Spot the Differential – Gameweek 18

Our Christmas Day coverage continues as we serve us a trio of overlooked alternatives ahead of tomorrow’s deadline. All three of our picks were amongst the goals last weekend and have the Boxing Day fixtures to spark another rise up the Fantasy standings.

Radamel Falcao

Back in the United starting line-up for the first time since Gameweek 7 last weekend, the Colombian grabbed a goal and maximum bonus points in a 1-1 draw at Villa. Louis van Gaal has been critical over Falcao’s fitness but with his side searching for a winner on Saturday, the Dutchman decided to sub off Robin van Persie instead – dispelling any doubts over the South American’s match sharpness for the festive period.

Falcao looks in line to retain his start alongside Van Persie for a plum home clash with Newcastle tomorrow. Intriguingly, when compared to his fellow forward, the loan acquisition has been quicker for both minutes per shot (24.2 to 32) and minutes per key pass (51.4 to 76.6) so far this season – indeed, Falcao has scored or assisted in all four of his appearances in Van Gaal’s XI.

Priced at 10.5 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game and with an ownership of just 2%, Falcao’s scoring history suggests he could be the ultimate differential if he can remain injury-free from this point on. The Magpies meet hands him the chance to cement his spot in Van Gaal’s plans and fire his way immediately onto Fantasy radars – with showdowns against Spurs and Stoke’s porous defences to follow, the festive period could be a prosperous one.

Adam Johnson

Much to the chagrin of Newcastle supporters, the Black Cats wide man seems to have rediscovered his form just in time for the Christmas period. Having provided the assist for Sunderland’s strike in a 1-1 draw with West Ham, Johnson went one better by firing the winner in last Sunday lunchtime’s Tyne-Wear derby to ease the pressure on Gus Poyet’s battlers.

A mere 2% ownership reflects a series of displays which have seen him manage just two goals and a single assist so far but with his form on the rise, Johnson – who racked up eight strikes and six assists in the campaign gone by – could be a decent short-term punt ahead of back-to-back matches against Hull and Villa. Bearing in mind that Sunderland then face City, Liverpool and Spurs, Poyet will be desperate to maintain momentum prior to the New Year’s Day trip to the Etihad and the 6.0-priced midfielder’s contribution in the final third could be pivotal to the Wearsiders’ fortunes.

Philippe Coutinho

While the focus was on Raheem Sterling’s new role through the middle in last week’s clash against Arsenal, the little Brazilian overshadowed his team-mate with a goal and maximum bonus points last Sunday afternoon.

There’s no doubt Coutinho is an erratic performer, with Brendan Rodgers still struggling to exploit his undoubted abilities since arriving on Anfield. A recent switch of formation could prove the turning point for the South American, though – stationed on the right of a front three as Rodgers reverts to last season’s high-pressing approach, he’s stepped up his attacking output in recent outings.

Over his last four league appearances, Coutinho has almost matched Sterling for shots (11 to 12) and efforts in the area (six to seven) and, when compared to his previous performances, his minutes per shot (from 43.2 to 27.2) and minutes per chance created (147.4 to 68) have both improved considerably. A trip to Burnley signals the start of a superb run of fixtures for Rodgers’ side and, at a price of 7.6, Coutinho may prove a viable alternative to the likes of Sterling if he can push on from last week’s strike.