Spot the Differential

Spot the Differential – Gameweek 32

We offer up a trio of midfielders for your perusal this morning in our usual pre-deadline search for overlooked alternatives. All three of our selections are caught up in the relegation battle – two have just returned from injury to stake a claim, whilst the other is starting to find his form and offer Fantasy managers a tempting cut-price option:

Michu

Two goals in his first 10 appearances of 2013/14 suggested the Spaniard was suffering from “second season syndrome” after an outstanding first year in the Premier League. With Europa League commitments also to consider after the previous campaign’s cup success, Michu was mainly hampered by the club’s relentless schedule – an ankle injury forced him onto the sidelines in early November before a brief return the following month was curtailed after just two games as a result of knee surgery.

Tentatively eased back into the fold by Garry Monk, the midfielder was afforded his first start in three months on Tuesday’s draw at the Emirates before making way just after the hour mark. With the Swans sitting just five points clear of the drop zone, the former Rayo Vallecano man has the chance to atone for his time on the sidelines and help steer his side to safety over the next few matches.

Michu has a home clash against Norwich this weekend and with Hull, Newcastle, Villa and Sunderland all still to follow, has a favourable run-in to boost his Fantasy prospects. After his 18-goal exploits last time around, he’s far from cheap at 8.4 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), 8.8 in the Sky Sports game and 4.5 in the Sun Dream Team, but if Monk’s side can continue the attacking form which has harvested three goals against Liverpool and two against Everton and Arsenal, a match-fit Michu will surely have a part to play.

Jordan Mutch

Two goals and an assist against Liverpool last weekend have already earned the Cardiff midfielder a hefty midweek bandwagon. Mutch has risen from 4.4 to 4.6 in FPL as a result of his exploits against the Merseysiders and, with a 16-point Gameweek 31 return his second double-figure haul in the last three league matches, he’s shaping up as a key figure in the Bluebirds’ bid to beat the drop.

Whilst the likes of Peter Whittingham, Craig Noone and even Wilfried Zaha have piqued our interest over the course of the campaign, Mutch’s recent displays have cemented his spot as the man most likely in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s midfield. Now up to six goals and six assists in 19 league starts, his weekend endeavours will surely have earned him a fourth successive start under the Norwegian as the Welsh outfit make their way to fellow-strugglers West Brom.

With Palace, Stoke and Sunderland in the subsequent four, Mutch – priced at 4.1 in the Sky Sports game and 1.5 in the Sun Dream Team – has the schedule to maintain his recent showings and boost his side’s survival prospects.

Stephane Sessegnon

The Baggies midfielder made an instant impact on his first start under new manager Pepe Mel in Gameweek 30. Finally recovered from a groin injury, Sessegnon was handed a role alongside Victor Anichebe up front in West Brom’s Gameweek 30 trip to Swansea and responded with a goal and couple of bonus – serving up his first double-figure return of the season.

A change in formation last weekend saw the Benin international move to the tip of a midfield diamond behind Anichebe and Thievy in a disappointing defeat at Hull. With his side failing to find the net at the KC, Mel may once again alter his formation – with Anichebe struggling to shake off a hamstring injury, Sessegnon may even be shifted back up front for tomorrow’s trip to Cardiff.

With a schedule which includes Norwich, West Ham, Sunderland and Stoke in the final seven rounds of matches, including a double Gameweek 37, Sessegnon (6.4 in FPL, 6.7 in the Sky Sports game and 3.5 in the Sun Dream Team) may yet rediscover the form which made him such a mid-price favourite in his final two seasons on Wearside.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

1,492 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Shifty
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    Still stuck in 2 minds over this

    A) Play AJ Snodgrass, bench Nolan save FT.
    B) Nolan > Nasri, bench AJ or Snodgrass?

    No Toure if that helps...

    Open Controls
    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      A

      Open Controls
  2. KickIt
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    Bench a defender:
    Cahill, Azpi, Coleman, Zab

    I currently benched Zab, agree?

    Open Controls
    1. 1234thro
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      Yep, think youve chosen right there. Good luck 🙂

      Open Controls
    2. The Baby-faced Assassin
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      Agree.

      Open Controls
    3. KickIt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      Thanks!

      Open Controls
    4. Vardy Gras PBFC
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      Zabaleta, I'm doing the same.

      Open Controls
  3. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    Saturday 🙂

    Open Controls
    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      Saturday night (c)

      Open Controls
      1. r0nh
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        and I like the way you feel

        Open Controls
  4. Mak_Gold
      10 years, 2 days ago

      Which three to play?:

      1) Coleman
      2) Olsson M
      3) Chester
      4) Dummett
      5) Ward

      Open Controls
      1. 1234thro
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        1, 2 and 3 for me 🙂

        Open Controls
        1. Mak_Gold
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Cheers. 🙂

            Open Controls
        2. MJ6987
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 2 days ago

          Oh dear

          Coleman Chester Olsson

          Open Controls
          1. Mak_Gold
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Thanks. Yeah, I know it's a sh*te defence, but what can I do? £0.1m short of Ward -> Azpilicueta. 🙁

              Open Controls
        3. Do I Not Like Orange
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 2 days ago

          Not usually one for last-minute transfers, but I've just done Silva > Lallana.

          Could backfire on me, but I fancy Soton to score at least 2 against Newcastle's makeshift backline, plus Silva would've gone in 34 anyway to make way for Aguero.

          Open Controls
          1. Jax
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Stupid move. Aguero is crocked

            Open Controls
            1. Do I Not Like Orange
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              I'm not getting him until GW34. He'll be uncrocked by then, and probably score more in one of his two games than Silva will in both.

              Open Controls
        4. The Baby-faced Assassin
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 2 days ago

          Best option this weekend:

          A) Nolan
          B) Lallana

          Open Controls
          1. Darth
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            B

            Open Controls
          2. Shifty
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            B i'd say

            Open Controls
        5. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 2 days ago

          Pick a GK & 1 defender to play please

          Mannone Boruc
          Ward Chambers MOlsson

          Open Controls
          1. Billy Gilmore
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Mannone and Chambers

            Open Controls
            1. Gazza2000
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              ^this

              Open Controls
            2. Amateur Pundit Zan
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              +1

              Open Controls
          2. Sarnab
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            I'd go with Boruc and Chambers as I'm chasing in my ML

            Open Controls
          3. beric
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Mannone and chambers

            Open Controls
          4. @persecuted_by_mods
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Boruc and Chambers

              Open Controls
            • Shifty
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Mannone, Chambers.

              Open Controls
            • TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Cheers all. Chambers + 1 GK

              Open Controls
            • Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Boruc and Chambers

              Open Controls
          5. Sarnab
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            43 points behind in my ML.

            Should I start playing differential from now on or wait till gw 35-36 ?

            Open Controls
            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Might be too late then. Most points is a better method. If leader has a great team then it's hard work.

              Open Controls
              1. Sarnab
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 2 days ago

                Leader doesn't have Hazard and Lukaku. That's the only flaw I see

                Open Controls
                1. TorresMagic™
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 14 Years
                  10 years, 2 days ago

                  Who does he have in their place?

                  Open Controls
                  1. Sarnab
                    • 12 Years
                    10 years, 2 days ago

                    I have Sterling. Hazard. Lukaku

                    He has Gerrard, AJ, Carroll

                    Open Controls
              2. Whattheheck!
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 2 days ago

                I'm not sure if I agree with your reasoning TM. Assuming your only goal is to win your mini league then as the leader I would be trying to reduce risks i.e. use expected probabilities. So in order to catch them in a short space of time calculated differentials seem like the way to go - the less time you have the more different your team needs to be...
                If all one are trying to do is improve your OR then most points is obviously the best method.

                Open Controls
                1. TorresMagic™
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 14 Years
                  10 years, 2 days ago

                  There are good differentials & bad ones is the bottom line. Template team around now so hard to make ground but finding good diffs is rewarding.

                  Open Controls
            2. Chris_White
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Start with Sturridge(C) this week 😉

              Open Controls
              1. Sarnab
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 2 days ago

                Don't tempt me

                Open Controls
          6. Vardy Gras PBFC
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Boruc
            Ivanovic Coleman Baines
            Hazard YYT Silva
            Suarez Sturridge Lukaku

            Play Zabaleta, Sterling, Mutch or Chester? Rival has same midfield plus Lallana.

            Would have to take a hit to upgrade Sterling to 7.7m.

            Open Controls
            1. The Baby-faced Assassin
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Probably Mutch.

              Open Controls
            2. Chris_White
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Zabaleta or Sterling. I'd lean towards Zab.

              Open Controls
          7. HNI
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            what would think i should do with silva and mata?
            1)Keep mata for AVL home and take out for yaya next week
            or
            2) jus do silva+nolan to yaya+mid cheapie for a hit this week?

            Open Controls
            1. Gazza2000
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              1

              Open Controls
          8. Lord Flashheart
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Anyone here not captaining Suarez? Anyone?

            Torn between Rooney and Michu myself.

            Open Controls
            1. Chris_White
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Sturridge

              Open Controls
            2. beric
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Im going suarez, rooneys lack of home form worries me and michu hasnt had enough minutes yet to risk it imo

              Open Controls
              1. Lord Flashheart
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 2 days ago

                Yes yes you make sense dammit - but where is the fun? 🙂

                Open Controls
                1. beric
                  • 12 Years
                  10 years, 2 days ago

                  Hehe, i play for rank not fun! This is serious business dammit

                  Open Controls
            3. Amateur Pundit Zan
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Rooney great differential choice. Michu not up to speed imo

              Open Controls
            4. 1234thro
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              I was thinking Lukaku, but Im probably not brave enough for that 🙂

              Open Controls
          9. denial
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Can't shake off idea of doing Silva to Lallana (freebie), then Gerrard to Nasri next week.

            Got a funny feeling about Lallana this week.

            Open Controls
          10. r0nh
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            My rank is 1,289.

            I hope I can get into the top 1,000 before my inevitable decline.

            Open Controls
            1. beric
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Wow, way to go ronh

              Open Controls
              1. r0nh
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 2 days ago

                I am going to overtake you!! 👿

                Open Controls
                1. beric
                  • 12 Years
                  10 years, 2 days ago

                  Yeah right halfpenny

                  Open Controls
                  1. r0nh
                    • 12 Years
                    10 years, 2 days ago

                    Halfpenny 😆

                    Open Controls
                    1. beric
                      • 12 Years
                      10 years, 2 days ago

                      🙂

                      Open Controls
            2. Chris_White
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Nice work Ron. I was looking to improve my 1371 rank from last year, not looking likely 🙁

              Open Controls
              1. r0nh
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 2 days ago

                Still 7 weeks to go!

                2 DGW's too 🙂

                Open Controls
            3. Hibbo
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Who you play in Elite 64?

              Open Controls
              1. r0nh
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 2 days ago

                Is it not a league?

                Open Controls
                  1. r0nh
                    • 12 Years
                    10 years, 2 days ago

                    I play Audiobully.

                    He is inside the top 1000 🙁

                    Open Controls
                    1. Hibbo
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 11 Years
                      10 years, 2 days ago

                      Netbusters for me.

                      He is 114.

                      And it ain't the rank its the differentials in a given week.

                      Open Controls
                      1. r0nh
                        • 12 Years
                        10 years, 2 days ago

                        Good luck.

                        I hope we both get through.

                        Then I beat you in the final 👿

                        Open Controls
                1. Billy Gilmore
                  • 11 Years
                  10 years, 2 days ago

                  No, it's a cup.

                  Open Controls
          11. Andy1
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Best replacement for Williamson. He will go on my bench, but using the transfer to avoid losing it, and also to make funds available for future dgws

            A. Chambers
            B. Dann
            C. Baker

            Rest of my team is
            Boruc mannone
            Coleman zabaleta azpi Chester
            Hazard yaya gerrard lallana ki
            Suarez Sturridge lukaku

            Or is ki to Delph a better move?

            Open Controls
          12. Paul
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Any chance Mirallas will play today???

            Open Controls
            1. beric
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Every chance i wouldve thoug

              Open Controls
          13. beric
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Just gunna finish this episode of the simpsons then get up, thats what im telling myself

            Open Controls
            1. beric
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              For the third time this morning

              Open Controls
          14. Hibbo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Mannone

            Baines Coleman Chester

            Hazard Yaya Gerrard Nolan

            Suarez c Sturridge Lukaku

            bench: Januzaj Olsson Gabbidon

            1FT 1.1M ITB

            My third defender and Nolan the obvious weak links but crazy times ahead so...

            Save the transfer?

            Open Controls
            1. beric
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Yeah save

              Open Controls
          15. RabMac
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Any ideas for a good transfer this week?

            My current team is:

            Mannone Adrian

            Cahill Coleman Fonte Ward Olsson

            Yaya Hazard Gerrard Nolan Noone

            Lukaku Sturridge Suarez

            Currently looking at getting rid of Nolan. I have 3.8M in bank so can get anyone I choose but would like to keep some funds to get Rooney after Man Utd missing GW.

            Open Controls
            1. Andy1
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Lallana

              Open Controls
              1. RabMac
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 2 days ago

                I was considering him but the thing making me think twice is they have City next week.

                Open Controls
                1. Andy1
                  • 14 Years
                  10 years, 2 days ago

                  He still might score next week

                  Open Controls
          16. thomthom
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Which one of Chester, Flanagan or Zabaleta to partner with Azpilicueta and Coleman?

            Open Controls
            1. RabMac
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              I would go Zabaleta as don't see Arsenal doing much against City.

              Open Controls
          17. SpinyNorman [*_*]
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Who to pick as captain?

            A) Haz
            b) Lukaku
            c) Suarez
            d) Sturridge
            e) Yaya

            Open Controls
            1. beric
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              C

              Open Controls
            2. Wavey Wambz
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Sturridge.

              Open Controls
          18. Wavey Wambz
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            What about Martinez rotation policy and Barkley started twice?

            Open Controls
          19. Mackie1903
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Who do I bench?

            Flanagan (H v Spurs)
            Azpil (A v Palace)
            Coleman (A v Fulham)
            Bardsley (H v WHU)

            Or play 4 at the back and bench Sissoko?

            Open Controls
            1. Pleased To Michu
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              between flanagan vs bardsley, but i'd say bardsley against west ham edges it

              Open Controls
            2. donkey73
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              play4

              Open Controls
          20. Pleased To Michu
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Anyone want to help me with my dilemma?

            Chester (stk) vs Olsson (swa)

            Thanks for you advice 🙂

            Open Controls
            1. Whattheheck!
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Tough one but I would say Chester, as Swansea with Michu and Bony are more of a goal threat...

              Open Controls
          21. Van der Faart
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Boruc
            Sagna Shaw Coleman (Ward,Whittaker)
            Sterling Gerrard Yaya Nolan(Januzaj)
            Rodriguez Sturridge Rooney(C)

            Needs work but only got .2 in the bank. Would like to get Hazard in and Sterlings and Januzaj's game time is of massive concern

            Open Controls
            1. Whattheheck!
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              hmmm... I would probably save this week and then assuming Sterling starts on the bench again I would think about doing Sterling and Nolan to Nasri and cheap (You probably don't have enough money for Hazard)

              Open Controls
              1. Van der Faart
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 2 days ago

                Unless I get rid of Gerrard... Fair to say Hazard has better fixtures.

                Open Controls
          22. James101
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Okay. I'm inside the top 1000 in the overall rankings, so don't want big risks.

            Team this GW:

            Mannone. Boruc

            Zaba. Evra. Coleman. Ivan. Whittaker

            Sterling Silva Yaya Nolan Hazard

            Suárez lukaku Sturridge

            Questions!!

            Bench 2 of Nolan, sterling, zaba, evra

            Also, 1 FT:

            Barkley or Mutch for sterling or Nolan. No hits.

            Or

            Gerrard for Nolan and someone cheap for evra. 4pt hit.

            Thoughts?!

            Cheers!

            J.

            Open Controls
            1. Amateur Pundit Zan
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Save transfer
              Bench sterling and zaba

              Open Controls
            2. Andy1
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              I'd bench sterling. Not sure who else. Probably zab, but if am playing him

              Don't need to make any transfers

              Open Controls
          23. mdm
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Silva to Hazard worth a hit? Thanks.

            Open Controls
            1. Whattheheck!
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              No - Silva has two DGWs. Do it for free next week if you have nothing else pressing

              Open Controls
          24. Andy1
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Boruc or mannone?

            Rival has mannone, so should I play him to nullify his threat?

            Open Controls
            1. Whattheheck!
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Depends if you are chasing... I would play Boruc personally as Newcastle aren't scoring many atm.

              Open Controls
          25. elkunaguero
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Bench one in each duo

            A) Distin or Kolarov
            B) Mirallas or Snodgrass

            Open Controls
            1. RabMac
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Kolarov and Snodgrass

              Open Controls
            2. donkey73
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              play distin-snod

              Open Controls
          26. donkey73
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            Morning Lads,
            Can someone help me select 3 starters in Defence out of:

            Baines-Coleman-Skrtel-Ivanovic-Chambers

            Tough one!

            Open Controls
            1. RabMac
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Ivanovic, Baines and Skrtel.

              Open Controls
          27. beric
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            TM, link for elite 64 games?

            Open Controls
            1. beric
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 days ago

              Nevermind, just saw it above

              Open Controls