With just nine gameweeks remaining, many of you will be looking at your mini league table and desperately searching for a way to claw back the 50 or so points that stand between you and that git from the office. Playing it safe might keep you in second spot, but why settle for that when you can wipe the smug grin off his face with a transfer of Hitzlsperger-esque proportions? Before you press the button on the obvious Rooney or Lampard move then, cast your eye over our pick of this week’s differentials…..
Chris Smalling
A string of defensive injuries means United are expected to field a makeshift back four of Fabio, Wes Brown, Chris Smalling and Patrice Evra against Bolton. Tough break for United, but it could be a great chance for Smalling to get a run of games under his belt and at just 4.4m he looks great value. While Vidic’s injury is more short term, Ferdinand has already missed nine games through injury, and Ferguson believes he is unlikely to make a comeback anytime soon….
“I’m sure Vidic will be back after the international break, but Rio hasn’t started training yet and we’ll be lucky to maybe get him back for part of the season”
United’s next three fixtures see them host Bolton and Fulham and travel to West Ham, so despite the worrying lack of back up in defense they still look good for clean sheets. Fixtures are not so great after this though, they miss Gameweek 33, then face Everton, Arsenal and Chelsea. You’ll need to invest this week if you are considering him then, but at just 4.4m he should be an easy swap in and out of your side.
Stephane Sessegnon
With all the noise in the media surrounding the departure of Darren Bent for £18 million, many will have overlooked the arrival of Sulley Muntari and Stephane Sessegnon at Sunderland in the January window. Despite all the moaning, Niall Quinn looks to have done very well in the transfer market this year; Asamoah Gyan is getting better every game, and Stephan Sessegnon looks to be worth every penny of the £6 million Sunderland paid for him.
The 26 year old Benin international, has been plying his trade in the French leagues for the last five years, and has plenty of experience in a variety of positions. A skilful and fleet footed winger, Sessegnon was used as a central playmaker in his first season at Paris St Germain, before moving to his more natural role on the wing. He can play on either flank, and likes to run at players as well as shoot from distance whenever he gets the chance, so should pick up a couple of goals at least before the season is through.
A quick glance over the OPTA stats show he has managed 11 shots over the last four weeks, with six of those on target. That puts him up there with the likes of Nani, Kuyt and Lampard in terms of shots so when you consider he also managed five key passes in those games, he looks like a real bargain at just 6.0m.
Sunderland are without a league victory since the end of January, but they are definitely coming back into form, and the return from injury of Lee Cattermole and Danny Welbeck will give them an added boost. Fixtures look great for the run in, with just one of their final seven games coming against a side in the top half of the table, so goals should be on the cards and when they come, Sessegnon has a great chance of being involved.
Sessegnon is currently owned by 0.1% of all FPL managers and has been brought in by just 152 people this week. He is a true differential then, but one that we are expecting big things from.
Victor Moses
Even more of a wildcard pick than Sessegnon is young Victor Moses at Wigan, who has been brought in by just 25 people this week. Despite being classed as a midfielder in the FPL game, Moses has been playing as the main striker in a 4-3-3 formation and is available for just 4.5m, so with fixtures easing up considerably he could be a decent differential alternative as a fifth midfielder.
Moses has struggled to hold down a regular place this season, but he has now started Wigan’s last four league games, and with his confidence growing every game, he is beginning to show some of the potential that made him the hottest property in the 2009/10 January transfer window. Although more of a link up player than an out and out striker, Moses is still capable of scoring some spectacular goals, and his all round play should see him pick up the odd assist and bonus point too.
Wigan’s form has been terrible of late and they have managed just one goal in their last three games, but that was against Liverpool, United and Man City, teams you would expect them to struggle to score against. Home games in the next four against Birmingham, Tottenham and a trip to Blackpool is an entirely different prospect, and with Martinez is refusing to give up on the attacking ethos he has instilled in his young players, we should see them start getting on the scoresheet again. A couple more 4-3 ding dongs like the game against Blackburn would be a nice payback for investors in the likes of Charles Nzogbia or Victor Moses.
Junior Hoilett
After being picked out previously in Gameweek 24, Hoilett went on to hit nine points against West Brom and again looked lively the following week against Spurs, but at the time he was under threat from the arrival of Roque Santa Cruz and the return to fitness of Jason Roberts, so was only floated as a short term punt. A few weeks later and things look a little clearer; Instead of losing his place, it seems Hoilett has been moved out to the wing instead. With his pace and willingness to cut inside and run at defenders, this shouldn’t affect his attacking returns too much and a look at the OPTA stats available to members backs this up; he managed three assist attempts, and six successful dribbles on top of his goal against Fulham.
With a home tie against Blackpool up next, Blackburn will be hoping to score at least a couple so his incredibly low price of 4.0m and ownership of just 0.9% make him worthy of a punt this week, even if your intention is just to use him to free up some funds to spend elsewhere.
Best of the Rest
Danny Welbeck should start against Liverpool on Sunday, and is another strong option from the Sunderland lineup. Priced at just 4.6m, he represents fantastic value as a third striker and is currently owned by just 0.8% of all FPL managers. Jermaine Defoe also looks like a strong option after finally getting his first two league goals of the season against Wolves, and with a Home game against West Ham he will be looking to get on the score sheet again, although is a little pricey at 8.5m. Finally, Phil Jones is expected to return for Blackburn after making a miraculous recovery from a serious knee injury, although it is unlikely he will last the full 90 minutes. He is definitely one to keep an eye on for the future, after dropping to just 4.2m.
