[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. GuillermoDickero
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Play
    A) Defoe
    OR
    B) Wollscheid

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

      A

    2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      A all day long

    3. A guy
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Defoe

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

      A

    5. A guy
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      strikers > defenders

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

      Always the attacker, or nearly always

  2. Lord Alan Shearer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    McAudley (avl) or reveillere (hul)

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

      McAuley

      1. Lord Alan Shearer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Decision made!

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

      McD

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

        *A

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

    Play Moses or Walcott?

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

      Moses

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

    Start Bellerin or Yoshida??

    1. Sparrer
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Bellerin!

    2. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Bellerin imo.

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

      Yo shiva

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

    Feck it, Lloris in for Pants for a hit. Good fixtures anyway onwards

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

      😳

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

        Gotta live a little

  6. Sparrer
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed again! Last try

    A) Play a benched PVA
    B) Play Coloccini vs Man U
    C) Play Naughton vs Spurs
    D) Bring in Yun for PVA, free up 0.3 and take a -4 for the double

    Hmmm?

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

      D

      1. Sparrer
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks Breadbin

    2. Ruth_NZ
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

      B or C In my opinion. Are we sure Yun is definitely gonna play? And if he does its likely 4 points for 0 points in total. Colo or Naughton could beat that I think. At least match anyway.

  7. Atters
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Mane - - > coutinho and sterling for - 4?

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

      nah

  8. Pablitto
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    bench one:

    Terry
    Belerin
    Clyne
    Wolschield

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Wollsc

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

      Wolschield

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

      Wolly

    4. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Clyne/Wolschield imo..

    5. Pablitto
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      ok Wolly it is cheers lads

  9. kenzo.
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Play Bellerin OR Walcott?

    1. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Bellerin

  10. Ruth_NZ
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Weird team this week with Toby and PvA out. 10 outfield players: 2 Stoke, 2 United, 2 Spurs, 2 Chelsea, 2 City. Never had so few teams represented as far as I can remember.

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

    Which two should I play out of: Bruce, Jagielka, Jones, Walcott ???

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

      Last 2

  12. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Dawson or Wollscheid?

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

      Dawson Creek

    2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Dawson

  13. FPL Emu
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Totally off topic, but any idea how much mobile data it would take to watch a match on a pretty bad stream, say 300 kbps?

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

      300kbps * 90 minutes = ~200MB

  14. preseasonblues
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Having seen Ward-Prowse not starting have taken the plunge and gambled on Matt Phillips for a -4, fingers crossed...!

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Best of luck

    2. POLSKA GOLA
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      JWP sitting last on my bench. What a waste of space he is.

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

    PVA(C)

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

      vc?

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

    is giroud to austin worth the hit??

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

      Not sure.

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

      no

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

      This gameweek maybe, don't think so in the long run.

    4. COW
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      yep

    5. POLSKA GOLA
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      That's a gamble but even if it doesn't pay off it's fun.

  17. adammc
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    de Gea
    Moreno - Koscienly - C.Dawson
    Walters - Mané - Erisken - Hazard
    Giroud - Aguero (VC) - Kane (C)
    Subs : Downing - Naughton - PvA
    Good to go ? Thanks

  18. vova
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Bench Terry, Kosc or Hutton?

    Thanks

    1. 99problems
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      hutton

  19. mrblonde
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    ozil or sterling?

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

      Sterling

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

      Sterling

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

        yeah think i'll do it, sterling in, cheers

    3. Esalman
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      ozil

  20. Lyonnais
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    I've Foster. Would you play Dawson or Hutton ?

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

      Dawson

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

      currently on Foster and Dawson

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

      Dawson

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

      Dawson

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

    Play Ozil Or Coutinho ??

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

      Couts

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

        Thanks

  22. Tommy J
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone taking a punt on a capt other than Kane? I'm thinking Sturridge...or Aguero

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

      Kun

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

      Aguero is a good shout. I changed my mind on him because it would make Saturday very uncomfortable.

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

        you still on austin?

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

      I'm on Aguero right now

  23. SheBangsTheDrums
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Chances of Bellerin being rested?

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

      Anyone have a clue on this?

    2. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      1-2%

  24. Blue Gaffer
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Play Di Maria or Walters?

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

      No

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

      AdM

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

    Start bellerin or dawson

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

      Bells

  26. stefankiknun
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Play which one?

    A) PvA
    B) Walters
    C) Sakho

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

      B

  27. mitro
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    play puncheon or clyne

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

      puncheon

  28. Daniel Levy- Not the Chairm…
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Can't believe I am benching Clyne....

  29. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    am I good 2 go?

    Foster
    Clyne Fonte Ivan
    Silva Hazard Alexis Eriksen
    Austin vc Kane c Kun
    Bench: Moses PVA Baird
    9,1 itb

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      0.1 itb not 9

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

      oki doki

    3. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

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

      Looks great! I have the same midfield

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Thank u all. Finally a good looking team 4 me after a looooong time

    5. HippyChopper -A Milford man
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      G2G. Could you give a quick reply to mine on the top of page 13?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Will do. Check it

  30. Prince of Persia
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    I am playing Bertrand, Dawson and Bellerin. Wolly and Yun are on the bench. Good decision?

    1. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good....but palace can score i think...