The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 31 – The Forwards

After casting our eye over the defence and midfield in the past week, this afternoon we take a look at the movers and shakers among the forwards on our Watchlist, offering player recommendations for the next four to six Gameweeks. West Ham’s favourable schedule and a goal against Sunderland last time out brings Diafra Sakho into our thoughts as a budget option, while Sergio Aguero‘s stock continues to fall having failed to find the net in his last four outings.

There is seemingly no stopping Harry Kane right now. The Tottenham striker followed up his hat-trick against Leicester with a debut England goal, and with three favourable fixtures (bur, AVL, new) up next, the Premier League’s top goalscorer looks primed to add to his tally of 19 goals. Such is his form, it’s no real surprise that the Spurs forward is currently topping our Captain Poll with 25% of the votes, despite having just one fixture in double Gameweek 31.

While Kane has been in great form, Olivier Giroud has actually averaged more points over the last five. The French international has registered 8.8 points per outing, while the Tottenham striker has only managed 7.6 per appearance, and the Arsenal frontman also bagged a goal in France’s 2-0 against Denmark on Sunday. With the Gunners’ next four fixtures (LIV, bur, blank, CHE) in mind, though, it is still somewhat surprising the 8.5-priced forward is currently the most transferred-in player this Gameweek, with over 56,000 new owners.

With goals in his last two league appearances and double Gameweek 34 on the horizon, Diego Costa jumps above Aguero is this week’s ladder. The Spanish international is a doubt for this weekend’s home clash against Stoke, but has been undergoing extensive treatment during the international break on the hamstring injury picked up in the 3-2 win at Hull and could yet feature. With a trip to Loftus Road and home matches against Man United, Crystal Palace and Liverpool in the next six, the 11.0-valued forward looks ripe for investment as long as he can shake off his this latest hamstring issue. Costa remains two bookings shy of a two-match ban but if he can avoid a yellow in one of the next couple of Gameweeks, he will avoid a suspension as the limit for cautions is extended to 15 yellows after April 12.

There is no doubt Sergio Aguero has been a huge disappointment since his return from a knee injury in January, with the 12.8-rated forward only scoring three goals in ten league appearances since. The underlying stats are still strong for the Argentine, who leads the way for goal attempts (23) among forwards over the last four Gameweeks – furthermore, he also found the net in his nation’s 2-1 win against Ecuador last night during 75 minutes on the pitch. With City travelling to Selhurst Park on Monday, Aguero should benefit from the extra recovery time, and with favourable home matches (WHM, AVL, QPR) to come in the next six, Manuel Pellegrini’s leading marksman still looks to have the perfect platform to deliver for those Fantasy managers that remain loyal.

Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke maintains his position towards the top of the Watchlist, with double Gameweek 31 (mun, QPR) very much in mind. With trips to White Hart Lane and the Etihad to follow, separated by a blank, a swift exit route might be needed, although with three goals in as many outings, new Villa boss Tim Sherwood does seem to be getting the best out of the 7.5-valued forward.

Having failed to find the net in his last three appearances, confidence in Charlie Austin is starting to wane. Owners will be hoping for a double-figure haul from the double Gameweek 31 (wba/avl), but with the schedule then taking an unfavourable turn (CHE, blank, WHM, liv, mci), the 6.4-rated forward is likely to find himself near the top of the transfers out come the end of next week.

With one of the most favourable upcoming schedules (lei, STO, mci, qpr, BUR, avl) around, West Ham’s Diafra Sakho looks a genuine contender for a place in our three-man frontlines. The 5.4-valued forward has registered 20 shots from inside the box in the last six Gameweeks, more than Giroud (16) and Costa (14), and with an ownership of 3%, looks a differential with huge upside for those Fantasy managers needing to make up ground in mini-leagues.

Wayne Rooney is a non-mover this time around, mainly due to United’s mixed fixture list (AVL, MCI, che, eve, WBA, cpl). The 10.6-priced forward has scored three goals in his last two home appearances, making it somewhat surprising he has less than 3% of the vote in this week’s Captain Poll, particularly bearing in mind he has also netted six times in Villa’s last four visits to Old Trafford. With Louis van Gaal’s side gaining impressive wins against Tottenham and Liverpool in recent weeks, there is no doubt confidence is flowing in the United camp.

With four home matches (SOT, BUR, MUN, SUN) and trips to Swansea and Villa in the next six, Romelu Lukaku is on the rise once again. The Belgian international remains a doubt for this weekend with a grade one hamstring tear, but Everton are cautiously optimistic that he could feature against Southampton. With a goal and three assists in his last two at Goodison Park, the 8.8-rated forward could be a viable option for the upcoming period.

Swansea’s Bafetimbi Gomis moves up a couple of spots in our latest refresh, with Garry Monk’s side facing a kind run of fixtures (HUL, EVE, lei, new, STO) in the upcoming five. The French international is beginning to find his feet at the Liberty after being handed the starting position since Wilfried Bony’s move to Manchester City, scoring twice in his last five, and has managed a decent 11 shots from inside the box in that time.

One of the Fantasy revelations this season has undoubtedly been West Brom’s Saido Berahino. The England Under-21 international is currently fifth among forwards this season with 119 points, and looks a great short-term option for the next three Gameweeks (QPR, LEI, cpl) before the fixtures turn, with the 5.6-priced forward expected to face Rangers despite a niggling foot injury.