Spot The Differential – Gameweek 36

Double Gameweeks for Arsenal and Southampton have ensured that we’ve opted for their main creative forces in this week’s selection of differentials.

The duo are joined by another midfield schemer, who will be attempting to maintain his impressive home form when Chelsea host Middlesbrough on Monday night.

Mesut Ozil

The Arsenal midfielder is back on the radars of Fantasy managers following two goals and two assists over the last six Gameweeks.

The German international faces fixtures at home to Manchester United and away at Southampton having endured a difficult campaign by his own standards. Then again, his tally of 11 goals in all competitions, including seven in the Premier League, is a season-high for his time in north London.

With back-to-back double Gameweeks on the horizon, the 7.1%-owned midfielder could again be an option in Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

Ozil enjoyed plenty of success against United last season, registering a goal and an assist in each meeting.

His form at the Emirates has also been reasonable of late, tallying two goals and four assists in his last eight home matches.

The Southampton match-up offers similar hope, given that the Saints have conceded seven goals in their last four matches, and the double in Gameweek 37 is even more appealing – Arsene Wenger’s side travel to Stoke City before a home meeting with relegated Sunderland.

Ozil, at 9.4, is considerably kinder on the budget than Alexis Sanchez (11.5), who has only returned one goal in his last six Gameweek starts. As a result, he clearly represents a roll of the dice as a cheaper alternative to the Chilean.

Dusan Tadic

The lure of a double Gameweek has seen us take a gamble on Southampton midfielder Dusan Tadic.

The Saints playmaker does facing testing match-ups away at Liverpool and at home to Arsenal, but setting us back just 6.9, he could offer decent potential in that mid-price bracket.

Tadic’s appeal is boosted by the fact there are rotation concerns surrounding fellow Southampton midfielders Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse.

His underlying statistics are equally encouraging, with the Serbian creating 16 chances over the last six Gameweeks. He’s also totalled 18 goal attempts over that spell, including 11 from inside the box.

Tadic has been producing strong numbers all season, although they have failed to translate into significant Fantasy output, with the midfielder registering just three goals and seven assists.

He frustrated again last weekend when his late penalty was saved by Hull City goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic in the goalless draw at St Mary’s.

But given Liverpool have conceded two goals in each of their last two home matches, there is hope that Claude Puel’s men can align their sights at Anfield.

The Saints also beat Arsenal 4-0 in their last league meeting at St Mary’s, so while investment in the 2.2%-owned midfielder looks risky based on his recent output, the extra fixture, along with a double in Gameweek 37 against Middlesbrough and Manchester United, means he may be worth the risk.

Cesc Fabregas

A favourable home fixture against Middlesbrough on Monday night has seen us plump for Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas as our final selection.

Boro will arrive in west London realistically needing to win in order to maintain their survival hopes. Having conceded four goals in each of their last two away matches, they should provide the ideal opposition for the Blues to take a step closer to a fifth Premier League title.

The Spaniard’s recent form at Stamford Bridge has been scintillating, registering either a goal or assist in eight of Chelsea’s last nine home matches.

Fabregas started in six those of those encounters, while he provided attacking returns in each of his three substitute appearances, proving his ability to deliver despite suffering restricted pitch-time.

When starting, Fabregas has demonstrated his explosive potential, producing double-digit hauls against Swansea City and Crystal Palace.

His home form has seen him total three goals and seven assists, compared to just one goal and four assists on the road.

So with three of Chelsea’s final four matches being played in front of their own fans, taking a punt on Fabregas, who is sat in just 1.9% of FPL squads, could provide significant rewards.

The leaders face a pair of matches in Gameweek 37, travelling to West Bromwich Albion before hosting Watford, while they entertain Sunderland on the final day of the season.

Priced at just 6.9, and with those appealing home match-ups to feast on, Fabregas appears to have the ideal platform to emerge as a key differential for those Fantasy managers in need of a late push in their mini-leagues.