Kane and Aguero injuries force Fantasy rethink

The Scout 12 Mar 2018
Kane and Aguero composite

The Scout on how knocks to the two strikers put the FPL market in a spin and who is being bought as a replacement

The injuries suffered by the top two forwards in Fantasy Premier League have given managers a major dilemma for the forthcoming Gameweeks.
Both Harry Kane (£12.9m) and Sergio Aguero (£11.9m) were going to miss Gameweek 31 regardless, because of their teams' involvement in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
But there are now also early doubts about whether they will resume FPL action in Gameweek 32, after the international break.
FPL managers have already acted to make changes.
More than 69,000 have not waited for the prognosis of Kane's ankle injury, suffered during Tottenham Hotspur’s win at AFC Bournemouth, and have sold the striker.
The sales of Aguero have already exceeded 50,000 since the news broke on Sunday afternoon of his knee problem, which has forced him out of Manchester City’s trip to Stoke City on Monday night.
Firmino the go-to option
Roberto Firmino (£9.4m) has proved the most popular replacement.
With Liverpool being one of only eight teams with fixtures in Gameweek 31, the Brazilian is a clear favourite to replace Kane or Aguero in squads.
But what about those managers already with Firmino?
Some short-term options with Gameweek 31 in mind are Steve Mounie (£5.8m), Cenk Tosun (£6.7m) or Christian Benteke (£7.6m), who are all in action next weekend.
Lukaku for long term?
But in the long term, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.4m) and Romelu Lukaku (£11.2m) could emerge as the main alternatives, particularly as replacements for Aguero.
With Gabriel Jesus (£9.9m) back in contention for City, Aguero’s minutes are likely to be managed by Pep Guardiola over the remaining Gameweeks.
Wait for Kane clarity
The Kane situation is more problematic for managers.
Spurs will have at least one Double Gameweek - two fixtures in a single Gameweek - later in the season, with a fit-again Kane sure to be a target as captain.
With that in mind, those managers without a Wildcard left to play should consider holding the striker until there is clarity on his length of absence.
Gameweek 31 fixtures 
AFC Bournemouth v West BromHuddersfield Town Crystal PalaceStoke City v EvertonLiverpool v Watford

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