Spot The Differential – Gameweek 32

With partial success back in Gameweek 31 via a Salomon Rondon assist, we’ve opted for three strikers in our selection of Differentials this time around.

Front men from Manchester City, Southampton and Burnley are backed to produce as we enter the final block of the season.

Gabriel Jesus

With Sergio Aguero remaining a doubt for Manchester City’s trip to Everton, his team-mate and fellow striker Gabriel Jesus looks a tempting option.

The Brazilian made his first start against Stoke City in Gameweek 30 following a spell on the sidelines and produced his fifth assist of the campaign in the 2-0 win.

The forward now faces an Everton side that have managed just one clean sheet from their last 11 encounters.

Jesus has scored eight goals from 21 league outings and just 13 starts, and should be handed plenty of opportunities at Goodison Park leading the line for league’s top scoring side.

Pep Guardiola’s men have scored a sensational 85 goals, 12 more than second-placed Liverpool.

They have also created an astounding 108 big chances, with Liverpool again the next best on 93.

Given the injuries to Aguero and Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane, Jesus could represent good value as a replacement, priced at 10.0 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

Owned by only 6.7% of FPL managers, he might just be worth a roll of the dice if you believe City can run riot on Merseyside in their bid to seal the title.

Charlie Austin

With an eye not just on Gameweek 32, but also the upcoming Double Gameweek 34, Southampton’s Charlie Austin is an interesting name to consider.

The Saints forward is in line to return to the squad for this afternoon’s crunch trip to fellow strugglers West Ham United after recovering from a hamstring injury.

By the time Mark Hughes’s side face Chelsea and Leicester City in Double Gameweek 34, the striker is expected to be fully up to speed.

Austin’s importance to Southampton’s survival hopes cannot be understated.

He is their top goalscorer with six goals, despite injuries and a suspension limiting him to just five starts.

Significantly, his underlying statistics are hugely impressive given his budget price tag of just 5.8 in FPL.

The former Queens Park Rangers front man has fired a shot every 22.1 minutes over the season, which is only bettered by Kane (15) and Aguero (21.4) among regular starting forwards.

Indeed, only Aguero betters Austin’s minutes per goal record this campaign, with the Saints striker finding the net every 98.1 minutes compared with the Argentine’s 93.8 minutes.

Facing a West Ham side that have conceded more goals (11) than any other side over the last four matches, Austin could enjoy another successful afternoon at the London Stadium, having produced a goal and an assist in this fixture last term.

He also netted the winner from the penalty spot in a 3-2 victory in the reverse fixture this season, despite only playing 10 minutes as a substitute.

While investment in the 0.6%-owned striker does carry a risk as he may not be fit to start this afternoon, his goalscoring record when on the pitch suggests he could be worth a gamble for the run-in, particularly with the south coast club benefitting from two double Gameweeks.

Chris Wood

While team-mate Ashley Barnes (5.3) has been the name on the lips of many managers due to his more budget-friendly price tag, fellow Burnley forward Chris Wood should not be overlooked.

The New Zealand international has scored three goals in two substitute appearances since returning from a knee injury, and has strong claims for a recall for this afternoon’s trip to West Bromwich Albion.

His chances have certainly increased since he was omitted from the New Zealand squad for their friendly with Canada.

Wood matches up very well when compared to Barnes.

Despite being limited to just 17 appearances, as opposed to 29 for Barnes, the New Zealander holds the edge for goals scored (seven to six).

Indeed, he has a goal every 157.4 minutes, which is far superior to Barnes (269.3).

Wood has also been involved in a staggering 62% of Burnley’s goals scored when he’s been on the pitch, which helps justify the extra outlay required to bring in the 6.2-price forward.

Facing a West Brom defence that has shipped nine goals in their last three encounters at the Hawthorns, Wood looks to have the ideal platform to maintain his strong form.

With his appeal also boosted by a Double Gameweek 34 (LEI/CHE) and a fixture in Gameweek 35 away to Stoke City, the 1.2%-owned Wood could be a powerful differential for the season run-in.