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

    Actually might change it to aguero

    Aguero (c) anyone?

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

      Nope. The idea of 60 minutes gametime puts me off him.

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

        Played 90 the past few.

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

        city don't have a game this weekend though

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

      Might go Eriksen

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

    Sub order?

    A. Bellend
    B Boyd
    C Hutton

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

      A, C , B

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

        Currently on ACB. Thank you 🙂

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

      Play Bellerin

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

        Out of Dawson, Lezzycott, Terry?

  3. 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

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

      .....and?

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

        Good to go

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

    Vertengon - 4 or play Bellerin?

    1. I-Taught-Danny-Welbeck-How-…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      bellerin

  5. harrysponge
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    with PVA not starting..

    who to play?

    A) PVA
    B) Baird
    C) Keane

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

      C

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

        Cheers Demi

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

      take a hit for YUN.....frees up cash and you have a DGWer

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

        already took a hit to get Eriksen in 😛

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

          take another....your risk is low....is Keane starting?

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

            No idea.. but he starts quite often

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

      B

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

      Who knows

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

    Any news?

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

      http://www.bbc.com/

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

      I'm bored

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

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

    1. jernej93
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      defoe starts

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

      Yes ... Do it

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

      Nah!

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

    Seeing that Hull will probably score now bith strikers start, is it worth switching to Krul??

    Could be more saves on the cards v UTD?

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

      I would be playing Krul anyway

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

        DDG or panti ?

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

          DDG

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

          Cisse will score tomorrow.

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

        Ta, switched. I'll come find you if it works! 🙂

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

    Toby noooo. Alright, get in McShane.

  10. bangers and M*A*S*H
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Start Clyne or Terry?

    Got Ivan playing anyway.

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

      Clyne then

  11. Enzo the Baker
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Bench Hazard or Cazorla ? Has to be one of these two

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

      Cazorla

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

    Hutton or double WBA?

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

      I've gone triple Dubya BA 😛

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

    play zouma or kos ?

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

      Kosc.

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

      Kos

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

      thanks

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

    Any reason not to do PVA -> Walker for free?

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

    Take out PVA for a hit or play wollscheid?

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

    Can't believe people are taking hits to get in the likes of Spurs defenders and Austin.

    L
    O
    L

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

      It's a DGW m8 catch up

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

        Oh yeah, they are suddenly gr8 picks now 🙂

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

      you are so scared 🙂

    3. Deanamo Jammy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Hits to get 'em in, hits to get 'em out. No regard for cost/benefit it seems.

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

    Worth taking a hit for Defoe to Austin ?

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

      do it

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

      Is for me

    3. Planet Jo
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

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

      Yes

  18. _Gunner
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Panti or DDG ?

    1. Planet Jo
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      DDG

    2. Camp No No
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Pantilemon.

  19. The 12th Man
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Austin(c) anyone?

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

    Giroud to Austin minus 4.

    1. Planet Jo
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      not for -4

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

      See hot topics

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

    Anyone else on a couple of hits this DGW..?

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

      -4 at the moment

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

        Always time for another hit.......

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

    thinking jones to ivanovic just to be punty, is this insane?

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

      No

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

      Nope....but remember mourinho said he will make changes,but ivanovic getting rested is highly unlikely though..(BUT HE IS DUE A REST.)

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

    Sanchez > Sterling (-4) YES or NO?

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

      No lol

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

      😯 NO

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

      Not for a hit..

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

    Start...

    A. Wollsheid (EVE)
    Or
    B. Dawson (avl - double up with Lescott)

    Thanks.

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

    Mane - - > coutinho/sterling for - 4?

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

    Play clyne or puncheon

    1. Hughes Your Daddy
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Is a tough call. We better on the road (5 unbeaten) Puncheon playing just behind Gayle (same position he got 3 assists from on Saturday) is working out well, so would side for Punch. Saints full defence back though.

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

    Bench one:

    A) Terry

    B) Dawson

    C) Clichy

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

      C

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

      Dawson for sure

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

      Terry.

  28. Hughes Your Daddy
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Happy with our lineup. Puncheon central tucked in behind Gayle, best we can do really with what we have, even notice we have 2 youth team players on our bench 😮

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

      Interesting. .....

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

      Good news 🙂

  29. Ings on the up
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Play 2 of PVA, Naughton, Yoshida, Clyne

    Currently on double Southampton

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

      Think you're right

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

    Yun worth a 4 point hit?

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

      A big no..