With eight teams handed a pair of fixtures apiece, this upcoming Gameweek offers Fantasy managers a chance of plenty differentials to consider. We’ve opted to draft in a couple of in-form midfielders as Newcastle and Everton come into consideration, while we’re going out on a limb by lining up one of Arsenal’s young guns, in light of Theo Walcott’s recent hamstring injury…
Yohan Cabaye
With Papiss Cisse and Hatem Ben Arfa dominating the headlines in recent weeks, Yohan Cabaye had gone largely unnoticed until his 17 point haul last weekend thrust him firmly into the limelight. As the third most transferred in player this week, it seems the secret is out – Cabaye is hot property right now, and with a tasty looking double Gameweek, his investors will be licking their lips at the prospect of another massive score. His current price of 6.0 and low 4.5% ownership only adds to his appeal and The Frenchman looks an outstanding differential for this Gameweek.
Trips to in-form Wigan and Chelsea may not look the easiest fixtures on paper but, in their current form, you’d have to back the Magpies to pick up a couple of goals at least, and Cabaye could well profit once again. It’s worth mentioning that he was substituted after taking a slight knock last weekend but, according to manager Alan Pardew, he is expected to be fully fit for the visit to the DW stadium this Saturday.
Marouane Fellaini
Handed a more advanced central midfield role in last week’s 4-4 draw at Old Trafford, the Belgian produced a 10 point Fantasy Premier League (FPL) haul, after grabbing a goal and assist to dent United’s title bid. Post-match, Fellaini admitted he’s more than happy pushing forward in support of lone frontman Nikica Jelavic and looks set to continue in the position for Everton’s double Gameweek.
While Fellaini has been snapped up by more than 10,000 Fantasy managers ahead of the Toffees’ fixtures against Fulham and Stoke, he’s still owned by a mere 1.5% and, priced at 6.1, offers a real alternative to the likes of 7.1 priced Steven Pienaar in the Toffees midfield. With a trip to Wolves to follow before a home clash with Newcastle, David Moyes’ men are afforded further chance to extend their unbeaten four-match run and finish the season with a flourish.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Gervinho’s trip to the African Cup of Nations gave us time to run the rule over the summer buy from Southampton back in January. Oxlade-Chamberlain was handed four back-to-back starts from Gameweek 22-25 on the left for the Gunners and made an immediate impact – returning two goals and an assist, he averaged over 6 points per game before finding himself back on the subs bench, with Arsene Wenger wary of burn-out, citing Jack Wilshere as a recent example.
With Yossi Benayoun unavailable against parent club Chelsea last weekend, the youngster was afforded a place on Arsenal’s left once again in the 0-0 Emirates stalemate. Having started the previous three, Benayoun is favourite to return to the first XI but, with Theo Walcott ruled out of the Gunners’ final three fixtures, Oxlade-Chamberlain looks set to move to the opposite wing for this week’s trip to Stoke.
The winger has plummeted to a season-low of just 4.9, with a mere 2.3% ownership, and, with Arsenal hosting Norwich before seeing out the season with a trip to West Brom, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contribution could well prove to be crucial as Arsene Wenger’s side continue their pursuit of a Champions League place.
