Spot The Differential – Gameweek 34

After Marko Arnautovic delivered in spectacular fashion last weekend with a 12-point haul in Stoke City’s 3-1 win over Hull City, we’re hoping at least one of this week’s differential choices can produce another double-figure score.

With three teams facing double Gameweeks, we’ve turned to players from Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Middlesbrough, given the potential on offer.

Andros Townsend

Having produced two goals, three assists and nine Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bonus points over his last six appearances, Crystal Palace midfielder Andros Townsend enters the double Gameweek in fine fettle.

The England international, who’s available at just 5.8 in FPL, has been a star performer for the Eagles over the past month or so, and now faces matches away to Liverpool and at home to Tottenham Hotspur in Gameweek 34, before a plum home fixture against Burnley a week later.

While they appear tough match-ups on paper, Liverpool do rank joint-first for big chances conceded over the last six Gameweeks with 16, while the fact Palace have won three of their last four at Selhurst Park suggests they can trouble an in-form Spurs.

Townsend’s underlying statistics illustrate his growing influence for Sam Allardyce’s side, registering 15 key passes over the last six Gameweeks, more than double the tally of any team-mate, and only bettered by Manchester City’s David Silva among all FPL midfielders.

Despite outscoring Wilfried Zaha by 42 FPL points to 36 over Palace’s last six matches, it’s Zaha who is proving more popular among managers.

The Ivory Coast international has been snapped up by 78,000 FPL bosses since Saturday’s deadline, compared to 33,000 for Townsend.

That’s seen Zaha’s ownership soar to 15.7%, leaving the 2.7%-owned Townsend as the differential option.

So for those Fantasy managers who are running out of time to make a late charge in mini-leagues, it’s arguably Townsend who provides the bigger upside of the two.

Stewart Downing

With Middlesbrough facing the most favourable fixtures of the three teams who have two matches in Gameweek 34, we’ve decided to roll the dice on midfielder Stewart Downing.

Steve Agnew’s side travel to Bournemouth this afternoon, before entertaining Sunderland at the Riverside on Wednesday night.

While goals have been hard to come by for ‘Boro all season long, managing just 23, those two match-ups are pretty appealing.

Bournemouth rank third for most goals conceded (11) over the last six Gameweeks, and second for shots conceded from inside the box (59) over the same period.

Sunderland, meanwhile, have only kept one clean sheet in their 15 away matches this season.

‘Boro attackers could be worth consideration as differentials this week then, with the 0.5%-owned Downing perhaps a dark horse.

Downing is one of only four players to start all five matches since Agnew took charge at the Riverside, and has created 10 chances, double the number of any team-mate.

Under Agnew, there has been an emphasis on getting crosses into the box for forwards Alvaro Negredo and Rudy Gestede.

‘Boro rank second for crosses (126) over the last six Gameweeks, and as seen on Monday night, when Downing’s cross was volleyed home by Negredo, he offers significant assist potential.

So available at just 4.9 in FPL, Downing looks a possible option for maverick Fantasy managers.

Daley Blind

The knee injury suffered by Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo in Thursday night’s 2-1 win over Anderlecht in the UEFA Europa League means we’ve opted for Daley Blind as our final selection.

The Dutch defender has generally been out of favour under United boss Jose Mourinho of late, but with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling also sidelined, he looks to have a good chance of starting both matches in double Gameweek 34, when United travel to Burnley and Manchester City.

Blind’s lack of playing time means he’s owned by just 4.2% of FPL managers, but as a short-term option, he could well be worth a gamble.

The major advantage Blind possess is the fact he shares set-piece duties when in the side.

He has produced 14 successful corners this season, more than double of any team-mate, and has created a chance every 62 minutes, better than fellow defender Antonio Valencia (84).

Given he’s only made 19 appearances, the fact Blind has registered 12 FPL bonus points is hugely impressive, and priced at 5.2, he is also cheaper than both Eric Bailly and Valencia.

United have kept clean sheets in three of their last four league encounters, and with Burnley only scoring in three of their last five, Sunday’s clash looks promising from a defensive perspective.

The Manchester derby will present a far tougher challenge, but over the two fixtures, there’s every chance Blind will prove to be a worthwhile acquisition.

Mourinho’s side also face a very favourable home fixture against Swansea City in Gameweek 35, so particularly for Fantasy managers who still have their wildcard to play, there look enough reasons to take a short-term punt on the United man.