Spot the Differential – Gameweek 4

With many a Wildcard in play, it’s time to present you with our regular trio of left field options to tempt you off the beaten track. Our selection has value in mind, serving up a pair of Gameweek 3 scorers who look primed for back-to-back returns, plus a solid defensive option who looks to have cemented his start in a back four destined for further shut-outs.

KEVIN MIRALLAS

Whilst budget forward Steven Naismith remains Everton’s weapon of choice for Fantasy managers, Mirallas’ ownership is hovering just under 5%, and the Belgian’s underlying statistics suggest that he could be primed to emerge from his team-mate’s shadow as the Toffees roll up to West Brom this afternoon.

Despite only managing a ten minute substitute appearance in Everton’s first fixture of the season, Mirallas’ goal attempts outweigh Naismith’s at 10 to 7, placing the Belgian second in the rankings for total shots by midfielders this season, with an average of just over 19 minutes separating each of the winger’s attempts from one another. This goal threat proved effective against Chelsea last time out, with Mirallas opening his account for the season with a deft header, though with a large share of set pieces in his locker as well, it may not only be in front of goal that the 7.4 priced midfielder rewards his owners.

Today’s opponents will hold little fear for Everton, with the Baggies having conceded five goals already this campaign, including three in their last match against Swansea, and with Crystal Palace visiting Goodison Park in Gameweek 5, Roberto Martinez looks set to go out on the offensive again for at least the next couple of fixtures: Mirallas is likely to be one of the main beneficiaries.

DWIGHT GAYLE

It took less than a minute for the young striker to find the back of the net in Crystal Palace’s 3-3 draw with Newcastle a couple of weeks ago, and though that remained his only shot of the game, there’s no denying the starlet’s effectiveness when given opportunities. The Gameweek 3 goal was Gayle’s first league strike of the season in his first league start, though this was preceded by a first half hat-trick against Walsall in the Capital One Cup at the end of August.

A hamstring injury has ruled Marouane Chamakh out of Palace’s clash with Burnley this weekend, ensuring that Gayle should keep his place at the summit of Neil Warnock’s attack despite being a doubt with an ankle problem earlier this week. Another goal scoring performance from the 5.4 priced frontman today could well cement his starting spot for weeks to come, and with Leicester and Hull on the Eagles’ agenda in their next four fixtures, Gayle is certainly worth considering for managers eyeing up options in the budget forward department.

PHIL BARDSLEY

After Geoff Cameron underwent surgery earlier this week, Bardsley now looks nailed-on for Stoke at right back for the near future. The Potters have only conceded two goals over their first three fixtures, and will be looking to carry through the momentum from their shock 1-0 victory against Man City two weeks ago when they welcome Leicester to the Brittania today.

Despite being available for 0.6 less than team-mate Ryan Shawcross, Bardsley’s ownership remains at just 0.6%, making the former Sunderland man the least owned regular starter in Stoke’s backline.

Mark Hughes’ men face three home matches in their next five (LEI, NEW, SWA), whilst trips to QPR – who have only scored once so far this season – and Sunderland won’t daunt them too much either; Bardsley will be optimistic of adding to last Gameweek’s clean sheet and perhaps supplementing that with more attacking returns following his assist in Gameweek 2.