You know the drill by now. You soak up the Scout Picks and then we deliver some alternative options that have slipped further down the Fantasy menu. Obscure dishes they may be, but these guys have the potential to reward returns to help close the yawning gaps on your mini-league rivals.
Joe Allen
Since Kemy Agustien suffered a hamstring injury last month, Joe Allen has impressed in his new starting role at Swansea; he has played every minute of the last four games, picking up two assists, as well as 2 Bonus Points for his man of the match performance against Stoke.
At just 5’7”, Allen is no midfield destroyer, but his naturally creative play and clever touch makes him an ideal pivot for the side. Allen sits slightly deeper in midfield, but because of the way Swansea play this means he sees a lot more of the ball; it doesn’t restrict him from getting forward and involved in the attacking build-up play. In fact, in the last 4 games, he has had more touches, made more passes in the opposition half, made more assist attempts and scored more FPL points than any other Swansea player, bar Scott Sinclair.
Although Sinclair is easily the most attacking player in the Swansea midfield, it is Nathan Dyer who has picked up the most investors over the first few weeks; his bargain price of 4.8m has seen him pick up over 13% of all FPL managers. Joe Allen in the meantime, has quietly snuck under the radar with just 0.5% but, at 4.5, offers potentially even greater value and looks a strong differential option if you’re struggling for cash.
Kyle Walker
The Spurs back four is in a sorry state right now, with injuries robbing Harry Redknapp of first choice centre-backs. The fact is, however, clean sheets are generally hard to come by across the board and once again Fantasy managers are left looking for attacking returns to help justify the outlay on a mid-price defender. In the case of Kyle Walker, there’s clear potential in this area.
Walker’s glorious match-winning strike against Arsenal provided the latest evidence of his threat in the opponents’ half and, with strong fixtures to come offering the potential of attacking returns, the right-back looks well positioned to contribute some points via his raiding runs down the flank.
A trip to Blackburn this weekend could be the start of those – Rovers’ home form is pretty poor and, with 10 goals conceded in four matches, you’d expect Spurs to come away with a couple, even if a clean sheet perhaps looks beyond them. At 5.4 in the FPL, Walker is a gamble but with just 1.8% ownership and the growing trend leaning towards investment in Stoke’s back four, he represents a clear differential.
Dedryck Boyata
While Bolton have had a few awful moments this season (yes Adam Bodgan, we’re looking at you), their place at the bottom of the table has more to do with a horrendous run of fixtures than anything else. As things start to ease up, however, we’re able to take another look at some of the potential targets in the Trotters’ ranks and with the entire team bar Gary Cahill and Martin Petrov being overlooked by the masses, there are plenty of differential options to consider.
Dedryck Boyata looks a solid starter and has the potential to provide returns at both ends of the pitch making him a bargain at just 4.0. Owned by 0.9% of FPL managers compared to Gary Cahill’s 26% (yep, we’re still scratching our heads on that one), he could be a great value pick for Bolton’s next three (SUN, swa, STK).
Chris Eagles
Take two Bolton players into the gameweek? Maybe. While Martin Petrov looks the safer investment for those seeking to plunder Bolton’s attacking potential against Sunderland and beyond, Chris Eagles is arguably a more “explosive” option with a greater goal threat.
A 15-goal return in 42 appearances for Burnley last season presents proof of Eagles’ potential- he’s hinted at this in spells for Bolton, firing in efforts on goal and taking his fair share of set-piece efforts. Eagles will go into the clash with the Black Cats in impressive form, off the back of a Man of the Match display against Wigan last weekend which produced 13 FPL points. While he’s struggled to cement a starting role in Owen Coyle’s side, Eagles should have no issues this weekend and, if he can replicate his goal and assist returns from the Wigan game, could be a decent prospect in the mid-term given Bolton’s fixtures.
At just 5.3 in the FPL and with an ownership of just 4.5%, the Eagles option looks the obvious route for those Fantasy managers yet to be convinced by Petrov or those looking to reserve some funds.
