This weekend’s trio of overlooked alternatives sees us turn to Everton’s record signing, the Baggies chief creator and an out of position prospect for Hull as Steve Bruce’s side look to condemn Burnley to Championship football once again.
Romelu Lukaku
Two goals in his last four starts – albeit via penalties – suggests Lukaku looks on course for his customary strong finish to the season. Potential investors in the 8.7-priced marksman will hope the big Belgian can replicate the late flourish he achieved in Sir Alex Ferguson’s last match in charge of United. Lukaku bagged a hat-trick for West Brom in a 5-5 thriller on the concluding day of the 2012/13 Premier League season, taking his tally to 17 for the campaign.
With nine goals and five assists to his name so far, the former Chelsea man has the chance to breach the double-figure barrier for the third successive year since being snapped up from Anderlecht by the Stamford Bridge club. Considering that Everton have won their last four encounters at Goodison Park – scoring eight and without reply – and face two home ties (SUN, whu, TOT) in their run-in, Lukaku could well be a difference maker in the final throes of this campaign.
Chris Brunt
In the last four Gameweeks, Brunt (5.2) has assisted four of West Bromwich Albion’s five goals as Tony Pulis’ men claw their way to safety. This impressive output – coupled with three bonus points in the Eagles clash and a trio of clean sheets – means the Northern Irish midfielder has average 6.25 points per game in his previous quartet of starts. Encouragingly, he now has nine assists for the season – his highest haul since 2010/11.
Mainly utilised in defence by his new manager, Brunt was shifted to left midfield against United last week due to an injury to James Morrison and with doubts still hovering over the Scot’s availability, Brunt could retain that advanced berth once again.
With Chelsea and Arsenal in the final two, it’s fair to say that Pulis will be looking to secure his side’s survival at the earliest possible opportunity. Given that a win over Newcastle would do just that, Brunt and co look set to go on the offensive against a side that’s lost eight straight league matches and is hit hard by injuries and suspension at the back.
Sone Aluko
With Steve Bruce uncertain whether to start Nikica Jelavic at home to Burnley, Aluko seems set to earn a fifth consecutive first-team appearance this weekend.
Classified as a midfielder in the FPL game, Aluko has been handed a role alongside Dame N’Doye in the front two in recent weeks and looks a viable out of position option as Bruce’s side look for a vital victory against the struggling Clarets.
Setting you back just 4.4, his budget price tag could appeal to those on the lookout for an enabler to free up funds ahead of Arsenal’s double Gameweek 37. Bearing in mind that the Tigers have clashes against Spurs and United in the final two, in addition to the fact that a loss would send Burnley down, both sides will be on the attack in this one and, having beaten Liverpool and Palace in recent weeks, the momentum is certainly on the hosts’ side.
