Managers in Fantasy Premier League have been increasingly turning to cut-price strikers over the international break.
Patrick Bamford (£6.1m) is the most-bought forward ahead of Gameweek 9, earning more than 160,000 new owners for Leeds United’s home meeting with Arsenal.
Despite a rise in price of £0.6m since the season started, Bamford is the top player in FPL in terms of value, returning 9.5 points per million.
Most-bought forwards for GW9*
| Forward | Transfers in |
|---|---|
| Patrick Bamford (£6.1m) | 160,427 |
| Ollie Watkins (£6.1m) | 156,727 |
| Calvert-Lewin (£7.8m) | 89,208 |
| Che Adams (£5.9m) | 84,899 |
| Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) | 82,103 |
*As of 15:30 GMT Friday 13 November
Ollie Watkins (£6.1m) and Che Adams (£5.9m) are also among the four most-bought forwards for Gameweek 9.
Aston Villa’s Watkins scored twice against Arsenal and now embarks on a very favourable run of opponents.
Adams has stepped up his form in the absence of his Southampton strike partner Danny Ings (£8.4m).
He has three goals and three assists in the last six Gameweeks, blanking on just one occasion.
The Scout’s panel of experts discuss their preferred forwards for the upcoming period.
What the experts say
Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily)
I owned Adams at the start of the season and I now own Watkins. With Villa's fantastic fixtures over the next few Gameweeks, Watkins is the standout option.
He's returned in both of the last two Gameweeks, including a brace against Arsenal. However, in the absence of Ings, Adams will continue to impress and score goals.
Pranil Sheth (@Lateriser12)
There are great forwards in the cheap price bracket but to me Bamford and Adams seem like set-and-forget options while Watkins is more of a fixture play.
I still prefer Michail Antonio (£6.2m) to all three when he's fit.
Utkarsh Dalmia (@zophar666)
Adams, Bamford and Watkins are all nailed-on players for attacking teams and can match the more expensive forwards.
Most of the captain options such as Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m), Mohamed Salah (£12.4m) and Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m) are in midfield, so it makes sense to spend more in that area.
Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily)
Your strategy here will depend on your approach to midfield. With Fernandes in form and Manchester City midfielders firmly on the radar from Gameweek 10, I foresee many FPL managers shifting funds and picking up the cheaper strikers.
I have Adams right now and am considering partnering him with Bamford. The Leeds forward has already proved he can score against the big boys, so the fixtures don't concern me too much.
Ben Crabtree (@FC_CrabDogg)
Cheaper forwards look great at the moment. As a Timo Werner (£9.4m) owner, I don't think I should sell, but I need him to outscore the cheaper options.
Selling Harry Kane (£11.0m) is a more preferable option and frees up more money, however Jamie Vardy (£10.1m), Gabriel Jesus (£9.3m) and Richarlison (£7.8m) are all tempting.
Neal Thurman (@nealjthurman)
My approach all season has been to go light on spending up front, with Kane my only premium forward.
I've cycled through Callum Wilson (£6.6m), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.8m), Bamford and Neal Maupay (£6.5m) in the other two spots and been very happy with the results and the midfield it has allowed for.
Ben McNair (@drbenmcnair)
I have been committed to a structure with three cheap forwards all season. Kane's form and the muted performances of Man City's premium midfielders have been a setback, but I think it's the best structure going forward.
Bamford, Calvert-Lewin and Watkins are all delivering great value. A fit-again Antonio will also be in the mix.
Holly Shand (@FFCommunity_)
It's great to have so many budget forward options right now. Making moves for one of these options isn't my top priority, but it's Bamford I'm most interested in.
See: Official FPL panellists league
Also in this series
Part 1: West Ham duo lead Saiss replacements
Part 2: Turn to Chilwell after Liverpool injuries
Part 3: Ziyech the real deal
Part 5: Soucek among best differentials
Part 6: De Bruyne and Fernandes the top targets