634x258 Spot the Differential
24 August 2013 1173 comments
Paul Paul
Share:

Our weekly look at some overlooked Fantasy alternatives arrives for your perusal this morning. As always, we highlight a trio of protagonists with some favourable fixtures on their respective agendas in the Gameweek ahead.

Nikica Jelavic

Having taken the Premier League by storm during the latter half of 2011/12, the Everton forward struggled in his first full season on Merseyside last time out. Jelavic notched just seven times over David Moyes’ final year at the Goodison helm and with new Toffees boss Roberto Martinez snapping up Arouna Kone from former club Wigan, it seemed the Croatian would be edged out of the picture.

Jelavic has risen to the challenge, though, and over the summer returned to the form of old, notching four of his side’s 12 goals across the pre-season fixtures. With Martinez’ possession-based game affording Everton an extra attacking edge, the former Glasgow Rangers star is benefitting from the move to a 4-3-3, with Kevin Mirallas and Steven Pienaar offering support on either side; no longer is he reliant on knock-downs from the aerial threat of Marouane Fellaini.

Coming in at 7.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Jelavic has remained an under the radar option ahead of this morning’s Fantasy deadline. Just over 2% of managers have acquired his services thus far but with his confidence restored, the Croatian has a home clash with West Brom and trip to Cardiff look enticing opportunities for Fantasy points.

Peter Crouch

After a narrow defeat at Liverpool last time out, Mark Hughes’ home debut in charge of Stoke sees Crystal Palace pay visit later this afternoon. The Potters’ following three fixtures (whm, MCI ars) could well see them toil, making a victory against Ian Holloway’s men all the more essential at the Britannia.

With Hughes’ men set to go on the offensive against the Eagles, then, Crouch, as the lone target man in a 4-4-1-1 set-up, could be an unlikely Fantasy ally over the weekend. Hughes may be looking to implement a more possession-based approach but Crouch’s aerial threat may well prove the visitors’ undoing, with crosses aplenty expected from the likes of Matt Etherington out on the left. Coming in at 6.0 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and with an ownership under the 4% mark, he may appeal to owners of Nicolas Anelka or Romelu Lukaku looking for a short-term gamble.

Tomas Rosicky

An injury to Mikel Arteta keep the Czech midfielder in the first-team frame at Arsenal right now. With Jack Wilshere slotting in alongside Aaron Ramey in the double-pivot as a result of the Spaniard’s absence, Rosicky has started both of Arsenal’s fixtures in “the hole” behind Olivier Giroud and looks set to get the nod ahead for today’s lunchtime trip to Fulham.

A convincing midweek win away to Fenerbahce silenced the doubters and handed the Gunners a real confidence boost as they roll up to the Cottage. Martin Jol’s men may have scraped a victory at Sunderland but the Black Cats had 20+ attempts on goal at the Stadium of Light and with injury depriving the hosts of half their first-choice back-four (Kieran Richardson and Fernando Amorebieta) and keeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, Wenger’s side will be buoyed heading into this one.

At just 5.5 in FPL, with a 1.1% ownership, Rosicky is a short-term, under the radar option as Wenger’s side look to build on Wednesday’s morale-boosting victory in Turkey.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

  1. Bolt-on
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Walcott silva or lambert for the (c)?

    Open Controls
    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Out of those wallcot

      Open Controls
  2. FPLFamily (Lee)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Not much love for Lambert (c) this week?

    Lots of good alternatives in my team (Wally, Soldado, Dzeko), but on pens, no Europa game earlier in the week and might up his game in front of his home fans with Osvaldo arriving.

    Anyone (c)ing him?

    Open Controls
    1. Bolt-on
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Really thinking about it

      Open Controls
      1. FPLFamily (Lee)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        I think Di Canio has Sunderland playing a bit gung-ho as well - defending won't be a focus for them this year!

        Open Controls
    2. Sheep Flavour
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      I think people are worried with that new fella Saints brought in.

      Plus he has to stop scoring in at least one game....doesnt he? 🙂

      Open Controls
      1. FPLFamily (Lee)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Longer term I agree with you, although I can see Lambert starting this week, Osvaldo on the bench. I guess if Soton are cruising, Oscaldo may come on for Lambert - but by then Rickie will have done his damage! 🙂

        Open Controls
    3. mattyrobinson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      I think Sunderland might win to nil.

      Open Controls
    4. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Benteke on form
      RVP on form
      Lambert on form

      One of them has to have a blank soon but which one?

      Open Controls
  3. Sheep Flavour
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    When will people learn? Arsenal players are only worth it after a few games in to the season when they get rid of all there issues and they remember how to play.

    Open Controls
  4. Dr. Rog
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Snap quiz

    1) Lambo or dzeko
    2) what you said in 1 + half a mignolet or sold ado?
    3) choose 2 of wally silva coutinho

    a) if Lambo in 1 then midfield is silva and wally or cout
    b) if dzeko in 1 then midfield is coutinho and wally
    C) Else if soldado then silva+coutinho and no wally

    Now you may have contradicted yourself with mid selections so if you have go back to 1

    Open Controls
    1. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Dzeko
      what?!
      Wally & Cout

      Open Controls
  5. SuarezSaurusRex
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Just shipped Lukaku out for Osvaldo. A gamble actually. Now my lineup is like this:

    Boruc

    Ivanovic Toure Coleman

    Coutinho Mirallas Wally Hazard

    Osvaldo Dzeko Soldado(C)

    Foster Kim Chester Turner

    Open Controls
    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Won't start

      Open Controls
  6. KLOPPTOMANIA
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Hate having a cap who doesn't play on the sat 🙁

    Open Controls
    1. Orion
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      I like that actually... 🙂

      Open Controls
  7. Fabreghastly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Would you bench Snodgrass or Hazard?

    Ta

    Open Controls
    1. Puyol Self Together
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Haz I think.

      I've done Haz > Silva in prep for GW3.

      Open Controls
  8. Puyol Self Together
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Kim -> J.Cole for a hit??

    Open Controls
    1. Craggy Island All Priests O…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      No.

      Open Controls
  9. FollowFollow
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Who is on pens for Everton?

    Open Controls
    1. Pasqualinho
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Baines

      Open Controls
      1. FollowFollow
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks, forgot he was still there 🙂

        Open Controls
  10. Villain_123
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Who for (C)?
    Silva
    Dzeko
    Soldado
    Walcott
    Coutinho
    Mirallas

    Open Controls
    1. Courtois in the Rye
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Same question (except I have RVP over Coutinho).

      I'd narrow it down to Soldado, Walcott IMO.

      Open Controls
      1. Villain_123
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        No Silva or Dzeko, even in contention?

        Open Controls
        1. Courtois in the Rye
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          It's a personal view but Dzeko's security of mins warns me off and as a general rule I avoid Silva as captain as he's so rarely explosive in the way Walcott can be. Just my view though. I think I'm going RVP but still torn.

          Open Controls
  11. Spencer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Sturridge (c).

    Who's with me?!

    Open Controls
    1. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      werent u on mirallas last nyt?

      Open Controls
      1. Spencer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Yup. Flipped a coin just now.

        Open Controls
        1. lilmessipran
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          y not?studge is a good cpt.choice but i am still with mirallas (c) 🙂

          Open Controls
    2. FPLFamily (Lee)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Why not. There will be goals in our game today I feel. Can't see us keeping a clean sheet with Tekkers around - and can't see a Villa clean sheet, just because they don't tend to keep them!

      Open Controls
      1. Spencer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks B. Thats my thinking too. And will make watching the game more interesting (hopefully).

        Open Controls
    3. Absinthe 42
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      ME!

      Open Controls
  12. Optimus.
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    1) boruc/cabral/rvp/dzeko?

    or

    A) mignolet/j.cole/aguero/sturridge?

    Open Controls
    1. TheKingThierry
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      a for sure !

      Open Controls
    2. Spencer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      I prefer A

      Open Controls
    3. Optimus.
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      cheers..not what i wanted to hear 🙂

      Open Controls
  13. Kenny Dogleash
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Cisse worth a punt? Either him or Giroud..........or keep
    Lukaku

    Open Controls
    1. Spencer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Giroud IMO

      Open Controls
    2. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Giroud. On pens while arteta is out.

      Open Controls
  14. mattyrobinson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    William Hill can decide my captain (Anytime GS):

    Walcott 6/4
    Sturridge 5/4
    Mirallas 15/8
    Altidore 9/4
    Silva 9/4
    Soldado 4/5

    Here, have this armband Roberto....

    Open Controls
    1. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      haha

      Open Controls
  15. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Aguero only 6,5% in the captain poll, risky choice?

    Open Controls
  16. Hibs Kid
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Bench Ivanovic or Hazard for Whittaker? Which one?

    Open Controls
    1. GlasgowFF
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Neither, don't be silly.

      Open Controls
  17. Tim Canterbury
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    I hope Wally & Mirallas do something today they're all I've got until the late kick off 😯

    Open Controls
    1. mattyrobinson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      So at 3pm you'll just be waving around a Mirallas flag haha.

      Open Controls
    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Mirallas (c) here

      Open Controls
  18. TheKingThierry
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Have Aguero so might as well C him right? People seem confident in a Theo but has anyone given Benteke a thought?

    Open Controls
  19. tedward78
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Who to captain from Zabaleta, Silva, Soldado and Dzeko? Thinking about taking a punt with captaining Zabaleta... Thoughts?

    Open Controls
    1. GlasgowFF
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Soldado imo

      Open Controls
    2. Craggy Island All Priests O…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Captaining defenders hasn't tended to pay off historically; new bonus structure might help change that a bit, but I still wouldn't.
      I'm trying to keep things simple this year, so I'm captaining soldado (good form, at home, on pens, guaranteed start)

      Open Controls
  20. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Kim or Chester as first sub?

    Open Controls
  21. vova
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Which 3 should I play?

    Terry/Toure/Collins/M.Turner/Chester

    Bonus: Who would you captain Aguero or RVP

    Cheers

    Open Controls
  22. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Play the first 3 and captain Aguero.

    Open Controls
    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Sorry, meant as answer to Vova

      Open Controls
  23. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Good morning folks. All set for GW2?

    I'm still killing myself over who to play. M Turner or Chester. Chester has slightly better cs odds but turner has a slight goal threat.

    Open Controls
    1. mattyrobinson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      I have the same problem at the minute. There were some murmers that Turner might get dropped for a Bassong/Martin CB pairing. I personally don't see it but...

      Think it could easily be 0-0

      Open Controls
    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      same dilemma. murner for now. both ahead of toure for me.

      Open Controls
    3. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      I'm playing Turner only because that's was my First tought week ago.
      Not really Like it, nyt sat Morning changes Never work for me.
      Rmt says that I shoukd play both and bench Ivanovic tough...

      Open Controls
    4. Craggy Island All Priests O…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      what order from toure (avl), collins (new) & chester (NOR) would you guys recommend?

      Open Controls
  24. Tim Canterbury
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Should be a good day today. Prem games all day starting 12:45, watch the Aussies moan while the rain beats down. Couple of cold beers to go with it

    Open Controls
  25. Ninjaa
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    NINJA THOUGHTS PLEASE GUYS

    For a 4 point hit this week I could do

    Lukaku > dzeko ?

    OrNext week for a 4 point hit I could do

    Lukaku and hazard > aguero and Nolan

    Which one do I do?

    Btw my only citeh player is zabaleta.Thanks for views

    Open Controls
  26. Villain_123
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Everyone going for Soldado as (C), but i dont really see TOT v SWA will be a high scoring game and cant really see Soldado picking up that many points.

    Open Controls
    1. GlasgowFF
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks.

      Open Controls
    2. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Rubbish swans were wide open vs utd,biggest stumbling block could be thev excellent vorm....

      Open Controls
    3. Ninjaa
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Agree with villain. Swans won't attack to much at the Lane, will probably play for a nil nil and keep the ball.

      Open Controls
  27. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    England , the home of football,who,s jealous they don't live here????

    Open Controls
    1. GlasgowFF
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Not me.

      Open Controls
    2. Absinthe 42
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      I moved away, and very pleased I did.

      Open Controls
  28. GlasgowFF
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    I am really pissed that Benteke has risen. I planned to get him in after his blank.

    Don't understand why folk buying one week before a blank. Will he fall net week?

    Open Controls
    1. Pasqualinho
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      He might - especially if he scores low this GW. He needs far less than 10% of ownership to jump ship to force a price drop, so with the blank coming up it's very possible.

      Open Controls
    2. Craggy Island All Priests O…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Yes.
      You overestimate the average buyers foresight; half of them won't realise he has a blank and even more than that will be planning to ship between now and then anyway.
      Sit back and relax and it'll all work out fine!

      Open Controls
  29. Vpan
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Good Morning!

    Hazard + JRod -> Lallana + Soldado -4

    Is it worth it?

    Open Controls
    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      yes. already got RVP? If not, try another combo with the Dutch master.

      Open Controls
      1. Vpan
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        I have him already. Cheers!

        Open Controls