Having already assessed the goalkeepers, budget defenders, mid-priced defenders, premium defenders, budget midfielders, mid-price midfielders and premium midfielders, we now switch sights to the business end of the pitch.
We begin our analysis of the FPL forwards at the very bottom end of the market – examining the budget options on offer.
Priced at 6.0 or below, investing in one of this penny-pinching group as a third striker is often crucial for those looking to afford premium options throughout the squad.
A good budget striker can also offer far more than being an enabler for spending elsewhere, though – Jamie Vardy’s extraordinary explosion of form last season underlined just how critical this bracket can be.
Vardy’s 24 goals made a mockery of his pre-season price tag and his efforts followed on from Harry Kane’s emergence in 2014/15, when the Spurs striker fired 21 goals having been initially valued at just 5.0.
This season’s contenders certainly have a tough act to follow and, at first glance, it’s difficult to see a candidate emerging who can reach such heady heights.
The three promoted sides regularly present the most viable options – as we saw with both Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney from Watford and, for a limited spell, Callum Wilson of Bournemouth.
This time around all three of Middlesbrough, Hull City and Burnley offer up a player in this bracket that could potentially mirror their impact.
Jordan Rhodes (6.0), hit the ground running with six goals and two assists in 12 starts after arriving on Teeside in January.
His work ethic and goal poaching skills could reap rewards for early investors, although a lack of pace may see the ‘Boro striker struggle against top-flight defences.
A strong set of early fixtures (STO, sun, wba, CPL) gives FPL managers the perfect window to examine Rhodes’ credentials and three goals in pre-season so far indicates he has form on his side.
However, with Middlesbrough signing former Manchester City striker Alvara Negredo on a season-long loan, there is now the threat of rotation and a very competent alternative available for an additional 0.5 outlay. Negredo has already proved a popular target, finding his way into over 10% of squads to this point.
With 21 goals and two assists in the Championship last season, Hull’s Abel Hernandez is another with potential to outperform a modest 6.0 price tag.
Hernandez also has Premier League experience during Hull’s 2014/15 relegation season, in which he fired an effort at goal every 26.9 minutes. His accuracy let him down that year, netting just 7.7% of his efforts, but last season that statistic improved markedly to 15.6%, indicating he could be set to make an impression in the top flight this time around.
Elsewhere in the Hull camp, while Adama Diomandé’s two pre-season strikes at Nottingham Forest may have put some on alert to his prospects as a 4.5 option, it should be noted that the Norwegian fired just three goals from 23 appearances in all competitions last season. Diomandé seems unlikely to be a regular starter for the Tigers in a 4-2-3-1 system.
Sam Vokes presents Burnley’s option. The burly striker is a traditional centre-forward, boasting a significant physical presence and power in the air – a perfect foil for the pace and clinical finishing of Andre Gray (6.5).
Ironically, it’s Gray’s potential that counters Vokes’ appeal. Last season’s Championship player of the year with 24 goals, Gray is already owned by 10.3% of FPL managers and eight pre-season strikes have only boosted his reputation.
That’s left his strike partner Vokes in the shade with less than 1% ownership and it’s difficult to justify opting for the Welshman, even if he does share penalty duties with Gray, as he did throughout the promotion campaign.
So, at a push, Hernandez appears to be the best option on offer from those three clubs, leaving us to scour the remainder of this market to see if the FPL have underestimated a player who has the potential to deliver 15+ goals.
There are two notable candidates – both of whom rely on possible transfer moves to unlock their potential.
Diafra Sakho can still be found on the West Ham squad list but the 6.0 option appears to be on the verge of joining West Brom following a successful bid from the Hawthorns club.
The Frenchman fired five goals from 18 starts, having registered 10 from 20 in his debut Premier League season in 2013/14.
Despite suffering a stuttering campaign, Sakho still mustered a goal attempt every 33 minutes. Notably that rate is stronger than Shane Long’s 34.9 minutes – the Southampton striker is currently owned by 15.3% as the fifth most popular striker in the game.
Significantly, in his debut season, Sakho bettered that rate by registering an effort on goal every 27.9 minutes – that’s stronger than Vardy’s 2015/16 rate of a shot every 28.6 minutes
Clearly the Baggies have looked past his troublesome injury record and see the potential in Sakho as a natural goalscorer and, if he remains fit, he could possibly reward that faith and deliver.
Leicester City’s Leonardo Ulloa is the other 6.0 candidate who could possibly flourish should he seal a pre-season move.
Swansea City are believed to be coveting the Foxes target man, although Claudio Ranieri will be understandably reluctant to part company with the Argentine.
Ulloa lived in Vardy’s shadow last season but did enough when called upon to suggest that he could establish himself as a consistent goalscorer and source of FPL points if handed regular pitch time.
Afforded just seven starts, Ulloa contributed an attempt every 32 minutes and fired six vital goals; he scored 11 times with an effort every 51 minutes in his first season in the Premier League in 2014/15.
Both West Ham and Leicester have other options in this bracket, but neither Enner Valencia (5.5) nor Shinji Okazaki (6.0) present themselves as natural goalscorers, playing out supporting roles from deep or, in Valencia’s case, out on the flank.
Crystal Palace’s Connor Wickham has long threatened to fulfil his early potential and has demonstrated talent in flashes that suggest he could outperform his 6.0 valuation.
However, Alan Pardew is surely set to strengthen the Eagles’ attack before a ball is kicked, relegating Wickham to a likely cameo role.
Sunderland’s Fabio Borini looks a stronger option.
The Italian was overshadowed by Jermain Defoe in the Sunderland attack last season but still mustered five goals and three assists from 22 starts as the Black Cats scrambled free of relegation. Priced at 5.5 he will be looking to cement his starting role under David Moyes and, depending on the formation and tactics, could be given greater license to raid the box. In all likelihood, Borini will be handed a similar role under Moyes – flanking Defoe in a 4-3-3 setup – and that will again dent his output.
A similar role awaits new Bournemouth recruit Lys Mousett (5.5) who arrives at Dean Court boasting exciting potential.
The 20-year-old scored 14 goals in 29 appearances in Ligue 2 last season but is expected to be eased into the Premier League under the tutelage of Eddie Howe.
It’s likely to be next season, or the latter stages of this campaign, once Bournemouth have potentially secured their top flight status, before we see Mousett given the opportunity to showcase his talents.
