Spot The Differential – Gameweek 24

Bournemouth’s Jordon Ibe and West Bromwich Albion’s Ahmed Hegazi proved successful punts last week and we’re continuing to seek out value options who can help catapult Fantasy managers up the rankings.

A trio of midfielders have taken our fancy for Gameweek 24, with all three carrying good form into favourable match-ups.

Marc Albrighton

A goal and three assists over the last five Gameweeks means Leicester City’s Marc Albrighton enters this afternoon’s promising home fixture against Watford in good nick.

Despite the fierce competition for attacking spots, Albrighton has started each of the last six and has been influential in the recent revival under Claude Puel.

Indeed, he has been involved in 50% of the Foxes goals since Puel arrived, and has also supplied more successful crosses (16) than any team-mate.

While he has only produced seven shots over the same spell, two of those have been big chances, which is more than fellow midfielders Riyad Mahrez and Demarai Gray (both one).

So for those who are struggling to afford the in-form Algerian for their five-man midfields, Albrighton’s 5.6 price tag in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) should be easier to accommodate.

Watford travel to the King Power Stadium without a clean sheet in 10 attempts and lost 3-0 in the corresponding fixture last season, with Albrighton on the scoresheet that day.

Only four teams have conceded more big chances than the Hornets (10) over the last four Gameweeks, while Leicester have scored five goals in their last two home encounters, so they look primed for another strong showing in front of their own fans.

Part of only 3.3% of squads, Albrighton can deliver great value over the next six Gameweeks, with further favourable home clashes against Swansea City, Stoke City and Bournemouth to follow.

Manuel Lanzini

Marko Arnautovic is the most transferred-in player in FPL this week, but we shouldn’t forget about his team-mate Manuel Lanzini.

The Argentine plundered 14 points in last weekend’s 4-1 victory over Huddersfield Town and edges Arnautovic in a number of statistical categories over their respective last four matches.

Lanzini has bettered the Austrian for both shots (10 to nine) and efforts in the box (eight to five), while the pair are level for efforts on target, with five apiece.

The in-form Hammers host Bournemouth at the London Stadium this afternoon.

No team has given up more big chances than Eddie Howe’s side (11) over the last four Gameweeks and they shipped three goals when the two clubs met back in Gameweek 20.

With the upcoming fixtures (BOU CRY bha WAT) favourable for David Moyes’s men, there is even a case for a midfield double-up of both Lanzini and Arnautovic.

At 6.8 in FPL, Lanzini is another mid-price midfield option who can defy his price tag during this upcoming stretch.

He has an ownership of only 2.8% in FPL and further double-digit hauls like the one he produced in Gameweek 23 would certainly be hugely beneficial for those Fantasy managers who need to reduce mini-league deficits.

Anthony Martial

For those whose budgets can stretch that bit further, Manchester United’s Anthony Martial is an intriguing short-term option.

The France international, who is available for 8.0, is owned by just 2.6% of FPL managers despite becoming increasingly influential for Jose Mourinho’s side.

He will take his strong form into this afternoon’s trip to Burnley, having registered two goals and an assist over the last two Gameweeks and producing more shots (eight) than any of his team-mates.

Martial has racked up an impressive eight goals and five assists from just 12 starts this season, and his tally of 98 points is already better than the 95 he managed last term.

Although the Clarets have been resolute at home, conceding only eight goals, five of those have come in recent home defeats to Spurs and Liverpool.

The former Monaco player will also have fond memories of his previous trip to Turf Moor – he produced a goal and an assist in a 2-0 win in the corresponding fixture last season.

With his confidence levels up and perhaps extra motivation gained from the impending arrival of Alexis Sanchez, this may be a good time to take a risk on Martial.