Spot the Differential – Gameweek 20

Our second article of the New Year throws a trio of overlooked alternatives your way this Thursday morning. All three are poised for plum home fixtures later this afternoon that could help kick start 2015 with a bang.

AYOZE PEREZ

Papiss Cisse’s moment of madness against Everton and subsequent three-match suspension will have come as a blow to the Magpies in a week that is likely to see the Tynesiders lose manager Alan Pardew to Crystal Palace. Cisse could now be out of action for the remainder of January, depending upon Senegal’s prosperity in the African Cup of Nations, leaving Perez with the opportunity to lead the Magpies’ frontline for the foreseeable future.

A weekend strike against Everton means the youngster has notched twice in his last four appearances, and, at just 4.7 and with an ownership of 2.4% in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, could offer managers viable budget option for our three-man frontlines. Perez’s underlying stats have impressed in recent matches. Across the last four Gameweeks, the Spaniard sits fourth amongst forwards for touches in the opposition penalty area (26), superior to the likes of Robin Van Persie (24) and Charlie Austin (22), whilst his five efforts on target has been bettered by just three other strikers.

Newcastle go in search of a sixth win in seven at St James’ Park today and with visitors Burnley conceding in all but two of their last 14 league fixtures, the Magpies’ attack looks set to flourish once again later today. With Hull, Stoke and Crystal Palace in his following five, Perez certainly has the platform to garner our attention.

ADAM LALLANA

A run of six straight starts in Brendan Rodgers’ first XI has seen the former Southampton skipper slowly creep on to our radars in recent weeks. Monday night’s showing against Swansea, where Lallana bagged a brace and 15 point-haul, couldn’t be better timed ahead of a kind run of fixtures for the resurgent Reds, with a home clash against Leicester preceding back-to-back trips to struggling Sunderland and Aston Villa.

A recent tactical tweak by Rodgers has elevated the prospects of Lallana, Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho, with the midfielders leading a three-man attack in the absence of a recognised striker. Since this switch, the trio’s attacking impetus has noticeably increased – all three are amongst the top 10 midfielders for shots inside the box in the last four Gameweeks.

Coming in at 8.3 in FPL, Lallana’s current ownership (1%) underlines his differential appeal when compared with the far more popular Sterling’s 31%. With the Reds full of confidence after their drubbing of the Swans on Monday, another imposing performance could be on the cards against the Foxes, allowing Lallana’s increasing influence in the final third to continue.

STEVAN JOVETIC

The Montenegrin marked his return from injury with a half-hour substitute showing against Burnley last weekend, and may well be set to start as City welcome Sunderland to the Etihad. Much depends on whether Manuel Pellegrini opts to veer away from the false nine set-up utilised in recent weeks, though given the nature of his side’s capitulation against the Clarets, a reshuffle certainly looks likely.

With David Silva and Jesus Navas producing a combined 13 key in the last two Gameweeks, the 7.8-valued Jovetic will certainly have a regular supply of chances to feed upon – City will be desperate to atone for their late slip-up and can be expected to take the match to their opponents from the first whistle. After that one, Jovetic faces Everton side that has conceded in each of their previous ten outings and, having grabbed two goals and an assist in his three previous appearances, there’s no denying that his installation in City’s XI could provide us with a welcome alternative up front.