Spot The Differential – Gameweek 27

In our quest to unearth three hidden gems this Gameweek, we’ve turned to a trio of midfielders who netted in the previous round of fixtures. Manchester United’s favourable match-up draws us towards their overlooked Spaniard, while we’re backing Liverpool’s fleet-footed Brazilian to triumph in the face of stern opposition. To complete our line-up, we see the Villains’ rejuvenated winger as the catalyst to end their losing streak.

Ander Herrera

Competing for places in Manchester United’s midfield alongside the likes of Michael Carrick, Daley Blind, Wayne Rooney and Adnan Januzaj, Ander Herrera has largely been consigned to a bit-part role in the league this term. More recently, though, a lengthy injury to Carrick, allied with Rooney’s deployment in a more advanced role – in light of Robin Van Persie’s absence – has afforded the Spaniard starts in the Red Devils’ previous three matches in all competitions. The 25-year-old bagged two goals in that period, including his third of the league campaign.

Intriguingly, Herrera has now netted in all three clashes in which he’s lasted the full 90 minutes. Moreover, in terms of productivity, the former Athletic Bilbao man has contributed a goal or an assist more frequently (every 133 minutes) than both Rooney (161 minutes) and Van Persie (165). Herrera (7.1) is no doubt a risky proposition, yet with many Fantasy Premier League big-hitters tied up at the Capital One Cup Final, United’s home tie against Sunderland and subsequent trip to Newcastle could encourage short-term investment in Louis van Gaal’s outfit before the schedule stiffens in Gameweek 29.

Scott Sinclair

Following a nightmare three-year spell at Manchester City in which he only registered 13 league appearances, Scott Sinclair appears to finally have his flagging career back on track, with goals in his last two outings for Aston Villa. The 25-year-old winger clocked his first 90 minutes of the campaign against Stoke last Saturday, lining up to the left of Christian Benteke in a 4-3-3 set-up and opened the scoring in Tim Sherwood’s first official match in charge. At least in these early stages, Sherwood’s employment of Sinclair and Gabriel Agbonlahor suggests he favours pace on the flanks, strengthening the former Swansea star’s chances of securing a run of starts.

If Sinclair harbours any aspirations of returning to the form that earned him that ill-fated move to City, then the Villains’ upcoming run of fixtures (new, WBA, sun, SWA) provides a decent platform to achieve just that. An embattled Newcastle defence – that shipped five goals against the Sky Blues last Gameweek and has a single clean sheet in 14 attempts – should present Sinclair with opportunities to test goalkeeper Tim Krul and help bring an end to Villa’s 11-match unbeaten streak.

Philippe Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho should take to the Anfield pitch on Saturday with renewed energy, having sat out the Reds’ midweek Europa League clash against Besiktas. Prior to Thursday, the Brazilian playmaker had started their last 19 matches in all competitions, illustrating how integral he is to Brendan Rodgers’ plans. Liverpool’s 10-match unbeaten run in the league has yielded five assists and two goals for Coutinho, as contrasted to his one-goal haul for the rest of the season. Furthermore, the Merseysiders’ 2-0 win over Southampton on Sunday marked the 22-year-old’s most productive afternoon (11 points) this campaign.

Prospective investors may well be discouraged by the fact Liverpool face Manchester City at the weekend, yet it’s worth noting that Coutinho has been particularly consistent in front of his own fans and delivered attacking returns in four of his last five at Anfield. Additionally, while Sergio Aguero and David Silva arrive in terrific form, City’s defence has been far from impregnable on the road – the champions have registered a single clean sheet (at Leicester in mid-December) in their last six road trips. With a midweek home clash against Burnley to follow, Coutinho, at 7.7 in FPL, could prove a canny alternative as the Reds look to bounce back from the disappointment of Thursday’s Europa League exit to Besiktas.