Top 5 Budget Forwards to have in your FPL side: Fantasy Premier League | FPL Scout

The primary reason all of us play Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is to enjoy our picks scoring goals and the forward line usually accounts for a lion’s share of that. For the purpose of this article, the price ceiling for the budget forward picks is being kept at 7.0 and 49 players fit this criterion at the time of writing.

Fantasy Premier League - Utkarsh Dalmia - Team Zophar

None of Chelsea's strikers (Giroud, Abraham, and Batshuayi) are being considered because of the uncertainty around who cements the role come gameweek one. I would have liked to include Teemu Pukki in this list as well but due to Norwich’s horror start which includes last season’s top three in their first five games, he is left out.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin does not make the list as his spot is under threat with Everton’s signing of Moises Kean from Juventus. Billy Sharp’s starting role also seems uncertain long term with Sheffield’s new signings Robinson and Mousset.

1) Josh King (BOU, 6.5m)

AFC Bournemouth v Lyon - Pre-Season Friendly

Bournemouth have, arguably, the best two opening fixtures of any Premier League side, with two newly-promoted sides Sheffield United and Aston Villa their initial opponents. The Cherries scored 56 goals last season, the most by any side outside the ‘top six’. As a recognition of their attacking ability, FPL hiked Callum Wilson’s price by 2m but kept the same price for Josh King, meaning the Norwegian is a potential bargain.

He scored only two fewer goals than Wilson but fell short in the assists department. Nevertheless, he scored only 27 points lesser and remains their designated penalty taker. He registered 21 'big chances', 60 shots in the box last season and created 34 chances as well. His starting berth alongside Wilson is certain with their partnership being key to the Cherries' attacking philosophy and he should be involved in their goals.

2) Diogo Jota (WOL, 6.5m)

Crusaders v Wolverhampton Wanderers – UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying round: 2nd Leg

Classified as a midfielder last season, the Player of the Championship in Wolves’ promotion campaign started the season slowly but came to the fore once Wolves shifted him to a striker role alongside Raul Jimenez in a 3-5-2.

Over the last 12 gameweeks of the season (gameweek 27-38), Diogo Jota matched his more expensive Mexican counterpart for goal involvements (four goals, three assists) and shots in the box (26).

He landed more shots on target (nine vs six), registered more ‘big chances’ (seven vs six) and also had more penalty area touches (57 vs 55). All these statistics indicate that the Portuguese can match the more expensive Jimenez for 1m cheaper. Europa league rotation is a slight concern with the signing of Patrick Cutrone, but the Italian is likely to be given time to adjust to the Premier League and the Portuguese should be nailed on to start earlier on in the season.

3) Gerard Deulofeu (WAT, 6.5m)

Manchester City v Watford - FA Cup Final

While Troy Deeney is more nailed on for minutes, Gerard Deulofeu is the better FPL pick for the Hornets. Like Jota, the Spaniard has been reclassified as a forward this season after notching 10 goals and five assists in an ‘out of position’ role last season. He took a shot in the box every 48.3 minutes last season, more frequent than heavy hitters such as Heung-Min Son and Leroy Sane.

Deeney’s rate was lower at 53.1 and he played more of a link-up role for the Spaniard. Despite playing 500 fewer minutes, Deulofeu took just four fewer attempts than the Englishman and created 10 more chances, illustrating his more explosive potential.

The Hornets have a kind start to the season with games against Brighton, West Ham and Newcastle in their first four, and the Spaniard is the best route into their attack.

4) Glenn Murray (BRI, 6.0m)

Brighton and Hove Albion v Fulham - Pre-Season Friendly

At only 3.8% ownership at the time of writing, Glenn Murray has been largely shunned by managers after Brighton’s abysmal attacking displays last season. After parting ways with Chris Houghton, they have appointed Graham Potter from Swansea whose attacking philosophy is poles apart from that of his predecessor.

A manager who encourages free-flowing attacking football is just what the Seagulls needed and they have a very kind fixture run to start the season, with home games against West Ham, Southampton, and Burnley in their first five fixtures.

The Seagulls’ top goal scorer for both their Premier League campaigns so far is likely to be relied upon by Potter despite his advancing age as he offers a different skillset from the other Brighton strikers Florin Andone and Jurgen Locadia. The signing of Leandro Trossard and Pascal Gross’ return to fitness means his supply line will be much improved and he remains their designated penalty taker.

5) Wesley Moraes (AVL, 6.0m)

Walsall v Aston Villa - Pre-Season Friendly

The only promoted striker to make the list, Wesley was bought from Club Brugge to replace the goals that Tammy Abraham brought to the Villans in their promotion campaign. An attacking team, Aston Villa scored 82 goals with only West Brom (87) and Norwich (93) scoring more. They were prolific at Villa Park where they scored 50 goals, also the third-highest in the Championship.

Their total of 32 away goals was beaten only by four teams. Wesley managed 27 goals and six assists in his last two seasons at the Belgian club and was bought for 22m, which is not a small amount for a promoted club.

His only competition for the striker role is Jonathan Kodjia, who only scored nine goals, so he should be one of the first names on the Villa team sheet. The Midlands outfit have an excellent fixture schedule after the gameweek one trip to Tottenham Hotspur, they play only one ‘top six’ side (Arsenal) between gameweek two and nine and Wesley should hit the ground running given Villa’s supply line.