With Watford’s Kiko Femenia and West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini both producing returns last time out, we’re hoping for further success with our latest differential picks.
We’ve hardly hedged out bets by backing Arsenal’s star man, while an assured start for a Chelsea playmaker also looks on the cards. However, we’ve gambled somewhat on the third pick, turning to a classic short-term striker punt set for a collision with the Premier League’s most obliging defence.
Alexis Sanchez
There are few differentials that boast the potential of Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez for Gameweek 14, when the Gunners host Huddersfield Town.
The Chilean has incredibly contributed 17 goals in his last 18 appearances against newly promoted sides.
The Terriers also arrive at the Emirates on a dismal run of away form, losing four of their last five, conceding 11 goals in the process.
They have also struggled of late, with only Everton (12) and Newcastle United (11) conceding more big chances than David Wagner’s side (10) over the last four Gameweeks.
Sanchez has gradually been edging back to the form that saw him finish last season as the top point scorer in Fantasy Premier League.
He has registered three goals and three assists over his last seven Gameweek starts, averaging 6.2 points per match.
During that period, he leads all midfielders for both shots (31) and chances created (24).
Sanchez’s 11.8 price tag has proven prohibitive, and is the key factor behind his ownership standing at just 2.8%.
But for those Fantasy managers who’ve endured a difficult start to the season, he looks the ideal option to help spark a rank revival.
Sanchez may struggle to become established as a significant factor in our seasons, but there’s no doubting his credentials as an explosive differential.
Cesc Fabregas
After playing just 16 minutes as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool, we’re expecting Cesc Fabregas to come straight back into the starting XI for the plum home fixture against Swansea City.
The Spaniard has enjoyed a reasonable start to the campaign, registering one goal and three assists, and his underlying statistics suggest there is much more to come.
No other FPL midfielder has created more chances than the Blues playmaker (34), while he’s also registered 15 shots, with eight arriving from inside the box.
The match-up with Swansea looks hugely promising.
Only three teams have conceded more goal attempts and penalty-area shots in away matches than the Welsh outfit, although they have only let in five goals on their travels.
Fabregas did produce a goal and an assist in the corresponding fixture last season, though, when Chelsea recorded a 3-1 victory.
The champions are also in good goal scoring form, netting 11 times in their last five encounters, while only Liverpool (44) have registered more penalty-area efforts than the Blues (40) over the last four Gameweeks.
For those Fantasy managers whose budget can’t stretch to Eden Hazard or Alvaro Morata, the 6.9-priced Fabregas can provide a cut-price solution.
Sat in just 4.9% of FPL squads, Fabregas looks a very enticing option given his impressive numbers and the kind upcoming schedule.
Andy Carroll
A trip to struggling Everton makes West Ham United forward Andy Carroll an intriguing one-week option.
The Toffees have conceded more goals (28) than any other side this season, and have allowed more big chances (12) than any other team over the last four Gameweeks.
They also rank third for the most headed attempts conceded during that period, with 10.
Everton’s last home match saw them suffer a 5-1 drubbing to Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League, while they also have injury concerns in defence.
Leighton Baines is almost certain to miss out with a calf injury, while Michael Keane is also a doubt following a clash of heads in Sunday’s defeat at Southampton.
Although Carroll is yet to get off the mark this season, no West Ham player has managed more shots (19) than the target man.
At just 5.9 in FPL, he is another viable budget option for the third forward spot, even if our interest is limited to the short-term.
