Forwards are the spot you trust most to haul on any given week, as you bathe in the euphoria of a goal. But just because the following are cheap forwards doesn’t mean they can’t deliver the goods.
From 4.5m to 6m, here are the budget forwards that can exceed their own value.
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The Best 4.5 Forwards in FPL 2024–25
We may have a starting budget forward in Ross Stewart, making him the best 4.5 forward in the game. So let’s analyse what makes Stewart special before moving on to another asset that has the potential to become starters in the future.
Ross Stewart (SOU)
Russell Martin, Southampton’s manager, has spoken highly of Stewart, even saying that he hopes Stewart “can play a big part” in the season ahead.
While Stewart managed only three appearances last season, Southampton were 2nd for xG over the season. I believe they are likely to remain a solid attack this season, as evidenced by Russell Martin’s positive approach—a mini Ange Postecoglou (without the compulsive use of “Mate,” if you will).
Southampton fans believe Martin will use a 5-3-2 next season, opening up a starting spot for Stewart, who’s also likely to be second in line for penalties behind Adam Armstrong.
So, all in all, Stewart is by far and away the best budget forward in the game. Unless you support Portsmouth, in which case the money saved isn’t worth the loss of dignity.
Nathan Fraser (WOL)
Wolverhampton Wanderers. A team that, so far, has only been capable of wandering to a mid-table finish.
I should preface this pick by saying I don’t think Fraser’s likely to start, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get the occasional appearance off the bench. He looked lively in his seven appearances last year with an npxG+xAG/90 of 0.19; however, that was simply due to Wolves facing an injury crisis.
If you just need bench fodder, Fraser’s a decent pick. However, he’s the most highly owned 4.5 forward in the game, meaning he may be susceptible to a price drop. It’s not likely, given he’s only 4.4% owned, but it is something to be wary of.
The Best 5.0 Forwards in FPL 2024–25
This section on cheap forwards is for true football hipsters. Beto and Patson Daka. Whoever thought we’d end up here?
Beto (EVE)
Everton are blessed when it comes to their forwards. Err, or should I say, their medical department is blessed by their two permanent occupants? Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto, what could possibly go wrong?
Beto isn’t a guaranteed starter by any means, but as far as budget forwards go, his xMins look decent. He started 9 games last season and made 30 appearances, where he maintained an npxG+xAG/90 of 0.66, which was better than that of Saka, Foden, and Solanke.
He’s a threat on set-pieces and is the first-choice penalty taker when Calvert-Lewin isn’t on the pitch (which, judging by his injury record, is quite often). Everton also have excellent fixtures to start the season, facing BHA, BOU, avl, lei, CRY, ips, FUL, sou in their first 10.
All of this makes Beto the best 5.0 forward to own. So, you know, buy him, or Sean Dyche will haunt your dreams, rhythmically singing about his love for a 4-4-2.
Patson Daka (LEI)
Rumour has it that when Leiecester faced Spurs, every Leicester player began to pat Son on the head when Daka had the ball. That’s a terrible joke, isn’t it?
Daka made 20 appearances for Leicester in the Championship last season, where he maintained an npxG+xAG/90 of 0.72. I won’t say Daka’s nailed on; the Vardy Party took care of that dream, but his xMins should look semi-decent—a situation akin to the DCL/Beto one.
He has a small chance of taking penalties, and Daka always looks like a threat in transition, with his incredible pace helping in making runs in behind. I prefer Beto, but for his value as a cheap forward, I don’t mind Daka as a 5.0 forward.
The Best 5.5 Forwards in FPL 2024–25
Trust me, spending the extra 0.5 or 1m to get to the best 5.5 forwards is definitely worth it. João Pedro and Adam Armstrong are the perfect budget forwards to own.
João Pedro (BHA)
JP has two downsides: Brighton’s fixtures aren’t the best to start with, and he’s picked up a minor knock, which means he will not be available for pre-season.
Assuming we get news that he’s fit for GW 1, however, JP is Brighton’s penalty-taker, best forward, and should get good minutes at CF, LW, and even RW. He had 12 goal contributions in the Premier League last season, maintained an npxG+xAG/90 of 0.51, and his baseline BPS was excellent.
I’d be comfortable starting him even in Brighton’s harder matches, and analytical projection models favoured JP last season as well. Brazilian Ronaldo wishes he was João Pedro.
Adam Armstrong (SOU)
One small step for man, one giant haul for mankind. Armstrong’s namesake may have been on the moon, but can he do it on a cold, rainy night at Stoke?
Armstrong (Adam, not Neil) recorded an npxG+xAG/90 of 0.64 for Southampton last season, where he’s the first-choice penalty taker, nailed on, and the focal point of their attack.
In 46 appearances last season, he had 34 goal contributions, including 21 goals, and recently scored a brace in a pre-season friendly for Southampton.
While his fixtures are a mixed bag, Armstrong is the perfect cheap forward to rotate with a fifth midfielder or fourth defender.
The Best 6.0 Forwards in FPL 2024–25
Ooh, look at you! Mr. Moneybags. The best 6.0 forwards mean your money is well spent, however, because you get good xMins, excellent fixtures, and penalties. So let’s take a look at Chris Wood, Rodrigo Muniz, and Igor Thiago.
Chris Wood (NFO)
Chris Wood… Adam Armstrong… some jokes just write themselves.
Forest have excellent fixtures to start the season, including BOU, sou, WOL, bha, FUL, CRY, lei, WHU in their first ten. Wood’s also likely to be the starting CF, meaning he’ll get 85+ minutes every game, be the talisman in attack, take penalties, and remain a threat during set pieces.
Furthermore, Wood recorded 15 goal contributions in the league last season and an npxG+xAG/90 of 0.70, which was one of the best in the league.
Arise, (Chris) Wood, the answer to the question, “Who’s the best 6.0 forward?”
Rodrigo Muniz (FUL)
That brace against Spurs in BGW 29 last season still sends shudders down my spine. What a free hit that was.
While Fulham’s fixtures are far from perfect, they face LEI, ips, WHU, NEW, nfo, AVL, eve, BRE in their first ten, making the overall run quite alright.
In 26 appearances last season, Muniz had 10 G+A from an npxG+xAG/90 of 0.61, including a famous purple patch to end the season. While I don’t think he maintains that scoring record, we saw enough positive signs to make Muniz a viable asset for this season.
I don’t think he’ll be Fulham’s first-choice penalty taker, but I wouldn’t rule out its possibility. As far as cheap forwards go, Muniz should be quite the reliable one.
Igor Thiago (BRE)
I cannot explain why, but Thiago’s name is just so… menacing. Premier League defenders, be worried.
Thiago’s inclusion in this list is with a major asterisk—I don’t think he’s a viable option unless Ivan Toney leaves Brentford. Even if Toney leaves, Wissa does mean competition for Thiago, but I still reckon Thiago should be safe for 70+ minutes each week.
In 26 appearances for Club Brugge last season, he scored 16, assisted 2, and had an npxG+xAG/90 of 0.69.
Even though Thiago’s scored 81% of his career penalties, I believe Mbeumo will be Brentford’s first-choice penalty taker should Toney leave, which proportionately worsens Thiago as an asset. That said, he’s scored a brace for Brentford in pre-season and has some decent fixtures in GWs 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, and 10, making him a decent budget forward option.
