Spot the Differential – Gameweek 8

Heading into Gameweek 8, we’re backing two budget forwards with promising home fixtures to build on their encouraging starts to the season.

We’ve turned to the defence for our other choice of differential, with the potential of double-figure returns driving us to plump for a Rolls-Royce Southampton centre-back.

Virgil van Dijk

Given how well defenders have fared so far this season, the return of Virgil van Dijk to the starting XI for Southampton is particularly intriguing.

Both Tottenham Hotspur’s Ben Davies and Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia have outscored all FPL midfielders, and Van Dijk has the talent to follow their lead from this point on.

Saints entertain Newcastle United at St Mary’s on Sunday – one of four favourable fixtures (NEW WBA bha BUR) over the next four Gameweeks.

On his first start of the season in Gameweek 7 at Stoke City, Van Dijk stood out in a number of different categories.

He produced 14 clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBI), which was double that of any team-mate.

He also won a Gameweek-high 11 aerial duels and proved a menace in the Potters penalty area, registering three shots on goal.

The Dutch international has terrific upside given his goal threat, and ability to hoover up bonus points.

He netted three times during the 2015/16 campaign, and has amassed 30 bonus points over the past two seasons, despite injuries limiting him to just 55 starts.

So while at 5.4 in FPL, he is more expensive than the popular Cedric Soares, there are factors that suggest he may be worth the extra outlay.

Mauricio Pellegrino’s side have already kept three clean sheets so far, and face a Newcastle side that have scored just once in three away matches.

Owned by only 1.4% of FPL bosses, van Dijk looks a terrific short-term option as we continue to invest heavily over our five defensive slots.

Tammy Abraham

With this afternoon’s home clash against Huddersfield Town part of a kind run of fixtures for Swansea City, Tammy Abraham appears one of the leading budget forward options in FPL.

The Chelsea loanee has already netted twice and has been the Swans’ main man in terms of goal threat.

He leads the way for total shots (10), penalty area efforts (nine) and big chances (three).

Paul Clement’s side also host Leicester City in Gameweek 9, while the fixtures that follow (ars BHA bur BOU) further enhance his credentials.

Priced at just 5.6 in FPL, Abraham allows us to spend more in defence and midfield, and could be an enabler to free up funds for the likes of Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, or even Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez.

Huddersfield will arrive at the Liberty Stadium on the back of a 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and are without a win in their last five matches.

Abraham enjoyed his two outings against the Terriers last season while on loan at Bristol City, scoring in both encounters against David Wagner’s side.

Sat in just 6.2% of FPL squads, the 20-year-old can be a real difference maker in terms of overall rank if he can take advantage of the obliging schedule.

Encouragingly, he has picked up five bonus points in the two matches he’s scored in, further boosting his appeal.

For those look to re-align their budget and formation, Abraham currently looks the most viable forward solution.

Shinji Okazaki

However, Leicester City also have their own cut-price differential in attack.

While Jamie Vardy is the third most transferred in player ahead of Gameweek 8, his team-mate Shinji Okazaki also looks worthy of consideration.

Priced at just 5.6 in FPL, Okazaki has quietly been enjoying a productive season for the Foxes.

He has already scored three goals, matching his total from 2016/17.

Craig Shakespeare’s side entertain West Bromwich Albion on Monday night.

Okazaki has scored in both of his appearances at the King Power Stadium, matching the number of home goals scored by Vardy, while both forwards have recorded three big chances apiece in front of their own fans.

The fact the Baggies are likely to operate with a deep defensive line could also free up pockets of space for Okazaki to be more involved.

Tony Pulis’ side have conceded five goals in their last two away matches, and are without a win in their last five.

Leicester’s upcoming schedule add further appeal regarding Okazaki’s prospects, with just two difficult fixtures across the next 11 Gameweeks.

With an ownership of just 5.5%, investing in Okazaki can, like Abraham, help re-distribute funds elsewhere in our squads.

Another positive is that the forward was left out of Japan’s squad for their two matches over the international break, meaning that he should avoid being rested by Shakespeare.

Given his increased confidence in front of goal, and the kind schedule, Okazaki is another candidate to consider in the troublesome budget forward bracket.