Gameweek 31 picks Christian Benteke and Son Heung-min delivered goals in midweek, so we’re hoping our latest differential selections can maintain the momentum today and beyond.
This time around, we’re backing a Fantasy heavyweight who’s returned to fitness, an in-form Leicester City midfielder and a Middlesbrough striker with a platform to deliver on some encouraging statistics.
Harry Kane
With the news coming from Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino that Harry Kane will be in the squad for this afternoon’s home clash with Watford, we had to include the England international in our picks.
While the Spurs boss revealed he wasn’t sure if Kane will be named in the starting XI or only on the bench, the fact his ownership has fallen to 7.9% in FPL surely makes him the ultimate differential heading into Gameweek 32.
The match-up this afternoon looks hugely promising given the Hornets will be without the suspended Miguel Britos and the injured duo of Sebastian Prodl and Younes Kaboul, leaving Watford head coach Walter Mazzarri with a makeshift backline.
Before suffering an ankle injury in Tottenham’s FA quarter-final against Millwall last month, Kane had been in sensational form, registering nine goals and one assist in his previous four home matches.
He also produced a 16-point haul when the two sides met at Vicarage Road earlier in the season as Spurs claimed an emphatic 4-1 victory.
Kane’s price in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) has also dropped to 11.2, and with further favourable fixtures at home to Bournemouth and away to Crystal Palace over the next three Gameweeks, the short-term schedule remains inviting.
Spurs will also face a double Gameweek during the run-in, with their trip to Leicester City still to be rescheduled.
So with the owners of Sergio Aguero and Zlatan Ibrahimovic perhaps likely to hold, given both scored in Gameweek 31 and face strong fixtures this weekend, sticking the armband on Kane could be an effective tactic for those seeking a late surge in mini-leagues.
Marc Albrighton
After making a significant contribution from the bench during Tuesday night’s 2-0 home victory over Sunderland, Marc Albrighton is likely to be handed a recall for tomorrow’s trip to Everton.
The Leicester City winger provided the assist for both of the Foxes’ goals and has been enjoying a good run of form since Craig Shakespeare took charge at the King Power Stadium.
The midfielder has four assists in his last four league appearances, while he scored in the 2-0 win over Sevilla in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
Albrighton’s underlying statistics are also very encouraging.
Since Shakespeare replaced Ranieri ahead of the Gameweek 26 clash against Liverpool, the winger has registered 10 successful crosses, more than double any other Leicester player.
Over that period, the former Aston Villa midfielder has created a chance every 39.3 minutes – better than any Foxes team-mate who has logged at least 100 minutes since Gameweek 26.
Available at just 4.9 in FPL, Albrighton looks great value given his recent output.
Although Everton have only conceded seven goals in their last six matches, they will be without the suspended Ashley Williams this weekend, while Seamus Coleman and Ramiro Funes Mori remain sidelined.
The 1.1%-owned Albrighton might be worth a gamble as a cheaper route into the Leicester attack.
Alvaro Negredo
With a home clash against Burnley this afternoon, Middlesbrough forward Alvaro Negredo is worth a look for our three-man forward lines.
The Spaniard scored his seventh goal of the season in the 4-2 defeat to Hull City in midweek, producing an eye-catching five goal attempts.
The Clarets are ranked joint-second, on 57, for the most shots conceded inside the box over the last six Gameweeks, making this afternoon’s match-up that little bit more favourable.
Sean Dyche’s side have picked up just three points on their travels this season, and with Boro seven points from safety, they desperately need a win today.
Negredo produced those impressive numbers playing alongside Rudy Gestede in a 4-4-2 formation against the Tigers, and head coach Steve Agnew is expected to stick with the same attacking system this afternoon.
The 10.9%-owned Negredo should also prove to be a strong pick for the coming weeks, bearing in mind Boro have two favourable fixtures in Gameweek 34, travelling to Bournemouth before hosting Sunderland at the Riverside.
Negredo is priced at just 6.1 and looks worthy of a short-term punt over the next three Gameweeks, with the match at the KCOM Stadium showing Agnew is adopting a more attacking approach than seen under Aitor Karanka, which can only be good news for the Spaniard’s prospects.
