This Gameweek has proven to be a big headache for the Scout Committee team, and with a limited pool of talent to choose from, we’ve had to dig deep to fish out three worthy “Differential” selections for you. We’ve ended up with an Austrian, a Spaniard and a Serb. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before…
Andreas Weimann
Aston Villa have arguably the toughest fixture of any of the teams playing this weekend with a trip to Old Trafford on the agenda but we’re thinking ahead here, boxing clever. While returns are likely to be limited on Sunday afternoon, Weimann should be considered as a worthy option – Villa’s double Gameweek 35 means they play three times when every other team plays just once or twice, introducing an interesting strategy for navigating the next three Gameweeks. The paradox of fielding a full XI this week is that you end up with less players with a double Gameweek 36, but by using players from Bolton and Aston Villa, you can boost the number of matches in Gameweek 35 and gain an extra fixture without taking a points hit.
Obviously this strategy only comes good if Weimann plays every game and in that respect, it’s a risky choice. All the signs stack up in the Austrian’s favour however; he managed his first 90 minute run out last time out and Alex Mcleish has been raving about him in the press following his wonder goal against Stoke. Villa look all but safe from relegation and have little left to play for and, considering his main rival in the side – Emile Heskey – is unlikely to earn a new contract in the summer, you’d have to bet on the youngster getting his chance over the remaining games.
Fixtures and rotation risks aside, Weimann looks a real prospect. That’s two goals in the last five Gameweeks now, which is already more than Heskey has managed all season. Priced at 5.0 he can fit any budget, and with less than 1000 owners at the time of writing, he is currently a proud member of the 0.0% club. With United likely to be jittery following the Wigan defeat, the young Austrian’s fearless approach may just trouble them.
Aleksandar Kolarov
While Weimann is a pick that could come good once the Gameweek has passed, Aleksandar Kolarov is the opposite – a potential one-hit wonder who could possibly pay off big this weekend for those willing to take the punt. The Serbian is notorious around these parts for letting us down when we throw his name into the ring, so this one comes with a health warning. Even so, if Roberto Mancini chooses to rotate Gael Clichy and hand Kolarov an outing at Carrow Road, the formbook says he’ll make an impact.
Kolarov has notched a goal and three assists in his last two league starts – admittedly they were home matches but, in a Gameweek where clean sheets could be a scarcity, Kolarov has attacking potential that few defenders can rival based on form over recent outings. With just 0.8% ownership, if you take temporary membership to the Kolorov fan club (Mark is still the chairman, secretary and treasurer) then it could pay dividends at a time when gambles could be the order of the day.
Mikel Arteta
While Theo Walcott hoovers up transfers, his Spanish team-mate has quietly and efficiently blinked on the radar of late thanks to some outstanding home form. Two goals in his last two Emirates encounters, with maximum bonus thrown in, bodes well for Arteta. He has also amassed his most impressive performances stats over the past four Gameweeks – our members can dip and see for themselves how he compares to the field right now. In a nutshell, then, Arteta is in his best form of the season, just in time for luckless Wigan to arrive in his backyard.
The smart money will be on Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott to help themselves to further attacking returns but playmaker Arteta, with just 4.8% ownership, looks an ideal option for those seeking something a little different, with form to back it up.
