Who are the best Saka and Palmer replacements in FPL?

The Scout delves into the data to determine the best replacements for the injured Bukayo Saka (£9.9m) and Cole Palmer (£10.5m) in Fantasy Premier League.

Arsenal's Saka has reportedly been ruled out for up to four weeks, while a brutal upcoming schedule also suggests that managers in Fantasy should only consider owning him again when Gameweek 7 comes around for a kind run of fixtures.

As the second most-selected midfielder in Fantasy, Palmer has been sold by a massive 985,000+ managers.

The Chelsea star remains a doubt to face Fulham this weekend after sustaining an injury in the warm-up prior their 5-1 win over West Ham United.

Which midfielders are performing best so far?

AFC Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo (£7.2m) is the top-scoring midfielder over the first two Gameweeks of 2025/26.

The Cherries' star has been involved in all three of his side's goals this season, scoring twice against Liverpool then assisting Marcus Tavernier's (£5.5m) winner against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Along with Semenyo, Liverpool's Cody Gakpo (£7.5m), Tottenham Hotspur's Brennan Johnson (£7.0m) and Nottingham Forest's Dan Ndoye (£6.0m) have produced attacking returns in each of the first two Gameweeks. 

Burnley's Josh Cullen (£5.0m) has been quick to show his credentials as a budget asset.

Indeed, he is the first (and only) player to earn five different types of returns in 2025/26: he has a goal and assist to his name, while also collecting bonus, clean sheet and defensive contribution points.

Top-scoring midfielders, GW1-2

Scroll across to see the full table

Who has the best schedule?

Analysing the upcoming schedules can help refine your search and allow you to simply focus on the clubs with favourable runs of opponents.

According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), where the difficulty of each fixture is ranked from one to five - with one being the easiest possible match and five being the hardest – Nottingham Forest and Spurs can immediately reward your investment over the next four Gameweeks.

Both clubs boast an FDR average of 2.5 in that period, with three of Nottingham Forest's matches scoring only two - they host West Ham this weekend and have back-to-back clashes with promoted pair Burnley and Sunderland in Gameweeks 5-6.

A total of eight clubs have an FDR average under three over the next four Gameweeks, including Liverpool. Both the Reds' matches against Burnley and Everton in Gameweeks 4-5 score just two. 

Best fixtures, GW3-6 

Scroll across to see the full table

Who is the most likely to score?

The analysis will focus on the standout players from those eight clubs with kinder schedules, with the goal threat table below featuring those midfielders who have had at least two shots in the box.

Semenyo's potential for goals once again catches the eye. He ranks top for shots, shots in the box and big chances - which are situations where the player is expected to score.

His four big chances are more than any midfielder this season and are at least TWICE the total of any of his rivals here. 

Spurs' Johnson and Brentford's Dango Ouattara (£6.0m) are Semenyo's nearest rivals here on two big chances each.

The latter's numbers are all the more impressive given his debut for the Bees in Gameweek 2 was his first appearance of the season.

Ouattara not only scored the winner in a 1-0 victory, he also collected defensive contribution points for a bumper 13-point return. 

Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) has yet to to be provided with a single big chance this season. In Liverpool's new 4-2-3-1 formation, the Egyptian has managed three shots in the box, all against Bournemouth in Gameweek 1.

Top players' goal threat GW1-2

Scroll across to see the full table

Who has the greatest all-round potential?

By also factoring in each player's prospects for assists, you get a better idea of their all-round ability.

While Semenyo's four big chances are enough to retain top spot, Salah's creativity is easy to see. The Liverpool star has created three big chances, more than any of his rivals here. 

Johnson and Ouattara are joined by six others on two big chance involvements each, including Bournemouth's David Brooks (£5.0m), Newcastle United's Harvey Barnes (£6.5m) and as many as FOUR Nottingham Forest players. 

Morgan Gibbs-White (£7.5m) has created four chances for Nuno Espirito Santo's side, twice the total of Elliot Anderson (£5.5m), Callum Hudson-Odoi (£6.0m) and the aforementioned Ndoye.

Spurs' Mohammed Kudus (£6.6m) and Brentford's Mikkel Damsgaard (£5.9m) are also worth mentioning here.

Kudus has created a team-high six chances and has been handed a big share of set-pieces by Thomas Frank since joining over the summer. 

In his first appearance of the season last weekend, Damsgaard created three chances, took both of his side's corners and earned two points from his defensive contributions. 

Big chance involvement, GW1-2

Scroll across to see the full table

So, who are the best Saka and Palmer replacements?

First of all, although Saka is an easy sell, his departure from your squad should only be a temporary one.

Meanwhile, Palmer's backers should wait until they hear further news before considering a replacement. If fit, he is likely to be among the most-selected captains in Gameweek 3.

Semenyo's goal threat and schedule offers every indication he can continue thriving as a mid-price asset for many Gameweeks to come.

Gibbs-White's numbers are the most impressive among the Nottingham Forest contingent and, combined with their schedules, he could prove a great replacement across the next four Gameweeks for Saka before you then return to the Arsenal star in Gameweek 7.

For Spurs, while Johnson does boast the greater goal threat, it remains to be seen whether his minutes are as secure as Kudus. As a short-term punt, you have to favour the Welshman, though.

If you're looking for a long-term budget option, though, Damsgaard's influence on Brentford marks him out as one of the very best sub-£6.0m picks.