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The Watchlist Updated – The Forwards

In our final analysis of the latest Watchlist standings following their festive overhaul, we now take time out to assess the latest movements among the forwards.

For those new to the site, the Watchlist is designed to offer a view on our current mid-term player recommendations, based on the prospects spanning the next four-to-six Gameweeks.

You will find our current Watchlist standings in your right-hand menu on desktop and mobile.

There’s no change at the top of the rankings, with Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Chelsea’s Diego Costa retaining their spots at the summit.

Both players lead the forward standings in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) on 123 points apiece, although Ibrahimovic is clearly the man in form.

Having climbed in value to 11.6 on the back of nine goals and four assists in his last nine starts, the Swede’s upcoming schedule (LIV, sto, HUL, lei, WAT) also gives him a slight edge.

There’s no doubt that Costa – whose FPL price has fallen to 10.7 following a recent one-match suspension – remains a reliable source for attacking returns, though, having blanked in only three of his last 13 matches.

Nonetheless, the Chelsea forward has only managed two double-digit hauls over that period, while the forthcoming fixture list for Antonio Conte’s side (lei, HUL, liv, ARS, bur, SWA) is mixed.

Ibrahimovic has penalties, free-kicks and has provided five double-digit returns, with a top score of 15. This compares favourable to Costa who has just three returns of 12 points so far and lacks dead-ball duties to bolster his appeal.

The Swede sat out United’s EFL Cup victory over Hull City on Tuesday but is expected to return to contention following illness for the Gameweek 21 collision with Liverpool.

Harry Kane sees his stock fall slightly this time around as a result of four blanks in six.

The Tottenham Hotspur frontman has retreated under the shadow of midfield team-mates Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli over the past month, who are both considerably cheaper on the budget at 8.6 and 8.5 respectively.

Kane’s 16-point haul against Watford in Gameweek 19 provided a reminder of his explosive potential, though, and with spot-kick duties in the locker, the potential for double-digit hauls remains.

The festive period was very productive for Jermain Defoe, who registered another three goals, taking his tally to 11 for the season.

The Sunderland forward surges back up our rankings as David Moyes’ side prepare to take on Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace in the next four.

Still available at a meagre 7.8 in FPL, it remains a surprise that Defoe sits in just 25.4% of FPL squads, given that he is the joint-sixth highest point scorer in the game, with 113 points accrued.

Everton’s Romelu Lukaku and Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud both enjoy rises, having flourished over the festive spell.

Lukaku returned to form with two goals and an assist in his last three starts, and looks a solid option as a second forward given his 9.5 price tag in FPL.

The Toffees also face one of the softest upcoming schedules (MCI, cpl, sto, BOU, mid, SUN) over the next six Gameweeks.

No forward scored more points than Giroud over the holiday fixtures, and having started the last three matches, the Frenchman’s form protects his pitch time ahead of an enticing run of fixtures (swa, BUR, WAT, che, HUL).

Theo Walcott is thought to be closing on a return following a calf injury, though, so away from home, there remains the prospect that Arsene Wenger will utilise the movement of Alexis Sanchez in the lone striker role.

Giroud is perhaps more suited to home fixtures to help break down a deep defensive line – the Emirates fixtures with Burnley, Watford and Hull City certainly look tailored-made for the Frenchman, then.

Man City’s Sergio Aguero suffers another drop in stock despite making a return from his four-match suspension with a goal against Burnley.

Aguero started from the bench against the Clarets, and with rotation an ongoing concern regarding all City players, it’s questionable whether the Argentine, priced at 12.8 in FPL, will provide better value than the likes of Ibrahimovic and Costa, who look nailed on to start every match for their respective clubs.

In addition, having seen him surrender spot-kick duties in Friday’s FA Cup thrashing of West Ham, confidence in Aguero suffers a further blow.

Crystal Palace’s Gameweek 20 clash against Swansea had been earmarked as a “make or break” encounter for Christian Benteke, following a run of four successive blanks.

But after being forced off at half-time with a shoulder injury, the former Liverpool striker failed to provide the goods, and as a result, suffers another damaging fall in our rankings.

The Eagles forward is expected to be fit to face West Ham United in Gameweek 21, but given that Palace will be without chief creator Wilfried Zaha, who has departed for the Africa Cup of Nations, it’s no surprise that Benteke has been subject to further heavy FPL sales.

Middlesbrough’s Alvaro Negredo is also heading in the wrong direction, with blanks against Burnley and Leicester City over the festive period denting our confidence in the Spaniard.

‘Boro’s short-term fixtures (wat, WHM, WBA) remain reasonably friendly, but with Aitor Karanka’s side still struggling for creativity, it’s likely that chances will continue to be at a premium for Negredo.

Two possible alternatives to the ‘Boro striker are West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon and Burnley’s Andre Gray.

Rondon did only muster an assist from the plum home fixture against Hull City last time out, but with the fixture list (tot, SUN, mid, STO, whm, BOU) remaining favourable over the coming period, the 6.8-rated Venezuelan remains a viable option as a third forward.

Having reclaimed a spot in the Burnley side, starting the last five matches, Gray returns to the Watchlist this week after scoring four goals over the festive period.

The Clarets striker looks set to offer solid value at just 6.2 in FPL, although Sean Dyche’s side do face Southampton and Arsenal next, before kinder match-ups against Leicester City and Watford.

772 Comments Post a Comment
  1. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    If West Brom sign Schlupp, that kills Nyom

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Someone mentioned he is going to Palace?

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Not sure they will pay asking price.

  2. Jedi_Reed
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    If Brunt is declared fit this weekend and starts OOP, would people favour playing him over Phillips?

    Not a huge amount of potential for attacking returns for either, but there's the off chance Brunt may get clean sheet points.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Rather Phillips.

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Didn't Brunt take the corner that Yacob missed an open goal @ARS? Anyone?

      1. Netley Lucas
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        70'
        Attempt missed. Claudio Yacob (West Bromwich Albion) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is too high following a corner.

        Pretty sure Brunt took the corner?

  3. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    What's the latest on Valdes?

    Any chance of Jaku playing or should I do Jaku ---> Mannone -4

  4. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    A) Giroud, Lallana, Jakupovic & Amat
    B) Kane, De Roon, Randolph & Ake

    Rest of my team;

    Grant
    Brunt Baines Rose Smith
    Alli Sanchez Stanislas Phillips
    Costa Ibrahimovic

  5. XabiAlonso
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Hi fellow addicts
    Who shal I bin first

    Foster (Pickford)
    Matip alonso Daniels mcauley Amat
    Sanchez Eriksen lallana stanislas fletcher
    Ibra Costa benteke
    Thanks

    1. XabiAlonso
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      2.4 itb 1ft

  6. New Post
  7. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Can't decide if I should bring in Alli for Firmino. Especially with bad weather possibly affecting that game.

    Would leave me with no pool for the home trip to swansea.

    Original plan was to save ft and do Haz carroll--> costa Stanislas next gw so I have costa for hull

    Should I stick or twist?

  8. Speédy
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Bench 2
    A)baines
    B)brunt
    C) rondon
    D)Phillips

  9. FPL Emu
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Ok, seriously, what's the big fuss about Stanislas? He looks pretty far from nailed from his minutes (even considering the injury), and hasn't done all that mouch outside that one monster haul. People are making him sound like the second coming of Lampard

    1. Roberto Baggio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Has gotta be attractive statistics . Plum fixtures .my best guess

  10. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Heaton
    Walker, Chambers, Ake, Baines
    Lallana, Alli,;Sanchez
    Costa, Defoe, Ibrahimovic

    Foster, Phillips, Pieters, De Roon

    Should I swap my GK's to Cech/Jaku, downgrade Walker to Vertonghen and change one of Ake, Pieters or Chambers to McAuley or Brunt?

  11. Ram.sey Coq.uel.in
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    have any of you folks in the know got any fresh info on bellerin fitness situation , please

  12. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Cedric plays 90 and gets a clean sheet??

    Must be a cup game clearly.

  13. Greek Flair
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else bring Payet in with the hope of an explosion? He had also recently been highlighted as having an increasing influence and that the points explosion would could come.

    Bilic has now said he is out of training and will not play for the club 🙁

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Sold this week.

      1. Greek Flair
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I've already gone -4, so may just bench him and transfer out next week...even more annoying as I went -4 to get him in last week.

  14. nadiaroxcks
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Gibson Pieters Mcauley Jones Clyne
    Firmino Snodgrass Philips Sanchez Antonio
    Negredo Aguero Defoe

    who to bench?

  15. Alexis Nonsense
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone got more praise for Pogba?

    Only time I saw him against Liverpool was the handball, the choke and the shot that missed...