Guardiola rotation could allow Mahrez a Gameweek 15 haul

As we hurtle towards the Gameweek 15 deadline, we must not forget about the differential options on show.

With Spurs’ fixtures turning there are still some key assets owned by less than 5% of Fantasy managers.

And a slight insight into Pep Guardiola’s rotation policy has also thrown up an opportunity.

Riyad Mahrez

Price: £8.5m

Ownership: 2.8%

Now that we are moving into the congested period of Christmas fixtures it means that Guardiola will have to use all of the players available to him. That’s why Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) looks set for a start against Watford on Tuesday night.

The Algerian has been used only as a substitute in the last two matches which means he should be fresh for the trip to Vicarage Road.

When he has started matches, Mahrez has been delivering points. In fact in his last three starts for Manchester City, he has two goals and one assist, for an average of 8.67 points per game.

The fact that he has not been a nailed on option in recent months has seen Mahrez’s ownership drop as low as 2.8%, turning him into a potentially powerful differential.

Christian Eriksen

Price: £9.2m

Ownership: 4.9%

Christian Eriksen (£9.2m) just about creeps into the Differentials article this week with his ownership at 4.9%. We suspect that after Gameweek 15 he will push over the 5% threshold.

That’s because we are expecting Tottenham to emerge as comfortable winners over managerless Southampton on Wednesday night.

With a bigger role in set pieces than usual this season, Eriksen has three assists in his last two matches since returning to the starting line-up. Over the last two Gameweeks, he has scored 16 points.

His impeccable delivery of late may have even pushed himself back above Kieran Trippier (£6.1m) in the set pieces pecking order.

The English right-back has been declared fit to face Southampton so it will be interesting to see how he shares dead-ball situations with Eriksen.

Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez

Price: £6.2m

Ownership: 1.7%

Three goals in his last four Premier League outings have put Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez (£6.2m) back into the conversation for starting West Ham United players, and maybe on our Fantasy radars too.

In the last four Gameweeks, the Mexican has had more shots in the penalty box, more big chances the same shots on target compared to the popular Marko Arnautovic (£7.2m). That’s all despite playing just 199 minutes to the Austrian’s 339 in that time.

Chicharito has only started once in that time, but his recent form could allow him more pitch-time. If he does claim a place then given his more advanced position than Arnautovic and cheaper price, he could act as a decent alternative.

Given the run of matches the Hammers still have, with Cardiff (home), Crystal Palace (home), Fulham (away) and Watford (home), Chicharito is sure to get more returns in the coming weeks.

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