Spot the Differential – Gameweek 21

We’re backing the Baggies’ Benin international to get up and running at home to Hull later today, whilst a home clash with West Ham brings Swansea’s summer signing into consideration as Wilfried Bony edges towards the Liberty exit door. Finally, we reckon Alan Pardew’s installation at Palace could extract match-winning displays from a loanee signing to unlock a new midfield prospect.

STEPHANE SESSEGNON

Tony Pulis kicked off his stint at the West Brom helm with a 7-0 thrashing of Gateshead in the FA Cup last weekend, in a match which will undoubtedly lend his side momentum as they return to league action with a crucial clash against Hull.

With four assists in his last five league outings, Sessegnon – who had just a single goal to show for the previous 15 Gameweeks – has significantly stepped up his displays just in time for the new manager’s arrival. Indeed, the 5.7-rated midfielder has been somewhat unlucky not to deliver bigger returns; 13 chances created in the previous four rounds of fixtures is as many as any other midfielder, with a lack of cutting edge up front hindering his progress.

With Saido Berahino returning to scoring form with four goals in the FA Cup, though, that could be set to change. It’s not only in his distribution that Sessegnon has impressed of late, however, with 12 attempts on goal in that same period more than the likes of David Silva and Eden Hazard. An ownership of just 0.4% makes the Baggies’ midfielder an outstanding differential prospect right now, and with the fixtures falling in his favour, it may not just be the Baggies backline that benefits from the “Pulis effect”.

BAFETIMBI GOMIS

Wilfried Bony’s departure to the African Cup of Nations was always going to hand Gomis the chance to prove his worth but with the Ivorian now on the verge of a move to Man City, the Frenchman has the chance to cement his role in Garry Monk’s first–team plans.

The Swansea boss has been preparing for Bony’s international departure over the past few weeks, selecting Gomis in his starting line-up in two of the Swans’ last four league fixtures, though the summer signing failed to find the net on either occasion. Last weekend, however, Gomis finally answered the call with a brace and assist in the Welsh outfit’s cup win over Tranmere, and with his place seemingly nailed on from here on in, the 6.5-valued striker could hand Fantasy managers a great differential option for our three-man frontlines.

Despite a blank against QPR last time out, the Frenchman’s underlying stats certainly hint at improvement; 13 penalty box touches was joint top amongst strikers that Gameweek, with eight attempts at goal suggests that a consistency of starts will heighten his confidence and goal threat considerably.

The Swans welcome a West Ham side to the Liberty this afternoon who have tallied a mere one shutout in their last seven in the league, and with showdowns against the likes of Sunderland, West Brom and Burnley in the subsequent six, the 0.4%-owned forward has the chance to emerge as a viable Fantasy asset in the weeks to come.

Wilfried Zaha

While Alan Pardew will be prioritising the signing of a match winner, in Wilfried Zaha, it’s just possible he has one already at his disposal. The Palace faithful are yet to see an end product in the Premier League from a player who played such a key role in their 2012/13 Championship promotion season. While both Neil Warnock and Keith Millen have tried different approaches to get more from the winger, Pardew may just fancy the task of extracting performances from the United loanee.

At just 5.1 and classified as a midfielder, Fantasy managers are willing for Zaha to click. United’s decision to lay down £10 million for his services was not without reason: Zaha has the potential to produce goals and assists but his output so far has never got close to justifying any sustained Fantasy interest. With Yannick Bolasie absent at the African Cup of Nations, however, Pardew will likely turn to Zaha to shoulder the burden of providing the necessary spark to help unlock the Spurs defence in his first league match in charge. Pardew’s faith and tactical tweaks may just provide Zaha with the platform to finally deliver.