of-roster balance.