Spot The Differential – Gameweek 5

For our differential choices this week, we’re taking a chance on two cheaper midfielders from the Manchester clubs who are leading the way in the goalscoring charts.

Bournemouth’s points per million hearo from 2016/17 also features ahead of a promising home fixture later this evening.

Leroy Sane

After scoring twice as a substitute in Manchester City’s emphatic 5-0 win over Liverpool, Leroy Sane has piqued our interest ahead of a trip to Watford.

The German international played 33 minutes off the bench in Gameweek 4 and also created two chances to go with his brace.

He then played 18 minutes in the 4-0 win at Feyenoord in midweek and, given Pep Guardiola’s fondness for rotation, we believe he could be in line for a start at Vicarage Road.

Sane was initially a popular option as a cheaper route into the Man City midfield, having ended last season strongly.

He finished the 2016/17 campaign with five goals and seven assists in Fantasy Premier League and produced an assist in the corresponding fixture last season, when Pep Guardiola’s side won 5-0.

Tapping into the Man City attack looks a wise move given their current form. Now down to 8.2 in FPL, Sane could be worth a roll of the dice.

Man City’s schedule remains very favourable over the next month or so, with home matches against Crystal Palace, Stoke City and Burnley on the horizon.

Though rotation is a concern, Sane’s devastating impact last weekend showcased his potential.

Even if his minutes are occasionally limited, the 3.3%-owned midfielder can still provide value if Guardiola’s men can maintain their goalscoring momentum.

Marouane Fellaini

The hamstring injury suffered by Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba could open the door for Marouane Fellaini.

The Belgian has been a key figure in Jose Mourinho’s side when coming off the bench this season.

Indeed, he managed to get on the scoresheet in the 2-0 victory over Leicester City in Gameweek 3.

Replacing Pogba on Tuesday night against FC Basel in the Champions League, Fellaini produced a goal and an assist in the 3-0 win to stake a claim for a start against his former side Everton on Sunday.

The Toffees head to Old Trafford in terrible form, having suffered 3-0 defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Atalanta over the past week.

In the opening four Gameweeks, Ronald Koeman’s side ranked sixth for the most shots conceded, with 61.

The 0.7%-owned Belgian looks to be battling with Ander Herrera for a place alongside Nemanja Matic in the Man United midfield, although all three could conceivably start if Mourinho opts for a 4-3-3 formation.

But Herrera put in a disappointing performance in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Stoke City and was left out of the squad in midweek, so Fellaini looks the favourite to start in a 4-2-3-1 system.

Priced at just 4.9 in FPL, Fellaini looks a really tempting option as a short-term punt – particularly handy for those Fantasy managers who are considering using their Wildcard over the next few weeks.

Man United’s next two fixtures see them travel to struggling Southampton, before hosting bottom side Crystal Palace.

Joshua King

With Bournemouth in desperate need of three points tonight when they entertain Brighton & Hove Albion, it may be time to take a chance on their star man Josh King.

It’s been a surprisingly slow start for the Cherries and the Norwegian forward has yet to register a goal or an assist.

But his underlying statistics suggest he’s the man most likely to deliver this evening.

King leads all Bournemouth players for total shots (seven) and penalty area efforts (six).

Reclassified as a forward in FPL this season, King’s price has fallen to 7.3.

He shone as a budget midfielder last term, totalling 16 goals and three assists and, despite the lack of production this season, King’s attacking statistics remain very similar to 2016/17.

He averaged 1.9 shots and 3.8 penalty-area touches per match last season. Over the opening four Gameweeks, he’s averaged 1.8 shots per match, while his touches in the box have increased to 5.2.

Sat in just 2.6% of FPL squads, King can provide a short-term solution in the mid-price bracket.

Brighton have conceded eight big chances so far and have only managed to keep one clean sheet, when they were up against 10-man Watford.

If you want to get Gameweek 5 off to a flyer, turning to last season’s surprise package could be a risk worth taking.