Dzeko and the Bunnymen

By Lawdogg (@PlanoGooner)

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…

The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed…

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen…

All children, except one, grow up…

Call me Ishamel…

We’ll keep working on our opening. In the meantime, this week we take a look at some quality differentials – low ownership players we think will produce the points for those owners brave enough to field them. Whether you want a different fifth midfielder, alternative striking options or a third/fourth defender that no one else has, there’s something here for everyone. Except Dzeko fans.

(note to self: google “how to write a proper opening” before next week’s column)

GOALKEEPER

Tom Heaton, Burnley (£4.5m, 2.9% ownership)

There are a number of viable budget-value goalkeepers but Heaton is the only goalkeeping differential with decent fixtures ahead. While Burnley haven’t set the league ablaze with their offense, they have shown the ability to play well-organized and disciplined defence. Burnley’s next five games feature Hull (H), Stoke (A), Aston Villa (H), Newcastle (H) and QPR (doesn’t matter). We expect Heaton to outscore the other £4.5/4.6m-priced goalkeepers during this period and a cheeky punt here could pay dividends.

DEFENCE

Nacho Monreal, Arsenal (£4.9m, 0.6%)

At the outset of the season we couldn’t have imagined recommending bringing Monreal into your side, but Arsene Wenger’s inability or refusal to bring in experienced cover in central defence has brought us to this point. Despite lacking the requisite height or any experience whatsoever in playing centre-back, it appears Monreal is Arsene’s choice to fill in until Laurent Koscielny is healthy. At only £4.9m, and with good fixtures ahead, Monreal is worth consideration.  

Kieren Gibbs, Arsenal (£5.3m, 2.2%)

Another Arsenal defender? We’re surprised too. Arsenal have been anything but solid at the back this season but odds say they are due a clean sheet or two and, the United match aside, their next six matches suggest now may be the time to be bullish on the Arsenal defence. Gibbs also ventures forward with regularity, so there’s a decent chance you could get an assist or two out of him.

Daryl Janmaat, Newcastle (£5.0m, 3.2%)

Before you assume we’ve lost our minds and stop reading, hear us out. Newcastle’s next four see them play West Brom, QPR, West Ham and Burnley. With two clean sheets in their last three it may be that Newcastle have sorted themselves out at the back. If so, Janmaat would be a budget-friendly differential choice.

Paul Dummett, Newcastle (£4.1m, 8.2%)

Did someone say budget-friendly? After a brief will-he or won’t-he start to the season it seems Alan Pardew has settled on Dummett to round out his back line. For the reasons we just outlined, and at only £4.1m, Dummett is a great differential choice for the next few weeks.

MIDFIELD 

Oscar, Chelsea (£8.3m, 3.8%)

Every time we get ready to write this Chelsea midfielder off he pops up with a goal or assist to remind us of his class. The Brazilian has contributed three goals and an assist in his last five games and, while a little expensive for a differential, he still fits the bill. If you’re looking for someone to replace Raheem Sterling with, Oscar could be your man. 

Theo Walcott, Arsenal (£9.0m, 0.4%)

The England international finds himself on this list only due to injury. Many managers have been monitoring Arsenal’s injury reports waiting for news of Walcott’s return, and for good reason: since first appearing in the 2006/07 season Walcott has averaged six points per 90 minutes played. While it seems half the planet is scurrying about to bring Sanchez in, Walcott may be the overlooked Gooner – and a great choice for those who can’t afford Sanchez or if you’re simply looking for a great differential pick.

Chris Brunt, West Brom (£5.4m, 0.5%)

Remember him? After scoring 13 goals and claiming 14 assists over his first two seasons he has seen his fantasy point’s totals drop in each of the last three campaigns.  It turns out all he needed was a decent striker to link up with. The emergence of Saido Berahino has breathed new life into Brunt and he’s notched four assists in his last six matches and racked up 32 points. If you’re looking for a cheap fourth midfielder Brunt could be a great differential. 

Victor Wanyama, Southampton (£4.6m, 4.6%)

While Ronald Koeman hasn’t given the former Celtic man a regular spot in his starting XI, Wanyama has shown he doesn’t need a full 90 to get on the score sheet. He’s averaging 0.5 goals per 90 minutes played this season, and has raked in three bonus points in two of the three matches where he’s scored. We know Southampton’s fixtures are about to turn south but we think Wanyama is a great shout for your fifth midfielder.

FORWARD 

Romelu Lukaku, Everton (£9.1m, 9.9%)

It is hard to call Lukaku a differential but with an ownership of only 9.9% he fits the bill this season. With an unprecedented amount of cheaper attacking alternatives many managers have overlooked Lukaku after his slow start to the season. With two goals in his last three matches, and a great set of fixtures ahead, Lukaku should be seriously considered by managers planning to ship Graziano Pelle once Southampton’s fixtures turn south. 

Diafra Sakho, West Ham (£5.8m, 5.3%)

Injury concerns have kept Sakho from enjoying the same ownership increase as West Brom’s Saido Berahino. However, a glance at both teams’ upcoming schedule suggests Sakho might be the cheap third striker to have in your side. With favourable fixtures in six of the next seven weeks, there’s no reason to think Sakho won’t continue bagging goals with regularity. 

Christian Benteke, Aston Villa (£7.9m, 0.3%)

Just when we thought he’d played himself back into decent shape Benteke goes and gets himself banned until December 2. While he will miss some juicy fixtures while suspended, we think he will return to the form that has seen him average nearly 15 goals a season in his first two years in the Premier League. His first three after his return are Palace, Leicester and West Brom, and we believe it a safe bet he’ll bag a goal in at least one of those matches.

Ayoze Perez, Newcastle (£4.8m, 0.3%)

Don’t get us wrong: we aren’t suggesting that Perez is ready to feature in your team yet but he is a player that really fascinates. The youngster has played only 219 minutes this season but has found the back of the net in each of Newcastle’s last two matches. If he continues to impress he may force Alan Pardew to give him more playing time and, at that point, he could be a great choice as back-up striker for those fielding a 3-5-2 formation. We think he’s certainly one to watch.

Thanks again for reading. For Arsenal-flavoured rants, fantasy football thoughts and the occasional witty comment, follow @PlanoGooner on Twitter. For all the non-price related information you need to field your best XI, visit us at FantasyFootball247.co.uk and follow @FantasyFooty247 on Twitter. Cheers!