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. Carcetti
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Pogba and Vardy to Zaha and Lacazette for (-8)?

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

      Not for a -8 governor

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

    Next season, I would welcome a few new mangers in the PL. Quite fed up seeing Alardyce and other average mangers in this division.

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      The British managers just rotate around the teams. I don’t get it

      1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        It’s ridiculous. Old ones too, not even young upcoming are given a shot.

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

      We will get Warnock and maybe bruce

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

      Most managers get a single chance to manage in the prem, fail and they never get another try. But the dinosaur club of Moyes, Bruce, Hughes, Allardyce, Pardew, Hodgson etc will get endless offers.

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

        tbf to Moyes hes done well for the most part except at United.

      2. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Exactly

      3. barracuda
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Sickening. I would love to see Simeone, let's see what he can do.

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

      This. I can't think of any other job where you can be fired for poor performances and then hired by someone else to do the same job

    5. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Been a problem for ages. British managers whine about foreigners but there’s a British clique that always gets recycled when a job comes up, Allardyce, Pulis, Pardew, Hughes, Moyes and up until recently, Redknapp. Young managers don’t get a shot.

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

    Hearing Poch's comments, how do you guys feel about Alonso -> Walker-Peters (-4) ?

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

      Only if you captain him.

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Both players have away games, so avoid

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

        Ha

    3. Big Sum
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Only if you don't have Kyle Walker

  4. balint84
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Lloris
    Morgan-Valencia-Naughton
    Arnie-Willian-Salah-Sterling
    Kane-Vardy-Ayew
    sub: Dunk
    nonplaying: Pope, Kenedy, Chilwell

    What to do or don't do any -4?

    1. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Need a defender badly

      1. balint84
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        yeah, but not sure about the -4 to worth it

  5. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    A) VVD
    B) Bailly

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      V

  6. theodosios
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Chasing 21pts in ML, I'm on TC:
    A)Play safe and cap Salah
    B)Kane
    C)Ali
    D)Sterling
    E)Zaha

    1. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. Siggy in the Middle
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      B or D

      You need a differential to make up that kind of gap in one week.

  7. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    CP were up 3-0 against Leicester before Albrighton got sent off. Spurs could destroy them today.

    Maybe switch Salah (c) to Kane?

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Looks like Spurs will use kids, stick with Salah

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

      Poch is playing a second string team. Dont like Kane (C)

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Ok thanks all

  8. PL Ball
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Pick one:

    A) Mili
    B) RLC
    C) McArthur

  9. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    A. Salah(c) + Kane + VVD

    or

    B. Kane(c) + Sane + TAA + 8 points

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      B

    2. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      B

    3. WE GO FOR IT
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      B

    4. caldracula
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      B

    5. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers all.

  10. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Sane a good diff captain choice or arnie?

    1. si
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      I would say he is a bit risky to start.

  11. Weeb Kakashi
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Vertonghen should be starting.
    All of their attacks are initiated through him...

    1. Siggy in the Middle
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Are people saying he won't?

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

      Who says he's not?

    3. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      It’s a shame you don’t manage Spurs

  12. Legohair
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Good to go???
    De Gea
    Smalling-Vertonghen-Lowton-Long
    Salah(c)-Son-Sterling
    Kane-Firmino-Ayew

    Ryan,Willian,Groß,Morgan

    1. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Hmm any FTs?

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

        No,and zero itb

        1. GOTHAM City F.C.
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 7 months ago

          Well if you are fine not taking hit for Smalling then you're GTG

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

            Smalling 100% rested today?maybe PVA then?

            1. GOTHAM City F.C.
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 7 months ago

              If we trust Jose's words then yes.
              PVA or TAA.

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

                Ive misses joses comments about smalling,what did he say?if hes out,its pva or taa for a hit then

  13. Siggy in the Middle
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    McArthur or RLC?

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      RLC

    2. SuperMane Returns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Mac the Knife

  14. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Hennessey
    Cedric/Otamendi/Davies
    Eriksen/Sterling/Salah/Arnie
    JAyew/Kane/Jesus
    (DDG/Morgan/Yedlin/King)

    0.0m ITB, 1 FT.... Which option please guys?
    A) Morgan to TAA (Free)
    B) Jesus to Laca (Free)
    C) Eriksen/JAyew to McArthur/Laca (-4)
    D) DDG/Yedlin to Romero/Monreal (-4)
    E) DDG/Ayew to Romero/Vokes (-4)

  15. Gaffa914
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    If you HAD to captain one who would it be ?
    A) Martial (Watford H)
    B) Eriksen (Leicester H)
    C) Sané (Southampton A)

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      B

  16. CloudSky
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months 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

  17. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months 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
      7 years, 7 months ago

      B

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

      B

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

      News?

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

        Someone posted some quotes saying he might try the kids

        1. Fpl Richie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 7 months 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
        7 years, 7 months ago

        google

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

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

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

        Bavies is a nightmare to own

    3. PL Ball
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Surely Harry starts.

      Outside chance of still getting the golden boot..

      1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Scenes if he doesn’t...

      2. Ronnie Hotdog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

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

  19. Afghanistanislas
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

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

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      B. But A is a nice punt.

  20. GreenArrows
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 months 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
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Looks good to me

  21. Gaffa914
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Captain Sane, Martial or Eriksen?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Not Martial.

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

      Martial

      Could be a great differential

    3. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Erik

  22. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

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

    Go big with this -12?

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

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

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 months 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
        7 years, 7 months ago

        Is it confirmed d Silva not playing?

  23. Tmel
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 7 months 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

  24. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Best combo:

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

  25. kijsberg
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Smalling --> Robertson or Van Dijk?

  26. Back on the horse
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Any new news on Martial starting after not pictured training?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Practicing hat-tricks behind closed doors

      1. Back on the horse
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 7 months ago

        I heard that too. Could be gold dust.

  27. JD @JDCochran2
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months 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
      7 years, 7 months ago

      or could go Arnie as same cash instead of Zaha

  28. Zladan
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

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

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

      Lallana the differential pick of the week.

  29. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

    Best Defender to buy this week?

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

    1. Mike82
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      A

  30. gilean
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 months ago

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

    1. gomez123
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 months ago

      Thats what I am thinking to