FPL Gameweek 2 Forward Picks

The opening weekend of the 2025/26 Premier League season has already thrown Fantasy Premier League managers into a frenzy. As always, some big names disappointed, while surprise packages emerged to remind us that early-season differentials can be the difference between a sluggish start and a flying one.

Now that the dust has settled on Gameweek 1, it’s time to dig into the forwards market and decide who deserves a place in our FPL squads ahead of Gameweek 2.

The Opening Weekend at a Glance

Gameweek 1 reminded us why we play this game: unpredictability is part of the fun.

• Hugo Ekitike announced himself on Merseyside with a dream debut for Liverpool, picking up 11 FPL points thanks to a goal, an assist, and bonus returns. At just £8.5m, he’s already looking like the bargain forward of the season.
• Even though Mohammed Kudus is not forward, he also impressed with 10 points, while new arrival Tijjani Reijnders matched that tally.
• On the flip side, some of the big hitters, Ollie Watkins and Alexander Isak —failed to make the opening weekend their own, frustrating managers who committed heavy portions of their budget to them.

With the first round of fixtures done, managers now face the classic early-season dilemma: do you stay patient with premium assets or jump early on the breakout star?

Hugo Ekitike – Liverpool – £8.6m | 11 Points

There’s no question about it: the headline FPL forward of Gameweek 1 was Hugo Ekitike. The French striker was clinical in his first Premier League outing, scoring once and assisting another to bag double-digit points.

What made his performance especially promising was not just the returns, but the underlying stats:

• Four shots, three inside the box.
• Two big chances created.
• A role in a Liverpool side that looks determined to play aggressively in attack.

Recently rising to £8.6m, he’s not a budget enabler, but he’s comfortably cheaper than the elite tier of forwards and already showing the potential to deliver consistent hauls. Early adopters will hope this was not just a one-off, but his performance suggests he could become Liverpool’s primary goalscorer this season.

Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa – £9.0m | 2 Points

It may seem strange to recommend a player who only had 2 points in Gameweek 1, but sometimes Fantasy is about patience rather than panic. Ollie Watkins didn’t register quite a large return in his opening fixture, but history is firmly on his side.

Across the last two campaigns, Watkins has been among the most consistent forwards in FPL, combining goals with assists and rarely going more than a couple of matches without producing. At £9.0m, he’s still attractively priced for a forward who is guaranteed to play 90 minutes most weeks and is central to everything Villa create.

Fixtures ahead for Villa also look favourable, making Watkins a reliable pick for managers who want a medium-term asset rather than chasing short-term fireworks.

Erling Haaland – Manchester City – £14.0m | Safest Return

There’s no ignoring him. Even in weeks when Haaland doesn’t explode, the threat he carries is unparalleled. He scored two goals in Gameweek 1, he's priced at £14.0m and with captaincy armband potential every week, Haaland remains the safest long-term investment in Fantasy.

What managers need to weigh is value: Haaland’s premium price means sacrifices elsewhere. If Liverpool’s Ekitike and Villa’s Watkins continue to deliver value at lower prices, it might free up funds for strengthening midfield or defence. Still, Haaland’s ownership levels are so high that going without him is a massive risk.

Alexander Isak – Newcastle – £10.5m | Quiet Opening

Much was expected from Alexander Isak this season, but Newcastle’s opener left FPL managers wanting more. Isak failed to register a goal or assist in Gameweek 1, and with his price at £10.5m, patience is already being tested.

The Swede is undoubtedly talented and will have big weeks, but his tendency for streaky returns makes him a risky premium pick. Until Newcastle’s fixtures ease and the Isak transfer saga concludes, he may be a “wait and see” rather than an immediate buy.

Viktor Gyökeres – Arsenal – £9.0m | Needs Time

Arsenal’s new frontman Viktor Gyökeres also started slowly, failing to make a mark in Gameweek 1. At £9.0m, he sits in a tricky price bracket alongside Watkins and Ekitike, but unlike those two, he hasn’t yet proven he can adapt to the pace of the Premier League.

Gyökeres could well come good, but right now, most FPL managers will want to see evidence before investing.

Final Word

Gameweek 1 showed us that value isn’t always found at the very top of the price list. The likes of Ekitike are already proving that mid-priced forwards can match or even outperform the premium big names. At the same time, patience with proven scorers like Watkins and Isak remains a sound strategy—there’s no need to rip up your team after just one week.

For those chasing an early advantage, though, jumping on in-form players before their price rises is often the key to a strong FPL start. Right now, that means Ekitike is the forward to target.

Johnny's Budget Picks

1) Semenyo - Bournemouth (£7.1m)

2) Wood - Nottingham Forest (£7.5m)

3) Richarlison - Tottenham (£6.5m)

4) Mayenda - Sunderland (£5.5m)