Spot the Differential – Gameweek 13

With just a few hours left until this morning’s deadline, we roll out our weekly look at a trio of overlooked alternatives for your consideration once again – Sergio Aguero’s strike-partner, Arsenal’s fit-again winger and a Dutchman proving his worth to the Carrow Road cause.

Alvaro Negredo

City’s summer signing remains firmly under Fantasy radars due to the exploits of strike-partner Sergio Aguero. There’s no doubting Negredo’s impact since arriving from Sevilla, though – five goals and three assists in just eight starts under Manuel Pellegrini highlights that he’s wasted little time in settling into his new surroundings.

Crucially, those eight appearances in the XI have arrived in the last nine Gameweeks. Starting the season behind Edin Dzeko in the strikeforce pecking order, the Spaniard has since cemented a regular role alongside the sublime Aguero, with their flourishing partnership tearing top-flight backlines apart. As the season unfolds, the duo’s understanding goes from strength to strength, with Negredo’s physical approach the ideal foil for Aguero – it’s little wonder his manager described him as “the perfect player for the Premier League” after Sunday’s demolition of Tottenham.

Whilst there’s no question Aguero is the explosive option of the two, Negredo – particularly at home – has ticked over nicely, producing a goal or assist in each of the last five at the Etihad. Available for 9.1 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Negredo will set you back 8.6 in the Sky Sports game and 6.0 in the Sun Dream Team ahead of a home game against Swansea. He may appeal to Aguero owners as well, providing the option of doubling up on Pellegrini’s attack as they look to continue the only remaining 100% home record in the top-flight.

Theo Walcott

The Arsenal wide-man has finally recovered from the abdominal injury that forced a last-minute withdrawal prior to the Gameweek 5 home win over Stoke. Introduced from the bench in the last couple of games in all competitions, Walcott has been tentatively eased back into the fold by Arsene Wenger but, as his match fitness picks up, may well be poised for a start away to Cardiff this weekend.

Still owned by under 4% in the FPL game, Walcott’s return to the Arsenal XI is eagerly anticipated by Fantasy managers. With team-mates Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil currently residing in 59% and 29% of teams, Walcott’s menace down the right and keen eye for goal certainly offers the Gunners, and Fantasy managers, something different in midfield.

Coming in at 9.1 in FPL (8.5 in the Sky Sports game and 5.5 in the Sun Dream Team), he also has back-to-back home games against Hull and Everton to follow and, while there’s no guarantee he’ll start all three, if he finds the form that racked up 14 goals and 13 assists last time out, the bandwagon will be quick to pick up pace.

Leroy Fer

As Chris Hughton reels from the news that first-choice wingers Robert Snodgrass and Anthony Pilkington are set for weeks on the sidelines, he’ll find some solace in the form of his Dutch summer recruit. Fer has now notched in each of the last two Gameweeks, with his battling abilities and driving runs from central midfield proving crucial to the Canaries’ cause.

While Scout Pick squad member Nathan Redmond offers a cut-price option at 4.6 in FPL, Fer’s consistent close-range threat suggests he may be worth the extra outlay. Priced at 5.8 in FPL, he’s fifth overall for midfielders in terms of shots inside the box – an indication that those back-to-back strikes were no statistical anomaly.

Available for 5.3 in the Sky Sports game and 1.5 in the Sun Dream Team, he’s nailed-on under Hughton and he not only has a home clash with Palace this weekend, but also squares up to Sunderland and Fulham later this month, offering the chance to maintain his climb up the FPL standings.