As the minutes tick down on another deadline, we look for inspiration amongst the lesser-owned Fantasy assets once again. Whilst 10 Premier League teams sit on the sidelines, all three of our overlooked alternatives have a home game on their agenda to earn themselves a place in the Gameweek 29 headlines this afternoon.
Craig Bellamy
Back after serving a three-match suspension last weekend, the veteran was immediately re-installed to the Cardiff starting XI by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. With Craig Noone still a slight doubt for this afternoon’s vital home game against Fulham and Wilfried Zaha handed just 45 minutes in th last two league matches, Bellamy’s experience and know-how look essential to his side’s chances of earning the points.
Crucially, in an ever-changing Bluebirds’ line-up, Bellamy seems to have his manager’s backing. The Welshman has started each of the last four league games he has been available for and grabbed a goal and maximum bonus points in his previous home appearance in a 2-1 win over Norwich.
Available for just 4.6 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), 7.3 in the Sky Sports game and 2.0 in the Sun Dream Team, he also has proverbial six-pointers against West Brom and Palace in the next five Gameweeks to help fire his side out of the drop zone.
Andre Schurrle
A three-goal haul against Fulham last weekend highlighted the German’s goal-getting capabilities. Whilst the likes of Oscar and Willian struggle to find the net, with a single goal apiece since Gameweek 12 and Gameweek 7 respectively, Schurrle grasped his opportunity with both hands against Felix Magath’s side to take his tally to six goals in his last four starts for the league leaders.
The problem is that Schurrle has only started four of his side’s last 20 league matches. Despite scoring against City in Gameweek 9, he was dropped the following week and played 30 minutes over the subsequent five fixtures. After notching twice on his next start and earning 15 points in a 3-2 defeat at Stoke in Gameweek 15, he was once again demoted to the bench before returning to the first-team for the Gameweek 20 win at Southampton. Schurrle then played 31 minutes over the next seven league matches prior to last weekend’s win at the Cottage – a clear indication of his erratic game time under Jose Mourinho.
Nonetheless, for those perhaps looking for a short-term punt, the German’s display will be hard for his manager to overlook against Tottenham later this evening as Chelsea seek the win that would take them seven points clear at the summit. Schurrle is vailable for 6.9 in FPL, 8.0 in the Sky Sports game and 2.0 in the Sun Dream Team if you fancy rolling the dice on Jose’s team selection.
Victor Anichebe
The Baggies forward was fit enough only for the bench last time around but still found time to maintain his impressive recent showings. Replacing the injured Billy Jones just before the break against Fulham, Anichebe presence up top allowed Pepe Mel’s side to grab a late leveller after he supplied the assist for Matej Vydra’s 86th-minute strike.
Having mustered just a single goal and assist in the opening 23 Gameweeks, the Nigerian has now found the net twice and also supplied a pair of assists in the last four league outings – essentially playing a part in all four of his side’s goals from Gameweek 24 onwards, including crucial equalisers at home to Liverpool and Chelsea.
Indeed, the Baggies have also drawn against Everton in front of their fans since Mel’s installation and will be quietly confident of picking up the points against under-fire United tomorrow as they look to complete a rare double over the Old Trafford outfit. Price at 5.1 in FPL, 7.5 in the Sky Sports game and 2.0 in the Sun Dream Team, Anichebe also has Swansea, Hull, Cardiff and Norwich in the subsequent four Gameweeks to boost his prospects of picking up the points and helping his side to safety.
