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Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the Community Shield against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium. Photo: AFP

Premier League fantasy football 2018-19 tips: forwards to pick for Gameweek 1, bargains

Sergio Aguero gave Fantasy Premier League users a reminder of his talents at Wembley, but there are plenty of bargain options who can score you points too

Getting your attack right can make or break your season in Fantasy Premier League, and with just a few more days to finalise your squad it’s important to look at all the options.

Friday’s 7pm BST deadline is creeping up on fantasy managers everywhere, as they look to find the perfect balance.

Do you go for Harry Kane now, or wait until September? Do you put your faith in Romelu Lukaku, or are you worried Manchester United are going to struggle this season?

There are plenty of questions to ponder but we’ve got you covered with the next part in our series of fantasy tips below.

Or you can check out our picks for goalkeepers and defenders, and our midfield selections.
Aguero looks in fine form. Photo: Reuters

It can easily be forgotten just how good Sergio Aguero (£11 million, selected by 16.9 per cent of fantasy users) is. Seems like the Manchester City striker wanted to prove a point to boss Pep Guardiola with his ruthless double against Chelsea in the Community Shield.

He was a FPL must-have pretty much every season until the last two years, with Guardiola dividing his playing time with Gabriel Jesus. But 21 goals, six assists and 22 bonus points last year (167 points total) still speaks for itself.

The Argentinian is the fourth-most selected striker, with Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino (£9.5 million, 35.2 per cent) top of the lot.

It was baffling how little game time the Brazilian got at the World Cup, but Jurgen Klopp will be thrilled. Had 181 points overall last season, with 29 bonus points, 15 goals and eight assists.

Roberto Firmino scores the opening goal against Torino at Anfield. Photo: EPA

Harry Kane (£12.5 million, 32.3 per cent) is second behind Firmino and it’s not hard to see why – 217 points overall in 2017-18, with 29 goals, two assists, and 31 bonus points.

A couple of things of things to consider with Kane, though: he’s a notoriously slow starter who has never scored in August, and he probably won’t feature in Tottenham’s first game at Newcastle, owing to his World Cup efforts with England.

A lot of users believe Wilfried Zaha (£7 million, 31 per cent) is going to get off to a hot start with Crystal Palace – another return of nine goals and seven assists wouldn’t be too shabby for that price tag.

For the same cost you can get Marko Arnautovic (£7 million, 23.9 per cent) who thrived in a new role as a central striker at West Ham last season (11 goals, seven assists, 12 bonus points).

He’ll have much better service at West Ham now, with Felipe Anderson, Jack Wilshere and Andriy Yarmolenko among Manuel Pellegrini’s signings.

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates after scoring against Lazio. Photo: AFP

There’s a lot of interest in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11 million, 21.3 per cent) and if he carries on his form after signing in January (10 goals, four assists, 12 bonus points) then Arsenal will be back in the top four mix for sure, and fantasy users will be riding high in their own leagues.

Romelu Lukaku (£11 million, 13.1 per cent) is another expensive option that guarantees goals – 16 of them last season for Manchester United, with seven assists and 18 bonus points.

If the Belgian can find more consistency, he could double his goals tally, though you may fancy his teammate Marcus Rashford (£7 million, 8.5 per cent).

The youngster has just been handed the No 10 shirt at United and could fill the central striker role in the early games, with Lukaku only just back in training. He’s also a fair bit cheaper, and could be set for a breakthrough campaign.

Marcus Rashford (right) in action with Bayern Munich’s Mats Hummels. Photo: Reuters

There are budget options to be had in Everton’s Cenk Tosun (£7 million, 7.7 per cent) and Bournemouth’s Joshua King (£6.5 million, 6.1 per cent) – who racked up 110 points with eight goals and four assists.

King’s Bournemouth teammate Callum Wilson (£6 million, 3.8 per cent) is also a decent budget buy with eight goals and two assists.

Plenty of users are also gambling on Alexander Mitrovic (£6.5 million, 5.5 per cent) having a bit of an impact for Fulham.

Newcastle’s Ayoze Perez (£6.5 million, 3.5 per cent) can usually be relied on for a few goals too (eight of them last season and six assists in his 124 points.

Alvaro Morata looks dejected at the end of the Community Shield. Photo: Reuters

Perhaps a striker worth taking a gamble on this season is Alvaro Morata (£9 million, 2.8 per cent) with Chelsea unable to sign Gonzalo Higuain.

Maurizio Sarri might fancy his chances of rejuvenating the Spaniard’s career after a torrid time under Antonio Conte last season.

Morata started the Community Shield, where he wasn’t up to much to be honest, and Olivier Giroud will be out of contention for the early games after winning the World Cup with France.

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