Spot the Differential – Gameweek 35

Our Friday evening regular takes on a forward theme as a result of suspensions for both Luis Suarez and Olivier Giroud. With the Uruguayan, in particular, shedding owners at a frantic pace, we take a look at a trio of alternatives across the price ranges ahead of tomorrow morning’s deadline.

Daniel Sturridge

Despite an encouraging start to life at Liverpool, the January signing has mainly been overshadowed by his controversial team-mate. Even after emerging from the bench to grab a goal and assist against former club Chelsea last Sunday, Sturridge’s exploits were secondary to Suarez’s bite on Branislav Ivanovic but with suspension now sidelining the Merseysiders’ top scorer, Sturridge finally has the platform to thrive as the lone striker for Brendan Rodgers’ side.

Five goals and four assists in 10 appearances since departing Stamford Bridge three months ago sums up his instant impact. Granted, Sturridge’s game time has been curtailed in recent weeks due to an ongoing thigh problem but providing he remains injury-free, looks nailed-on for the Reds from here on in. With a trip to Newcastle following by an enticing final three fixtures (EVE, ful, QPR), Sturridge looks a real contender for those looking to replace Suarez, with a security of starts boosting his appeal over many double Gameweek 36 alternatives.

Having already produced attacking returns against the likes of United, City, Chelsea and Arsenal, Sturridge has shown his fixture-proof qualities for Rodgers’ side. Coming in at a modest 6.7 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and 8.5 in the Sky Sports game, with an ownership under 5% in both games, he looks primed for a strong run in and a viable captaincy contender for Gameweek 38 when the Reds welcome QPR to Anfield on the final day of the season.

Demba Ba

A winter move to Stamford Bridge hasn’t quite worked out the way the former Newcastle forward anticipated. Ba’s first half of the season on Tyneside was sensational, harvesting 13 goals and three assists in the opening 20 Gameweeks, but since meeting up with Rafa Benitez, he’s fallen quickly from favour in Fantasy line-ups with just two goals in 10 league appearances for the Blues.

With Fernando Torres starting each of the last three matches in all competitions, however, Ba looks assured of a place in Benitez’s first XI this Sunday as Swansea make their way to the Bridge. Bearing in mind that Torres will also start Chelsea’s home game on Thursday against FC Basel in the Europa League due to Ba’s ineligibility, it looks likely the former Magpies man will also feature in the first match of the Blues’ double Gameweek; suggesting he’s on course for back-to-back league starts.

While an 18% FPL ownership is hardly typical differential material in the grand scheme of things, it’s unlikely that many of us on Fantasy Football Scout will still be holding Ba right now – in all likelihood, then, he’s a differential in the vast majority of our mini-leagues as a result of Benitez’s tinkering. Coming in at 7.7 in FPL and 9.0 in the Sky Sports game, there’s no denying his top-flight pedigree as Chelsea turn to the Senegal striker to fire them to a sixth straight home win at the Swans’ expense.

Sergio Aguero

After an unforgettable debut season at City, it’s been a stop-start second campaign for the Argentine this time. Aguero’s 23rd goal of 2011/12 helped clinched the title in the most dramatic of fashions for Roberto Mancini’s side but just 13 minutes into this term he was hobbling off with a knee problem which seems to have set the tone for what was to follow.

With just five games left to go, Aguero is yet to notch even half last season’s tally and has managed just six starts since the turn of the year due to knee and hamstring injuries. Today’s Etihad press conference brought some relief for his would-be suitors, though, with Roberto Mancini confirming his availability after he remained on the bench for last Sunday’s defeat at Tottenham.

Undoubtedly, the fixtures could hardly be kinder for City as they attempt to save face after losing the title to United last Monday. Tomorrow’s home fixture with West Ham, followed by a double Gameweek 36 (swa, WBA) and clashes with Reading and Norwich all look prosperous for Mancini’s men – the only potential downside is the upcoming FA Cup final.

With the City boss determined to finish the season with some silverware, many believe he’ll ease Aguero back into action for fear of another injury but with just 85 minutes under his belt in the last six league matches, the Argentine desperately needs to build up his match-fitness before the Latics clash on May 11 – four days after the second match of City’s double Gameweek. Priced at 10.9 in FPL and 9.9 in the Sky Sports game, the schedule falls perfectly for Aguero to finish with a flourish once again and sketch a silver lining on what has proven a thoroughly disappointing season so far.