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 – along with midfielders – should be the most fluid throughout the season and take up the majority of your transfers. With forwards usually more dependent on confidence, and therefore form, it’s important to react when they’re on a hot streak, particularly if it coincides with a batch of favourable fixtures.
Forwards have largely remained unchanged in the tweaked Rules this season, although should be the best placed to take advantage of the new shots on target bonus points. With +2 points on offer for three accurate efforts and +3 for five, it’s certainly something to consider when selecting our front men.
The members area can of course help you in this area by highlighting those players who aren’t afraid to take a pop at goal.
Arsenal
With no major additions up front over the summer so far, it looks like Olivier Giroud (11.6) will once again lead the line. The Frenchman may be eased in, given his Euro 2016 exploits, though Arsenal have decent fixtures in the first ten and face only three teams from last season’s top eight. Giroud scored a respectable 16 goals in 2015/16, so should represent decent value once again.
Alexis Sanchez (12.4) may move forward from the flank to cover up top if Giroud’s fitness is lacking. In any case Sanchez is nailed on when fit and, despite a relatively poor season from the Chilean last time out, with just 13 goals, he still offers significant threat and can probably count himself slightly unlucky. Sanchez fired 72 shots from inside the box in 30 outings despite being stationed out wide – that’s a tally bettered by only six other strikers.
Bournemouth
Josh King (8.9) has been reclassified as a forward this season and will be looking to improve on his six-goal return. It remains to be seen whether the Norwegian can retain a regular role ahead of Benik Afobe (9.3) and Callum Wilson (10.2). The latter bagged five goals in six before injury struck last term and looks the most appealing option here if he can steer clear of the treatment table.
Burnley
Barring injuries, Sam Vokes (9.3) and Andre Gray (10.1) looked nailed-on as the Clarets’ front two. It will be hard to look past the latter as the stand out option here. Gray was the top scorer in last season’s Championship, netting 23 times and also registered eight assists. With nine goals to his name this summer, he’s the top-flight’s form player ahead of the weekend visit of Swansea.
Chelsea
Chelsea duo Michy Batshuayi (11.5) and Diego Costa (12.1) both come in at a higher cost than midfielder Eden Hazard (11.2). Last year, Batshuayi impressed for a Marseille outfit that finished just nine points away from the drop zone, producing 17 goals and setting up nine, and he’ll be looking to cement a place in the Blues’ XI.
Antonio Conte’s recent decision to move from 4-2-4 to a 4-1-4-1 upon the arrival of N’Golo Kante is somewhat concerning, though, and there seems an element of risk in starting with either two at this stage until we get a better idea of the new manager’s intentions.
Crystal Palace
Having scored five goals in each of the last three seasons, it’s unlikely that Connor Wickham (9.3) will be forcing his way into many opening line-ups. Although the former Ipswich man has netted three times in pre-season, the Palace lone striker role looks best avoided unless Alan Pardew can managed to acquire Christian Benteke from Liverpool.
Everton
Romelu Lukaku comes in at 12.0 on the back of an 18-goal season that saw him score 198 Fantasy points, making him the seventh highest scoring player overall. At present, the big Belgian looks the only valid option in the Toffees’ roster of forwards but with former club Chelsea reportedly looking to buy him back, Ronald Koeman’s summer shopping spree could present us with an option or two by the time the transfer window has slammed shut.
Hull
With their pre-season plans hampered by a raft of first team injuries, it’s hard to see many Fantasy managers turning to the managerless Tigers early on. Abel Hernandez (9.4) offers the best chance of returns – the Uruguayan netted 21 goals in the Championship last term and is also number one for spot kicks.
Leicester
The title-winners’ strikers have been relatively kindly priced across the board, with the cheapest forward Shinji Okazaki coming in at just 9.1. The Japan international only managed five goals, however, and seems the most likely player to be threatened by Ahmed Musa (10.5) arriving at the King Power Stadium.
The Nigerian speed merchant served up 42 goals and 23 assists over 125 league outings whilst in Russia and also bagged a brace in a recent friendly loss against Barcelona. He could therefore offer us a cheaper alternative to Jamie Vardy (12.0) if he can establish himself as first choice.
Vardy, of course, remains the main draw after netting 24 times and laying on six assists last season. The England man also picked up seven MoTM awards and seems to have cemented the position as chief penalty-taker to add to his appeal.
Liverpool
Divock Origi (10.4) impressed whenever he was handed minutes under Jurgen Klopp, tabling five goals and an assist in seven starts and nine sub appearances. The Belgian may feature regularly given Daniel Sturridge’s (12.1) on-going injury concerns and is certainly one to keep eye on, considering that Liverpool fashioned a big chance every 5.7 minutes last year, the second fastest rate in the league behind Spurs.
Sturridge, of course, is lethal when actually playing, as highlighted by eight goals and one assist in 14 outings. He also fired an attempt on goal on average every 21.5 minutes and could see himself on the receiving end of shots on target bonus on occasion. With midfielders Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane able to play as a “false nine”, though, opting for any Liverpool striker from the outset is unnecessarily risky.
Man City
After scoring 12 times for Celta Vigo last year, Spanish forward Nolito (10.3) is frustratingly classified as a forward and looks likely to compete with Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane for a wide attacking. Given that midfielders score more points per goal this term, the Spaniard’s appeal is limited.
Kelechi Iheanacho (11.0) seems to have something special, given his rate of a goal every 105.9 minutes (which was bettered only by his colleague Sergio Aguero) last season, but he may have to prove it from the bench more often than not. Ultimately, then, Aguero (13.0) – the most expensive asset in the Sky Sports game – is the safest option. The Argentine bagged 24 goals in 30 outings and currently sits in more Fantasy teams than any other player.
Man United
The Red Devils offers a handful of options in the Sky Sports game. Anthony Martial (11.0) remains classified as a forward despite his role on the wing, whilst Wayne Rooney (11.0) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (12.2) look nailed on to start the season, with Marcus Rashford (11.4) likely to feature from the bench.
Martial was United’s top scorer last term, with 11 goals, and also picked up five MoTM awards thanks in part to his dribbling skills. Sky have always looked kindly on players than can beat an opponent and the young Frenchman had more successful take ons that any other forward (84).
Rooney’s numbers are less impressive thanks, in part, to his withdrawn role in recent times. The promise of a number ten spot by Jose Mourinho and nine MoTM awards in two of the last four seasons mean he could be a viable alternative to Ibrahimovic. Set to lead the line in a 4-2-3-1, the Swede does look the best option and has wasted no time in settling, bagging the winner against Leicester in last week’s Community Shield.
Middlesbrough
Jordan Rhodes (9.7) and Alvaro Negredo (10.3) will battle it out for the lone striker role in Aitor Karanka’s 4-2-3-1.
Although he’s scored a goal every other game over his career, Rhodes is likely to mainly play back-up to the experienced Negredo, who has netted in two of his three starts since arriving this summer. The ‘Boro manager’s tendency to rotate could diminish both players’ appeal, though, and there’s a fear they could have their minutes managed towards the end of matches.
Southampton
New manager Claude Puel’s decision to opt for a midfield diamond and two-man frontline could promote a number of Saints assets in our thinking.
Jay Rodriguez is the cheapest option at 9.6 but continues to struggle for fitness whilst Charlie Austin (9.8) and Shane Long (10.4) will be hoping to nail down the places ahead of midfielder Nathan Redmond, who has featured up top in pre-season.
Long’s speed and tireless running seems best suited to Puel’s tactics and the Irishman, who bagged ten goals and four assists in 28 appearances, netted the winner in the Saints’ final pre-season friendly. Austin struggled to nail down a spot in the previous campaign but clearly has pedigree, given his 18 goals for Queens Park Rangers in 2014/15.
Stoke City
Joselu (8.6) will likely battle it out with Mame Diouf (9.0) for a spot up front in Mark Hughes’ team. Whilst neither of these options have the greatest of goal records and have struggled to cement their first team status, there is cause for optimism given Stoke created 61 big chances last season. That’s more than big guns Liverpool, Chelsea and Man United, for example, and hints at promise if one of the duo can show some form.
Bojan (9.0) will also hope to make an impact this term and claim the number ten position after a drop off in form saw him handed bench-warming duties at the back end of last season.
Sunderland
Fabio Borini (9.2) is likely to feature from a wide position again this season, though still served up five goals and two assists last term. Jermaine Defoe (11.0) should remain Sunderland’s main threat, though; the diminutive striker was involved in 41% of goals scored when on the pitch and also picked up four MoTM awards.
Swansea
Having scored 18 times for Eibar in La Liga last year, club record signing Borja Baston (9.5) is favourite to claim the lone striker role under Francesco Guidolin. The Italian has admitted that the new boy is unlikely to feature at Burnley due to a lack of fitness, which should allow Fernando Llorente (9.1) to lead the line.
Swansea also have a kind following fixture at home to Hull but with a brutal run following directly after, Baston looks best avoided until the schedule turns kinder in Gameweek 9.
Tottenham
New boy Vincent Janssen comes in at 10.3 to join Tottenham’s attacking ranks and will be hoping to feature in tandem with Harry Kane (12.8) rather than just act as a back-up option. His numbers are impressive from the Dutch league, 32 goals and seven assists from 49 appearances in all competitions, and the new boy may force himself into the team as the campaign unfolds.
For now, though, Kane looks the far safer option after firmly establishing his heavy-hitter status after back-to-back seasons of 20+ league goals. Kane also fired 74 efforts on target last year – 22 more than any other player – and therefore should be one of the few to benefit more regularly from the bonus points changes for attempts on target.
Watford
Odion Ighalo (10.4) and Troy Deeney (10.7) are undoubtedly the Hornets’ chief goal threats. The duo jump considerably in price this season on the back of 16 and 13 strikes respectively in 2015/16, though they’ve struggled for form over the summer and bagged just one goal apiece in pre-season.
Up against Southampton, Chelsea, Arsenal, West Ham and Man United in their first five fixtures, it may be worth avoiding the Hornets initially, at least.
West Brom
Salomon Rondon (9.8) is an interesting option, given that the Baggies face just one of last season’s top seven in the first seven Gameweeks. The Venezuelan looked in good form towards the back end of last season and bagged six goals in the final 15 Gameweeks.
Saido Berahino (10.5) is also worthy of a mention. If he can get some consistent pitch time under Tony Pulis or even earn a move away from the club, then he could be one to watch if he can replicate the form that produced 14 goals in 2014/15.
West Ham
Although new boy Andre Ayew could also feature as the lone forward, Andy Carroll (10.4) currently looks set to continue as the focal point for Slaven Bilic’s attack. Carroll bagged nine goals in 13 starts and 14 sub appearances last term and, if he can remain injury-free, his aerial threat should thrive on the delivery from Dimitri Payet and new boy Sofiane Feghouli.
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.
If you’ve tinkered with your Sky team and are looking to get involved, our league name is FFScout and the code is 8183867.
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.
