As the frantic festive period moves into its final leg, we’ve one last set of selections left to roll out. For our first article of 2013, we’ve opted for a trio of overlooked midfield options, all with strong looking home fixtures ahead of them in Gameweek 21. Here’s hoping they can follow the lead of Kenwyne Jones from last time round…
Steven Gerrard
Week after week, the Liverpool skipper continues to climb the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) standings yet, due to a multitude of strong midfield options, remains overlooked. While the return of Lucas has helped Gerrard take up a more advanced role, he has still managed to produce when fielded deeper – as demonstrated in Sunday’s win at QPR.
A Loftus Road assist maintained a run which has harvested attacking returns in each of the last five Gameweeks, bringing three goals, four assists and six FPL bonus points from Gameweek 16 onwards. Although he seems to have moved down the pecking order when it comes to free-kicks, Gerrard still has a fair share of corners, in addition to penalty duties to fall back on – as demonstrated in the recent defeat at Stoke.
While many of the premium midfielders are occasionally prone to rest and rotation, Gerrard has played every minute of the season under Brendan Rodgers – a clear sign of his importance to the Reds’ cause. Now up to 104 FPL points – joint-fifth for midfielders – Gerrard is also just seven points behind Luis Suarez but while the latter has an ownership over 25%, his captain is installed in just 5% of teams. Coming in at 9.3 in FPL and 7.8 in the Sky Sports game, Gerrard plays host to Sunderland on Wednesday and is likely to be crucial once again as Rodgers’ side look for their fourth win in five at Anfield.
Oscar
While Gerrard offers security of starts, our next pick is a little more risky. Having started on the bench last weekend, we’re backing Oscar for a start as Chelsea welcome neighbours QPR to the Bridge on Wednesday evening. Since Gameweek 14, the Brazilian has alternated in and out of the first XI on a game-by-game basis and if the pattern continues, he could be set to feature from the kick-off against Harry Redknapp’s strugglers.
With a goal and three assists in the last three, including a 12 point cameo against Villa over 24 minutes in Gameweek 19, Oscar seems to be benefitting from Benitez’s rotation and tactical approach – he had previously produced just two assists in 10 games under Roberto Di Matteo. Coming in at 7.8 in FPL and 5.8 in the Sky Sports game, with a FPL ownership of 1.3%, he offers a mid-price alternative to Juan Mata and Eden Hazard and may well appeal to those who fancy a real punt on the Blues midfield before the winter wildcard comes into play.
Aaron Lennon
Our final pick is another first-team regular. Few had anticipated Lennon to play such a pivotal part in Tottenham’s season under Andre Villas-Boas but, along with Sandro, he is one of only two players to start all 20 of his side’s league games this term. A consistency of game time has proved beneficial – the former Leeds winger has already played more minutes than 2011/12, and has equalled his number of goals and bettered his bonus haul from the previous campaign.
Lennon heads into today’s home showdown against Reading with a goal and assist over his last couple of appearances and with Gareth Bale suspended for the hosts, his contribution may well be crucial against a stubborn Royals rearguard that has conceded just once in their last three. Crucially, though, Lennon looks set to be up against Ian Harte if Brian McDermott keeps faith in his rearguard – his speed down the flank could give the veteran a chasing as Villas-Boas goes in search of a third straight win.
Priced at 7.1 in FPL and 6.0 in the Sky Sports game, Lennon continues to fly under the radar, with an ownership of just 6%, despite accruing 85 points so far – just one less than Everton’s Steven Pienaar, for example.
