Spot the Differential – Gameweek 17

With Leicester City, Burnley and Hull City all struggling on their travels, we’re backing players from Stoke City, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United to take advantage of home comforts as we reveal this week’s differentials.

Andy Carroll

While he failed to deliver any attacking returns in a plum home fixture against Burnley on Wednesday night, we feel that West Ham forward Andy Carroll shouldn’t be written off ahead of another enticing home match-up against Hull City.

Carroll totalled an impressive six total goal attempts and 12 penalty box touches against Burnley, and has to be backed against a Tigers side that have conceded more goals (20) on the road than any other team.

Slaven Bilic’s men looked to be finding some form after taking a point at Anfield and managing a 1-0 win over Burnley, so it could be this afternoon that we see the goals flow for the Hammers.

Hull have conceded six times in their two matches this week, and given the small squad Mike Phelan has to work with, they may arrive at the London Stadium slightly jaded following Wednesday night’s 3-0 defeat to Spurs.

We reckon Carroll could be the man to take advantage of that, then, while the England international could also be a great option against struggling Swansea City in Gameweek 18.

So for those in need of a cheap forward, Carroll, who only sets us back 6.1, could provide a short-term option, and present us with an intriguing differential, given that he’s owned by just 2% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bosses.

Charlie Adam

With a goal and an assist in his last four appearances, and coming up against a Leicester side that is desperately struggling on the road, we’re backing Stoke’s Charlie Adam this afternoon.

The champions have conceded the joint-second highest number of goals (19) in away matches this season, and fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth in midweek.

Stoke, meanwhile, could only manage a goalless draw against Southampton, but have generally been in good form over the past month or so.

Adam, who is priced at just 4.7 in FPL, is boosted by the fact he’s involved in some of the Potters set-plays, and is expected to be on penalty duties, too.

The midfielder sits in just 0.3% of FPL squads but, having started the last seven matches, is potentially a viable option as a cheap fifth midfielder.

Mark Hughes’ side do face away trips to Liverpool and Chelsea in their next three, but it’s Leicester’s dismal away record, which has seen them register just one point on their travels, that sees us take a gamble on Adam this week.

Danny Rose

Spurs have registered eight goals and two clean sheets in their last two home matches, and we believe Danny Rose could again deliver points at both end of the pitch as Burnley visit White Hart Lane tomorrow.

The England international, who is available for 5.9 in FPL, picked up his second assist of the campaign in Wednesday night’s 3-0 win over Hull City, thriving as a wing-back in the 3-4-2-1 formation used by Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Rose has registered three goal attempts and created as many chances in his last trio of appearances, and should have plenty of opportunities to bomb down the left flank against a Burnley side that have conceded more shots inside the box (91) in away matches than any other side.

Having played all 180 minutes in Tottenham’s matches so far this week, there is a slight chance Rose will be rested tomorrow, but with Spurs having 10 days until their next fixture, we’re confident he’ll keep hold of his starting spot ahead of Ben Davies.

Pochettino’s side also face further strong fixtures against Southampton, Watford and West Bromwich Albion in their next five, so Rose, who’s ownership currently stands at just 5.8% in FPL, may be worth considering given his twin threat.