Spot the Differential – Gameweek 28

In an attempt to capitalise on the double Gameweek for Tottenham and QPR, we look beyond the usual suspects, picking out a reliable Belgian defender and an emerging Scottish talent who, coincidentally, were both selected in The Puntmaster’s Gameweek article earlier today. We also reckon Liverpool’s exciting Spanish wing-back looks a strong shout for points at both ends of the pitch this weekend as Burnley roll up to Anfield.

Jan Vertonghen

With Tottenham facing two favourable match-ups at home to Swansea and away to QPR in their double, seeking out coverage for the north London outfit is imperative. Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen, who’ve combined for eight goals in their last five outings, are the clear frontrunners, but pinpointing a third viable candidate is a trickier proposition.

Neither of Mauricio Pochettino’s first-choice midfield pairing – Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb – have a goal to their name this campaign, while the likes of Nacer Chadli, Erik Lamela, Andros Townsend and Mousa Dembele are too subject to rotation for our liking. We turn, then, to the Lilywhites’ defence, with Belgian centre-back Jan Vertonghen emerging as a strong shout.

Unlike the 4.9-priced Danny Rose – who, admittedly, boasts superior form with two goals in seven starts – Jan Vertonghen (5.9) faces less competition for starts in his favoured role, with Eric Dier and Federico Fazio tussling for the second centre-back berth. The former Ajax star has been the one mainstay in Tottenham’s defence, as evidenced by his run of 15 successive league starts, while Ben Davies has shared left-back duties with Rose.

Although Tottenham have struggled to shut out teams of late – with one clean sheet in seven – the scoring form of their opponents this week is far from prolific. The Swans visit White Hart Lane having only registered two goals in their previous three road matches, while the Hoops have drawn a blank in three of their last four clashes at Loftus Road. If he can roll back the years and return to the six-goal form of 2012/13, Vertonghen could prove a canny acquisition over the double and beyond, bearing in mind Spurs also host Leicester and Villa and travel to Burnley in the next five.

Matt Phillips

QPR’s double Gameweek fixtures, at home to North London pair Arsenal and Spurs, at first don’t appear all that conducive to healthy Fantasy returns. However, in spite of their abysmal away record, the R’s have proved to be far more resilient at home – only four teams have bested QPR at Loftus Road. Clearly, top scorer Charlie Austin is the standout performer in Chris Ramsey’s outfit, yet the recent output of resurgent winger Matt Phillips (4.6) shouldn’t be overlooked.

Since the new manager’s installation, Phillips has recorded three assists in three starts. To further illustrate his increasing importance to QPR’s offense, only Eden Hazard (11) created more chances than the 23-year-old Scotland international (10) between Gameweeks 24-26 prior to QPR’s blank Gameweek 27. With no midfielders in Phillips’ price bracket offering consistent attacking returns anyway, his inclusion could be profitable based on appearance points alone if managers are scouting for a budget fifth option. Like Vertonghen, the following fixtures are also in his favour – Phillips also plays Palace, West Brom, Everton and Villa in the next six Gameweeks.

Alberto Moreno

In light of Liverpool’s redoubtable defensive record across the last seven Gameweeks – a period in which they’ve recorded five clean sheets – it would be remiss of us not to consider the Reds’ rearguard. With on out-of-position berth on the left of a 3-4-2-1, full-back Alberto Moreno (5.2) offers an intriguing route into the Merseysiders’ defence. The 22-year-old has notched two goals this term and has been one of the main beneficiaries of the new formation – since Brendan Rodgers switched tactics in Gameweek 16, Moreno sits joint second for shots inside the box (eight) amongst defenders, whilst his 16 key passes has been bettered by just two other backline options.

On paper, Liverpool’s Gameweek 28 home tie with Burnley represents a fine opportunity to record another clean sheet – the Clarets failed to score in the reverse fixture and looked bereft of ideas in their 1-0 loss to Swansea on the weekend. Beyond this Gameweek, a tough trio of fixtures (swa, MUN, ars) might dissuade potential investors, yet recent shut-outs on visits to Southampton, Everton and West Ham showed Rodgers’ side are capable of stifling potent attacks.