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

    Big error! My late sub means Cazorla to Eriksen can't do Austin to Giroud next week tho Sanchez to Eriksen means I can do Austin to Costa next week. Do I ditch Sanchez then? Gulp.

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

      Ditch Sanchez, I did the same thing....u know what time it is next week

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

        costa time baby!!

  2. The Machine
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Walker nailed on for both games?

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah

      1. The Machine
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Captain sorted then 😎

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

          6-8 points 😉

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

      No

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

    Elia -> Sterling/coutinho for a hit? Yes or No? If Yes, then which one?

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

      No

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

    would you sell one of clyne / bertie for a hit to get a spurs defender?

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

      No

    2. A.T
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      No

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

      No way, did it for free

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

    If i am going to get rid of PVA in the long run....is PVA>Vert a resonable transfer knowing full well that it might be a short term punt?

    1. A.T
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      For free yes

  6. Andy1
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Play krul or Heaton?

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

      Hmmm probably Heaton?

      1. Andy1
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

  7. @ocprodigy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Bert > Rose FT, Y or N? Clyne & Forster here...

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Tricky. Y

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

        thanks!

  8. Paganoi
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Play Naughton or Hutton?

    1. Jay_
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Hutton

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

          Cheers

      • GHB
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Same situation now cause of PVA. Going Hutton, hope for the 0-0

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

          I was considering a hit for a moment since PvA isn't nailed but I'm trying to hold out..

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

      Start Panti or Foster? Have Lescott.

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

        Pants

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

      Play Jones (new) or Wolscheid (EVE)??

      Opinions please!!

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

      Start Jones or Naughton?

      Or take a hit for a Spurs defender to replace Jones?

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

      Play Bellerin or C.Dawson?

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

        Dawson

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

        Bellend

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

      Cameron > Rose for -4pts or play Hutton???

      3rd time lucky...

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

        I like the -4 but I'm a sucker for a double

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

        play hutton

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

        Stick

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

      Oh my. Think these pages are moving faster than on a Saturday 🙂

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

        You better speed up then 🙂

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

      Danny Graham starts!

      **Puts house on Hull CS

      1. Deep Sea Amphipod
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        *Loses house*

    9. Scab
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      stupid question, did the lineups comeout?

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

        Yup

      2. mgilbert86
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        yep, last few pages

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

        Yes

    10. mgilbert86
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      pages flying

      JONES or HUTTON? worried about cameo from phil...

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

        I'd risk it and go for Jones... Hutton plays against a good West Brom side with Berahino and Ideye. I'm struggling between Hutton and Naughton. For which one would you go ?

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

      Hey guys ! Would you go for Hutton or Naughton ?

      Thanks 😀

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

        Hutton

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

      Start Janmaat or Geoff Cameron?

    13. Chris.R
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Sanchez or Coutinho?

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

        Lmao

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

      Oh god, can I really get rid of Sanchez when he's playing QPR?!

      1. Doctor X
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Same with Giroud. It's murdering me. Fookin ell..

        You know your heart is telling you to do it though.

      2. Teahupo'o
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        I did. Kept Cazorla.

    15. Venom Snake
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Kun or Kane??

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

        kane

      2. mgilbert86
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        kane, more fun

      3. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Play both.

    16. jackerman99
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Who to start Bruce or Wollscheid?

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

        I'd start Wolly

    17. The Nuttmxn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I'm pretty sure I did Sanchez to Eriksen last night but noticed today that it I must have not, I've decided that this is a sign from the ff gods and have done Giroud to Austin instead.

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

      Summary teamsheets?

      1. Jay_
          11 years, 2 months ago

          PVA benched no other surprises

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

        Is Brady in the hole tonight?

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

          Already happened, they pulled him out

      3. Art Vandelay
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Play Foster and Lescott or do PVA to Walker for -4 and bench Joleon?

        1. A.T
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Play the baggies

      4. Doctor X
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        First sub Wollschield (EVE) or Hutton (AVL)?!!

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

          Wollscheid

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

        Pantilimon
        Bellerin - Clyne - Dawson
        Sterling - Cazorla - Mane - Hazard
        Aguero - Giroud - Kane

        Hamer - van Aanholt - Wollscheid - Colback

        2FT £0.2m, any help please

      6. Mumble Pie
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Anyone one else taken a couple of hits for the DGW..?

        #crackpipe

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

          8pts here