Spot the Differential – Gameweek 24

Following Manchester City’s swashbuckling performance at the London Stadium, we had to find a place for one of their chief attackers – despite the looming blank Gameweeks. Meanwhile, obliging home fixtures have brought two forgotten men from Everton and Watford into our thinking.

Kevin De Bruyne

Having registered two goals and an assist in his last pair of matches, Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne tops the bill ahead of an enticing home clash against Swansea City.

While the Welsh side have improved significantly over the last few weeks under new boss Paul Clement, they’ve still conceded eight goals over the previous four outings.

So coming up against a City side that has been rampant over the past week, recording a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup before dismantling West Ham United 4-0 in midweek, it’s difficult not to foresee goals for Pep Guardiola’s men on Sunday.

De Bruyne, who’s now back to his starting price of 10.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), has registered 10 goal attempts over the last four Gameweeks, with five arriving from inside the box, while he’s also created 10 chances over the same period.

Given his price tag, we’d still like to see him raiding the box with greater frequency – his 12 penalty area touches over his last four outings is a concern and an indication of his role in Guardiola’s set-up.

However, after being substituted on 66 minutes on Wednesday night, the Belgian looks set to start once again against the Swans.

De Bruyne also has a favourable clash against Bournemouth to follow, although he will blank in Gameweek 26, and possibly Gameweek 28, if City progress past Huddersfield Town in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

As a short-term gamble, though, the Belgian looks in fine fettle and an assured pick at a time where the form of Gabriel Jesus creates uncertainty surrounding the pitch-time of City’s front three.

Ross Barkley

Although much of our attention regarding Everton assets has focused on the likes of Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines and Romelu Lukaku, we can ill-afford to write Ross Barkley’s prospects.

The 7.0-priced midfielder has a goal and four assists in his last eight appearances, while the underlying statistics (10 goal attempts and as many chances created) over the last four Gameweeks also offer encouragement.

While Barkley has been a source of much consternation in recent seasons, with the Toffees guaranteed to play in both Gameweeks 26 and 28 with a very favourable run of fixtures (BOU, mid, SUN, tot, WBA, HUL), his stock simmers nicely ahead of a home clash with Bournemouth.

The Goodison Park clash is hugely promising given that Bournemouth have conceded more goals (10) over the last four Gameweeks than any other Premier League side.

Eddie Howe’s defence has struggled since Nathan Ake’s return to Chelsea, while they’ll also be without left-back Charlie Daniels for a second successive match.

Barkley is found in just 6.2% of FPL squads and, as a midfield differential with plenty of upside, he is worthy of serious consideration.

Troy Deeney

With two goals in as many matches, we’re backing Watford’s Troy Deeney to continue his recent resurgence when the Hornets host Burnley this afternoon.

While the Clarets have been outstanding at Turf Moor, they’ve picked up just one point on their travels, with 22 goals conceded in 10 away matches. They’ve also allowed more shots inside the box (42) than any other side over the last four Gameweeks.

Watford should be flowing with confidence following their shock 2-1 win against Arsenal and, with Deeney involved in a third of their goals this season, he could well be in profit once again.

Having endured a disappointing campaign up to this point, managing just six goals and three assists, Deeney has dropped from a starting price of 7.0 to 6.6 in FPL, while he is currently owned by just 3.9% of managers.

But recent outings suggest a return to form, while the additions of M’Baye Niang and Tom Cleverley also appear to have boosted the Hornets’ attacking prospects and Deeney’s opportunities.

The Watford skipper now appears to offer decent value in the mid-price bracket. With penalty duties and further home fixtures against West Ham and Southampton in the next four, he can offer short-term potential ahead of a possible blank in Gameweek 28.