Spot the Differential – Gameweek 29

While only Georginio Wijnaldum provided instant returns from our three differential choices last week, we’re hopeful our latest selection can improve on our recent success rate.

This time around, we’re backing pacey widemen from Crystal Palace and Arsenal, along with Leicester City’s resurgent striker, to excel and produce those all-important attacking points.

Theo Walcott

Now down to a very appealing 7.3 in FPL, Arsenal’s Theo Walcott could be worth a roll of the dice ahead of this afternoon’s early kick-off against West Bromwich Albion.

The Gunners midfielder has started to recapture some of his early-season form in recent weeks, registering three goals in his last four matches in all competitions.

So given that West Brom have shown some vulnerabilities at the back in their last four clashes, shipping eight goals, he may be able to translate that form over to Fantasy returns.

The Baggies have also been conceding chances (16) down their left flank in their last four matches, the joint-second highest among all 20 teams, so the pace of Walcott may be able to cause further damage down that side.

Tony Pulis’ charges have seen their performances dip over the last two Gameweeks, with defeats to Crystal Palace and Everton, so now could be a good time for the Gunners to head to The Hawthorns.

While Walcott hasn’t registered any attacking returns over his last four appearances, he’s still amassed an impressive eight goals and three assists this term.

So with his ownership having sunk to 4.1%, he looks a great differential for this week and beyond, with favourable fixtures against West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough to come over the next five Gameweeks.

Arsene Wenger’s men will also have at least two double Gameweeks later on in this season, so Walcott, who may have a point to prove after being left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad, looks to offer plenty of upside for potential suitors.

Wilfried Zaha

After scoring in Crystal Palace’s 2-0 win against West Bromwich Albion last time out, Wilfried Zaha may be able to enjoy further success in a favourable match-up at home to Watford this afternoon.

No Premier League side has conceded more goals than the Hornets (eight) over their respective last four matches, while Walter Mazzarri’s side have also been vulnerable down their right flank during those four encounters.

They’ve allowed 24 chances down that side of the pitch, a tally matched only by Stoke City.

Having started the previous two matches on Palace’s left, Zaha’s speed and trickery looks primed to take advantage of that apparent weakness.

Zaha, who sets us back 5.6 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), has enjoyed a strong campaign up to this point, with five goals and eight assists seeing him rack up 104 points, 16 more than any other Eagles player.

So with Palace in desperate need of another victory this afternoon to help steer them clear of the relegation zone, the onus will be on the winger, who is only owned by 5.7% of FPL managers, to provide attacking impetus to the side.

Zaha will also be extra keen to get one over Watford, after being accused of diving in the 1-1 draw between the two clubs in the reverse fixture. He’ll certainly be looking to get one over on Harry the Hornet this time around, then.

Jamie Vardy

Having won all three matches under new Leicester City boss Craig Shakespeare, confidence looks to have returned to the champions and, in particular, Jamie Vardy.

The forward, who’s been transferred in by over 31,000 FPL bosses this week, seeing his price rise to 9.7, has registered two goals and an assist in his last two league appearances, while he also struck an invaluable away goal against Sevilla in the Champions League.

With Leicester belatedly showing the same fighting spirit that took to them to last term’s title, this afternoon’s trip to West Ham looks ideal for the Foxes to hit the Hammers on the break.

Vardy’s pace looks well suited to cause problems to both Jose Fonte and Winston Reid, with Josh King’s hat-trick last weekend suggesting Vardy could exact similar damage.

West Ham has also been pretty porous of late, shipping eight goals in their last four matches, while they feature among the seven teams conceding the most shots inside the box and big chances over the same period.

While Vardy’s ownership has risen to 8.5% in FPL, he still represents a real differential, particularly amongst active squads.

He also faces further strong fixtures at home to Stoke City and Sunderland over the next three Gameweeks, so now may be the time to place our trust in one of last season’s most vital performers.