[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. Hibbopotamus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Who to start in 2034??

    A. Smith
    B. Hazard Jr.
    C. Schollweid
    D. Lampard

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

      Oh why did this have to get top of the page...damnit.

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

        Who cares

    2. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      E. Undertaker

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

      A
      B
      B
      A

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

      Bendtner Jr.

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

      Rosicky

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

      Hi Jins.

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

      Terry

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

      Joniesta

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

    Double Soton defence or Clyne + Bellerin?

    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      ummm...

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        which did you end up with?

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

          Split my bets, Clyne + Bellerin

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

      Too late. Deadline gooooone.

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

      Forget that, just realised we are locked in. Spanner!

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

      Bit late

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

    Play Dawson(avl) or O'Shea(hul)?

    Quick! 5 minutes to k/o

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

      Oh dear

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

      pants were down few mins ago?

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

      5 mins 15 mins ago

    4. Kerz
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Just change to whichever one hasn't conceded at half time, noob.

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

        Gr8 idea, cheers m8.

  4. FPL Maldini
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    What % of people captained Kane?

    Also what is the website where you can find this data from again

    1. Red Star Toro
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      fpldiscovery

  5. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Wow! A lot of trust in Spurs defence on here.

  6. Richd
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    When the deadline passes and all the casuals leave for a few days. I feel like a used slut, who's just had a hectic hour, and is now all alone. Crying. Lonely. Thinking of Southampton defence.

    1. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Tart.

    2. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      😆

    3. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks for suggesting to play Hutton over PVA. Only just seen PVA is benched

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

        No worries!

    4. Jay_
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Lol ! Clyne and Bertie owner here too

      • Ser Football 42
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        I feel like a used slut everyday. Mostly because I am a slut who gets used

      • Kerz
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        lol

    5. CunkOnFPL
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Differential Vert 😯

    6. Ninja Škrtel
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Ended up captaining Kun!!! this could be a huge diff....or the worst mistake ever.

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

        Should be a good choice still, but Kane starts off with bigger haul potential.

    7. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Villa 0-0 West Brom please

      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        3-3

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

        This

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

        1-1, both OGs, thanks.

      4. Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Brom 1 - Villa 0 with a Dawson goal

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

        1-0 WBA c.dawson last min winner

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

        Brom x-0 Villa.

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

        0-1 Foster doing a Begović and saving a pen 😛

      8. Studgie G
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        2-1

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

        It's a darby game so I'm expecting some goals and red cards. 0-0 unlikely.

    8. Jay_
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Ahh the game is being updated. .. love it 😀

      • New Article Posted
      • Hy liverpool
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Score predictions
        A. Liverpool vs burnly
        B. Qpr vs arsenal
        C. Whu vs chelsea

        Mine
        A. 4-1
        B. 2-2
        C. 0-2

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          A. 3-0
          B. 1-2
          C. 0-1

      • Not Irish
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Who dreamed up this day of dream fixtures?

        Credit to them.

      • Judas
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Kind of ironic that ahead of their away game to Hull tonight, Sunderland were training at my old secondary school.

        Bet Johnson was gutted

      • The Stig
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        what match will be the best to watch tonight
        and what station is it on

      • Total Foot 5
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        who will score more only gw 29? thnx

        a.dcosta SOU
        b.silva bur

        **will both costa and silva rise btn today and gw 29? prob yes, no...?

      • donkey73
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Assuming 80% have
        Kane (c) + Eriksen + Austin + Aguero + soton def

        It's really up to the rest of our players, right?

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

          I guess so, unfortunately Puncheons let me down already!