Spot The Differential – Gameweek 33

Two of our Gameweek 32 selections got on the scoresheet and we’re hoping our latest trio of differentials can continue in a similar vein this weekend.

This time around, we’ve opted for one premium and two cut-price midfielders to hopefully take advantage of favourable home fixtures.

Eden Hazard

While he was bitterly disappointing in the 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard remains a powerful differential option.

The 6.9%-owned Belgian faces a promising home match-up with West Ham United this weekend.

David Moyes’ side have conceded 11 goals on their last three road trips, while only Stoke City (117) have given up more shots than the Hammers (115) over the last six away matches.

Although Hazard has only produced a single assist from his last four appearances, he has faced both Manchester sides as well as Spurs over that spell.

Despite that, he has impressively created more chances (16) than any other Fantasy Premier League (FPL) midfielder over the four matches.

He has also enjoyed recent success against the Hammers, scoring in two of his last three league outings against the east London club, including in the corresponding fixture last season.

Priced at 10.6 in FPL, Hazard is something of a luxury item.

However, he has still produced 11 goals and five assists this season and has registered six double-digit hauls, all coming since Gameweek 10.

With two Double Gameweeks (sot bur, LIV HUD) to come in a favourable run-in, he could prove to be a stand-out differential over the remaining six Gameweeks, starting on Sunday.

Jordon Ibe

With Junior Stanislas suffering a season-ending knee injury, Bournemouth’s Jordon Ibe looks to have the platform to finish the campaign strongly.

The winger registered a 10-point haul in the 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion in Gameweek 31 and has produced a respectable two goals and six assists from just 19 starts overall.

The primary factor behind the midfielder’s appeal is his 4.7 price tag in FPL, making him an effective enabler.

Ibe’s underlying statistics also provide further room for optimism.

He is second to only Stanislas (11) among Bournemouth players for shots over the last three Gameweeks, with six, while he has registered more crosses (11) than any team-mate over that period.

The Cherries face a favourable home fixture against Crystal Palace this afternoon.

Roy Hodgson’s side are second to only Stoke City (75) for shots conceded over the last four matches, with 66.

Ibe’s prospects are also boosted by the fact Bournemouth play twice in Double Gameweek 34, albeit involving a daunting trip to his former club Liverpool and a home clash against Manchester United.

The wide man is definitely a viable alternative to Newcastle United’s Kenedy in the budget bracket and offers an obvious upgrade for later in the season, when Bournemouth’s schedule (sot SWA bur) compares favourably to the Magpies’ (wat tot CHE).

Sat in only 1.4% of FPL squads, Ibe looks a viable short-term differential given he now looks assured of starts.

Alex Iwobi

Another midfielder who looks set to benefit from an injury is Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan was forced off with a knee injury in the 4-1 win over CSKA Moscow in Thursday’s UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg, and there are fears he has damaged a medial ligament.

The Gunners will be full of confidence following Thursday night’s emphatic victory and entertain struggling Southampton at the Emirates tomorrow.

The Saints suffered a dismal 3-0 defeat to West Ham last weekend and also lost 3-0 at Newcastle in their previous league encounter.

In Mkhitaryan’s absence, Iwobi should gain regular starts in the league while Arsenal are still in the Europa League, starting with tomorrow’s fixture.

Despite only managing two goals and three assists, the Nigerian’s underlying statistics suggest he has the potential to improve his output.

He has averaged a shot every 36 minutes, which is tied with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and superior to both Mkhitaryan (55.2) and Mesut Ozil (55.5).

Iwobi also impresses when assessing his creativity.

The 0.7%-owned midfielder has created a chance every 50 minutes, which is only bettered by Ozil and Mkhitaryan among Arsenal players.

During his last run of starts – between Gameweeks 23 and 26 – he registered a goal and two assists. Those four matches were his best run in the starting XI this season.

Available at just 5.1 in FPL, Iwobi is another interesting cut-price contender who can prove to be a real difference maker for those managers prepared to take a risk as we approach the final month.