Spot The Differential – Gameweek 16

Last week was simply spectacular for our three differential picks, with Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson, Southampton’s Charlie Austin and Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho all getting on the scoresheet, producing a whopping 34 points in total.

So for our latest choices, we’ve headed back to Anfield to select another member of the “fab four,” while a former team-mate of Sigurdsson and Spurs’ in-form attacker also make the cut.

Wilfried Bony

After registering his first goal of the season last weekend, Swansea City forward Wilfried Bony gets our vote ahead of this afternoon’s home clash against West Bromwich Albion.

The Ivory Coast international produced an eye-catching five goal attempts in the 2-1 defeat to Stoke City, which was only bettered by Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette and West Brom’s Jay Rodriguez among Fantasy Premier League forwards in Gameweek 15.

Having completed 90 minutes in each of the last three matches, Bony’s sharpness is beginning to return following a couple of seasons in the wilderness at Manchester City and on-loan at Stoke.

In his last full season in south Wales back in 2013/14, Bony totalled an impressive 17 goals and four assists.

While he may struggle to reach those heights in this Swansea side, at just 5.7 in FPL he could provide a possible solution as a cheap third forward.

This afternoon’s match-up looks crucial for the Swans, who dropped to the foot of the table last weekend.

West Brom arrive at the Liberty Stadium having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six away matches.

They have also conceded more headed chances (42) than any other side, which is an area where Bony can pose a threat – he is joint-first for headed shots among Swansea players with five, despite only playing 484 minutes this season.

Owned by just 0.3% of managers, the striker may be worth considering as he plays three of his next four matches in front of his own fans.

Son Heung-min

A favourable match-up at home to Stoke has us turn back to Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Son Heung-min.

The South Korean is in many ways destined to be a strong differential in any given Gameweek, with the lack of certainty surrounding his start meaning his ownership is always likely to remain low.

But on the back of a goal last weekend in the 1-1 draw with Watford, and having started Spurs’ last six home matches, we’re confident he’ll keep his place in the starting XI.

Son has scored three goals over the last seven Gameweeks, and has tallied 31 points over that period – more than both Christian Eriksen (21) and Dele Alli (23).

Part of just 1.6% of squads, Son has impressively averaged a big chance every 179.25 minutes this season, superior to both Eriksen (624.5) and Alli (205.33).

Stoke travel to Wembley having given up 35 big chances, more than any other side, while they are second to only West Ham United (32) for goals conceded, with 30.

The Potters have lost 4-0 in each of their last three meetings with Mauricio Pochettino’s side, with Son registering two goals and an assist when the two teams met at the bet365 Stadium last term.

Available at 7.9 in FPL, and with a favourable home fixture against Brighton and Hove Albion to follow on Wednesday night, Son could prove to be a very effective short-term differential.

Sadio Mane

While all the talk of a Liverpool midfield double-up has revolved around Mohamed Salah and Philippe Coutinho, it would perhaps be foolish to overlook Sadio Mane.

His two goals in the 7-0 demolition of Spartak Moscow in midweek received few plaudits, but were more evidence of a player who is also capable of big returns.

Mane’s FPL ownership has been falling, with more than 24,000 managers shedding the Reds midfielder since Saturday’s deadline.

Having been handed a rest in last weekend’s 5-1 win over Brighton, he is arguably more likely to avoid the same fate over the next three Gameweeks.

Despite injuries and suspension limiting the Senegal international to just eight starts, he has still registered four goals and three assists.

Interestingly, he has the same number of big chances created as Salah (three), who has played over 500 minutes more, and one more than Coutinho (two).

The rampant Liverpool attack come up against Everton in the Merseyside derby tomorrow.

Despite keeping clean sheets in their last two matches, the Toffees still rank fifth for the most big chances conceded over the last four Gameweeks, with eight, and are yet to keep a clean sheet on their travels.

Mane also has history against Everton, having scored in both meetings last season, including a dramatic late winner at Goodison Park.

Liverpool’s fixture list over the next few weeks (EVE WBA bou ars SWA LEI) is also very kind, adding further appeal to the 8.2%-owned midfielder.

While Mane (9.4) is currently losing out to Salah and Coutinho in terms of popularity, he has the ability to match and even better their output.

If you’re in desperate need to make up lost ground against rivals in your mini-leagues, it could be worth taking a chance on the former Saints wide man to find his best form over the next few Gameweeks.