After last week’s selections Emre Can and Dele Alli came through in spectacular fashion in Gameweek 14, we’ve turned to another two midfielders, along with a potential bargain in attack, ahead of this morning’s deadline.
Divock Origi
A four-match suspension for Man City’s Sergio Aguero and a shoulder injury for Southampton’s Charlie Austin means plenty of Fantasy managers seeking out a new forward this week, and Liverpool’s Divock Origi is perhaps someone who we shouldn’t be overlooking.
The Belgian has scored three goals in as many matches in all competitions, and with Daniel Sturridge appearing to be some way off a first-team return due to a calf injury, he looks to have secured a starting spot for the time being.
Origi is available at just 6.6 in FPL, and tomorrow faces a West Ham United side that has conceded 10 goals in their last four matches.
The Hammers have also allowed 11 big chances over that period, second to only Swansea City, with 12, so Origi looks to have the ideal fixture in which to continue his good form.
Jurgen Klopp’s side also face a decent run of fixtures (mid, eve, STO) over the coming period that could see Origi should be able to provide excellent value.
The Liverpool forward is only owned by 3.3% of FPL bosses, and given the Reds have scored more goals (35) than any other team this season, he looks worth backing for those that are looking for a short-term fix in attack.
Sadio Mane’s departure for the Africa Cup of Nations also raises hopes that the Belgian may be able to cement a role over January, particularly if Philippe Coutinho fails to recover from an ankle problem over the next few weeks.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
After taking time to adapt to the English game, Man United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan has worked his way into Jose Mourinho’s starting XI over the past few weeks, raising hopes that he may finally emerge as a viable option for us to consider.
The Armenian claimed two assists in the 4-1 win over West Ham United in the EFL Cup at the end of last month, and opened his account for his new club with a composed finish in Thursday night’s 2-0 win against Zorya Luhansk in the Europa League.
Mkhitaryan now looks likely to keep his starting berth against Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow, before United’s schedule (cpl, wba, SUN, MID, whm) really opens up over the next few matches.
The summer signing has seen his price in FPL drop from 9.5 at the start of the season to 8.9, which should make it easier for us to find a spot for him in our five-man midfields.
His arrival at Old Trafford was greeted with much anticipation given he totalled 11 goals and 20 assists in just 31 league appearances for Borussia Dortmund last season, so with his confidence appearing on the rise, Mkhitaryan certainly looks a player who could be worth taking a gamble on if you’re looking for a outlandish but high-impact differential.
He’s currently sitting in just 1.7% of FPL squads and, while tomorrow’s match-up may not be the most favourable, he looks to have the fixtures to flourish over the remainder of this month.
Yaya Toure
Given that he was ineligible to face Celtic in the Champions League in midweek, we’re hopeful that Man City’s Yaya Toure will be named in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI for today’s late kick-off against Leicester City.
Over the last three Gameweeks, the Ivorian is ranked joint-third among midfielders for shots inside the box and, available at just 7.6 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), could profit against a Leicester side that have conceded eight goals in their last four league matches.
The Foxes are also coming off a 5-0 defeat to Porto in the Champions League, although they did rest many of their regular starters.
Toure is only owned by 1.7% of FPL managers, and with Sergio Aguero suspended for the next four matches, Pep Guardiola will be looking to his midfield to help ease the burden on the Argentine’s likely replacement Kelechi Iheanacho.
The brace Toure managed on his comeback against Crystal Palace illustrated he still has the ability to deliver at the highest level, and with City also facing Watford and Hull City in the next four, the 33-year-old could prove to be a intriguing differential.
The only issue is rotation, with Guardiola having a plethora of options to choose from in midfield, although he will be without the suspended Fernandinho for the next three matches.
Investing in Toure does carry a risk, then, but having scored 37 goals and registered 14 assists over the past three seasons, there’s no doubting his pedigree.
As we’ve witnessed in seasons past, the absence of Aguero may even see the Ivorian temporarily handed spot-kick duties until the Argentine returns on New Year’s Eve.
