Best FPL Budget Picks 2026/27: Value Players for Your Opening Squad
Best budget picks by position
GKP: Matz Sels (£5.0m) - 3.8 xPThe Nott'm Forest keeper offers mid-price security with a home fixture against Leeds (FDR 2) to start the season. At £5.0m, Sels provides a reliable set-and-forget option, allowing you to invest elsewhere without sacrificing goalkeeper quality. DEF: Michael Keane (£5.0m) - 5.8 xP
Keane stands out with exceptional value at 1.16 points per million. His 5.8 xP for GW1 is elite for the price bracket, boosted by a 60% clean sheet probability (1.20 xP from defcon alone) against Crystal Palace at Goodison Park. Low ownership at 1.6% makes him a differential captaincy option among budget defenders. MID: Elliot Anderson (£6.5m) - 5.1 xP
Now at Man City, Anderson brings premium team attacking potential at mid-price. His 78% defcon probability adds 1.57 xP against Bournemouth at home, and City's dominant fixtures make him an outstanding enabler who could easily outperform his 0.78 points per million projection. 12% ownership suggests the template is already forming around him. FWD: Igor Jesus (£6.0m) - 4.4 xP
Forest's new striker faces Leeds at home (FDR 2) in a fixture where attacking returns look likely. At £6.0m, Igor Jesus provides a budget forward option that frees up funds for premium attackers, though his low defcon probability (0.58%) means returns will need to come from goals and assists rather than clean sheet bonuses.