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. nevins84
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Chasing a 14pt lead....

    McCarthy
    Naughton Chamb Bavies Masuaku
    Salah Sterling Erikson Zaha
    Lacazette Jesus
    Subs:DDG Perez Cedric Kennedy
    1ft 0.1itb

    Worried McCarthy might end up with 0pts...

    A)DDG to Romero/Karius ft

    B)DDG&Kennedy to Adrian&Ramsey -4

    C)DDG&Perez to Adrian&Rashford -4

    D)DDG&Kennedy to Adrian&Mata

    1. RichRover
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      What GK does he have?

      1. nevins84
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        None without a hit.. No hit yet..

        1. RichRover
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          A, Romero

  2. Slitherene
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Ederson*
    Smalling - Vertonghen* - Sakho* - Cresswell*
    Willian* - Salah (C) - Arnautovic* - Sterling - Zaha*
    Kane

    Bench : J.Ayew* - Naughton* - Perez*

    * - Differentials

    Chasing a 36 point lead. Good to go?

    1. Neebster
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      gtg

  3. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    How do we think WBA will do away to Palace now that they know they're down? Do we expect the defensive resilience to continue or will Palace blow them away?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Palace are crap though.

      1. Jet5605
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Are they? Roy has arguably turned them around from the crap that they were at the start of the season.

      2. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Palace stopped being crap when Benteke finally got relegated to the bench.

    2. MTPockets
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I think palace will win or low scoring draw.

        1. si
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Or lose.

    3. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Report:

      A) DDG + Mahrez -> Adrian + Salah (-4)

      B) DDG + Mahrez + Lingard -> Karius/Romero + Salah + Gudmundsson (-8)

      1. nevins84
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        A

      2. AdamJ91
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I like A.

      3. The Sundance Kid
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Id go for a. Not worth an extra 4 point hit

      4. Neebster
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        a. -8 excessive

      5. caldracula
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I actually prefer B

      6. caldracula
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I think Karius scores more than Adrian and also dance gud today

      7. caldracula
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Fancy

      8. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks lads

    4. The Sundance Kid
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Best way to get Salah in?

      A. Eriksen + Jesus > Salah + Firminho
      B. Eriksen + DDg > Salah + Romero
      C. Son + DDG > Salah + Adiran

      Other keeper is Pope, other striker is Kane

      1. The Sundance Kid
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Any suggestions?

    5. AdamJ91
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Which one looks better?

      A) Firmino & Ramsey
      B) Salah & Perez

      1. Pariße
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        A

      2. nevins84
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        A

      3. Neebster
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        A

      4. MTPockets
          8 years, 1 month ago

          b

        • The Sundance Kid
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Assume you've already got Arnie... If not I'd pick him ahead of Ramsey.

      5. Weeb Kakashi
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Juan Foyth could start? If that Happens then who misses out? Vertonghen or Sanchez or Alder?

        1. Numb
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Toby maybe

        2. Collie01
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Nobody knows

        3. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          My guess would be Vertonghen. Seen some Spurs fans on reddit and the forums wanting to rest him as he looked a little off the pace.

          Whether that actually happens, though...

      6. Tmel
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        A point between my rival and I, here are our differentials below based on expected starting XI:

        Me:
        Ryan, Tark, Lowton, Vert, Naughton, Gross, Salah

        His:
        Lloris, Long, Tomkins, Smalling, D Silva, Pogba, Zaha

        Do I captain Kane (we both have) or Salah (only I have)?

        1. Positive vibes
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Smalling, D Silva maybe not play. Surely he will C Kane?

      7. ppv
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Bavies to start, stay on bench or get end of the season 1 minute run out?

        1. nevins84
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Im playing him so a 1pt run out...

          1. ppv
            • 15 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Cheers. Not sure whether to take him out for TAA or Lowton

            1. nevins84
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 1 month ago

              I wouldnt see changing him for a hit paying...

              1. ppv
                • 15 Years
                8 years, 1 month ago

                Thanks but have FT to use

      8. lespaul
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Someone on blue moon just posted they've not seen Silva at the hotel

        1. Collie01
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          He's in Spain

          1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            It was posted on Blue Moon he came back to England this week.

          2. lespaul
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            But he was on a flight on friday

            1. MTPockets
                8 years, 1 month ago

                Flight to where?

                1. lespaul
                  • 16 Years
                  8 years, 1 month ago

                  Likely the uk

        2. DMil
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Lacelles + Vardy > Firmino + Long (-4)? Need a differential in ML, expect most to captain Salah and i’m going Kane.

        3. Desperately Seeking Dusan
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          1) Lingard to 6.1 Gud, Shaqiri or Mili
          2) downgrade DDG (Ryan is sub) and bring in a more expensive Lingard replacement (-4). Can ditch Maguire too to free cash for a -4

          Defending a ML lead from three people 19-25 points behind. Only I have Salah. Two have Erik and one Zaha. We all have Kane, Jesus and Sterling.

          1. BIGREDDOG
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            DDG to Romero, Lingard to Zaha/Arnie/Martial ?

            1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 1 month ago

              Cheers BRD.. I have Arnie but do like the idea of blocking Zaha.

              1. BIGREDDOG
                • 8 Years
                8 years, 1 month ago

                Good plan

          2. si
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Confirmed attacking starters are Rash, Martial and Mata? There is still a space for Lingard to play.

            1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 1 month ago

              You think? Have been reading he won’t start.

        4. mr messi
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Morgan or Dunk first sub?

          1. Carcetti
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Morg

          2. Aladdin Sané
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Dunk

          3. Runaway
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Dunk

        5. Shultan
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Which team do you guys think has the best chance of winning the FPL title?
          I hope bharat wins it, seemed a genuine nice on scoutcast plus beeb leading so long but his mudfield seems a bit weak u feel like one the guys behind might just pip him to the title

          1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            I think and hope he does it for the reasons you give.

          2. Pariße
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            He's still got the best chance imo. He knows wha he's doing.

          3. Holmes
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Faisal time...

          4. Ógie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Making a scoutcast appearance spells doom to your chances of winning it.

            I reckon he will be piped.

        6. Carcetti
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          A) Pogba Out, Ramsey In (-4)

          B) Vardy Out, Lacazette In (-4)

          Chasing the leader by 20-points, however leading by 9 points from 3rd.

          1. Positive vibes
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            B

        7. Gentle_Turks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Chelsea fans - Will Christensen play?

          1. si
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            No chance.

        8. Runaway
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Last decision of the year, please help:

          A) Ryan + RLC / Mili
          B) Adrian + Willian
          C) Adrian + Zaha - 4

        9. Tmel
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Adrian or Romero?

          1. Runaway
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Romero

          2. nevins84
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Money no option romero..

        10. Jokesy87
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Good luck today all.

          A) Smalling > rudiger
          B) Smalling > VVD

          Lead by 8pts, rival has Rudiger so do I match to limit difference or go for VVD and hope to outscore/Match score?

          I worry he has Auba and Firmino compared to my Jesus and Vardy

          1. HamezMace
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            B

        11. Alli
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          DDG - Hennessey
          Davies - Smalling - Tarkowski - Lowton - Kiko
          Sterling - D.Silva - Salah - Arnautovic - Milivojevic
          Kane - Jesus - J. Ayew

          1 FT - 0.2 ITB

          A. Smalling > VVD (Play Milivojevic)
          B. D.Silva, Smalling > Zaha, VVD (-4)
          C. D.Silva, Smalling > Sané, PVA (-4)

        12. Hairy Potter
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Off to get some popcorn to have during the inevitable carnage here when the teams are announced.

          1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Lol this

        13. FDMS All Starz
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Urgent help needed, What would you do to this team?

          DDG*-Ryan
          Vertonghen-Sanchez-Lowton-Christensen*-Morgan*
          Gross-Mahrez-Arnie-Willian*-Pogba
          Kane-Jesus-Barnes*

          1FT...0.1itb

          * = Issues

          1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            You’re in all kinds of trouble. You chasing or defending?

          2. Big Sum
            • 15 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Morgan->TAA

        14. Desperately Seeking Dusan
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          My autocorrect always replaces Lingard with Lingered which is appropriate given he’s lingered around my team like a bad fart for too long.

        15. Jet5605
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Is the stage set for Zaha to once again troll everyone who got duped into bringing him in again after two big hauls at home?

          1. Hairy Potter
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Troll? I’ve had him since GW31 and been happy with his scores.

        16. Pariße
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          2pts ahead of a rival for the country title. I feel he's going to bring in Salah for Mahrez, best no to take any hits and go another direction right?

          1. Pariße
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            *Can't get Salah, unless it's for a hit.

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

              Depends on the rest of your team.

          2. ZeBestee
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Which direction?

            1. Pariße
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 1 month ago

              Not getting Salah.

        17. Syd.
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          So and so could start

          Thingy me bob might not start

          Yer man didn't travel

          Big No9 wasn't spotted at the team hotel

          1. lespaul
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            What about whatshisface ?

          2. Desperately Seeking Dusan
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            🙂

          3. Eddie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            But the training pics.

        18. Sidekick_08
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Which transfer do i spend my FT on?

          A. Son -> Zaha

          B. Smalling -> Robertson

          1. brianutd-why always we? 20
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Smalling won’t start so bin him

        19. Legohair
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Willian to Ramsay worth to take hit?im 0.1 too short to Zaha...

          1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            No

        20. Numb
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Will Ramsey start?

        21. Weeb Kakashi
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Son Alonso > Salah TAA (-4)??

          1. Sidekick_08
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Yes I'd do it

          2. Robin Cook
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Why selling Alonso? 😮

            1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 1 month ago

              To fund Salah I guess

          3. Brosstan
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Selling Alonso for a hit 😆

            1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 1 month ago

              And to get salah