The first double gameweek of the season is here and on relatively short-notice. Everton and Manchester City play twice, but apart from the obvious options like Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane, are there any differentials that could score well this week?
GYLFI SIGURDSSON – £7.4m – TSB: 7.8% – Wolves (H), Man City (H)
Gylfi Sigurdsson has been such an easy differential pick for most of the season, but is clearly deserving of his place ahead of Everton’s double gameweek. While Manchester City’s attacking options are all subject to rotation, it is highly likely that Sigurdsson will start both games against Wolves and City. He takes penalties and with Lucas Digne suspended for the Wolves game, the Icelandic international will likely take the vast majority of set-pieces in his absence.
KEVIN DE BRUYNE – £9.7m – TSB: 4.4% – Arsenal (H), Everton (A)
Another differential that could benefit from a double gameweek is City’s Kevin De Bruyne. There’s always the risk of rotation for the Belgian, but at less than 5% ownership, will there be a better chance this season to benefit from such a highly revered fantasy asset? Injury has prevented De Bruyne from improving upon his staggering 39 assists in the last two league campaigns, but he has started the last couple of fixtures and Pep Guardiola may feel he can’t rest any of his top players in City’s hunt to catch Liverpool.
SON HEUNG-MIN – £8.6m – TSB: 9.8% – Newcastle (H)
Son Heung-Min has been one of the most impressive fantasy assets of the season so far, amassing an incredible 8 goals and 6 assists between gameweeks 13 and 21. Son’s spellbinding run of form was cut short ahead of gameweek 23 with owners reluctantly selling as he went to compete for South Korea in the Asian Cup. However, South Korea were poor and their elimination has meant a quicker return to league football for Son than was first anticipated. Son returned with a goal in Spurs’ comeback victory over Watford and faces Newcastle at home this weekend.
JAN BEDNAREK – £4.0m – TSB: 6.2% – Burnley (A)
With Marcos Alonso finally losing his place in the Chelsea first team, many fantasy managers will be searching for a replacement. Jan Bednarek of Southampton might not be the first name that springs to mind, but he has plenty in his favour ahead of GW25. At just £4.0m, he comes in £2.5m cheaper than Alonso, meaning he can free up plenty of funds, especially for those looking to bring in an expensive double gameweek option like Raheem Sterling or Sergio Aguero. Additionally, he has games against Burnley, Cardiff and Fulham in his next four, so looks good on the fixture front. Bednarek appears to be the perfect cheap defensive option going into February.
MICHY BATSHUAYI – £6.5m – TSB: 0.1% – Fulham (H)
A loan deal has just been struck to send young Belgian forward Michy Batshuayi from Chelsea to Crystal Palace until the end of the season. Batshuayi hasn’t played a minute of league football for Chelsea this campaign due to his previous loan move, and will have a point to prove after failing to be given an opportunity despite a great loan spell at Dortmund last year. Palace have two home fixtures against Fulham and West Ham incoming and with Wilfried Zaha suspended for the weekend, Batshuayi may be thrust into the first eleven.
Written by FPL Forum (@FPLForum)
