The 5 must-have fantasy players

The five most important players of the Fantasy Premier League 2024/25, game week 7

Welcome to our Fantasy Premier League (FPL) guide for Gameweek 7! Each game week we highlight the best tips to help you make the best decisions for your FPL team. Each game week we focus on the following categories:

• 2 attackers £8.5m or more
• 2 attackers under £8.5m
• 1 defender or goalkeeper

OFFER OF THE SEASON! Join the 89% of our members who won their premier mini league last season for an incredible £1/month.

Unlock access to the tools to get you ahead of the game this season, including live team reveals from the world's best FPL managers, who have combined to achieve over 80 top 10K finishes.

👉 Click here now to get your exclusive Premium offer for £1/month! No annual obligation, can be canceled at any time.

FPL headliner: Erling Haaland (FUL)

Haaland failed for the first time this season, but still managed five shots. No player has attempted more goals this season (31) than the Norway international, while he also leads the way in shots on goal (21) and big chances created (10). As the image below from our fixture difficulty rating feature shows, Man. City are ranked fourth for “attacking difficulty” over the next four gameweeks.

Man. City scored 14 goals, only Chelsea (15) were more productive. The reigning champions are the leader in shots (115) and third in expected goals (xG) (13.20).

Their guests Fulham have started the season well, conceding just five goals in their first six games and keeping one clean sheet. The Cottagers are seventh in shots conceded (72). Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently predicts a score of 8.3 for Haaland.

Top FPL Premium: Cole Palmer (NFO)

Palmer's 25-point haul against Brighton took him to the top of FPL points among midfielders (61), with the England international third in shots (18), big chances (six) and xG (3.15). As the image below from our Opta Player Heatmaps feature shows, he has averaged 11.0 FPL points per game in home games this season.

Chelsea have scored more goals (15) than any other team in the league, while only Villa (22), Arsenal (23), Liverpool (24) and Spurs (25) have had more “big chances” than their 21.

Their opponents Forest suffered their first defeat of the season against Fulham and have been a strong defense this season with just five goals conceded and two goals conceded. However, they have had a positive run of play so far and the visit to Stamford Bridge is likely to be their toughest test yet. The Nottingham side are fifth for Expected Goals Conceded (xGC) (6.73). Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently predicts a score of 6.7 for Palmer.

Form FPL striker: Kai Havertz (SOU)

Havertz's goal against PSG midweek ensured the Germany international scored for the sixth consecutive game at the Emirates. Haaland (29) and Jackson (17) are the only strikers to have taken more than 16 shots in the box, while only Jackson, Solanke (eight each), Haaland and Watkins (10 each) have had more “big chances” than him his seven. As the image below from our Match Center feature shows, he has been Arsenal's best player in terms of xG (3.4) and shots on goal (seven) in their last five games.

Arsenal have found the net 12 times this season (third), while only Liverpool (24) and Spurs (25) have created more 'big chances' than their 23. The Gunners are fourth for xG (12.48).

Their guests Southampton conceded 12 goals (17th) and remained clean. The South Cost team ranks 15th for shots conceded in the penalty area (60) and 14th for xGC (11.35). Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently predicts a score of 7.1 for Havertz.

Best Budget Midfielder: Brennan Johnson (bha)

Johnson's goal against Man. Utd. was the Wales international's second goal of the campaign. As the image below from our Opta Stats Sandbox feature shows, only M. Salah (19) has had more shots in the penalty area than his 18, while only Garnacho (five), Palmer (six), Salah and Diaz (seven each) have more “big chances” than his four.

Spurs scored three goals against Man. Utd. took them to third place (12) on the goalscorers list, no team has created more “big chances” (25) than the Lilywhites and they are also top in xG (14.11).

Their hosts Brighton were fortunate to only concede four goals against Chelsea as the Blues benefited from the Seagulls' high line. The Seagulls have conceded eight goals so far (9th) and are also in ninth place for xGC (9.20). Our Predicted Points & Stats tool currently predicts a score of 3.4 for Johnson.

Top FPL defender: Gabriel Magalhães (SOU)

Gabriel was denied his third goal of the season by an excellent save from Hermansen, no defender has had more “big chances” (four) than the center back this season and he is also the leader in xG (1.79).

Arsenal have only conceded five goals (second), only Liverpool (two) have been more economical. However, with the Gunners playing two games largely with 10 men, they are 17th in shots conceded in the penalty area (58) and seventh in xGC (7.90).

Their visitors Southampton were the lowest scoring team in the division with just three goals. The Saints rank seventh for shots (68) and ninth for xG (8.31). Our Predicted Points and Stats tool currently predicts a 60% chance of Arsenal keeping a clean sheet and a score of 5.7 for Gabriel.

👉 Click here now to get your exclusive Premium offer for £1/month! No annual obligation, can be canceled at any time.

Unlock all tools and content. Now premium £1/month.

Join 89% of our members who won their premier mini league last season.

GET PREMIUM FOR £1

Already a premium user? Register here