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. BraxterStockman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    I'm going to remove Otamendi.. I was thinking to add someone that has a game on GW31. I already have Vertoghen, is too to insane to add Davies as well? With CRY, HUD, BOU, NEW coming up. There is obviously a lot you can do here, like taking a cheaper def and store some cash. Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks!

    1. StayoutheSpiceZone
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Spurs will blank 31

      1. BraxterStockman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 11 days ago

        Oh, yes I saw that now. Thanks though 🙂

    2. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      VVD

  2. Tomas Brolin ate all Depays
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Haz and Sterling to Mahrez and Erik ????

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Nice for a free

    2. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      I’d keep Haz and just do Sterling > one of them

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Bold but could be gold

  3. JurgenRocks
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Play
    A) Mee (SOU A)
    B) Duffy (SWA H)

    1. Bleach †
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Burnley play @home.

    2. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Mee he’s at home not away

    3. StayoutheSpiceZone
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Duffy

    4. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Mee

    5. JONALDINHO
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Mee

  4. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    How she looking lads?

    Ryan
    VVD Maguire Bavies
    Sterling Salah Mkhi Walcott Ibe
    Kane(c) Kun

    Adrian Ayew Francis Bardsley

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

      I like Captain Kane mate.

      I will start Ayew over Ibe personally, otherwise g2g.

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 11 days ago

        How’s it going Zeb. Ye it’s a tough call. Ibe could be benched but Swansea look a bit defensive for me.

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

          Good bro, Swansea are on the up so i feel Ayew might get something and Ibe might be benched as well. Good luck.

    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      🙁

      1. Lone Wolf FPL
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 11 days ago

        sad but true

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

    Who to bench from these attackers?

    1) Walcott
    2) Niasse
    3) Shaqiri
    4) Hazard
    5) Wilson

    What about the defenders?

    A) Alonso
    B) Christensen
    C) Ota
    D) Robertson

    Who to captain?

    I. Kane
    II. Salah
    III. Mane

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Niasse Christ salah

    2. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Niasse from that lot

      Christensen easily

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Give me your password and I will run your team if you want 😉

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

        Not asking much mate 😉

    4. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      3 C I

  6. fridge
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Morning all, what do you guys think is the best option here?

    A) Kun & Lingard > Firmino & Mahrez (-4)
    B) Kun & Lingard go Firmino & Eriksen
    C) Kun > Firmino

    1. #Swish41
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Why would you bin kun. Mad

  7. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    I'm ready to go

    De Gea
    Dunk - Hegazi - VVD - Otamendi - Alonso
    Salah(c) - KDB - Hazard - Sterling
    Firmino

    Elliot - Ibe - Obafemi - McBurnie

  8. Trippier Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Is it worth benching Sterling who may not play or be a sub, for Jordan Ayew away to Brighton? Last minute decision...

    1. Theres mo limit
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      no

  9. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Chances of the following players starting this gw:
    Gomez
    Ibe
    Sterling

    1. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      No
      No
      No

  10. #Swish41
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Last call.....Massive week, up to 17k. How to keep going? 2FT

    DDG
    Dunk Naughton Maguire Mee (Ota)
    Salah(c), Sterling, Dacoure (Lingard RLC)
    Aguero Kane Firmino

    1. Lingard > Shaqiri / Gross
    2. Ota >. VVD
    3. Sterling > Mahrez
    4. OTHER

    Cheers!

    1. Delph & Safety
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      1 then 2

  11. NachoMan
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Will this cut the mustard? Already on a hit and nada in the bank. Next week is operation bench.

    Adrian

    Chilwell, VVD, Daniels

    Salah, Shaqiri, Mane, Mahrez

    Kun, Wilson, Kane (c)

    Elliot, Schindler, Edwards, Sako

  12. machickenz
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Trade Aguero* to Kane for -4 and g2g?

    Current team
    Courtois
    Alonso Otamendi VVD
    Salah Sterling Mkitaryan Walcott
    Aguero* Firmino J.Ayew
    Bench: Fernandez Mbemba RLC

  13. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Do we think Ibe is benched this week?

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      I do.

    2. Theres mo limit
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      doubt it

    3. Delph & Safety
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      You never know with Bournemouth.

    4. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Any reason why you think he would be benched?

    5. doy
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      30-70 imo, he's started the last 10.

    6. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Check the team news on here.

    7. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Anyways its a plum fixture for bou so would play him if I don't have any other option

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 11 days ago

        I have him or J.Ayew to play

        1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 11 days ago

          Very difficult. I am playing dunk in the hope of a cleanie but Jordan is a better optioni think

  14. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    best option

    a) mili > shaq
    b) sterling > mahrez/eriksen
    c) save

    1. Positive vibes
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Want to do B but not sure, Sterling still can plays

  15. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Mahrez or Mane?
    have Salah

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      mane

  16. Blue Gaffer
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Is Maguire, Mahrez, Vardy Leicester overkill?

    1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Mahrez or Vardy would be enough I think

  17. Wednesday1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Aguero & Sterling our for Salah & Firmino for -4 - work it? Thanks

  18. Sarnab
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    De Gea
    Dunk - VVD - Mee
    Salah(c) - Albrighton - Sterling - Eriksen
    Firmino- Kane - Wilson

    Elliot - Shaq - Otamendi - Masuaku

    Good to go?

  19. makaveli123
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Play Otamendi or Azpi? Cheers

  20. hannesdela
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Mustafi --> Davies is a good move, right?

    Other defenders: Francis, Fernandez, Ward and Ogbonna.

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

      Get rid of Ward/Ogbonna first.

  21. Blue Gaffer
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Sterling out for Mahrez (no gameweek 31) or Walcott (plays gameweek 31)

    1. nonprophet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Walcott

    2. Positive vibes
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 days ago

      Mahrez

  22. CRO KLOPP
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    First sub in case sterling doesn't play
    Kenny or Lingard?

  23. Faxof
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    DCL to Firmino and
    Sterling to (best 5.5 mid?)
    Any suggestions?

  24. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    G2G? Got 7 for GW31.

    DDG
    Alonso, VVD, Dunk
    Salah (C), Mane, Sterling, Siggy
    Kane, Wilson, Niasse

    Elliot, Choupo, Mee, Fernandez

  25. Theres mo limit
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    wheres the leaked liv line-up?

  26. nonprophet
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Erikson and a 5.2 midfield player or mhkytarian and shaquiri..? What you guys think?

  27. LordEllison
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Pickford
    Azpi Fernandez VVD Mee
    Salah(c) Sterling Hazard Shaqiri
    Kane Firmino

    Elliot Otamendi DLC RLC
    1 ft 0.0 itb

    G2G???

  28. mcrayeps
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    1 FT left mate..

    A) Otamendi to Daniels
    B) Save FT

  29. Pellegrini Falcon
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 days ago

    Start Albrighton or Milivojevic?