Spot the Differential – Gameweek 22

This week’s trio of overlooked alternatives offers an option for all three outfield positions. Liverpool’s raiding wing-back, the Magpies’ summer signing from Montpellier and Everton’s barnstorming Belgian all look in promising form ahead of some kind weekend fixtures.

Romelu Lukaku

Just as Tony Pulis prepares for his first away match in the West Brom hotseat, the former Baggies favourite is starting to find his form. As mentioned in this week’s Say What article, Lukaku has cited a more direct style of play as proving beneficial to his fortunes and with Roberto Martinez also claiming his big-money signing is finally fully fit, it was perhaps no surprise that Lukaku was amongst the goals in the midweek cup clash with West Ham.

Certainly, it’s about time the big Belgian rediscovered his eye for goal. Lukaku’s failure to score in each of the last seven Gameweeks has been a key factor in Everton’s recent struggles and with Martinez’ men sitting just three points ahead of the drop zone, Monday’s meeting with the Baggies looks vital to their prospects of building momentum in the second half of the season.

Now down to 8.8 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Lukaku also has showdowns with Palace and Leicester in the next five to add to his surprisingly low tally of just six goals so far. Encouragingly, Lukaku’s average of 29.1 minutes per shot is almost on a par with last year’s 27 – the issue has been a drop in conversion rate from 14.9% down to 10.2%. If he can start finding the net with a little more regularity, though, it could be worth reconsidering a player who has scored 15 and 17 times in the previous couple of campaigns.

Remy Cabella

A peripheral figure under previous manager Alan Pardew, the Frenchman was handed his fist 90-minute appearance since Gameweek 5 in Newcastle’s 2-0 loss at Chelsea last weekend.

Praised by caretaker boss John Carver for his Stamford Bridge display, Cabella carried the Magpies’ main goal threat by firing three attempts on goal against the Blues and looks poised to earn another opportunity to impress as Southampton roll up to St James’ Park.

With the Saints set to be without Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama in the centre of the park, their ability to earn another shut-out looks in question and Cabella – who racked up 14 goals and seven assists for Montpellier last season – could be set to benefit. Available for 7.1 in FPL, Cabella offers a route into a side that has won five and drawn one of their last seven on Tyneside and looks a viable option for those seeking a real punt prior to wielding their winter wildcards.

Alberto Moreno

Liverpool’s recent change of formation looks to have boosted their summer signing’s Fantasy fortunes. Handed the left wing-back berth in each of the last three Gameweeks, the 5.0-priced Spaniard has grabbed a goal and clean sheet to collect 15 points for the ever-improving Reds.

Up next is a trip to Villa Park and with the home side scoring just once in their previous six fixtures, Brendan Rodgers’ side will fancy their chances of earning back-to-back shut-outs for the first time this term.

Moreno’s attacking stats over the last three also bode well ahead of this afternoon’s encounter. Only two defenders have produced more than his five key passes, whilst the Spaniard leads the way for attempts on goal (five) – crucially, all of those efforts have arrived inside the area and underline his improved close-range threat as the Merseysiders look to heap more misery on under-fire Paul Lambert.