Spot the Differential – Gameweek 36

Another frantic Friday comes to a close with our pre-weekend regular. This week’s trio of overlooked alternatives all have a double Gameweek on their hands and offer Fantasy managers options right across the price brackets as the market continues to escalate ahead of tomorrow morning’s deadline.

Oscar

As the season comes to a close, Chelsea’s summer signing is finally starting to make his mark domestically. Oscar’s most impressive exploits had been kept mainly for the European stage, with Juan Mata and Eden Hazard racking up the goals and assists in the Premier League, but over the last few matches he has become increasingly influential.

The Brazilian has started three of the last four Gameweeks for Rafa Benitez’s side and has produced attacking points in each of those first XI appearances. An assist in the 2-1 home win over Sunderland was followed up by a goal at Anfield in the 2-2 draw in Gameweek 34 – last week, however, Oscar went one better, finding the net and earning the maximum bonus points in the Blues’ 2-0 home win over Swansea.

Afforded a run out as a second-half sub in last night’s Europa League win over FC Basel, he’s expected to return to Rafa Benitez’s first-team for Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford. With the club’s hopes of a third place still in their own hands, Chelsea can ill-afford to take it easy and Oscar looks likely to get the nod for Wednesday’s home clash with Tottenham, too. Coming in at 7.8 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and 5.8 in the Sky Sports game, he’s the cheapest of Benitez’s attacking midfield trio and with an ownership of less than 2% in the former game, remains firmly under the radar ahead of Chelsea’s double.

David Silva

With Yaya Toure and Scout Pick Samir Nasri earning most of the midfield investment at City this week, the little Spaniard is another player who seems to have fallen out of favour with Fantasy managers. While Toure and Nasri have acquired 51,000+ and 27,000+ new owners, Silva has found his way into 15,000 teams – the sixth most popular player for Roberto Mancini’s side ahead of tomorrow’s deadline.

With a trip to Swansea and home clash against West Brom on his agenda, though, Silva certainly has the platform to produce as Mancini attempts to pick up the points that would guarantee a second place finish behind neighbours United. Granted, Mancini’s tinkering could ultimately prove a problem but we’ve reached the stage of the season now where many are prepared to risk it – with three sets of double figures in his last five at home, Silva has hinted at the form that racked up 184 FPL points in the previous campaign. Fully-fit after a recent hamstring problem, he comes in at 9.1 in FPL (9.0 in the Sky Sports game) and will be determined to end a bitterly disappointing season with a flourish.

Jordi Gomez

Having cut a peripheral figure for Wigan over much of the season, the Spaniard has finally nailed down a regular role over the last few matches. Gomez has now started the last six in central midfield for Roberto Martinez’s side and while he hasn’t quite hit the heights that produced a 20 point haul against Reading back in Gameweek 13, he’s looking key to his side’s chances of survival.

While Shaun Maloney and Arouna Kone have received the vast majority of Wigan investment this week, Gomez – with spot-kick duties in his locker – offers an alternative option ahead of a trip to West Brom and home showdown with Swansea. Five points from safety but with a game in hand, victory in these games looks essential for the Latics’ survival bid and with everything now on the line, there’s no more margin for error. Coming in at 5.2 in FPL and 5.7 in the Sky Sports game, Gomez has an ownership of less than 1% in both games but may be worth a gamble for those willing to throw the dice.