Spot the Differential – Gameweek 8

With the countdown to the Gameweek 8 deadline well and truly on, it’s now time to cast our eye over the three differentials we’ve picked out this week.

Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge may be worth a look given the injury concerns at Anfield, while Stoke City’s plum home fixture with Sunderland has brought Xherdan Shaqiri onto our radars. Our final pick is Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso, who made a big impression against Hull City on his full Chelsea debut.

Marcos Alonso

One of the stand out statistical performers from Gameweek 7, Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso could be a defender to take a chance on over the coming weeks.

The Spaniard put up some remarkable attacking stats in the 2-0 victory over Hull City, registering five total goal attempts, more than any other player on the pitch, while he also ranked joint first, along with his team-mate Diego Costa, for penalty box touches (8).

Throw in the fact he also created four chances, again more than any other player on the pitch, and there’s every suggestion he could continue to thrive in an attacking sense should Antonio Conte persist in using wing-backs.

The summer signing from Fiorentina sets us back 5.9 in FPL, and having only made his first league start for Chelsea at the KCOM Stadium, is unsurprisingly owned by just 0.1% of FPL bosses.

Conte’s men host Leicester City in the early kick-off today, and with the Foxes having conceded more goals (10) than any other side on their travels, Alonso’s attacking raids down the left could translate into attacking returns this time around.

Defensive points could also be a possibility, with Leicester having only scored three goals in their three away matches so far this term.

Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures may put off any would-be suitors, though, with clean sheets likely to be in short supply up against Man United, Southampton and Everton in the next three Gameweeks.

Xherdan Shaqiri

Stoke have endured a difficult start to the season, picking up just three points from their opening seven matches. However, the 1-1 draw against Man United before the international break may provide the perfect springboard as they embark on a very favourable upcoming schedule.

In their next seven matches, Mark Hughes’ side avoid all the sides currently residing in the top half of the table, so investing in Potters assets should pay dividends over the coming period.

Stoke’s improved performances of late have coincided with the return of Xherdan Shaqiri, a player who registered a respectable five goals and two assists in his first season in English football.

The Swiss international, who’s available at just 6.3 in FPL, has been a key creator for the Potters over the last two Gameweeks, registering five key passes, while he’s also produced 16 crosses, ranking him joint-third among midfielders.

Stoke entertain Sunderland at the bet365 Stadium today, with the Black Cats having failed to keep a clean sheet so far this season, while they have conceded 55 shots inside the box over the last four Gameweeks, more than any other side in the top flight.

It could be worth taking a punt on Shaqiri then, given the Potters will take on the likes of Hull, Swansea and West Ham over the coming weeks.

Daniel Sturridge

While neither Georginio Wijnaldum or Adam Lallana have been ruled out for Monday night’s home clash against Man United, it looks very likely that one will be sidelined, which should provide Daniel Sturridge with the opportunity to lead the line for the Reds.

The England international came on as a substitute for the injured Lallana in the 2-1 win at Swansea before the international break, and while he may not have overly impressed in his national colours, he’ll probably have benefited from getting the minutes under his belt.

Sturridge, who’s valued at 9.9 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), has impressively averaged a goal attempt every 21.4 minutes this season, better than the likes of Romelu Lukaku (23.8) and Diego Costa (29.5),

The problem has been he’s not the first choice option for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, with Roberto Firmino generally preferred as the focal point for the Reds attack.

But those injuries could hand Sturridge, whose ownership currently stands at just 1.1% in FPL, the opportunity to cement himself in the German’s starting XI.

That would undoubtedly see Sturridge re-emerge as a viable option for Fantasy managers, with Monday’s clash against United followed by a pretty soft upcoming schedule (WBA, cpl, WAT, sot, SUN, bou) for the Reds.