Spot the Differential – Gameweek 8
Filed under: Spot The Differential - Posted by: Paul
Our Friday evening regular makes a welcome return after another fortnight’s interruption due to international fixtures. Last time round, Juan Mata produced the goods, following on from Peter Crouch the previous week – let’s hope our trio of overlooked contenders can live up to our expectations again:
Adel Taarabt
While his consistency and application have been (quite rightly) called into question, there’s no denying the Moroccan is capable of brilliance on his day. Granted, an off-form Taarabt can be no more than a liability but if QPR are to climb the table and claw their way out the relegation zone, his contribution could well be key.
Dropped after the 5-0 opening day hammering at the hands of Swansea, he failed to feature again until Gameweek 6, a victim of Mark Hughes’ continual first-team tinkering. Climbing off the bench at West Ham, Taarabt gave the R’s a brief glimpse of hope with an outstanding finish before fellow-sub Samba Diakite’s dismissal swung the game back in the hosts’ favour. Handed a start in the following game, he again produced, grabbing another eye-catching goal in the narrow 3-2 defeat at the Hawthorns.
This weekend Taarabt squares up to an Everton defence with just one clean sheet in their last six matches – as Hughes looks to arrest a run of games that has produced just two points all season, his reliance on the Moroccan to fire his side to victory at Loftus Road could hardly be greater. Priced at 5.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and 5.2 in the Sky Sports game, and with an ownership of 1% in both games, Taarabt looks an intriguing proposition heading into this weekend’s round of matches.
Olivier Giroud
Having rolled out a Watchlist article earlier in the international break, our faith in Arsenal’s summer signing from Montpellier shows little sign of wavering. Handed a first start since the Gameweek 3 trip to Liverpool last time round, Giroud vindicated Arsene Wenger’s decision by grabbing a goal, assist and the maximum FPL bonus points in the Gunners’ 3-1 comeback win at Upton Park. Factor in a last-gasp equaliser in France’s midweek draw in Spain and it seems he’s finally hitting the form that produced 21 goals in Ligue 1 in the previous campaign.
Earlier today, Wenger praised his compatriot’s recent performances, going on to say:
“There are two things when you are a striker. First, I’m always worried when a striker doesn’t have chances. In his case, he always had chances in every single game and couldn’t convert them into goals. The conversion rate goes in cycles. Once a player starts to score, suddenly he takes off for a while and suddenly it stops again [and] nobody has really found out why. I hope he’s at the start of a good cycle.”
Certainly, the omens look good. The north London outfit travel to Carrow Road tomorrow to face a Norwich side that has shipped nine goals in their last two matches before playing host to QPR the following weekend. Priced at 8.4 in FPL and 8.7 in the Sky Sports game and with an ownership of 1% in both games Giroud looks a real differential contender over the next couple of Gameweeks and an ideal acquisition for those Fantasy managers looking for something different for their three-man forward lines.
Leon Osman
Today’s confirmation that Marouane Fellaini will miss the trip to Loftus Road has played a part in our final selection. Osman’s recent central midfield role has somewhat curtailed his attacking endeavours – so far, he’s found the next just once, with Fellaini and Steven Pienaar hogging the midfield limelight around Goodison way instead.
The Belgian’s absence at Loftus Road, however, could prove the spark Osman needs to fire his Fantasy season back into life. With the role in “the hole” behind Nikica Jelavic now up for grabs, Osman may well be the one to move forward and provide the Croatian with support. Priced at 6.3 in FPL and 7.5 in the Sky Sports game, he is owned by less than 1% of Fantasy managers in both games; there’s no doubt he’s a major punt but, bearing in mind QPR have conceded 16 goals already, Osman could pay off for those who fancy a real gamble.
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paul
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October 20 at 1:23 am
Tmel says:
I’m really in 2 minds about who to bench between HBA & Sterling…
History shows HBA can return monster scores but he had more potential in a 4-3-3, he’s less advanced now in this 4-4-2 and Sunderland have a decent defence. Sterling hasn’t got the history of big scores but is more advanced, playing at home and also playing against the leakier defence
October 20 at 1:26 am
All Up On The Interwebs says:
i have both and have benched HBA this week.
October 20 at 1:27 am
Spike says:
HBA could get a bit of a kicking agst Sunderland but I’m playing him as he’s assured of more game time than my 5th middy. Sterling is at home tho !!
October 20 at 1:28 am
Tmel says:
Ta. If you had Sterling as your 5th middy would you give him the nod?
October 20 at 1:30 am
MartinUnreal says:
I think HBA has the potential for a monster score over Sterling…we’ve only seen Sterling deliver assists so far…
October 20 at 1:32 am
Captain Shirokov says:
I would.
October 20 at 1:34 am
Tmel says:
Cheers Shirokov, Sterling over HBA it is. Great rank this season btw
October 20 at 1:38 am
Captain Shirokov says:
Thanks, won’t have it for too long though
October 20 at 1:33 am
DownUnder says:
The thing is that Sterling doesnt get above 10s but he’s consistently 2 – 5. I play it safe and have him on every GW
October 20 at 1:36 am
DownUnder says:
And note that Sterling is playing home to Reading. Reading!
October 20 at 1:37 am
MartinUnreal says:
Consistent 2′s does not require any effort…
October 20 at 1:40 am
DownUnder says:
2 – 5, not 2 – 2. And btw I have a player every week that gets 1′s and Im sure a lot of other people here do too. Sterling hasn’t and he doesnt get 0′s either. He’s nailed on as 2 point player with a 50% chance of at least one assist.
October 20 at 1:59 am
Eddie says:
I like the concept of a nailed on 2 point player. I’m sold.
October 20 at 2:05 am
DownUnder says:
So are you guys saying that its better having a 7m player who does the exact same as a 4.8m player?
October 20 at 2:07 am
MartinUnreal says:
You get 2 points for completing 90 mins, you don’t invest money in players to get you 2 points!
October 20 at 2:12 am
DownUnder says:
He gets 2 points as player that played his debut only a few weeks ago and gets 5 points every 2nd week. We’re talking long term here. And Sterling’s playing home to Reading
October 20 at 2:14 am
DownUnder says:
Btw, you got 3 players last GW that earned you 1 point and 3 that earned you 2 points.
“you don’t invest money in players that get you 2 points”
Sterling got 3 points that week.
October 20 at 2:23 am
Eddie says:
Not at all, best to save the money. What I was unsure about was the tactical decision to play him every week because he is nailed on for 2 points.
Get him in by all accounts, but he’s staying on my bench most weeks as I hope to have better options.
October 20 at 4:34 am
Lucky_2010 says:
not necessary but could play 3-5-2 which depend on WHO’re your 3 fwd then !!
October 20 at 1:24 am
tw says:
score predictions for the weekends epl games?
October 20 at 1:28 am
Mr Draper says:
Tottenham hotspurs 2-1 Chelsea
and
West bromwich albion 0-0 Manchester city
that is all
October 20 at 1:31 am
DownUnder says:
Tot 2 – 1 CHE
FUL 2 – 0 AVL
LIV 4 – 2 RDG
UTD 1 – 0 STK
SWA 0 – 0 WIG
WBA 1 – 2 MCI
WHM 2 – 2 STH
NOR 0 – 4 ARS
SUn 2 – 2 NEW
QPR 3 – 1 EVE
October 20 at 1:31 am
DownUnder says:
* QPR 1 – 3 EVE
October 20 at 1:36 am
issaclun says:
Manu 1 nil only? Noo wayyyyyyy
October 20 at 1:42 am
DownUnder says:
Agreed, typo 2 – 0
October 20 at 1:37 am
Mr Draper says:
i would like to know your opinion on the liverpool goalscorers?
October 20 at 1:42 am
DownUnder says:
Chance of scoring:
Suarez (100%)
Gerrard (70%)
Sahin (40%)
Johnson (10%)
October 20 at 1:41 am
DownUnder says:
Actually suarez (95%) dont want to be too certain and giving someone the wrong idea.
October 20 at 1:47 am
Mr Draper says:
too late…
October 20 at 1:50 am
DownUnder says:
just treat it as we’re on the same boat except not only do i have him, but also captained him too.
If you fail, just bare in mind that you wont be the only one!
October 20 at 1:44 am
dinamika says:
Sterling will score his first goals in premier league
October 20 at 4:41 am
Lucky_2010 says:
@whl i think will see plenty of goal (s) lol, so 2-2 or 3-2 away win ….
fulham1-1
liv 0-0 or 1-1
utd 1-0 or 2-1
wigan 2-1
wba 2-2 or 1-0 away win
westham 2-1
arsenal 4-1
sun 1-1 or 1-2 away win
eve 1-0 or 2-1
October 20 at 1:27 am
Mr Draper says:
Is there any chance that Mcartney will play this weekend?
October 20 at 1:27 am
MartinUnreal says:
100%
October 20 at 1:29 am
Mr Draper says:
i like them numbers alot
But it looks like he will be back on the bench when O’brien is fit correct?
October 20 at 1:29 am
MartinUnreal says:
Nope, McCartney is the preferred left back as he is naturally that position…O’Brien is more the utility player
October 20 at 1:29 am
Captain Shirokov says:
Just want to make sure everything is in order because odds are that I’ll sleep past the deadline…..
Mig
Ivanovic – Baines – Demel
Bale – Pienaar – Nolan – Michu
RVP(c) – Tevez – Berbatov
Subs: Sterling, Williams, Clyne
All set?
October 20 at 1:32 am
wormface says:
good team
October 20 at 1:43 am
McGurn says:
yes great team
October 20 at 1:34 am
DownUnder says:
Sterling will most likely get assists this game.
October 20 at 1:36 am
Captain Shirokov says:
I know, he’s likely to do well but it’s just that I think Pienaar could do better.
October 20 at 1:43 am
DownUnder says:
True, QPR and RDG. Both are teams that get bored of keeping cleanies
October 20 at 1:44 am
MartinUnreal says:
Excellent analysis
October 20 at 1:51 am
DownUnder says:
you know its true
October 20 at 4:43 am
Lucky_2010 says:
yeah probably that’s the case lol
October 20 at 1:47 am
Tmel says:
Very nice, you sure about RVP over Berb for the armband though?
October 20 at 1:40 am
wormface says:
play morrison or lambert ?
October 20 at 1:45 am
wormface says:
boo
October 20 at 1:40 am
halnone says:
What 2 players should I play out of Lambert, Barfa and Bale??
October 20 at 1:42 am
wormface says:
bale , lamb even though im in the same kinda bother
October 20 at 4:45 am
Lucky_2010 says:
should bale and lambert …….
October 20 at 1:42 am
MartinUnreal says:
Ok I think I’ve talked myself into getting rid of Gibbs for another attacking defender…just wondering whether Riise is the right pick.
He has attacking returns in his last 2 games and is showing really good promise. Any better suggestions?
October 20 at 1:43 am
McGurn says:
I sold Gibbs today (only got him in last week but never mind) and went for Rafael at a similar price
October 20 at 1:46 am
MartinUnreal says:
I’ve got Rafael already so that’s covered. My logic is…Gibbs misses this game…then he has QPR…then Man Utd away
If I get Riise for instance, I have 3 games worth of potential points. Whereas Gibbs I’ve got ZERO, POSSIBLE CS and then Man Utd away I’d probably bench him. That’s not a great prospect for the next 3. Plus I think I’d just get Sagna later on. Gibbs isn’t exactly the most attacking defender anyway…Riise is on FK’s and likes to shoot a lot. Good swap?
October 20 at 1:49 am
McGurn says:
Villa home is almost a guaranteed 6 points straight away! So yeah not a bad call
October 20 at 1:52 am
MartinUnreal says:
You think I should go Riise over Hughes (1m cheaper)?
October 20 at 4:52 am
Lucky_2010 says:
well, if you intend to play him most of the game unless don’t mind to bench 5.5 defender …… so you should consider on this !!
October 20 at 2:33 am
Eddie says:
I REALLY like the Riise option, but long term I think I’d like to have the cash to spend elsewhere so am opting for Hughes.
Now Fulham will ship an easy goal after going 4 up with a Riise assist and Kracken thunderbolt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW2d-QrnFgA
October 20 at 1:44 am
Captain Shirokov says:
Huth, Johnson, Rafael.
October 20 at 1:48 am
MartinUnreal says:
Johnson is too pricey and I don’t fancy Liverpools defence. Huth is attacking in the more ‘might get on the end of a cross’ every now and again…I’d like a more adventurous defender if you get me.
October 20 at 4:54 am
Lucky_2010 says:
johnson price? you can look for better option …….
October 20 at 1:46 am
DownUnder says:
For his price tag, most certainly. He’s attacking minded and has been consistently so for a decade! After all he’s only 5.5m compared to the other attacking defs
Didnt you say you were going to sleep? liar liar!
October 20 at 1:47 am
MartinUnreal says:
Well I have to sort out my team lest I wake up and it’s past the deadline…hence I’m still up
October 20 at 1:48 am
DownUnder says:
commitment…
October 20 at 1:47 am
DownUnder says:
Those brought up by the people before me are good too, but that would mean forking out an extra 0.5 – 1.5m
October 20 at 1:53 am
wormface says:
play morrison or lambert please ??
October 20 at 1:56 am
Optimus says:
play the striker
October 20 at 1:59 am
wormface says:
have u suarez optimus ?
October 20 at 2:00 am
Optimus says:
ba rvp lambert
October 20 at 2:02 am
wormface says:
tempted at all ?
October 20 at 4:54 am
Lucky_2010 says:
morrison .
October 20 at 1:59 am
nevercaptorres says:
plzz help lads need it 50points behind in money lea ffs
howard/4.0
baines ivan demel
bale michu pienaar ben arfa
rvp(c) tevez lambert
rangel staylor guthrie
save transfer or howard tevez/ schwarzer suarez for a hit or something else
October 20 at 2:01 am
wormface says:
not mush wrong with that team ! save transfer for michu’s exit maybe
October 20 at 2:08 am
Duffman91 says:
Save the transfer. Strong team for this week.
October 20 at 2:16 am
nevercaptorres says:
tanx lads nice teams by ye cap picks just not workin out for me this yr ahh ha doing a team for my bro just for fun ranked in top 5000 lol thats fpl 4u
October 20 at 4:58 am
Lucky_2010 says:
save the transfer, i think playing 3-5-2 and bench lambert just my thought on this!!
October 20 at 4:58 am
Lucky_2010 says:
sorry didn’t see guthrie lol, yeah lambert of course to play ….
October 20 at 2:07 am
EL BERBOSSA says:
is ShawX worth the extra 0.5 over wilson?
October 20 at 2:15 am
wormface says:
not going by the stats anyway
October 20 at 2:13 am
final flash says:
i was playing around to see what i could do if i put rvp back in my team, and this is what i got.
foster, begovic
baines, rafael, wilson, demel, davies
cazorla, bale, pienaar, nolan/morrison, sterling
rvp, aguero, berba
compared to what i have now
foster, begovic
baines, ivanovic, rafael, demel, davies
cazorla, bale, mata, pienaar, sterling
aguero, ba, berba
which would you rather have?
October 20 at 2:18 am
GREENDREAMS11 says:
Normally go with the first option but given current and upcoming fixtures the second option isnt so bad due mainly to chelseas upcoming difficult run and stokes decent run etc.
Ivanovic, mata & Ba. or. Wilson, Nolan/Morrison & RVP
October 20 at 2:19 am
final flash says:
ya. and from gw11, i would like to have rvp back
October 20 at 2:20 am
wormface says:
jesus hard one .. , prob first cos ivan has run out of games , and terry out , and that allows u rvp
October 20 at 2:23 am
nevercaptorres says:
both nice teams this wk a nex wk b
October 20 at 5:01 am
Lucky_2010 says:
so you need to take hits to do the changes?? at current team look decent though so why you get rid rvp at the first then lol
October 20 at 2:17 am
FantasyFreak says:
I am on wildcard, should I get rid of Lambert for Berba?
It’s really hard to make a decision, Lambert is such an explosive player :/
October 20 at 2:23 am
wormface says:
if i had the free transfer i would have brought in berba for lambert , everyone on here loves berba , . though call again
October 20 at 2:27 am
1966 was a great year for English football - Eric was born says:
Taken out on my work stag do tonight, OMG if that bird we just saw doesn’t get f**ked tonight there is something very wrong in the world.
Danced my balls off to No Good Start The Dance, best tune of all time
October 20 at 2:31 am
SuperDunny says:
Classy…
Great song, great band
October 20 at 2:33 am
1966 was a great year for English football - Eric was born says:
Seriously, if I wasn’t getting married next Friday….
But yeah, old school Prodigy is the best. Skinning up and sticking Experience on right now
October 20 at 2:38 am
1966 was a great year for English football - Eric was born says:
Drugs are bad, though, as we all know.
October 20 at 3:09 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
As is being twisted and starting fires…
October 20 at 2:28 am
nevercaptorres says:
i would berba at home and lambert has tott next easy call i think
October 20 at 2:43 am
wormface says:
do ye reckon sunderland can stop newcastle from scoring ! , i have a sneeky feeling that the headline tomw will be newcastle not scored in 2 games !
October 20 at 2:47 am
nevercaptorres says:
would not shock me sun are at home but think it will be 1.1
October 20 at 3:12 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Probably around 8 minutes to price changes then. Have already done Hazard to Cazorla to give me the following:
Foster
Baines Rangel Boyce
Cazorla Bale Pienaar Michu
RVP (C) Suarez Lambert
Subs: Begovic, Sterling Cuellar Demel
Last chance saloon time for Rangel and Boyce, I know you’ll probably recommend I should play some of those subs but that’s my honest assessment of how I think the points will go… arguments to the contrary welcome of course.
Desperate to get Rafael in bit I guess it doesn’t make sense for a hit :/
October 20 at 3:21 am
Eddie says:
Not at all. You are good to go.
Good luck tomorrow, I’m just hanging around to sell Routledge, then I’m all set up for what has been a long awaited and eagerly anticipated weekend of football.
October 20 at 3:39 am
Eddie says:
Why won’t you upload… gosh darn it?
October 20 at 3:24 am
beric says:
BANGING team this week Isacki, I’d be expecting a big haul.
October 20 at 3:24 am
beric says:
I’d just just like to say that when we did the predicted scout picks earlier, I got it exactly right – except I said Jaaskelainen instead of Shwarzer, who I think will score better anyway.
I’m drunk as shit.
And the restr
October 20 at 4:17 am
redbacks says:
who to cap
caz tevez berba ba bale pinaar ???
October 20 at 5:07 am
Lucky_2010 says:
not sure lol, you can check the polls (just follow the bandwagon) or your gut feeling ….
October 20 at 6:09 am
ccc says:
caz. you never know if tevez will get subbed on with only 15 minutes left.
October 20 at 9:27 am
Steel Arm - Berba "Unstoppable, Unforgettable... Irreplaceable." says:
i’m (C)az
October 20 at 6:08 am
ccc says:
Any tips for the medium to long term? Thanks.
A: Bale & Routledge
B: Mata & Pienaar
October 20 at 8:43 am
enriquetan says:
Need advice for my team. Still have a wildcard and £2.1. Thinking of using it now as some players are waning off in value and form. My team:
Begovic (Krul)
skrtel, lescott, hangeland (gunter, fabio)
bale, mata, santi, dyer (kacaniklic)
tevez, graham, suarez (C)
I have a new team in mind looking like this
Begovic (Foster)
Baines, Huth, skrtel (caulker, fonte)
bale, pienaar, santi, nolan (sterling)
tevez, berba, suarez (C)
no more money in bank after this transfer
Is the new team solid enough? is there any other way I can improve on the newer team? Appreciate all comments. Cheers!
October 20 at 9:33 am
Steel Arm - Berba "Unstoppable, Unforgettable... Irreplaceable." says:
Morning Guys
Last question this GW…
Hangeland, Rangel, Cuellar,
Maloney, Kacaniklic
Please bench 3
October 20 at 9:40 am
Sparker says:
Who to bench from this midfield…
Santi, Michu, Gervhino, Pienaar, Sterling…
October 20 at 10:51 am
The Gamesmaster ™ says:
Gerviho
October 20 at 10:53 am
The Gamesmaster ™ says:
Who to play
A barfa away to Sunderland
B Davies(swansea defender) home to Wigan
October 20 at 11:25 am
mos_def says:
I’d go Ben Arfa
October 20 at 11:20 am
mos_def says:
HI guys
Which defenders:
Gallas Ivan, McAuley, Hughes, Clyne
Was thinking McAuley, Ivan and Hughes
October 20 at 12:04 pm
★FLiPsKiLLz★ says:
So Gareth Bale isn’t playin today……. bad news for Spurs