Spot the Differential – Gameweek 38

We head into Gameweek 38 with many mini-leagues still on the line, as Fantasy managers seek some last-minute inspiration. This time around, Liverpool’s midweek goal hero is joined by City’s up-and-coming young striker and Southampton’s Senegal marksman in our quest for differential success.

Christian Benteke

Understandably, Jurgen Klopp is primed to name a second-string side for Liverpool’s trip to West Bromwich Albion, given that Liverpool are schedule to clash with Sevilla in the Europa League final on Wednesday. Daniel Sturridge appears unlikely to play any part at The Hawthorns, which paves the way for Christian Benteke (8.0) to spearhead the Reds’ attack. Despite notching just 180 minutes across his previous five appearances, the Belgian frontman mustered three goals and one assist, with a last-gasp midweek leveler at home to Chelsea sure to boost his confidence.

Although Benteke was only granted a 16-minute cameo against the Blues, he charts joint-third for attempts (nine) and joint-second for shots inside the box (seven) among forwards in his last two outings. Taking the season in its entirety, Benteke’s goal frequency (one every 173 minutes) is only bettered by five counterparts who’ve amassed at least 1000 minutes of pitch time. The same can be said of his shot frequency (26.4), which places sixth under the same parameters.

Liverpool’s concluding match-up pits them against a Baggies outfit that’s recorded just five clean sheets at home all term. In addition, only six teams have conceded more big chances on their own turf (30). Liverpool’s attack on the road also measures up favourably – Tottenham Hotspur are the only team that’s chalked up more attempts (272 vs 252) than Liverpool, underlining their swashbuckling style away from home under Klopp.

Kelechi Iheanacho

In the wake of back-to-back braces against Stoke City and Southampton – which boosted his tally to seven goals (695 minutes) for the season – Kelechi Iheanacho (4.8) shot onto our radar as a tantalising budget forward. Having started each of the last three, the Nigerian marksman will be savouring the prospect of taking on a Swansea outfit that’s missing key first-team regulars such as Ashley Williams, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Lukasz Fabianski.

Razor-sharp finishing has been Iheanacho’s most striking attribute, illustrated by the fact that he ranks top among all forwards for shot-conversion rate (31.3%). Moreover, only Sergio Aguero (98 minutes) lays claim to a superior goal frequency (110.7). Illustrating how central he’s become to the Sky Blues’ attack in recent fixtures, Iheanacho ranks joint-second for touches (181) and second for touches in the final third (95) among forwards since Gameweek 35.

Swansea managed convincing victories over Liverpool and West Ham United in their last pair of outings, yet Man City will be heartened that only three teams shipped more goals (nine) in their previous quartet of league ties. The Swans also surrendered the joint-fourth-most shots inside the box (38) and the second-most big chances (13), obliging defensive form that could play into the hands of the league’s top-scoring attack.

Sadio Mane

Given that Sadio Mane (7.4) has recovered from the virus that forced him off early against Spurs, it would be remiss for us not to shine a spotlight on the 5%-owned winger.

Mane – who netted a three-minute hat-trick in the final home clash of last season – boasts five goals in four starts and next faces a Crystal Palace team that will surely be shuffled ahead of their FA Cup final date with Manchester United next weekend.

Scrutinising the underlying stats, Mane ranked joint-top among midfielders for shots on target (seven) across his previous four appearances. It’s also worth noting that, despite registering just 281 minutes, he accrued three more penalty-box touches (31) than any of his midfield rivals. In home matches, the Senegalese wide man ranks second among midfielders for shots inside the box (35) and joint-second for shots on target (18).

Mane has five double-figure hauls to his name this term, which highlights his potential for explosive returns against an Eagles rearguard that places joint-bottom for shut-outs (two) and fourth for goals conceded (31) since Gameweek 20. Alan Pardew’s men will certainly be tested by a Saints attack that bagged 10 goals in their previous trio of home encounters and placed top for goals (11) across their last four outings.