Spot the Differential – Gameweek 33

With six teams sitting out Gameweek 33, most Fantasy managers are focused on cobbling together 11 starters ahead of a bumper fixture list in Gameweek 34. Differentials could be a defining characteristic this weekend, then, so we’ve looked to Leicester’s quietly impressive frontman, Everton’s high-flying winger, and Saints’ under-rated assist machine in pursuit of such players.

David Nugent

Following a seven-match spell in which Leicester City only registered four goals, the Foxes’ forward line has finally clicked into gear, with David Nugent (4.9) and Jamie Vardy (4.6) both notching two goals in their last three outings. Yet while Vardy has attracted investment from 34,000 Fantasy managers this week, only 6,000 individuals have taken a punt on his fellow striker.

The argument for acquiring Nugent over Vardy is strengthened by the fact the ex-Pourtsmouth forward was assigned to penalty duties during Leicester’s 2-1 win over West Ham – despite seeing his effort saved by Adrian, he’s expected to remain at the head of the queue.

Beyond a home tie against Swansea City on Saturday, Leicester City face a double Gameweek 34 (bur, CHE) and then round off their campaign with a further trio of home encounters in their final four fixtures (NEW, SOU, sun, QPR). Considering the Blue Army have recorded eight goals in their previous three matches, their budget forwards certainly harbour the potential to give Fantasy teams an edge.

Aaron Lennon

Everton’s form has picked up in the last month – with three wins and a draw in their last four – which in part can be attributed to Aaron Lennon’s attacking output. The former Tottenham Hotspur winger’s two goals across that stretch secured a win over Queens Park Rangers and a draw against Swansea City.

The 6.2-priced midfielder hasn’t been blessed with a wealth of goalscoring opportunities – netting with his only two attempts – but has received more passes in the final third (40) than another other Everton midfielder in their last three matches. Lennon could also benefit from the return of Romelu Lukaku in Saturday’s clash against Burnley, having already accrued three assists despite his limited pitch time (915) this term.

The Toffees’ agreeable run-in provides further reason to invest in the pint-sized speedster. Four home ties (BUR, MUN, SUN, TOT) and winnable trips to Aston Villa and West Ham United cap of the Merseysiders’ campaign, offering hope that Roberto Martinez’s men can end the season with a flourish. If you are considering Lennon, though, it’s worth noting he is unable to face his parent club on the final day of the campaign due to the conditions of his loan deal.

James Ward-Prowse

Victor Wanyama’s two-match suspension – awarded for receiving his 10^th yellow card of the season in Saints 2-0 victory over Hull City – could well pave the way for James Ward-Prowse to be handed a couple of starts. In the Kenyan’s absence, Steven Davis is likely to drop back into the double-pivot alongside Morgan Schneiderlin, freeing up the No. 10 berth for Ward-Prowse – a scenario that occurred last weekend after he replaced Wanyama at the break before netting a penalty in the 2-0 win over Hull.

Although Sadio Mane attempted to disobey team orders and take the spot-kick himself, head coach Ronald Koeman was adamant in his post-match presser that Ward-Prowse is next in line when first-choice Dusan Tadic is benched. Bearing in mind that Tadic has started three of the last nine, it’s fair to say the Serbian has fallen out of the first-team picture of late, boosting the youngster’s spot-kick prospects.

Furthermore, despite clocking just 1227 minutes and tallying 14 starts this campaign, Ward-Prowse has bagged an impressive eight assists in the FPL game. Indeed, at just 4.8, he’s proven a relatively consistent Fantasy option under Koeman, earning points in eight of his 20 appearances to date – with Sunderland, Leicester and Villa also in the next five, he could be a real under the radar option if he can cement a starting berth from this point onwards.