Spot The Differential – Gameweek 7

We enjoyed some success with Gameweek 6 choices Alexis Sanchez and, in particular, Philippe Coutinho, so we’re hoping our latest differential choices can continue in a similar vein.

This time we look to an injury to a Manchester City star to open the door for one of his in-form team-mates, while plum home fixtures drives us to turn to a West Ham midfielder and a cheap Everton forward.

Raheem Sterling

The news of Sergio Aguero’s injury and absence now elevates Raheem Sterling as a very viable midfield option for the upcoming period.

The England winger has scored more goals (five) than any other midfielder this season, despite playing just 297 minutes.

Available at just 7.9 in FPL, his value may be untouchable over the next few Gameweeks.

Pep Guardiola’s side do admittedly face a tough test when they travel to Chelsea this evening.

But obliging home fixtures against Stoke City and Burnley follow after the international break, before a trip to West Bromwich Albion.

Sterling’s underlying statistics have been very impressive despite his limited pitch-time.

Among the City squad, he ranks second for total shots (23), close-range efforts (12) and penalty area touches (33) behind Aguero.

If Guardiola continues with the 4-1-2-3 formation he’s generally favoured this season, two from Sterling, Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva look set to flank Gabriel Jesus in attack in Aguero’s absence.

Restricted to a bench role in Europe in midweek – but scoring yet another goal – Sterling would seem likely to get the nod at Stamford Bridge, which would mean that he’s started the last four Premier League matches that he’s been available for.

Tapping into the City attack looks a sensible ploy given the upcoming fixtures and their outstanding form – they have scored an incredible 16 goals in their last three league matches.

Sterling is capable of producing double-digit scores and few midfielders possess the upside of the Man City attacker during this spell. Sat in just 4.6% of FPL squads, he can provide an explosive differential for Fantasy managers over the next month.

Marko Arnautovic

Following a promising display in the 3-2 defeat to Spurs, and with a run of strong fixtures beginning today at home to Swansea City, we’re willing to take a gamble on West Ham United’s Marko Arnautovic.

Although the Welsh outfit are yet to concede on their travels, they do rank second for the most shots conceded with 112.

They also suffered a demoralising 2-1 home defeat to Watford last weekend and arrive at the London Stadium lacking confidence.

Arnautovic’s Gameweek 2 sending-off against Southampton means that he’s now valued at just 6.9 in FPL.

After returning 165 points in 2015/16, and registering six goals and seven assists last term, the Austrian is a proven FPL performer in the mid-price bracket.

With the upcoming schedule (SWA bur BHA cry) very favourable, this could be the time to take a chance of the midfielder.

Arnautovic will be expected to retain his role on the left of West Ham’s attack against the Swans. No team has conceded more chances down their right flank (33) than Paul Clement’s side.

In addition, Clement has indicated that he’s likely to emphasise a more “positive” approach form his side this afternoon, which could make them more vulnerable at the back.

We’ve been awaiting a mid-price midfielder to emerge from the pack, and the upcoming fixtures could help Arnautovic make his mark in a West Ham shirt.

Oumar Niasse

Last weekend produced a miraculous storyline at Goodison Park as misfit Oumar Niasse came off the bench to score twice in a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth.

With Burnley visiting Merseyside on Sunday, the forward looks to have an excellent opportunity to build on that performance.

Everton manager Ronald Koeman has revealed that the Senegalese striker will be in the team to face the Clarets, in what looks a favourable match-up for the Toffees.

Burnley have conceded more shots (122) than any other side over the opening six Gameweeks, and are yet to keep a clean sheet on their travels, though Sean Dyche’s men have admittedly faced Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool on the road.

Koeman spoke glowingly about the confidence Niasse is currently enjoying, and should he be able to keep scoring goals, there is no reason why he can’t keep his place in the starting XI.

The 27-year-old wasn’t even listed in FPL before last weekend, but following his brace against the Cherries, his ownership has risen to 1.6%.

It’s his price tag of just 5.0 that is hugely enticing.

Should the likes of Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez shine over the coming weeks, the option to play with a cheap third forward would be very appealing to help free up funds for those premium midfielders.

With his heroics last time out and a point to prove to Koeman, it might just be time to roll the dice on the budget-friendly forward.