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            <p>Budget forwards are rising in popularity in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) as managers increasingly offload the premium <strong>Erling Haaland </strong>- but which ones are the best picks?</p>
<p>With the Premier League paused for the international break, we analyse the forwards priced below £7.0m in depth.</p>
<p>We've identified a longlist of 10 forwards in this price bracket and explore their stats, upcoming <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fixture-ticker">fixtures</a> and more. Some clubs have more than one option, so we've grouped these together by way of comparison.</p>
<p>We conclude our analysis with the view of <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/ai-team-rating">Hub AI</a> and the leading players for <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/predictions">predicted points</a> over the next six gameweeks.</p>
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<h2>Joao Pedro v Danny Welbeck</h2>
<p>Welbeck has been Brighton's star striker this season, starting all 11 games and top scoring with six goals.</p>
<p>He compares well to other budget forwards from a stats perspective.</p>
<p>The 33-year-old ranks second for shots (31), third for shots on target (12), second for shots in the box (22) and first for expected goals (xG) on 4.94. Only <strong>Chris Wood </strong>has scored more goals.</p>
<p>He leads his teammates for shots, big chances, xG and goals per appearance and has the added advantage of being on direct free-kicks, from which one of his goals came.</p>
<div id="attachment_68476" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-68476" class="size-full wp-image-68476" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Welbeck-gw1-11.jpg" alt="Danny Welbeck's stats" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-68476" class="wp-caption-text">Danny Welbeck's stats</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>But while Welbeck has been the standout Seagulls pick to date, they have been without Pedro for much of the time.</p>
<p>The Brazilian international picked up a knock while on international duty before Gameweek 4 - and his return in Gameweek 5 against Nottingham Forest saw him injured in a challenge by <strong>Morgan Gibbs-White</strong>.</p>
<p>He spent several weeks on the sidelines as a result, returning to action in Gameweek 11 against Manchester City.</p>
<p>A goal and assist in his 25 minute cameo showed FPL managers what they had been missing.</p>
<p>Pedro's extended absence means he can be picked up for £5.4m - £0.6m cheaper than Welbeck.</p>
<p>And when coupled with the expectation that he will be on penalties, he is arguably the better pick of the two.</p>
<div id="attachment_68477" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-68477" class="size-full wp-image-68477" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Pedro-gw1-11.jpg" alt="Joao Pedro's stats" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-68477" class="wp-caption-text">Joao Pedro's stats</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Expected minutes is the only major concern.</p>
<p>Both Welbeck and Pedro looked nailed in the opening weeks, starting all three games and averaging well over 80 minutes.</p>
<p>Record signing <strong>Georginio Rutter </strong>has become more integrated since Pedro's last start in Gameweek 3 however, and he could impact either's gametime.</p>
<p><strong>Evan Ferguson </strong>is also a factor, having missed the first few weeks of the season through injury.</p>
<p>Some early substitutions and rotation could be on the cards, particularly during the festive period, however Pedro is the cheapest forward in our selection and should be more than worth the risk.</p>
<h2>Matheus Cunha v Jorgen Strand Larsen</h2>
<p>Budget is also a consideration in this battle of Wolves forwards.</p>
<p>Cunha is priced at £6.8m, while Strand Larsen is a much cheaper £5.6m - but is the extra cost for Cunha justified?</p>
<p>Strand Larsen has settled into life in the Premier League well, scoring four and assisting one in his debut season to date.</p>
<p>He is a secure starter in the Wolves lineup, having been named in Gary O'Neil's 11 in every game.</p>
<p>The Norwegian leads the way at the club for big chances (six), double <strong>Rayan Ait-Nouri </strong>and <strong>Pablo Sarabia's </strong>three and three times Cunha's two.</p>
<p>He ranks first for xG on 2.4, however Cunha is only marginally behind on 2.21.</p>
<div id="attachment_68479" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-68479" class="size-full wp-image-68479" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Strand-Larsen-GW1-11.jpg" alt="Jorgen Strand Larsen's stats" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-68479" class="wp-caption-text">Jorgen Strand Larsen's stats</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Brazilian is an all-action forward, heavily involved in both scoring and creating opportunities.</p>
<p>He dominates chance creation metrics, with 20 key passes, nine big chances created and 2.25 expected assists (xA) - nearly quadruple Ait-Nouri's 0.63 in second place.</p>
<p>This means that when Wolves score, he is the most likely to be involved, with his 40% expected goal involvement way ahead of Strand Larsen's 26%.</p>
<div id="attachment_68480" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-68480" class="size-full wp-image-68480" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Cunha-GW1-11.jpg" alt="Matheus Cunha's stats" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-68480" class="wp-caption-text">Matheus Cunha's stats</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Having an important creative role is one of the main criticisms of Cunha from an FPL perspective - managers ultimately want their forwards to score goals.</p>
<p>But Cunha has still managed to find the net five times - one more than Strand Larsen - and he's managed more shots and touches in the box than his counterpart.</p>
<p>His assist potential increases his routes to points, as well as his bonus potential.</p>
<p>Cunha has 13 bonus points - eight more than Strand Larsen - and bettered only by Wood among the budget forwards.</p>
<p>With Wolves having the fourth best fixture run over the next six gameweeks, investing in a Wolves player or two is a more than viable strategy.</p>
<p>And while Strand Larsen is a reasonable pick for those short of cash, it looks like Cunha is worth the extra outlay.</p>
<div id="attachment_68481" style="width: 622px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-68481" class="size-full wp-image-68481" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Cunha-v-Strand-Larsen-player-comparison.jpg" alt="Matheus Cunha v Jorgen Strand Larsen" width="612" height="729" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-68481" class="wp-caption-text">Matheus Cunha v Jorgen Strand Larsen</p>
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<h2>Raul Jimenez</h2>
<p>Jimenez has scored four and assisted two since overtaking <strong>Rodrigo Muniz </strong>to become Fulham's regular number nine.</p>
<p>The Mexican has started every league game since Gameweek 4, with Muniz barely getting a look in.</p>
<p>Jimenez has averaged 79 minutes per appearance in that time, with Muniz getting no more than 17 minutes in a single match.</p>
<p>No budget forward has had more shots since he broke into the Cottagers' starting 11 (26).</p>
<p>He also ranks first for shots on target (11), big chances (eight), xG (3.59) and second for shots in the box (21).</p>
<p>Wood and Cunha are the only forwards in his price bracket to score more FPL points over the period.</p>
<p>Fulham's fixtures are mixed over the next six gameweeks. Home games against Wolves, Brighton and Southampton look favourable, however trips to Spurs and Liverpool, as well as Arsenal at home, look more challenging.</p>
<p>Marco Silva may decide to give Muniz more minutes - and perhaps even a start - over Christmas when the games come thick and fast.</p>
<p>Jimenez has not scored in his last three games but providing he keeps his place, is still a potential pick for FPL managers.</p>
<div id="attachment_68482" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-68482" class="size-full wp-image-68482" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Raul-Jimenez-GW1-11.jpg" alt="Raul Jimenez's stats" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-68482" class="wp-caption-text">Raul Jimenez's stats</p>
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<h2>Chris Wood</h2>
<p>Wood has eight goals in 11 games this season and is joint-second in the top scorers' table alongside <strong>Mohamed Salah </strong>and <strong>Bryan Mbeumo</strong>.</p>
<p>He is the focal point of the Nottingham Forest attack and has been one of the best striker in the league since Nuno Espirito Santo took charge in December 2023.</p>
<p>Under the Portuguese manager, Wood has scored 19 goals in 27 league games. Only Haaland and Palmer have scored more in that time.</p>
<p>While he lacks shot volume in comparison to Cunha and Welbeck - with 21 efforts on goal to their 31 - he makes up for it in efficiency.</p>
<p>Among budget forwards this season, he leads for shots on target (14) and big chances (11) and is third for xG (4.43). He also has the most FPL points (68) and second most expected points (46.8).</p>
<p>Forest's fixtures are not good over the next six gameweeks, ranking hardest according to our ticker.</p>
<p>Aside from Gameweek 13 at home to Ipswich, the games look challenging, including Arsenal (A), City (A) and Manchester United (A).</p>
<p>It's possible FPL managers who don't already own him have missed the boat.</p>
<p>But Forest have performed well this season, sitting in fifth place, and Wood is a likely goalscorer when they score.</p>
<p>He has over-performed his 32% expected goal involvement, being involved in 53% of Forest's goals while he's on the pitch. Both are comfortably leading figures compared to his teammates.</p>
<div id="attachment_68483" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-68483" class="size-full wp-image-68483" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Wood-GW1-11.jpg" alt="Chris Wood's stats" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-68483" class="wp-caption-text">Chris Wood's stats</p>
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<h2>Yoane Wissa</h2>
<p>Wissa started the season superbly, scoring three in four games before suffering an ankle injury which kept him out until Gameweek 8.</p>
<p>The Brentford forward has carried out where he left off though, recording three goals in his last three appearances, including a brace against Bournemouth in Gameweek 11.</p>
<p>Despite missing a chunk of games, he still ranks second among budget forwards for overall xG (4.49) and joint-second for goals (six) behind Wood.</p>
<p>When filtering the stats to 'per appearance' level, to account for his reduced playing time, he leads for xG (0.56) and goals (0.75).</p>
<p>More than 43% of FPL managers own Mbeumo but just 8.1% have Wissa in their squads, making him a differential option.</p>
<p>The Bees' fixtures take a turn from Gameweek 14, with Aston Villa (A), Newcastle (H) and Chelsea (A) up to Gameweek 16, but their next two against Everton (A) and Leicester (H) is the second best pairing behind United's.</p>
<div id="attachment_68484" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-68484" class="size-full wp-image-68484" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Wissa-gw1-11.jpg" alt="Yoane Wissa's stats" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-68484" class="wp-caption-text">Yoane Wissa's stats</p>
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<h2>Liam Delap</h2>
<p>Ipswich have the lowest xG in the league (10.43), so it may be a surprise to see one of their players feature in our round-up.</p>
<p>Delap has started his career at Portman Road off strongly however, scoring six times.</p>
<p>He has the highest xG among Ipswich players (2.64), although that lags well behind his actual returns.</p>
<p><strong>George Hirst </strong>being back from injury also creates competition. Hirst started his first game of the season in Gameweek 9, grabbing a goal and assist, but has not started since. Delap also came off the bench to score in that game.</p>
<p>He could be a rotation risk but is a low-owned option, with the third best fixtures in the next six gameweeks.</p>
<div id="attachment_68459" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-68459" class="size-full wp-image-68459" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Delap-gw1-11.jpg" alt="Liam Delap's stats" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-68459" class="wp-caption-text">Liam Delap's stats</p>
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<h2>Evanilson</h2>
<p>Bournemouth's record signing had a slow start to his Premier League career, with no goals in his first four games.</p>
<p>But things have looked better since, with goals in each of his last three matches taking him to four for the campaign.</p>
<p>Cheap midfielder <strong>Antoine Semenyo </strong>has been the preferred Cherries choice among FPL managers, in 10.3% of teams.</p>
<p>Interest in Evanilson is low at this stage, with 1.5% ownership, however he may become more highly thought of as managers look to stuff their midfield with premiums.</p>
<p>Semenyo averages more than four shots per appearance compared to Evanilson's 1.9 but the duo's xG is closely matched, with the Brazilian slightly ahead.</p>
<p>Per appearance, Evanilson ranks joint-third with Wood among budget forwards for xG.</p>
<p>Bournemouth have the second best fixtures up to Gameweek 17, so Evanilson could be a player to help boost you up the ranks.</p>
<div id="attachment_68485" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-68485" class="size-full wp-image-68485" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Evanilson-GW1-11.jpg" alt="Evanilson's stats" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-68485" class="wp-caption-text">Evanilson's stats</p>
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<h2>Rasmus Hojlund</h2>
<p>Ruben Amorim takes charge of his first match as the Red Devils' head coach in Gameweek 12.</p>
<p>United's next two league fixtures - against Ipswich (A) and Everton (H) - are rated by our ticker as the best in the league, so picking up Hojlund now could be a high risk but high reward strategy.</p>
<p>Should Amorim get United firing - and playing to Hojlund's strengths - the £6.9m forward will become a stronger option in FPL.</p>
<p>His 3-4-3 system at Sporting got the best out of Viktor Gyokeres, who scored 43 goals in 50 games in all competitions last season. United fans hope he could do the same to their young prospect.</p>
<p>Hojlund has just one goal in seven games since missing the start of the season due to injury.</p>
<p>But he has seldom had the service he needs and has been limited to five shots and two big chances.</p>
<p>There is potential there, as shown by his scoring streak last season, when he scored seven goals in six games.</p>
<p>The Danish international should get the nod up front ahead of <strong>Joshua Zirkzee</strong>, who has described himself as a '9.5' rather than an out-and-out number nine. <strong>Marcus Rashford </strong>could be tried up front too though.</p>
<p>With plenty unknown at United, Hojlund is a punt for the bravest of FPL managers - and one to monitor for the more conservative.</p>
<div id="attachment_68497" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-68497" class="size-full wp-image-68497" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Hojlund-gw1-11.jpg" alt="Rasmus Hojlund's stats" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-68497" class="wp-caption-text">Rasmus Hojlund's stats</p>
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<h2>Best FPL budget forwards: AI predicted points</h2>
<p>We've covered the stats - now here's Hub AI's view of who the best budget forwards are up to Gameweek 17.</p>
<p>Our projections change regularly as new information emerges, so be sure to check out the <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/predictions">predicted points</a> nearer to the deadline for the most accurate view.</p>
<p>Hub members gain exclusive access to predicted points for every player as well as our extensive <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/tools">toolbox</a> - including Opta stats and fixture ticker used to produce this article.</p>
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