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. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    I think i'm going to be an FPL Virgin next season 😉

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      One is enough

      1. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        too much*

    2. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Whatever that means

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

      FPL virgin will lose his virginity

      1. SuperMane Returns
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        He is immortal...he will always be an FPL Virgin as he has his memory wiped out at end of GW38 every season, so thinks each one is his first!

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

      He is a nutter but we all love him.

  2. CloudSky
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    "I'm getting a lot of ? about line-ups. To give you an idea of what we're dealing with on the final day.

    2015/16 - Average 3.35 changes per side including one [11] and one [9]. Two unchanged

    2016/17 - Average 2.7 per side. No team was unchanged. One team [7] and 2 with [6]."

    https://t.co/btjIySbOvM

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

    Who scores most this week

    A Lacazette -4
    B Jesus

    I think A could well get back -4 and some as Arsenal will be up to send Wenger off in style against Huddersfield team that will be running on empty.

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      B

  4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Poch is going to screw us again. First lamela, then sissoko, now the kids with lamela and sissoko?

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      News?

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Someone posted some quotes saying he might try the kids

        1. Fpl Richie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Ah ok. It's not enough to act on is it? Frustrating. Probably best not to captain Kane either way.

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

        google

    2. barracuda
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I also believe that playing Bavies instead of Fernandez could be costly.

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

        Bavies is a nightmare to own

    3. PL Ball
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Surely Harry starts.

      Outside chance of still getting the golden boot..

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

        Scenes if he doesn’t...

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

        Can you imagine the stick he'd get if he won it by 1 goal, having nicked that goal off Ericksen.

  5. Afghanistanislas
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you get in for Cedric:
    A) TAA
    B) Cresswell

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B. But A is a nice punt.

  6. GreenArrows
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Opinions please, at 14k, should I take a hit or two to try and push for top 10k?

    Ryan
    Azpi Lowton Long
    Sterling (C) Salah Son Arnie GroB
    Kane Vardy

    DDG Crouch Morgan Smalling

    0FT 0itb

    1. XabiAlonso
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good to me

  7. Gaffa914
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Captain Sane, Martial or Eriksen?

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

      Not Martial.

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

      Martial

      Could be a great differential

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

      Erik

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

    I painted the ceiling this morning to take my mind of FPL

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

      You can watch it dry until 1.59pm then.

      Clever

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

        Then I could watch the Man Utd game and see if I can spot the difference

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

          Only if you painted it beige

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

    Vardy/Son/Silva/VDH > Rashford/Salah/Zaha/TAA

    Go big with this -12?

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

      That could work: Silva not playing, VDH and Son doubts, Vardy vs Spurs.

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

        Vardy could certainly score, but to get Salah he simply has to be downgraded.

        Could start Long instead of VDH, but it's kinda covering myself in case Bavies doesn't start.

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

        Is it confirmed d Silva not playing?

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

    Ryan
    Naughton Tark Lowton Vert
    Sterling Salah Eriksen Gross
    Kane Jesus
    (DDG Morgan Barnes Kenedy)

    a) Barnes > JAyew (bench Gross)
    b) Tark > TAA
    c) Gross > Mili/RLC
    d) DDG & Gross > Romero & Zaha (-4) - would cover rival (1 point between us) owning Zaha

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

    Best combo:

    A - Jesus & Mili
    B - Vardy & Zaha
    C - Vardy & Arnie

  12. bengan1113
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Best attacker under 6.0? Ayew not possible due to too many Swansea players.

    Vokes?

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

      I would start questioning my sanity if I saw a "You have too many swansea players" message

    2. SuperMane Returns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Vokes 100%

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

      Have have 3 Swansea players? Blimey.

  13. kijsberg
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Smalling --> Robertson or Van Dijk?

  14. eazy
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    So what are people doing with Son?

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

      Probs ditching.

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

      Some are selling some are keeping.

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

      I'd like to get rid but have Willian and Hazard in midfield too.

    4. SuperMane Returns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Telling him about the birds and the bees

  15. Back on the horse
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Any new news on Martial starting after not pictured training?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Practicing hat-tricks behind closed doors

      1. Back on the horse
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I heard that too. Could be gold dust.

  16. JD @JDCochran2
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Smalling+DSilva+Alli > Robertson+Salah (C) Zaha -8?

    Y or N

    Leading mini league by 8points

    1. JD @JDCochran2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      or could go Arnie as same cash instead of Zaha

  17. Zladan
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Henderson and Mané out
    Lallana and Clyne in with TAA in midfield.

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

      Lallana the differential pick of the week.

  18. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Best Defender to buy this week?

    A) VVD
    B) Vertonghen
    C) Bailly
    D) Cresswell
    E) PVA

    1. Mike82
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A

  19. gilean
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Pogba and Vardy -> Salah (C) and Ayew for -4?

    1. gomez123
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Thats what I am thinking to

  20. Essrick
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Morning chaps,

    My defence is in bad shape! Which 3 would you play?

    Christensen, Duffy, Morgan, Lowton, Long

    1. Mike82
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Lowton, Christensen and Long prob

      1. Essrick
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks. I'm thinking the same.

        Probably bring in PVA for Duffy for free and play Christensen, Lowton & PVA with Long off the bench if Christensen doesn't play.

    2. GreenArrows
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Same issue out of Azpi Smalling Morgan Long Lowton

      Playing Azpi Long Lowton

      1. Essrick
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Not using a transfer to bring in PVA, Cresswell, Robertson etc?

  21. i wanna ORD
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Arnie or Zaha?

    1. JD @JDCochran2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      great question

    2. GreenArrows
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Went with Arnie

      1. JD @JDCochran2
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        thanks

  22. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    No idea what to do, 1ft

    Ddg -- ryan
    Alonso Lowton Maguire Smalling —- cedric
    son Pogba sterling Arnie — king
    kane jesus -- barnes

    A: Smalling + Sterling >> Masauku + Salah (-4)
    B: Smalling + Pogba >> VVD + Zaha
    C: Smalling + Pogba >> VVD + J.Ayew
    D: Something else?
    E: smalling + Maguire + pogba >> Long Masauku Salah (-8)

    A lot is dependent on if I expect pogba to start

  23. Super Frank8
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Who to start between Iwobi or Van der Hoorn?

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

      Iwobi

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

    Does anyone think it's Daniel Levy who is telling Poch to play the likes of Lamela and Sissoko with a view to putting them in the shop window? It's got Levy written all over it

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

      Surely allowing people to see Sissoko play will only lower his price

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

        True but against a poor Leicester side on the beach is as good a chance as any for him to con another club into signing him

  25. FPL ElasticO
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    What to do with DDG & Smalling??
    They probably won't play and i have Ryan & Morgan/ Dunk on bench.... Will look to transfer out atleast 1 ..... What can i do?? already spent my FT ....

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

      Romero the easy option to free up funds.

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

      Ryan could easily get 3-4 pts even if conceding.

  26. RAMZES666
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Jesus to Firmino or Auba for a hit worth?

    1. Mike82
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Same boat, rival has both dunno wether to ditch Vardy or Jesus

  27. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    OR rank check - mini league rank check
    24k here - 2nd out of 37 in main minileague (26 points behind so not totally over), 1st in smaller ones.

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

      OR 14.2k
      ML 1st out of 29, lead by 85 points

    2. CloudSky
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      7k, 2nd in ML (first is top 100 world).

    3. XabiAlonso
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      52k
      1st & 1st in ML

  28. Luton_Fan
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Gross to

    A. Ramsey
    B. Mata
    C. Zaha

    ?

    Help pls gents. Im leaning towards ramsey

  29. UpAndAway
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Chasing a 15 point lead. Can go Sterling to Salah or Mahrez to Martial as a punt? Don’t want to take a hit.

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

      Get someone he doesnt have and captain him

  30. i wanna ORD
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Mahrez & Silva --> Arnie Zaha?