[sbu_large_image] Spot the Differential
1 February 2016 4067 comments
James Barnes James Barnes
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As the real life wheeling and dealing comes to a close on Deadline Day, we roll out a trio of overlooked alternatives for your Monday night consideration. Arsenal and Tottenham’s midfields supply us with a couple of options, whilst we also turn to West Ham’s wide man ahead of clashes with three of the bottom four in the next four rounds of fixtures.

Alexis Sanchez

Having completed his comeback from injury with a 34-minute run-out against Chelsea last Gameweek, Alexis Sanchez (10.9) reaffirmed his Fantasy potential with a goal and assist during the Gunners’ 2-1 FA Cup win over Burnley on Saturday afternoon. Although the Chilean failed to net in his previous six league starts, his capacity for explosive returns (six goals and 46 points in three outings from Gameweek 7-9) ensures that he’s the fourth-most transferred in midfielder (90,000+) this week, with many Kevin de Bruyne owners making a straight swap.

Taking the campaign as a whole, Sanchez still ranks top among Arsenal’s midfield contingent for attempts (57), shots inside the box (40), joint-top for shots on target (17) and top for penalty-box touches (112). Moreover, despite the fact he was sidelined for eight matches with a hamstring complaint, he still manages to sit second among all midfielders – behind Sadio Mane (46) – for shots inside box, while only Philippe Coutinho lays claim to a superior shot frequency (one every 19 minutes compared to 20.7).

In the wake of Arsenal’s two consecutive blanks, Sanchez – who sits in just 11% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) sides – is poised for a timely return to the starting XI for Southampton’s visit on Tuesday. Although the North Londoners came up short last time out at the Emirates, they’re the clear frontrunners with regards to big chances created on home turf (37), which bodes well for the Chilean’s attacking prospects.

Michail Antonio

In light of Dimitri Payet’s spellbinding displays since being discharged from the treatment room, it’s easy to overlook the excellent form of Michail Antonio (5.3). Since Gameweek 18, the  former Nottingham Forest winger – who’s valued 2.9 below his more illustrious, 8.2-priced teammate – has drawn a solitary blank in six appearances, notching two goals and five assists along the way.

Delving deeper into the statistics, Antonio ranked among the top 10 midfielders for attempts (nine) over the past four Gameweeks, while only four of his counterparts mustered more shots inside the box (seven). Despite clocking almost half the pitch time of Payet (780 to 1394 minutes), the robust winger has tallied one more shot inside the box (14) at a superior shot frequency (41.1 minutes to 49.8), furnishing us with an alluring budget route into the Hammers’ attack.

Considering that the Irons are about to embark on a superb quartet of fixtures (AVL, sou, nor, SUN), which includes a home tie against Sunderland in Gameweek 27 – at a time when Man City, Everton, Liverpool and Newcastle face a blank – the platform is set for Antonio to flourish.

Christian Eriksen

Scoring for the first time since a free-kick double against Swansea City in Gameweek 8, Christian Eriksen (8.4) bagged a brace at home to Sunderland a fortnight ago, before serving up an assist in Tottenham’s Hotspur’s 3-1 win at Crystal Palace. Were it not for the headline-grabbing exploits of Dele Alli, the Danish playmaker might well be attracting more interest on the Fantasy market ahead of a favourable pair of match-ups against Norwich and Watford.

Over the past four Gameweeks, Eriksen ranks joint-third among midfielders for attempts (13) and joint-top – with Alli – for accurate shots (seven). Taking the season as a whole, he places joint-third in terms of shots on target (21), underlining his influence in the final third. On the distribution front, no midfielder has racked up more key passes (19) since Gameweek 20, while he ranks third in that respect (65) this term.

Having tallied 13 more attempts (90) and seven more shots on target (31) than any team over the previous four Gameweeks, Spurs are well placed to punish a Norwich City outfit that ranks second for goals conceded (43) and top for big chances surrendered (57). Beyond that head-to-head, they’ll fancy their chances when Watford pay a visit, given that the Lilywhites have carded more shots on target (87) in home matches than the rest of the field.

  1. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    To put it another way.
    I really quite like Roger Walters.

    1. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      ....

    2. L S P
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I mean - who doesn't quite like Roger Walters.

      (except for maybe Roger Waters.)

  2. ralphypne
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Is Fabregas on anyone's radar or is that crazy talk??

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He's like a forbidden fruit, that just stays forbidden.

  3. Every Dog Has Its Day
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Interesting... I'm benching Antonio this week as my other players have a stronger fixture.

    1. Rhinos
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      ? how can a fixture be stronger than Villa at home?

      1. Camp No No
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Now that's a good question.

        1. Every Dog Has Its Day
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          because Aston Villa have only conceded 7 in the last 6 games...

          http://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/my-stats-tables/view/2283/

          1. Camp No No
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah. It's true that they've really shut the shop there. I'm also not confident to play my Payet, but I still wouldn't bench him. Antonio... him neither, probably.

            1. Every Dog Has Its Day
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              I'm playing Payet though...

    2. Bolivian Seaman
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'd play him

  4. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Firmino ❤️

      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      💔

      1. Camp No No
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        😆

    1. Ayew Serious
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

    2. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He's a handsome man

    3. RÏɠBY
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      waffle last game

    4. Get up ya bum
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      This 😀

    5. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Has it come to this? 😉

  5. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Tough benching decisions.. One to play from each group please

    Gomes or Elliot?
    Kolarov, Ward or Williams?
    Austin, Ayew, Mahrez or Firmino?

    Ta 🙂

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Wow, tough one there WR.

      At a stretch probably Elliot, Kolarov and Mahrez.

    2. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Gomes, Williams & ..... Mahrez ahead of Firm for me.

      Who +1 'd this btw? 😉

    3. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks for the upvote but a reply would have been more helpful 😉

    4. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Gomes
      Kolarov
      Ayew

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I'm actually on these three atm, seems rude not to start Ayew when he's playing as striker

    5. Bolivian Seaman
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      G
      Willi
      M

    6. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers gents

    7. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Gomes, Williams and Mahrez.

  6. Zero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Are the tableau charts still kicking about? Link doesn't seem to work now... 🙁

  7. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    All good picks but Sanchez only one on wishlist at moment. Payet & Alli cover the other 2.

  8. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Play Schmeichel (LIV) or Hennessey (BOU)?

    1. MBK 42
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Hen

    2. Ziegler1988
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Henny

    3. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Cool, I'll go with Hennessey so.

  9. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Adebayor (bou) or Valencia (villa)
    Williams (wba) or Dawson (swan)
    Wij (eve) or Ali/chadli (nor)

    Finalising my wildcard for tomorrow. Thanks people.

  10. tm245
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Shhhhhh.

  11. AriseSirGiggsy
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    What's the opinion on Kyle walker? Back in tomorrow?

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I really wouldn't go near the Spuds full backs, so much rotation

      1. AriseSirGiggsy
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Already in my squad
        Question is whether to keep... no £ in bank

        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          I'd sell if you have nothing more pressing

  12. MBK 42
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Please bench one of:

    Mahrez, Ozil, Alli, Firminho, Payet
    Lukaku, Kane, Aguero

    Also what do people think of Ozil > Sanchez for -4?

    1. chilli con kone
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ozil

      1. chilli con kone
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Don't take the -4

    2. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Bench Özil. Do not like the hit.

  13. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Ozil to Sanchez for free or save? Other mids are Mahrez, Payet, Firmino and Surman

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Save. Tough fixture for Ars.

  14. Petr Cech the Table
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Cech
    Daniels - Toby - Creswell
    Mahrez - Ozil - Payet - Alli
    Lukaku - Ighalo - Aguero (C)

    Butland - Arnautovic - Dann - Ake

    (A) Save FT
    (B) Lukaku --> Kane
    (C) Ozil --> Sanchez
    (D) Other

  15. SAS
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Ozil to Sanchez for a 4 point hit? Yes or no?

    1. MBK 42
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Same dilemma for me; I'm leaning towards no as Saints have improved of late.

    2. Najoman86
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Not for a hit

    3. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Not even for free this GW imo

  16. JasonG123
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    When do we find out if there's a DGW25?

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      4am

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      the clock is ticking and DGW25 ain't going to happen I'm afraid

    3. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe GW26.

  17. Alan Hansen's Emu
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Wow, topical thread for my dilemma...

    Tearing my hear out :

    1) Play Antonio (AVL) - save FT...

    2) Buy and play Sanchez (SOU)

    ----

    Any West Ham fans about? Doos?

    Antonio going to get 90? Thoughts?! Anyone:::

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Go with gut.

      1. Alan Hansen's Emu
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I have Payet, but deliberately doubles up for their run of fixtures

        1. The Wise Owl
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          I think Sanchez wins there really mate.

    2. BabyB
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio for me. Not sure he will get 90 but it's villa and 2ft next could be really valuable when we know more about the dgws.

    3. chilli con kone
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      1 and get Sanchez next week

    4. Alan Hansen's Emu
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      *hair... Wow.

      Anyway thanks all.

  18. AriseSirGiggsy
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    My mid / att

    Sanchez, Payet, Firmino, Mahrez, Alli
    Aguero, Kane, Lukaku

    AOA already used

    Who to bench?

    1. L S P
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Firmino

  19. S.Kuqi
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Sanchez might be my first player ever who appears in "spot the differential article" 🙂

    1. RÏɠBY
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      now captain him 😉

  20. RÏɠBY
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Imbula to Stoke!

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Apparently good signing

      1. RÏɠBY
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        F yeah!

        1. 32chickens
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Team america?

    2. tm245
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Just reading about him. Sounds like a great signing.

  21. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hi guys, play Ozil or Mahrez? I have Sanchez, but no other Leicester attack

    1. chilli con kone
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm playing Mahrez ahead of Mesut

    2. Butland in the Village
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Mahrez

  22. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    start 1 of each please

    a) Henessey
    b) Schmeichel

    1) Ward
    2) Simpson
    3) GJ

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      a3 i reckon...or maybe a1 if you're happy doublin up

  23. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Evening lads has Jim White fallen asleep yet ?

    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Nah, his meds will keep him going for days.

      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        🙂

    2. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Evening mate. He's still alive unfortunately

  24. conor83
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Need to get rid of KDB... already have Alli, Payet, Ozil and Watson... any advice who to get? I am thinking the following:

    a) A. Ayew (SWA)
    b) Silva
    c) Firminio

    I dont have enough cash to swap KDB for Sanchez

  25. Bolivian Seaman
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    20 minutes before the transfer window closes

    1. RÏɠBY
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      scotland get an extra hour.. watch out for costa to celtic

      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Ooh. Competition for Starbucks.

  26. Petr Cech the Table
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Stoke just announced Imbula. He's a Defensive Midfielder right?

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yes I think so.

    2. Camp No No
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A bit in the same way as Touré, Sissoko and Diaby are defensive midfielders. Okay, more than they are. But you get the type of player.

      1. Camp No No
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        *Yaya Touré

  27. Brian (Not the Messiah)
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    KBD->Sanchez and Ozil->Firmino make sense?

    1. Mr Alex
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Still not won over by Firmino.

    2. Acquafresca
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Looks tasty.

    3. Acquafresca
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Quick question Brian, for GW27 blank, are you planning to sell Lukaku or Moreno?

      1. Acquafresca
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Since you'll have Aguero + Firmino surely benched.

  28. Acquafresca
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Rhodes to Borough?

    Now I really want them to get promoted. Wanna see him in the top flight.

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      If Borough don't get promoted from this position, i'm not sure they ever will!

  29. Lallana_
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I have a feeling Niasse will be a great signing. Great records at previous clubs.

    1. Bolivian Seaman
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He looks quite good, he will help Everton

  30. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Given i've got Aguero and Ozil...[and Oxford & Lukaku for the blank GW27]...would you get:

    Silva or Sanchez this week?

    1. Acquafresca
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Alexis.

      and get rid of Oxford pronto

      1. Connor's Calling
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks. Only way i can finally get rid of Oxford is by getting Targett (who could be dropped at any time) for Moreno, then finding a 4.3m defender. Slim pickings.

        Half thinking it's better to go with the security of Soaure -then at least i've got 4 defenders who'll definitely start.