The Watchlist Updated – The Forwards

Having analysed the Defence and Midfield options over the player recommendations for the next four to six Gameweeks, we now shine a light on the men up top. Unsurprisingly, Liverpool’s front two lead the way, though Arsenal and Everton’s lone forwards have the schedules to cement their places in forward lines over the next few matches as the “template” front three continues to look full of potential.

The mobile version of Blackburn’s infamous Shearer-and-Sutton “SAS”, the shock troops spearheading Liverpool’s attack take first and second place in this week’s Watchlist refresh. Daniel Sturridge’s lethal marksmanship in front of goal has made casualties of all but one of Liverpool’s six opponents so far, while his display at Sunderland saw an altruistic side as he turned provider for both of Luis Suarez’ goals. The Uruguayan wasted little time in announcing his return to domestic football, leaving his hapless Wearside markers in the dust as he helped himself to a 13 point haul with a brace and maximum bonus points. A goal apiece for the pair at Crystal Palace last time out indicates a devastating partnership for a promising run of fixtures. Priced at 9.9 and 11.3 respectively, managers will no doubt continue to fuel price rises for the pair as Liverpool get ready to raid a poorly armoured sequence of opponents, starting with a trip to leaky Newcastle followed by a home match-up against West Brom. Capturing one, or perhaps even both, of the Merseysiders’ in-form frontmen looks a strong tactic going forward.

Olivier Giroud’s strength and guile in front of goal may be equally deserving of a militaristic moniker. The second highest scoring forward may only have a solitary assist to his name in the last three Gameweeks, but a European goal and an international brace is indicative of his flourishing form. A home clash against Norwich followed by a trip to Selhurst Park provides the perfect opportunity for the Frenchman to remedy his domestic slump and, with a staggering array of creative talent around him and no realistic competition for his position, further blanks look unlikely.

New Everton loan recruit Romelu Lukaku may be leaving Chelsea fans scratching their heads as he continues to torment defences with the ease that harvested 17 goals and seven assists last season. Blessed with strength, pace and technical ability, the Belgian has scored in all three league appearances for the Toffees and racked up 39 points in little over two-and-a-half games. With a home clash against Hull along with trips to Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in the next four, Lukaku looks set to reward savvy owners who snapped him up below his starting price; at a very reasonable 8.0 million still and with starts looking guaranteed, he proves very hard to ignore.

Manchester United’s worrying form causes Wayne Rooney to drop down to fifth. Another set piece goal was welcomed by the countless managers who chose to captain him for United’s previous home fixture before a blank against basement-dwellers Sunderland followed. Back-to-back confidence-building goals during the England internationals and a kind fixture list gives him plenty chance to further his form, providing his team can navigate past Southampton’s near impregnable defence.

Robin Van Persie remains outside the top five, an unthinkable proposition a matter of months ago. With manager David Moyes proving a little keener than his predecessor to preserve the Dutchman as he battles on a number of fronts, only United’s desperation for points and an obliging fixture list provide any real argument for shelling out a budget-breaking 13.9 for Van Persie’s services. An international hat-trick reminded managers what he was capable of with the right supply; Adnan Januzaj’s emergence from the ranks may prove just the catalyst to reignite the Dutchman. With far cheaper alternatives showing superior consistency, Van Persie is relying heavily on his exemplary record to warrant a role in our squads – the exodus is already underway but a couple of more blanks and his owners will continue to desert at pace.

Loic Remy becomes the Frenchman of choice in Newcastle’s squad. Despite a role out wide in the front three, five goals in three games make him a viable proposition at 7.7, although an unpleasant run that include home clashes with Liverpool and Chelsea, along with a tricky trip to White Hart Lane, may persuade many mangers to forgo his services.

The perpetually frustrating Sergio Aguero rises on the back of a typically mercurial performance, with a seven point haul masking a missed penalty and the potential for further returns. A player of undisputed class, his brace in the Manchester derby was followed by a non-appearance at Villa Park. Despite playing nearly 200 minutes less than his rivals, he only trails second-placed Giroud by five points; injuries and rotation make it difficult to entrust over 11.0 of our budgets to a player who has the capacity to spend as much time with the medic as on the front line. If he can steer clear of the treatment room, though, the Etihad outfit will be reliant on Aguero to provide the necessary attacking consistency to get their campaign back on track.

Veteran of lower-league campaigns Rickie Lambert reminded managers as to why he deserved an England call up at the age of 31 with a goal and two bonus points against Crystal Palace. While Southampton have built their success on a watertight defence, a mixed fixture list may well cause them to rely on their top scorer to galvanise a somewhat misfiring attack. Away fixtures to Manchester United and Arsenal are allied with promising home games against Fulham and Hull in the next six, though there’s no doubt the Saints forward has struggled this term and has yet to notch from open play.

Further down, we’re firmly in differential country although first we find the reviving Christian Benteke as a consideration, having seemingly recovered from injury to return this weekend. The Belgian adds another potentially explosive option to consider and could yet displace those higher up our rankings should he prove his fitness against Spurs on Sunday.

Below this, we have the option of Swansea’s Wilfried Bony, Norwich City’s Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Sunderland’s Jozy Altidore. All three represent gambles for differing reasons, with Bony perhaps carrying the most potential if he can cement regular starts over Swansea’s kind schedule across the next six. Steven Fletcher is another name who could soon feature amongst these differential candidates – the Scot may be restored to the Black Cats front line at the Liberty and has the pedigree to push for our consideration if Gus Poyet’s arrival sparks strong form.

It’s almost unthinkable to be considering a budget option up front, although Villa’s Andreas Weimann at 6.0 is perhaps well placed to start firing should Benteke’s return help them exploit four home matches in the next six. Across the midlands, West Brom’s emerging Saido Berahino is another to monitor given his form and 4.5 price tag.