Spot the Differential – Gameweek 34

Our early Saturday regular arrives once again as the minutes tick down on this morning’s deadline. This time around we focus on the midfield and offer up a trio of attack-minded prospects with plenty still to play for.

Samir Nasri

Whilst Yaya Toure has racked up the returns and David Silva has picked up in ownership after a series of impressive displays, their fellow City midfielder remains largely neglected. Having recovered from a knee injury in late February, however, Nasri has started to pick up the points and has proven to be a key member of Manuel Pellegrini’s title-challenging side.

The Frenchman has produced a goal and three assists in his last four appearances for City, with the maximum bonus points also thrown in for good measure in last weekend’s demolition of Southampton. Granted, he’s not quite at Toure’s level of consistency but for those eyeing up a double-up option into Pellegrini’s midfield, Nasri may well appeal as a cheaper alternative to Silva across the Fantasy games.

Nasri’s consistency of starts also strengthens his appeal ahead of City’s pair of fixtures against Liverpool and Sunderland. From Gameweek 4 onwards, he has been named in the first XI in 22 of the 24 league matches he has been available for, with only that aforementioned knee injury curtailing his game time. Available for 8.2 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), 6.3 in the Sky Sports game and 4.0 in the Sun Dream Team, Nasri also has West Brom, Palace, a double against Everton and Villa, and West Ham still to follow as Pellegrini’s side go on the attack in their attempt to clinch the title.

Aaron Ramsey

With eight goals and six assists in the opening 18 Gameweeks, the Welshman was arguably the Fantasy success story in the opening few months of the season. Having found the net just once in 2012/13, it’s fair to say that little was expected from Ramsey but his rise to prominence found a place in many a Fantasy side, with his price rocketing from 5.5 to 7.6 by late December before a thigh injury against West Ham sidelined him for a number of months.

After a couple of setbacks, Ramsey has finally recovered from the problem and signalled his return with a brief substitute appearance in last Sunday’s defeat at Everton. With another week’s training behind him, though, Arsene Wenger has confirmed the midfielder will start this afternoon’s FA Cup semi-final against Wigan as the Gunners look to steer their season back on course after a recent run of poor performances.

Arsenal then have five very favourable remaining league matches which could help clinch another fourth-placed finish. Up next is a home game with the Hammers this Tuesday, and with trips to Hull and Norwich sandwiching back-to-back Emirates encounters with Newcastle and West Brom, the schedule suggests that Ramsey (now priced at 7.0 in FPL, 5.8 in the Sky Sports game and 2.5 in the Sun Dream Team) could well be poised to pick up where he left off and finish the campaign with a flourish.

Mohamed Salah

Handed his first league start in last weekend’s home game against Stoke, the young Egyptian’s man-of-the-match display highlighted just why Chelsea were so keen to acquire his services back in January. Salah served up a goal and assist in the 3-0 win, winning the maximum FPL bonus points along the way, earning him a 14-point return as Jose Mourinho’s side recovered from the previous weekend’s loss at Palace.

Impressive form aside, Salah’s claims for another start were strengthened by midweek events in the Champions League – a tournament the winger is ineligible to play in, having already featured for FC Basel earlier in the season. Eden Hazard’s early withdrawal in the win over PSG with a calf complaint, allied with the Blues’ progress to the final four, suggests the winter signing could retain his role on the right for Sunday’s trip to Swansea.

Mourinho’s decision to postpone yesterday’s press conference leaves Hazard’s owners guessing over his availability, though bearing in mind his team are still battling for silverware on two fronts, it seems likely the Chelsea manager won’t take any unnecessary risks with the Belgian. With a home clash against Sunderland on their agenda next week, the Stamford Bridge outfit certainly have the fixtures to flourish and Salah, priced at just 5.5 in FPL (7.1 in the Sky Sports game and 3.0 in the Sun Dream Team), may well be worth a flutter for those looking to free up cash to facilitate Sergio Aguero’s acquisition for City’s double.