Spot The Differential – Gameweek 26

Our selection of Theo Walcott paid off handsomely in midweek, so now we go in seek of more differentials who can get close to his explosive 15-point return.

We’ve opted for two more midfielders with promising home fixtures, while a Crystal Palace striker is backed to build on his recent run of form.

Mesut Ozil

Fresh from signing a new three-year contract with the Gunners, and given his outstanding home form, Mesut Ozil gets our seal of approval for today’s late kick-off against Everton.

The Arsenal midfielder has produced three goals and five assists in his last eight matches at the Emirates Stadium, only blanking against Manchester United and Chelsea.

He is creating a chance every 22 minutes at home, compared to every 30 minutes on the road, and faces an appetising match-up against the Toffees.

Sam Allardyce’s side conceded four goals on their last trip to London, when they lost 4-0 to Tottenham Hotspur, and have failed to keep a clean sheet in five straight matches.

Indeed, over the last four Gameweeks, they have conceded more big chances (13) than any other team.

Ozil, who is owned by just 2.6% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, will be starting alongside Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the attacking midfield positions for the Gunners, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could make his Premier League debut if he recovers from illness.

The new faces should help provide fresh impetus to the Arsenal attack, and Ozil, who costs 9.3 in FPL, is expected to be a central figure in another strong home performance.

Christian Benteke

A favourable home fixture against Newcastle United on the back of a goal and three assists over the last four Gameweeks leads us to believe that Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke can deliver in Gameweek 26.

The Belgian was on the scoresheet in the 1-1 draw with West Ham United in midweek and will carry that confidence into Sunday’s encounter.

There is also the fact that he now has competition for his place following the arrival of Norwegian target man Alexander Sorloth, giving the former Liverpool striker no room for complacency.

Benteke tops the forward ranks for big chances (five) over the last four Gameweeks. And with Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha manning the supply line, he should continue to get the opportunities to build on Tuesday night’s goal.

Certainly Newcastle don’t appear to have the defensive resolve to deal with the Palace threat. They arrive at Selhurst Park with just one clean sheet from their last 10 away matches and only three teams have conceded more big chances than the Magpies (nine) over the last four Gameweeks.

Rafa Benitez’s men also sit fourth for the most headed attempts (10) conceded from those four fixtures, which is certainly an area that Benteke can look to exploit.

Sat in just 2.4% of FPL squads and available at 7.6, the Eagles striker looks the ideal gamble for Fantasy managers seeking a one-week punt.

Junior Stanislas

It’s easy to see why Bournemouth’s Junior Stanislas has made the cut this week.

The Cherries midfielder registered a goal and an assist in Wednesday night’s outstanding 3-0 victory over Chelsea and has a plum home fixture against Stoke City this afternoon.

No team has conceded more goals away from home than the Potters (30), although they are yet to concede in two matches under new boss Paul Lambert.

But Stanislas’ track record against Stoke further enhances his appeal.

The midfielder totalled a season-high 13 points when the two sides last met in Gameweek 9, registering a goal, assist and maximum bonus.

He also produced a goal and an assist across the two matches against the Potters during the 2016/17 season.

Injuries have restricted Stanislas to just 10 starts this season, but he boasts an impressive goal involvement rate of 50% when in the side.

Matches against Huddersfield Town and Newcastle over the next three Gameweeks mean he also has the platform to maintain form beyond today’s clash.

Team-mate Callum Wilson has been attracting all the investment ahead of the Gameweek 26 deadline, while Stanislas resides in just 0.3% of FPL squads.

Priced at 5.9 in FPL, Stanislas can provide a worthy differential and perhaps a natural replacement for Shaqiri in our squads once Stoke’s fixture stiffen up.