Spot the Differential – Gameweek 12

Big names from Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea feature in our picks this week, with Sunderland’s marauding left-back completing a trio of differentials as we edge closer to the Gameweek 12 deadline.

Harry Kane

Sidelined for around seven weeks with an ankle injury before his return against Arsenal, Tottenham’s Harry Kane currently sits in just 5.6% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) squads.

The England international took little time to remind us of his quality by scoring from the penalty spot in the 1-1 draw, and now looks primed for investment ahead of four excellent home fixtures (WHM, SWA, HUL, BUR) in the next six.

Last season’s Golden Boot winner with 25 goals, Kane could be a viable captain choice for those home match-ups, potentially proving to be a devastating differential.

Although he has endured a slow start to the campaign, due to both a lack of form and stint on the treatment table, the Spurs frontman has still averaged a reasonable 5.3 points per match.

Indeed, he’s blanked just twice in six appearances, producing three goals and an assist to date.

Later today, Kane will come up against a West Ham side that have conceded 11 goals in their five away matches so far. Encouragingly, the Spurs striker netted twice in the corresponding fixture last season.

Available at 10.7 in FPL, Kane looks ideally placed to throw a spanner in the works and shake up our three-man forward lines in time for the festive period.

Patrick van Aanholt

Playing host to a Hull City side that have conceded the second highest number of goals (10) over the last four rounds of fixtures, Sunderland’s Patrick van Aanholt could be worth a gamble this week.

The Black Cats will come into this match buoyed after picking up their first win of the season at Bournemouth before the international break.

Van Aanholt, who sets us back 5.0 in FPL, has already scored in home matches against Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion this season, and should get plenty of opportunities to bomb forward from left-back.

The Dutchman tallied an impressive 127 points in FPL last season, having produced six goals and four assists in terms of attacking returns, and remains one of Sunderland’s most potent attacking weapons outside of Jermain Defoe.

Currently owned by just 4.1% of FPL bosses, Van Aanholt seems a decent shout to score some decent points over the coming period, given the Black Cats also face the likes of Swansea, Watford and Burnley before the turn of the year.

Pedro

Having registered two goals and four assists over the last four Gameweeks, Chelsea’s Pedro has undoubtedly been one of the main beneficiaries of Antonio Conte’s decision to switch to a 3-4-3 formation.

The Spaniard has usurped Willian on the right to seemingly cement his spot in the starting XI, and now looks to offer great value at just 7.2 in FPL.

Pedro has totaled seven goal attempts over the last four Gameweeks, with four of those coming from inside the box, while he’s also created nine chances over the same period, one more than team-mate Eden Hazard.

Chelsea travel to the Riverside tomorrow to take on a Middlesbrough side that has been impressive from a defensive standpoint in particular over the last few weeks, conceding just two goals in their last four matches.

In particular, Aitor Karanka’s side have produced resolute displays in away matches to Arsenal and Man City, but the onus will be on ‘Boro to come out with more of an attacking intent on home soil, perhaps playing into the hands of the visitors.

Pedro could also benefit if George Friend is ruled out for the hosts, with the left-back a doubt after picking up a knock to his knee in training, perhaps providing a weakness for Chelsea to exploit.

While Hazard has been the most transferred in player this week, with over 252,000 FPL bosses drafting him in, Pedro has also attracted 70,000+ new owners.

His ownership remains at a meagre 2.5%, though, with the in-form Spaniard offering potential in the mid-price bracket as the Blues prepare for some fine fixtures from Gameweek 15 onwards.