Spot the Differential
13 May 2018 3273 comments
James H James H
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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. enrico.palazzo
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Sorry - need confirmation;

    If I look at the profile of a FPL player, will there team value change each day as the price rises occur?

    I've been monitoring someones and it did not change today, where he made 2 transfers the day prior...

    1. enrico.palazzo
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Desperate for some clarification

    2. MTPockets
        7 years, 7 months ago

        squad value + in the bank will differ (and from previous - gameweek page)

        1. enrico.palazzo
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          It's bizzare. His value hasn't changed over night and he previously had Auba and Sane in his team....

          1. MTPockets
              7 years, 7 months ago

              Maybe he just transferred in picks that exactly match previous value.

              1. enrico.palazzo
                • 13 Years
                7 years, 7 months ago

                Nah, the transfers were done the night before.

      • The Royal Robin
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        A) Double up on Burnley and go with Pope + Tarkowski
        B) Play Hennessey (WBA) + Tarkowski

        1. Voodoo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          A as Hennessy might not play..

        2. enrico.palazzo
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          A for me

          1. The Royal Robin
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Thanks chaps.

        3. yakirh
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Pope playing today?
          I heard that Heaton might start
          You might not have a goalkeeper, I am on the same situation, any ideas?

      • Origi-nal
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Already taken -4 this week but need Jordon Ibe to play to field 11.

        A) Hold Ibe and hope he gets minutes
        B) Ibe -> McArthur for another -4

      • TAT
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Still tempted to bringing in an Arsenal striker for Jesus.
        Jesus>Aubameyang/Lacazette for -4?

        1. The Royal Robin
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Jesus will probably score 1 imo, but I understand why this is tempting.

          1. TAT
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Wonder if Southampton want to put on a fight, as it's the last hoe match of the season. Same can be said for Huddersfield against Arsenal of course, but then there's the fact that this is Wenger's last game.

        2. Ohh1454
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          I'm thinking the same and I'm slightly edging towards lacazette for some reason

          1. TAT
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            A bit 50/50 for me wether I go through with it - and 50/50 Lacazette/Aubameyang. Can see both scoring/assisting.

      • camarozz
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Morning all on final day, best of luck to everyone.

        Im protecting a 13 pt ML lead but he has WC and BB so gonna be luck i guess .

        Iv done a -4 for TAA + Zaha.

        Been so close in ML that is enough hit wise ??

        Stick with Jesus + Kane and capt Salah and fingers crossed i guess?

        1. Origi-nal
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Can't WC & BB in same week?

        2. lespaul
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          He can't wc and bb

        3. Moddle
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          FYI: He cant use both WC and BB in same GW. If he already wildcarded, then he wont be able to use BB.

          Sounds like you are good to go.

      • Ligdon
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Pogba and Kdb to Arnie an Salah for a hit ?

        1. Richd
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Just Pogba to arnie. Then chill

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

            Cant man, I need Mo bro !

      • Richd
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Saltergate. Interesting link on the last page.

        If Poch does chuck a couple of reserves in it does worry me with Kane captain.

        Leanining more towards sterling

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

          Leicester are just woeful at the back so I'd go Kane but Sterling is a solid pick as I'm unsure how Southampton will approach the game. Maybe Hughes will park the bus for the first half for damage limitation and then open up in the second half.

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

            I'm going Salah purely because Anfield on the last day of the season is pretty amazing. Can't see Salah not getting at least one goal.

            1. tokara
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              no mane is worrying

      • Hedge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        a) Fabianski & TAA
        b) Lloris & Van Dijk (-4)

        1. ILOVEBAPS
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          A

      • Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Actually thought FPL 17/18 had already finished.....

        1. Jafooli
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          *wished

          1. Fantasy Gold
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            😆

      • Ëð
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        A) Transfer out Barnes for a hit
        B) Play Gross (Liv)

        1. ILOVEBAPS
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          B

        2. Twisted Saltergater
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Barnes to Ayew could be worth it

      • Voodoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Will Moyes leaving make West Ham play worse or better???

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          I don’t think it’s possible for them to play any worse

      • ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Chris Hughton has managed 4 games against Liverpool and conceded 20 goals.

          1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
            • 15 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Tempted by Salah c now

            1. Fantasy Gold
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              These kind of things do make me laugh.

          2. Oven Glover
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            You left out “Could be a goals fest today” 🙂

        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          He probably won't play this time so

      • No Totti No Party
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Play Mahrez or Mili ?

        1. yakirh
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Mahrez

      • yakirh
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Who is starting today? Pope or Heaton?

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Probably pope

          1. yakirh
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            How do you know?
            Team news suggest Heaton

            1. ENZO SZN™
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              They've been suggesting Heaton for quitr some time. Yet it always Pope who play

      • Legohair
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Is Willian to Zaha/Ramsay worth to take a hit?

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

          Yep, Zaha.

      • K.F.C
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Play JAyew or Mili?

        1. enrico.palazzo
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          JA

        2. yakirh
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          JAyew

        3. K.F.C
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Apologies for crap top post haha

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

          Milli

        5. K.F.C
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Thanks guys!

        6. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Mili

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

          Yeah saw that, off to the Canaries for a cheeky break before the World Cup and why not.

          1. lespaul
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Why not ? Because of matteo

      • Richd
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        I don’t think Liverpool change how they play to get Mo a goal.

        They need to prep for the champions league final. It’s a dress rehearsal after all.

        Yes he will take pens. But that’s the extent of it.

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Maybe, although klopp chuckled when asked if they would go all out to get Salah the golden boot

        2. Jafalad
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          They need to win so there won't be any changes.

          1. The Royal Robin
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            My only concern with Salah today is his minutes. He's practically odds on to score one though.

            1. lespaul
              • 16 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              He is odds on

        3. Punty McPuntface
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Brace and replace at 72mins for mo

      • Mackans
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Worth taking a -8 for Xhaka & Ryan -> Arnie & Romero??

      • Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Hearing from my sources that quite a fe first choice players might be benched today in order to give reserves a run out. This concerns 16 from 20 of the PL teams.

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

          I think we all suspect that

        2. Punty McPuntface
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Good news!

        3. Richd
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Haha maybe the United reserve team is tempting. At least we know they start

        4. mutatedllama
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Doubt it. The race for 10th place is worth a lot to so many teams. Can't see anybody being rested from any team that is fighting for that spot.

      • Give The Todd Some Love
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Long or Masuaku?

        1. Punty McPuntface
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Long

      • Ruud van Kane
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Who starts today out of this bunch or % likelyhood?

        Silva
        Davies
        Smalling

        1. Slitherene
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          50
          75
          0

      • aleksios
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Alli+Smalling to Salah+TAA for a hit?

        1. yakirh
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Alli could backfire

      • El-Kloppico
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Lloris
        Bavies - Azpi - Tarko
        Sterling - Salah - Mikhi - Gudmunsson
        Kane - Jesus - Ayew

        Who's doubtful of a start in this bunch? Any need to take a hit and bring some1?
        ML is almost lost with leader 24pts above.

        1. ILOVEBAPS
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Think they're all likely to play including Bavies as Spurs need a win to cement 3rd.

      • redwiing
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        3 points behind closest rival. Do i take a -4 and do Vardy - Aubameyang & Mustafi - TAA or something else....?

        Dubravka
        Mustafi / Davies / Ward
        Pogba / Zaha / Sterling / Arnie
        Vardy / Kane / Jesus

        1. Punty McPuntface
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          I wouldn't be taking hits

        2. Rash
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          I'd be getting rid of Pogba before anyone

      • Royal5
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Anyone else considering Sterling C?

        1. Punty McPuntface
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Na salah for me

          1. Royal5
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Terrible form?

        2. Richd
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Considering yeah.

          I TC him last week so wondering if I’m just trying to double down to make myself feel better about him

          1. Fresh_From_Desh
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            I am.

            Chasing and he's a differential

            1. Royal5
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              My thinking

              1. Royal5
                • 14 Years
                7 years, 7 months ago

                +fresh legs

        3. Fantasy Gold
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Yep.

          If I hear that Spurs are putting out a few reserves I’ll switch to him

        4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Yes

      • Punty McPuntface
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Chasing my rival by 25 points...What transfer(s) do I do?

        Ryan ddg
        Lowton long* dunk* Morgan* Cedric*
        Son gross* salah (c) sterling cork
        Vardy Kane Jesus 

        0.3 ITB

        The * are the players she doesn't have!

      • enrico.palazzo
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Repost sorry - need confirmation;

        If I look at the profile of a FPL player, will there team value change each day as the price rises occur?

        I've been monitoring someones and it did not change today, where he made 2 transfers the day prior...

        1. Jafalad
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Well...yeah. Prices go up....tvs go up.

          1. enrico.palazzo
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            Amazing then he hasn't transferred in any of the risers from today......

      • Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Last day! Lol@ all of you! 🙂

        1. elwardio
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          +1
          Haha
          GL
          RMT
          One last time

        2. Jafalad
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Glad you weren't on earlier - we all laughing at you. 😉

          1. Brosstan
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 7 months ago

            😮

      • Legohair
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Any leaked pool line up?

        1. enrico.palazzo
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Nope