FPL experts’ predictions for 2024/25 season

With the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League season getting under way on Friday, we've asked some of the world's top managers to predict the top-scoring player, breakout star and who will struggle to live up to their price tag.

Remember, the Gameweek 1 deadline is on Friday 16 August at 18:30 BST.

Who will get the most FPL points?

Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily): I'm backing Erling Haaland (£15.0m), who is also my pick for the Golden Boot. The forward had a disappointing season by his standards in 2023/24, but still registered 35 attacking returns, a total only bettered by the 37 of Ollie Watkins (£9.0m).

Ben Crabtree (@FC_CrabDogg): I'd like to go for someone other than Haaland, but I think the other main contenders, apart from Mohamed Salah (£12.5m), could end up with around 160 points. I see Haaland getting a minimum of 220 and at some point beating his previous best of 272. Maybe this season!

Gianni Buttice (@GianniButtice): After a summer with no international football, Haaland goes into the season well rested, which gives him an advantage over many of his rivals. If he stays fit, 30 league goals is on the cards, and that likely means the most FPL points.

Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily): There's a reason Haaland is £15.0m in FPL this season. With a full pre-season behind him, I'm expecting the Norwegian to again play a big part in Man City's title challenge.

Pranil Sheth (@lateriser12): Haaland is nailed-on to become this season's top-scoring player in a team which is set up to create chances for him. He even underperformed his underlying data last season and, after a full pre-season, I'm backing him to score at least 30 goals this season. 

Holly Shand (@HollyShand): Provided that Haaland stays fit this season, I'd be very surprised if he didn't finish the season as the top-scoring player. He was second to Cole Palmer (£10.5m) for points per match in 2023/24 Fantasy and he's improving all the time.

Utkarsh Dalmia (@ZopharFPL): Haaland underperformed his Expected Goals (xG) last season, and if he can stay fit I expect him to hit 30+ goals again. 

Pras (@Pras_FPL): Haaland won the Golden Boot last season despite missing several games due to injury. If he stays injury-free, there is no reason to not believe that he can recreate his 2022/23 form again and deliver 250+ points.

Az Phillips (@FPLBlackBox_Az): Haaland hit 27 goals last season and in some ways it felt like he underperformed. I'm expecting him to hit 30+ again this season.

Who will be the breakout star?

Pras (@Pras_FPL): Oscar Bobb (£5.0m) looks to have put his hand up as the go-to option on the right flank for Man City. Of course, this doesn't mean he will play every game, but if he can manage 1,500-2,000 minutes this season, he should end up delivering some great returns.

Az Phillips (@FPLBlackBox_Az): It's been a frustrating, injury-hit couple of seasons for Emile Smith Rowe (£5.5m), but I'm backing him to become a key part of an exciting-looking Fulham team and rediscover his form from the 2021/22 season, when he produced 12 attacking returns for Arsenal.

Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily): I've been really impressed with Yankuba Minteh (£5.5m) during pre-season for Brighton. His work-rate and pressing is exactly what new head coach Fabian Hurzeler will be looking for. I expect him to earn a regular starting spot on the right wing. 

Gianni Buttice (@GianniButtice): Bobb really has a chance of cementing a place on the right side of the City attack, if we expect Phil Foden (£9.5m) and Bernardo Silva (£6.5m) to get more minutes centrally this season. Many will think 20+ league starts are unlikely, but if he gets them, he has the ability to make a mockery of his price tag.

Ben Crabtree (@FC_CrabDogg): Minteh looks like he'll be a huge threat this season and has composure in front of goal. 

Holly Shand (@HollyShand): Smith Rowe is the standout player in this category after his move to Fulham, which will put him as the main man in the side following limited minutes at Arsenal. He looks the part already, with two goals in pre-season and the fixtures to make a fast start.

Utkarsh Dalmia (@ZopharFPL): Minteh has looked electric in pre-season under Hurzeler and should thrive under a head coach who will hand him regular minutes.

Pranil Sheth (@lateriser12): Christopher Nkunku (£6.5m) was injured all of last season and I'm expecting him to firmly announce himself to the league this season. I think he's a world-class player whose potential will shine through in 2024/25.

Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily): Smith Rowe had a difficult few seasons at Arsenal. Injuries and a lack of pitch time have meant that he hasn't yet shone on a regular basis, but I think this might just be the season he does. 

Who will struggle to live up to their price tag?

Az Phillips (@FPLBlackBox_Az): The pricing has been excellent this season, but I can't see Son Heung-min (£10.0m) being a factor for me following Dominic Solanke's move to Spurs, with the forward available for £7.5m. I prefer a host of other players around the same price as the South Korean.

Ben Crabtree (@FC_CrabDogg): Ben White (£6.5m) has been great at right-back, but I still don't think of him as an attacking full-back. Arsenal should get a good number of clean sheets, but I don't see White getting anywhere near the same number of attacking returns as last season.

Pranil Sheth (@lateriser12): I do think Kevin De Bruyne's (£9.5m) minutes will be reduced this season, and the fact that he's getting older might not help his cause. His midfield peers have penalties in their locker, which is why I prefer them to the Belgian.

Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily): Last season, Palmer was generally handed a free role under Mauricio Pochettino. I don't think he'll be afforded that same luxury this season, which makes him expensive at £10.5m.

Pras (@Pras_FPL): Kieran Trippier (£6.0m) looks a bit overpriced since, given his age, I expect a changing of the guard over the season, with Tino Livramento (£4.5m) waiting in the wings to come in at right-back. I think there are other better options in his price bracket.

Utkarsh Dalmia (@ZopharFPL): Palmer did everything for Chelsea under Pochettino, but I think under Maresca the goals and assists will be more spread out, so he may not justify his price tag.

Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily): Palmer could be overpriced, particularly as Maresca's ethos will be more team-based, with goals and assists coming from all areas of the pitch.

Gianni Buttice (@GianniButtice): White was sensational last season, but if he was the same price as William Saliba (£6.0m), I would still prefer the latter.

Holly Shand (@HollyShand): The arrival of Solanke makes new team-mate Son feel overpriced. I think James Maddison (£7.5m) could combine well with the new centre-forward, leaving Son as the forgotten man. Solanke could take penalties off him, too!