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            <p>Wondering who are the best FPL forwards for Gameweek 1? Expert Fantasy Premier League manager Abdul Rehman (<a href="https://twitter.com/FPL_Salah">FPL Salah</a>) has it covered.</p>
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<h2><strong>Best Forwards Gameweek 1</strong></h2>
<h3><strong><br />
Ollie Watkins (£8.0m) – Aston Villa</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Fixture: Newcastle United</strong></p>
<p>Watkins recorded his best ever season in the Premier League, scoring 15 goals and making eight assists, with an Expected Goals (xG) of 18.52 (fourth among forwards) and an Expected Assists (xA) of 5.42.</p>
<p>He will likely finish as their top scorer again for the fourth season running, and is a very reliable asset.</p>
<p>Watkins can score, assist, is on penalties, and the most nailed player in his side.</p>
<p>Since Unai Emery took charge, Aston Villa have been a totally different side. Since the Spaniard's arrival, Watkins actually has the second best xG among forwards (14.4) after <strong>Erling Haaland (£14.0m)</strong>.</p>
<p>Villa are a solid side both defensively and offensively, and Watkins is a glue pick. He is the type of player you can just stick in your side long term, and he will tick along with points.</p>
<p>The Villains don’t have an easy fixture in Gameweek 1 by any means, coming up against Newcastle United (a). However the 27-year-old can score against any opposition due to him being on penalties and assured for 90 minutes, which makes him a good asset against most opposition.</p>
<p>Watkins scored against Liverpool, Newcastle, Spurs and Manchester City last season.</p>
<p>He is the fourth highest scoring predicted forward for Gameweek 1 according to our <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/predictions">AI Tool.</a></p>
<div id="attachment_56415" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-56415" class="size-full wp-image-56415" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Ollie-Watkins.jpg" alt="Ollie Watkins. best forwards gameweek 1" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-56415" class="wp-caption-text">Ollie Watkins</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Nicolas Jackson (£7.0m) – Chelsea</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Fixture: Liverpool (H)</strong></p>
<p>Nicolas Jackson has really made his mark in pre-season for Chelsea. With <strong>Christopher Nkunku (£7.5m)</strong> injured, he should definitely start the season as the number nine.</p>
<p>He scored two goals and registered three assists in Chelsea’s five pre-season games, averaging at least an attacking return per game.</p>
<p>Pochettino started Jackson and Nkunku against Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund in preseason. Jackson played as the number nine in both games, with Nkunku playing against the Toon as the number 10, and on the left against Dortmund.</p>
<p>This tells us that even if the Frenchman returns from injury, Jackson should still get the starts and minutes, as long as he keeps performing,</p>
<p>The Blues have a tough game on paper against Liverpool at home, but the Reds had the sixth worst xGC (60.2) and Pochettino’s men have the home advantage.</p>
<p>The Senegalese scored an impressive 12 goals and four assists in only 16 starts for Villarreal last season.</p>
<div id="attachment_56416" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-56416" class="size-full wp-image-56416" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Nicolas-Jackson.jpg" alt="Nicolas Jackson. best captains gameweek 1" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-56416" class="wp-caption-text">Nicolas Jackson</p>
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<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h3><strong>Harry Kane (£12.5m) – Tottenham Hotspur</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Fixture: Brentford (a)</strong></p>
<p>Harry Kane had his best ever season in terms of FPL points (192) and goals scored (30). He registered the second-highest xG of 23.18, and recorded the highest xA among forwards (10.93).</p>
<p>It’s not clear yet whether he will stay at Spurs, but if he does then he will no doubt finish as one of the top scoring players again. At the time of writing, he has five goals in pre-season, four of which came against Shakhtar Donetsk.</p>
<p>Kane is nailed to start, on penalties, and is the clear talisman for Spurs. Also with the extra added minutes being implemented this season, this will only benefit him further.</p>
<p>He had the highest goal involvement (56%) in the league last term, and the attacking style of football that Ange Postecoglou implements will only mean more goals for Tottenham in my opinion.</p>
<p>The North London club have a decent match in Gameweek 1 against Brentford which should see plenty of goals.</p>
<p>Kane is predicted to be the second-highest scoring player (6.1 points) for Gameweek 1 according to <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/predictions">Hub AI.</a></p>
<div id="attachment_56417" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-56417" class="size-full wp-image-56417" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Harry-Kane.jpg" alt="Harry Kane. best players gameweek 1 fpl" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-56417" class="wp-caption-text">Harry Kane</p>
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<p><strong> </strong></p>
<h3><strong>Erling Haaland (£14.0m) – Manchester City</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Fixture: Burnley (a)</strong></p>
<p>Erling Haaland had a monstrous debut season for Manchester City, scoring a record 36 goals in 33 starts, and registering the highest xG (30.06) in the league. He also created nine assists ,with an xA of 9.08.</p>
<p>There is nothing to suggest he won't hit similar numbers this term. He plays for the best attacking team in the country, and is the best goalscorer in world football just now.</p>
<p>City scored the most goals (94) last season and also recorded the highest xG (83.69) and are likely to top these metrics again. They are also the second favourites to score 2.5+ goals (45%) in Gameweek 1.</p>
<p>Haaland is nailed to start, on penalties and is going to be the best captain choice in most weeks.</p>
<p>The Norwegian had the second-highest goal involvement (51%) in the league and this won't change this season. He is City’s talisman and centre-forward.</p>
<p>City also have a fantastic fixture in Gameweek 1 as they take on newly promoted Burnley.</p>
<p>Unsurprisingly, Haaland is the clear favourite to score at anytime at 68%. He is also the highest predicted scoring player overall (8.2 points) for the opening gameweek according to <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/predictions">Hub AI.</a></p>
<div id="attachment_56418" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-56418" class="size-full wp-image-56418" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Erling-Haaland.jpg" alt="Erling Haaland" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-56418" class="wp-caption-text">Erling Haaland</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Callum Wilson (£8.0m) – Newcastle United</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Fixture: Aston Villa (H)</strong></p>
<p>Wilson had a phenomenal season, with 18 goals and six assists in only 21 starts. He had an xG of 16.06 and an xA of 4.81.</p>
<p>The ex-Bournemouth forward has 79 goals and 26 assists in the Premier League (201 games) so knows exactly where the net is, and is a proven FPL asset.</p>
<p>If he can keep himself fit, he will no doubt finish as the Magpies' top scorer again. Wilson is on penalties and has both goals and assists in his locker.</p>
<p>He will be a particularly good option if Eddie Howe uses him in the number-nine role as a lone forward, as he did last season near the end of the campaign.</p>
<p><strong>Alexander Isak (£7.5m)</strong> does provide him with a bit of competition in that position, but if Wilson is fit, he's likely to play there.</p>
<p>Isak can also play on the left, although new signing <strong>Harvey Barnes (£6.5m) </strong>provides further options on that flank.</p>
<p>Newcastle have a decent fixture in Gameweek 1 as they take on Aston Villa at St James Park. They scored 68 goals (fifth) with an xG of 72.93 (fourth) so are a good attacking side.</p>
<p>Our <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/predictions">Hub AI</a> also fancies Wilson, ranking him as third highest predicted scoring forward (5.3 points) in Gameweek 1.</p>
<div id="attachment_56419" style="width: 808px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-56419" class="size-full wp-image-56419" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Callum-Wilson.jpg" alt="Callum Wilson" width="798" height="650" /></p>
<p id="caption-attachment-56419" class="wp-caption-text">Callum Wilson</p>
</div>
<h2><strong>Hub Power Rankings</strong></h2>
<p>I will now rank these options, exclusively for Hub <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/join">members</a>.</p>
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Best FPL forwards for Gameweek 1 2023/24

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