Spot the Differential – Gameweek 11

Defenders who offer potential at both ends of the pitch are always attractive propositions in Fantasy Football, and this week we’ve picked two under the radar options from Burnley and West Bromwich Albion to mull over.

A new face at St Mary’s completes our choices this week, with Southampton’s trip to Hull City promising so much for Saints attackers.

Michael Keane

While Tom Heaton has been one of the best value players in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) so far this season, we shouldn’t be forgetting the prospects of his Burnley team-mate Michael Keane.

Keane, who’s available at 4.9 in FPL, has already got on the scoresheet this season, and after Liverpool exposed Crystal Palace’s weaknesses at set-pieces last weekend, the Clarets defender could be able to take advantage, particularly with dead-ball specialist Steven Defour available again following a hamstring injury.

Heaton’s popularity this season has seen many Fantasy managers ignore the claims of Keane, who currently sits in just 2.3% of FPL squads.

But given the centre-back leads all defenders for touches in the box over the last four Gameweeks with 14, and has also managed four efforts from inside the penalty area over the same period, his attacking threat looks substantial.

Sean Dyche’s men have also enjoyed plenty of success at Turf Moor, managing three wins and two clean sheets, so with Keane offering potential at both ends of the pitch, and his personal battle with Christian Benteke promising a big BPS total, he may be worth a look this week.

Burnley also face West Brom, Stoke City and Bournemouth over the next five Gameweeks, so Keane could also be an astute signing for the upcoming block of fixtures.

Sofiane Boufal

For those Fantasy managers who aren’t afraid to roll the dice, Sofiane Boufal could be a player to back this week as Southampton head to the KCOM Stadium to face struggling Hull.

The Moroccan, who opened his account for the Saints with an outstanding strike in the 1-0 win over Sunderland in the EFL Cup last month, was an unused substitute for Thursday night’s 2-1 victory against Inter Milan.

Given he’s already got 90 minutes under his belt in the EFL Cup, and also played 30 minutes off the bench against Chelsea last weekend, he looks ready to make his first Premier League start tomorrow.

Boufal is unsurprisingly owned by just 0.1% of FPL bosses seeing as he’s only recently returned to full fitness following a knee injury.

Considering he scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 29 league appearances for Lille last season, the club-record signing is undoubtedly a player who looks sure to be a factor at some point this season.

Now down to a price of 6.8 in FPL, it perhaps appears a matter of judging when is the right time to take a chance on Boufal.

The fact that Hull have conceded more goals (11) than any other side over the last four Gameweeks suggests the former Ligue 1 man may be worth taking a chance on immediately.

Chris Brunt

Another player who’s been working his way back to full fitness is West Brom’s Chris Brunt, who completed his first 90 minutes of the season in last weekend’s 4-0 defeat to Man City.

The Northern Ireland international, who’s classified as a defender in FPL, played in central midfield for the Baggies against City, but may shift out wide for Sunday’s trip to Leicester City, given Tony Pulis will be without the suspended James McClean, while Nacer Chadli is out with a knee injury.

In any case, Brunt looks set to offer some “out of position” potential given Pulis is likely to adopt a defensive approach away to the champions, and with West Brom’s main threat set to come from set-pieces, it’s Brunt’s dead-ball prowess which may come to the fore.

The 4.9-priced defender impressively registered 10 assists during the 2014/15 season, and with the likes of Gareth McAuley and Craig Dawson so dangerous from set-plays, there’s every chance that Brunt’s delivery will benefit.

There also looks to be the potential for defensive returns over the coming period, thanks to a schedule that sees West Brom take on Burnley, Hull City, Watford and Swansea City in the next six matches.

Owned by just 837 FPL bosses last week, Brunt’s dual-threat should see that number increase over the coming weeks providing he can nail down a place in Pulis’ starting XI.