Spot the Differential – Gameweek 19

After Cesc Fabregas, Paul Pogba and Raheem Sterling all returned attacking points last time out, we’ve chosen another three midfielders for our selections ahead of Gameweek 19.

Two players who scored off the bench last week, along with a returning Bournemouth midfielder, all look to offer plenty of upside as differentials heading into this weekend.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

After scoring on his comeback from an ankle injury against Sunderland on Boxing Day, Man United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan looks poised for a recall when Jose Mourinho’s side host Middlesbrough tomorrow.

The Armenian, who is available at 8.9 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), netted with an audacious back-heel flick, meaning he’s scored in each of his last two top-flight outings.

Mkhitaryan is impressively averaging a chance every 27 minutes so far this season, and given he’s also creating a chance every 43.9 minutes, he should be in contention for both goals and assists each time he steps on the pitch.

United will face slightly tougher opposition from the north-east tomorrow, though, given that ‘Boro have only conceded just five goals in their last five away matches, covering difficult trips to both the Emirates and the Etihad.

But on the back of four successive victories, confidence is gradually being restored at Old Trafford, and with favourable match-ups against West Ham United, Stoke City and Hull City in the next five, investing in Mkhitaryan could also pay off in the medium term.

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic sitting in over 42% of FPL squads, Mkhitaryan, who is owned by only 2.4% of FPL managers, could prove a canny differential as an alternative to the popular Swede or even as a double-up option as the Red Devils start to find their stride.

Junior Stanislas

Junior Stanislas made a quicker than expected return from an ankle injury in the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea on Boxing Day, and now looks to have a good chance of returning to the starting XI for Bournemouth’s trip to managerless Swansea City.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe does have a number of options to choose from in the wide positions, with Josh King, Jordon Ibe and perhaps even Ryan Fraser all viable starters.

But having scored three goals and registered four assists in just 10 appearances this season, Stanislas is expected to be a regular starter when he’s fully fit.

So far this season, Stanislas is averaging a chance every 40.5 minutes, which is impressively places him alongside big-name midfielders such as Liverpool’s Sadio Mane (38.3) and Man City’s Raheem Sterling (41.4).

Given that the Bournemouth man only sets us back 5.1 in FPL, he’s shaping up as excellent value over the coming period.

Saturday’s opponents Swansea have conceded more goals (10) and allowed more big chances (10) than any other side over the last four Gameweeks, so Bournemouth have to be fancied to find the back of the net.

In addition, Howe’s side also face Hull City, Watford and Crystal Palace in their next five, so Stanislas, who is sitting in just 0.5% of FPL squads, looks a great option for those shopping for a budget midfielder.

Son Heung-min

With Tottenham Hotspur taking on a Watford side decimated by injuries and suspension, and with Mauricio Pochettino possibly set to rotate his side ahead of the crucial home clash against Chelsea, we’ve opted for Son Heung-min as one of our selections this week.

The South Korean international scored as a substitute in Wednesday night’s 4-1 win at Southampton, taking his tally to six for the season.

He’s also registered five assists, helping him to total an impressive 79 points in FPL from just 10 starts, offering great value at his current price of just 7.1.

Pochettino’s side face a Watford side that have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight matches, and given the confidence that Spurs will have gained following the performance at St Mary’s, they have to be fancied to pick up where they left off at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

Unless Pochettino feels that either Dele Alli or Christian Eriksen are in need of a rest, it’s Moussa Sissoko who looks most likely to make way for Son, who last started in the 1-0 defeat to Man United in Gameweek 15.

The former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, whose current ownership in FPL stands at 5.3%, has scored braces in away matches against both Stoke City and Middlesbrough, so his ability to produce double-digit hauls on the road makes him a player with a huge upside for Gameweek 19.