The Watchlist Updated – Forwards

Having assessed the updated Watchlist rankings for Goalkeepers, Defenders and Midfielders, we end our four-part series by checking in on the current landscape up front .

The Watchlist rankings can be found in your sidebar on desktop, or via your slide-in menu on mobile or tablet.

These highlight our current take on player selection for each position, listing the factors behind each player’s given rank.

Harry Kane remains unchallenged at the summit, despite enduring a hugely disappointing double Gameweek 22.

Although his captaincy credentials continue to frustrate (he’s blanked in 12 of 21 appearances) the Spurs striker’s penchant for explosive points hauls is second to none – he’s scored at least twice on seven occasions.

The underlying numbers showcase Kane’s continued potential. Not only has he scored at least double the number of goals (six) than any Fantasy Premier League (FPL) forward over the last four Gameweeks, he also leads the way for shots (24), efforts in the box (17) and attempts on target (10).

Granted, Mauricio Pochettino’s men face three tough fixtures in the upcoming six (EVE sot MUN liv ARS cry), yet Kane’s ability to deliver in big matches against rivals keeps him ahead of the chasing pack.

An injury to Gabriel Jesus has eased concerns over the pitch-time of Sergio Aguero.

With the Brazilian sidelined for a reported four-to-six weeks, his fellow frontman can benefit from three very favourable home matches (NEW WBA LEI) over that period.

However, trips to Liverpool, Burnley and Arsenal are a little more testing and those already holding Man City midfielder Raheem Sterling may be reluctant to double-up with the 11.7-priced Aguero.

Nonetheless, he has also fired more shots (67), efforts in the box (57) and attempts on target (28) than any team-mate, despite starting just 15 of their opening 22 matches.

Aguero’s average of 6.5 points per match is more than Kane’s 6.4 at the top of the forward standings, with the Argentine second only to the Spurs man for transfers in this Gameweek after netting twice against Burnley in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Roberto Firmino goes head to head with Aguero at Anfield next weekend and also faces a visit from Spurs in Gameweek 26.

While those clashes could curtail his recent momentum, Liverpool offer five favourable encounters (swa hud sot WHU NEW) between now and Gameweek 29 that may persuade many to invest in Jurgen Klopp’s attack.

That schedule, allied with his current form, means that Firmino remains high up in our latest rankings – over his last six starts, he’s delivered six goals, two assists and four sets of double-digit returns.

A double-up with Mohamed Salah looks a very viable option once the Man City match has passed, though it remains to be seen just how Liverpool regroup following the departure of playmaker Philipp Coutinho.

Furthermore, we are still waiting on the FA’s verdict on Firmino’s exchange with Mason Holgate on Friday night, with a possible charge and suspension looming.

Glenn Murray is our preferred budget striker as Brighton prepare for five favourable fixtures (wba sot WHU stk SWA) in the next six.

The veteran’s pitch-time has been managed over the festive period, with just three starts in the last six, yet with the schedule now easing, we expect his minutes to improve.

Crucially, Murray tends to favour playing sides in the lower reaches of the table. He has scored five of his six goals against teams in the bottom six, with four of his strikes arriving against his upcoming five opponents. He also impressed against Palace on Monday night, emerging from the bench to fire a late FA Cup winner.

Yet with Pascal Gross very similarly priced (5.9 to Murray’s 5.7), there’s an obvious alternative in the Seagulls’ midfield.

Alvaro Morata and Alexandre Lacazette present us with the classic “form vs fixtures” scenario.

Unfortunately for their loyal owners, it is form that both players are lacking. Morata has two goals in seven and missed three gilt-edged opportunities to find the net at the Emirates last time out, while Lacazette has failed to score since Gameweek 15.

Chelsea’s upcoming five (LEI bha BOU wat WBA) could yet bring Morata back into consideration, though it’s fair to say that a return to 3-5-1-1 against the Gunners saw him overshadowed by Eden Hazard, who revelled in a central role once again.

However, with an array of alternatives in our midfields, with strong value on offer, Morata offers coverage of Chelsea’s attacking potential. Despite recent form, he has still been involved in – scored or assisted – 47% of the Blues goals when on the pitch this season, a statistic that betters Hazard’s 43%.

The next four Gameweeks (bou CRY swa EVE) offers Lacazette a reason for optimism, though a price of 10.3 remains prohibitive – particularly if Aaron Ramsey (6.9) can recover from injury and offer an option in the Gunners’ midfield.

Romelu Lukaku could yet become a factor in our seasons once again, though the astonishing recent form of Jesse Lingard as a mid-price midfield option has severely dented any chance of a revival for now. Lukaku’s strike in the FA Cup victory over Derby County perhaps hints at a renaissance and Monday’s Old Trafford clash with lowly Stoke City is an ideal platform to build on that goal.

Elsewhere, Jamie Vardy has four kind home matches (WAT SWA STK BOU) twinned with a trio of testing road trips as Leicester make their way to Chelsea, Everton and Man City in the next seven.

Yet with concerns over his form and fitness, the Foxes frontman has suffered more FPL sales than any striker ahead of the visit to Stamford Bridge.

Vardy’s stock suffers as a result of his identically priced team-mate Riyad Mahrez (8.6) in midfield. Over the last nine Gameweeks, the Algerian has blanked just once and bettered Vardy for both goals (five to three) and assists (four to one).

Setting you back the same as Seagulls’ frontman Murray, Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson has found the net in two of the last three Gameweeks, scoring against West Ham and Brighton.

Trips to the Hammers and Huddersfield, in addition to home clashes with Stoke and Newcastle in the next six hands him the opportunity to stake a claim as a compelling budget candidate.

Similar to Leicester’s Vardy, Jay Rodriguez has a run of eye-catching home fixtures (BHA SOT HUD), though his appeal is dented by visits for Everton, Man City and Chelsea.

Having fired more shots on target (nine) than any team-mate since the arrival of Alan Pardew, Rodriguez – who could now be assigned spot-kick duties – could be another cut-price option at a mere 5.5. He converted a penalty against Arsenal in Gameweek 21 and was also among the goals in the weekend FA Cup win over Exeter.

Overall, the forward position remains a trouble spot in FPL squads, compounded by the points and value being generated by midfield options.

Both Kane and Aguero are now front-runners in the premium bracket, though we are lacking a convincing third striker option in the mid-price or budget price points.

Everton’s Cenk Tosun could yet be that missing link and unlock the option to revert back to a 3-4-3 with confidence.

As it stands, the strategy of two heavy-hitters, alongside a cut-price bench-warming third forward appears to be the most favourable route to explore.