With the games coming thick and fast over the Christmas period, we’re covering the next three gameweeks in a Differentials ‘Christmas special’.
While a Robin Van Persie goal is about a predictable as sprouts for dinner at this time, there’s something slightly more magical about picking a player that no one else has, and seeing them bring home the points. With the January wildcard available from gameweek 21, there’s never been a better time to take a punt on a ‘Differential’. So go on, take a risk or two. If it goes wrong, you can always blame it on the sherry…..
Leon Osman
Leon Osman’s goal against Swansea was his second in two games, and with maximum bonus in both matches he has been a huge differential for the 1.5% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers that currently own the versatile midfielder. Royston Drenthe may be the most eye-catching option in the Everton midfield, but with doubts over his fitness making him a rotation risk, Osman is the smart choice. The dimunative midfielder has been one of Everton’s key players in the last 12 months and, barring injury, he looks about as rotation proof as anyone right now.
Key to his recent upturn in form has been David Moyes’ decision to play him “in the hole” behind Louis Saha, a position he revelled in during the latter part of last season. With Tim Cahill struggling for form and fitness, it seems he could now be in for a run of games in this role, which makes him a very interesting prospect considering Everton’s upcoming fixtures. A trip to Sunderland and West Brom is followed by that double gameweek in week 20, and at just 6.7m he could be a great investment.
Kieran Richardson
Sunderland’s 3-2 win over QPR on Wednesday was only the second time this season they’ve scored 3 or more goals in a game, and Martin O’Neill’s arrival seems to have had a positive impact on several of Sunderland’s attacking players. Kieran Richardson may have been moved back to the left-wing after a run of games in the centre, but he still picked up two assists at QPR and along with Stephane Sessegnon, he looks a decent budget pick over the medium term.
Sunderland’s next two games against Everton and Man City aren’t the easiest, but with both fixtures at home they will still expect a couple of goals, and the trip to Wigan also offers potential for Richardson get amongst the points. With rotation rife at this time of year, the fact that Richardson has started every game since week four makes him a decent option as a fifth midfielder. Priced at just 5.8 and an ownership of 0.8%, he could also prove to be a handy differential.
Peter Odemwingie
After his bizarre falling out with manager Roy Hodgson last month, the injury problems that had plagued Odemwingie earlier in the season appear to have mysteriously disappeared: it seems the consistent form from last term has returned. Odemwingie has been hugely influential in recent games, and with four goals and three assists in as many matches, including that stunning solo goal against Blackburn, paying that extra 1.5 over team-mate Shane Long looks well worth it right now.
As one of the standout performers from last season, Odemwingie is capable of scoring against anyone and the prospect of facing Man City, Everton and Tottenham over the next three gameweeks, shouldn’t worry him too much. Few will have expected returns against Newcastle last time out, but Odemwingie fetched a goal and an assist in the Baggies’ 3-2 win. With Demba Ba available for a similar price, Odemwingie has been mostly overlooked, but with Newcastle’s fixtures tightening up and Ba off to the African Cup of Nations in a couple of weeks, Odemwingie could be an ideal swap to carry you into the New Year.
