Spot the Differential – Gameweek 9

After we struck gold with one of last week’s selections in the form of Swansea City’s Tammy Abraham, we’re hoping for more double-figure hauls from our latest offering.

Three mid-price midfielders have caught our eye for Gameweek 9, with favourable match-ups against newly-promoted sides behind two of our choices.

Michail Antonio

After scoring his first goal of the season in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Burnley, West Ham United midfielder Michail Antonio looks a compelling option ahead of tonight’s home clash against Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Seagulls have conceded six goals in their four away matches and are yet to win on their travels.

Encouragingly, Chris Hughton’s side rank third for the most shots on target allowed over the last four Gameweeks, with 22.

Antonio, who is only owned by 0.7% of Fantasy Premier League managers, enters Gameweek 9 full of confidence after starring against the Clarets.

His goal was one of four shots on target, more than any other player in Gameweek 8.

Another factor behind the midfielder’s appeal is West Ham’s short-term schedule.

They face trips to Crystal Palace and Watford in the next four, and host a Liverpool side that have conceded 11 goals in four away fixtures.

Despite his low ownership, investing in Antonio is certainly not a punt.

He produced nine goals and eight assists last season, on the back of delivering eight goals and seven assists in 2015/16.

While his 7.5 price tag in FPL is a slightly prohibitive, there’s little doubt he’s the type of Fantasy asset who looks ideal for managers who are desperate to make up for lost ground over the opening eight Gameweeks.

Anthony Martial

A trip to struggling Huddersfield Town has convinced us that Manchester United midfielder Anthony Martial is another potentially explosive differential option for Gameweek 9.

The France international has enjoyed a strong campaign so far, registering three goals and two assists, despite having to share pitch time with Marcus Rashford.

While the England international is fit for the trip to the John Smith’s Stadium after being forced off with a minor knee problem in midweek, we fancy that Jose Mourinho will start with the fresher Martial tomorrow afternoon and continue his rotation policy between the pair.

Martial’s underlying statistics are very strong, impressively averaging a shot every 22.7 minutes, which is actually superior to Rashford (26.2).

Despite his lack of pitch time, he has also created three big chances, which is one more than playmaker Juan Mata has managed.

After starting the season well from a defensive standpoint, Huddersfield have struggled over the last two Gameweeks.

A 4-0 home reverse against Tottenham Hotspur was followed by a 2-0 defeat away to Swansea City.

Jose Mourinho’s side, meanwhile, rank joint-second for the most big chances created in away matches with 11.

Martial’s lack of minutes has seen Fantasy managers generally steer clear of the Frenchman, with his FPL ownership standing at just 2.5%.

But setting us back just 8.0, he represents terrific value when he is out on the pitch.

He looks an outstanding one-week play, then, particularly for any FPL manager considering using their Wildcard ahead of Gameweek 10.

Cesc Fabregas

With Chelsea now amid a kind run of fixtures, and given the current injury situation at Stamford Bridge, Cesc Fabregas looks an appealing differential pick.

The Spaniard looks assured of starts for now, with N’Golo Kante out with a hamstring injury, while Danny Drinkwater is still working his way back from a calf injury.

Indeed, he has started in six of the seven league matches he has been available for.

Fabregas produced his first assist of the season last weekend, while he netted against Everton back in Gameweek 3.

Despite Watford currently riding high in fourth place, tomorrow’s home fixture looks promising for the midfielder’s prospects.

The Hornets lie second for the most set-piece chances conceded over the last four Gameweek with 18, boosting Fabregas’ assist potential.

Despite playing just 1,340 minutes last season, he was still able to tally five goals and 15 assists.

The Spain international has, as usual, been the Blues’ main source of creativity this season.

He leads the way for key passes with 20, with three of those creating big chances.

Priced at just 6.9 in FPL, the Chelsea midfielder offers good short-term value, particularly with a favourable trip to Bournemouth coming in Gameweek 10.

Sat in only 5.6% of FPL squads, he looks an intriguing mid-price differential, particularly if the renewed combination of Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard can help transform the Blues’ attack.