Spot the Differential – Gameweek 23

With Monday’s FA Cup fifth round draw incredibly keeping apart all eight Premier League sides, currently leaving just three guaranteed fixtures in Gameweek 28, our three differential choices this week are made with one eye firmly on what’s to come over the next month or so.

Two of our players also have plenty of favourable fixtures to feast on in the short-term, while West Ham United’s latest signing could come to the boil just in time for the fixture chaos looming from Gameweek 26 onwards.

Salomon Rondon

While he has only managed a single assist over the last six Gameweeks, West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon looks an intriguing option given the Baggies favourable upcoming schedule and the fact they have guaranteed fixtures in Gameweeks 26 and 28.

Tony Pulis’ men travel to the Riverside Stadium tonight to take on Middlesbrough, a side who have conceded more headed attempts (15) than any other team over the last four Gameweeks.

Both Christian Benteke and, more recently, Andy Carroll have exposed the ‘Boro defence aerially this season, and we reckon that the Venezuelan should be capable of enjoying similar success.

While Rondon’s recent form has been disappointing, he has registered seven goals and three assists this season, and has been a key player in the Baggies’ impressive first half of 2016/17.

The West Brom striker, who boasts an ownership of 8.9% in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) has also registered a reasonable 23 penalty box touches over the last four Gameweeks, while he’s also created four chances over the same period.

He’s perhaps been unfortunate not to return more points over the past few weeks, then, but, given the importance of having players with a guaranteed Gameweek 28 fixture, he may well be worth some consideration moving forward, priced at 6.8 in FPL.

Robert Snodgrass

After completing his £10.2 million move from Hull City to West Ham last week, Robert Snodgrass is expected to make his Hammers debut against Man City on Wednesday.

The Scotland international has impressively tallied seven goals and three assists so far and is expected to continue offering great value priced at just 5.7 in FPL.

While he isn’t likely to gain spot-kicks duties from Mark Noble, Snodgrass may well jump to the front of the queue for set-pieces, while his crossing from open play looks tailor-made for target man Andy Carroll and Michail Antonio.

Snodgrass has also been in great form of late, creating more chances (14) than any other midfielder over the last four Gameweeks, despite missing Hull’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea due to a minor muscle problem.

He also leads the way among midfielders for successful crosses (12) over the same period, so he certainly looks to have the potential to improve on his three assists so far this term.

Facing off against City, Snodgrass looks a decent option given that Pep Guardiola’s side have conceded nine goals in their last four away matches, while the fixture list longer term is pretty favourable for the Hammers.

The 9.9% owned Snodgrass is another player who has to be strongly considered for our 15-man squads given his value, consistency and the face West Ham face guaranteed fixtures in Gameweeks 26 and 28.

Ramiro Funes Mori

While it’s been Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines who have attracted plenty of transfer traffic in recent weeks, fellow Everton defender Ramiro Funes Mori could be worth a look as a cheaper alternative.

The Argentine, who is available at 4.6 in FPL, has started five of the last six matches and looks to be the second choice centre-back behind Ashley Williams, so he should be an assured starter in either a three or four-man backline.

Although he’s failed to register any attacking points so far this season, Funes Mori did manage four goals and an assist last term and offers a real threat from set-plays.

He also picked up two bonus points against Crystal Palace last time out, and has drastically improved his disciplinary record, having not received a single card this season.

The Toffees defender is currently sitting in just 2.1% of FPL squads, and with Everton’s fixture list so kind all the way up to Gameweek 29, barring the trip to Tottenham Hotspur, there’s much to like about the South American.

Ronald Koeman’s men have kept clean sheets in four of their last five matches, so further defensive returns appear likely over the coming period.

We perhaps have to be wary of how to use of three Everton spots, though, with Romelu Lukaku looking an obvious target, while the likes of Joel Robles, Mason Holgate and Tom Davies could provide excellent value if they keep their places in the starting XI, not to mention both Coleman and Baines.