Spot The Differential – Gameweek 34

Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi delivered for us last week as a cost-effective pick with two assists against Southampton, so we’ve chosen three more budget options in our latest selections.

Two of those players benefit from playing twice in Double Gameweek 34, while a returning Swansea City forward is backed to make his mark against an Everton defences that has struggled on the road.

Jordan Ayew

Back from suspension for Swansea City’s home encounter against Everton, Ayew now looks a great option for both Gameweek 34 and the season run-in.

The Ghanaian has scored in two of the Swans’ three previous home matches and this afternoon takes on a Toffees side that suffered away from Goodison Park.

No team has conceded more goals (15), or given up more big chances (18), than Sam Allardyce’s defence over the last six away matches.

Everton also lost on their last trip to south Wales, with Ayew providing an assist in the 1-0 victory for the Swans.

The 6.2%-owned forward should provide some much-needed cutting edge for the Welsh club, who have only managed a single goal since he was sent off in the goalless draw with Huddersfield Town last month.

He has produced more shots (six) and efforts on target (four) than any team-mate over the respective last four matches.

Crucial to Ayew’s appeal is the fact Swansea also play in the reduced Gameweek 35, albeit away to Manchester City, while they also feature twice in Double Gameweek 37 (bou SOT).

Given his 5.3 price tag in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Ayew could emerge as the leading third forward option for the run-in and he could prove be an effective signing for those who want to avoid the clamour for Double Gameweek 34 assets.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

With Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane and Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku among the four most bought players this week, many managers will need to free up funds to be able to afford either forward.

Having started every match since Mark Hughes took charge at St Mary’s, Southampton’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg looks an ideal budget enabler.

The Dane found the back of the net in the 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic in their FA Cup quarter-final and has impressively fired more shots (eight) than any team-mate over their three matches in all competitions under Hughes.

The Saints midfielder has been handed more freedom to push forward, with Hughes adopting a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Indeed, his total of two shots inside the penalty area over the last two Gameweeks is equal to his haul over the first 31 matches under Mauricio Pellegrino.

The south coast club face a home clash against Chelsea and a trip to Leicester City in Double Gameweek 34.

The Blues have only managed one clean sheet from their last eight encounters, while only three teams have conceded more goals than the 15 they have shipped since Gameweek 25.

Meanwhile, Leicester have also produced just a single shut-out from their last eight matches and have conceded in each of their last four at home.

Hojbjerg’s appeal is also boosted by the fact Southampton play twice in Double Gameweek 37, when they face trips to Everton and Swansea.

Available for just 4.3 and owned by a paltry 0.3%, he could prove the ultimate Gameweek 34 “enabler”.

Jesse Lingard

Manchester United’s Double Gameweek 34 fixtures (WBA bou) appear the most favourable of all the eight teams who play twice, and Jesse Lingard stands out as a cheaper midfield option.

The England international sets us back just 6.0 in FPL and is part of a United side that will be full of confidence following their 3-2 win over Man City.

Lingard is enjoying his best ever FPL campaign, having already produced eight goals and five assists.

He registered a goal in the reverse fixture against West Brom, as part of a 10-point haul, and has the platform to deliver further attacking returns over the next two matches.

The Baggies have managed just one clean sheet from their last 15 road trips, while Bournemouth have only produced one shut-out from their previous 13 at the Vitality.

While his minutes over Double Gameweek 34 are a little less secure than team-mates Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, Lingard is far kinder on the budget.

The underlying statistics also suggest he could still profit, even if his minutes are managed for the trip to Bournemouth, given that an FA Cup semi-final with Spurs follows just three days later.

Over the last four matches, he has registered more shots (seven) than both Lukaku (five) and Sanchez (four), while his average of a shot every 36 minutes is comfortably superior to both the striker (72) and his fellow midfielder (84).

With his ownership still only at 10.8%, Lingard looks a hugely tempting option for those managers bidding to cover United’s attack without splashing on a big-hitter option.