FPL Player List Analysis – The Forwards

Our trio of articles analysing the recently released FPL Player Price list finally turns its attentions to the forwards. Having already assessed Goalkeepers and Defenders and Midfielders, the men up front now come under the microscope – with only four strikers in the double figure price bracket, many Fantasy managers are juggling budgets as we look for ways to accommodate one or two big hitters in our front three ahead of the big kick-off on Saturday August 18:

With only three places available, many will be looking for a cut-price option to balance the budget and Pavel Pogrebnyak immediately comes to mind. The Reading new boy notched six goals in 12 games at Fulham last term and, at 5.0, looks the only nailed-on option in this price range – with a double Gameweek to start the season, he’s all the more enticing. A notch up the valuations, Franco Di Santo (5.5) should lead the line for Wigan and if the Latics can come close to replicating their end to the 2011/12 campaign, he may well represent strong value. West Ham pair Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te, along with Sunderland’s Fraizer Campbell may also appeal in the budget bracket if regular starts are assured, though the Hammers duo look set to face stiff competition from new signing Modibo Maiga – he’s yet to be priced but a similar valuation may well be tempting, given his opening schedule.

At the 6.0 mark, Rickie Lambert perhaps holds the greatest appeal. The Southampton forward produced 27 goals and 14 assists last season and with spot-kicks and a share of direct free-kicks in his locker, is likely to pick up keen interest. Swansea’s Danny Graham returned 138 points for the Welsh outfit in his debut Premier League campaign, while Fulham’s new front duo of Mladen Petric and Hugo Rodallega also seem reasonably priced. Djibril Cisse comes in at 6.5 and if the explosive Frenchman maintains the form that harvested six goals in seven starts last term, has the potential to make a mockery of his valuation – team-mate Bobby Zamora costs the same, as does Grant Holt, who racked up 138 points in 2011/12.

Moving into the mid-bracket now and Peter Odemwingie’s cost of 7.0 could turn out to be strong value if new Baggie boss Steve Clarke can coax his 2010/11 form from the Nigerian, after a disappointing set of displays under Roy Hodgson. Demba Ba’s woeful second half of the previous campaign means he will set you back just 7.5 and, if Alan Pardew retains his 4-3-3, the Newcastle man will pick up little investment out wide on the left. Elsewhere in this price range there is so much uncertainty over game time that few hold much appeal.

Jumping up to 8.5, then, Nikica Jelavic and Darren Bent immediately leap out. The Everton man produced some phenomenal Fantasy form after arriving from Glasgow Rangers last January and such a price tag seems kind, considering he produced 69 points from a total of 13 appearances. Bent will be hoping for a revival in fortunes under new boss Lambert and, having recovered from an ankle injury, could prosper this time round. Arsenal new boy Lukas Podolski is an intriguing prospect – game time looks guaranteed and, if Robin Van Persie decides to leave, could well be handed spot-kicks and a share of set-pieces.

Just outside the big-hitter bracket, there are plenty of enticing options. Emmanuel Adebayor racked up 194 points last term, suggesting his cost of 9.5 is still respectable – if he can seal his permanent move to Spurs, many will be looking his way as an alternative to the options in the Spurs midfield. Papiss Cisse averaged over 7ppg upon his arrival on Tyneside – similarly priced to Adebayor, he is sure to see plenty interest from Fantasy managers. Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli are both available for 9.0; the former, in particular, could well be a bargain at that price if he can maintain his starting role under Roberto Mancini, while over at the Emirates, 9.0 Olivier Giroud’s potential is dependent on the future of Van Persie; if the Gunners skipper departs, the Frenchman looks likely to lead the line.

Luis Suarez, at 9.5, has yet to bring the goalscoring form he displays for Uruguay to the Premier League but Brendan Rodgers’ passing game and a move to 4-3-3 may finally bring out the best in the former Ajax man. Fernando Torres is one of just five players in the entire game with a double figure valuation, though the Chelsea man is the only one of the quintet who arrives on the back of a poor previous campaign. El Nino will set you back 10.0 but with a double Gameweek to begin with, his appeal increases substantially; with Didier Drogba out the picture and the likes of Hazard and Marin adding to Mata’s creativity, many will be ready to take a punt.

There’s no surprise to see last season’s top three scorers as the highest priced assets on offer.Sergio Aguero (11.5) delivered 211 points in his debut campaign despite some poor away returns – the Argentine’s points picked up on the road after Tevez was introduced to the first XI towards the end of the season and has the potential to improve upon the previous term. Wayne Rooney, at 12.0, could also be set for an upturn in points – the purchase of Kagawa hints at a move to 4-2-3-1, with Rooney in a more advanced role this time round.

Robin Van Persie’s valuation of 13.0 hands us a dilemma. It seemed as if the Arsenal skipper was an armband contender almost every Gameweek in 2011/12 and, with 269 points accrued, was head and shoulders ahead of any other FPL player. If he chooses to stay at the Emirates, or moves within the Premier League, his value – while still reasonable, given his level of returns – hands us plenty of problems up front as we look to juggle budgets. From a Fantasy perspective, it may well be that that mooted move to Juventus could solve a multitude of selection headaches in the upcoming campaign.