The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 4 – The Forwards

Having assessed the risers and fallers at the back and in midfield over the last two days, this afternoon we complete our look at the updated Watchlist rankings, which offer player recommendations for the next four-to-six Gameweeks, with a run down of the forwards. Callum Wilson’s hat-trick against West Ham sees the Bournemouth forward rise a couple of spots, while Christian Benteke is also in contention as Liverpool prepare for three favourable home fixtures in the next four.

While Sergio Aguero disappointed the many Fantasy managers who captained him last week with a blank against Everton, Manchester City’s outstanding fixtures (WAT, cpl, WHM, tot, NEW, BOU) over the next six Gameweeks means the Argentine remains on top of our ladder. The 13.2-priced striker lies third among forwards for shots in the box (ten), having played just 194 minutes so far this season, and looks primed for some big scores over the coming weeks.

After netting the first hat-trick of this season, and with five strong fixtures (LEI, nor, SUN, sto, WAT) on the horizon, Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson looks a great option priced at 5.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) for the forthcoming period. While some of West Ham’s defending last weekend may have been fairly abject, it’s hard to look past the England U21 international for one of the positions in our three-man frontlines given his price tag – indeed, over 223,000 FPL bosses have drafted the former Coventry front man in already this week.

Swansea’s in-form Bafetimbi Gomis keeps his place towards the top of our rankings after netting for the third consecutive match of the season against Sunderland last weekend. The only downside for the now-7.3-valued forward has been his inability to register any bonus points so far, and while that might not be such a major issue – given he’s not an obvious captaincy choice – with several strong options available among the forwards, and with Garry Monk’s side facing a mixed upcoming schedule (MUN, wat, EVE, sot, TOT, STO), it’s something that may deter any further investment.

With three plum home fixtures (WHM, mun, NOR, AVL) over the next four Gameweeks, Christian Benteke is another forward making a strong claim for inclusion in our 15-man squads. The Belgian striker has registered a reasonable six shots from inside the box so far, and has also created six chances, joint-second among forwards. Available at 8.5 in FPL, the Reds front man could be about to reward his hefty 40.3% ownership in spectacular fashion over the upcoming period.

Another riser this week is Stoke’s Mame Biram Diouf, who has found the back of the net in his last two outings for the Potters. The 6.5-rated forward also has a favourable run of fixtures (WBA, ars, LEI, BOU, avl, swa) coming up, though the fact that Mark Hughes’ side have only managed 28 goal attempts in their three matches so far – the joint-fourth worst record in the top flight – is a slight concern.

After a quiet first two appearances where he managed just a couple of attempts, Diego Costa burst into life at the Hawthorns on Sunday – the Chelsea striker fired four shots and served up a goal and assist against the Baggies. Chelsea’s upcoming schedule (CPL, eve, ARS, new, SOT, AVL) is fairly mixed, but the 11.0-priced forward, who only has an ownership of 12.5% in FPL, is worth monitoring, particularly if Pedro’s arrival at Stamford Bridge sees the Blues’ attack become even more prolific.

With so many forwards in good form, Harry Kane inevitably drops even further down our rankings. The Tottenham striker has yet to register attacking returns so far this season, and although the fixture list remains friendly for Mauricio Pochettino’s side over the next three Gameweeks (EVE, sun, CPL), it’s no surprise he’s slipped to 9.4 in FPL this week, given the plentiful options available to Fantasy managers for our three-man frontlines.

Leicester’s Jamie Vardy keeps his place around halfway up our ladder after notching an assist in the 1-1 draw against Tottenham last weekend. The 6.0-priced attacker leads all forwards for chances created (seven), and has also registered six goal attempts in his three appearances. The Foxes upcoming schedule (bou, AVL, sto, ARS, nor) is still pretty favourable as they look to continue their fantastic start under new boss Claudio Ranieri.

Graziano Pelle is another big name faller in our latest refresh, having only managed eight points in FPL so far. The Italy international is second behind Olivier Giroud for shots in the box (11), and does face four home matches (NOR, wba, MUN, SWA, che, LEI) in the next six. With 11 of his 13 Premier League goals coming at St Mary’s, the 48,000+ FPL owners who have transferred the Southampton front man out so far this week could face an anxious weekend when Norwich head to the south coast on Sunday.

Although Diafra Sakho did register an assist in West Ham’s 4-3 home defeat against Bournemouth, over 20,000 Fantasy managers have transferred out the 6.5-valued forward this week as he attempts to overcome a groin problem. Slaven Bilic’s men also face difficult trips to Liverpool and City in the next three Gameweeks, although the Hammers do also have four favourable match-ups (NEW, NOR, sun, cpl) over the coming period.

While Everton’s Romelu Lukaku has enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign, scoring twice and bagging an assist in the league, along with two goals in the Toffees 5-3 win at Barnsley in the Capital One Cup last night, the difficult schedule (tot, CHE, swa, wba, LIV, MUN) for Roberto Martinez’ side does seriously limit his Fantasy appeal at this point. The Belgian’s form has seen his price rise to 8.2 in FPL, but there look to be several stronger options available for Fantasy managers in attack right now.

Watford’s Troy Deeney (5.5) clings onto his place at the bottom of our ladder, despite failing to provide any attacking points from the Hornets last two home matches. The Golden Boys do have four reasonable fixtures (SWA, new, CPL, bou) in the next six, although they also have to face City and Arsenal. While the Watford skipper has registered 11 goal attempts, with eight from inside the box, with form and fixtures firmly in favour of Bournemouth’s Wilson, who carries the same price tag, the choice between the two looks fairly straightforward for the time being.