Pro Pundits

The best budget FPL forwards to consider in the coming Gameweeks

Following on from Sam’s article that predominantly focused on premium forwards, one of the world’s best FPL managers, Tom Freeman, looks at the cut-price options available in attack.


In recent times, Fantasy managers have been able to call upon a large pool of reliable, kindly priced forwards.

Whilst back in 2017/18, only two forwards priced £7.0m or below at the start of the campaign reached double figures for goals, last season, we were treated to 12.

Raúl Jiménez (£7.7m) was the standout candidate. Starting at £5.5m and ending at £6.9m, the Wolverhampton Wanderers forward returned 181 points in his debut season, with 13 goals and ten assists.

The likes of Salomón Rondón, Callum Wilson (£7.4m) and Ayoze Pérez (£6.2m) also offered huge value in the category.

This season, Danny Ings (£7.0m), Tammy Abraham (£7.7m), Dominic-Calvert-Lewin (£6.1m), Teemu Pukki (£6.5m) and Chris Wood (£6.3m) are already into double figures.

Next in line to join them is Neal Maupay (£5.8m), with seven.

The issue for Maupay owners is his last goal arrived in mid-December. I think it’s fair to say he’s been a huge disappointment since, returning just 18 FPL points, which is why I’m looking to move him on ahead of Gameweek 27.

So, with a budget of £6.8m, which could potentially rise to £7.4m if I were to bring forward my planned Gameweek 28 transfer of Jack Grealish (£6.7m) to Harvey Barnes (£6.0m), I’m looking to recruit a new forward.

To identify potential signings, I’ve plugged in my ‘Hitman’ custom table, which focuses on a selection of stats I like to look at when searching for goalscorers.

In this particular example, I’ve included the top ten, using data from the last four Gameweeks:

The idea behind using stats to begin my search is to filter players, and as a result focus on a smaller, more manageable group who I can then run the eye test over.

Having factored in, amongst other things, fixtures, forthcoming blanks (I need someone who plays Gameweek 28), rotation issues and player profiles, I’ve removed Pukki, Troy Deeney (£6.3m), Wilson, Gabriel Martinelli (£4.6m), Oliver McBurnie (£5.7m) and Christian Benteke (£5.7m) from my search, leaving three forwards to consider.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Above: Everton’s Gameweek 27-31 fixtures.

Having flagged up Everton and Calvert-Lewin on New Year’s Eve, they continue to impress.

Only Liverpool have bettered their points tally since Carlo Ancelotti was appointed, whilst Calvert-Lewin’s underlying numbers during that run are superb – he sits top for big chances, shots in the box, shots on target and xG amongst all players.

With no other Premier League team crossing as often as the Toffees in recent weeks, the 22-year-old’s ability to threaten in the air is being put to good use, and I like the fact he stays central, challenging for every ball.

I think he has the potential to continue doing well (the fixtures aren’t as bad as they seem on first glance), but part of me feels like l may have missed the boat with this one, although I’m certainly not ruling him out.

Chris Wood

Above: Burnley’s fixtures in Gameweeks 27-31

Whilst I have reservations about Burnley going forward, and their ability to create chances from open play, Wood has had a good season so far, finding the net ten times.

He’s also getting plenty of big chances – only Jamie Vardy (£9.8m) has more.

Another positive is his ability to score from set plays, which is relevant with Newcastle up in Gameweek 28 – the Magpies have conceded more attempts from dead-ball situations than any other club this season.

Despite this, no team has recorded fewer shots on target than the Clarets this season.

I’m not ruling Wood out, and I like the fact he definitely has a fixture going ahead in Gameweek 31, but at this stage, I think others are ahead of him.

Diogo Jota

Above: Wolves’ fixtures in Gameweeks 27-31

I do love it when a good attacking player turns up on one of my tables who maybe hasn’t shown up on the scoresheet recently.

Diego Jota (£6.1m) ticks that box, but it’s a move that comes with risk – is he even nailed for a start with Pedro Neto (£5.0m) and new signing Daniel Podence (£5.5m) competing for a spot?

Back in the fold following injury, I do like Jota but it does feel like I’d be replacing Maupay with another player who hasn’t scored since December, with rotation hanging over him. There is also an argument to say if you want a Wolves forward, find the extra from somewhere and invest in Jiménez.

The good thing is that I can run the eye test over Jota on Friday before making a call. If he can get anywhere near to his level of performance in the corresponding fixture from last season, where he netted a hat-trick, he could yet become an option, but let’s see.

So, I’m keeping my options open ahead of Gameweek 27, but as it stands, a forward transfer is definitely on the cards with Calvert-Lewin, Wood and Jota all under consideration.

However, with seven games still to be played in Gameweek 26, maybe another option will emerge?

Though Gameweek 27 seems a long way off right now, here’s how I’m currently set up…

Thanks for reading… until next time.


Tom Freeman – aka avfc82 – comes onto the team to make most of us feel wildly insecure about our overall rank history. A long-time Fantasy Football Scout user, he has finished inside the top 1,000 a staggering five times since 2009.

333 Comments Post a Comment
  1. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    anyone excited about the champions league recommencing next Tuesday? Anyone think Dortmund can get past PSG?

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. PSG can be spectacular or mediocre depending on their mood.

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      PSG is firing right now and they have an incredible team, but they have failed miserably in the past before, so.... I think its collective mental issue... its a club that has no winning tradition at this level, is stuck in a league that offers no competition whatsoever because their squad was propped up by fake money. They clearly have the squad and some of the best players in the game, but....

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Not helped by some of Neymar's antics. Don't think he's too popular in French media. I look at him and Pogba and wanba shake them 'Lads, ye're unbelievable footballers but wasting yer talent. Time for messing is sfter ye retire and look back on a great legacy'. I love watching Di Maria and M'bappe., brilliant.

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Pogba is a massive scapegoat though, he's United's best player and would start for any team in the world most probably. I know some stuff he does off the pitch is a bit weird but still.

        2. FantasyHero
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Pogba is overhyped and putting him in the same sentence as neymar doesn't make sense. But ya Neymar's antics aren't helping him.

    3. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      It's a nightmare for CL fantasy with every draw being quite close and no apparent big scorers. Atalanta having the best odds among all teams in the 1st leg sums it up.

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        For UCL fantasy game?

    4. 11 smelly shirts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      It should be an interesting match, but Dortmund is not that consistent. One bad half vs PSG will be more costly than it is in the German league... I hope they beat PSG though

    5. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Can go either way.

      1. kamdaraji
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        my uefa CL fantasy squad. What do u think. Note that you can swap in subs for players that have already played so ca get rid of the lowest three scorers and GK.

        Ter Stegen
        Hakimi Meunier TAA
        Parejo Illicic Son Di Maria Olmo
        Messi Haaland

        subs: Szczesny, Kimmich, Sandro, Ronaldo

  2. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Chelsea Football Club has reached an agreement with Ajax to sign Hakim Ziyech this summer. The move is subject to the player agreeing personal terms and he will remain at the Dutch club for the rest of this season.

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      What a good signing, at a reasonable price too.

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Good signing, in and around his peak.

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Will probably punt on him in my GW1 team next year if he comes in around 8.0

      1. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah really like him. Will depend on Chelsea's fixs though.

      2. Breww
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        think he might be closer to the price we saw nicolas pepe at . similar players and all that

    4. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like people at Chelsea in charge of transfers know exactly what they are doing (unlike a certain club about 200 miles north-west of Chelsea who wear red and whose name starts with the letter M).

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Didn't Chelsea spend 70m+ on Kepa?

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          True - that was partly cause Courtois' departure was so late in the window and partly cause they were signing him from Athletic BIlbao who always have a premium on their players due to their Basque-only policy

      2. FantasyHero
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Lmao

    5. 11 smelly shirts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Great signing, I agree, but doesn't Chelsea have to look first to improve their defense and defensive midfield before bringing in another attacker who will now compete with Pulisic, Mount, Willian and Cho?

  3. Óró Sé…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Wolves fans, thoughts on Podence?
    Might he be an option?

    1. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not a Wolves fan but I doubt Podence gets regular starts this season, probably a rotation player at best until he gets used to the team and Nuno's tactics.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I think Neto has better chance of starting than him

      1. Óró Sé…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

  4. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What would you do here ? Team looks decent for both GW's 27 and 28 (only KDB not playing), Should I get Jimenez for this GW, or Vardy next GW ? If so who for ?

    Pope (Button)
    TAA, VVD, Stephens (Soy, Rico)
    Salah, Son, Traore, KDB (Dendo)
    Ings, DCL, Wood

    1ft, 4.6m ITB

    1. 11 smelly shirts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You might want to consider upgrading some of your strikers. 3 from the cheaper brackets are quite a lot imo. Jiminez and Vardy would both be good options. Jiminez is more for the long run, he doesn't bring returns every week, but you won't have two weeks without at least a goal, Vardy is the big questionmark with his form, otherwise I would bring him in. And I would remove Wood (just read the article above that tells you why)

  5. Planet Head
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    So this article, was a bit disappointed that Tom didn't express a favourite out of the 3. Seems like he prefers DCL, no?

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hi mate, it kind of comes down to the timing of the article, really difficult to make concrete decisions when we're in the middle of a Gameweek.

    2. 11 smelly shirts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I liked the article about the premium better than this one. Would have been nice if both articles would have had the same structure going more in detail about the players, but I understand that it's a bit more tricky with so many budget strikers

  6. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What's this talk about liverpool game getting cancelled? How come?

    1. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure if serious

      1. FantasyHero
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ah so you answered here. Thanks.

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      The tornado?

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Denis the Tornado doesn't sound too menacing.

        Tornado Damien with a bit of scary music every time it's mentioned would keep me indoors, in the wardrobe 😉

      2. FantasyHero
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Oh so this is all based on weather predictions lol. I guess let's wait and see.

  7. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Pick one :
    A. Firmino & Son
    B. Jiminez & Mane

    Rest of team
    McCarthy button
    TAA lascellas egan o'Connell Stephens
    Salah kdb hayden traore (?)
    Vardy Ings (?)

    Leaning towards Jimenez and Mane as Jimenez seem to be a better bet than Son but firmino has great form.

  8. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Not sure if I'm allowed to do this but if anyone is interested in footballindex (great platform to trade footballers/invest money in - have made over 50% roi in a year which beats a cash account!!) then I have a £30 free cash offer. Can send the link if any interest...

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I've used it, its a terrible platform

      1. abaalan
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Why so...beg to differ.
        It's fun and you make money.