Spot the Differential – Gameweek 29

We roll out an option in each of the three outfield positions in this week’s search for a hidden asset. A Palace centre-half with an improved eye for goal, Leicester’s Algerian winger and City’s new big money striker are all given the chance to impress.

Riyad Mahrez

Although Riyad Mahrez has failed to deliver attacking returns in his previous four outings for Leicester City, the 24-year-old winger’s underlying stats suggests he’s getting a good sight of goal – over his last four, only one midfielder (Raheem Sterling, with ten) has bested the fleet-footed Algerian’s eight shots from inside the box. This is in spite of the fact that the Foxes have faced three consecutive tough away ties over that period (CPL, ars, eve, mci). Prior to this run, Mahrez delivered two assists and a goal in trips to Liverpool, Hull, and Tottenham Hotspur.

The prime reason for a Fantasy manager to consider Mahrez in their budget midfielder berth would be Leicester City’s excellent schedule, which sees them play seven of their last 11 fixtures at the King Power Stadium – starting this weekend with the visit of Hull. If the East Midlands club are to mount a last-ditch attempt to escape the relegation zone, then Mahrez – at a kind price of just 4.9 – could well be the catalyst.

Wilfried Bony

Following a couple of cameos upon his return from the African Cup of Nations, Manchester City new boy Wilfried Bony earned his first league start in a 2-0 home victory over Leicester City. Despite not registering at the Etihad, the Ivory Coast international engineered six attempts on goal, of which five arrived from inside the box – indeed, among all the starters in Gameweek 28, Bony was the most consistent goal threat, with a chance every 12 minutes for the champions.

The Sky Blues now embark on a trio of fixtures (bur, WBA, cry) that should, on paper, harvest substantial returns for their offensive contingent. The Clarets have shipped six goals in their last three home ties – against the less menacing forward lines of Swansea, West Brom and Crystal Palace – so Bony could be afforded ample opportunity to record his debut goal for City. Of course, Bony’s 8.2 price tag carries a definite risk when manager Manuel Pellegrini could opt to reinstate Edin Dzeko alongside Sergio Aguero but we’re willing to punt on Bony to continue up top, with Pellegrini allowing the new boy another chance to produce the goods as City look for a pick-me-up before their midweek trip to Barcelona.

Scott Dann

We’d planned to hand Glenn Murray a spot in this morning’s article but with Alan Pardew admitting late yesterday afternoon that he’s uncertain whether the forward will start at home to QPR, we turn our attentions to Palace’s defence instead.

Scott Dann has been one of the main beneficiaries since Pardew took the Selhurst Park hotseat in Gameweek 21. Over the last eight rounds of fixtures, the centre-half has registered more touches in the opposition box than any other defender – all the more impressive given he was forced off at the break in Gameweek 24 and missed the following fixture due to suspension.

Coming in at 4.9 in FPL, he’s also matched Ivanovic and the likes of Alberto Moreno for attempts inside the box (six) over that period and, with Pardew putting more emphasis on set-pieces, Dann’s threat saw him net twice in the FA Cup win over Dover before also notching in the Gameweek 27 win at West Ham.

Granted, the Eagles haven’t been the most resilient but the upcoming schedule boosts Dann’s chances for points at both ends of the pitch. With Stoke, Sunderland, West Brom and Hull all to follow in the next six, Pardew will be looking to steer his side to safety before the fixture list takes a turn for the worse in Gameweek 35.