Having cast an eye over a handful of midfield differentials for the run in yesterday, we switch our attentions to those up front. Similarly to our previous piece, many are ensconced in the battle to beat the drop, while one or two may well be playing for their futures, whether it be at their current club or elsewhere.
Daniel Sturridge
With a certain Uruguayan suspended on the sidelines, the January signing remains the focal point of Liverpool’s attack for the rest of this season and the first six fixtures of 2013/14. Certainly, with seven goals and five assists in 12 appearances since arriving from Chelsea, Sturridge has more than justified his lofty self-opinion. His bandwagon was somewhat derailed by a resilient Everton display in the goalless Merseyside derby but with Sunday’s opponents Fulham losing five of their last six, he’ll be confident of returning to goalscoring form. Indeed, the Gameweek 38 home clash with QPR could even see him handed the armband by many – at just 7.0 in FPL and with an ownership under 8%, he looks primed to finish the season with a flourish.
Gabby Agbonlahor
The winger has drifted firmly under the radar as a result of Christian Benteke’s exploits for Villa but he’s certainly worthy of our consideration after a series of outstanding displays. The weekend double at Norwich was far from a one-off; Agbonlahor has now produced six goals, three assists and 11 bonus points in his last six appearances for the midlanders and has proven as influential as the Belgian for Paul Lambert’s side. Coming in at 6.8 in FPL, with an ownership of just 0.4%, Agbonlahor will be vital to Villa’s chances this Saturday at home to Chelsea before a Gameweek 38 trip to fellow-strugglers Wigan.
Andy Carroll
A weekend blank against former club Newcastle fails to mask the strong form of West Ham’s on loan signing. Carroll is clearly determined to place himself firmly in the shop window before heading back to Anfield this summer and as the season winds up, he’s becoming more influential for the Hammers as the Gameweeks go by. Prior to Saturday’s goalless draw, Carroll had scored or assisted in all of his previous five appearances in a run that harvested four goals, a pair of assists and six bonus points. While a trip to Everton is far from straightforward, he’s already accrued attacking returns against United and City in recent matches and with a home game against relegated Reading to finish the season, Carroll (priced at 8.2 in FPL and with an ownership under 2%) will be desperate to end his stint at Upton Park on a high.
Edin Dzeko
City’s upcoming FA Cup final with Wigan next Saturday may prove beneficial to the Bosnian’s game time over the last couple of Gameweeks. With the upcoming trip to Reading arriving just three days after the Wembley showdown, Roberto Mancini could hand Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez starts against the Latics before turning to Dzeko to produce the goals at the Madejski. A Gameweek 38 home clash match with Norwich also holds plenty appeal and, although Mancini’s tinkering is likely to place question marks over Dzeko’s minutes, his goal against West Brom last night served a reminder he is one to consider at just 6.8 in FPL, with an ownership hovering around the 4% mark.
Papiss Cisse
While Wigan’s home loss to Swansea handed them a reprieve, Newcastle still face a real struggle for survival and will be more dependent than ever on the Senegal striker to produce the goods. The Tyneside team have scored just five goals in their last eight league matches but Cisse has played a part in four of those strikes, with a pair of goals and two assists supplemented by four bonus points. A trip to Loftus Road this weekend looks a must-win match before the Magpies entertain Arsenal in the final day of the season – priced at 8.7 in FPL and owned by just over 3%, now is the time for Cisse to prove his worth.
Arouna Kone
A goal and maximum bonus points in Saturday’s win at West Brom ended a run of four games without finding the net for the Wigan forward. Kone has already notched 11 times for the Latics – more than twice the number of any team-mate – and while a tricky trip to Arsenal may prove problematic this weekend, a home showdown with Villa in Gameweek 38 looks enticing. The Ivorian has already racked up double figures against the midlanders earlier this term and, providing Wigan are still in with a shout of survival come May 19, Kone – priced at 6.9 in FPL with an ownership of 5% – could even be a decent shout for the armband.
Callum McManaman
Prior to last night’s disappointing home loss to Swansea, the Wigan winger had demonstrated strong form. McManaman had registered a goal and a couple of bonus points in each of his previous two appearances and coming in at a mere 4.5 in FPL, has offered an in-form, cut-price route into Roberto Martinez’s front three. With today’s news of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement perhaps lessening the likelihood of a rest for Robin Van Persie ahead of United home clash with Swansea, McManaman’ acquisition could also help free up cash for those looking to acquire the Dutchman, with many intent on shedding their squads of Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero due to rotation concerns.
Jay Rodriguez
Just a few weeks back, the former Burnley man was hoovering up the attacking returns and looked a viable option to Rickie Lambert amongst Southampton’s forwards. Rodriguez had registered four goals and six assists in just nine appearances from Gameweek 24-32 and looked reinvigorated following the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino to St Mary’s but the Saints’ poor form has seen them hauled back into the relegation battle. With a trip to fellow strugglers Sunderland preceding a home clash against Stoke, Pochettino’s side have one of the most favourable remaining schedules around and Rodriguez – at just 5.2 in FPL with an ownership of only 2% – may be worth considering for those looking for an off the radar gamble with everything still to play for.
