Spot The Differential – Gameweek 36

With only three Gameweeks to go, opportunities to catch mini-league rivals or achieve any pre-season targets are fast running out.

With that in mind, we’ve picked three differentials who have the potential to make an impact for the final push.

A rested Manchester City star, Chelsea’s in-form front-man and a Liverpool player who could benefit from rotation all earn our seal of approval ahead of today’s deadline.

Leroy Sane

After being rested for last weekend’s 5-0 win over Swansea City, we’re expecting Leroy Sane to return to the Manchester City starting line-up for their trip to West Ham United on Sunday.

The German international had been one of City’s form players prior to Gameweek 35, producing two goals and two assists from his previous six league appearances.

Over the last four matches, only David Silva (11) has created more chances than Sane among City players, while the wide man also registered nine shots over that period.

Interestingly, his last four goals have all come on the road, offering encouragement ahead of the London Stadium clash.

The Hammers have conceded 17 goals in their last seven matches, while only Stoke City (73) have allowed more shots over the last four outings than West Ham’s 63.

Following their attacking returns last time out, it is Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling who are leading City targets this week.

They are the second and third most transferred-in players, gaining over 200,000 new owners between them.

By contrast, Sane has only been snapped up by 13,000 FPL managers, while his ownership sits at just 11.8%.

Now priced at 8.6 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), the winger might be worth taking a chance on if you believe he has had his rest and is the attacker most likely to play all four remaining matches.

With such a kind run-in (whu HUD/BHA sot), that potential pitch-time could make all the difference.

Olivier Giroud

With three goals in his last three matches in all competitions, and having seemingly established himself as Antonio Conte’s first-choice striker, Olivier Giroud can be a relevant Fantasy asset once again.

Found in only 1.8% of FPL squads, the cultured Chelsea target man looks an ideal option as a differential in a front three.

Since making his Blues debut in Gameweek 26, the Frenchman has produced more shots (23) and penalty area attempts (21) than any other team-mate, despite making just three starts.

His average of a shot every 26.1 minutes is superior to Alvaro Morata (35.3), Eden Hazard and Willian, who have both managed an attempt every 50 minutes.

After netting the opener in the 2-0 FA Cup semi-final victory over Southampton, Giroud should enter this evening’s encounter at Swansea City full of confidence.

His prospects should also be boosted by the fact the Swans have injury concerns over both Federico Fernandez and Kyle Bartley.

In addition, Carlos Carvalhal’s side have conceded nine goals over the last four matches, with no other team allowing more during that spell.

Giroud’s performances have played an important part in Chelsea recording three successive wins and, with confidence levels rising, the 8.2-rated forward should be on our radars once again.

Conte’s men crucially play twice in Double Gameweek 37 (LIV/HUD), and having proved he can make an impact as a substitute, even if he doesn’t start one of those fixtures, Giroud may be worth the gamble.

Danny Ings

A plum home fixture against Stoke City, and the fact Jurgen Klopp is likely to protect Sadio Mane ahead of Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League semi-final, make Danny Ings an intriguing differential option.

Mane picked up a minor problem against Roma on Tuesday night and missed training on Thursday.

So after leading the line against West Bromwich Albion last weekend, and getting on the scoresheet, Ings may again start as the central striker, with Roberto Firmino possibly set to move to the left of the front three.

And if the Reds have the luxury of making early substitutions, it is perhaps Salah and Firmino who are most likely to be withdrawn, giving Ings the opportunity to play the full 90 minutes.

He produced three shots and received two big chances at The Hawthorns – more than any other player involved.

This afternoon’s match-up with the lowly Potters could hardly be more inviting.

They have conceded more goals (65) and given up more big chances (85) than any other side.

Paul Lambert’s men also need to win at Anfield in order to keep their fading survival hopes alive, which could make for an open encounter.

Available for just 5.4  and owned by only 0.2% of managers in FPL, Ings represents the ultimate differential for Gameweek 36.

Liverpool enter today’s match having scored 16 goals in their last four home matches in all competitions, and look primed to heap further misery on Stoke.

As a one-week punt, Ings should be a tempting option for managers needing to pull a Fantasy rabbit out of the hat.