Stuck with Mateta? Unlocking the Best FPL Forward Replacements for the Season Finale!

Navigate the final FPL gameweeks with top forward picks to maximize your points as the 2024/25 season concludes.

Highlights: Key Forward Replacements

Chris Wood (£7.2m): Offers outstanding value, matching Mateta's price range while boasting superior recent form and goal output (18 goals).
Erling Haaland (£14.7m): The ultimate premium choice if budget allows, delivering consistent high returns, penalty duties, and strong underlying stats (xGI).
Yoane Wissa (£6.5m-£7.0m): A strong budget/differential pick with impressive underlying statistics (Big Chances, xG) and good value potential.

As the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League season heads into its final stretch (we are currently on May 5, 2025, Gameweek 35 onwards), managers holding Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.5m) might be considering a transfer. Recent reports indicate Mateta has faced challenges, including potential injury flags, suspension, and rotation risks, making him a less reliable asset for securing crucial end-of-season points. Finding the right replacement involves weighing form, upcoming fixtures, budget, and the player's role within their team.

Key Factors to Consider When Replacing Mateta

Choosing the optimal replacement requires careful analysis beyond just recent goals. Here’s what to focus on for the remaining gameweeks:

Current Form: Prioritize players who are consistently delivering goals, assists, and strong attacking returns in recent matches (e.g., the last 6-8 Gameweeks). Look at underlying statistics like Expected Goals (xG) and Expected Goal Involvement (xGI).
Upcoming Fixtures: Assess the remaining matches for potential replacements. Teams with favorable fixtures (e.g., playing against defensively weaker sides or teams with less to play for) offer higher point potential.
Price Point & Budget: Consider how the replacement fits into your overall squad budget. Do you need a like-for-like price swap, a cheaper enabler to fund upgrades elsewhere, or can you afford a premium upgrade?
Reliability & Role: Ensure your chosen forward is a guaranteed starter with significant minutes expected. Avoid players prone to rotation or carrying injury flags. Penalty takers often offer an additional route to points.

Fantasy Premier League player selection screen

Selecting the right players is crucial for FPL success, especially in the final gameweeks.

Top Forward Replacements for Mateta

Based on recent performance, statistics, and fixture outlooks, here are the leading candidates to replace Mateta in your FPL squad:

Premium Powerhouses (£9.0m+)

Erling Haaland (Manchester City - £14.7m)

If you have the funds, upgrading to Haaland is arguably the most desirable move. Despite potentially fewer appearances recently, he ranks highly for Expected Goal Involvement (xGI) among forwards. He boasts 18 goals this season, holds penalty duties for Manchester City, and his team is pushing hard in the final stages of the season. While his high ownership reduces his differential value, his consistency and explosive potential make him a prime captaincy candidate and a safe bet for points. The main drawback is his significant cost, requiring potential sacrifices elsewhere in your squad.

Alexander Isak (Newcastle United - £9.3m-£9.5m)

Isak presents another strong premium alternative. He has been in excellent goalscoring form for a Newcastle side that maintains a potent attack. Often highlighted as a top captaincy option, Isak benefits from favourable fixtures and Newcastle's push for European qualification, ensuring his motivation and minutes. His underlying statistics, particularly xG, are impressive. While less expensive than Haaland, he still represents a significant investment compared to Mateta but offers substantial point potential in return.

Mid-Priced Mavericks (£7.0m - £9.0m)

Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest - £7.2m)

Wood emerges as perhaps the best value replacement, operating in a similar price bracket to Mateta. He has been highlighted as the highest-scoring FPL forward recently, accumulating 18 goals and 3 assists, supported by a solid Expected Goals (xG) figure of 10.5. Considered a "natural replacement" due to his form and price, Wood benefits from being a nailed-on starter for Nottingham Forest, who also have potentially favourable fixtures remaining. He offers efficiency in front of goal and allows managers to maintain squad balance without significant budget adjustments.

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa - £8.9m)

Watkins provides reliability and consistency. With secure starts guaranteed, especially given potential injuries elsewhere in the Villa squad, he's a focal point of their attack. Aston Villa ranks well for non-penalty expected goals (NPxG), and their continued push for a high league finish should keep Watkins motivated. He offers both goal and assist potential, making him a well-rounded FPL asset. While slightly more expensive than Wood, his consistent returns make him a dependable option for managers prioritizing stability over explosive differentials.

Value & Differential Dynamo (< £7.0m)

Yoane Wissa (Brentford - £6.5m-£7.0m)

For managers seeking a budget-friendly replacement or a differential pick, Wissa stands out. He boasts strong underlying statistics over recent gameweeks, ranking highly for 'big chances' (joint-top with 11) and Expected Goals (xG) (6.82). He also frequently gets shots inside the box. These metrics suggest his attacking involvement is high, offering significant potential at a lower price point. Wissa provides excellent value for money and can free up funds to strengthen other areas of your FPL squad, making him particularly appealing for managers planning late-season transfers or using chips.

Visualizing Your Options: Player Comparison

To help visualize the strengths and weaknesses of the top recommended replacements relative to each other, the radar chart below compares them across five key FPL attributes: Form, Fixtures, Price Value (higher score means better value), Expected Points potential, and Reliability (expected minutes/starts). The scores are subjective ratings from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) based on recent analysis.

Decision-Making Mindmap

To streamline your thought process for selecting the best Mateta replacement, consider the factors and options visualized in this mindmap:

mindmap root["Replacing Mateta in FPL"] id1["Why Replace Mateta?"] id1a["Injury / Suspension Risk"] id1b["Form Dip / Rotation Concern"] id1c["Maximize End-of-Season Points"] id2["Key Decision Factors"] id2a["Player Form
(Recent Goals/Assists/xG)"] id2b["Upcoming Fixtures
(Difficulty & Motivation)"] id2c["Budget Constraints
(Price Point)"] id2d["Reliability
(Guaranteed Starts/Minutes)"] id2e["Underlying Statistics
(xGI, Big Chances)"] id3["Recommended Replacements by Tier"] id3a["Premium Tier (£9m+)"] id3a1["Erling Haaland (£14.7m)
Top Pick, High Output, Reliable"] id3a2["Alexander Isak (£9.3m-£9.5m)
Strong Form, Good Fixtures"] id3b["Mid-Priced Tier (£7m-£9m)"] id3b1["Chris Wood (£7.2m)
Best Value, Excellent Recent Form"] id3b2["Ollie Watkins (£8.9m)
Consistent Performer, Reliable Starts"] id3c["Budget / Differential Tier (<£7m)"] id3c1["Yoane Wissa (£6.5m-£7.0m)
Strong Underlying Stats, Good Value"]

Forward Replacements: A Closer Look

Here's a summary table comparing the key attributes of the most recommended Mateta replacements for the remaining fixtures:

Player	Price	Recent Form Summary	Key Stat Highlight	Fixture Outlook (Subjective)
Erling Haaland	£14.7m	Excellent goal output, high FPL point ceiling.	Top tier xGI, Penalty Taker	Favourable
Alexander Isak	£9.3m-£9.5m	Strong goalscoring form recently.	High xG, Focal point of attack	Favourable
Ollie Watkins	£8.9m	Consistent goal & assist threat, reliable starter.	High NPxG involvement (Team)	Mixed to Good
Chris Wood	£7.2m	Highest scoring forward recently, clinical finisher.	18 Goals, High xG Conversion	Favourable
Yoane Wissa	£6.5m-£7.0m	Good form, backed by strong underlying numbers.	Top for Big Chances & xG recently	Mixed

Expert Insights: Transfer Targets Video

For additional perspectives, FPL content creators often analyze transfer targets, including replacements for players like Mateta. This video discusses potential replacements around Gameweek 28 when concerns about Mateta and similar forwards were rising. While specific gameweek advice changes, the analysis of player profiles and reasons for considering replacements can still offer valuable insights for your decision-making process for the rest of the season.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is the best like-for-like replacement for Mateta in terms of price?

Chris Wood (£7.2m) is the closest in price to Mateta (£7.5m) among the highly recommended options. He offers excellent recent form and goal-scoring record, making him a strong candidate if you want a direct swap without significantly impacting your budget.

I have a limited budget. Who is the best budget forward?

Yoane Wissa (£6.5m-£7.0m) stands out as a strong budget option. His underlying statistics (xG, Big Chances) are impressive for his price point, suggesting he offers good value and potential for points. Choosing a budget option like Wissa can also free up funds for upgrades in midfield or defence.

Is it worth taking a points hit (-4) to replace Mateta?

Whether to take a points hit depends on your situation. If Mateta is injured or highly likely to miss games, and you have no playing bench cover, a -4 for a reliable starter like Wood, Watkins, or Isak could pay off over the remaining gameweeks. If Mateta might still play some part, or if the replacement doesn't have significantly better prospects immediately, it might be better to wait for a free transfer. Consider the expected points gain versus the -4 cost.

Should I just get Haaland if I can afford him?

Erling Haaland (£14.7m) is generally considered the best forward asset in FPL when fit and firing. If you can restructure your team to accommodate his high price without significantly weakening other key positions, he is highly likely to deliver strong returns in the final gameweeks and is an excellent captaincy option. His consistency and potential for explosive scores make him a desirable pick for the season run-in.