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The English Premier League gets underway in under a week and fans all across the world will be gearing up to compete in the popular Fantasy Premier League.
As the virtual league reflects what happens in the real one, it will be prudent for players to pick their squad based on who might actually perform this season in England.
If past seasons are anything to go by, despite their excessive prices, strikers do contribute a large faction of your fantasy scores and here are 5 forwards who are expected to exercise the most influence for their respective teams and your fantasy teams.
Also read: Fantasy Premier League Tips: 5 bargain defenders this season
#5 Jamie Vardy - £8.5
Jamie Vardy, Leicester City's title winning hero, was plagued by a dip of form last season, juxtaposed to the carnage he metted out in the 2015-16 season.
Despite the lack of form, Vardy managed to score 13 goals and assist 8 for the Foxes, garnering a total of 161 points in last season's FPL. The Englishman will hope to rediscover his form this season and become a formidable force yet again.
At just £8.5m, the striker's price tag pales in comparison to the other top strikers, which means he will not just guarantee you points, but will also let you allocate funds on other players. The 30-year old is bound to be determined to improve his performance this season and will be a smart pick for your fantasy team.
#4 Alexandre Lacazette - £10.5m
Arsenal's newest recruit - Alexandre Lacazette is a reputed force who has grabbed plenty of eye-balls over the last few seasons with French side, Lyon.
The Frenchman has developed a proclivity towards finding the back of the net and has been a consistent goal scorer in the Ligue 1, having scored 91 goals in the last 4 seasons.
The 26-year old put in impressive performances in Arsenal's pre-season fixtures and will be rearing to have a go in the Premier League.
Touted to be the Gunners' primary strike force this season, Lacazette promises to get you points in fantasy. The only question is - how consistently?
#3 Sergio Aguero - £11.5m
Manchester City's Kun Aguero is undeniably one of England's most dangerous predators. At the front of a creative and talented City side, the striker seems to score goals for fun, as and when he pleases.
Aguero is one of the most sought after players on FPL as well, regularly appearing in most sides.The 29-year old gathered 175 points last season and threatens to do even better this season.
The only reasons he's usually excluded from a fantasy side are his injury concerns and his steep price. However, his price has been lowered this season, making him a favourite to be on plenty of squads.
If the Argentinian can work on his fitness, he will, by default, find himself on most people's teams.
Would you leave him out?
#2 Romelu Lukaku - £11.5m
Romelu Lukaku has officially completed a move to Manchester United and will hope to take his penchant for goal scoring to Old Trafford.
The Belgian striker has been in sublime form, scoring 25 goals and assisting 6 last season for Everton.
In the Fantasy Premier League, Lukaku racked up a mammoth tally of 221 points last season - just 3 behind Harry Kane.
This season, the 24-year old will team up with some of the best talents in England, like Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford. If Lukaku can consistently fire in goals for a side like Everton, imagine what he'll do at Old Trafford this season.
Despite his inflated price, Lukaku promises to be a worthy pick on your fantasy team.
#1 Harry Kane - £12.5m
Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane has made it a habit to toy with defences, rendering them helpless, more often than not.
The charismatic striker has consistently scored 20+ goals in the last 3 seasons and will be keen to carry on the momentum into the start of the forthcoming season.
In the Fantasy Premier League, Harry Kane is an undisputed source of points, averaging nearly 209 points over the last 3 seasons.
The 24-year old was one of the most popular players last season on the pitch and off of it. While he may cost a fair bit, one would be rather brave to exclude him from their Fantasy squad.
