Who are now the best forwards to own in FPL?

The Scout delves into the form and fixtures to help determine the best forwards for managers to own in Fantasy Premier League.

Eight goals and an assist over the last six Gameweeks have helped secure Alexander Isak’s (£9.3m) place as the go-to forward for managers in Fantasy.

The Newcastle United star has amassed 58 points during that spell, at least 24 points more than any other player in his position, and has climbed to 53.5 per cent ownership.

A mere two points separate the next seven forwards, which only helps to underline the numerous in-form options up front right now.

Crucially, the table also shows that budget strikers are continuing to rival Erling Haaland (£14.8m) for output, which is allowing managers to plough more funds into big-hitting midfielders such as Mohamed Salah (£13.6m) and Cole Palmer (£11.4m). 

Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood (£6.8m), Fulham star Raul Jimenez (£5.6m), Tottenham Hotspur’s Dominic Solanke (£7.5m) and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Brazilian Matheus Cunha (£7.0m) have been among the most reliable alternatives to Manchester City's premium-priced Haaland in the first half of the season. 

And they have maintained that recently, with all four no more than two points off Haaland’s total of 32 points over the last six Gameweeks.

The table below also shows the recent emergence of both Gabriel Jesus (£6.9m) and Cody Gakpo (£7.3m) as potential options.

Arsenal’s Jesus has started each of the last four Gameweeks, averaging 8.0 points per match across those outings, thanks to three goals and two assists.

Gakpo, meanwhile, has now been named in Liverpool’s first XI in each of their last eight Premier League matches. The Dutchman’s four goals and an assist over the last six Gameweeks, averaging 6.6 points per start, placing him fourth in the analysis.

Top-scoring forwards in Fantasy, GW15-20

Which forwards are the most likely to score?

The underlying statistics over those six Gameweeks also helps to show Isak's superior potential.

His 19 shots in the box, 14 shots on target and 11 big chances - or situations where the player is expected to score - all rank top in the table below.

While the same can also be said for his 38.1 per cent goal conversion, it's fair to say that Isak and, indeed, Liverpool's Gakpo, are likely to struggle to maintain such a high rate.

Again, the data also helps to show the number of forwards who are offering a similar threat to Haaland at far less expense in Fantasy.

Although the Man City star sits second for shots in the box, shots on target and big chances, the likes of Brentford's Yoane Wissa (£6.2m), Leicester City's Jamie Vardy (£5.5m) and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins (£8.9m) can also be added to the list of forwards who are boasting the same sort of goal threat as Haaland right now.

Forest's Wood and Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson (£8.1m), who are the second and fourth most-owned forwards, are notable by their absence here - both recording only three big chances each over their last six matches. 

Despite a run of only one goal in that spell, Jackson's 22 per cent backers should take some solace in his 17 shots in the box - more than any else apart from the 19 of Isak.

Goal threat, GW15-20

Who has the best and worst schedules?

Factoring in each club’s upcoming schedules can also help shape your decisions – it stands to reason that the forwards with the most favourable runs of opponents will get the most goals.

Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta (£7.2m) and Brighton & Hove Albion star Joao Pedro (£5.7m) both scored in Gameweek 20 and are now set to embark on kind schedules.

According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), three of Palace’s next four matches and four of their next six score just two – that’s more than any other side for each of those statistics. 

Brighton run the Eagles closest overall across the next six Gameweeks, with an FDR total of 16, to the Eagles' 14.

Newcastle's Isak and Fulham's Jimenez both have the schedules to continue their recent runs of goals, while the next six Gameweeks could allow Jesus and Gakpo to remain in the conversation, judging by Arsenal and Liverpool's low FDR totals. 

However, the same certainly cannot be said for Wolves' Cunha. He faces a brutal run of opponents, with NONE of his next six matches scoring two in the FDR. Similarly, Haaland and Wood have little to be cheerful about here, although both do face a promoted club in Gameweek 22.

Clubs' FDR scores, next four and six Gameweeks

Who is most likely to score or assist their side's goals?

By further refining the analysis only to those players with the best schedules, the 2024/25 statistics show there's every reason to be cheerful for Jimenez, Joao Pedro and Isak backers right now.

Jimenez has been involved in 62 per cent of Fulham's goals when selected this season, scoring eight and assisting two. 

Joao Pedro and Isak have been similarly talismanic, having been involved in 59 and 57 per cent of Brighton and Newcastle's goals respectively when selected.

What's encouraging for Isak here is his overall goal conversion rate for 2024/25 is 23.6 per cent - that's a more sustainable rate than his recent form and suggests he could more or less replicate his current tally of 13 goals across the remainder of the campaign.

The points per start statistic (pps) also show the potential of Gakpo and Jesus, with the latter's 5.7pps second only to Isak in the asssement.

Watkins and his team-mate Jhon Duran (£5.8m) are included due to Villa's schedule. At a cost of just £5.8m in Fantasy, the Colombian's superior goal conversion and goal involvement makes him one to monitor if he regains his starting role following a recent suspension.

So, who are the best forwards to own?

Isak’s current form and overall numbers for 2024/25 suggest the Newcastle forward may well be on course to deliver his best Fantasy campaign ever.

Right now, Isak is the one must-have for any forward line and should essentially be looked at as a season keeper, along with Salah and Palmer.

Although Haaland has stepped up his output recently, there are simply too many budget-friendly options up front who are not only matching his output, but are also boasting the same sort of goal threat. 

If Jesus continues to lead the line for Arsenal while the injured Bukayo Saka (£10.2m) remains sidelined, the Brazilian has to be an option. Notably, he was the one of only two attackers to avoid Mikel Arteta's rotation against Brighton last time out and played 90 minutes.

Joao Pedro and Jimenez can offer incredible value in this period, with both under £6.0m in Fantasy. The former, in particular, has the long-term schedule to emerge as the standout budget pick up front, with his improving minutes for Brighton giving him the edge here. The Brazilian has played the full match in each of his club's previous five outings, whereas Jimenez has managed this only once. 

Elsewhere, Gakpo's 5.5pps and secure role on the left of Liverpool’s front three certainly adds his name, while Palace and Chelsea’s schedules could also help Mateta and Jackson improve on their recent form.