Spot the Differential – Gameweek 24

We call up a couple of options from two London-based sides this week, with injuries and suspensions prompting us to look beyond their marquee attackers. Elsewhere, a returning Fantasy gem adds further depth to the mid-price midfielder bracket.

Loic Remy

As Chelsea prepare to line up against an Aston Villa outfit that’s been pummelled by an aggregate of 8-0 in their previous three outings, Fantasy managers and Jose Mourinho alike are lamenting the absence of Diego Costa. Nevertheless, the Blues boss can still call upon a bevy of attacking talent with the potential to capitalise on the Villains’ charitable defence.

Chief among them is former Newcastle striker Loic Remy, who only needed one chance to propel the London club into a lead against Manchester City. The Frenchman looks to have done enough to earn himself another start ahead of Didier Drogba as the lone striker for the showdown against Paul Lambert’s side and will be looking to get amongst the goals again to retain his place for the midweek home clash against Everton.

With Cesc Fabregas available again, Remy should be supplied with plenty of opportunities against a defence that’s afforded their opponents 10 big chances in the last four matches – only Swansea (13) have been more porous. Available for 7.2, the Frenchman could prove to be a canny short-term acquisition for those with a Chelsea slot to spare in their 15-man squads.

Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane made a 28-minute cameo in Southampton’s 1-0 defeat to Swansea last Sunday, having only returned from the African Cup of Nations earlier that week. Despite Eljero Elia’s inspired brace in the Senegal international’s absence, the former’s 3.5% ownership may be sweating over another start as Ronald Koeman ponders Mane’s reintroduction to the first XI when the Hampshire club travel to Queens Park Rangers later today.

Before being whisked away on international duty, Mane had netted three times in as many appearances for Saints, with strikes against Palace, Arsenal and Chelsea highlighting his ability to deliver regardless of fixture difficulty. Partner this with the fact that Graziano Pelle has failed to register in his last six appearances and Mane’s keen eye for goal looks vital to the Saints’ chances of earning the points.

Mane’s 6.5 price point puts him in competition with the likes of Stewart Downing (6.6), Gylfi Sigurdsson (6.4) and Nacer Chadli (6.6) for positions in our squad. Sitting in less than 1% of sides and with showdowns against West Ham, West Brom and Palace in the subsequent four, he offers an enticing mid-price alternative over the next few fixtures.

Theo Walcott

At one stage of the season, Alexis Sanchez stood alone as the only viable route into Arsenal’s midfield. Now with Santi Cazorla’s rich vein of form and both Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott scoring in two successive appearances upon their full return to the Gunners’ set-up, there are numerous avenues to explore.

Last weekend’s 69-minute appearance at home to Villa – his first league start of the season after almost a year on the sidelines through injury – has brought Walcott back onto our radars at a time when Sanchez’ hamstring is proving a real concern. On his day, the 8.9-priced winger can be Fantasy royalty – 14 goals and 13 assists over 32 matches in 2012/13 saw him edge past six points per appearance, before the following season was cut short through injury on the back of five goals and as many assists in 13 league outings.

Providing he can remain injury-free, Walcott’s Fantasy potential is unquestioned, though it admittedly remains to be seen quite how Wenger plans to utilise all his big-hitters from here on in. If he makes the right wing berth his own, though, Walcott has a north London derby and four very favourable matches (LEI, cpl, EVE, qpr) to stake a claim as one of the midfield heavyweights once again.