This week’s trio of overlooked alternatives have a lot to live up to after the headline act from last time out racked up the points. Our chosen three have all failed to live up to expectations so far but arrive on the back of impressive performances in the Gameweek gone by.

Juan Mata

In a season that has so far seen many of the previous year’s main protagonists fail to produce, Chelsea’s playmaker has perhaps been the biggest disappointment. Mata has failed to guarantee starts, never mind returns, and has been forced on to the periphery following the arrival of Jose Mourinho to the Bridge.

With the Blues boss questioning his work-rate and application, Mata has been reduced to a bit-part player – limited to domestic cup duties and occasional minutes off the bench, his lack of game time has sparked a significant exodus across the Fantasy games. His second-half introduction at Tottenham last weekend, however, may prove the catalyst for an about-turn in fortunes under Mourinho. Having supplied the assist for John Terry’s leveller at the Lane, the Spaniard kept his place for the midweek Champions League win against Steaua Bucharest and, with Mata pulling the strings, the Blues earned their most impressive result of the season.

Mata finished Tuesday’s game with his manager’s praise ringing in his ears and as the Blues prepare for a trip to Norwich tomorrow, he may well have done enough to keep his spot in the starting line-up. Price at 9.6 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) – from a starting price of 10.5 – 9.0 in the Sky Sports game and 7.0 in the Sun Dream Team, Mata is certainly a risky pick but for those looking to roll the dice, he could well be worth the investment as Mourinho goes in search of his first league win on the road this season.

Pablo Osvaldo

Arriving at St Mary’s on the back of a 16-goal haul for AS Roma last season, Southampton’s record signing was expected to hit the ground running. Osvaldo’s impact has been slow to materialise, though, and with Mauricio Pochettino’s defence proving the most reliable performers so far, the Italian international had, until last week, remained far from Fantasy radars.

As he finally starts to adjust to the rigours of the Premier League, Osvaldo’s class is becoming apparent. A goal and assist in last week’s 2-0 win over Palace resulted in the maximum bonus points and underlined the new boy as a definite alternative to team-mate Rickie Lambert – indeed, Osvaldo has now bettered the latter’s tally over the five games they have played together.

With a home game against a Swansea side that have shipped two goals in all but one of the last three Gameweeks, Osvaldo – with an FPL ownership less than 1% – is certainly worthy of our consideration. Coming in at 7.8 in FPL, 7.8 in the Sky Sports game and 3.0 in the Sun Dream Team, he also has three strong games in the following four (FUL, sto, HUL) to help kick on from last week’s haul against the Eagles.

Yohan Cabaye

With concerns over his fitness for Monday’s trip to Everton, the Frenchman was afforded no more than a bench role at Goodison. Sent on as a second-half sub for Hatem Ben Arfa after an insipid first 45 minutes left the visitors 3-0 down, Cabaye served a reminder of the talents that had Arsenal eyeing up a summer bid by firing home a superb long-range effort to give the Tyneside team hope of a comeback.

While their second-half display failed to harvest the points, it did, however, convince Pardew of Cabaye’s fitness and value as a first-team regular – post-match, the Newcastle boss was quick to underline the midfielder’s importance and confirm he will start against Cardiff this afternoon. With a share of set-pieces also boosting his appeal, Cabaye – 6.2 in FPL, 6.6 in the Sky Sports game and 3.5 in the Sun Dream Team, has now produced returns in each of his last two and will be key to the Magpies chances of clipping the Bluebirds’ wings.