Spot the Differential – Gameweek 34

This week’s late Friday regular focuses on a trio of cut-price midfield alternatives. Two of our protagonists are also viable options for double Gameweek 36, while another has back-to-back clashes with two of the current bottom five to boost his appeal.

Jonathan de Guzman

After a slow start to life at the Liberty, the on-loan Dutchman has steadily accumulated the points and, in terms of Swansea midfielders, now sits second behind Michu in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game. De Guzman has switched between central midfield and the role in “the hole” depending on how Michu is utilised by Michael Laudrup but with a share of set-pieces in his locker, has still managed to produce five goals, seven assists and 13 bonus points this season – as a result, he currently sits on 114 points, more than the likes of wide men Wayne Routledge (111), Pablo Hernandez (89) and Nathan Dyer (87).

The altercation with Dyer in March’s Capital One Cup final also led to Laudrup confirming de Guzman as his first-choice spot-kick taker, another reason to consider the Dutchman ahead of a schedule that hands the Swans a double Gameweek 36 (MCY, wba). With a home game against Southampton tomorrow supplemented by a final day showdown with Fulham at the Liberty, de Guzman looks a decent shout for the remaining Gameweeks – all three of his double figure hauls have arrived in front of his own fans so far. Coming in at 5.7 in FPL and 4.7 in the Sky Sports game, he is owned by less than 5% of managers in both games and could appeal to those looking for an alternative to Michu amongst the Swansea midfield over the final stretch.

James Morrison

The Baggies midfielder’s form has somewhat mirrored that of his club, with a strong opening few months followed by a series of erratic displays. Quick out the blocks, Morrison’s role behind a lone striker produced attacking points in six of the opening 12 Gameweeks as he flourished under the guidance of new boss Steve Clarke. Fantasy managers were quick to jump on board the bandwagon as the Scot’s FPL price rose from 6.0 to 6.4 but with Romelu Lukaku offering more consistent source of points, interest in Morrison tailed off.

Now down to 5.7 in FPL (6.4 in the Sky Sports game), Morrison – like de Guzman – also has a double Gameweek 36 to boost his appeal and arrived back on Fantasy radars after converting a spot-kick in the Baggies’ previous match at home to Arsenal. While Lukaku is likely to pick up plenty more investment, there is a theory that Clarke will perhaps play the on loan forward less over the remaining matches in order to assess his permanent squad members ahead of next season. Morrison, on the other hand, offers a consistency of starts which is unlikely to disappoint. With a home clash against Newcastle and trip to Southampton preceding the double (WIG, mcy), he’s offered further chance to add to his four goals and seven assists so far this term.

Andros Townsend

One of the few QPR players exempt from Harry Redknapp’s ire in recent weeks, the on loan Tottenham wide man has dazzled with a series of eye-catching displays since moving to Loftus Road back in January. Townsend’s mazy runs on the flank, allied with his penchant for a long range effort, have been a feature of the R’s attacking ploys over the last few matches and with a home clash against Stoke followed by a trip to Reading, the next couple of Gameweeks look prosperous.

While the likes of Adel Taarabt and Junior Hoilett have alternated on the left, Townsend’s security of starts under Redknapp is undoubted and with a price of 4.6 in FPL and 4.1 in the Sky Sports game, he’s more than justified his price tag with two goals, a pair of assists and 6 FPL bonus points in eight appearances.