Spot The Differential – Gameweek 38

The final day almost demands risk-taking. With mini-league gaps yawning and rest and rotation threatening our chances of fielding a complete XI, seeking a differential could be key to recording a respectable points tally.

Our last selection of the season finds us turn back to one of the season’s pivotal figures, whilst selecting a blossoming dead-ball specialist and one of the campaign’s emerging stars, promising one last flourish.

Diego Costa

The swarthy Spaniard has been a double-edged sword throughout this season.

So valuable as a consistent Fantasy performer, Costa’s 19 goals have spearheaded Chelsea’s title charge. Despite this, a controversial suspension and a string of injuries have blighted the summer signing as a treasured asset.

Still owned by over 28% of FPL managers – that figure is undoubtedly made up of inactive squads. The Chelsea striker will go into Sunday’s Stamford Bridge meeting with Sunderland as a heavy-hitting differential, capable of returning double figures.

However, Costa remains a gamble. Without Cesc Fabregas as the architect in midfield and perhaps Eden Hazard’s mercurial dribbling and movement, he could be starved of opportunities as Chelsea amble to the summer break.

Sharpness is also a consideration – while Costa looked full of fight at the Hawthorns on Monday night, he also appeared rusty, as he desperately sought to recall his ruthless touch in and around the box.

Sunderland are safe but won’t present easy opponents. Three consecutive clean sheets is testament to their revival and the inspiration of Dick Advocat. The likely absence of Lee Cattermole as the midfield shield could be a factor, however. Sunderland’s destroyer is unlikely to be risked as he sits just one booking from a three-match ban that would put him in the stands at the start of next term.

That could give Chelsea and Costa the opportunity to spark a Stamford Bridge goal spree, with one of this season’s most frustrating assets providing a final reminder of his qualities.

Jason Puncheon

Selecting the primary asset within Palace’s midfield has been a treacherous task. While Yannick Bolasie found a place in our Gameweek 38 Scout Picks, we can’t ignore the appeal of team-mate Jason Puncheon as the worthy and lesser-owned alternative.

Puncheon’s (5.5) free-kick proficiency inspired the Eagles to a 3-1 victory over Liverpool last time out and gave them hope of overhauling the Red Devils the week before. In the last two matches for all Premier League midfielders, only Southampton’s Sadio Mane (five) mustered more attempts on target than Puncheon, underlining his recent potency in the final third.

Palace welcome Swansea City to Selhurst Park on Sunday, having recorded losses in their previous three home ties. Alan Pardew’s troops will be determined to atone for those recent failings and provide their fans with one last hurrah before the curtains are drawn on the campaign.

Only Manchester City (34) and Everton (28) engineered more shots inside the box than the Eagles in their last two matches, suggesting that the London club continue to function efficiently as an offensive unit.

Jamie Vardy

Vardy (4.6) has enjoyed an excellent end to Leicester’s campaign and was an instrumental figure during their miraculous rise from the foot of the table. The Foxes forward tallied three goals and four assists in his last nine starts, only failing to deliver attacking returns in three of those fixtures.

Assists have been the major factor. Vardy has emerged as one of the prime creative outlets in the league, with his 12 assists surpassing all other forwards and ranking second only to Cesc Fabregas (18) among the full Fantasy roster.

Leicester lock horns with bottom side Queens Park Rangers this Gameweek, who’ve shipped nine goals in their last three league clashes. In addition to the R’s obliging defence, the Foxes netted five unanswered goals in their latest two encounters at the King Power Stadium, proving that they’ve evolved into a dangerous and potent attacking outfit.

The noisy Leicester faithful are likely to put on a party atmosphere on Sunday and Vardy could well play up on that stage to provide one last eye-catching display, highlighting just why he’s recently been recognised by Roy Hodgson’s England.