Spot the Differential – Gameweek 1

Almost there. As the minutes tick down until this morning’s 11.30 deadline, we roll out a trio of overlooked alternatives for your consideration. Our Gameweek 1 faith is placed in a couple of South American playmakers and a Scot with a scoring record that could bring him back to prominence this time around.

Philippe Coutinho

A week ago, the Liverpool midfielder sat in just 2% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) sides, with few seemingly convinced by his Fantasy potential. It’s fair to say that a starring role in the weekend demolition of Dortmund, where Coutinho bagged a goal and assist in a 4-0 win, has turned more than a few heads over the last few days.

Now sitting in 9% of FPL sides, Coutinho is still, nonetheless, a major differential amongst Brendan Rodgers’ attackers ahead of Sunday’s opener with Southampton, with Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge both owned by 29%. Handed a central role behind the latter last week, the little Brazilian showed that, on his day, he’s more than capable of delivering – if he can shed the inconsistency that all-too-often blights his displays, Coutinho could be ready to step up as a genuine midfield contender.

Certainly the stats are on his ide. Last season, Coutinho had more efforts than any other midfielder yet a lack of clinical edge saw him score just five times. If he can start to convert those chances at home to new-look Southampton this Sunday, that ownership level could be set to rise again.

Steven Fletcher

Last season was one to forget for the Sunderland striker. With his game time blighted by injuries, Fletcher managed just 20 Premier League appearances and a lack of match sharpness saw the Scot find the net on just three occasions.

After last term’s toils, it’s easy to forget Fletcher boasts an impressive record in the English top-flight. Prior to 2013/14, the frontman had scored at least 10 times in each of the previous three campaigns – a consistency perhaps all the more eye-catching given that he’s plied his trade with clubs nearer the foot of the table.

Injury-free over the summer, Fletcher has been quick to find his form and grabbed three goals during the Black Cats’ friendlies. Set to get the nod as the lone striker, he’ll fancy his chances of opening his account against a West Brom side that have been less than impressive under Alan Irvine so far – at 5.5, Fletcher has a mere 0,8% ownership as we head into the deadline.

Erik Lamela

The Argentine is another who turned in a below-par season last time around. Arriving at the Lane on the back of 15 goals for Roma, Lamela was arguably the marquee signing of a summer spending spree funded by the sale of Gareth Bale but by the end of the campaign, he was a forgotten man.

The arrival of Mauricio Pochettino could change all that. Free of injury, Lamela has thrived in a central role under his compatriot over the summer and has already found the net three times – suggesting he could to rival Christian Eriksen as a potential source of points in the Tottenham midfield.

With his confidence restored and a move to his favoured number 10 position, Lamela lines up against a West Ham side that conceded at least twice in five of their summer friendlies. While Eriksen resides in 14% of FPL sides, only 2% have taken a flutter on Lamela, underlining his differential prospects as Pochettino looks to get his tenure up and running with a win.