Spot the Differential – Gameweek 6

This week’s trio of overlooked options includes a couple of former Tottenham forwards with form on their side and home games on their respective agendas. With last week’s three picking up an assist between them, we’re hoping for an upturn in fortunes:

Peter Crouch

Despite a tricky opening run of fixtures, the Stoke forward has had a decent start to the new season. With a couple of goals already in his locker – including a strike against City in his previous home match – Crouch has also picked up an assist for Tony Pulis’ side. Bearing in mind the Potters have only found the net on four occasions thus far, this means Crouch has played a part in 75% of their goals; a clear example of his importance to the cause.

Although he’s highly priced in the Sky Sports game, coming in at 8.8, a cost of 6.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) represents strong value. Already, he has produced eight bonus points in the latter game and has accrued a total of 29 points – only two behind the likes of Steven Fletcher and Rickie Lambert, for example. While the aforementioned pair have picked up plenty of interest due to their mid-price appeal, Crouch has been largely overlooked; only 6.4% FPL managers have snapped up his services so far.

Up against a Swansea side that have conceded seven goals in their last three league games, he looks an enticing option ahead of tomorrow’s deadline – if Pulis’ side are to register their first win of the new campaign, it seems almost inevitable that Crouch will play some part.

Bobby Zamora

Three goals in four appearances would normally have Fantasy managers scrambling to get aboard the bandwagon. Zamora, however, has suffered the ignominy of a price drop in FPL, slipping from 6.5 to 6.4 despite his strong recent showings. Having been dropped for the season opener at home to Swansea, he was installed to the first-team after the 5-0 Loftus Road thrashing and has been quick to justify Mark Hughes’ decision.

Finding the net in road trips to Norwich, City and Spurs, Zamora’s eye for goal has helped him rack up five bonus points – despite the fact the London outfit have yet to register a win this term. Averaging six points per game in FPL, his consistency has been the one positive in a dismal start for QPR yet only 1.4% of Fantasy managers have been willing to take a chance on the former Fulham man. This weekend sees Zamora handed a home showdown with another of his previous clubs, West Ham, and with both sides desperate to bounce back from their midweek Capital One Cup exits, Zamora could well be the difference as Hughes attempts to engineer a climb up the table.

Robert Snodgrass

Unlike our other two protagonists, the Norwich new boy has had a tricky start to the new campaign. The Canaries have failed to fire under the guidance of Chris Hughton and are currently sitting on just two goals after the opening five Gameweeks. Snodgrass has bagged one of those strikes, firing home a late equaliser away to Spurs to open his account for the season in Gameweek 3.

Having managed 55 minutes of the opener at Fulham, the former Leeds man has played every minute since – an indication of Hughton’s reliance on his creativity and set-piece ability. Liverpool roll up to Carrow Road tomorrow without a clean sheet to their name thus far and if the hosts are to persevere, Snodgrass – with a mere 1.4% ownership in FPL – is likely to be central to their attacking endeavours.