Spot the Differential
13 May 2018 3273 comments
James H James H
Share:

Sunday offers us a final opportunity to identify a differential to inspire a final push up the rankings.

In recent seasons we’ve witnessed a goal rush in Gameweek 38, so we’ve opted for two French threats from Manchester United and Arsenal, while Liverpool’s cut-price full-back also finds a place in our selection as a result of his attacking prowess.

Alexandre Lacazette

While team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the most transferred in-forward this week, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Alexandre Lacazette has also been in sensational form for Arsenal.

The French striker has produced five goals and one assist over his last five appearances and, after being rested for the 3-1 defeat to Leicester City, he should return for today’s trip to Huddersfield Town.

Lacazette is likely to start as the central striker for the Gunners, with Aubameyang playing from an inside-left position.

Interestingly, Lacazette has the edge in terms of minutes per shot between the two, averaging an attempt every 31.7 minutes, slightly superior to Aubameyang’s 33.

Although Arsenal have failed to win a single point on their travels in 2018, the fact the Terriers meeting is Arsene Wenger’s final match in charge of the club should provide strong motivation to end the season on a high.

The party atmosphere at the John Smith’s Stadium in light of Huddersfield securing Premier League safety could also be a factor.

The Gunners registered an emphatic 5-0 win when the two teams met earlier in the season, with Lacazette on the scoresheet.

Priced at 10.3 in FPL and ending the campaign full of confidence, the striker looks to have the platform to produce a third consecutive double-figure haul.

Owned by only 7.4% of managers, Lacazette is a player who has the potential to be a game-changer, particularly if he is also considered for the captaincy.

Anthony Martial

With Jose Mourinho revealing that Anthony Martial will be in his line-up today, the midfielder enters the equation as a final day gamble.

The France international has had limited first-team opportunities since the arrival of Alexis Sanchez in January, but the Hornets match-up looks crucial if he is to prove he has a long-term future at Old Trafford.

Martial has produced nine goals and six assists this season, while his average of a goal every 175.7 minutes is only bettered by Marouane Fellaini (153 minutes) among United players.

Watford travel north with just a single point gained from six away matches since Javi Gracia took charge, and having conceded ten goals in away defeats to top-six sides Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

Available at 7.8 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Martial may be an option for managers who can afford to upgrade underperforming players such as Chelsea’s Willian.

With an ownership of 2.5%, the Frenchman represents a major differential for Gameweek 38.

An impressive record against Watford adds to his appeal. He has produced a goal and an assist in the corresponding fixture last season, which Mourinho’s side won 2-0, while he also netted in a 4-2 victory in the reverse fixture in November.

With a point to prove and an FA Cup final spot to play for, Martial fits the profile of a potentially explosive differential.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

While an extended run in Europe has blunted Liverpool’s attack of late, their defensive record at Anfield remains resolute.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have recorded four successive home clean sheets ahead of a visit from a Brighton side that rank joint-bottom for goals scored (ten) on the road.

With that in mind, we’re turning to Trent Alexander Arnold (5% ownership) as our final selection.

Having started only four of the last seven Gameweeks, the youngster’s acquisition admittedly comes with a slight caveat.

But with the Champions League final against Real Madrid taking place 13 days later, we reckon that the Reds’ manager will field a full-strength line-up to ensure a top-four finish.

This should see Alexander-Arnold return to the back-four, having been stationed in central midfield against Stoke City and Chelsea.

Over his last four at Anfield, the right-back is second only to Mohamed Salah when it comes to key passes (seven to eight) for the Reds.

Compared with other defenders over their respective last four home matches, he is placed fourth for both key passes and crosses (28).

Handily, his FPL output has profited from those underlying numbers – Alexander-Arnold has served up 29 points in his last four home fixtures, bagging maximum bonus on two occasions.

Second only to Patrick van Aanholt for transfers-in among defenders, a cost of only 4.4 looks ideal for those seeking to free up cash while recruiting a player with the potential for double figures.

  1. HD7
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Which duo makes more pts?
    A) Salah Perez/ J Ayew
    B) Zaha Auba

    1. My Name Is Pepu
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      B)

    2. Ragabolly
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      A

    3. Bobby_Baggio
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Close but I have A so I believe they'll get more points

    4. fr3d
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      b

    5. Pukki Party
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      B

    6. The Overthinker
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      A

    7. Neville& Sons
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      B

  2. DrCongo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    B

  3. pakornk
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    will Gundogan start?

    1. Bubbles1985
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I'm tempted to transfer him in too!

      1. pakornk
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        would be wary though. Pep might let Diaz / Foden start.

        1. Burger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          No way, Saints are still in the relegation battle (just) so he'll field a full strength out of respect for the other sides.

  4. Arteta
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    I'm in a difficult situation. If you had to sell one of de Bruyne and Eriksen to get Salah, who would it be?

    1. Fantastisk
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      KdB as less nailed?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Eriksen

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          KdB will play the away game. Only get Salah if you're going to captain him.

    2. My Name Is Pepu
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Keep both; don't get Salah.

    3. MTPockets
        7 years, 6 months ago

        KDB just b/c Eriksen nailed, although wouldn't sell either.

      • Lignja
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Kdb

      • The Overthinker
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Ideally none
        But if you want Salah, then kdb

    4. Fantastisk
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Start Lingard or Groß?

      1. My Name Is Pepu
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Gross

    5. Tomcooper9
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Lingard to Arnie worth a hit? Or risk Lingard playing with AKing first sub?

      1. My Name Is Pepu
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Do it

      2. Bobby_Baggio
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Do it as Lingard won't play

        1. Tomcooper9
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah that’s my fear and don’t think King will do anything

      3. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        I'd probably take that hit

      4. Neville& Sons
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Yea I would

    6. My Name Is Pepu
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      La(C)a too punty? Also, is it worth doing Son to Martial for a hit?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        I'm never touching a United attacker again while Mourinho is in charge

      2. Bobby_Baggio
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Not too punty but depends how much you're chasing?

        Leave Son in.

        1. My Name Is Pepu
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Defending a 9 point lead in ML

    7. klopp it guys
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      So its the final gw of the season, im abit gutted to be honest, its been a good season, wana thank everybody for there help and advice on here, roll on next season,

      Is this gtg

      Romero
      Francis, tripppier, naughton
      Salah (c), sterling, zaha, erikson
      Jesus, kane (vc), j.ayew

      Bench, Mäenpää, smalling, cork, wimmer

      1. Fantastisk
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Defense isn't great but you've spent well up top. Good luck!

        1. klopp it guys
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          See my thanking is that most teams in the league are guna score the day so chqnces off clean sheets are slim, so going all attack lol

          1. Fantastisk
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Fair

    8. Bartowski
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Leaning towards playing Foster over Fabianski.

      Am i still drunk?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Yup

        1. Bartowski
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          You're pretty...

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            I'm a 7 pinter 😀

    9. irfanm66
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Who will replace Mane in the starting 11?

      1. Galza
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Dings.

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          With Firmino playing wider

          1. Galza
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            I’d imagine so...

            1. irfanm66
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              thanks..

    10. klavan
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Any Silva news?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Unlikely to play.

        1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Based on what bro?

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Isn't he back in Spain now?

            1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              He's back

              1. Twisted Saltergater
                • 16 Years
                7 years, 6 months ago

                Oh ok

      2. fr3d
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Likely to play.

      3. Captain Haddock
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Like to play

      4. Guigui
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Any source on "likely to play"?

    11. Twisted Saltergater
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Thoughts? No Kane.

      a. Keep Alli
      b. Keep Eriksen
      c. Ignore Salah

      1. MTPockets
          7 years, 6 months ago

          b/c

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            If I keep Eriksen, I can do Pogba + Alli > Salah and Ramsey -4

            If I keep Alli, it's Pogba + Eriksen > Salah and Zaha -4

            If I keep both it just Pogba > Zaha.

            Leaning towards selling Eriksen.

            1. MTPockets
                7 years, 6 months ago

                If you're leaning towards selling Eriksen (salah/zaha) should do that then.

        • Bielsa's Blue Bucket
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Worth a -8 to get Salah?

          A) DDG, Mhki, Silva -- 3.9, Arnie, Salah(c)
          B) Mhki -- Arnie with Kane (c)

          6k or, 27 ahead in ML

          1. My Name Is Pepu
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Why ditch Mkhitaryan?

            1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              Shite

              1. My Name Is Pepu
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 6 months ago

                Can easily haul today. You'll need him to blank and Arnie to score a brace for the hit to pay off.

        • Plagued by indecision
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Been pondering Jesus > Laca for a hit and now this reticle has almost convinced me...

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Tempted to go Jesus(c) after the DGW blank!

          2. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Lacazette needs to brace and Jesus blank for that to pay off

            1. Plagued by indecision
              • 15 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              Apparently the Huddersfield players have been on the lash since Wednesday, and Southampton will probably crowd out City as they just need to avoid getting tonked.

              1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
                • 14 Years
                7 years, 6 months ago

                You hardly believe they have been allowed go on a bender until after today do you? Sure, they had a night out and a right good session but that's it

          3. James H
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            For a hit would be a brave move! But if you haven't got much to play for - it's the final weekend, have some fun...

        • Pellegrini Falcon
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Rival has Jesus and Auba, I have Jesus and Kane, 4 points behind. Should I sell Jesus for Auba?

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            No,

        • Evasivo
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          GTG or use the transfer?

          DDG
          Tarkowski Otamendi Lowton
          Salah(C) Son Gudmun Sterling(vc) Lingard
          Vardy Kane

          Ryan Ayew Dunk Morgan 1FT £0.4itb

          1. MTPockets
              7 years, 6 months ago

              Lingard seems unlikely to start from Mourinho's comments, so depends how much you fancy potential sub appearance/Ayew's chances.

          2. HD7
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Captain Kain or Salah?

            1. Twisted Saltergater
              • 16 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              Gut says Kane.

          3. jdp219
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            1) Eriksen, Son > Salah, Arnie
            2) Son, Azpi > Salah, TAA/Tompkins
            3) Son, Jesus > Salah, Rashford
            4) Eriksen, DDG > Salah, Romero

            1. Big Sum
              • 15 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              4

            2. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              1

            3. jdp219
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              Also have Kane, if that changes anyone's answer. Thanks!

          4. UnitednationsXI
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Really confused on this

            A) Zaha + Maguire + VVD (-4)...with kane cpt
            B) Salah + Ogbonna + Masauku (-8)..with salah cpt
            C) Zaha + Rashford + TAA (-8)...with kane cpt

            1. Galza
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              A, with Mawson instead of Maguire..?

          5. DV8R
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Play Gudmundsson or J. Ayew?

            1. Captain Haddock
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              Ayew

          6. The Overthinker
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Who should be first on bench?

            A) mustafi
            B) gross

            1. MTPockets
                7 years, 6 months ago

                gross

              • Captain Haddock
                • 11 Years
                7 years, 6 months ago

                A

            2. Captain Haddock
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              Tough against my rival. Basically I need at least 10 points whomever I transfer in. Who has more potential for double digits:

              A) Arnautovic
              Z) Zaha?

              (Something like 5-7 points doesn't help)

              1. MTPockets
                  7 years, 6 months ago

                  Zaha of late, but wba form is a concern.

              2. redwiing
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 6 months ago

                Anyone else thinking Rashford is flying under the raidar here... Watford are woeful. I'm thinking of Vardy - Rashford on a free?

                1. Hybrid.power
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 15 Years
                  7 years, 6 months ago

                  United are crap though

                2. *Reformed-Character*
                  • 8 Years
                  7 years, 6 months ago

                  I liking martial personally, rashford has been woeful

                3. MTPockets
                    7 years, 6 months ago

                    No. Last was clean sheet vs Palace, not bad vs spurs, and beat Newcastle.

                4. HD7
                  • 8 Years
                  7 years, 6 months ago

                  Which duo makes more pts?
                  A) Salah Perez
                  B) Zaha Auba

                  I think to C Kane so maybe B?

                5. Penguin
                  • 12 Years
                  7 years, 6 months ago

                  Which one to choose mahrez, martial, arnautovic or zaha

                6. The Hoff
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  7 years, 6 months ago

                  I have an 8pt lead in my mini league. Both of us have Kane; neither has Salah.

                  A. Eriksen->Salah(c) (-4)
                  B. No hit

                7. davies
                  • 11 Years
                  7 years, 6 months ago

                  Ryan > Karius (-4)

                  A) Do it, why not
                  B) Not worth it

                  1. Twisted Saltergater
                    • 16 Years
                    7 years, 6 months ago

                    Clearly B

                  2. Norman Conquest
                    • 12 Years
                    7 years, 6 months ago

                    b

                8. Lord Flashheart
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  7 years, 6 months ago

                  is vardy to any cheaper striker worth a hit? (rashfor, ings, ayew?)

                  its for a noble cause (to fund gross to zaha)

                  1. Twisted Saltergater
                    • 16 Years
                    7 years, 6 months ago

                    Yes, try Ings

                9. Den
                  • 15 Years
                  7 years, 6 months ago

                  Any mumble yet re Salah starting today???

                10. JurgenRodgers
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 8 Years
                  7 years, 6 months ago

                  Any Palace fans know if Speroni could start today?