'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
As the Premier League progresses, randomness in the Fantasy Premier League decreases. What this means is that FPL teams have more players in common and the deviation from the mean score starts to decrease.
With most managers opting for players like Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane, Richarlison, and Stephen Ward in their teams, it is now crucial to have the right 'differentials' on our team! Differentials are players with under 5% ownership, who can give a major boost to your overall rankings.
Without further ado, let's take a look at our top differential picks for gameweek 16:
Goalkeeper
Heurelho Gomes - Watford (£4.5)
Ownership - 2.3%
Here are Watford's fixtures over the next 14 weeks:
As is evident from the prevalence of green, Watford have favourable fixtures all the way up to the month of March. Marcos Silva's priority in the Premier League has always been defensive structure and organization, which he clearly showed when he took over as manager of a struggling Hull city last season.
Having switched to three at the back, Watford look solid defensively, and are very likely to keep regular clean sheets. They currently sit pretty at 8th on the table, and will be looking to tighten things at the back to grind out more victories.
Also, with most of the teams with goalkeepers costing £4.5 facing a rough patch of fixtures ahead, it could be the right time to switch to Gomes as your long-term first-choice goalkeeper if you aren't willing to spend big bucks on this position.
Defender
Arthur Masuaku - West Ham (£4.4)
Ownership - 0.3%
If you've watched West Ham games recently, you must be wondering why Masuaku makes our list as a defender. Priced at just £4.4, Masuaku is listed as a defender on FPL, but plays as a left winger for West Ham.
Yes, you read that right! If West Ham do keep a clean sheet, Masuaku will earn 4 points for it. Antonio had a similar situation last season, and he turned out to be an FPL gem (though he's lost his charm now, having been listed as a midfielder). After 2 difficult weeks against Chelsea and Arsenal, West Ham have a kind run of fixtures up until gameweek 27.
Also, with this season's first double game week finally announced, with the Spurs vs West Ham game being moved to game week 22, Masuaku could be an interesting differential to capitalize on. Keep an eye out for him for the next couple of weeks!
Midfielder
Gylfi Sigurdsson - Everton (£8.0)
Ownership - 2.3%
After a dream 2016/17 season for Swansea City, Sigurdsson seemed to be a splendid signing by The Toffees. Bought at a hefty sum of £45 million, he has been one of the biggest letdowns of the season.
Despite being backed to challenge the top 6 this season, Everton have had a nightmare season so far, languishing near the relegation zone after 10 games. However, they have shown signs of life with 10 points in their last 5 games, moving up to 10th place on the points table.
Sigurdsson has shown some signs of his Swansea alter-ego with 2 goals and 2 assists in the last 4 games. With a low ownership of just 2.3%, he could be an excellent differential to have on your team!
Striker
Christian Benteke - Crystal Palace (£7.6)
Ownership - 2.1%
The usually clinical Benteke had a horrendous start to the season. He missed some absolute sitters and was a major factor in Crystal Palace's shocking goalless run. He was out injured for a while, soon after, but is now back to full fitness having started the last two fixtures.
Yes, he may not have scored yet this season, but he's definitely due some goals. If you believe in the law of averages, Benteke is your man! He scored 15 goals last season, and has looked pretty impressive in his last 2 games.
It's only a matter of time before he is in the goals again, and with a 2.1% ownership, it could be a wise gamble to bring him in as soon as possible.
Honorable mentions
Mathew Ryan (Goalkeeper) - Brighton & Hove Albion (£4.5) - His ownership is a paltry 1.0%. Brighton have conceded only 19 goals in their 15 games, which is as much as Liverpool and Arsenal. He's had 42 saves, with only 6 goalkeepers having made more saves this season. With a nice run of long-term fixtures, Ryan could be an interesting differential option between the sticks.
Benjamin Chilwell (Defender) - Leicester City (£4.3) - He's yet to start regularly in the Premier League, but with impressive performances in his starts in the last 2 games, he looks set to start more regularly.
He even played a game or two in midfield under Claude Puel, before an unfortunate injury ruled him out for a few weeks. At just £4.3, he could be good bench fodder anyway, and could make an outstanding differential with a next-to-nothing 0.4% ownership.
Riyad Mahrez (Midfielder) - Leicester City (£8.4) - The 2015/16 player of the season seems to have lost his charm. With a mere 5.0% ownership, FPL managers have clearly lost their faith in him.
He has, however, silently managed to notch up 7 assists and 3 goals this season. He has had 6 returns in the last 8 game weeks. Could he suddenly turn up at his very best after a bad season, much like Hazard did last year at Chelsea?
Salomon Rondon (Striker) - West Brom (£6.0) - Salomon Rondon is a constant threat at goal, owing to his incredible strength and heading prowess. He scored a fabulous solo goal against Spurs, and was unlucky to not be on the score-sheet against Crystal Palace. With a lowly 0.9% ownership, he could be a good third forward to have.
