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Welcome to the 2023/24 Fantasy Premier League season, RotoBallers! We began our FPL coverage two years ago and are going big for the upcoming campaign. We will have position previews, team previews, and reactions to the most significant transfers in the preseason. Then, during the year, we will bring you our usual Staff Roundtable, weekly rankings, and a new monthly article: the Watchlist.
The game launched on July 5, and all the prices are revealed. On our side, we've completed 10 team previews and our goalkeepers and defender's position previews. Today marks our final position preview, and it's for the forward position. Check out our team previews and other position previews here.
The first game of the 2023/24 Fantasy Premier League season is August 11 at 3:00 PM ET. Also, look out for the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every English Premier League and UEFA Champions League slate from a DFS and betting perspective.
FPL Position Previews: Forwards
The leading men of our Fantasy Premier League squads can make or break a season. A certain Norwegian will dominate at the beginning of the season, but plenty of values are yet to be uncovered at the position.
Last Year's Forward's Stats
- Most FPL points: Erling Haaland (Man City) 272 points
- Most goals: Erling Haaland, 36 goals
- Most assists: Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth), 10 assists
- Most bonus points: Harry Kane (Spurs) , 48 bonus points
Over the seasons, what is your general strategy regarding forwards in FPL?
- Euan Leith: A couple of seasons ago, there were barely any forward options worth putting in our teams. However, the landscape is very different thanks to the emergence of Erling Haaland. I like to start with a heavy hitter up front and find value to go alongside, as I believe it's more important to mine those vital FPL points from your defense and midfield.
- Jamie Steed: I generally go for one of the top options as they will significantly outscore the next group, and being without one can leave you so far behind. As I like to spend up on the midfield, I go for one striker on a top team but in the following bracket, and then I'll take a flyer on a cheap option I have a hunch on but who I'd be quick to dump if needed.
What was the most pleasant FPL price reveal at the position?
- Euan Leith: Darwin Nunez's £7.5m price tag. It's his second year at Anfield, and should be far more comfortable in Jurgen Klopp's system. He underperformed his expected stats last season (12.1 xG, nine goals), and there will be positive regression for the 24-year-old.
- Jamie Steed: Erling Haaland being £14.0m, which might sound strange given he's the most expensive player in the game. But after last year, I don't see how you can go without him and at his price, especially if Kane departs the EPL. You still have the option of building a solid squad around him and not having to sacrifice a position to include Haaland in your team.
Are you one of the many #FPL managers keeping an eye on Darwin Nunez? 👀 pic.twitter.com/Elfe10DFhd
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) August 1, 2023
What was the biggest disappointment?
- Euan Leith: Cody Gakpo was reclassified as a forward for the upcoming Fantasy Premier League campaign, and I'm not sure how I will fit him into my lineups. With so many options on the front line but only three slots available, there will have to be some significant shake-ups to get the Dutchman into my Gameweek 1 squad.
- Jamie Steed: Cody Gakpo being a forward and at £7.5m makes it difficult for me to fit him into my squad. I was hoping he'd go a little under the radar, and while I believe he has a chance to still provide value, Liverpool has a lot of depth in the wide options, and I don't think he'll start enough games to be a viable option at that price.
Erling Haaland is the most expensive player in the game. What do you expect from the Norwegian this season?
- Euan Leith: More of the same. There's an argument to be made that he played the most minutes of his career last season, but that's what 23-year-olds are supposed to do. Grow stronger and fitter and play more games. Another 250-point season seems inevitable, and he is well worth the £14m salary.
- Jamie Steed: I don't believe he'll top last season's 272 points, but ~250 is where I'm projecting him. After finally getting the Champions League-sized monkey off their backs, I'm not worried about City resting him too often in the league, so assuming he stays healthy, 35 starts and 30 goals are still very much in play.
There's a glut of forwards between £7.5-8 million. Who is your favorite?
- Euan Leith: Ollie Watkins is the apple of my eye. He's Aston Villa's leading man, and that squad has improved over the summer. I could see them having a go at a top-four spot, and Watkins will be the catalyst for any charge they make.
- Jamie Steed: The position has taken a hit in that price range, but I like Darwin Núñez at £7.5m. He flashed his talents in parts last season, and if Liverpool can put together a solid midfield, I think the Uruguayan can have a very productive second season for The Reds.
Gabriel Jesus (£8.0m) and Christopher Nkunku (£7.5m) could miss the start of the season through injury ❌
Are any other mid-priced #FPL forwards tempting you? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/vl8vk8U1wA
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) August 3, 2023
Who are you least likely to own from that same price bracket?
- Euan Leith: Gabriel Jesus will miss the beginning of the year, but I don't think I'll miss him. I want my three Arsenal slots to be filled by their midfielders and defenders. Jesus usually underperforms his expected stats, and there are so many mouths to feed for the London club.
- Jamie Steed: I've already mentioned Gakpo. Aleksandar Mitrović is likely to leave Fulham this transfer window. Ivan Toney is suspended until January. Gabriel Jesus is set to miss the start of the season, and Christopher Nkunku is a doubt. Outside of that group, Alexander Isak is the one I'll be avoiding. With Callum Wilson there, I foresee a season of rotation and FPL manager frustration rostering either of the Newcastle strikers, but I prefer Wilson of the duo.
Does anyone below £7 million catch your eye?
- Euan Leith: Yoane Wissa is on my radar at £6.0m. With Ivan Toney out until January, Wissa will lead the line for Brentford. He's not on penalties, but I fancy him to challenge Bryan Mbuemo for the most FPL points at the club.
- Jamie Steed: If anything happens to Haaland, I'll be all over Julián Álvarez (assuming he stays at City). And I'll watch Dominic Solanke closely to begin the season. I want to see how Bournemouth plays under new manager Andoni Iraola, who has a reputation for being an attack-minded coach. Solanke tallied six goals and 10 assists last season, and if he can be fully 'unlocked,' I'll be looking to add him early in the season.
Who will hit the ground running over the first six gameweeks?
- Euan Leith: Erling Haaland should be the permanent captain of our FPL sides for the first six gameweeks. You can go rogue with a Mohamed Salah captaincy in Gameweek 2 or a Bukayo Saka armband in Gamewek 1 against Nottingham Forest, but that's getting too cute. City's fixtures are outstanding, and Haaland will average at least a return per game to start the 2023/23 FPL season.
- Jamie Steed: Manchester City's first seven games of the season consist of five opponents with a Fixture Difficulty Rating (FDR) of two, so would it be a surprise if Haaland gets off to another red-hot start to the season and reaches double-digit goals by the time City travels to Arsenal in Gameweek 8?
Who's leading your line for #FPL Gameweek 1? pic.twitter.com/Y1bOwDEAcj
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) July 31, 2023
Who will struggle over the first month and a half?
- Euan Leith: Both the Liverpool forwards will have a tough time. Four players are competing for two spots next to Mohamed Salah in their Premier League lineup, and there will be a lot of rotation at Anfield. Plus, Liverpool's fixtures aren't too FPL-friendly to start the year, so I'm planning to avoid them to start the year.
- Jamie Steed: I like Nottingham Forest to have a solid season, and Taiwo Awoniyi's goals were a huge reason they're still an EPL team. But their first six games comprise of four away games against Arsenal, Chelsea, and both Manchester clubs. That's as tough of a start as possible, so I'm avoiding him early.
What's your bold prediction for forwards during the 2023/24 FPL season?
- Euan Leith: Joao Pedro from Brighton will be a top-five forward by the end of the year. He became a record signing for the Seagulls over the summer and looks sharp in the preseason. The Brazilian will have to deal with some rotation woes to begin the year, but I believe he's too talented to stay on the bench.
- Jamie Steed: An under-the-radar transfer was Fulham signing Raúl Jiménez from Wolves. He's set to spearhead the attack with Mitrović looking to leave. Although he's not been the same player since suffering the severe head injury, he's an ideal fit for Fulham and could easily wind up scoring 12-15 goals and tallying 150+ FPL points.
Euan's Draft
Jamie's Draft
