Spot the Differential – Gameweek 14

As the clock ticks down on this evening’s deadline, we roll out our usual trio of alternative picks for your perusal. All our featured options will set you back less than 6.0 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and, crucially as the fixtures pick up pace, have three home games in the upcoming four to potentially take advantage of:

Peter Crouch

Having found himself warming the Stoke bench for a number of weeks, the big target man has forced himself back into contention with a series of talismanic displays. Since returning to the first XI in Gameweek 9, Crouch has scored or assisted in three of five appearances – a goal against United, a pair of assists at Swansea and an assist at home to Sunderland highlights his contribution.

Essentially, then, Crouch has played a part in four of his side’s eight goals since convincing Mark Hughes of his worth and will be key to the Potters’ chances at home to Cardiff tomorrow night. Coming in at 5.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), 7.8 in the Sky Sports game and 2.5 in the Sun Dream Team, he also has a trip to Hull and home game against Villa to bolster his short-term appeal.

Jay Rodriguez

A pre-season favourite around these parts, the former Burnley forward was slow out the traps for Southampton. Rodriguez failed to justify our early faith, with blanks in each of the first six Gameweeks, but has since found his form and more than merited his return to Mauricio Pochettino’s first XI.

From Gameweek 7 onwards, Rodriguez has produced a spell of real consistency and found the net in four of seven appearances – with goals against Swansea, Fulham, Stoke and Chelsea. Factor in an assist and eight bonus points across that run and, at 5.8 in FPL, he’s proven a real bargain over the past couple of months. Rodriguez – who will set you back 7.9 in the Sky Sports game and 2.5 in the Sun Dream Team, welcomes Aston Villa to St Mary’s tomorrow and plays host to City and Spurs in the next four, with a trip to Newcastle also on his agenda.

Barry Bannan

The only Palace player to score in any of the last five Gameweeks, the former Villa man looks vital to Tony Pulis’ attempts to steer his side out of the drop zone. With the Eagles expected to tighten up at the back and rely on aerial threat in the box, Bannan’s delivery from a left wing berth could be perfect fodder for the likes of Marouane Chamakh up top at home to West Ham this evening.

Coming in at just 4.4 in FPL (4.7 in the Sky Sports game and 1.5 in the Sun Dream Team,) the Scot has started each of the last five since the departure of Ian Holloway and, with home games against Cardiff and Newcastle also on his agenda over the next four, he looks a real under-the-radar budget option for the festive period.