The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 35 – The Forwards

Having assessed the candidates in defence and midfield for the final four Gameweeks, we move our sights further up the pitch this afternoon.

Despite the lack of a double Gameweek 37, Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane battle it out at the summit in our latest refresh.

Both are in superb form and look nailed-on for their respective sides over the run-in. Aguero (13.5) has racked up six goals in four and drawn just two blanks in his previous seven league outings as City prepare to face Stoke, Southampton, Arsenal and Swansea in the final four Gameweeks. Although the Etihad club also have a Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid to deal with, Wilfried Bony’s woeful lack of form ensures that Manuel Pellegrini can ill-afford to bench the Argentine right now.

Kane’s two-goal haul at Stoke, meanwhile, was his third brace in five league appearances and highlights his outstanding recent displays as Spurs attempt to chase down Leicester at the summit. After being ditched for double Gameweek 34, many will now be looking to reacquire the 10.2-priced striker after his 13-point haul at the Britannia. Kane’s fixture-proof appeal makes him a very viable rival to Aguero for the armband ahead of his final four fixtures (WBA, che, SOU, new) – indeed, it’s a little surprising to see he’s collected just 26% of the Captain Poll votes ahead of a plum home encounter with the Baggies.

Jermain Defoe is the highest-ranked double Gameweek 37 candidate. Priced at just 5.1 and owned by only 4% of FPL managers, the Black Cats’ marksman has found the net on 13 occasions – netting in three of his last five – and is fundamental to Sunderland’s chances of beating the drop. Considering that Big Sam’s charges have five matches in the final four (ARS, sto, CHE & EVE, wat), Defoe is shaping up as a very strong enabler for those seeking a way to bring Kane back into their three-man frontlines.

Liverpool’s schedule (NEW, swa, WAT & CHE, wba) is ranked the kindest of any club’s over the final four, though as we’ve seen already this week, Jurgen Klopp isn’t afraid to make numerous alterations to his domestic team sheets in order to cope with the congested run-in. Nonetheless, with Divock Origi forced off due to injury against Everton last night, Daniel Sturridge’s minutes could be more secure. The England international had started four straight league matches before dropping to the bench against the Toffees but still found time to grab yet another goal, taking his tally to four strikes and two assists in his last five league outings. At a price of 10.0, Sturridge isn’t cheap and with Roberto Firmino offering an alternative as a false nine, you’d be surprised if he started all five of those remaining top-flight fixtures, regardless of Origi’s availability. With form on his side, though, his appeal is on the up if he can continue to steer clear of the Anfield treatment room.

After blanking in Everton’s doubles across Gameweek 33 and 34, Romelu Lukaku is on the slide. As evidenced by last night’s mauling at Anfield, the Toffees look devoid of confidence right now and have scored just two goals in their last six league matches. Once this weekend’s blank is done and dusted, Roberto Martinez’ men have some excellent fixtures remaining (BOU, lei & sun, NOR) but despite the allure of yet another double, many owners may decide to part company in light of the big Belgian’s form.

Back in the Chelsea first XI after serving a three-man suspension, Diego Costa was unable to get amongst the goals in a chastening 3-0 home loss to City. Providing he can steer clear of injuries and further bans, though, the Blues’ run of five fixtures (bou, TOT, sun & liv, LEI) in the final four Gameweeks could yet see him emerge as a viable candidate up top. Priced at 10.5 and owned by a mere 5% of FPL managers, the Spain international has served up eight goals and four assists in 11 appearances under Guus Hiddink – essentially, when on the pitch, Costa has played a part in 63.2% of Chelsea’s goals with the Dutchman in charge.

At a time where Dimitri Payet has played a part in just three of West Ham’s 12 goals during the last five matches, Andy Carroll has risen to prominence. Despite starting just two of those fixtures, the big Geordie has racked up six goals and eight bonus points, with strikes away to Chelsea and Leicester as a sub highlighting his points potential when unleashed from the bench. At 6.3, his blank Gameweek 35 precedes four fixtures in the final three (wba, SWA & MUN, sto) which are sure to increase our interest in the Hammers’ attack. Recent form suggests that Carroll has barged his way to the head of the queue for the lone striker role, though as the weekend team sheet at Leicester showed, Slaven Bilic’s wealth of options up top means he’s not quite as secure a starter as the likes of Payet and co. for the run-in.

Marcus Rashford retains his spot in our latest update after starting both of United’s double Gameweek 34 fixtures. Those who invested in the 4.6-priced striker may well choose to keep him beyond this week’s blank, then, given that Louis van Gaal’s side have a pair of fixtures in Gameweek 37 (LEI, nor & whu, BOU) in addition to a home encounter with Bournemouth as they look to secure a top-four finish. Rashford has now started eight successive league matches since being handed his debut, though it’s worth noting that despite scoring the winner against Villa last weekend, he has netted just twice in the last seven Gameweeks.