[sbu_large_image] Spot the Differential
3 March 2015 2153 comments
James Barnes James Barnes
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In an attempt to capitalise on the double Gameweek for Tottenham and QPR, we look beyond the usual suspects, picking out a reliable Belgian defender and an emerging Scottish talent who, coincidentally, were both selected in The Puntmaster’s Gameweek article earlier today. We also reckon Liverpool’s exciting Spanish wing-back looks a strong shout for points at both ends of the pitch this weekend as Burnley roll up to Anfield.

Jan Vertonghen

With Tottenham facing two favourable match-ups at home to Swansea and away to QPR in their double, seeking out coverage for the north London outfit is imperative. Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen, who’ve combined for eight goals in their last five outings, are the clear frontrunners, but pinpointing a third viable candidate is a trickier proposition.

Neither of Mauricio Pochettino’s first-choice midfield pairing – Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb – have a goal to their name this campaign, while the likes of Nacer Chadli, Erik Lamela, Andros Townsend and Mousa Dembele are too subject to rotation for our liking. We turn, then, to the Lilywhites’ defence, with Belgian centre-back Jan Vertonghen emerging as a strong shout.

Unlike the 4.9-priced Danny Rose – who, admittedly, boasts superior form with two goals in seven starts – Jan Vertonghen (5.9) faces less competition for starts in his favoured role, with Eric Dier and Federico Fazio tussling for the second centre-back berth. The former Ajax star has been the one mainstay in Tottenham’s defence, as evidenced by his run of 15 successive league starts, while Ben Davies has shared left-back duties with Rose.

Although Tottenham have struggled to shut out teams of late – with one clean sheet in seven – the scoring form of their opponents this week is far from prolific. The Swans visit White Hart Lane having only registered two goals in their previous three road matches, while the Hoops have drawn a blank in three of their last four clashes at Loftus Road. If he can roll back the years and return to the six-goal form of 2012/13, Vertonghen could prove a canny acquisition over the double and beyond, bearing in mind Spurs also host Leicester and Villa and travel to Burnley in the next five.

Matt Phillips

QPR’s double Gameweek fixtures, at home to North London pair Arsenal and Spurs, at first don’t appear all that conducive to healthy Fantasy returns. However, in spite of their abysmal away record, the R’s have proved to be far more resilient at home – only four teams have bested QPR at Loftus Road. Clearly, top scorer Charlie Austin is the standout performer in Chris Ramsey’s outfit, yet the recent output of resurgent winger Matt Phillips (4.6) shouldn’t be overlooked.

Since the new manager’s installation, Phillips has recorded three assists in three starts. To further illustrate his increasing importance to QPR’s offense, only Eden Hazard (11) created more chances than the 23-year-old Scotland international (10) between Gameweeks 24-26 prior to QPR’s blank Gameweek 27. With no midfielders in Phillips’ price bracket offering consistent attacking returns anyway, his inclusion could be profitable based on appearance points alone if managers are scouting for a budget fifth option. Like Vertonghen, the following fixtures are also in his favour – Phillips also plays Palace, West Brom, Everton and Villa in the next six Gameweeks.

Alberto Moreno

In light of Liverpool’s redoubtable defensive record across the last seven Gameweeks – a period in which they’ve recorded five clean sheets – it would be remiss of us not to consider the Reds’ rearguard. With on out-of-position berth on the left of a 3-4-2-1, full-back Alberto Moreno (5.2) offers an intriguing route into the Merseysiders’ defence. The 22-year-old has notched two goals this term and has been one of the main beneficiaries of the new formation – since Brendan Rodgers switched tactics in Gameweek 16, Moreno sits joint second for shots inside the box (eight) amongst defenders, whilst his 16 key passes has been bettered by just two other backline options.

On paper, Liverpool’s Gameweek 28 home tie with Burnley represents a fine opportunity to record another clean sheet – the Clarets failed to score in the reverse fixture and looked bereft of ideas in their 1-0 loss to Swansea on the weekend. Beyond this Gameweek, a tough trio of fixtures (swa, MUN, ars) might dissuade potential investors, yet recent shut-outs on visits to Southampton, Everton and West Ham showed Rodgers’ side are capable of stifling potent attacks.

  1. Breadbin
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Where is my Mamadou Sakho?

    1. Breadbin
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Need to know if he trained in latest pictures ideally.

      1. Captain Shirokov
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        I don't know.

        Hope this helps.

        1. Breadbin
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Racist.

  2. gers23
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Bruce or bellerin?

    1. LMFAO
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Lmao

      1. gers23
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Haha what

        1. Breadbin
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          You.

  3. Numb
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Has AJ got another sleepover tonight or is he injured?

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      😛

  4. Wirtzle Gummidge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Currently playing Toby. PvA and Baird my subs :/

    Worth a hit for PvA to Yun?

    1. Wirtzle Gummidge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Other two are Ivan and Rose.

    2. wheato
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Ride it out.

  5. Hank Scorpio
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    FPL DOWN!

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      works fine for me

    2. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      😮

    3. Whazza
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Not for me

    4. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Change modem

  6. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    with Toby on the bench, think I'm going to put him last on my bench and set it up like this:

    Boyd, Wollscheid, Toby.

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Looks like a fine idea

      1. sinik
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        cheers

    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Already on -8.

    A) PVA -> Dawson for -4

    B) Play Wollschied (EVE)

    A or B? 🙂

    1. Captain Shirokov
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Oh come on.

  7. Essrick
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    PVA to Rose for -4?

    Defence at the moment is Azpi, Clyne, Bellerin with PVA and Naughton benched...

    1. Brazooka
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Yay

  8. bakayoko
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    cabpatin eriksen ?

    1. Frogman
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      yeah thats what i'm doing, bit of a risk but fingers crossed eh?

    2. wood is good
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      your grav makes me feel physically sick

    3. mojoindojo
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      no christian Eriksen

  9. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Tonight's games are just rotten.

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      So true, I'm bored already

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        😆

  10. deathorglory
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one guys please:

    A) Terry

    B) Dawson

    C) Clichy

    1. Captain Shirokov
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Terry

    2. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      C

  11. Arsenal Deli
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Take a hit to do Heaton > Lloris / Green??

  12. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Cisse + Jones > Austin + Rose 2FT no brainer right?

  13. Brazooka
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Defoe-->Austin for a one more hit??? (-8)

    1. Breadbin
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Keep posting this.

    2. LMFAO
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Do it

    3. Captain Shirokov
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Wow

    4. shimmeronhorizons
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I've taken a double hit for Austin. Some good fixtures coming QPR's way after dgw...

  14. shimmeronhorizons
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Who to bench - sanchez, cazorla or silva?

    1. deathorglory
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Caz but you should have got yourself in that position!

  15. mdm
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Hutton or Puncheon to start?

  16. Fabregasm
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Giroud and Yaya --> Rooney and Sterling (-4)
    Does it seem worth it over the next couple of GWs?

  17. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Play Jones (new) or Wolscheid (EVE)?

    Opinions please!

    1. Lloyd Xmas
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Wolscheid

  18. andres
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    sell one of clyne/ bertie for a hit? (for spurs def)

  19. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Sub list anyone

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Stickies

  20. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    PVA out for a -4 ?
    Play puncheon or moses?

    1. LMFAO
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Lmao

    2. NULL-X-VOID
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Punchy

    3. Brazooka
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Yep.
      Puncheon.

  21. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Johnson's baby oil #justsayin

  22. NULL-X-VOID
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Bellerin OR Dawson ??

    1. yemzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      i'm playing both but if i had to choose, dawson

  23. Jafalad
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    It bothers me that 144k have brought in Rose. Two Spuds cs could be a nuisance.

    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Don't see him starting both (and I bought him in)

    2. LMFAO
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Would be damn nice personally! Here is hoping but I don't mind as long as Austin scores.

  24. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    FPL Down - Free WC's 😎

    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Works for me

    2. LMFAO
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Whoooo

      1. NULL-X-VOID
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        what does that mean ?? sorry kinda newb

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      unlucky, working great here

  25. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Start McShane or Jones?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      mcshane

  26. Kjoreilly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Folks play Cisse or Walters???

    1. Zasa
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Cisse for sure

  27. The ghost of a Pug's g…
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Gotta love the PVAkey kokey

  28. mouldy_uk
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    How quickly does the wildcard status of an opponent update?

    My ML opponent says 'Available' or does it only update when the window shuts?

  29. Lizard Lips
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Petrified of being without Sanchez but price changes forced my hand.

    Surprised at the lack of Austin (c), seems the right play to me over Kane, good luck one and all!