The 3-4-3 Conundrum: Why Forwards are Key to Fantasy Premier League Success
Ah, Fantasy Premier League, where the obsessed and the sane come together to indulge in a world of make-believe football management. As we dive head-first into the 2024/25 season, the million-dollar question on everyone’s lips is: what’s the best formation to guarantee those coveted fantasy points? And, dear reader, we’re here to tell you that the answer lies in a 3-4-3 formation, with a twist.
Forwards: The Unsung Heroes of Fantasy Football
Who would have thought that this season’s top performers would be the humble forwards? With as many as six of the top 12 scorers in the game listed as forwards, it’s no wonder that 3-5-2 was the most popular formation last time around. But we’re not here to dwell on the past; we’re here to look to the future, and the future is looking bright for forwards.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (£15.1m) is one such forward who’s been making waves, scoring an impressive 12 goals to sit third in the overall standings on 84 points. But Haaland is not alone; the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha (£6.9m) and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson (£7.9m) have also been putting in the work, scoring seven goals apiece and providing assists galore. And let’s not forget Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood (£6.6m), Brighton & Hove Albion’s Danny Welbeck (£6.0m), and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins (£9.0m), who have all been involved in eight goals and are averaging over 5.0 points per match (ppm).
Best Value? Forwards All the Way
But it’s not just the points that make forwards so appealing; it’s the value they offer, too. Brighton’s Welbeck is the No 1 outfield player for value, in terms of points per million (ppm) returned. With 66 points to his name and a price tag of just £6.0m, Welbeck is averaging an impressive 11.0ppm. Cunha and Wood also rank highly in terms of value, returning 10.9ppm and 10.5ppm respectively.
And then there’s Mohamed Salah (£13.1m), who, despite his hefty price tag, is still among the 10 best value midfielders or forwards. With 120 points to his name, Salah is averaging 9.2ppm. Meanwhile, Haaland, on the other hand, has offered far worse value, returning just 5.6ppm spent. Ouch, Erling.
The Premium Player Conundrum
So, what does this mean for premium players like Haaland? Well, it means they’re no longer the first names on the team sheet. With players like Yoane Wissa (£6.1m) offering similar points-per-match returns at a fraction of the cost, it’s no wonder that managers are getting rid of Haaland and turning to more affordable options instead. And let’s not forget Joao Pedro (£5.6m), who’s averaged 7.0ppm, joint-top with Haaland among forwards, but at nearly £10.0m less.
The 3-4-3 Solution
So, how can you take advantage of these forwards and create a championship-winning team? The answer lies in a 3-4-3 formation. By freeing up budget to invest in a four-man midfield, you can snap up the likes of Salah, Bukayo Saka (£10.2m), and Cole Palmer (£10.9m). Meanwhile, your forward line can be comprised of affordable but prolific players like Cunha, Wood, and Welbeck.
And there you have it, folks, the secret to Fantasy Premier League success in 2024/25. By investing in a 3-4-3 formation, with a focus on affordable forwards and a strong midfield, you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank. Or, at the very least, to the top of the fantasy football league. Happy managing!
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Fantasy Premier League Scout
Why a 3-4-3 formation is the way to go this season
With a plethora of top-scoring forwards to choose from, Fantasy Premier League managers are spoiled for choice when it comes to assembling their frontlines. As many as six of the top 12-scoring players in the game are listed as forwards, with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (£15.1m) leading the pack with 12 goals and 84 points.
Haaland’s nearest rivals
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha (£6.9m) and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson (£7.9m) have been Haaland’s closest competitors, with seven goals and three and four assists respectively. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood (£6.6m), Brighton & Hove Albion’s Danny Welbeck (£6.0m), and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins (£9.0m) have each been involved in eight goals and are averaging over 5.0 points per match.
Top-scoring players GW 1-12
| Player | Position | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salah (LIV) | MID | 10 | 6 | 120 |
| Palmer (CHE) | MID | 7 | 5 | 86 |
| Haaland (MCI) | FWD | 12 | 0 | 84 |
| Saka (ARS) | MID | 4 | 8 | 80 |
| Mbeumo (BRE) | MID | 8 | 1 | 79 |
| Cunha (WOL) | FWD | 7 | 3 | 75 |
| Jackson (CHE) | FWD | 7 | 4 | 72 |
| Wood (NFO) | FWD | 8 | 0 | 69 |
| Maddison (TOT) | MID | 5 | 4 | 68 |
| Welbeck (BHA) | FWD | 6 | 2 | 66 |
| Diaz (LIV) | MID | 5 | 2 | 65 |
| Watkins (AVL) | FWD | 6 | 2 | 62 |
Forwards lead the way for best value
Forwards are offering the best value in Fantasy, with a host of affordable assets thriving early on. Brighton’s Danny Welbeck is the No 1 outfield player for value, with 66 points and a price of just £6.0m, returning 11.0 points per million spent. Wolves’ Matheus Cunha and Nott’m Forest’s Chris Wood also rank among the top 10 midfielders or forwards for value, returning 10.9ppm and 10.5ppm spent respectively.
Top midfielders and forwards for value
| Player | Position | Pts | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welbeck (BHA) | FWD | 66 | £6.0m | 11.0 |
| Cunha (WOL) | FWD | 75 | £6.9m | 10.9 |
| Wood (NFO) | FWD | 69 | £6.6m | 10.5 |
| Mbeumo (BRE) | MID | 79 | £7.9m | 10.0 |
| McNeil (EVE) | MID | 54 | £5.6m | 9.6 |
| Iwobi (FUL) | MID | 54 | £5.6m | 9.6 |
| Delap (IPS) | FWD | 53 | £5.6m | 9.5 |
| Smith Rowe (FUL) | MID | 55 | £5.8m | 9.5 |
| Salah (LIV) | MID | 120 | £13.1m | 9.2 |
| Wissa (BRE) | FWD | 56 | £6.1m | 9.2 |
Who has produced the most points per match?
Premium midfielders dominate the points per match assessment, with Mohamed Salah, Bukayo Saka, and Cole Palmer occupying the top three spots. Salah is averaging an incredible 10.0 points per match, while Saka and Palmer are the only other players to produce over seven points per appearance.
Best outfield players for points per match
| Player | Position | Pts | Pts per match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salah (LIV) | MID | 120 | 10.0 |
| Saka (ARS) | MID | 80 | 7.3 |
| Palmer (CHE) | MID | 86 | 7.2 |
| Haaland (MCI) | FWD | 84 | 7.0 |
| Pedro (BHA) | FWD | 42 | 7.0 |
| Mbeumo (BRE) | MID | 79 | 6.6 |
| Wissa (BRE) | FWD | 56 | 6.2 |
| Cunha (WOL) | FWD | 75 | 6.2 |
| Jackson (CHE) | FWD | 72 | 6.0 |
In terms of both quantity and quality, the wealth of options among forwards shows why a 3-4-3 formation can be the most productive in 2024/25 Fantasy. By overlooking Haaland and taking advantage of the form of his fellow forwards, managers can free up the budget to invest heavily in a four-man midfield instead, with Salah, Saka, and Palmer the top priorities.
