Selection

Watchlist Update – Abundance of cheaper forward options

As the first international break of the season nearly at an end, we have wrapped up our analysis of the FFS Watchlist.

Having looked at goalkeepers, defenders and midfielders in detail since the conclusion of Gameweek 4, we finish with the all-important forward options.

What we found was that the so-called ‘third striker’ is not dead, as we thought it was. In fact, there are plenty of assets worth considering for this role with premium players the ones that are proving more disappointing.

Sergio Aguero (£11.3m) currently sits at the summit for the forwards’ section of our Watchlist. The Manchester City striker currently tops the charts for shots on goal in the whole league and faces four very favourable fixtures over the next five Gameweeks. They include home meetings with Fulham, Brighton and Burnley, as well as a trip to Cardiff. Returns in three of the first four weeks of the campaign give him an ‘A’ for form although we have to point out his Rotation Risk factor with Champions League football creeping back into the equation in the very near future.

Up next is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) on account of Arsenal’s continuing run of appealing fixtures. The Gunners top our Season Ticker for attack over the next six Gameweeks, and we still believe that Aubameyang is the way to go. Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m) may have nearly matched his shot count in 158 fewer minutes, but Aubameyang remains the more assured starter. Fresh from a first goal of the campaign in Gameweek 4 we think the former Borussia Dortmund man will make the most of Newcastle (away), Everton (home), Watford (home) and Fulham (away) in the next four weeks.

Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.7m) has earned more new owners ahead of Gameweek 5 than any other player so far, and with good reason. Only Aguero has had more shots than him among forwards, the two are level for efforts in the box but the Serbian is ahead on shots on target. Mitrovic’s form and price tag are hard to argue with. He has four goals and an assist in the first four Gameweeks of 2018/19 and has found the net 23 times in his last 30 matches for club and country.

Callum Wilson (£6.2m) is another one of many arguments against the so-called ‘death of the third striker’ in FPL. No forward has had more shots in the box since the start of the campaign than the Bournemouth man and he’s currently level with Aguero for efforts on target. Wilson looks to have a level of consistency above what he has produced in the past, which is why he sits so high on our Watchlist. With Leicester (home), Burnley (away), Crystal Palace (home), Watford (away), Southampton (home) and Fulham (away) it’s hard to find a reason not to include him in our squads.

Even though he has gone under the radar early on, Romelu Lukaku (£11.0m) is still very much at the heart of our thinking ahead of Gameweek 5. The Manchester United striker is currently second both for shots in the box and efforts on target thus far. With fixtures against Watford (away), Wolves (home), West Ham (away) and Newcastle (home) coming up between Gameweeks 5 and 8, there is plenty of reason to believe Lukaku can be a useful asset.

Harry Kane (£12.5m) remains the primary Tottenham striker as he continues to be the unchallenged number one in that position for Spurs. However, the England captain sits lower in the Watchlist than he has historically. Kane’s form isn’t too bad as he goes into Gameweek 5 with two goals and an assist to his name. However, Tottenham’s are neither here nor there with Liverpool and Man City book-ending a run of more favourable matches. It also has to be said that Kane is also currently operating at a lower level than last season as far as underlying statistics are concerned.

Danny Ings (£5.6m) is currently the cheapest forward entry on our Watchlist and he gets a mention with good reason. The Southampton man has matched Aguero and Mitrovic for shots in the penalty box and has registered just one fewer accurate shot than Man City’s leading attacker. The Saints fixtures are a little sticky between Gameweek 6 and 8 but things look good for a Gameweek 5 home meeting with Brighton.

Jamie Vardy (£8.9m) comes back into the equation for Gameweek 5 after returning from a suspension picked up against Wolves last month. There isn’t much data on him thus far, with just 93 minutes and no starts to his name in 2018/19. However, the Leicester City man has some appealing fixtures in which he could perform well. Only Arsenal and Bournemouth rank higher than the Foxes for Attack on our Season Ticker, with a Gameweek 6 hosting of out-of-form Huddersfield looking particularly tasty for Vardy.

Troy Deeney‘s (£6.1m) unexpected strike against Spurs, his second of the season, has put him in the thoughts of Fantasy managers. The fixtures still look tough for Watford, but Deeney actually has a goal in each of his last three home matches against Manchester United.

Glenn Murray (£6.5m) has three goals to his name thus far in 2018/19 which means we have to include him too. Brighton’s fixtures over the next three are a mixed bag with a trip to Southampton preceding back-to-back matches with Tottenham (home) and Man City (away). However, over six weeks they don’t look too bad with West Ham and Wolves both set to visit the Amex Stadium too.

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520 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    After seeing that picture Im staying away from Mitrovic

    1. KneejerkJoe
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      😀

    2. Licious Lizard
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      I laughed way too hard at that picture after your comment

    3. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Is it me or does he look at bit like Andy there?

  2. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Is gray a good bargin 4th midfielder

    1. Union_Jacks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      I’m going him if no Fraser green light.

  3. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Patricio • Bettinelli
    Alonso • Mendy • Holebas • Wan-Bissaka • Bennett
    Hazard • Mané • Pedro • Fraser • Højbjerg
    Agüero • Lukaku • Mitrovic
    • 0 ITB •

    How does this look for a WC team? Think I've cracked it, afaik.

    Cheers!

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      This is exactly my team, except for bettelini. And I have Doherty for Bennett.
      Love it

      1. Ibralicious
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers haha, you also on a WC?

        1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Yes! TBH I would suggest
          Bettelini > Hamer, Bennett to Doherty
          Helps with rotation, in case Fraser is injured, also rotates well with Holebas

          1. Ibralicious
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Was thinking exactly that but when Patricio has a couple tough fixtures in the next few GWs, Bettinelli can be viable to fill in. As for Bennett, he seemed a bargain at 4.0 and as long as he keeps performing I don't think he'll be dropped any time soon.

            1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Fair enough, at least our teams will be slightly different hahah. Cheers

              1. Ibralicious
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                Np lol, are you also considering starting AWB over Holebas this GW?

                1. EL tridente
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 6 months ago

                  Almost the same as mine as Well! Only difference I have Hamer and Billing

                  1. Ibralicious
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    Hahaha join the club 😀

  4. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Finally listened to the scoutcast quiz. 😕

    Taking 30 minutes to explain the quiz was probably the first red flag.

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Starting to warm to David though. Anyone who references The Inbetweeners on the scoutcast is alright in my book:D

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        "Lee Sharpe, Lee Sharpe!"

        "Roy Keane. Oh." 😆

    2. Delph & Safety
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      A bit of Granville and the odd appearance from Mark if possible would be good though.

      1. *sigh*
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Would like to see fpl general on more often also.

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          His pods are good.

  5. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Pogba decent placeholder for Ricarlison?

    Other mids are Dilva,Haz and Mane

  6. Murder On Zidanesfloor
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    On a wc
    A) Lukaku + Fraser + Pedro
    B) Laca + Maddison + Pedro
    C) Lace + Fraser + Dilva

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Laca* in C

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        A for me

    2. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      A or C

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Obvs depending of expected return for Fraser

    3. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers

    4. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      A 😀

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        😀 looks like I'm sticking

  7. Legomané
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Barring any injury news tomorrow, G2G? (bench order, etc.) 0FT 0.1ITB

    Rui Patricio
    Alonso(v) Mendy Robertson Pereira
    Salah Mané Pedro
    Aguero(c) Arnautovic Ings

    (Foster H.Costa AWB Kenedy)

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      G2G mate

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers 🙂

  8. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    A. Mané, Ings
    B. Pedro, D.Silva

    1. All about the Mané
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      A

  9. FPL Ultras
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Captain?

    A) Aguero
    B) Hazard
    C) Aubameyang

    Thank you guys!

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. stat
        5 years, 6 months ago

        A, B, C in that order

        1. FPL Ultras
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Same thinking. But I coul imagine Auba scoring a hatrick!

          1. FPL Ultras
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Same thinking. But I could imagine Auba scoring a hatrick!

            1. stat
                5 years, 6 months ago

                Away to Newcastle? Highly doubt it

      • stat
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Haven't WCed yet but thoughts on this team?

          Patricio vs BUR

          Mendy vs FUL - Alonso vs CAR - Doherty vs BUR

          Hazard vs CAR - Pedro vs CAR - Dilva vs FUL - Elyounoussi vs BHA - Mane vs tot

          Wilson vs LEI - Aguero (C) vs FUL

          Bench: Hamer vs CPA - AWB vs hud - Mitro vs mci - Shaw vs wat

          I plan to get Richarlison for Elyounoussi next GW.

          1. FPL Ultras
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            G2G man

        • Kizza_10
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Which do you use prefer?

          1. Mane & D.Silva

          2. Salah & Fraser (if fit)

          1. FPL Ultras
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            1

        • FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          This is in direct contradiction to the members article earlier today. I thought Auba was glued to the left and ineffective? 😕

          "Up next is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) on account of Arsenal’s continuing run of appealing fixtures. The Gunners top our Season Ticker for attack over the next six Gameweeks, and we still believe that Aubameyang is the way to go. Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m) may have nearly matched his shot count in 158 fewer minutes, but Aubameyang remains the more assured starter. Fresh from a first goal of the campaign in Gameweek 4 we think the former Borussia Dortmund man will make the most of Newcastle (away), Everton (home), Watford (home) and Fulham (away) in the next four weeks."

          1. FPL Ultras
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            In Auba I trust

          2. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            "Callum Wilson (£6.2m) ... looks to have a level of consistency above what he has produced in the past, which is why he sits so high on our Watchlist."

            Missed 6 of his 7 chances. Is that what they mean by consistency?

            1. FPL Ultras
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Easy fixtures coming up

            2. I Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Surely it takes more than 4 games to judge consistent. Returning a lot of points and then going on a long barren spell is exactly what Wilson did last season.

              1. FPL Virgin
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                Scoring only 14% of your big chances is pretty bad.

          3. _Freddo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Aubameyang is going to explode.

            1. FPL Virgin
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              8 penalty boxes touches all season.

              1. _Freddo
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                Look forward not back, players come in and out of form all the time.

                1. _Freddo
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  5 years, 6 months ago

                  As do teams, Arsenal are slowly going on a run now and the next 4 suggest it'll continue.

          4. Rash
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Have to agree. It's either one or the other not 2 seperate articles contradicting things..

        • FPL Ultras
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          G2G

        • The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Fraser injury concern is a nuisance. Not many options for 5.6m .

          1. FPL Ultras
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Neves

            1. The 12th Man
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              No thanks.
              Rather have Gray if I really had to. Would prefer to hold onto the transfer this week though. Crossing fingers he’s ok

              1. zotter
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                Yeah probably Gray

              2. FPL Ultras
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                Against BUR he could thrive

        • Dr. Ante Pavlovic
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Gtg?

          Kepa
          Trippier, Mendy, Alonso, WB
          Salah, Hazard(c), Fraser
          Mitrovic, Aguero, King

          Bench: Stekelenburg, Neves, TAA, Masuaku

          1. zotter
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Not sure Chelsea look solid enough to warrant double defende

        • UnitednationsXI
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          So any update on mkhi, wally? Opinions on the following? have 1.3m and 1FT

          Patricio --- Foster
          Mendy • Alonson • AWB -- Robbo (tough fix) Shaw(injured)
          Salah • Wally • Pedro • Mkhi -- Stephens
          King • Kun • Zaha

          - I expect one of Zaha,AWB to get benched so Robbo should come from the bench

          A: Wally >> Maddison...obvious move i think if wally is out
          B: Wally + Mkhi >> Maddison + Dilva (-4)...tempting and have exact funds so need to do it today before wally price drop
          C: Robbo + Mkhi >> Bennett + Sanchez (punt till gw8 wc) (-4)..assuming wally is fit

          1. zotter
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Why do you expect Awb to be benched

        • Dannyb
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          How's this for a wildcard? Bench too weak?
          Patricio Hamer
          Alonso Mendy Holebas Banner AWB
          Mane Hazard Dilva Hoiberg Ward
          Aguero Lukaku Mitrovic
          Thoughts appreciated.

          1. Dannyb
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Sorry, this is a repost and Banner is Bennett.

          2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            I do think that 5 of those 15 are weak

          3. I Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            You have to play one of Bennett, Wan-Bissaka, Hojbjerg and Ward every week. That's not ideal.

        • zotter
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          If I don’t fancy the aguero risk this week who to captain?

          Alonso
          Mendy
          Salah
          Lucas
          Firmino
          Walcott with someone else Vc?

          1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            What's the risk? Am I missing something

            1. zotter
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Just chance of rotation with ucl starting

          2. _Freddo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Aguero has just had a two week break, why would he not play? Madness and over thinking things.

            1. zotter
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Because if pep wants him to play champs league and the tougher Brighton away game back to back

              1. _Freddo
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                The CL is nothing new to this manager or these players, they play this schedule & it's the norm, he won't be freaking out about playing 3 games this week after a 2 week break 🙂

                1. zotter
                  • 14 Years
                  5 years, 6 months ago

                  Yes it’s nothing new and aguero Jesus never played three in a row during autumn last year

        • Jinswick
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Best move here?

          A) Walcott -> Pedro
          B) Mkhi -> Ramsey/Pedro
          C) TAA & Mkhi -> Alonso & Fraser (-4)
          D) Save FT

          Ederson
          Mendy, ASmith, Wan-B
          Salah, Hazard, Mkhi, Walcott
          Aguero, Arnie, King

          Stek, Tomkins, TAA, Hudson
          Bank 0.4m, 1FT

          1. zotter
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Salah plus Smith to Mane and Alonso?

            1. Jinswick
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Salah out for a -4? What you smokin’ over there....

              1. zotter
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                Alonso will pay for the -4 this week alone

          2. _Freddo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            B

        • Kizza_10
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Which do you guys think is better ?

          A. Mane, D.Silva, Wilson, Maddison
          Or
          B. Salah, Fraser, Lucas, Ings

          1. zotter
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            B

        • child of God
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          When is the fpl show aired?

        • FPL Rat
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Foster - Fabianski
          Mendy - Robbo - WanB - Tomkins* - Schelotto
          Wally* - Mane - Salah - Miki - Fraser*
          Ings - Arnie - Aguero

          A: Tomkins+Wally -> Alonso + Ward (-4)
          B: Fraser+Tomkins -> Alonso + Højbjerg (-4)
          C: Fraser+Tomkins+Wally -> Ward+Alonso+Maddison (-8)

          Or just play wildcard

          Any suggestions.....?

          1. *sigh*
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            B

          2. zotter
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Wait for team news. All could play

          3. A.T
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            A

          4. Dog and Fox
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            C looks tempting

          5. FPL Rat
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            A-B-C and wait... this proves the dillemma

        • Where dahoud at
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Soooo real important question here, please help me pick 1

          A. D. Silva
          B. Lukaku

          1. Hy liverpool
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            B

        • zotter
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Predictions...

          Spurs v Liverpool. 1-3
          Bournemouth v Leicester. 1-2
          Chelsea v Cardiff. 3-0
          Huddersfield v Palace. 0-1
          City v Fulham. 5-0
          Newcastle v Arsenal. 1-1
          Watford v United. 1-3
          Wolves v Burnley. 1-1
          Everton v West Ham 2-1
          Saints v Brighton. 0-0

          1. A.T
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Spurs v Liverpool. 1-1
            Bournemouth v Leicester. 2-1
            Chelsea v Cardiff. 4-0
            Huddersfield v Palace. 1-0
            City v Fulham. 4-0
            Newcastle v Arsenal. 0-2
            Watford v United. 1-1
            Wolves v Burnley. 1-1
            Everton v West Ham 2-1
            Saints v Brighton. 1-0

          2. Krafty Werks
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Spurs v Liverpool. 2-2
            Bournemouth v Leicester. 2-3
            Chelsea v Cardiff. 3-0
            Huddersfield v Palace. 1-2
            City v Fulham. 4-2
            Newcastle v Arsenal. 1-2
            Watford v United. 1-1
            Wolves v Burnley. 1-0
            Everton v West Ham 1-1
            Saints v Brighton. 1-0

          3. Athletic Nasherbo
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            2-2
            1-2
            3-1
            1-1
            3-0
            1-2
            0-2
            0-0
            1-3
            1-1

        • Salahlulijah
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          I’ve got 9.4m burning a hole in my pocket to replace Iheanacho. Would you go for Vardy or Laca? Thanks

          1. zotter
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Vardy deffo

            1. Salahlulijah
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Cheers, I like Vardy and good fixtures

          2. n-doggg
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Laca all day

        • AFC49
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Wilson and Mitrovic going up tonight?

        • A.T
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Where do you watch the fpl show and when is it on?

        • vardys party
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Ederson (foster)
          Robertson Alonso Mendy (AWB Cook)
          Salah Mkhitryan Lucas Fraser (Stephens)
          Aguero Tosun Zaha

          0.7itb 1 Ft
          What to do? I'd rather get hazard in, but it means losing salah. Need some help.

        • Emiliano Sala
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Been out for 2 hours
          Any important news?

        • child of God
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Can someone please tell me when the fpl show is aired and when it's added to the video section of the fpl app?