Spot The Differential – Gameweek 15

Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez came through for us in midweek with a goal in the 5-0 victory over Huddersfield, and we’re backing two other big-name midfielders to shine as differentials this time around.

Our third selection sees us take a chance on a Southampton striker who proved in Gameweek 13 that he can still find the back of the net when given the pitch time and service.

Gylfi Sigurdsson

Everton’s club-record signing is beginning to make his mark on Merseyside and he looks set for further profit with Huddersfield Town visiting Goodison Park this afternoon.

A goal and two assists in his last three Gameweek starts provide indication that the Iceland international has now settled at his new club, following an indifferent start.

The midfielder’s underlying statistics illustrate a growing influence.

He has registered more shots (five) than any team-mate over the last four Gameweeks, and has also created two big chances. The former Swansea City midfielder has supplied 19 crosses during the same spell, more than double that of any other Toffees player.

Confidence levels in the Toffees camp will have been boosted by the emphatic 4-0 victory over West Ham United, and also by the arrival of Sam Allardyce as manager.

This afternoon’s match-up will be Big Sam’s first game in charge and looks to be a platform to claim back-to-back victories.

No team has conceded more goals than Huddersfield (11) over the last four Gameweeks, while they have also given up more big chances (13) than any other side over that period.

Now down to 8.0 in Fantasy Premier League, having started the season at 8.5, Sigurdsson will be a factor today and could yet feature in our seasons.

Everton’s fixture list for the rest of 2017 remains favourable, and we might see the 2.1%-owned midfielder emerge as an effective differential under Allardyce.

Gameweek 15 looks as good opportunity to take a chance on a player who has been a firm Fantasy favourite in seasons past.

Charlie Austin

After playing just seven minutes in midweek, and with Shane Long an injury doubt, we fancy that Charlie Austin will be handed a start when Southampton travel to Bournemouth on Sunday.

The striker made the most of his first start of the season in Gameweek 13, scoring twice in the 4-1 victory over Everton.

His performance could not have been more impressive. Austin registered six shots, with five coming from inside the penalty-area.

His lack of pitch-time so far this season means the forward resides in just 1% of FPL squads. But given his proven track record, he may well be worth a look as a third striker differential.

He tallied six goals and one assist from just 11 starts last term and produced 18 goals and eight assists back in 2014/15.

His aerial prowess, in particular, could be a major factor against the Bournemouth defence. Only West Bromwich Albion (39) have conceded more headed attempts (36) this season.

Available at just 6.0 in FPL, Austin may be viewed as a possible rotation option, with his historical fitness issues perhaps meaning he won’t be able to start every match over this congested period.

But with a favourable Gameweek 15 match-up, and strong home fixtures against Leicester City and Huddersfield coming up, he could warrant a gamble.

Philippe Coutinho

The forgotten man in the FPL midfield shake-up can be a major game-changer for Fantasy managers.

After being an unused substitute in the 3-0 win over Stoke City on Wednesday night, Philippe Coutinho is expected to return to the starting XI for this afternoon’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.

While it’s been a stop-start campaign for the Brazilian so far, he’s still totalled three goals, two assists and eight bonus points from just seven starts.

Now down to just 8.8 in FPL, he could be a great option to double up on the Liverpool attack, alongside Mohamed Salah, for the favourable run of fixtures heading into 2018.

While today’s opponents Brighton have been relatively solid at the Amex Stadium, conceding just seven goals, there is every chance the free-scoring Reds can prosper.

The Seagulls rank sixth for the most big chances allowed in home matches, with 12, and fifth for shots on target conceded (29).

Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp’s side currently boast the Premier League’s in-form attack. They lead the way for both goals scored (11) and big chances (13) over the last four Gameweeks.

When he’s been on the pitch, Coutinho has been hugely influential, averaging a shot every 20.5 minutes, which matches the prolific Salah.

While Coutinho mainly relies on efforts from range, he has also created a chance every 29 minutes, superior to both Salah (50) and Sadio Mane (51).

An FPL goal involvement rate of 50% highlights Coutinho’s importance to the Liverpool attack.

If you’re seeking a differential with the potential for a big tally, the 5.2%-owned Reds midfielder fits the profile perfectly.