Our Friday evening regular is rolled out once again, as we highlight another trio of overlooked Fantasy alternatives for your perusal ahead of tomorrow morning’s deadline. This time round, we offer a route into the two most lethal attacks around right now and also consider a fit-again full-back with a favourable run of fixtures on the horizon…
Javier Hernandez
Climbing off the bench at Villa last Saturday evening, the Mexican’s deadly eye for goal broke the hosts’ hearts and helped United to yet another three points in their bid to reclaim the title. Such was Hernandez’s impact, Sir Alex Ferguson revealed post-match that the forward’s performance had earned him the right to start against Norwich this weekend – a claim once again reiterated by the United boss this morning.
Looking at the statistics, Hernandez been more than a little unlucky to have earned minimal game time. A single start so far this season harvested a nine point Fantasy Premier League (FPL) return in Gameweek 4, with a goal, assist and couple of bonus points against Wigan. Hernandez has played just 205 minutes in the league and has racked up four goals – Wayne Rooney has scored twice in 567 minutes by comparison.
Ferguson’s words of assurance have seen Hernandez acquired by significant numbers heading into tomorrow’s deadline – 51,000 FPL managers have snapped up the 7.6 priced forward thus far, yet Hernandez remains a real differential, with an ownership just slightly in excess of 3%. Similarly in the Sky Sports game, he comes in at 7.8 and is currently in just 1% of managers’ plans. With Rooney still a doubt due to the ankle problem that forced him off in last weekend’s 3-2 win, Hernandez looks set to partner Van Persie for the trip to Carrow Road and with United’s flourishing attack scoring three times in all but one of their last five road trips, goals look on the menu once again tomorrow evening.
Bryan Ruiz
It was a difficult first season for the Costa Rican. Ruiz arrived from Dutch outfit FC Twente with an impressive goalscoring tally (35 in 65 games) but the rigours of the Premier League proved initially problematic and matches all too often seemed to pass him by. Managing the full 90 minutes just nine times in 27 appearances, his Fantasy impact was minimal, with a couple of goals and four assists indicative of his early struggles.
This time round, it’s a different matter. Having finally grown accustomed to the greater demands of the English top-flight, Ruiz has turned in a series of strong performances as Jol’s side rack up the goals. Already, he has seven assists and has found the net once in eight appearances and with Dimitar Berbatov adding further class through the middle, the Costa Rican has racked up 42 FPL points – over five points per game.
Granted, the Bulgarian’s superior scoring rate and mid-price appeal is difficult to ignore but for those Fantasy managers intent on a cut-price route into the second most prolific attack in the league so far, Ruiz is an intriguing option. While a home clash against Sunderland tomorrow holds undoubted appeal, Fulham have shown an ability to find the net regardless of opponent – Jol’s men have notched twice against United and Everton and put three past Arsenal last time out. Priced at 5.8 in FPL and 7.5 in the Sky Sports game, an ownership of 2% and 0.2% respectively highlights the extent as to which Ruiz has been ignored.
Jose Enrique
Brendan Rodgers’ arrival on Merseyside had initially seemed the perfect fit for the former Newcastle man. The new manager’s preferred 4-3-3 system, with full-backs pushing on and offering threat from deep seemed tailor-made for Enrique’s attacking tendencies but injuries, combined with an initial lack of defensive solidity, saw the Spaniard drift off Fantasy radars.
Having fully recovered in recent weeks, Enrique is finally beginning to nail down a regular role for Liverpool, with a brief shift to 3-5-2 even affording him a chance on the left of midfield against Chelsea last weekend. Unbeaten in their last six, the vast majority of attention has understandably been heaped on the shoulders of Luis Suarez but, particularly at home, the Reds backline is also starting to produce. Rodgers’ men have shipped a single goal in their previous three at Anfield and this weekend welcome a Wigan side with just two goals in their last four road trips.
Priced at 5.7 in FPL and 6.9 in the Sky Sports game and with an ownership of 3% and 2% respectively, Enrique could once again come into contention as a viable Fantasy prospect, with a strong upcoming schedule offering clear potential over the Gameweeks ahead.
