EPL GW26 FPL Player Picks: Best Options by Position

With the Gameweek 25 dust barely settled, Fantasy Premier League managers have fewer than 24 hours to finalise their line-ups for Gameweek 26. A rapid turnaround, a Double Gameweek for Arsenal and Wolves, and a handful of in-form under-the-radar assets have combined to make this one of the most pivotal selection windows of the season. Below is a position-by-position guide to the standout picks, built strictly on current form and the fixtures ahead.

Goalkeeper David Raya headlines the shortlist. The Arsenal stopper kept a clean sheet and made two key saves in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat of Sunderland, taking his seasonal shut-out tally to 13—four clear of any rival in the Golden Glove race. With Brentford and Wolves on the horizon, Raya offers Double Gameweek security and a high ceiling.

Defence Arsenal’s rearguard dominates the conversation. Gabriel Magalhaes has amassed 38 FPL points across the last six Gameweeks, courtesy of a goal, four clean sheets and bonus points, while also registering two big chances going forward. Partner William Saliba, ever-present since returning from injury, leads all defenders for FPL points and clean sheets in that stretch and is the logical third Gunner to own behind Gabriel.

Looking elsewhere, Crystal Palace’s Daniel Muñoz—owned by just 7.1%—has back-to-back appealing fixtures at home to Burnley and away to Wolves. Teammate Maxence Lacroix showcased his ceiling with peak DEFCON points in the 1-0 win over Brighton and offers both clean-sheet potential and attacking threat. Diogo Dalot, meanwhile, has quietly collected 15 FPL points in his last three outings and could help Manchester United register a fifth consecutive victory when West Ham visit Old Trafford.

Midfield Ismaïla Sarr is the form differential. The Senegalese winger has scored in successive games for the first time this season and will target a porous Burnley back line on Saturday. Bruno Fernandes continues to pull the strings for United, registering 42 FPL points in the last six Gameweeks and leading all midfielders for assists and chances created. Declan Rice, though yet to register a recent assist, tops the chance-creation charts for Arsenal’s midfield and faces Brentford and Wolves in the Double Gameweek.

Attack Erling Haaland returned to scoring ways at Anfield and added an assist, remaining the league’s most prolific shot-taker over the last six Gameweeks. A trip to Fulham—who have conceded 10 goals and kept no clean sheets in that period—only enhances his appeal. Joao Pedro has seven goal involvements in his last four league outings and will line up at home to Leeds and Burnley across the next two fixtures. For those seeking Arsenal exposure, Viktor Gyokeres has three goals in his last two appearances, while Bournemouth’s Evanilson offers a medium-price route into a schedule that turns green in three of the next six Gameweeks.

With Arsenal and Wolves doubling up, the opportunity for explosive returns is obvious. The clock, however, is ticking.

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