This week’s a difficult one for differentials and for FPL in general. With only five games out of the normal ten to choose from, some names that are, let’s say, “not household” ones will be more popular than normal in lineups this Saturday.
Here’s who has made it on to our Differential XI teamsheet:
Goalkeeper
Artur Boruc – 21% owned
I can see Artur Boruc being popular in GW31. With only 10 goalkeepers active this week, ‘keepers will be slim pickings. Boruc has the ownership of a differential but the fixture (home v Newcastle) of a potential high scorer.
Defenders
Angelo Ogbonna – 23% owned
Assuming Angelo Ogbonna staved off competition from returning Fabian Balbuena this week, he should score well. Fierce in the air and capable of being a threat at the other end, a date with Huddersfield should end in a good points haul.
Aaron Cresswell – 33% owned
A West Ham double up in extremely rare in FPL defences but when times are tough, sometimes it’s necessary. Aaron Cresswell is due an assist too. An old favourite differential who’s endured a difficult season.
Jon Gorenc Stankovic – 16% owned
Who? Just the next potential out of position FPL gem, that’s who. Jon Gorenc Stankovic has started the last three games in Huddersfield’s midfield and done pretty well. He managed 8.5 points last time out despite two goals conceded and a yellow card and managed 17.75 and 14.75 in the previous two. Stankovic has differential potential beyond this week.
Charlie Daniels – 19% owned
Yeah, this week’s a tough one. Due to injuries, Charlie Daniels has started Bournemouth’s last two and done himself no harm. He’s also known for flying up and down the wing so attacking returns v Newcastle could easily be on their way.
Midfielders
Ashley Westwood – 45% owned
Ashley Westwood’s freakish goal at Anfield last week was his 7th attacking return in what has been a quietly effective campaign for the Burnley midfielder. Westwood has averaged a tidy 7.83 points per match and it’s hard to bet against him returning again against a less than watertight Leicester side.
Manuel Lanzini – 58% owned
As expected, it’s taken Manuel Lanzini a little while to re-discover his mojo following a lengthy lay off. A home fixture against Huddersfield should be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Argentinian magician. Still a fantastic little differential.
Harvey Barnes – 42% owned
As we predicted last week, Harvey Barnes re-found his FPL form with an assist in the win against Fulham last week. A trip to Burnley to face the other Barnes is another great chances for Leicester’s latest youngster to enhance his reputation. Won’t be a FPL differential for much longer.
Ryan Babel – 41% owned
We’re going slightly more left field with this differential. Ryan Babel started out life at Fulham pretty well thanks to two assists against Brighton and a goal at West Ham. His form has, however, dipped slightly. The visit of his old employers Liverpool may be what’s needed to re-ignite the Dutcman’s spark.
Alex Pritchard – 9% owned
Another potential differential risk this week is Alex Pritchard. He’s one of the few that has upped his game is recent weeks which has led to decent Fantrax scores without him picking up goals or assists. Away at West Ham is easily one of those fixtures that Huddersfield could spring a surprise in.
Forward
Ashley Barnes – 59% owned
It’s double Barnes for us this week as Ashley joins the party. The Austrian will take heart from the fact that his GW31 opponent Leicester has failed to keep a clean sheet since New Year’s Day. With five goals in his last seven, Barnes will be confident of adding to his hot streak and his run of goals for our differential XI.
Fantasy Football 92 