Our regular look at a trio of overlooked options returns for your perusal this evening. Our headline act has much to make up for after missing the last three matches though suspension, whilst we shine the spotlight on a couple of budget-friendly midfield options ahead of tomorrow’s deadline:
Loic Remy
Arriving on loan from QPR at the end of the summer transfer window, the Frenchman hit the ground running for Newcastle. Remy quickly became a key player for Alan Pardew and, embarking on a spree of eight goals, two assists and 14 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bonus points in his first 11 appearances, proved one of the most reliable frontmen around in the mid-price bracket.
His subsequent 11 fixtures have harvested just three goals and a single assist by comparison as Remy’s form faded away over the hectic winter period. A red card for violent conduct at Norwich late last month has kept him out of the Magpies’ last three matches and with Yohan Cabaye snapped up by PSG, the Tyneside team have stumbled without their two main goal threats, failing to net in any of the last four.
Having served his suspension, the Frenchman’s return to the fold will be a welcome relief for Pardew this weekend as Villa roll up to St James’ Park. The midlands outfit have shipped at least two goals in five of the last six Gameweeks and have been far from resilient at the back, handing Remy the perfect opportunity to atone for those weeks on the sidelines by firing his side to a much-needed win.
Available for 8.0 in FPL, 7.8 in the Sky Sports game and 3.0 in the Sun Dream Team, Remy also has Hull, Fulham and Palace in the next five to somewhat balance out a Gameweek 29 blank and get his – and Newcastle’s – season back on track.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
The Arsenal midfielder has returned from months on the sidelines from a knee injury to bolster Arsene Wenger’s options in recent weeks. In his first start since the opening day of the season, Oxlade-Chamberlain bagged a brace against Palace earlier this month to highlight his goal-getting ability at a time where many of the Gunners’ premium-priced options are struggling to justify their lofty valuations.
Having followed that up with an assist in the 5-1 defeat at Liverpool, Oxlade-Chamberlain continued the consistency that has seen him score or assist in all three of his league starts for the north London outfit. Having been left out of the starting XI against United last week, with Wenger opting for the experience of Tomas Rosicky instead, the former Southampton starlet looks likely to return to the XI for tomorrow afternoon’s home clash against Sunderland.
Available for 6.7 in FPL, 5.0 in the Sky Sports game and 2.5 in the Sun Dream Team, he also has a trip to Stoke next weekend to maintain the momentum of his impressive comeback.
Chris Brunt
The Northern Ireland international has stepped up in threat since the arriving of Pepe Mel last month. Brunt may have scored just once in the five matches under his new manager but, delving deeper into the data, there’s plenty of room for optimism – across that period, he is one of only four midfielders to have produced at least 12 “key passes” and registered 12 or more attempts on goal. Given that Eden Hazard, Santi Cazorla and Willian are the other three, the Baggies playmaker’s underlying stats certainly indicate he is in elite company and suggest an upturn in Fantasy potential could be on the cards.
Up next for Brunt is a plum home fixture with Fulham tomorrow and, whilst a blank Gameweek 28 dents his appeal, he then faces Swansea, Hull, Norwich and Cardiff in four of the subsequent five. If the midlands outfit can replicate the level of commitment that has already harvested draws against Everton and Chelsea under the new man in charge, their chances of beating the drop look good. At 5.0 in FPL, 5.7 in the Sky Sports game and 3.0 in the Sun Dream Team, Brunt looks a real under-the-radar budget option worthy of our consideration.
