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.