Spot the Differential – Gameweek 5

Our Saturday morning regular comes around again as we roll out a trio of overlooked alternatives for your perusal. We place our faith in a couple of in-form budget midfielders and also have high hopes for the Swans top scorer of 2013/14 to get his account up and running.

WILFRIED BONY

A second half substitute appearance in last weekend’s 4-2 defeat to Chelsea saw the Ivorian pick up his first attacking returns of the season. Rested to the Swansea bench due to midweek international duties, Bony grabbed an assist at the Bridge though it would be fair to say that he’s still failing to draw much attention, with only just over 3,000 managers acquiring his services this week (a similar total to, for example, Carlton Cole) ahead of a home clash with Southampton.

It’s not been the start many had forecast for the 8.4 priced forward. Having flirted with a move away from the Liberty in August, he has eventually settled back in in South Wales, though his performances have still been far from his best and, with Bafetimibi Gomis also competing for pitch time, Bony is yet to complete 90 minutes for the Swans in the league this campaign.

However, his underlying stats do suggest that Fantasy managers shouldn’t write the striker off just yet. Bony has fired in 11 attempts so far this season, equal with Emmanuel Adebayor, despite having played over a 100 minutes less than the Spurs’ frontman. This afternoon’s meeting with Southampton will be no easy task for Garry Monk’s team, but should Bony finally rediscover the form that bagged 17 goals in his debut season, Fantasy attention may begin to pick up as the Swans face a kind run of fixtures in the following four (sun, NEW, sto, LEI).

SCOTT ARFIELD

It could have all been so different if Julian Speroni had dived left rather than right last weekend. Had Arfield converted his spot-kick against Palace, he’d have taken his tally to two strikes in the opening four Gameweeks, after opening his account against Chelsea in the opening Gameweek of the season. As it stands, the Burnley midfielder remains far from Fantasy radars and, despite a kind price tag of 5.0 in FPL, currently resides in 0.5% of sides.

A look at the statistics suggests Arfield could be a real “Moneyball” midfield option this term if he can start to convert his chances. After four rounds of fixtures, Arfield has registered 17 touches in the box – fourth amongst midfielders and more than then likes of Aaron Ramsey and Raheem Sterling, with 16 apiece. Furthermore, he’s matched the Liverpool wide man – the most popular midfielder in the FPL game – for attempts on goal (10) and shots inside the box, with seven so far. Indeed, only one midfielder – Nacer Chadli – has registered more close-range efforts than The Clarets’ man.

This bodes well, then, as Arfield prepares for a home encounter with Sunderland later today. With Danny Ings ruled, the Scot is likely to remain on spot kick duties and with trips to West Brom and Leicester, as well as a home fixture against West Ham to come in their next four, this could be the moment Dyche’s side hit their stride.

STEWART DOWNING

As highlighted in this week’s Scout Mission, the former Liverpool winger has played an essential role in West Ham’s more attacking line-up this season, and has already chalked up a goal and an assist in his first four appearances.

Downing’s underlying stats are even more impressive, with 11 attempts on goal ranked fourth amongst midfielders, whilst an eye-catching 13 chances created is bettered only by Chelsea duo Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard thus far. What’s more, with a price tag of just 5.5, Downing is offering superb value right now, though is still sitting on an ownership of just 2%.

Fantasy managers are naturally wary of Downing, who managed a meagre total of one goal and two assists in over 2500 minutes of pitch time for the Hammers in their last league campaign, and experienced a paltry spell during his time with Liverpool in the preceding years. However, when his former employers roll up to Upton Park this evening, the winger will be hoping to carry through his significant goal threat and creativity from the last few Gameweeks and perhaps deliver a sucker punch to Brendan Rogers, the manager who saw him as surplus when he took over the reins at Anfield. With QPR and Burnley also amongst his next four fixtures, he’s certainly one to consider.