Fantasy Premier League

FPL experts: Best forwards to own alongside Haaland

18 Sep 2024
Havertz, Calvert-Lewin

Some of the world's top managers on their favourite second and third options up front in Fantasy

Related Articles
Is Palmer still worth his premium price tag in Fantasy?
The Breakdown: What we learned from Spurs 0-1 Arsenal
The Scout’s FPL Gameweek 5 Ones to watch

The Scout's panel of Fantasy Premier League experts share their thoughts on the best forwards to own alongside Erling Haaland (£15.2m), following the Man City's star's INCREDIBLE start to the season, producing 54 points over the first four Gameweeks.

Experts' picks
  Second forward Third forward
Lee Bonfield Joao Pedro Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Utkarsh Dalmia Ollie Watkins Kai Havertz
Ben Crabtree Ollie Watkins Kai Havertz
Holly Shand Ollie Watkins Kai Havertz
Nick Harris Ollie Watkins Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Gianni Buttice Ollie Watkins Joao Pedro
Pras Kai Havertz Joao Pedro
Harry Daniels Ollie Watkins Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Oscar Kai Havertz Joao Pedro
Az Phillips Joao Pedro Ollie Watkins
Sam Bonfield Ollie Watkins Dominic Solanke/Liam Delap
Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily)

Despite picking up what appears to be a small injury while away with Brazil, Joao Pedro (£5.7m) continues to be great value. The fact that Brighton drew a blank against Ipswich in Gameweek 4 without him just highlighted his importance to the team. I'm expecting him to come straight back in.

Owned by only 2.7 per cent of managers, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.9m) has the fixtures to be a bargain. Staying fully fit is always the concern, but with two goals in his last two games and with Dwight McNeil (£5.5m) creating a league-high 17 chances so far this season from midfield, the recipe is there for Calvert-Lewin to reprise his role as Fantasy heavyweight. 

Utkarsh Dalmia (@Zophar_FPL

Ollie Watkins (£8.9m) finally got on the scoresheet last weekend after a frustrating start to the season; he's now had as many big chances as Haaland, with eight, and Aston Villa have a great run of fixtures.

Arsenal play Southampton, Leicester and AFC Bournemouth from Gameweek 6, which makes Kai Havertz (£8.1m) the third-best forward, especially as you can fit him in alongside Mohamed Salah (£12.7m). The German looks kindly priced compared to his team-mate Bukayo Saka (£10.0m).

Ben Crabtree (@FC_CrabDogg)

I like Watkins and Havertz. While Watkins is under pressure from the in-form Jhon Duran (£6.0m), he looks highly likely to get multiple returns over the next few weeks. In Gameweek 4, when Duran came on, it was alongside Watkins rather than to replace him. 

Havertz obviously has a difficult match at Man City this weekend before a good run of fixtures. He looks like Arsenal's most likely player to score.

Holly Shand (@HollyShand)

Watkins and Havertz. Watkins' performance in Gameweek 4 was encouraging, with six shots and two big chances, plus making it to 80 minutes.

Havertz could be the go-to pick from the Arsenal attack. The only concern is the impact of European football. 

Nick Harris (@WGTA_Nick)

Watkins showed his talent last weekend with a brace, and with Wolves at home next, he could easily be in the goals again.

Calvert-Lewin is an interesting emerging budget pick, who after a few injury-hit seasons looks back in form. He has a great run of fixtures coming up and already has two goals and an assist to his name. 

Everton's next eight matches
GW Opp. FDR*
5 Leicester (A) 2
6 Crystal Palace (H) 2
7 Newcastle (H) 3
8 Ipswich (A) 2
9 Fulham (H) 2
10 Southampton (A) 2
11 West Ham (A) 2
12 Brentford (H) 2

*1= easiest, 5= hardest

Gianni Buttice (@GianniButtice)

Watkins is back among the goals and Villa's fixtures are brilliant. 

Every squad needs a cheap forward, and Joao Pedro is the best of the lot. Brighton missed him in Gameweek 4, where they created lots of chances but failed to score. With goals against Manchester United and Arsenal earlier this season, he has already shown how valuable he is to Brighton. 

Pras (@Pras_FPL)

For the second forward, I'm going with Havertz due to Arsenal's great fixtures from Gameweek 6. Just owning Saka won't be enough during that run.

Joao Pedro is firmly the cheap enabler of choice. He'll hopefully be fit to return this weekend for another nice home fixture versus Nottingham Forest. 

Harry Daniels (@FPL_Harry)

I would put Watkins in there right now. There was always going to be a turning point for him and his two goals in Gameweek 4 feels like that.

Chris Wood (£6.1m) and Jamie Vardy (£5.6m) both come close, but I am going to go with Calvert-Lewin. Despite Everton struggling, he is getting a solid amount of chances and has a great run of fixtures.

Oscar (@FPLFocal)

I prefer Havertz to Watkins, but it's very close. Arsenal's fixtures from Gameweek 6 are unmissable and I'll be looking to buy Havertz. It's of course not an ideal fixture at City before then, but the points should even out and then some. 

Joao Pedro is my other pick if he's fit to return in Gameweek 5. Calvert-Lewin is also tempting given his form and upcoming fixtures, but his injury record over the last couple of seasons is a slight concern.

Az Phillips (@FPLBlackBox_Az)

Watkins has been sold by over 1million managers since Gameweek 1, but his brace against Everton was a reminder of his quality. Despite reduced minutes in the league, he'll surely be back to being a 90-minute man soon and can really kick on from here, with more great fixtures to come. 

It was clear as day that Brighton missed Joao Pedro against Ipswich and I'm backing him to come straight back into the side. At just £5.7m, on penalties and playing for a side with an abundance of attacking flair, the Brazilian is the key to unlocking a squad filled with multiple premium assets.

Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily)

I think the decision about the second and third forward slots has to be made in conjunction with the decision to own Haaland AND Salah. If you want to own both stars, looking at Liam Delap (£5.5m) could be wise. He has had five shots so far, with only Omari Hutchinson (£5.4m) registering more at Ipswich, with six.

Delap has also had more big chances than any other Ipswich player and has created three chances, only Leif Davis (£4.5m) has created more. 

If you have more money to spend then combining Watkins with Dominic Solanke (£7.5m) might be the way to go to target a good run of fixtures for both Villa and Spurs. 

Latest Videos

More Videos

Video is currently not available.

14 Oct 2024

Watch the BEST SKILLS of the season so far

Dazzling dribbles and fancy flicks as players show off their creative flair in our compilation of 2024/25's best skills

Your details have been submitted successfully.

You have already entered this competition. Please check your email for further information.

Your details have been submitted successfully.

Create a Premier League account

Continue

You are logged in as

Enter your details to submit your entry.