Spot the Differential
24 February 2018 1446 comments
James H James H
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Everton’s Oumar Niasse and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold both came through for us in Gameweek 27, and we’re again prioritising players with a guaranteed Gameweek 31 fixture in our latest set of differentials.

So, with appealing home match-ups later today, we’re backing attackers from Liverpool and Watford, while an in-form Brighton midfielder looks an enticing prospect ahead of a home encounter against Swansea City.

Sadio Mane

While Fantasy managers deliberate over which Liverpool asset to invest in alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, it’s Sadio Mane who looks the most explosive option.

The Reds benefit from a very enticing short-term schedule (WHU NEW mun WAT), including that guaranteed fixture against Watford in Gameweek 31 when only eight teams are certain to be in action.

The Senegal international fired a hat-trick in the 5-0 win over Porto in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie but has lived in the shadow of Salah and Firmino this season, explaining why he sits in just 7.9% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) squads.

His underlying statistics over the last four Gameweeks suggest the Champions League hat-trick could be a sign of what’s to come in the forthcoming league matches.

The former Southampton midfielder has produced more shots inside the penalty area than Firmino (nine to five), and has created more chances (eight) than any team-mate.

Jurgen Klopp’s men have created more big chances (14) than any other side over the last four Gameweeks, and only Manchester City (79) have scored more goals than the Reds (61) this season.

While Mane does set us back 9.3 in FPL, this looks to be a window when investment in three Reds attackers could be justified.

Jose Izquierdo

Goals in each of the last two Gameweeks and a promising home meeting with Swansea City ensures that Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Jose Izquierdo make the cut.

The Seagulls’ winger has been growing in confidence of late, perhaps due to the fact he’s played from start to finish in each of the last three league matches, having only managed the full 90 minutes twice over the opening 24 Gameweeks.

His underlying statistics over those three most recent matches illustrate the Colombian’s impact.

Only Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne (six) has produced more shots on target among FPL midfielders than Izquierdo (four), while he also ranks among the top five midfielders for shots (eight) and efforts inside the box (six).

This afternoon’s match-up with Swansea looks favourable.

The Welsh outfit have conceded in each of their three away matches under Carlos Carvalhal, while no team has given up more chances down the right flank (115).

That bodes well for Izquierdo, whose pace and directness down Brighton’s left could cause plenty of problems for the visiting defence.

Izquierdo’s inconsistent form over the first half of the season mean he is owned by just 0.2% of FPL managers.

But priced at 5.9, he looks a fantastic budget option given his current output.

Troy Deeney

The home form of Watford’s Troy Deeney sees the striker complete our trio.

The Hornets skipper has registered attacking returns in each of his last two outings at Vicarage Road, while all three of his goals this season have come on home turf.

Javi Gracia’s side host Everton in today’s late kick-off.

The Toffees have failed to keep a clean sheet in seven matches and have shipped 11 goals in their last three road trips.

Deeney, meanwhile, has offered much more of a goal threat of late.

Since being recalled to the starting XI in Gameweek 24, he has averaged a shot every 44.9 minutes, up from every 75.1 minutes previously.

Another key aspect to Deeney’s appeal is the fact the Hornets are one of only eight clubs certain to play in Gameweek 31, when they travel to face Liverpool.

The 6.3-priced forward also has a plum home fixture against West Bromwich Albion next weekend.

So for any Fantasy managers seeking a major differential in attack, the 0.4%-owned Deeney fits the profile.

  1. jimmy.floyd
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Any of these worth a hit:
    A Kun to Firm
    B Sterling to Mahrez

  2. JurgenRocks
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    DDG,
    Mee, Daniels, Alonso,
    Sterling, Salah (C), Mahrez, Walcott,
    Firmino, Ayew, Kane (VC)

    Elliot, Choupo, Duffy, Kenny

    Look good?

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      Very good

    2. Batchain
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      Yeah, apart from Walcott

  3. JayLegend
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Trippier to get 90?

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      Probably

  4. Bad Stoob
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Play sterling or Shaq?

    Already chasing with Kane (c).

    1. JurgenRocks
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      Sterling

  5. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Thoughts on what to do with this team? 2 FTs and 3.6 ITB.

    De Gea - Speroni
    Valencia - Otamendi - Cresswell - Ogbonna - Long
    Salah - Sterling - Walcott - Choupo - Loftus
    Kane - Firmino - Quaner

    Thanks guys!

    1. JurgenRocks
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      Sell Otamendi and with 3.6 ITB sell Quaner and get a 3rd playing striker

  6. mcrayeps
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Sorry but when will we know the DGW 34 and 37 fixtures?

    1. stamboy
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      +1

  7. ZeBestee
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Chances of Niasse starting and getting more than 75 min?

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      75% 🙂

    2. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      85%

  8. ZeBestee
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Wilson or Shaqiri..

    who to bench?

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      B

  9. Delph & Safety
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    A - Rondon
    B - Wilson
    C - Niasse

    1. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      A

      1. ZeBestee
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 9 days ago

        To bench, B to start.

        1. Delph & Safety
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 9 days ago

          Huh? Sorry I should’ve said this who I’m transferring in.

          1. ZeBestee
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 9 days ago

            B then

    2. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      Most are saying C due to better fixtures up to GW31
      Wilson has disappointed me for last 2 weeks - so C

      1. Delph & Safety
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 9 days ago

        Can he do it in the away games? What about Tosun?
        Not an easy decision to make.

        1. V-2 Schneiderlin
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 9 days ago

          word has it that Tosun likely on the bench as an impact sub until Everton are 'safe'

  10. BraxterStockman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Selling Otamendi, wants to have a guy for GW 31. Whom?

    A) Van Dijk
    B) Daniels

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      A

    2. @fpl_phenom
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      A

  11. JayLegend
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Play Otamendi or Kenny?

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      Not sure if Kenny starts today

  12. Sherlocko
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Sterling and Wilson or Eriksen and Niasse?

    1. Delph & Safety
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      B

    2. AzzaroMax99
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      This week probably other two.

  13. AzzaroMax99
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    1. I bought Sterling when he was 7.9, so there is no point selling him now if not on red?

    2. Who to cap? Kane or Salah?

    1. Batchain
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      Sterling's game isn't until Thurs. He could well play.

      Conservative Option: Salah
      Adventurous Option: Kane

  14. V-2 Schneiderlin
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    I'm going with Kun and not Kane - nervous now but I think Palace will be difficult to break down...

    1. @fpl_phenom
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      Kun has a match between now and then... that’s a bit dodgey IMO

  15. Totti
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    best midfielder max 5.7?

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      Doucoure

  16. The Red Devil
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Sterling or lingard to
    Eriksen/izquierdo/Stanislas on a hit?
    Captain Salah or Kane?

  17. @fpl_phenom
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Sterling is fit to play ... not so bad!

  18. Millie7
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Pickford
    Mee - Alonso - Robertson
    Salah - Sterling - Lingard - Shaqiri -
    Aguero - Kane - Wilson

    Elliot - mbemba - ogbonna - carrol

    2ITB
    0T
    Anything for a hit?

  19. 50pipsDaily
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Play Hegazi or Alonso?

    1. 50pipsDaily
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      & Sterling to Erickson worth a hiy?

    2. @fpl_phenom
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      Probly Alonso...

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      Alonso

  20. @fpl_phenom
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Kane or Salah ?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      Salah

  21. b91jh
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    JWP or stanislas?

    1. Batchain
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      stan

  22. Aniket1901
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Should I play Pope or Foster(WBA) in goal

  23. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Pope

    1. Aniket1901
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 9 days ago

      Thanks

  24. La Roja
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 9 days ago

    Start one

    A) Fernandez
    B) Lingard
    C) Alonso