Last updated on February 11th, 2025
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The January transfer window has come and gone, and we are officially heading into the business end of the 2024/25 season. With fixture congestion mounting and injuries piling up, it’s the perfect time to uncover those hidden gems in the market. Obviously, it would be nice to have a team full of Mohamed Salahs and Erling Haalands, but a few budget players are required to maximize your points haul and win your respective leagues.
Luckily, this season has been the year of the underdog. One only needs to look at Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood. Not many fantasy managers will have had the Kiwi hitman in their squads at the start of the campaign, but he is currently the best-scoring attacker in the game this year. He’s amassed some 154 points – more than the aforementioned Haaland – and is still available for just £7.1m. And there are plenty more hidden gems waiting to be unearthed in the Fantasy Premier League.
FPL Continues to Surge
Fantasy Premier League has become a cultural phenomenon, changing how fans experience football. With millions of active players worldwide, it has deepened engagement with the beautiful game, encouraging fans to follow every team, player, and match with an eagle eye. But beyond its impact on football fandom, FPL’s popularity has inspired creative ventures in alternative industries such as the online casino.
Outlets such as the popular Ignition are now offering a plethora of football-themed online casino slot games, with the likes of Hat-Trick Hero and Zombie FC rising to prominence. Just like FPL, these games capture the excitement like nothing else and as they are accessible around the clock providing one has an internet connection, they bring players closer to the pitch than ever before.
Add to that the fact that gamers can pick up prizes just like they can when they don their fantasy manager suits, and it’s clear to see why they have been such a hit. There’s tons to explore and it’s a great way to enjoy your love of football even when there’s no game going on. Of course, there are tons of other slots themes too, with bonus spins, hold and win, and more – plenty on offer for the enthusiastic player.
These games win our hearts because of the thrill they bring – and that same thrill is one many FPL managers are looking for in a different context. Here are five budget selections that can help flesh out your squad heading into the latter stages of the 2024/25 season.
Amad Diallo – £5.6m
21-year-old Manchester United winger Amad Diallo is finally starting to fulfil the promise that saw the Red Devils pay a hefty fee for him back in 2021. The Ivorian winger has flourished since the appointment of Ruben Amorim, and with Marcus Rashford now shipped out to Aston Villa, the former Rangers loanee is all but guaranteed to be starting on the wing most matchday.
What makes the talented attacker such an intriguing pick is his versatility. He’s been deployed on the right flank, where his dribbling, pace, and eye for goal have stood out. Returning a goal and two assists in his last four Premier League appearances, he is showing the kind of consistency that FPL managers crave, something that has sorely been missing from his game in recent campaigns.
With United entering a favourable run of fixtures against the likes of Ipswich and Leicester, Diallo could be a bargain buy at £5.6m for anyone looking to free up cash without compromising on potential returns.
Antoine Semenyo – £5.6m
Often overshadowed by Bournemouth’s star man Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo has quietly been delivering the goods for the Cherries. The forward has stepped up in recent weeks, netting twice and also providing his assist in his last four games.
The Ghanaian winger shines as a player thanks to his power and directness. He’s the type who can bulldoze through defences or cut inside to create goal-scoring opportunities. His recent goal involvements have catapulted the South Coast side into Champions League contention, something scarcely believable at the start of the campaign.
Given Bournemouth’s upcoming fixtures, which include games against defensively vulnerable sides like Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Semenyo has the potential to keep racking up points, particularly at home. Whether you need a second striker or a bargain bench option, he is certainly one to watch.
Yoane Wissa – £6.3m
After Brentford’s success over the last couple of seasons, you might have expected Yoane Wissa’s price to be sky-high. Remarkably, though, he remains one of the most affordable options at the top end of the pitch.
With Ivan Toney firmly in the rearview mirror following his departure to Saudi Arabia last summer, the Congolese star has risen to the occasion and become a key figure in Brentford’s attack. His excellent movement and positional intelligence have seen him rack up 11 goals so far this season, leaving the club’s former captain as a distant memory. Add to that Brentford’s reputation for turning up in tough fixtures, and you’ve got yourself a player who’s dangerous against any opponent.
At £6.3m, Wissa offers a steady stream of points without breaking the bank. With fixtures against teams in the bottom half coming up, including Leicester and Everton, now is the time to bring him in.
