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. Catastrophe
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Any changes worth a hit? 0 ITB.

    Romero
    Vertonghen, Otamendi, TAA, Lowton
    Zaha, Eriksen, Sterling, Salah (C)
    Kane, Jesus

    (Ryan, Mustafi, Barnes*, Kenedy*)

    Cheers

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

      Nope. Gtg.

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

        Cheers.

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

    Rashford (c). Let’s go.

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

      Hopefully you can survive for next 2 hours

    2. Fantasy Gold
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Wow. Nice one. Good luck.

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

      Having him is enough differential imo.

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

    Surely either Salah or Kane hauls today. Such a difficult decision who to give the captaincy to.

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

      Salah for me!

    2. Park the bus
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      go Kane. i've gone Salah and my captaincy picks this season have been abysmal

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

      Salah. Especially with Poch rotation rumours around.

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

        Hi, what rumours?

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

      Probably the one thats been doing the hauling this year.

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

    Ryan
    Vert Alonso Long Lowton
    Salah (c) Sterling Son
    Ayew Kane (v) Jesus

    Ddg* Lingard Ki Morgan. 0ft.

    Gtg?
    Right bench?

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

      Gtg, I am starting DDG just in case and Ryan will sub on anyway

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

        Yes - makes sense.

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

          Unless Romero goes off with an injury after 30 mins.

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

      I've got same team apart from Arnie for Son. I was thinking of starting Lingard over Lowton just in case he plays?

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

      Gtg. Please help me below. Ta.

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

    And the last question: Who would you omit from thse 5 defenders (I'm starting 4-3-3 due to shortage of starters)

    Alonso - Long - Fernandez - Tomkins - Francis

    I'm edging towards benching Francis - low attacking threat, and less probable CS....

    Thanks!

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

      Yep, Francis.

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

      Francis easily

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

      Frans

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

        Thanks, so gtg definately.

        Good luck!

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

    Anyone else not convinced by Kane as (c)? He hasn't had a double digit return since GW 23. But he has produced returns in his recent home matches, except against city. This makes me think sterling is a better option for the captaincy if you are chasing and your rival captains Salah.
    Or am i just overthinking it?

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

      Nope, Sterling is a good choice

    2. MTPockets
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Also going Sterling.

    3. smithsj1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      So got Barnes who I can switch to Ings

      or

      maguire to Blind.

      Decisions decisions

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

        Ings may not start if mane is fit

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

          Mane won’t play today, according to inside sources.

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

            Source?

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

              Adriancocking_ in twitter

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

          Might not start even if he is not.

      2. Buck The Trent
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        B

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

        maguire to Blind

      4. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        try vokes

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

        Talk that Lallana may play if Mane ruled out

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

      Who has the edge here?

      15 points +
      Ryan
      TAA Chambers Vertonghen Tarkowski
      Hazard Sane Salah
      Kane(C) Jesus Ayew

      VS

      Ederson
      Tomkins Naughton Mustafi
      Arnautovic Zaha Salah Sane
      Kane(C) Auba Firmino

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

        B I think

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

      Did Willian > Arnie

      Going to be mad if Willian starts and Son is benched (keeping Son)

    6. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Laca or Firmino ?

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

        Bob

      2. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        laca probably, by a hair

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

        Bobby

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

        Choose Laca as more. differential. Please help me below. Ta.

    7. Big Col
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Any thoughts on this?

      A) Lingard to Gudmundsson (-8 for the week)

      B) Play Maguire & Cedric (bench Lingard)

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

        Maybe other choice than Gudmundsson?
        Please help me below. Ta.

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

      Would you play

      A- Bavies

      B- Fernandez

      Got Fab in goal. Cheers troops

      1. Buck The Trent
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        A

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

          You think he will start? Rose worries me, could be his farewell match.

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

        A

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

        A and hope he will play, he has high celling. Please help me below. Ta.

    9. Rhodes your boat
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Should I take a -4 to do Ddg and Vardy to

      A) karius and bobby
      B) Hennessy and laca
      C) don’t take a hit

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

        I’m prob gonna do exact same to A or I may do Hennessy and Firmino

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

        A or B, B if you have Salah imo.

      3. GOTHAM City F.C.
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        A

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

      Pick a captain
      A) Kane
      B) Sterling
      C) Arnautovic
      D) Zaha

      a few points in difference between ML rival, he will probably C

      1. Kane
      2. Salah (If he brings him in for a hit)

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

        Sterling

    11. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      gross and vardy to zaha and rashford for -4

      yes or no?

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

        Yep

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

        Difficult choice-not sure I would

        1. Lord Flashheart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          its either take a hit or play austin...

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

        Yes. Please help me below. Ta.

    12. jazzy30
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      JAZZY30 13th May 2018 10:22
      That time of the year!
      DDG, RYAN
      Lowton, Christensen, vertonghen, chilwell, maguire
      son, salah, lingard, wilian, mcarthur
      jesus, kane, barnes

      I have triple captain chip left. Thinking of a -8 to get Arnautovic, TAA and one of Martial/Zaha/David silva in the team..please suggest!!!!

      thinking of taking our lingard,wilian and christensen for above subs..please help guys!

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

        Good moves, but not Dilva. Please help me below. Ta.

      2. GOTHAM City F.C.
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Arnie + Zaha

        Not sure if -4 is worth to replace Christensen

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

      7800 seconds til pens down!

    14. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Who would you prefer today?

      A Jesus
      B Vardy

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

        A

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

        Jesu

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

          Thanks Guys

      3. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        a

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

      Hi, kindly need your view, which is better combo?
      A. Adrian/Hennessey, Martial
      B. Romero, Zaha

      If A, please choose with Adrian or Hen.

      Thanks and have a great gw 38 guys 🙂

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

        B

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

        B

      3. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        B

        thou martial is a great punt, but the romero swings it for me

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

        B

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

      Guys,

      A) Pogba Out for Zaha + Vardy Out for Lacazette (-8)

      Chasing a 20-point lead. Lead by 9 points from 3rd.

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I’d only do that if you were going to captain Laca.

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

          I'm triple capping Salah

          1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            I’d just do Pogba to Zaha then.

            Vardy loves scoring against he top 6.

    17. chaser123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      News about Vertonghen possibly being benched is worrying me....

      My defensive is Alonso | Vertonghen | Mawson | Simpson | Chilwell

      Considering Chilwell is out and Simpson is a risk, should I do Chilwell to TAA for -4? I guess it comes down to the likelihood of TAA getting more than 4 points?

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

        Don't take hits on defenders

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

          Unless as an enabler for a must have

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

        Doesn't make sense-4 points is a reasonable core vs the 'possibility' of 6

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

          *score

    18. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Haven’t kept up with any pressers this week, was there anything about Alli?

      Can’t see him being a risk of not starting?

    19. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Does anyone have the Poch quote about playing Foyth? Seen a few mention that Vert might be a risk now but can't find the quote.

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

        Is he a CB?

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

          Think so. Just found the quote: “I think Juan Foyth deserve to play and he is doing fantastic and I will repeat that so maybe, I am thinking, maybe it is not crazy to see a player like him or Kyle Walker-Peters in the starting XI.”

    20. WE GO FOR IT
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Pick 2 of these as differentials:

      A. Martial
      B. Mkhi
      C. Ramsey
      D. Lanzini
      E. Mata

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

        A C

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

        A C

      3. WE GO FOR IT
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers both! 🙂

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

      A Smalling to TAA and Gudmundsson to Ramsey

      Or

      B DDG to Karius and Smalling to VVD or Robertson

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

      Vardy + Pogba - > Salah (C) + Ayew for -4, or just Pogba to Arnie/Zaha and captain Kane?

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

        Get Salah

    23. KJT123
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Mourinho is the ultimate troll. Expect DDG and Smalling to play.

      Remember Jones red flagged and still played?

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

        Wouldn't surprise me but I am getting rid

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

        Possibly but not taking that risk as no bench back up

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

        Also said Shaw is one of the best defenders during one of fridays pressers and then doesn’t even have him in the team at the weekend

    24. manu4life99
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Any 5.4m defenders worth a 4pt hit for Schindler?

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

        TAA maybe

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

        Robertson

    25. Bring the Cavalry
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      D.Silva expected to play today then?

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

        He's in Spain apparently.

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

          Apparently...

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

        Not in the country

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

        no

    26. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      GTG???

      No hits this week I think, want to secure top 10k.

      Ryan
      Tark/Lowton/Vert/VVD
      Salah(c)/Sterling/Son/Arnie
      Kane/Vardy

      DDG/Gross/Morgan/Barnes