Sky Sports Focus – Player List Analysis – Forwards

We turn our attentions to the Sky Sports Player List for the final time this afternoon. Having analysed the Goalkeepers, Defenders and Midfielders, we now shift to the costliest position in the game – up front.

In terms of tactics, this position should probably be the most fluid throughout the season and take up the majority of your transfers. With forwards usually being more dependent on confidence, and therefore form, it’s important to react when they’re in bloom, particularly if it coincides with a batch of favourable fixtures.

Additionally, you may occasionally wish to use transfers on swapping out forwards who have the armband in order to maximise the amount of captains in a Gameweek. Of course, this needs to be done sparingly as results can vary wildly and leave you short of transfers fairly quickly. As a rule of thumb I usually only commit to it if I’m happy to have the player I’m bringing in for the long term, not just for a quick fix.

To an extent, your approach to forwards is mainly dictated by your preferred formation. If you’re opting for three up front, for example, you’ll likely need to target a budget option, though that may be less of an issue if you’re opting for a strike partnership. We have an article assessing the merits of the available formations still to follow.

For now, though, here’s a look at the chief protagonists, with most of the focus on those forwards who arguably present the strongest options over the first few fixtures of the season.

THE BUDGET BRACKET

Leicester’s assets have been rather kindly priced across the board, with the cheapest forward – new boy Shinji Okazaki – coming in at just 6.0. The Japan international racked up 27 goals and seven assists in his final two seasons in the Bundesliga but with Nigel Pearson now gone, there’s a fear that Claudio Ranieri’s tinkering could prevent us from selecting a reliable starter for the Foxes. Certainly, if he does manage to claim a starting role across the forward positions, Okazaki could offer good value – considering his reputation as an extremely hard worker (a quality the Sky reporters like a lot) he could be in with a shout for the Man of the Match (MoTM) gong on a regular basis, as evidenced by team-mate Jamie Vardy’s (7.3) six last season.

With David Nugent (6.4), Andrej Kramaric (6.9) and Leonardo Ulloa (7.5) also jostling for pitch time, it’s fair to say it’s a bit of a minefield. With Ranieri keeping faith in Pearson’s 3-4-1-2 formation, the versatile Vardy (who notched twice last night in a win over Burton Albion) could be the safest option at this stage after earning 140 points last season – he was the seventh best value striker overall in 2014/15 despite not featuring regularly for the Foxes until midway through the season. Leicester face Sunderland, West Ham, Bournemouth, Villa and Stoke in the first six Gameweeks to heighten their initial appeal.

Villa’s Libor Kozak (6.2) has already scored three times this summer, including a brace against Wolves last night, and with Christian Benteke now departed, the big target man will be hoping to nail down a regular role under Tim Sherwood. Yesterday’s arrival of Jordan Ayew (7.2) will threaten Kozak’s chances – the new boy racked up 12 goals and five assists for Lorient in Ligue 1 last term; there’s also talk of Emmanuel Adebayor’s (6.8) imminent arrival in the midlands.

Sherwood’s men are rated second by our Season Ticker for the first six, with Bournemouth, Palace, Sunderland, Leicester and West Brom amongst their early opponents.

Given that Quique Sanchez Flores has mainly utilised a 4-2-3-1, Watford duo Matej Vydra (6.3) and Odion Ighalo (6.5) are likely to battle for roles in the attacking midfield three behind Troy Deeney (7.1). With the new manager preferring a lone striker system, though, Hornets captain and spot-kick taker Deeney – who registered 21 goals and nine assists in 2014/15 – certainly looks their chief threat. The Hornets opening schedule is hardly conducive to Fantasy returns, though, with Everton, West Brom, Southampton and City in the first four rounds of fixtures.

If Norwich are to survive back in the top flight it looks likely they will have to rely on Cameron Jerome (6.8) to get the goals. He’s notched 30 times in 176 Premier League appearances over the years and looks likely to lead the line for the Canaries unless Alex Neil strengthens his options before the transfer window closes. Nonetheless, clashes with Palace, Sunderland, Stoke and Bournemouth in the first five bode well for the promoted side.

Bournemouth’s Yann Kermorgant (6.9) and Callum Wilson (6.8) are next up. The former looks unlikely to regularly feature unless Eddie Howe opt for two up front, with Wilson undoubtedly the start of the show. The England under 21 international bagged 20 goals and seven assists in an attack-minded side that netted 98 times on their way to winning the Championship. Wilson looks to have the pace to worry Premier League defences and, with five kind fixtures (AVL, LEI, nor, SUN, WAT) in the first eight, he’s a clear contender for an early season bandwagon.

Stoke’s opening fixtures are a tad unkind but perhaps it’s for the best so we can sit back and asses Mark Hughes’ options, with Joselu (7.0) Mame Biram Diouf (7.5) and Bojan (7.4) all in the mix.

Similarly, Palace’s early fixtures make them ones to avoid from the off. This should give us time to asses whether one of Fraizer Campbell (6.4), Marouane Chamakh (6.4), Dwight Gayle (6.5), Patrick Bamford (6.7) and Glenn Murray (6.9) can nail down the lone forward berth when the schedule smiles kinder around Gameweek 7.

Steve McClaren’s new target man Aleksandar Mitrovic (7.3) will need monitoring. Expected to oust Papiss Cisse (7.6) as Newcastle’s main man up front, Mitrovic notched 36 times in his last two years at Anderlecht but investment in the Tyneside team could be best left until Gameweek 9, due to an unforgiving run of opening matches.

Two seasons ago, Jay Rodriguez (7.4) delivered 131 points for the Saints before being cruelly ruled out for the whole of last term with knee ligament damage. Although he’s already scored five times over the summer, there are still some doubts over whether Rodriguez will be fully fit to start the season and he may well be eased back into contention after such a long period on the sidelines. Southampton new boy Juanmi comes in at just 6.4 and has netted three times during pre-season. At five foot six, though, he lacks the physical attributes of Graziano Pelle to lead the line and seems likely to battle for the attacking midfield roles behind the Italian.

Former England man Jermain Defoe (7.5) offers up our final budget bracket option. Now into his twilight years and playing for a side that has been struggling for goals in recent times, it remains to be seen if he will become a viable pick. Defoe only managed four strikes after joining up with the Black Cats mid-season but with new boy Jeremain Lens bringing some much-needed creativity in midfield, Defoe may yet arrive on our radars. Dick Advocaat’s side have eight decent fixtures (lei, NOR, SWA, avl, bou, WHM, wba, NEW) in the first ten Gameweeks.

THE MID-PRICE OPTIONS

West Ham duo Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho come in at 7.7 apiece. Sakho managed nine goals and three assists in just 20 starts last term and looks the likeliest to lead the line in Slaven Bilic’s 4-2-3-1 set-up – with playmaker Dimitri Poyet on board, the Senegal international looks the man most likely to take advantage of four excellent home encounters (LEI, BOU, NEW, NOR) in the first seven Gameweeks.

Swansea’s Bafetimbi Gomis (7.7) also looks kindly priced. The big Frenchman may only have managed seven goals last season but came into his own after the departure of Wilfred Bony and is set to start the upcoming campaign as the Swans’ number one striker. With new acquisition Andre Ayew also adding to their attacking options and Jefferson Montero back to full fitness, it looks likely Gomis will kick on and provide us with an enticing alternative. The Swans opening schedule is somewhat mixed, though still hands them showdowns with Newcastle, Sunderland, Watford and Everton by Gameweek 6.

Its fair to say Danny Ings (7.8) surpassed expectations last season after amassing 161 points consisting of 11 goals, four assist and six MoTM awards. Whilst Ings was nailed-on at former club Burnley, the same can’t be said for his pitch time at Liverpool and with Christian Benteke and Daniel Sturridge (when fit) looking ahead of him in the pecking order, he may struggle for starts unless Brendan Rodgers utilises a two-man frontline.

Graziano Pelle (8.1) started the last campaign like a house on fire before the goals dried up in his first season at Southampton. Nonetheless, he still finished with 160 points and, bearing in mind he faces just three of last year’s top seven in the first 13 Gameweeks, has the platform to maintain the form that has seen him score five times over the summer. It’s worth noting that the Saints also have the Europa League to contend with this term, though, and it’s perhaps debatable whether Pelle will start 37 times in the league again this year as Ronald Koeman looks to cope with a busier schedule.

Saido Berahino (8.2) is another player to earn a significant hike in price after scoring 14 goals and grabbing three MoTM awards on his way to 156 points. With City, Chelsea, Stoke and Southampton in the first five, though, many will be steering clear of the Baggies attack to begin with.

The prospects of Wilfried Bony (8.7) ultimately depend on Manuel Pellegrini’s chosen system. Handed just two starts by the City boss after arriving from Swansea, the Ivorian’s Fantasy stock has plummeted in the last few months and his manager’s decision to trial a 4-3-3 in pre-season has hardly helped. With Sergio Aguero nailed-on when fit, Bony is reliant on Pellegrini switching back to a two-man frontline to remain in the picture but, for now, he looks unlikely to feature in many managers’ plans, despite the likelihood of Aguero missing Gameweek 1 due to his Copa America exploits.

Everton’s record signing Romelu Lukaku will again set you back 8.8 and now comes armed with penalty duties after jumping ahead of Leighton Baines last campaign. The Belgian has already scored four times in the Toffees’ summer friendlies but faces a horrendous run of early fixtures that will surely dent his points potential. He’s a strong pick for the Gameweek 1 Goodison meet with Watford but, following that, Lukaku then faces all of last year’s top eight and a trip to West Brom in the following nine rounds of fixtures. There’s also some minor doubts surrounding his fitness, with talk of a hamstring injury sustained in yesterday’s friendly with Dundee.

THE PREMIUM PROSPECTS

Another Belgian who is sure to attract a large amount of attention is Christian Benteke (9.0). Liverpool’s big-money signing brings an element of uncertainty to Fantasy managers – there are question marks surrounding just how he will fit into Liverpool’s system, particularly when Daniel Sturridge (9.4) returns from injury. For now, Benteke looks likely to lead the line early on and has several enticing home matches (BOU, WHM, NOR, AVL) to feel his way in, while he may even wrestle spot-kick duties from Jordan Henderson in light of Steven Gerrard’s departure.

With injury restricting his pitch time last term, Olivier Giroud (9.2) had a relatively disappointing Fantasy campaign, earning just 134 points –the thirteenth highest figure for forwards. With Theo Walcott looking a real rival for pitch time up top this season, the Frenchman may struggle to nail down a regular role for the Gunners. Given that Alexis Sanchez (9.7) is only marginally dearer and is nailed on, the Chilean looks the far better option. Sanchez picked up 200 points in his debut campaign (the third highest for forwards) and earned the MoTM award on six occasions, making him a great captain choice. He is likely to miss the start of the season after featuring in the Copa America, strengthening the initial appeal of Giroud or midfield option Walcott, with West Ham, Palace, Newcastle and Stoke in the first five Gameweeks.

Harry Kane (9.3) finds himself firmly amongst the heavy hitters this year. The Tottenham forward picked up a stunning 217 points made up of 21 goals, five assists and eight MoTM awards. Whether he can repeat that feat is debatable but, given he’s an assured starter, he has every opportunity to do so. With penalty duties also looking likely, he could well be in contention again and has some kind opening matches (STO, lei, EVE, sun, CPL) in the opening six.

Wayne Rooney (9.6) still managed 149 points last season despite featuring in midfield on several occasions. The promise of a striker role this time around, allied with his previous history in the Sky game as a MoTM darling, make Rooney an enticing option – all the more so after United splashed the cash in midfield to help aid their quest for goals. Rooney looks primed as an initial skipper option ahead of early clashes against Spurs, Villa and Newcastle but, despite this, is currently owned by just 15% of Sky Sports managers.

Diego Costa (9.8) started last season like a man possessed and instantly gained attention from Fantasy managers before petering out towards the back end when injuries took their toll. With 168 points picked up last time and a year’s Premier League experience under his belt, the chances are he will surpass that figure, should he remain clear of injuries. Costa’s former Atletico Madrid team-mate Radamel Falcao is available for 9.1 after moving to the Bridge on loan but in all likelihood, there’d be no real surprise if he’s no more than a back-up option to the battling Spain international. With City, West Brom and Arsenal in the opening six, though, the schedule could be a little kinder on Costa and the defending champions.

Finally, we move on to the highest scoring player in the game, Sergio Aguero. Priced at 10.0, he’s likely to be a mainstay in Fantasy managers’ teams providing he can remain injury-free. With 26 goals, eight assists and eight MoTM awards helping him to 250 points, the Argentine still managed to be the third best value forward despite a heavy price tag and looks likely to continue that form in the season ahead. Currently owned by over 40% of Sky managers, Aguero may well miss the season opener at West Brom due to his recent Copa America duties and may be eased into action after a late summer break. City’s schedule from Gameweek 4, though, (WAT, cpl, WHM, tot, NEW, BOU, mun, NOR, avl) could see him run riot once he finds his match sharpness.

SKY SPORTS FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT LEAGUES

We’ve already set up the official Scout League with a top prize of £1000 on offer to the winner once again. If you’ve tinkered with your Sky team and are looking to get involved, our league name is FFScout and the code is 8009000.

Finally, we’ve set up a community article to exclusively deal with Sky Sports Fantasy teams. Those looking to get involved with the discussion should click this link.