The Scout takes a look at the 2020/21 Fantasy Premier League player list and assesses the best options according to position and price.
Neal Maupay (BHA) £6.5m
Brighton & Hove Albion’s striker scored 10 goals and supplied three assists in his debut FPL campaign.
Although Maupay ranked only 13th among forwards with his total points tally of 131, his underlying numbers were far more encouraging.
His total of 96 shots placed fourth, while his 73 shots in the penalty area and 38 shots on target ranked eighth and sixth respectively.
If he can improve his 10.4 per cent goal conversion rate, Maupay can be among the best-value forwards in 2020/21 FPL.
Chris Wood (BUR) £6.5m
Burnley’s frontman enjoyed his most prolific season to date, scoring 14 goals to claim a career-high 136 points.
After breaking the 130-point barrier in back-to-back campaigns, Wood is a strong option in the sub-£7.0m bracket.
The New Zealander averaged a goal every 174.6 minutes in 2019/20, the 10th-quickest average for FPL forwards.
Although a blank Gameweek 1 dents Wood’s initial appeal, Burnley still have a favourable opening schedule, following the release of the 2020/21 fixtures.
According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), seven of their first eight matches score no more than three.
Aleksandar Mitrovic (FUL) £6.0m
Last season’s top scorer in the Championship, the Fulham forward scored 26 goals and supplied three assists.
Mitrovic was the Cottagers’ main goal threat by some margin.
His total of 151 shots ranked second in the Championship and was at least 70 more than any team-mate.
Fulham have one of the kindest runs of opponents from the start, with six of their first nine matches scoring just two in the FDR.
That has helped raise Mitrovic’s ownership to 29.7 per cent, making him the second-most popular forward in the game.
Michail Antonio (WHU) £6.5m
The West Ham United attacker has been reclassified from an FPL midfielder to a forward after starring up front in 2019/20.
Despite being restricted to just 24 appearances due to injury, Antonio still scored 10 goals last term.
His average of 177 minutes per goal was bettered by only 10 FPL forwards in 2019/20.
But the Hammers’ opening schedule is one of the toughest. They face six of last season’s top eight sides in the first seven Gameweeks.
Patrick Bamford (LEE) £5.5m
Bamford is one of the cheapest starting forwards in the game.
The Leeds United striker produced 16 goals and two assists in the Championship last season.
Similarly to Mitrovic, he was the standout threat for his side.
Bamford’s 128 shots in the penalty area and 56 shots on target were both more than double any other player for Marcelo Bielsa's side in 2019/20.
Also in this series
Part 1: Ryan No 1 among budget goalkeepers
Part 2: Save points boost appeal of Dubravka
Part 3: Vinagre standout option from budget defenders
Part 4: Wan-Bissaka an all-round prospect
Part 5: Alexander-Arnold still a bargain
Part 6: Armstrong offers goals at little expense
Part 7: Greenwood can provide outstanding value in new role
Part 8: Salah goal threat gives edge over rivals
Part 10: Ings has platform to hit ground running
