Spot the Differential – Gameweek 26

Our pre-deadline trio of overlooked alternatives arrives once again this morning. We’ve backing a couple of cut-price strikers to continue their recent fine showings, whilst the return of a certain Ivorian looks key to City’s title tilt.

Dame N’Doye

Having learned his trade at a plethora of clubs across continental Europe, Hull’s £3 million January signing Dame N’Doye is an unknown proposition on these shores. Early indications are that the former Lokomotiv Moscow striker could reinvigorate the Tigers’ faltering attack, though – handed a role alongside Nikica Jelavic as Steve Bruce switched to a two-man frontline, he notched a goal and an assist on his first start in a vital 2-0 win over Swansea last time out.

N’Doye boasts international pedigree, with six goals in 26 outings for Senegal, and recently turned out for the Lions of Teranga in the African Cup of Nations. With no top nine teams on the horizon for Hull (QPR, sto, SUN, lei) and Queens Park Rangers’ generous defence next on the agenda, the 5.5-priced frontman looks well placed to take advantage before the schedule turns nasty around Gameweek 30.

Yaya Toure

One win and five draws in seven matches without Yaya Toure on board illuminates just how integral he is to the Sky Blues’ chances of securing back-to-back Premier League crowns. Before he was called up for international duty at the African Cup of Nations (ACoN), Toure had netted six goals in his previous eight starts, as City sat level with Chelsea on points at the head of the table – in his five-match absence, the champions have slipped seven points adrift of Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.

Priced at 10.7, Toure represents a significant outlay for any Fantasy manager searching for differential potential in Gameweek 26, yet a favourable run of fixtures (NEW, liv, LEI, bur, WBA, cry) leading up to the Manchester derby in Gameweek 32 make him a viable long-term investment. City’s immediate match-up – a Newcastle outfit that are down to their last four senior defenders following Paul Dummett’s knee injury – could serve as the perfect platform for Toure to announce his return in style, as Manuel Pellegrini looks to go on the offensive to boost his side’s chances of clawing back the Blues’ lead.

Brown Ideye

With four goals in his last three outings in all competitions, West Brom’s record signing is finally starting to justify the hefty outlay splashed out last summer. A peripheral figure under previous boss Alan Irvine, Ideye has been one of the main beneficiaries from Tony Pulis’ installation at the Hawthorns helm and, along with strike partner Saido Berahino, is starting to look a viable option in the budget bracket.

Priced at just 5.6 in the FPL game, Ideye bagged a brace in the Baggies’ 4-0 FA Cup victory over West Ham last weekend but with Berahino owned by over 13% of FPL managers, the Nigerian has been mainly ignored and sits in less than 1% of sides by comparison. With six favourable fixtures (sun, avl, STO, QPR, LEI, cpl) in the next eight allied with a security of starts that has boosted his self-belief, Ideye suddenly looks a key figure in ensuring the Baggies clinch survival.