The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 32 – The Forwards

The last of this week’s Watchlist articles sees us cast our eye on the forwards who warrant our attention over the next four-to-six Gameweeks. Three goals in his last two appearances see Bafetimbi Gomis climb up the rankings, while Glenn Murray comes into our thoughts having enjoyed a new lease of life under Alan Pardew.

Despite registering a blank in the goalless draw at Burnley, Harry Kane maintains his position at the top of our forwards ladder. The Tottenham striker has now failed to produce attacking returns in three of his last five appearances, but has delivered huge double-figure hauls in his other two outings. With two favourable fixtures – at home to Villa and away at Newcastle – up next, that explosive potential could be realised, so it’s of little surprise the England international is currently the resounding leader of our Captain Poll with 44% of the vote.

With Olivier Giroud facing a blank in Gameweek 33 and Diego Costa’s hamstring giving way once again, it is rather by default that Sergio Aguero keeps his place in our latest update. The Argentine has seen his price drop from 13.0 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) in Gameweek 29 to 12.5 on the back of a single assist in five appearances, and has only scored three times since picking up a knee injury back in Gameweek 15. The fixtures (mun, WHM, AVL, tot, QPR) are still in his favour though, which makes the decision for owners to stick or twist all the tougher.

It has taken some time for Bafetimbi Gomis to find his feet at Swansea, but three goals in his last two outings have thrust him into the Fantasy spotlight. The underlying stats for the 6.5-priced forward are also encouraging, having registered 10 goal attempts in the last three Gameweeks, more than the likes of Kane and Diafra Sakho. With the upcoming schedule (EVE, lei, new, STO) very favourable, the French international looks ripe for investment.

Although Olivier Giroud is the form striker in the Premier League with seven goals in his last six appearances, the Gameweek 33 blank and tough clash against leaders Chelsea a week after see him drop a couple of places this time around. Saturday’s trip to Burnley does look favourable, although the Clarets have kept clean sheets against Manchester City and Tottenham in their last two home matches. Once the Gunners fixtures turn from Gameweek 35, expect Giroud’s ownership, which currently stands at 18%, to skyrocket ahead of double Gameweek 37.

Diego Costa’s aforementioned hamstring injury means Loic Remy suddenly becomes a Fantasy option in the short-term. Reports emerged yesterday saying the Spanish international could return for the trip to the Emirates, the first of Chelsea’s double Gameweek 34 fixtures. If that were to be the case, Remy’s appeal is lessened somewhat, with only a favourable trip to his former club QPR followed by a home encounter with the in-form Man United before then. Coming in at 7.1 in FPL, the French striker does offer great value, but his prospects really are dependant on Costa’s fitness.

Having grabbed a goal, an assist and maximum bonus in each of his last two outings, Glenn Murray has catapulted himself into our thoughts. The 5.1-valued forward has now scored five goals in as many Premier League matches, and with the short-term schedule very favourable (sun, WBA, HUL), the former Brighton striker looks worthy of consideration, particularly for those looking for a Charlie Austin replacement, with the QPR forward facing a blank in Gameweek 33.

Another budget forward who looks a viable replacement for Austin is West Ham’s Diafra Sakho. The Hammers upcoming fixtures (STO, mci, qpr, BUR, avl, EVE) offer hope the Senegal international can add to the two goals scored in his last six appearances. The 5.4-rated striker leads the way among forwards for shots inside the box (23) over that period and looks to have the ideal platform to turn those impressive underlying stats into Fantasy points in the upcoming period.

Having played 45 minutes as a substitute in the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal and completed 85 minutes in last night’s 1-0 win against Blackburn in the FA Cup, Daniel Sturridge returns to the Watchlist this time around. The England international has scored twice and grabbed an assist in his last four league appearances, and has a very favourable home fixture against an injury-hit Newcastle this week. Liverpool do have a blank in Gameweek 33, but with double Gameweek 34 (wba/hul) now confirmed, the 11.1-rated forward may force his way into our three-man frontlines providing he can steer clear of injury, with a plum home fixture against QPR in Gameweek 35 also on the horizon.

Despite scoring for a third consecutive home match in the 3-1 victory against Aston Villa, Wayne Rooney still finds himself towards the bottom of our ladder. The United skipper’s form at Old Trafford is impressive, having scored four times in his last three outings at the Theatre of Dreams, but with home fixtures against City and Arsenal in the next six, along with difficult trips to Stamford Bridge and Goodison Park, there look to be better value picks out there, with Rooney setting you back 10.7 in FPL.

Saido Berahino keeps his place in this week’s refresh with West Brom facing two decent fixtures (LEI, cpl) before the schedule turns nasty from Gameweek 34. The 5.6-priced forward has averaged 5.7 points per appearance in his last four home matches, and looks a good option against the Foxes, although a trip to the rejuvenated Crystal Palace under Pardew might prove less fruitful.

Concerns over his fitness mean Romelu Lukaku finds himself at the bottom of the Watchlist, despite a pretty kind upcoming schedule (swa, BUR, MUN, avl, SUN, whm). Everton manager Roberto Martinez said this morning the Belgian international is “50/50” for Saturday’s trip to the Liberty Stadium, having yet to re-join full training. With eight goals and five assists to his name, the 8.8-valued forward has endured a fairly disappointing second season on Merseyside, but with the fixtures in his favour, he could end the campaign with a flourish providing he can overcome his hamstring problem.