Spot The Differential – Gameweek 29

All three of our differentials delivered attacking returns last week, and we’re hoping to repeat the trick with our latest choices.

Two big-name midfielders need little introduction, while an in-form budget forward has taken our fancy ahead of a home match-up against a struggling Arsenal.

Leroy Sane

Following a stunning display in the 3-0 win over Arsenal on Thursday night, Manchester City’s Leroy Sane is our headline selection.

The winger produced a goal, assist and two bonus points against the Gunners for his seventh double-figure haul of the season.

Interestingly, five of those have come at the Etihad Stadium, where only Kevin De Bruyne (six) has tallied more double-digit scores.

Pep Guardiola’s in-form side entertain Chelsea tomorrow.

The Blues travel north having conceded nine times over the last four Gameweeks – only West Bromwich Albion (11) have let in more.

City then face a trip to Stoke City in Gameweek 30.

The Potters have conceded more goals (54) than any other side this season and lost 7-2 in the reverse fixture back in Gameweek 8, when Sane recorded a goal and an assist.

Despite being the most popular pick heading into Gameweek 29, Sane is still found in only 8.7% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) squads, so has the potential to be a particularly explosive differential.

The City wide man has averaged an impressive 5.7 points per match (ppm), which is only bettered by just four other midfielders.

Priced at 8.4, Sane looks a tantalising option for those who need to turn to differentials to make big gains.

Glenn Murray

The home form of the Brighton & Hove Albion forward has drawn our attention.

Glenn Murray has produced four goals in his last three starts at the Amex, amassing 26 points.

He has now scored 10 goals the season and lies third among forwards in terms of points per million value with a score of 15.5.

Chris Hughton’s men enter tomorrow’s home clash against Arsenal full of confidence following their 4-1 victory over Swansea City.

The Gunners have lost each of their last three away matches and have given up 16 big chances over the last four Gameweeks – at least five more than any other side.

The form of the 3.5%-owned forward comes as no surprise when we take a look at his underlying statistics.

He has had four big chances in the last four Gameweeks, which is second to only Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane (nine) among FPL forwards.

The veteran striker sits fourth for shots (10), efforts in the box (nine) and attempts on target, with five, and has also displayed an ability to supply for his team-mates, despite the fact he has yet to register an assist this season.

The 5.8-priced forward is second to only Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino (seven) for chances created among strikers, with six.

In great form and facing an Arsenal side bereft of confidence, Murray looks to have the platform to enjoy another productive afternoon.

Aaron Ramsey

Matches away to Brighton and at home to Watford over the next two Gameweeks in particular see us plump for Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey as our final pick.

The Wales international lies sixth behind Sane for ppm among FPL midfielders with 5.6 – impressively ahead of Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez and Spurs’ Christian Eriksen (both 5.4).

Ramsey’s away form has been particularly eye-catching.

His 44% goal involvement on the road is superior to any team-mate, while no other Arsenal player has produced more shots from inside the penalty area (18) or shots on target (11) in away matches.

Brighton’s defence over their last four home encounters also provides further encouragement for Ramsey’s prospects.

The Seagulls have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of those matches, while no side has conceded more goals (eight) or allowed more shots on target (20).

The Brighton rearguard is also the fifth worst for shots conceded inside the penalty area (29) over the last four home matches.

Available at just 6.9 in FPL, Ramsey provides terrific value.

The fact that Arsenal’s schedule from Gameweek 32 onwards (STK SOT new WHU) is so kind is worth noting, particularly for those Fantasy managers who have already used their second Wildcard.

Arsene Wenger’s will also benefit from a double Gameweek, with their trip to Leicester still to be re-arranged.

With an ownership of 3.9% in FPL, Ramsey is another player who can be a difference-maker over the next couple of weeks as the need to secure mini-leagues and climb the overall rankings intensifies.