Spot the Differential – Gameweek 9

A busy day packed full of articles is brought to a close by our Friday evening regular. As always, we roll out a trio of overlooked alternatives ahead of tomorrow morning’s 11.30 deadline, with only one of our featured three owned by more than 1% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers…

Arouna Kone

Wigan’s summer signing from Levante arrived at the DW with plenty expectation heaped on his shoulders. Kone produced 15 goals and four assists in a sensational La Liga campaign last term, helping his side upset the odds and earn a sixth place finish in the Spanish top flight. So far, the Ivorian has been key to the Latics’ attacking forays, playing a part in five of their eight strikes, with three goals and a couple of assists already accrued.

In the FPL game, the 6.5 priced Kone has resultantly racked up 35 points, earning almost five points per start, but, despite returning a point more than the likes of Nikica Jelavic, Kone has an ownership of just 0.8%. In the Sky Sports game, he also has impressed – priced at 7.7, he is joint-fifth for forwards, with 41 points already returned. Further analysis of the stats shows Kone has been involved in four of Wigan’s five home goals this term – with visitors West Ham failing to keep a clean sheet in each of their last four matches, the Ivorian could be a decent punt this weekend for those Fantasy managers looking for something a little different for their third striker slot.

Samir Nasri

With David Silva ruled out due to a hamstring problem and Yaya Toure likely to play deeper due to injuries and suspensions to others, we’re rolling the dice on the Frenchman ahead of City’s home clash against Swansea. The former Arsenal man has only started two home league matches this term, with wildly contrasting fortunes; the season opener with Southampton harvested a goal, assist and maximum bonus points for a 12 point FPL haul, while QPR’s visit to the Etihad in Gameweek 3 resulted in nothing more than a two point return.

Nasri brings decent form into the Swans’ showdown tomorrow evening, though; having recently returned from a hamstring injury, he grabbed his side’s only goal in Wednesday’s disappointing defeat at Ajax. Fantasy managers may have doubts over Roberto Mancini’s starters up front for this one but Nasri looks nailed-on to begin the game; priced at 8.2 in FPL and 7.6 in the Sky Sports game, he has just 4.8% ownership and could flourish against a side that has shipped an average of two goals per game over the last six fixtures, as the champions go in search of their fourth straight victory.

Brett Holman

Finally, we end on a real punt; the Australian international is the definition of a differential, with a mere 0.1% FPL ownership thus far. Holman – who arrived in England on the back of a campaign that harvested four goals and 10 assists for AZ Alkmaar in 2011/12 – has yet to produce any attacking returns this term but, both in terms of creativity and threat, has been one of Aston Villa’s most impressive performers so far ; a fact acknowledged by Paul Lambert only a fortnight ago, with the former Norwich boss saying:

“Brett’s been unlucky not to score, but he’s playing really, really well at this time. He’s not shy to have a shot on goal and he’s a creative player. I always think if creative players can make things happen and score a goal or maybe slide the odd ball through, then you’ve got a player on your hands. It’s important we share the goals around. We need that threat but Brett’s all-round game is good at the minute, really good. He’s got energy to burn, and he’s a top lad as well. If he keeps going the way he’s going he’ll have a really good season. He’s got a great desire for the game, a great enthusiasm for the game. Aston Villa are fortunate to have him.”

Priced at 5.6 in FPL and 5.7 in the Sky Sports game, Holman plays host to a Norwich City side that have conceded 11 goals in their first four games on the road. If Lambert is to get the better of his former employers, tomorrow would be the perfect time for the summer signing to start producing.