Playing three expensive strikers has been a popular strategy for many Fantasy managers this season, but being forced to look at Victor Moses’ name in their squads week after week has forced many to reassess.
The incredible form of Robin Van Persie has made the Dutchman almost undroppable, but Sergio Aguero, Wayne Rooney and Luis Suarez are all stuttering in terms of potential going forwards. Playing with two budget strikers opens up the potential for a big midfield of consistent performers, especially when you consider the recent form of budget options such as Demba Ba.
With this in mind we’re focusing on strikers this week and specifically, those who can bring you the greatest value over the coming weeks. Our first two options are particularly interesting as they effectively come as a pair- Blackburn and Bolton’s fixtures rotate very well over the coming weeks meaning you can choose to play one of the two each week and be guaranteed a decent fixture.
Yakubu
Steve Kean has taken a lot of stick in recent weeks, but you can’t argue that Blackburn haven’t been fun to watch. They’ve scored three or more times on five separate occasions this term including four against Newcastle (in the Carling Cup) and Arsenal, and this weekend’s match against Chelsea offers the potential of another high scoring game.
Despite their terrible defensive record, there is still plenty of value available amongst the attacking options. Junior Hoilett is a viable alternative, but Yakubu –owned by a mere 0.5% of Fantasy managers- offers the greatest goal threat and is 0.5 cheaper at just 5.5. With penalty duties apparently falling to the Nigerian after scoring from the spot in the Carling Cup last week, Yakubu presents an excellent differential option over the coming weeks.
David Ngog
The summer signing from Liverpool has started Bolton’s last four league games, ousting even Kevin Davies from the first XI when Owen Coyle has preferred a lone striker system. Ngog has only scored once but has managed more attempts on goal over the last four gameweeks than the likes of Sergio Aguero. In terms of creating goalscoring chances, he’s third-top forward since gameweek seven, behind Bobby Zamora and Luis Suarez – clearly, there’s plenty potential to pick up the points.
As with Blackburn, Bolton have been terrible at the back but show enough promise going forwards to make their attacking options worthy of consideration. Priced at 5.4, Ngog looks secure for gametime right now, whether in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 and with a favourable run of fixtures that includes (STO wba EVE tot ALV), the 0.3% owned Trotters forward may prove to be a handy differential over the next few matches.
Andy Carroll
Writing about Andy Carroll as a differential feels odd. Starting the season at 10.0, his price has plummeted to 9.2 after a slow start to the new campaign and as a result, he now sits at just 2.1% Fantasy ownership.
Playing in the shadow of Luis Suarez hardly helps either but over the last four gameweeks, the £35m man is starting to hint at his possible Fantasy potential. Carroll has scored in each of his last two starts and has picked up the maximum bonus points both times, too, outscoring Suarez from gameweek 7-10 by a single point despite far less game time (191 min versus 350 min).
With Suarez owned by 34.7% of Fantasy managers in comparison, the level to which Carroll has been overlooked is particularly significant. Granted, he’s hardly been Liverpool’s most impressive performer but Carroll recently admitted he’s been building up his fitness in training and the hours of hard work finally seem as though they are paying off.
This weekend’s home game with Swansea offers him a chance to continue his recent good form and although Liverpool than square up to Chelsea and Man City, games against QPR, Wigan and Blackburn hint at a prosperous December.
