Pro Pundits - Zophar

The best strikers to buy, sell and hold based on FPL goal threat from open play

With so many goals already this season, it’s all about strikers in Fantasy Premier League – but which ones should we sell, keep or buy?

We have already witnessed 103 goals over the first 28 matches of the campaign, an average of 3.68 per game. To put that into perspective, the previous Premier League record across the course of a full season was an average of 2.82 goals per game. 

With nets bulging up and down the country, it is natural to assume that the bulk of the goals will be scored by strikers and, with the new handball regulations leading to more penalties being awarded, it is only natural to favour front-men on spot kick duties.

The FPL Eye Test - Gameweek 3 3

For example, the following forwards take penalties for their respective clubs:

  1. Neal Maupay (£6.5m) – Brighton
  2. Chris Wood (£6.5m) – Burnley
  3. Richarlison (£8.0m) – Everton
  4. Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.0m) – Fulham
  5. Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) – Leicester City
  6. Callum Wilson (£6.4m) – Newcastle
  7. Danny Ings (£8.4m) – Southampton
  8. Harry Kane (£10.5m) – Spurs
  9. Charlie Austin/Hal Robson-Kanu (£5.4m) – West Brom
  10. Michail Antonio (£6.4m) – West Ham
  11. Raul Jimenez (£8.6m) – Wolves

CHECK OUT THE FULL PENALTY TAKERS LIST HERE

That’s a pretty large share out of the 20 teams. So, while 3-5-2 has been gaining popularity over the last few years, the number of penalty takers available at budget prices in forward positions may very well help cement the classic 3-4-3 as the preferred formation.

But do we want to be investing in strikers who rely exclusively on penalties? While there could be merit in that approach, surely we want to investing those who offer plenty of threat from open play as well.

So, let’s have a look how the league’s strikers have done so far using the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area.

1,592 Comments Post a Comment
  1. jcrawley1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    DCL and March or Mitrovic and Foden?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      DCL not optional imo.

      A. But prefer Soucek over March.

  2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Play 343

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wear Sunscreen.

    3. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Brewster or Trump

  3. Nibbsy
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Morning, which is the best site for predicting price changes?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Fplstatistics.com

      1. Nibbsy
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Great, thanks.

    2. xHaTr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Great choice of profile picture! One of my favourite albums of all time

      1. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yup, kudos.

  4. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    All BS probably

    @Klopps_mug
    40m
    Keep an eye out for Liverpool news. An unsubstantiated rumour on Twitter says that Mane is one of 6 Liverpool players who have Covid, he wasn't in the squad last night nor was Trent Derby
    The speculation follows that Thiago brought it in. ALL RUMOURS AT THE MOMENT

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Trent Derby lol

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Wish'im Well!

        1. Goro Majima
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Very good.

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Oof.

      If TAA has COVID I will laugh. I have 0 Pool defense.

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

        Wtf i just read

      2. Konstaapeli
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Stay classy!

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      All the first team players that weren’t in the squad for the cup game have covid? Any fool could’ve made that up... we’ll see if there’s some credible info soon i guess

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      This is why you pick sturdy players with beastly immune systems like VVD instead of weaklings like Trent

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Vvd caught during the game. Was taken off immediately on 62 minutes.

    5. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm starting to really dislike Twitter.

      It turns the tiniest ember into a wildfire in a matter of minutes.

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Starting to?

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I've never used it. It's only now that every tiny 'unsubstantiated rumour' is reaching my ears.

          We're in the age of 'influencers', and it is fuel for the fire.

      2. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Correct, Trump probably just has reflux from his last Big Mac.

      3. NULL-X-VOID
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Ik, but the Podence and Jesus thing actually panned out to be real, so I've learned not to dismiss it and look at news sources

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Hoe on earth do we filter out the other 95% of garbage? We would have to be certain before taking action on a twitter rumour.

      4. Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        twitter is

    6. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No smoke without fire.

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        really ?

    7. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      one person on twitter started this with no backup, now it’s being picked up and repeated all over the place.

      Maybe it’s true, but it’s the easiest of rumours to spread, quite sad if the person that started this is making it all up just for the fun of messing with people

  5. lindeg
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What should my transfer priorities be with this team?

    McCarthy, Nyland

    TAA, Vinagre, Dier, Justin, Branthwaite

    Son, Havertz, Sterling, Foden, Costa

    Martial, Adams, Werner

    Cheers lads!

    1. lindeg
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      0.2 ITB

    2. lindeg
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      0FT

    3. Speedu
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Would look to offload Son, Martial, Werner and Haverz in the upcoming weeks
      Try to get Salah, Soucek, Ings, Jimenez or something like that..

      1. lindeg
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Are we not all going to want Son when hes fit after the break?

        1. Annie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          we might do, for 0.5m less...

  6. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which combo does well in the coming weeks? (Have Semedo and no Pool defense)

    A. Harvey Barnes + Robertson
    Or
    B. Son + Saiss

    Cheers.

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A.

  7. mcginnntonic
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Last conundrum on the wild card:

    A) Martinez / Semedo / Burke (Fodder)
    B) Guaita / Dunne (Fodder) / Klich

    Thanks

    1. HenrikFPL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A for me

  8. fpork
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best 5.9 and lower midfielder?

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Soucek 🙂

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Soucek

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Barkley, Podence, Soucek, Doucoure

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Barkley before he’s even played a game lol

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Meant to write McGinn

          1. Limbo
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            McGinn is this years big breakthrough. Villa look so much better with him fit.

          2. The Big Fella
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Yeah I can see how the autocorrect confused them both

    4. xHaTr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Podence

    5. fpork
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Soucek has MCI at home and LEI+TOT+LIV away the next four games, is it really worth going for him?

  9. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Looking pretty template now - is that a good thing? Got wildcard so might play that over IB

    McCarthy
    TAA James CTaylor
    Mane KDB(c) Bruno Soucek
    Jimmy DCL Adams
    (Button Bissouma Mitchell Ayling)

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Why does it need a WC? Looks fine to me

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Would like more City and poss double liv defence. But we'll see. Cheers

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It most certainly is a good thing! Collect your complimentary jousting sticks!

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Why thank you good sir!

  10. thepirates
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Shaw to Robertson for a hit or hold off?

    McCarthy
    Shaw - TAA - Walker Peters - Justin
    Sterling - Fernandes - Salah
    Mitrovic - Adams - DCL
    Bench: Saint-Maximin - Mitchell - Bissouma

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      For a hit? Heck no

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

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      GTG

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I like it. It's different. Perfect for a blank game week.

    3. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Scorchio the the the Reet Klanger

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

    Dominic Calvertdowsksi Lineker

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Dominzaghi**

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

        Even better

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

    Exclusive: Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster to sign for Sheffield United today. £23.5m, 15% sell-on clause, buyback option lasting 3 years. Travelled & medical overnight / this morn. Was interest from Palace + Villa #SUFC #LFC #CPFC #AVFC

    https://twitter.com/David_Ornstein/status/1311936458895355904?s=19

    Please... Finally.

    1. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nice!

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Good deal imo.. Great potential.

    3. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      reliable?

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

        Yes.. It's done

    4. jb1985
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Just seen myself, taking out Maupay on WC to bring Brewster in and use the money elsewhere to upgrade.

  14. NULL-X-VOID
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    personal intuition and eye test was my downfall in not having DCL, but I still stand by it.

    DCL non-owners what are your reason?

    1. Kindness
        3 years, 5 months ago

        There are no good reasons for not having him

        1. NULL-X-VOID
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          In a number 9 position, he's decent enough, the thing that I misjudged was how great a turnout would be having Hamez servicing him, in his first hatty, for two goals he was literally handed the ball my Hamez and it was amazing. So yes, as a striker with that team, I misjudged him as a FPL asset, but as striker in isolation he's subpar at best.

      • Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He trolled me horribly post lockdown run in last year

      • Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        How many hat tricks will it take for you to change your stance?

        1. NULL-X-VOID
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          at least 5 more

          1. Pukki Blinders
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Your season will be done by then I’m afraid 🙂

            1. NULL-X-VOID
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              haha it already is, Pukki

      • DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Have Rich not sure about doubling

        1. NULL-X-VOID
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I genuinely like him more than DCL, not as an FPL asset tho

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

        Richarlison was my reason.
        I’ve switched now though

      • Ain't No Holebas Girl
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Also burned post-lockdown but the way he’s taking chances (especially that first goal in the cup) and with the midfield to back him up looks like a different player now. Happy to have him.

      • Greasy
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I've Kane, Bamford and Ings.

        Will probably get him at some stage but I'm not in this game to remove players who've been as good as those 3 so far.

        1. NULL-X-VOID
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          This

      • IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I think he looked so dangerous in the box

    2. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Made the move

      Ings in, Werner out.

      Yeeeeah I could have done with the 2FT over the IB but im through with not having Ings. No defense is safe from his sexy shooting. Ignored alot of advcie on here but sometime you just gota go with your gut.

      Feel good

      Werner hatty incoming - Watch This Space

    3. juanmata8
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bottomed

      A) Werner > Ings

      or

      B) Hames + Werner > Bruno + Mitro/Bamford next week for free?

    4. Nibbsy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      For this week only - Bamford or Adams?

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

        I prefer Adams

      2. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Bamford although not convinced .

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

        For this week only its definitely Adams

    5. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Went Werner to dcl after first game week. One of my better decisions. Also did Son to Bruno for a hit that week. Not so clever.

    6. Tiamani Warrior
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Considering Zaha but will Mili be back in the starting line up at some point and on pens? who has his spot at the moment?

    7. NestorC
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      On a WC and can't really decide between, cheers

      A) Ings, Tross, Saiss
      or
      B) Maupay, Zaha, Digne

      1. 2999 - Lady of Legend
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A.

      2. HenrikFPL
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A

    8. SM001
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      LOL @ "Open play"

    9. Will J 256
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      What do you make of this -4?
      Son and Brewster to Barnes and C Wood?

      1. NULL-X-VOID
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Not for a hit

      2. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Brewster about to make a move and Son probably will be fit by the weekend...

      3. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Since Son might play and Brewster is on his was to SHU, that’s a no from me.

      4. Hawk
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Like.. The energy being used here to down play folks banging in penalties without doing much elsewhere (Vardy and co) is ridiculous.

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

      Gtg?
      Martinez
      Coleman,Saiss,Lewis
      Salah,KDB(c),Fernandes,Rodriguez,Podence
      Jimenez,Lewin

      Steer,Ayling, Ferguson,Brewster 1.2m itb -4

      I know. I’ll be working on getting a Pool defender in soon.

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

        What transfers did you do?

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

          Son,Richarlison > Fernandes,Calvert-Lewin

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

            If richarlison starts he is going to score but anyways good moves and gtg.. Good luck.

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

              Thanks.
              Yeh I know. DCL is going to be 8.0 m the rate he’s going up a and wanted some extra funds for future defender transfers.

              I think Rodriguez is going to become Soucek and Lewis will be TAA in future weeks.

    11. Jeremy Corbyn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I’ve done it again. -4 for Jimenez and Barnes replacing Mitrovic and Son. I’m keeping Werner.

    12. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think there's a trend forming regarding teams with poor pre-seasons.

      All the teams that ended the season late because of European commitments are struggling so far and have dropped points unexpectedly.

      The likes of Liverpool ended their season on the last day of the PL on July 26. Whereas Chelsea, Wolves, Man Utd and City all ended theirs a week or more later.

      This caused the Manchester clubs to start their season late, it caused Wolves to have no preseason games. I don't think it's a coincidence that those 4 teams: Chelsea, Wolves, Utd and City have had weak starts.

      Chelsea will blame injuries, but they have had a disrupted preseason as well. The other 3 have unquestionably underperformed so far. I'm interested to see what happens from here. Will they slowly grow into the form of their past selves? Most people expect City to do that. But what about United and Wolves? They have really not looked good so far but there's obviously a quality side there.

      What do we think?

      1. Goonsquad245
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Might be something in it, but a 2 or 3 game sample isn’t enough to draw any conclusions really. After GW1 Wolves looked like they’d improved again, after GW2 City looked like the team to beat, now Leicester look like top 4 contenders again.

        United were never that good, even post lockdown/Bruno last season. Regression to the mean for them imo.

      2. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Missing GW1 is a bigger problem for City/Utd IMO. The mental side is more fragile than the physical/technical. Villa low expectation and have a hand in hand, where as others chasing from the start.

      3. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I would say that the reason Chelsea haven’t performed well is they have so many new players to integrate, plus injuries to Pulisic and Ziyech; not because of a lack of pre-season.

        Likewise Wolves - Nuno trying to implement a more attacking system which needs time to bed in; they have been sensational in patches (first half against SHU, second against City), but again I don’t put that down to a lack of pre-season.

        I can’t see any of them not reverting to the form we’ve come to expect/do expect due to new signings. They all have too much quality in their squads.

        I expect City and United to significantly improve quickly, Chelsea and Wolves will improve it’s going to take more time.

    13. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      With Brewster in, what do you reckon SHU forward line will look like?

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

        Burke nowhere near

    14. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Big press conference expectation today

      Liverpool Covid chaos, Brewster, Son, Richarlison, Podence, Vardy...

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

        All fine hopefully

        1. Limbo
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Son/Richarlison out IMO (based on various very unreliable sources). Rest ok.

    15. jb1985
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hopefully they confirm the Brewster transfer soon as I want to bring in Robbo and already have TAA, Salah and Brewster now.

      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He’s having medical - so could be a few days before he’s switched to SHU

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Hardly matters - after this weekend the next GW is 2 weeks away.

          1. Limbo
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            What I meant; he’ll not be announced before this weeks deadline.

    16. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Very excited about Brewster. I think SHU + a proper finisher is exciting.

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Lots of potential there for sure

      2. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        The last time you saw him kick a ball, he lost a trophy! 😉

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

        Already have him on the bench.
        If it goes through I’ll be downgrading Rodriguez to Soucek to fund Lewis to TAA.

    17. NED KELLY
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Brewster to sheff U