Best FPL Goalkeepers 2026-27

Premium goalkeepers — Alisson, Raya, Sánchez

The 5.5m+ tier in 2026-27 will be a three-horse race. Alisson (Liverpool) historically combines clean sheets with bonus from saves; Raya (Arsenal) was 25/26's GK of the season and Arsenal's defensive system supports him; Sánchez (Chelsea) is the dark-horse premium pick as Chelsea's back four stabilises. Pick one and rotate cheap bench backup.

Mid-price value — the 5m tier

The 5m tier is where the smartest managers play: starting GKs for established mid-table clubs with shutout potential. Sels (Forest), Pope (Newcastle), Henderson (Palace) all qualify. Look for fixture-friendly opening weeks — Forest's opening 4 are softer than Newcastle's, which makes Sels the early pick.

Budget enablers — 4-4.5m

Budget GKs are bench fodder by design — you want them cheap, ideally never starting, and never injured. Sels at 4.5m last year became 5m+ after promotion; Bayindir at Man United is the rotation-risk we avoid. Pair your premium GK with a 4.0m back-up that won't play.

Differentials — keepers under 8% ownership

Below-radar GKs who could break out: Petrović (Chelsea if Sánchez gets injured), Vicario (Spurs if Tottenham's defence stabilises), Onana (Man United, if the defensive rebuild lands). One of these gets to 30+ ownership by GW10 — backing the right one is a 50-point swing.

Captaining a goalkeeper?

Almost never — but the exception is when a top-clean-sheet GK faces a goalless-newly-promoted side at home in a low-fixture-difficulty matchweek. The model flags those moments. Don't make it a default play, but don't rule it out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the best FPL goalkeeper for 2026/27?

Pre-season, the Onside model has Alisson, Raya, and Sánchez as the three best premium GK picks. Raya leads on projected clean sheets; Alisson on bonus from saves; Sánchez on value-per-pound if Chelsea's defence holds up.

How much should I spend on a goalkeeper?

Premium (5.5m+) goalkeepers can win you ownership swings; mid-price (5m) provides reliable scoring at fixture-friendly periods; budget (4-4.5m) is bench-fodder. Most top-1% squads spend 5.0-5.5m on their starting GK.

Should I rotate two goalkeepers?

Only if your two GKs have opposite fixture difficulty — e.g. one plays at home against soft opposition while the other plays away vs a top-six. Otherwise the maths favours one starter + one 4.0m bench dummy.

What's the best budget FPL goalkeeper for 2026/27?

For 4.0-4.5m, look for starting GKs at newly-promoted clubs with realistic chances of mid-table finish. Stop-gap until you afford the premium upgrade.