They get all the glory, and they’ve also swept up the majority of fantasy football points.
They get all the glory, and in past seasons they’ve proven to also sweep up the majority of the fantasy football points. If you look at the top ten overall FPL point scorers last season, you’ll see striker after striker - Van Persie, Suarez, Benteke, Lukaku, Berbatov, Lambert and Ba. Of course, that also means these guys are the most expensive assets in the game, and you have to be selective about which you sign up to fit within your salary cap.
This season, Robin Van Persie is the most expensive player in the FPL game at a whopping $14M. Given your $100M budget, making the decision to get him in means the rest of your team almost has to be built around him. One thing that FPL managers have to make a call on is just how much value he represents. Chances are he’ll be the highest scorer in the league again come May next year, BUT in FPL terms, will his score add up to what you could be getting if you spread the funds around wisely elsewhere… what if he has quiet spells during the season?
There are a few varieties of striker in football and the Premier League has good examples of each of them. There are poachers, who on occasion seem to be absent all game, but who only need one chance to give their team a 1-0 victory and steal all the spoils (Sturridge, Benteke and Soldado have already been that guy during weeks one and two this season). There are those who create opportunities for teammates as well as banging in the goals (think Rooney or Aguero), and there are those who are integral to everything their teams do (like Van Persie, Lambert, and when he comes back from suspension, Suarez).
What FPL managers want to make sure of when selecting their strike force (and the rest of your team too of course) is that your choices are playing each and every week, and that they are getting themselves into scoring positions. Here’s a look at a few of the mid-to-high priced strikers who in the first two weeks of the season have been getting the ball in the penalty box, having the most looks on goal, and maximising their chances of scoring by getting their shots on target:
Ricky Lambert ($7.6M): There are still question marks over what effect the signing of Pablo Osvaldo from Roma will have on the big Englishman’s goal and FPL point scoring. With more penalty box touches and shots than any other player so far though (23 and 11 respectively in just two games), the guy is clearly going to get his chances. If week 2 is anything to go by, he’ll still be a good asset to have this season:
Edin Dzeko ($7.7M): Player rotation is an ever present danger when you’re dealing with the big clubs, and if you look at Manchester City with the likes of Sergio Aguero, Stevan Jovetic, and Alvaro Negredo up front, it’s particularly problematic. So far though Manuel Pellegrini has given Dzeko starts, and he’s an incredible finisher, as his goal against Cardiff last week showed. If he gets good minutes against Hull this weekend, the Tigers could have a tough time containing him, just like Newcastle did in week 1 when he had the most shots on target of all players during the gameweek:
Christian Benteke ($9.1M): Belgium have an embarrassment of riches at the moment, and none more impressive than the man mountain who Villa managed to keep this season. He’s a great FPL choice as he’ll start and lead the line week in week out, and while they are a team which can frustrate at the best of times, at the moment he is getting great service from an in-form Gabriel Agbonlahor. 20 penalty box touches, eight attempts on goal, six on target, and three goals in three games – what more evidence do you need that he’ll produce for your team this season? Hold off if you don’t have him already though, Villa have a rest this weekend, but he’ll be back ready to score in week 4.
Daniel Sturridge ($9.1M): Luis Suarez’s biting suspension has been a blessing for this guy. He’s trying to impress to make the England World Cup squad, and has been making the most of his chances, both at the end of last season and already in weeks 1 and 2. The away trip to Villa last weekend is the perfect example of just how clinical he is. Liverpool had a total of one shot on target all game, but he took it, slotted it away, and came away from the game with maximum bonus points and as one of the week’s better FPL scorers:
Injury Issues
Keeping on top of niggles and injuries is a crucial part of the game. It doesn’t take much for them to rack up, and for you to be staring at lots of red and orange flags and struggling to get a full team out. So far already Arsenal, for example, have picked up a few key loses. Lukas Podolski is confirmed out for around 8-10 weeks with a hamstring problem – which is good news for owners of Olivier Giroud. But, keep in mind before getting him in, that as well as being a hot and cold finisher in the past, the Gunners are without Mikel Arteta in the engine room for a few more weeks with a thigh problem. They’ve just signed Mathieu Flamini in an effort to plug that important gap, but as well as the Premier League, they have European midweek games to contend with, and a tough Champions League group to boot.
Kolo Toure of Liverpool is a big loss with a groin problem that will see him out for a while. That means Liverpool’s defensive assets will have a tougher time keeping clean sheets. Martin Skrtel, his likely replacement in the centre of defence is only just back from a knee injury himself. Likewise, Vincent Kompany’s loss for around a month will hurt Manchester City’s defensive resilience, as was all too evident against Cardiff last weekend when they conceded 3 against a newly promoted team.
Fixture Watch & Captain Choices
Looking at upcoming fixtures is the best way to strategise your transfers so that they benefit you for more than just the short term. You’ll forever be playing catch up if your transfers are just reactionary and you’re bringing in players only on the back of good performances without factoring in where they are travelling in coming weeks.
I usually look ahead around six weeks in advance. Any more than that is arguably not worth thinking about too much, as you can never tell what injury, suspension or rotation issues are going to crop up. Looking through to game week 8 then, it’s clear that the kindest upcoming fixtures belong to the likes of Newcastle, Fulham, Liverpool (after the United hurdle this weekend) and Man United (likewise from week 4).
The FPL community will no doubt be setting their captain hopes in coming weeks on those last two, in particular United. If you do have Van Persie in your team, you’ll be brave not to captain him at home to Crystal Palace (week 4), West Brom (week 6) and Southampton (week 8). Those without Man United attackers next week though will be living in fear, but looking towards the likes of Roberto Soldado of Tottenham – he’s yet to score from open play, but with Bale gone the usually high scoring Spurs will get goals from somewhere, and he’ll most likely lead the line at home to Norwich - week 4 - and then away to Cardiff - week 5. West Ham aren’t as easy a fixture as we might immediately think - in week 4 - for Ricky Lambert’s Southampton, but Crystal Palace at home - week 6 - could be a big week for him.
Likewise, Daniel Sturridge and the creative spark yet to fire, Phillippe Coutinho, will look forward to Southampton at home - week 5 - followed by Palace visiting Anfield - week 7.
But, more on picking captains later. Until next time, happy tinkering, and I’m always happy to chat FPL with you on twitter - @JulianZip
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