As we race towards tonight’s 6.45 pm deadline, it’s time to take a look at our latest differential picks ahead of Gameweek 31.
Crystal Palace’s forgotten front man is back in our thoughts following his spectacular return to form last weekend, while favourable match-ups see us opt for interesting midfield options from Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
Christian Benteke
After ending a run of five matches without a goal in Crystal Palace’s shock 2-1 win at Chelsea last weekend, Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke could be set for a Fantasy revival.
The Belgian has seen his price in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) fall from a high of 7.7 to his current value of 7.0 after returning just one goal in his previous 13 appearances before Gameweek 30.
But with the Eagles on a four-match winning streak, confidence is rising by the week at Selhurst Park – and that may be good news for Benteke’s prospects.
He’ll face off against Southampton tomorrow night, with their defence still coming to terms with the absence of Virgil van Dijk in their defence.
Benteke’s underlying statistics over the last six Gameweeks are fairly strong, despite the lack of output prior to the Chelsea match.
He’s managed 10 shots from inside the box over that period, which is bettered by only three other forwards.
His appeal is heightened by the fact Palace have two matches in Gameweek 34 – a trip to Liverpool and a home encounter with Tottenham Hotspur.
Sam Allardyce’s side also have home fixtures against Arsenal and Leicester City to come before that double Gameweek, encouraging an early swoop for the 5.4%-owned Benteke.
Riyad Mahrez
Two goals in his last three appearances and a plum home fixture against Sunderland – Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez offers plenty of upside for Fantasy managers desperately seeking a midfield differential.
The Foxes’ star, like the rest of his team-mates, was enduring a shocking title defence prior to the appointment of Craig Shakespeare as manager, but he has recently shown flashes of the form which made him the highest-scoring player in FPL last term.
Over the last six Gameweeks, no midfielder has registered more shots on target than the Algerian’s eight, while he’s also created a reasonable five chances over that period.
Tonight’s clash against David Moyes’ men looks particularly appealing given no side has allowed more chances down the left flank than Sunderland’s 25 over the last six Gameweeks.
While Jamie Vardy’s recent revival has seen the forward’s ownership rise to 16.2%, Mahrez is still owned by only 9.2% of FPL managers.
The latter also has the advantage of being on penalty duties and has a good history in this particular match-up, scoring twice in the 4-2 home win over the Black Cats last season.
Available at 9.0, Mahrez looks an intriguing option for those Fantasy managers running out of time to make up lost ground in mini-leagues.
Son Heung-min
Having scored as a substitute in Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-0 win over Burnley at the weekend, Son Heung-min is expected to replace Vincent Janssen as the lone striker when Spurs travel to take on Swansea City tomorrow night.
So, given his ‘out of position’ potential, the South Korean looks a great value option at just 7.0.
The Swans have conceded nine goals in their last five matches, while Spurs registered their biggest win of the season when they beat the Welsh outfit 5-0 in the reverse fixture.
Son produced a goal and an assist in that clash – one of three double-figure hauls he’s managed so far this season.
It’s that explosive potential that makes Son so appealing, particularly bearing in mind Mauricio Pochettino’s side face further favourable fixtures at home to Watford and Bournemouth following the trip to south Wales.
The midfielder, who’s currently sat in just 6.4% of FPL squads, has totalled eight goals and six assists this season despite making only 15 starts.
With Harry Kane still sidelined with an ankle injury, Son can offer Fantasy managers fantastic value in the short-term.
And given the kind upcoming schedule, he currently looks worthy of being utilised alongside one of either Dele Alli or Christian Eriksen in our five-man midfields.
