FPL Q&A: Haaland, Chelsea + Brighton forwards

Ahead of Gameweek 12, our Q&A covers the biggest Fantasy Premier League (FPL) topics being discussed within the community.

This time, the chat is dominated by forwards, at a time when going cheap is trendy.

Q: Is Erling Haaland (£15.2m) someone we should be selling?

A: It’s a strategy that has already rewarded many FPL managers, to the point that the masses are beginning to accept that the Norwegian’s recent form doesn’t justify his eye-watering price tag.

Last week, one of our articles looked at the reasons for both keeping and selling. For example, Haaland is way in front with 12 league goals and has accumulated 4.59 expected goals (xG) in his latest three matches. Good fixtures are on the horizon for Man City but, of course, they’re in some rough form.

Four successive defeats for the champions, with 76 players bettering Haaland’s points total from the previous six Gameweeks. That’s nowhere near good enough for such outlay, especially when Mohamed Salah (£12.9m) is repeatedly providing double-digit hauls.

Financially, if it’s a straight choice between owning Haaland or Salah, it simply must be the Egyptian. The cash gained can do wonders elsewhere in your squad.

Q: Who is the best Brighton forward to own – Danny Welbeck (£6.0m) or Joao Pedro (£5.4m)?

A: Adding to the Haaland dilemma is that there are so many appealing cheap forwards right now. Two of these come from Brighton, where Welbeck and Joao Pedro are about to enter a fantastic fixture run.

Not only is Welbeck the third-best FPL forward so far, his Brazilian team-mate’s comeback cameo haul heaped more misery onto Man City in Gameweek 11.

Fantasy Football Scout compared the duo’s stats, positioning and possible threat of festive rotation. In conclusion, even though Welbeck is in a more advanced role, Joao Pedro takes penalties and is cheaper. Numbers are similar during their 292 minutes of shared pitch time and head coach Fabian Hurzeler has spoken about the latter being “one player who makes the special things”.

Q: For those with Cole Palmer (£10.9m), is it best to have Alexander Isak (£8.5m) or double up on Chelsea through Nicolas Jackson (£7.9m)?

A: Thanks to goals in four consecutive outings (in all competitions), Isak is helping Newcastle look like their previous selves again. It also reminds FPL managers why he was the most-owned player heading into Gameweek 1.

The Magpies sit third on Scout’s Season Ticker between Gameweeks 12 and 24 but it’s a period where Chelsea rank even higher, on top. They face Leicester and Southampton in their next three, causing us to look into double-ups and thorough investment.

Jackson is the league’s third-best player for xG (6.20) and is joint-third for shots on target (14). Right now, it feels like he and Palmer are the Blues’ only nailed-on attackers but – with such a deep squad – there could soon be rotation with Christopher Nkunku (£5.9m).

Therefore, Isak may end up being the better asset.

Q: Could a Triple Captain chip be used on Mohamed Salah this week?

A: With a notable number using this chip on Haaland when he faced Ipswich and then Southampton, there’s logic in putting it on Salah against the Saints. This season’s altered FA Cup schedule means there’ll be fewer Double Gameweeks than ever before.

Then again, post-international break Gameweeks have generally been a bit weird so far. Liverpool came back from September’s by losing their only match so far, at home to Nottingham Forest.