With the Defenders and Midfielders already assessed, we move to the men up front and analyse the options over the next four to five Gameweeks. Once again, the recent refresh is available in your sidebar – read on for more details on the factors behind our thinking:
While Wayne Rooney has momentum and Robin van Persie is still battling to justify his lofty Fantasy price tag, we remain resolute in our backing of the Dutchman’s potential to score heavily in the coming weeks. On the spot against Palace last time out, Van Persie’s partnership with Rooney looks highly profitable over a kind run of Old Trafford encounters with West Brom, Southampton and Stoke all due in Manchester before Gameweek 9. Rooney clearly has the potential to topple his strike partner if he can maintain form – his 10.5 price tag is on the rise and a drop in Van Persie’s stock and ownership would seem inevitable should Rooney outscore the Dutchman in Sunday’s derby clash.
Aside from Rooney, there are clear pretenders to the top ranking position, with Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud now fully established as an outstanding prospect. Still priced kindly at 9.0 in the FPL, the Frenchman’s goal-a-game record thus far could well be maintained when Stoke pay visit to the Emirates this weekend. Certainly, Giroud should continue to be handed a steady supply of service from midfield and it is perhaps only that midfield talent that detracts from his current appeal as a Fantasy acquisition. With Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil such temptations, is Giroud as essential as his points tally and price suggest? Given that Arsenal are one of the few sides who look to have established some attacking fluidity, it’s perhaps wise to stock up with Gunners’ assets at this moment in time, while the likes of City and Chelsea settle and Luis Suarez is back installed in the Liverpool system.
Suarez’s arrival in Gamweeek 6, coupled with the injury to Philippe Coutinho, casts some renewed doubt over Daniel Sturridge’s potential but there’s no denying his form right now. Four goals in as many games speaks volumes and has earned Sturridge an army of new owners in the last seven days. We’ll be watching for the impact of Suarez’s return, however, and the fact that the Uruguayan already sits in our rankings, despite being banned this weekend, indicates just how influential he could be on our thinking in the coming weeks.
Roberto Soldado and Christian Benteke are perhaps unfortunate to drop outside the top five, particularly in the Belgian’s case. While Soldado is yet to register a goal from open play, Benteke has four strikes to his name and continues to cement a reputation as a “fixture proof” asset. That status will be put to the test in forthcoming home encounters with City and Spurs. As for Soldado, he has three home games in four to come after the weekend trip to Wales and that should give him the platform to re-establish his Fantasy stock, having suffered sales in recent weeks. His price point, plus the emergence of Chritstian Eriksen and the potential offered by Erik Lamela, are factors that dent his appeal, however.
If you must delve into the mid-price up front, then Everton’s loan signing Romelu Lukaku nudges above Southampton’s Rickie Lambert, despite the fact he’s yet to kick a ball for the Toffees. Lukaku’s 17 goals at West Brom last season suggest that he has the weapons to convert a ready supply from Everton’s flanks and from Ross Barkley’s promptings in midfield.
Outside of the listed rankings, Cardiff’s Frazier Campbell remains the top budget pick on offer, with Crystal Palace’s Dwight Gayle, armed with spot-kicks, offering the alternative. Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez is perhaps worth monitoring, however – he’s dropped to 5.8 in the FPL but regained his starting role for the Saints in the 0-0 with West Ham. In the short-term, meanwhile, Everton’s Steven Naismith can be acquired for just 4.8 and looks set to retain his start for the trip to Upton Park on Saturday having netted the winner against Chelsea.
