Itβs come to that time when many Fantasy members are looking to get rid of Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson. With nearly 50% ownership he is such a popular choice that even if he delivers, most of your mini-league rivals will have him. I certainly am finding this. I have somehow managed to climb to the top of my mini-league this week but Iβm now looking for a differential option to cement my place at the top. Furthermore, Sigurdsson faces three of last yearβs top six in the coming weeks, with two of them comingΒ away from home. Swansea have been in poor form lately, only winning one of their last six league games. Here, I cast my eye over some differential options to the highlyΒ owned midfield maestro. All Fantasy Premier League (FPL) prices accurate as of October 28.
Victor Moses
FPL Price: 5.5
Ownership: 0.4%
Team: Stoke
One of my midfield punt picks this season, Victor Mosesβ starting role at Stoke has allowed him to deliver points. He already has four assists to his name even after missing the opening couple of Gameweeks. His ability to beat oppositionΒ defenders is outstanding and he is pivotal inΒ Stokeβs attacking moves. He faces West Ham and Burnley at home in the next three Gameweeks, with a trip to lacklustre Spurs sandwiched in between. He creates a goalscoring chance every 36 minutes and has nearly 90% passing accuracy all over the pitch. The stats speak for themselves; Moses is a solid option for that midfield role.
Morgan Amalfitano
FPL Price: 5.0
Ownership:0.1%
Team: West Ham
One of the players who I am considering for this Gameweekβs punt article, Amalfitano has flown under many peopleβs radars in an over-performing West Ham team. Since Gameweek 6 he has nailed down a starting role and turned in sturdy performances which have delivered a couple goals. He managed four goals and four assists last season for West Brom and I can see him easily beating that this time around. At only 5.0 he is a cut-price option and frees up cash to bring in in-form players like Sergio Aguero and Leighton Baines. His 0.1% ownership is horrendously low for the player he is and I cannot believe more people havenβt plumped for him. NotΒ facing any of last seasonβs top five in hisΒ next eight fixtures gives him the chance to produce the goods.
Craig Gardner
FPL Price: 5.5
Ownership: 0.1%
Team: West Brom
The ever-consistent no-frills Craig Gardner is now playing at West Brom. He was an enticing prospect at Sunderland last year as he was on penalties. He no longer has that luxury but he is more key for the Baggies than he was for the Black Cats. He is their pendulum in the middle of the park and keeps things ticking over. He does take free-kicks and with Craig Dawson and Saido Berahino in the box he is likely to assist that way. West Brom tend to focusΒ theirΒ attacks through the middle and Gardnerβs through balls are a good outlet. He is yet to come up trumps with points but I reckon his time could come soon, making him another great differential.
Moussa Sissoko
FPL Price: 5.8m
Ownership: 1.5%
Team: Newcastle
When Sissoko arrived at Newcastle he couldnβt stop scoring. I remember owning him (although benching him) when he bagged a brace against Chelsea. He looks to be getting hungrier and hungrier this season, having 10 attempts on goal already. It may be a surprise to you, as it was to me, when I write that he is yet to score or assist this season despite playing every match. However, his performances have driven his side forward, even if they havenβt been FPL beneficial. However, with misfiring strikers, the goalscoring burden is falling on the midfield, with Gabriel Obertan and Sammy Ameobi scoring recently. His driving runs and bullet shots are always a threat and if he can exploit Liverpoolβs defensive fragilities down the flank he could score big this weekend and then hit a purple patch.
Marouane Fellaini
FPL Price: 6.3m
Ownership: 0.2%
Team: Manchester United
Fellaini has rescued points for Van Gaal in recent weeks with that goal against West Brom and an assist last weekend against Chelsea. As an Everton fan I know what Fellaini is capable of and with a little trust he can reach the heights he did for the Toffees. Van Gaal is putting that faith in him. With his physical prowess he is always a threat and adds a different dimension to any team, especially a technical United side. A big fixture against Manchester City gives him the chance to prove himself with the potential of point returns for a third week in a row and then he welcomes a Crystal Palace side, who will struggle to handle him, to Old Trafford. In my opinion, the points are there, it is just whether Van Gaal chooses to play him.
Ryan Mason
FPL Price: 5m
Ownership: 0.0%
Team: Tottenham
The fact that Masonβs ownership is 0.0% is shocking. As of October 28 he was owned by just 1,121 FPL managers. At only 5.0 and playing for one of the top sides in the league he seems a bargain. His performances have really caught my eye since his introduction into the first team. Despite being a deep-lying midfielder he likes to push further upfield. He got his first assist last Gameweek, as well as a bonus point. He has had six shots since Pochettino placed his faith in him, as well as having a goal scoring chance every 60 minutes. I nearly picked him as my midfield punt last week and if I hadΒ he would have delivered. He is very much on my radar this week.
