Spot the Differential – Gameweek 35

Our quest for some overlooked alternatives brings us to consider United’s Spanish playmaker, Villa’s up and coming youngster and the Black Cats’ form forward ahead of this morning’s deadline.

Juan Mata

Coming off the back of consecutive defeats and with bragging rights over local rivals Manchester City still in the balance, you’d expect United to come flying out of the blocks against West Brom later today. With three goals and one assist to his name in five outings, Juan Mata (8.5) could be the home player to profit most from such a spirited response – the Spain international crafted three more chances (11) than any of his midfield team-mates in the last six Gameweeks, while also ranking joint-top with regards to shots on target (three) over the same period.

Although the Red Devils carded back-to-back losses on the road, their home form has been redoubtable of late. In the last six matches at Old Trafford, Louis van Gaal’s outfit have netted 18 and conceded five, winning each encounter in the process. Coupled to that, the Baggies lay claim to one of the worst away records in the league, having accrued fewer goals on their travels (11) than any other team and earning just three wins away from The Hawthorns – strengthening the notion that United, and hence Mata, will dictate the tempo of the match.

Following that, trips to Palace and Hull sandwich a visit of Arsenal as the little Spaniard looks to cement his place in Van Gaal’s plans for the following campaign.

Jack Grealish

Having only earned his first start for the club in Gameweek 31, Jack Grealish (4.3) has emerged as a surprise target for investment in the dying embers of the season. The Aston Villa academy product turned out an accomplished performance at Manchester City last weekend in the No. 10 role, belying his limited experience in the top flight. No midfielder on either side in that head-to-head engineered more chances (three) than Grealish, underlining the youngster’s rapid acclimatisation.

Indeed, over the last four Gameweeks, Grealish has created six chances for team-mates in Villa’s trio of fixtures – his average of 38 minutes per key pass is quicker than the likes of Cesc Fabregas (41.7), Eden Hazard (46.8) and David Silva (51.3) during that period.

The Villains now embark on three home fixtures (EVE, WHU, sou, BUR) in the next four that present their attacking contingent with a strong chance of Fantasy returns. First up is a home clash against the Toffees, who, in spite of their recent form, have managed just two clean sheets outside of Goodison all season.

With Christian Benteke in such prolific form (eight goals in seven), the modestly priced Grealish harbours the potential to offer great value in the coming weeks, with his price tag also working as an enabler for those needing to free up funds to draft in Arsenal’s big hitters for their double Gameweek 37.

Connor Wickham

In the wake of double Gameweek 34, Fantasy managers turn their attention towards Sunderland and Arsenal, with both clubs braced for a pair of fixtures in Gameweek 37. As Christian Benteke, Charlie Austin and Dame N’Doye have shown in recent double, recruits from the less-favoured outfits have the potential to prove key differentials and, having notched in each of his last two, Connor Wickham (5.6) has usurped Jermain Defoe in our thinking as a potential route into the Black Cats attack.

Dick Advocaat’s men face two testing match-ups (SOU, eve) before they play their match in hand in their double (LEI, ars). That being said, Saints are winless in their last four road matches (three losses, one draw). Furthermore, while the Foxes have enjoyed success in the final third in recent Gameweeks, their rearguard has conceded 17 shots inside the box in their last two league ties. Having scored five times in the final six fixtures of the previous campaign, Wickham could be gearing up for more of the same as the Wearsiders attempt to scramble away from the drop zone.