Spot the Differential
28 April 2018 2204 comments
James H James H
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With only three Gameweeks to go, opportunities to catch mini-league rivals or achieve any pre-season targets are fast running out.

With that in mind, we’ve picked three differentials who have the potential to make an impact for the final push.

A rested Manchester City star, Chelsea’s in-form front-man and a Liverpool player who could benefit from rotation all earn our seal of approval ahead of today’s deadline.

Leroy Sane

After being rested for last weekend’s 5-0 win over Swansea City, we’re expecting Leroy Sane to return to the Manchester City starting line-up for their trip to West Ham United on Sunday.

The German international had been one of City’s form players prior to Gameweek 35, producing two goals and two assists from his previous six league appearances.

Over the last four matches, only David Silva (11) has created more chances than Sane among City players, while the wide man also registered nine shots over that period.

Interestingly, his last four goals have all come on the road, offering encouragement ahead of the London Stadium clash.

The Hammers have conceded 17 goals in their last seven matches, while only Stoke City (73) have allowed more shots over the last four outings than West Ham’s 63.

Following their attacking returns last time out, it is Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling who are leading City targets this week.

They are the second and third most transferred-in players, gaining over 200,000 new owners between them.

By contrast, Sane has only been snapped up by 13,000 FPL managers, while his ownership sits at just 11.8%.

Now priced at 8.6 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), the winger might be worth taking a chance on if you believe he has had his rest and is the attacker most likely to play all four remaining matches.

With such a kind run-in (whu HUD/BHA sot), that potential pitch-time could make all the difference.

Olivier Giroud

With three goals in his last three matches in all competitions, and having seemingly established himself as Antonio Conte’s first-choice striker, Olivier Giroud can be a relevant Fantasy asset once again.

Found in only 1.8% of FPL squads, the cultured Chelsea target man looks an ideal option as a differential in a front three.

Since making his Blues debut in Gameweek 26, the Frenchman has produced more shots (23) and penalty area attempts (21) than any other team-mate, despite making just three starts.

His average of a shot every 26.1 minutes is superior to Alvaro Morata (35.3), Eden Hazard and Willian, who have both managed an attempt every 50 minutes.

After netting the opener in the 2-0 FA Cup semi-final victory over Southampton, Giroud should enter this evening’s encounter at Swansea City full of confidence.

His prospects should also be boosted by the fact the Swans have injury concerns over both Federico Fernandez and Kyle Bartley.

In addition, Carlos Carvalhal’s side have conceded nine goals over the last four matches, with no other team allowing more during that spell.

Giroud’s performances have played an important part in Chelsea recording three successive wins and, with confidence levels rising, the 8.2-rated forward should be on our radars once again.

Conte’s men crucially play twice in Double Gameweek 37 (LIV/HUD), and having proved he can make an impact as a substitute, even if he doesn’t start one of those fixtures, Giroud may be worth the gamble.

Danny Ings

A plum home fixture against Stoke City, and the fact Jurgen Klopp is likely to protect Sadio Mane ahead of Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League semi-final, make Danny Ings an intriguing differential option.

Mane picked up a minor problem against Roma on Tuesday night and missed training on Thursday.

So after leading the line against West Bromwich Albion last weekend, and getting on the scoresheet, Ings may again start as the central striker, with Roberto Firmino possibly set to move to the left of the front three.

And if the Reds have the luxury of making early substitutions, it is perhaps Salah and Firmino who are most likely to be withdrawn, giving Ings the opportunity to play the full 90 minutes.

He produced three shots and received two big chances at The Hawthorns – more than any other player involved.

This afternoon’s match-up with the lowly Potters could hardly be more inviting.

They have conceded more goals (65) and given up more big chances (85) than any other side.

Paul Lambert’s men also need to win at Anfield in order to keep their fading survival hopes alive, which could make for an open encounter.

Available for just 5.4  and owned by only 0.2% of managers in FPL, Ings represents the ultimate differential for Gameweek 36.

Liverpool enter today’s match having scored 16 goals in their last four home matches in all competitions, and look primed to heap further misery on Stoke.

As a one-week punt, Ings should be a tempting option for managers needing to pull a Fantasy rabbit out of the hat.

  1. Guy Demel
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone considering Alli?

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Already have him

    2. rrcmc
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I have him to, because I made the wrong TOT choice in DGW34!

  2. agueroooooney
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    De Gea
    Christensen - Morgan - Stephens
    Hazard - Son - Willian - Mahrez - Lingard
    Kane - Lukaku

    Fabianski - J. Ayew - Simpson - Van der Hoorn

    I have 1 FT but 0.0 in the bank. Do I need to get Salah? 0.1 short of doing Hazard -> Salah

    A) Hazard + Lukaku -> Jesus + Salah

    B) Hazard + Mahrez -> Sané/D. Silva + Salah

    C) Other

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Team very similar to mine.

      Think Im going to roll FT.

      1. agueroooooney
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Dangerous though, Salah so likely to score and will be a massively popular captain pick

  3. Alan_T
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    A) Lukaku ———> Jesus

    OR

    B) Sanchez ———> Salah

    ???

    1. agueroooooney
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B for me

    2. rrcmc
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      The other way for me

  4. jimmy.floyd
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Captain
    A Kane
    B Salah

    1. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B

    2. KenyaDigIt
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Salah. Purely on form!

      Kane has the 'potential' but that not really good enough is it...

  5. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Wow, that is really sad news about RLC......I hope he can come back fitter and stronger.

    1. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      what happened?

    2. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      ?

    3. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      do you mean DCL ?

    4. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      RLC is fit. Stop spreading nonsense. Hope mods remove this post

      1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Sailboat Twat.......try reading the tweet panel on the FFS screen about 2 inches to the left of where you wrote your Twat reply.............

        1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          DCL

        2. Mini Mane Mo
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Looks like DCL to me

    5. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      really sad indeed ....

  6. PaulParker
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    planning ahead... which defenders is 'essential' for next weeks DGW?

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      None

    2. kennethrhcp
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      any thoughts yourself on it?

      1. PaulParker
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Not sure, hence the question. Looking @ Ben Davies, Otamendi, Smalling

        1. kennethrhcp
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          didn't mean to be harsh there! it's just many are going at it in dif ways! expensive like above or mid range gambles... or flat out cheap.

          I think spurs is a good shout but with Vert if you can get him. Rose back in squad

          1. PaulParker
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            no offence taken pal 🙂

  7. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Will I get 3 starters out of long lowton smalling Morgan?

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

    2. kennethrhcp
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      be shocked if you didnt

  8. merin
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    GTG? Or anything worth a hit?

    DDG
    Smalling Morgan Dummet
    Salah(c) Son Sterling Willian
    Kane(v) Vardy Wood

    (Fabianski Lingard Dunk Lowton)

    FT: 0, ITB: 1.3

  9. Robbie Slater
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    DDG
    Valencia Tarko Cedric
    Salah(c) Mahrez Son Willian
    Jesus (vc) Vardy Barnes

    Ryan Gross Morgan Alonso
    0FT, 1.3itb

    GTG?

    Cheers in advance!

  10. Feloh
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    which one would you captain out of these?

    a. alli
    b. son
    c. sane
    d. jesus

    seriously chasing.

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      D

    2. adam28193
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      son in that case

    3. CloudSky
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B.

  11. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Any chance People rotates Jesus during the DGW and plays with a false 9?

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Pep*

    2. CloudSky
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Of course.

    3. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      little, but i think he will play Jesus

    4. kennethrhcp
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      massive chance but worth taking imo

  12. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    For BB next week, Kenedy & VDH or 4.6 & Naughton?

    1. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Kenedy & VDH

      1. shirtless
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks I'll stay as I am then.

  13. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Quick captain poll

    A - Eriksen
    B - Salah

    Eriksen likely to play 90 and no ECL to worry about mid week. Salah is Salah

    1. Rex Lapis
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Salah

    2. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A if chasing

    3. LÖrKingMuch
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      See Jonty's hot topic p.1

  14. RUUD!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Kane or Salah (C) ?

  15. adidasOriginals
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Is this any cop for a WC?

    DDG / Fabianski
    Vert / Chilwell / Naughton / Dummett / Masuaku
    Sterling / Salah / Son / Arnie / Gundogan
    Kane / Jesus / J Ayew

  16. ooooo
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Lukaku + Mahrez to Jesus + Sterling(-4)?

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I’d keep Lukaku.

      1. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        I only want to make one of those moves but can afford either one. Mahrez > Sterling?

    2. reeceon
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes if you were gonna take the hit next week anyway

    3. KenyaDigIt
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Just Mahrez to Sterling

      Save Kaku this week

  17. SimplyTheBridge
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    What should I do with Bailly? He has been a complete familier since I brought him in... 0 points. Should I keep Or Get rid?

  18. drughi
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Okay I think I've settled on this WC 36 BB 37 team, would be greatly appreciated with some feedback 🙂

    DDG
    Smalling, Davies, Cedric
    Sterling, Salah, Arnautovic, Kenedy, Son
    Kane (C), Jesus

    fabianski, j.ayew, chilwell, dummet

  19. Kalou
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Is Alonso's last game of his suspension today?

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I believe yes

    2. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

  20. Thomas Magnum
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Asking for a friend, last week they sold Mahrez and Mounie and when you click on the points section it shows the points for Auba and Arnautovic who he brought in replacement, yet when you click on pick team it says Mahrez and Mounie are back in his squad. Any ideas how to fix this?

    1. reeceon
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      This happens on the android app quite a lot. Use a web browser instead, failing that, try another browser.

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks for the response, tried everything laptop, iphone app and safari still having the same issue

        1. reeceon
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          I reckon they played FH then? Or it's a bug at FPL end in which case contact them

    2. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      We're they on a free hit?

    3. My name is an echo
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      presume they used the FH last week

    4. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Did the friend play free hit?

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Yes free hit

  21. reeceon
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Play Lowton or Christensen?

    1. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Christensen

    2. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Lowton

    3. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Lowton

  22. adidasOriginals
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Arnie or Lingard?

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Arnie for DGW Lingard if this week alone

    2. La Roja
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Arngard

  23. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Which is likely to least affect overall ranking?

    A Kane captaincy and Salah out scoring him
    B Salah captaincy and Kane out scoring him

    1. QuintonFortune25
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B

    2. CloudSky
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B

    3. Planet Head
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Likely A but I would just captain the one you think will score more

  24. Planet Head
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Play Gud or Mili?

    Hennessey (Schmeicel)
    Smalling Chilwell Schindler (Naughton Mustafi)
    Mo Mahrez Son Gud (Mili)
    Lukaku Kane Bobby

    1. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Gudmundsson in my opinion

  25. My name is an echo
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    I have no City and cant afford Sterling. Is Mahrez - Sane a logical move till the end of the season?

    1. Planet Head
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I considered it but will save the FT until next week

      1. My name is an echo
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Think I agree.

  26. Konig Luther
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    for the last 3 gws: Dummett or Naughton?

    1. Lumberjack
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Naughton, close though

  27. Lumberjack
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Which one of these to start?

    Which one to start this week

    A - Chilwell (cry)
    B - Tompkins (LEI)
    C - Lejeune (WBA)

    Cheers

    1. Planet Head
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      C

      1. Lumberjack
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Haha thanks, I actually had them in order of my preference, but you might well be right! Cheers

  28. Luton_Fan
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Which would u do from.these 3 options?

    A. Lukaku, mahrez > jesus, alli -4
    B. Mahrez > sane
    C. Mahrez > son

    Bearing in mind the dgw also. Tia

  29. Robin Cook
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Chasing big time, no Salah.
    Captain Kane or go wild to C Sanchez vs Chambers/Holding?

    1. JabbaWookiee
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I’m also chasing. Got salah and want to captain him but ML rival doesn’t have Kane so I have to give him the armband for the differential. May end up damaging my OR but my main objective is the ML. So I’d just make sure you captain a potential big hitter your opponent doesn’t have

      1. Robin Cook
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks. I hope your rival doesn't get Kane in and captains him.

        1. JabbaWookiee
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Wouldn’t put it past him. He seems to suddenly be acquiring many entire squad!

  30. Adzy
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Currently
    Degea
    Lascelles van dijk Davies
    Willian salah(vc) alli sterling
    Barnes kane(C) perez

    Pope arnoutovic tomkins mawson

    pope instead of degea or gtg