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. School of Poch
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Zaha looking like he might be playing?? Maybe not a full 90 but worth putting him in starting 11??

    & Shaw... anybody have any news on Shaw?

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

      Zaha: Yes start him.

      Shaw: Wait for presser. Would be inclined to start him, unless you have better bench players guaranteed of starts/likely to get points.

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      I've read several places Shaw can't play because 7 day concussion stand down not 6. Maybe international game 7 days?

      1. Moosie the Staggie
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Shaw could still play, even though it is unlikely.
        I read somewhere that the timeframe for concussions can be reduced if the club have grade 1 medical facilities to aid recuperation, United obviously fall into that category.
        Will try to find a link to the story.

    3. smitchlovesfunk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Def put him in starting 11 if he’s in your squad. If he doesn’t start it’s very unlikely he’ll make any kind of appearance

  2. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    4.5 mid as I plan to get rid of Kamara for Mitro and Myki to a 4.5m

    A. Billing
    B Ward (Playing further forward)

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Next week

    2. Mister Sitter
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      I’m pondering over the same dilemma. Currently on Billing for more minutes but tempted to switch to Ward. Cardiff don’t look like scoring though...

  3. juicewagz
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    0.1 ITB 2FT

    Walcott + King > Pedro + Wilson?

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      looks ok

  4. jomikijiq
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    rank these for this week. 3 start, 2 on the bench

    A) AWB
    B) Jonny
    C) Walcott
    D) Fraser
    E) Mitrovic

    In case some of them don't play, the others will come in, so not a big deal.

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      C,D,E start A, B bench ( you will need it 😉 )

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

    Fill in the blanks
    Patricio Hamer
    Alonso Mendy Bennett AWB
    Mane Hazard Billing
    Aguero Lukaku Mitrovic

    A - Holebas Dilva Hoiberg
    B - Pereira Maddsion Neves

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      both good...B

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

    Patricio
    Alonso • Mendy • Wan-Bissaka

    (Bennett • Holebas • Højbjerg)

    Is the bench order fine?
    Start Bennett over AWB?

    1. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      WB as you have Rui

  7. Sickboy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Lukaku vs Aguero stats make for interesting reading. Appreciate it would be risky to go without Aguero though.

    1. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Aguero always a better captaincy option for me. Kaku will tick over with solid consistent scores, Kun much more likely to explode (albeit with an added rotation risk).

  8. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    GTG?

    Pickford
    TAA, Mendy, Alonso
    Fraser, Salah, Haz, Lucas
    Jimenez, Aguero, Zaha
    Speroni, AWB, Kabasele, Odoi

    0.7 ITB 1 FT. 3 players have 75% chance but feel like i should firm it and wait for 2FT next week

  9. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Best defender with budget of £4.7?

    *Not Palace

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Jonny/Doherty

      1. Evasivo
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Don't fancy Boly?

        1. jomikijiq
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          not really much betweeen them
          Doherty the biggest attacking threat and 0,1
          Boly the best in baseline bps
          I've gone for Jonny as he looks like a mixture of both

          1. Evasivo
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Cheers mate

          2. Kiwivillan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Jonny is too defensive historically. Doherty much more attacking

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Doherty playing as attacking winger and Wolves one of best next 6 fixtures of any team

      1. Evasivo
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks KV, will check him out. I guess people don't trust Boly to continue with previous returns

  10. FPLShaqiri
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    FPL Draft: Should I swap Trippier >> VVD?

    I also currently own Aurier as Trippier back up, but if I make this swap then I could get an unsigned player instead of Aurier (Young or a Wolves def probably the best). Good move or should I hold Trippier?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      No

  11. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    How likely is another Mitrovic rise? Could do with the 0.1 profit for a wc team.

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

      If you have Mitrovic profit irrelevant unless selling

      1. Ozzy smith
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        That's what I'm saying lol, need the 0.1

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

          Why you want to sell Mitrovic? Or just use TV to justify WC?

          1. Ozzy smith
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 6 months ago

            I brought him in on my wc as a riser with no real intention of keeping him. My latest wc draft needs 0.1, so need him to rise again.

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

              Lol I've had him from start he's a keeper atm

    2. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Pretty sure he'll rise by Saturday morning, up at around 95% atm.

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Hopefully not because i plan to get him in

  12. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Makes no sense whatsoever why Zaha is flagged.

    He's trained and if no ill effects tomorrow in training will play on Saturday so he isn't injured so take the flag off!

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

      Are you new? FPL flag system has been a joke for ages

      1. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        This

    2. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      "will be assessed tomorrow"

    3. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      He hasn't been completely passed as fit though. To be assessed before the game.

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

    Captain?

    A) Aguero
    B) Hazard
    C) Aubameyang

    Thanks guys!

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

      A

  14. bdwhite91
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    On wildcard. Pedro or Lingard and why?

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

      Lingard for me.

      Stats are good, Rashford is banned, Pedro is more of a rotation risk imo, United's fixtures are better.

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Pedro cuz attacking Sarriball is better for FPL than Mourinho-parking-the-bus-ball

      1. Moosie the Staggie
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Mourinho hasn't been parking the bus though

    3. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Pedro
      Because the other option is lingard

  15. FPL Mentor
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Good to go?

    Patricio
    Alonso Mendy Robbo PVA Bellerin
    Salah Hazard Mkhi
    Aguero(C) Zaha

    Stek / Billing / Stephens / Kamara

    1 FT 0.1m itb

  16. Dosh
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Any news on Fraser yet? Sell or hold? Also have Cairney and Walcott to deal with!

    1. ☻ Jon Snow ☻
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Hold of course. He’s a season keeper

  17. Daniel Exeter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Ian Joe Bennett of Cardiff nailed?

    Played 4/4 so far..

    1. Daniel Exeter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Is*

  18. Merlinho
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Any chance of Richarlison going down again before next week's deadline? On WC, wanting to get him in next week but I am £0.1m short so would need to risk Hojbjerg instead of Billings if not...

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

      I would have thought everyone selling would have sold by now

  19. I drink and I know things
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Should I sell Mhki and Walcott for Dilva and Moura?

    Have already used my FT this GW so it would cost me -8 points
    Otherwise I have
    Patricio/Foster
    Robbo/Mendy/Alonso/AWB (Peltier)
    Salah/Pedro/Neves
    Aguero/Zaha/Ings

    I have a horrible track record of transfers so far. Sold Laca for Vardy in GW2 and Vardy promptly got a red card, then bought Richarlison (ditto), then bought Mhki (1 min sub last week which meant I didn’t get the points for Ings who was on my bench). Bought Walcott at cost of -4 points in same week as Mkhi and obviously Walcott got injured too....

    Thanks!

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

      I don’t think you should take that hit. Feels too risky with fixtures. Team should be fine assuming zaha plays. That was some lol bad luck!

      1. I drink and I know things
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks mate. Yeah I should probably stop agonising over which players I don’t have and start agonising over whether the ones I do have are going to play 🙂

  20. JOEYBENITEZ
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on switching up my team with my WC to this

    Patricio
    AWB - TAA - Mendy - Alonso
    Hazard - Mane - Gray
    Aguero - Kane -Zaha

    Subs : Hamer - Bennett - Hojbjerg - Guendouzi

    Too top heavy?

  21. ahah
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    help.....bennet or doherty?

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

      loathe to spend the extra 0.4m on a player you're unlikely to ever use but doherty does look like he will outscore bennett (that's my guess)

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

        Thanks

      2. Patch
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Incorrect information

        0.3

  22. PremUtility
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on my team , / potential changes ??

    Ederson
    Mendy - Robertson - PVA - David Luiz
    Walcott - Hazard - Salah
    Zaha - Mitrovic - Auba

    B - Hamer - Wan Bissaka - Guendouzi - Hudson-Odio

    Thanks !

    1. thegunners88
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      i will take aguero over auba for now

  23. thegunners88
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    guys, appreciate some advices here

    ederson
    vvd mendy azpilicueta
    salah mane richarlison jorginho stephens
    aguero zaha king

    is this team good enough for this gameweek or should i WC
    or salah + stephens > hazard + maddison/pereyra (-4) sufficient?

    cheers guys!