We roll out the final part of our weekly refresh this afternoon. Having previously cast an eye over the The Defence and the The Midfield, it’s time for our assessment of the men up front over the next four-to-six Gameweeks – Liverpool’s front two remain at the forefront of our thinking, with the fixtures still firmly in the Reds’ favour:
Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge continue to lead the way despite both drawing blanks at the Emirates last Saturday. While there remains doubts over Liverpool’s formation, Brendan Rodgers seems intent on retaining a front two, whether it be 3-4-1-2 or 4-4-2, and with Philippe Coutinho back to supply further creativity, Suarez and Sturridge owners will be anticipating plenty of attacking returns from a schedule that seem them entertain Fulham, Norwich and West Ham in the next five, with a trip to Hull also on their agenda.
Sergio Aguero is perhaps a little unlucky to remain in third spot, although today’s news of the injury to David Silva perhaps dents his stock a little. The City forward leapt to the top of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) standings after an 18-point haul last time around and is second only to Suarez in terms of points per game this term, with 9.1 to the Uruguayan’s 9.6. As Manuel Pellegrini’s side start to click, Aguero is clearly the focal point up top and has now produced seven goals and five assists in his last five appearances – trips to Sunderland, West Brom and Southampton, allied with home games against Spurs and Swansea look set to serve up further attacking returns.
The consistency of Wayne Rooney ensures he keeps his place ahead of Robin Van Persie in this week’s shake-up. With a goal or assist in six of the last seven, Rooney is proving a more than adequate alternative to the Dutchman as a route into United’s attack – granted, Van Persie has now notched in each of the last three but Rooney, at a full 3.0 cheaper, is far more budget-friendly. With Arsenal, Spurs and Everton in the next four, though, David Moyes’ side have a tough looking schedule on the horizon.
Villa’s Christian Benteke has the fixtures to flourish but, unlike Rooney, is struggling for any semblance of form. The big Belgian has failed to score in any of the three appearances since returning from injury and with Gabby Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann looking doubtful for this weekend, his supply line up top could be diminished. Nonetheless, with home games against Cardiff and Sunderland, allied with trips to West Brom and Fulham in the next five, he could be poised for a return to the displays that harvested four goals in the first four Gameweeks and is now down to 8.8.
The upcoming schedule is somewhat mixed for Romelu Lukaku. Games against Palace, Stoke and Fulham in the next six will afford his owners plenty optimism as he looks to build on his record of five goals in six games for Everton – Roberto Martinez’ side also face Liverpool, Arsenal and United over that period, though, suggesting Lukaku may struggle to retain his consistency.
Trips to United and City in the next six looks testing for Olivier Giroud. These two visits to Manchester bookend a run of three home games in four, though with two of the visitors Southampton and Everton, the Gunners lone forward will need to step up the form which has produced just a single goal in the last six. Elsewhere in north London, Roberto Soldado has City, United and Liverpool in the next six but having played a part in six of his side’s nine goals so far, the Spaniard remains the man most likely to produce for Andre Villas-Boas’ side.
A move to a front two has boosted Loic Remy’s appeal. Previously fielded on the left of a front three, the Frenchman’s shift to the centre helped him grab a sixth goal of the season against Chelsea on Saturday – home games against Norwich and West Brom and a trip to Swansea in the next four could benefit the 7.7 priced Magpies man further, with the likes of Papiss Cisse and Hatem Ben Arfa drifting further onto the periphery under Alan Pardew.
