Click here to go to the 2018-19 version of the best strikers to pick for Premier League fantasy football!
The 2017-18 Premier League season is well into 2018 and, while the league title may, more or less, be wrapped up, there is plenty still at stake in the fantasy football world.
Whether they are fighting to retain a crown, or desperately intent on salvaging some pride after losing to their friends last season, virtual coaches will be looking at every possible way to maximise their points return.
You will be delighted to know that Goal Fantasy Football is already up and running for the 2017-18 season — and it's free to play. The mobile app can be downloaded through this link so that you can create and update your squad on the move.
The fantasy football game on the Premier League's official website is also a popular choice for fantasy managers, but whatever you use, we've taken a look at some of the best fantasy football forwards, including some bargains, to help get you points this season!
BEST FANTASY FOOTBALL STRIKERS
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The best fantasy football strikers are those who score and it is no surprise that the five most expensive frontmen at the beginning the 2017-18 game were those individuals who hit the back of the net over 20 times last season.
However, strikers who contribute assists as well as goals are also precious commodities in the world of fantasy football, with points awarded to the architects behind the goals.
Note: Some versions of the game define certain attacking players as midfielders instead of forwards. For example, on Goal Fantasy Football, Alexis Sanchez can only be selected as a forward, but on Fantasy Premier League, he can only be selected as a midfielder.
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Harry Kane (Tottenham - £12.8m)
Tottenham's main man for the past three seasons, Harry Kane showed exactly why he is so highly valued last term with a haul of 29 league goals and seven assists, despite suffering an ankle injury mid-way through the campaign. The stats clearly demonstrate that the 23-year-old England international has steadily improved since his breakthrough at White Hart Lane, as he bagged 21 goals in 2014-15 and 25 in 2015-16 before hitting a career high last year. Such consistency means that Kane is considered a must-buy by many fantasy football aficionados.
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City - £12m)
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero was the second-highest valued striker at the beginning of the game, because he has been the most consistent sharpshooter in the Premier League for the past six seasons. The former Atletico Madrid star has surpassed the 140-goal mark and only twice failed to hit the 20-mark since joining City in 2011. He has been a favourite of fantasy football players for a long time, but, while there can be no doubting the Argentina international's ability to find the net, virtual coaches should pay close attention to Aguero's injuries, given his proneness to sustaining them.
Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United - £11.2m)
Manchester United forked out a titanic £75 million to Everton for Romelu Lukaku and they hope to have found a solution to their long-term striker problem. The powerful Belgium international scored 25 goals for an inconsistent Everton side last year, setting up his team-mates on six further occasions. Lukaku is a proven goalscorer, but hit a barren patch half-way through the season and will hope to put that behind him in 2018.
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Roberto Firmino (Liverpool - £9.2m)
Of all the top strikers in fantasy football, Liverpool's Roberto Firmino is one of the cheaper options at just £9.2m. The Brazil international spearheads a formidable attacking trident at Anfield and is their top striker (Mohamed Salah is defined as a midfielder in fantasy football).
Alvaro Morata (Chelsea - £10.4m)
Brought to Stamford Bridge from Real Madrid for a hefty sum of £65m, Alvaro Morata has already played a key role for Chelsea in the 2017-18 season. The 24-year-old has taken the number 9 jersey and, despite injuries, has shown he is well able to serve as the replacement for the outgoing Diego Costa. Morata scored 20 goals for Madrid last season in all competitions, with 15 of those coming in La Liga. As well as playing up front, the former Juventus forward is also capable of carrying out a supporting role and supplied five assists last term.
Jamie Vardy (Leicester City - £8.6m)
When Leicester City swept to a shock Premier League title in 2016, Jamie Vardy was their star striker, bagging 24 league goals in that campaign. The England international has undoubtedly slowed down in recent seasons, but he still possesses plenty of pace and has a nose for goal, putting him among the best finishers in the league.
BEST BARGAIN STRIKERS
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Each season, one or two strikers shock the league by climbing their way up the scoring charts, leaving more established performers trailing in their wake. Leicester City's Jamie Vardy during the club's remarkable Premier League-winning eason is a classic example, while Jermain Defoe defied expectations last year by scoring 15 times for a Sunderland team that was ultimately relegated.
We've taken a look at some of the players in the Premier League fantasy football who could be considered bargain buys, if you fancy saving money on strikers so that you can divert funds elsewhere.
Wayne Rooney (Everton - £7.2m)
Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney returned to Everton at the beginning of the season but he has only truly settled in mid-way through the campaign. The former England captain is now into double figures in terms of goals and looks much more confident under the guidance of Sam Allardyce.
Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez (West Ham - £6.7m)
West Ham have been performing below expectations this season, but they possess a seasoned striker in Javier Hernandez, who counts Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen among his former clubs. The Mexico international is still in his prime years and is a relative bargain at under £7m.
Tammy Abraham (Swansea - £5.4m)
One of the leading scorers in last season's Championship with a relatively weak Bristol City team, Tammy Abraham signed for Swansea City on loan from Chelsea for the 2017-18 season.The 20-year-old scored 23 times in 41 league appearances during his time at Ashton Gate and had been playing a leading role with the Swans before injury struck.
Jordan Ayew (Swansea - £5.4m)
At just £5.4m, Jordan Ayew is currently one of the best bargain buys in fantasy football and the Swansea man has been enjoying a revival in recent weeks. The Ghana international has been chipping in with goals and assists for the Swans as they attempt to extricate themselves from the bottom of the table.