The three differentials below are my pick of the attacking punts for this weekend’s fixtures. They all have great potential to score well this week and will hopefully be able to catapult you up the overall rankings.
Papiss Cisse
Cisse was ruled out for several months after undergoing surgery for an injury he sustained last season against Swansea. Upon recovery, the forward made his first appearance of the season in Gameweek 4 and is currently Newcastle’s top goalscorer and Fantasy Premier League (FPL) point scorer, which is very impressive considering he has only been involved in the last three matches, playing a combined total of 162 minutes out of a possible 270. Since his return, the forward has netted four times, picking up six bonus points along the way. The Senegal international has already doubled his goals total from last season, when he scored a meagre two in 24 appearances. It now seems Cisse has rediscovered the excellent form he showed in his first two seasons at Newcastle, with four goals in his last three games. This is the highest number of goals scored by anyone in the league over the last three weeks; an incredible feat considering his lack of pitch time over this period. He seems to be the perfect solution to Newcastle’s woes this season, as they now have a proper forward to lead the line and finish the scores of chances they’re creating this season – the Magpies have created the fifth highest number of chances this term, three ahead of Man United and just four behind Arsenal.
This week, Cisse faces a leaky Leicester defence at St. James’ Park. Leicester have conceded 13 goals so far this season and have performed a lot better at home, with dire performances when playing away from the King Power Stadium. The Foxes have conceded the most goal attempts in the league away from home, and are second for goal attempts conceded in the box. Their porous defence has also conceded the most chances away from home, which all points towards their lack of defensive resolve this season, particularly in away games. This looks bright for Cisse’s prospects, as he faces a shaky defence and has excellent form on his side. I believe the Newcastle forward is one of the top options for a punt this Gameweek.
Saido Mane
Southampton’s Saido Mane came so close to finishing a glaring opportunity created by Ryan Bertrand last week, and was inches away from getting his first Premier League goal. Since his arrival in Gameweek 6, the speedy winger has looked quite the player, and has been very direct in his play. He has carried a goal threat and looks like a great pacey outlet for Tadic’s creativity. The Senegal international has already picked up an assist in his first two games and has a fantastic goalscoring record, albeit being in the Bundesliga, as he scored 23 goals and managed 18 assists in 50 games for Red Bull Salzburg last season. With him looking like he’s capable of jostling with the big boys in the Premier League, Saido Mane could prove to be an excellent differential and punt if he can recreate anything close to his past goalscoring record. This week, Saido Mane faces Sunderland at home and Southampton will be looking to continue their remarkable streak – if they are to do so, Mane will definitely be one of their main men in attack.
Santi Cazorla
Arsenal’s number 10, Mesut Ozil, sustained an injury last week against Chelsea that has ruled him out for a few months. So who will replace the former Real Madrid star? Step up, Santi Cazorla. The Spaniard, who flourished in the number 10 role for Arsenal prior to Ozil’s arrival, has now been presented with the opportunity to do his thing once again. The former Malaga man managed a remarkable 12 goals and 13 assists in his debut season, but was knocked out of the first team set-up when Ozil arrived. Owners will be hopeful that he can recreate the fantastic form he once had in his first season. Cazorla has been impressive coming off the bench for Arsenal this term, managing an assist and recording quite a number of impressive stats in terms of shots in the box and chances created. The Arsenal man now looks like a great option with a more assured spot in the starting line-up.
With two new excellent attacking additions to the Arsenal squad in Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez, Cazorla now has better outlets for his bursting creativity, and also players around him who can create chances for him to have a pop at goal. I believe a Santi Cazorla in the number 10 role he loves so much is a top FPL option for this Gameweek for their home fixture against Hull, and also for the coming weeks for their favourable run of fixtures.
9 years, 5 months ago
Another great trio. Really like the Cisse punt.