Who Are the Three Must-Haves?
Erling Haaland, Bruno Fernandes and Bukayo Saka headline the list of the most expensive EPL Fantasy players shown in the supplied Sofascore Fantasy graphic. But does paying a premium for these stars guarantee fantasy success?
With the 2026/27 Premier League season getting underway, fantasy managers are weighing up which premium players deserve a place in their squads. At the same time, football bettors can use the same player form, fixtures and attacking data to identify potential betting opportunities.
So, who are the three EPL Fantasy must-haves from this list, and how can fantasy analysis complement your Premier League betting strategy on BangBet?
Most Expensive EPL Fantasy Players 2026/27
According to the supplied Sofascore Fantasy graphic, these are the 10 most expensive players:
| Rank | Player | Club | Position | Price (€) | Selected By |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erling Haaland | Manchester City | Forward | €12.0 | 77.5% |
| 2 | Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United | Midfielder | €11.0 | 41.7% |
| 3 | Bukayo Saka | Arsenal | Midfielder | €9.5 | 22.5% |
| 4 | Rayan Cherki | Manchester City | Midfielder | €8.5 | 11.4% |
| 5 | Cole Palmer | Chelsea | Midfielder | €8.0 | 13.4% |
| 6 | Florian Wirtz | Liverpool | Midfielder | €8.0 | 8.7% |
| 7 | Enzo Fernández | Chelsea | Midfielder | €8.0 | 7.8% |
| 8 | Bryan Mbeumo | Manchester United | Midfielder | €8.0 | 12.3% |
| 9 | Alexander Isak | Liverpool | Forward | €8.0 | 8.9% |
| 10 | Dominik Szoboszlai | Liverpool | Midfielder | €8.0 | 21.7% |
Who Are the Three EPL Fantasy Must-Haves?
If the objective is to combine elite fantasy potential with players who can also influence Premier League betting markets, my three picks from the graphic are:
- Erling Haaland
- Bruno Fernandes
- Bukayo Saka
Each offers something different, making the trio particularly interesting for fantasy managers.
1. Erling Haaland – Manchester City
Fantasy price in the graphic: €12.0
Selected by: 77.5%
Haaland is the obvious premium forward on the list.
His 77.5% selection rate is the strongest indication in the graphic that fantasy managers consider him a player worth paying for. His value comes from one simple factor: goals.
Haaland is also the most expensive player in the official 2026/27 FPL game at £15.5m, reinforcing his status as the game’s ultimate premium asset.
For fantasy managers, the biggest question is not necessarily whether Haaland can score, but whether his expected returns justify the enormous amount of budget required to own him.
Why Haaland matters for betting
Haaland’s fantasy appeal can also point bettors towards Manchester City matches.
Before considering a bet involving Haaland, look at:
- His recent goal involvement
- Manchester City’s attacking form
- The quality of the opposition defence
- Whether Haaland is expected to start
- Manchester City’s home and away record
- Recent head-to-head trends
- The available goalscorer and team-goal markets
For example, if Haaland is starting against a team that has been conceding regularly, his fantasy appeal may coincide with interest in Anytime Goalscorer or Manchester City team-goal markets.
However, fantasy ownership alone is never a reason to place a bet.
2. Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United
Fantasy price in the graphic: €11.0
Selected by: 41.7%
Bruno Fernandes is the most expensive midfielder shown in the supplied graphic and one of the biggest premium options in the official FPL game.
His 2025/26 FPL season explains why his price has risen dramatically. Fernandes finished with 235 FPL points, only four behind Haaland, after recording nine goals and 24 assists.
That makes him particularly attractive because midfielders can collect points through multiple routes, including goals and assists.
The official Premier League Scout has also identified Fernandes and Haaland among the key premium players for the opening part of the 2026/27 season.
Why Bruno matters for betting
Bruno’s importance goes beyond goals.
His role means bettors can also monitor:
- Assists
- Chances created
- Set pieces
- Penalty involvement
- Goal contributions
- Manchester United’s attacking performance
This makes Manchester United matches worth monitoring when assessing player-related betting markets.
If Bruno is involved heavily in Manchester United’s attacking play, his fantasy statistics can provide useful context before examining available markets on BangBet.
3. Bukayo Saka – Arsenal
Fantasy price in the graphic: €9.5
Selected by: 22.5%
Saka completes my three picks.
At €9.5 in the supplied graphic, he is significantly cheaper than Haaland and Bruno while remaining one of the most expensive players listed.
That balance is important.
Fantasy managers cannot simply fill their squad with premium players. They have a limited budget and need to combine expensive stars with cheaper players who can deliver value.
Saka can therefore represent a different type of premium asset: a player with strong attacking involvement without requiring the same budget as Haaland.
The official FPL player list also places Saka at £9.5m for 2026/27.
Why Saka matters for betting
Saka’s attacking role makes Arsenal matches particularly interesting from a player-performance perspective.
When analysing an Arsenal fixture, consider:
- Saka’s recent goal involvement
- Arsenal’s attacking form
- The opponent’s defensive record
- Saka’s expected starting role
- Arsenal’s home and away performances
- Set-piece involvement where relevant
- Available player markets
The key is to use these statistics as part of a broader betting analysis rather than assuming a fantasy pick automatically represents a winning bet.
What About the Other Expensive EPL Fantasy Players?
The graphic contains several other premium options who could become important as the season develops.
Rayan Cherki – Manchester City
€8.5 | 11.4% selected
Cherki is an intriguing Manchester City option. His price places him above several established stars on the list, but fantasy managers should pay close attention to his minutes and starting role.
For betting purposes, his potential value depends heavily on how consistently he features in City’s starting XI.
Cole Palmer – Chelsea
€8.0 | 13.4% selected
Palmer remains one of Chelsea’s most interesting attacking players.
His fantasy value will depend on his involvement in goals and assists, as well as Chelsea’s overall attacking output.
For bettors, Chelsea’s fixtures and Palmer’s role should be assessed together rather than separately.
Florian Wirtz – Liverpool
€8.0 | 8.7% selected
Wirtz has a relatively low selection percentage in the supplied graphic compared with the premium names above him.
That could make him an interesting differential for fantasy managers looking for a player who is not as heavily owned.
However, lower ownership can also mean greater uncertainty, so managers should monitor his role, minutes and attacking involvement.
Enzo Fernández – Chelsea
€8.0 | 7.8% selected
Enzo Fernández is another €8.0 option, but his lower selection percentage shows that fantasy managers are not treating him in the same way as the top premium attackers.
His fantasy appeal will depend heavily on his position and attacking responsibilities.
Bryan Mbeumo – Manchester United
€8.0 | 12.3% selected
Mbeumo provides another Manchester United option at a lower price than Bruno Fernandes.
If he becomes a consistent source of goals and assists, he could offer a way for fantasy managers to gain exposure to Manchester United without paying the full premium for Bruno.
Alexander Isak – Liverpool
€8.0 | 8.9% selected
Isak is the second forward in the graphic’s top 10.
As a striker, his fantasy returns can be more directly tied to goals, making his minutes and Liverpool’s attacking approach particularly important.
Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool
€8.0 | 21.7% selected
Szoboszlai stands out because his 21.7% selection rate is considerably higher than several other €8.0 players.
That suggests significant confidence from the fantasy managers represented in the graphic.
He could therefore be one of the more interesting players to monitor as the season develops.
Fantasy Football vs Betting: What Can Bettors Learn?
Fantasy football and sports betting are different activities, but they can overlap when it comes to analysing player performance.
A fantasy manager asks:
Will this player produce enough points to justify his price?
A bettor might ask:
Does this player’s performance create value in the available betting market?
Those questions are related, but they are not identical.
For example, a player could be an excellent fantasy pick because he regularly contributes assists and bonus points while still being a poor Anytime Goalscorer betting selection.
This is why fantasy statistics should be used as one part of a betting research process, not as a betting system.
How to Use EPL Fantasy Data Before Betting on BangBet
If you are following the Premier League on BangBet, fantasy statistics can provide an additional layer of information when researching matches.
Before placing a bet, consider:
1. Check the starting XI
A premium fantasy player who is rested or unavailable changes the betting picture significantly.
2. Check recent form
Look beyond a player’s reputation. Recent goals, assists and minutes can provide useful context.
3. Study the opponent
A player facing a strong defensive team may have a different scoring probability from the same player facing a struggling defence.
4. Compare the market
Do not assume that a popular player automatically represents good betting value. Compare the available odds with your own assessment of the probability.
5. Consider the team, not just the player
Football is a team sport. A striker’s goalscoring opportunities depend heavily on the quality and style of the team around him.
You can explore Premier League football markets on BangBet Football section. The platform lists Premier League among its football competitions.
You can also visit BangBet to follow available sports betting markets and football events.
Which Three Would I Pick?
If I had to select only three players from the supplied list, my choices would be:
| Player | Why I Would Pick Him |
|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | Elite goalscoring potential and the highest selection rate |
| Bruno Fernandes | Exceptional midfield output with goals and assists |
| Bukayo Saka | Premium attacking midfielder at a lower price than the top two |
Haaland is the premium anchor
At the top of the price list, Haaland is the player most likely to define a fantasy squad strategy.
Bruno offers elite midfield production
His 235-point FPL campaign in 2025/26 demonstrates why managers are willing to spend heavily on him.
Saka offers a different balance
Saka gives managers access to a premium Arsenal attacker without spending the same amount required for Haaland or Bruno.
Final Verdict
The 2026/27 Premier League fantasy season has no shortage of expensive options, but Erling Haaland, Bruno Fernandes and Bukayo Saka stand out from the players shown in the supplied Sofascore Fantasy graphic.
Haaland is the elite goalscoring forward, Bruno combines midfield creativity with goal involvement, while Saka offers premium attacking potential at a lower price.
For bettors, these players are also worth tracking because their form, minutes, attacking involvement and fixtures can provide useful context when analysing Premier League betting markets.
However, fantasy ownership is not a betting tip. Use team news, form, fixtures, player statistics and available odds before making a decision.
For more Premier League betting coverage, predictions and football content, visit BangBet Football News section.
18+ only. Betting should be entertainment, not a way to make money. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. If betting stops being enjoyable or starts causing problems, take a break and seek support. See BangBet Responsible Gambling guidance.
