Spot the Differential – Gameweek 12

Son Heung-min did us proud in Gameweek 11 with the winning goal for Spurs, and we’re majoring on the midfield once again in our trio of tempters for the weekend.

Two fit-again big-name players – one a striker, the other a midfielder – get our backing, with the other slot taken up by a Brighton playmaker finally finding his feet in the top flight.

Anthony Knockaert

A goal and an assist from his last four appearances suggests that Brighton & Hove Albion’s Anthony Knockaert is starting to acclimatise to the top flight.

A popular pick during pre-season, having produced 15 goals and nine assists in the Seagulls’ promotion-winning campaign, an ankle injury curtailed that early enthusiasm.

But with 22 points in Fantasy Premier League over the last four Gameweeks, equaling that of team-mate Pascal Gross, the winger is emerging as a viable alternative to the popular German.

Two goals and five assists have seen Gross’ ownership soar to 19.2%, compared to just 0.9% for Knockaert.

Over the last four Gameweeks, Knockaert’s underlying statistics have improved dramatically.

Having failed to create a single big chance in his first seven matches, he has registered three over his last four outings.

Only Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling has created more during that period among FPL midfielders.

His goal threat has also increased, producing four shots from inside the box over the last four Gameweeks, compared to just three in his previous seven appearances.

Knockaert can carry that momentum into Monday night’s favourable home meeting with Stoke City.

Only West Ham United (23) have conceded more goals than the Potters (22) so far this season.

The in-form Seagulls face further promising home fixtures against Crystal Palace, Burnley and Watford before the turn of the year, so Knockaert can be an effective differential not only for Gameweek 12, but also for the longer term.

Paul Pogba

Passed fit by manager Jose Mourinho for this evening’s home encounter with Newcastle United, we’re immediately placing our faith in Paul Pogba.

While we expect Zlatan Ibrahimovic to be eased into the fray from the bench, the Frenchman seems far more likely to make an immediate return to the Manchester United teamsheet against the Magpies.

Pogba’s comeback offers us another big-hitter to consider for our midfields or even an alternative route into United’s attack to the stuttering Romelu Lukaku.

The former Juventus man got off to a flying start this season, registering two goals, three assists and 31 FPL points over the opening four Gameweeks before succumbing to a hamstring injury.

During that period, he fired more attempts on goal (17) than any midfielder, with eight of those arriving inside the box.

Having seen his price rise to 8.3 in FPL, Pogba is now available for his original starting cost of 8.0 and sits in just 8% of squads.

With a home clash against Brighton and trip to Watford in the subsequent two, another bandwagon could be up and running imminently.

Christian Benteke

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has declared Christian Benteke fit for the home meeting with Everton, so we’re backing the Belgian to produce this afternoon.

His impressive record against today’s opponents is a key factor – the Eagles forward has produced five goals and an assist in seven head-to-heads.

The form of the Toffees’ defence also offers hope, given that no side have allowed more big chances over the last four Gameweeks than the Merseyside club (13).

While Palace have only won once since Hodgson took over, there have been some encouraging signs of late.

Since moving to a 4-4-2 formation in Gameweek 8, only two teams have fired more shots inside the box than the Eagles’ 38.

Sidelined since picking up a knee injury in the 5-0 defeat to Manchester City, Benteke has seen his price drop to 7.6 in FPL.

In what has been a troublesome mid-price bracket, he has the proven pedigree to emerge as a viable solution.

Benteke tallied 15 goals and two assists last term and has returned at least 10 goals in four of his five Premier League seasons.

Palace’s upcoming fixtures are also a major factor behind our choice.

They avoid all of the current top seven over the next eight Gameweeks, with this period looking crucial as the Eagles look to move up the table.

Owned by just 2% of FPL bosses, and with the obliging upcoming schedule, he looks a tempting option for those Fantasy managers who need to make up lost ground.