634x258 Spot the Differential
24 August 2013 1173 comments
Paul Paul
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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.

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  1. Adro3
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    (c)...
    Dzeko...
    Walcott...
    Benteke...
    Giroud...?

    Currently on Benteke. Ta

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    1. hillbillypete
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      me too at mo

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      1. Adro3
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        I dunno. Maybe Liverpool's recent defence and Mignolet can contain him... was nearly goong for Walcott. ??

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        1. hillbillypete
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          I don't like the early kickoff captains

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    2. Tabone
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      dzeko has the potential to go big i reckon. safe bet would be benteke tho.. cos if villa score you would think it wuld be him!

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      1. Adro3
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Dzeko may have less minutes, I'mruling him out. Don't like early KO captains either, think I'll stick with Benteke!

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        1. hillbillypete
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          plus its a live game 🙂

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  2. hillbillypete
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Captain choices:

    a) Walcott
    b) Lambert
    c) Benteke
    d) Dzeko

    what ya reckon?

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    1. Planet Jo
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Lambert, out of those

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    2. tw
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      dzeko or theo

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    3. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Lambert.

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  3. Dr. Rog
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Silva lambert

    Or

    Coutinho dzeko

    Next 2 weeks

    Can't have both city players already set on aguero and zab

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    1. lfc123
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Have u got Sturridge? If not the latter

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    2. hillbillypete
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      very tough. second I think.

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    3. Psakhotherapy
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      b

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    4. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      d latter

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

      Get rid of the doubts u know silva will play ,dzeko maybe ,lambchops may also outscore coutinho ,so A for me

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    6. Planet Jo
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      a

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      1. Tangogooner
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        A

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  4. Daniel Exeter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Just seen people taking hits to lose West Brom's Morrison, have I missed something????

    Damn it.

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    1. hillbillypete
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      he's gone down in price now 🙁

      may be my transfer tonight.

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  5. Christina.
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Tempted with Kun(c)....

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Nike.

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      1. Christina.
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        I don't have the balls though...

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        1. Billy Gilmore
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          It might be the difference between 4k and 3,999 😉

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    2. Jebiga
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Nice plan 🙂

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

      hes my (c) unless i lose him for Rvp

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      1. Christina.
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Are you on a WC at this late stage?

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

      Like it

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    5. Planet Jo
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      60 mins again

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  6. FantaCity
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Re-Captain choices, I wonder if any analysis has been done of team success rate versus match start times - ie. simply put, is there one time slot that is consistently high-scoring over the gameweek; first early match v late afternoon v weekday evening etc ?? Ridiculous?

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    1. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Stats can prove many things but also be massively misleading if you choose the wrong one.

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  7. Tabone
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    wwell if u have agueroalready i wouldnt worry about dzeko so A

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  8. 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?....

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

      Lambo imo

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  9. Demí
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    @johncrossmirror
    Moyes says Rooney has 'good chance' of playing v Chelsea on Mon. And Everton should let Fellaini and Baines go for the good of the players.

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  10. mattyrobinson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    I won't care if I don't score a single point today if Razavan Rat somehow finds his way on to the teamsheet.

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  11. Optimus.
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    for those who have no other choice like myself..The Tweenies has just started on CBeebies 😐

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    1. A.T
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Haha. My top 3 would be

      Peppa pig
      Sarah and duck
      Dora the explorer

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

      All about Little Einsteins here

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  12. Tabone
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    i thinking ill go dzeko (c) or soldado. but who would you pick?

    benteke
    soldado
    dzeko
    coutinho
    silva

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    1. Tabone
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      or mirallas sorry

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

    Anyone else crazy enough to captain mirallas ahead the likes of RvP, dzeko, sturridge and walcott?

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    1. Planet Jo
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      my dad

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  14. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Re Murner vs. Chester

    Hull looked so much better when Huddlestone and Livermore came on. Which is what is pushing me towards Chester.

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

      Chester for me, Hull will try to Birmingham their way through the league

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    2. Optimus.
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      not a bad choice..on penos now as well

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      1. Optimus.
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        oh dear..reply fail to your Giroud post below Lateriser 😀

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    3. tw
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      murner could pop up with a goal even if norwich don't keep a cs, decent goal threat

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  15. DropPointsNotBombs
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Jarvis a good pick for West ham?

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    1. blokeman
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Yes. I was going to go with Cole, but stuck with Jarvis in GW1. Not as explosive, but I think he's consistent and creates chances

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

    Migs Boruc
    Shaw Zabs Coleman Chester

    How about bench Shaw, start Boruc and go Chester? I think Hull is most likely for CS, will Shaw get attacking returns is the real poser..

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  17. blokeman
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    The Anelka conundrum.

    Is Chamakh worth a punt? I've only got 5.5...

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

      Not a bad idea, someone's gotta score. I will say his run out was horrible last week...

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

        Maiga?

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        1. blokeman
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 5 months ago

          Thought about it... Carroll factor is there, but he has better fixtures than Chamakh

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

            Carroll is a ways away, read up on it

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            1. blokeman
              • 14 Years
              12 years, 5 months ago

              Thanks mate

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    2. Tangogooner
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Chamakh is a lazy with a bad attitude, so glad we don't have him at arsenal anymore!... Would stay well clear..

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  18. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Another one.

    Tempted to captain Giroud ahead of Robin. Thoughts?

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

      If you're having one of your Giroud moments then go for it. You certainly have previous in getting some success with this strategy.

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

      Wow... Just wow

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    3. lfc123
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Don't

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    4. Johnnyboy UK
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      RVP 262 points last season Giroud 121

      Stats don't lie....

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    5. tw
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      you and giroud 😀

      i'm captaining theo fwiw

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  19. Johnnyboy UK
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Been trying to be a smart ass and get the price rises but failed to include Lambert. Didn't see his price likely to change on Fiso!?!? Oh well....

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Damn, that was gonna be my transfer today too. I definitely didn't see him on there either otherwise I would have made the transfer.

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  20. Puzzle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Play 2 of these this week:

    Chester, Mertesacker, Collins, Kim

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    1. blokeman
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Chester and Collins

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  21. garthsheehan
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    What's the deal with Zaha?

    When is he likely to play.....should I dropped him or hazard for a 4pt hit.

    Mids are......Coutinho, Silva, Hazard, Zaha, Morrison

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  22. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Most reliable 5.0 or under mid to get in terms of starts and attacking potential?

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  23. Birdman Transfer
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Who starts: Ramires or Cornelius?

    Who gets the armband: Zabaleta, Walcott or Benteke?

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

      Tekkers

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      1. Birdman Transfer
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        I was so sure I'd go with him after last week's performance, but I'm letting myself get caught up in the Walcott hype. I mean, Fulham's defense should be porous, and Arsenal are short of other attacking options...

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  24. lfc123
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Zaha > Snodgrass (-4)

    Or should i leave it?

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    1. FRESH SLICE
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Leave it. Snodgrass is in contention but might not be risked. Zaha might get his start.

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  25. FRESH SLICE
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Murner, Kolo, or Collins?

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  26. HellasLEAF
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Urgent!

    Pick one two swap for cheaper mid.

    Walcott or Silva

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    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      neither! both are great options this week

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  27. West Morrish Albion
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Silva or Soldado skipper for this week?

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  28. Higglet
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Bentekke scored 21 in 33 games

    Sturridge sc

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    1. Higglet
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      Scored 13 in 12..

      Sturridge (c)

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  29. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    What's your teams total value? 100.5m here.

    Reckon I'll regret changing c from Soldado to Walcott?

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  30. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 5 months ago

    Bench two from
    Ivan
    Turner
    Chester
    Toure
    Ward
    ?? Thanks

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    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 5 months ago

      toure and ward

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      1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks...my thought too

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