Everton’s stuttering season, with a constant struggle in front of goal, has done little to boost the reputation of their Fantasy assets. While Tim Cahill and Louis Saha continue to frustrate with sporadic appearances and fragile form, Leon Osman has slowly emerged as a worthy Fantasy prospect on the eve of a double fixture in gameweek 20.
While the pace and direct running of Royston Drenthe has garnered most of the attention around Goodison Park recently, Osman has been quietly been going about his business. He has yielded double figure returns in two of the last three weeks and averages 8.66 points a game in that time. Osman’s recent goal scoring performances against Norwich and Swansea were both awarded maximum FPL bonus points – he is now Everton’s leading player in this area. A rather dubious assist for Leighton Baines’ penalty at Sunderland saw Osman’s returns continue to flow, and he goes into the double gameweek fixtures with Bolton and Spurs as David Moyes’ in-form attacking player.
At times, the diminutive midfielder has been in and out of Moyes’ lineup, but recent performances have cemented a starting role. Osman has played on the left of midfield, or up in support of a lone striker. This versatility, coupled with injuries and a lack of form elsewhere in the squad, should see him nailed-on for the forthcoming fixtures.
Drenthe is undoubtedly the explosive option in the Everton midfield, and with a price difference of 0.8, there are factors in favour of the Dutchman. Osman’s form is eye-catching however and, with Drenthe failing to complete 90 minutes in his last three starts, Osman appears to be the more secure and consistent choice.
