A fifth consecutive green arrow saw our Differentials XI move further up the rankings after a score of 58 in gameweek 26. Once again the captain choice seemed near perfect and some star performances contributed largely to another great week. Here is how the team performed:
The defence was not as effective this week and two late goals conceded by both Arsenal and Chelsea cost us 8 points; when this is coupled with the fact that Sakho missed out through injury and his replacement van Aanholt was also rested leads to at least another 4 point loss. However Lescott’s West Brom managed to bag a clean sheet meaning the Englishman picked up 5 points for the side, to bring us up to a below par 10.
Once again two stand out performances from Coutinho and Nasri (who scored 11 and 13 respectively) sky rocketed the point total from 10 to an overall 40 (including Ozil and Cuadrado’s 3 points apiece).
Although only one striker (Jelavic, our captain) managed to return the goods, by giving him the armband we ensured that the points total in this area was maximised and despite both RVP and Cisse failing to score the three forwards tallied up a score of 18.
So after another good weak some tough decisions were to be made and two transfers used. With Ozil’s ownership rising to 5.4% we had no choice but to remove him from the side and RVP’s recent ankle injury also meant he would make way for a more promising replacement, so here are the transfers for gameweek 27:
Mesut OZIL (OUT) -> Theo WALCOTT (IN)
One Arsenal midfielder makes way for another here as the £8.9 English midfielder gets a place in our differential XI, some promising fixtures were the main reason for this decision and despite the possibility of limited game time Theo can also act as a great super sub for Arsenal.
Robin VAN PERSIE (OUT) -> Diafra SAKHO (IN)
After a promising return against Spurs at the weekend Diafra Sakho looks to be back to his usual self and a game against Crystal Palace at home seems like a promising fixture. RVP’s injuries meant he wasn’t worth the risk, especially in a gameweek where only 16 teams play.
So moving onto the lineup for gameweek 27 here is how the team looks:
Starting XI: Ospina (1.8%), Sakho (1.4%), Yoshida (2.2%), Lescott (2.2%), Gouffran (0.5%), Nasri (2.1%), Walcott (1.0%), Coutinho (4.8%), Jelavic (1.2%), Cisse (1.0%), Sakho (2.5%).
Bench: Pantillimon (4.5%), van Aanholt (3.8%), Zouma (1.3%), Cuadrado (0.3%).
There is a chance of Ospina being dropped after a shocking display against Monaco however if he does not he provides the best option with a home game against Everton, over Pantillimon who travels to Old Trafford.
With Zouma out of the equation there was only four choices at the back and Sakho’s injury means he may also miss out, however if he does van Aanholt provides sufficient cover. The other two starters are Lescott and Yoshida, whose sides (West Brom and Southampton) face each other in gameweek 27 – let’s pray for a 0-0!
In midfield we are also forced into our decision as Chelsea’s Cuadrado misses out, leaving Gouffran, Nasri, Coutinho and new man Walcott to deliver the goods.
Finally our strike partnership is looking very strong this week as Cisse, Jelavic and Sakho lead the line. The armband moves Sakho’s way this week with a home trip to Crystal Palace, however Cisse and Jelavic also have promising fixtures, facing Villa (H) and Stoke (A) respectively.
So that concludes this weeks’ edition of differentials XI, I hope you have enjoyed and all the best for gameweek 27 and as always thanks for reading!
Dan
