Spot the Differential – Gameweek 7

Last week was another successful one for our differential picks, with Heung-Min Son and Marcus Rashford both delivering the goods.

This time around we’re backing two in-form Englishmen, and a forgotten man at Old Trafford to bring in the points.

Theo Walcott

Not so long ago, a fit and firing Theo Walcott would be one of the first players we’d find a spot for in our 15-man squads.

But a seemingly never-ending list of injuries, and the subsequent loss of confidence and form has seen the England international suffer a dramatic fall from grace over the past few seasons.

However, the Arsenal midfielder has started this season with a bang, totalling three goals and two assists, and has – crucially from a Fantasy perspective – been an ever-present for the Gunners, starting all six Premier League matches.

The underlying statistics are even more eye-catching, with the winger ranked joint-first for shots inside the box with 16, while he leads all midfielders for shots on target this season with 11.

Ahead of Sunday’s trip to Burnley, and on the back of scoring twice in Wednesday night’s 2-0 win over FC Basel in the Champions League, investment in Walcott is on the up. Although his price has risen to 7.6, he is still owned by only 5% of Fantasy managers.

While Burnley have only conceded two goals in their four home matches thus far, the impressive form of Arsene Wenger’s side means they’re fancied to enjoy further success in front of goal at Turf Moor on Sunday.

Given the Gunners then face three more kind match-ups (SWA, MID, sun) following the international break, there looks to be every reason to place our trust back in Walcott – a player who has so often in the past shown the explosive potential that has made him a hugely popular Fantasy asset.

Charlie Austin

With the need to find a differential in the third forward spot looking greater than ever this season, Southampton’s Charlie Austin has recently been making a compelling case for his inclusion in our three-man front lines.

Austin, who only sets us back 6.3 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), has scored five goals in his previous four matches for Saints in all competitions, and stole the show in last weekend’s 3-0 win against West Ham, thanks to a goal, assist and maximum bonus in a 12-point haul.

While his ownership is beginning to rise, he is still only found in 3% of FPL squads, and could be worth serious consideration bearing in mind his proven Premier League pedigree, having scored 18 goals and provided eight assists for QPR in 2014/15, despite the Hoops being relegated back to the Championship.

His underlying statistics are impressive this season under new Southampton boss Claude Puel, having registered a goal attempt every 28.5 minutes, superior to Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe (31.1) – another strong candidates for the final striker position.

Although only one of the 11 goals that Leicester have conceded this season has come at the King Power Stadium, cracks have been appearing in the Foxes rearguard, while they did ship four goals at home to Chelsea in the EFL Cup earlier this month.

With Saints also facing a favourable home fixture against Burnley in Gameweek 8, it may be time to take a flyer on the red-hot Austin, whose predatory instincts make him one of the most dangerous strikers in the Premier League.

Juan Mata

After returning to the Man United starting XI last weekend in the 4-1 victory over Leicester, where he registered a goal and an assist in a 13-point haul, Juan Mata looks a great option ahead of Sunday’s home clash against lowly Stoke City.

Mata, priced at just 7.4 in FPL, and currently sitting in only 2% of squads, was perhaps expected to be a bit-part player this season given his previous history with Jose Mourinho.

Yet the former Chelsea man has delivered some impressive numbers when handed playing time this season, hitting the target with five of his seven total goal attempts.

Facing off against a Stoke side that has conceded 15 goals, second only to West Ham (16), and that ranks in the top six for both shots against in the box and big chances conceded, the omens look good for another convincing United victory.

The Spanish midfielder thrived back in his favoured number ten role against the champions in Gameweek 6, and should again be central to all of United’s attacks in Sunday’s early kick-off.

United do face tough matches at Liverpool and Chelsea following the international break, but the favourable clashes against Burnley and Swansea that follow perhaps make Mata a worthy gamble for those looking to unearth a midfield differential.