Selection

Spot the Differential – Opportunity for FPL managers to board Vardy bandwagon early

Aside from all the talk about Harry Kane, there are still several differential options available in Gameweek 8.

We’ve picked out three more players owned by less than 5% of Fantasy Premier League managers who can help propel you up the overall rankings.

This week we are turning to assets at Leicester City, Wolves and Manchester United.

Jamie Vardy (£8.9m)

Ownership: 4.8%

A Gameweek 2 sending off and the success of James Maddison (£6.9m) has hit Jamie Vardy‘s (£8.9m) ownership hard in the early part of 2018/19. But the Leicester City man is still a great option to own for Gameweek 8.

In the last four Gameweeks, only four players have registered more shots on target than Vardy. He also ranks joint-third for shots inside the box and is still on penalties for Leicester City.

His next opponents are an Everton side still with just one clean sheet to their name in 2018/19. Vardy is especially fond of the Toffees having scored four times and assisted twice in his last five Premier League matches against them. In that run, he has won two penalties, scoring two himself.

Vardy looks like a good option for long-term investment too with Arsenal (away), West Ham (home), Cardiff (away), Burnley (home) and Brighton (away) also coming up in the next six Gameweeks.

Adama Traoré (£5.5m)

Ownership: 0.6%

Adama Traoré (£5.5m) may not have started a match for Wolves yet, but he is certainly pushing for one. The rapid winger has promised attacking returns if he can get some more minutes on the pitch.

In the last four Gameweeks, Traore has managed five shots on target, the same as Sergio Aguero (£11.4m) and Mohamed Salah (£12.9m). He has achieved that in a fraction of the minutes, registering just 105 to Aguero’s 271 and Salah’s 317.

Wolves go to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace in Gameweek 8 and look like they will have plenty of opportunities to score. Only two sides have allowed more chances considered to be ‘big’ by Opta in home matches than Palace this season.

Chris Smalling (£5.8m)

Ownership: 2.2%

Any Manchester United player is going to be considered a differential for Gameweek 8 after their surprise defeat to West Ham last week.

However, the nature of their upcoming fixture demands some attention from Fantasy managers.

Newcastle United come to Old Trafford with just one away goal to their name this season. Furthermore, they have the lowest shot tally on the road in 2018/19 and are in the bottom efforts on target too.

A clean sheet looks on for Chris Smalling (£5.8m) and his United colleagues, and the centre-back promises some attacking threat too.

The Magpies are in the bottom three for set play attempts allowed away from home so far this season, and Smalling has already found the net once in 2018/19.

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2,245 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Holy GunnarSolskjaer
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    I am 6k OR at the moment and I have played my Free Hit this GW. Would normally wait until blank GW, but felt with no Spurs attacking options this was a good option for this week's game against a woeful Cardiff side.

    Hart
    Shaw Alonso Trippier
    Maddison Hazard Son Yarmalenko(Considering Willian instead)
    Vardy Kane Arnie

    Subs; Hamer, Lennon, Wan-Bissaka, Bennett

    Thoughts?

    1. Sánchez
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Don't get willian, he's always a flop

      1. Holy GunnarSolskjaer
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Tempted as Southampton are so poor

    2. jon.terry.tfh
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Shouldn't double Leicester and West ham but what do I know. I'm at 49k and you're at 6k Hahaha. Don't fancy lacazette at all?

      1. Holy GunnarSolskjaer
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        I do but he would be at the expense of Vardy, and I fancy Vardy vs the leaky Everton defence!

    3. XABI 15
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      same boat as you - but 8.5k rank.

      I have wildcarded to a very similar team. how do you feel about the Vardy Maddison double up? too much leicester?

      1. Holy GunnarSolskjaer
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Both in good form and have good run of fixtures! I have Madd in my pre Free Hit team but no Vardy...

        1. XABI 15
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          I meant I have free hit. I am looking at lukaku instead of Vardy but feel it is too risky

          1. Holy GunnarSolskjaer
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            I would avoid Lukaku mate. The only United resource I trust at the moment is Shaw

    4. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Wouldn't get Shaw.

  2. Big W
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    HELP!
    Am I GTG?

    Patricio (Foster)

    WanB | Alonso | Bennett (Robertson, Pelt)

    Richarlison | Mane | Hazard | Maddison (Fraser)

    Laca | Aguero | Wilson

    Or shall I
    A. Wan-B > Robertson
    B. Maddison > Fraser
    C. Rich > Fraser

    1FT

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

      Definitely not B, A would be good for next GW. C seems a bit sideways.

    2. GianniBanani
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Im thinking about putting Robertson over AWB, but both on the bench in my team tbf

  3. zuggizaccardo
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Got three options:

    A: FT Wilson for Jimenez

    B: -4 points for Salah/ Wilson out- Sterling/ Vardy in

    C: Wait until next week.

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      C

  4. Willos Wanderers
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Who do I bench of Fraser (Wat) or Robbo (MCI)?

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

      If in doubt, play your outfield player.

    2. Slartibartfast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Robbo

    3. Alnair
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Play Robertson.

  5. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Salah & Ings > Lamela & Kane

    Or

    Aguero & Zaha > Kane & Murray

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      B

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      L&K

  6. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Not fancying Smalling as a differential one bit. Gonna go against the stats here and say I think it's inevitable NEW will turn up tomorrow and kick up an absolute fuss

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

    To those who aren't doing Aguero to Kane ( for a FT), can you talk me out of it as I've got no WC?

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      If I could do it on a FT I probably would. I need to take a -4 to make that move and I don't think it's viable.

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Oh no lol. I can do the switch back but it means that I have to hold onto Zaha

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Talk you out of 30 ponits, nope wouldn't even try.

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Haha, this isn't working

    3. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      You’ll want Kun long term. He could score or jag a pen at Anfield. Don’t buy into the hype of Kane - he still looks sluggish and has proven on multiple occasions he is capable of blanking in a plumb home fixture

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        All this is true

    4. boredjames
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      waste of two transfers as you want aguero straight back. Loss of team value, etc etc

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Yep

      2. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        That's the question though, I'm looking at Kun's fix and it is possible to punt on losing him for Kane. It's a legitimate move even with losing value etc.

    5. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      TOT stats in the premier league (PL) and in games that follow Carabou/FA/CL/Europa matches 2-4 days later (X). Stats are 2016/17, 18/19 average

      Goals scored PL/game (n=56): 2.4
      Goals scored X/game (n=20): 1.8

      Goals conceded in PL/game (n=56): 0.8
      Goals conceded in X/game (n=20): 0.5

      Clean sheets in PL/game: 0.4
      Clean sheets in X/game: 0.7

      Obviously a huge number of assumptions here that I don't need to list and that make these stats not a powerful comparison, but it is food for thought isn't it. We know anecdotally that teams are often lethargic and struggle to get out of the blocks when their focus is on midweek competitions. Well these at a glance stats imply that in the games following those matches spurs games are tighter with fewer goals scored and more reliance in conceding fewer goals or keeping clean sheets to bring home the bacon.

      1. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Should say 2016/17 and 2017/18 average

      2. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Interesting. Thanks

        1. Pacer.
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          I think a FT and a hit, then an FT to recoup Kun at a loss is a bad deal.

          I would sooner take the most likely outcome which is that (C)Kane outscores (C) Aguero by around 5-15 points. With your -4 that would amount to 1-9 points and two FT's. If you're worried then just captain Hazard if you own. Excellent chance of a goal and baps.

          1. internal error
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            i've got Hazard and Salah so structure wise getting Kane in for Aguero doesn't mean I have to take a hit to do swap for 1 gameweek

      3. The consensus
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Now talk me out of getting Trippier!

        1. Flynny
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          I'm going to do kun to Kane - 4

          And then swap it with an ft

          Not a sensible move - but Cardiff don't have the ability to park the bus and it seems worth a gamble.

          Have exact money for this - and the devastation of not doing this move now and seeing kane blitz cardiff would be more than if I buy Kane and it doesn't work out....

          Kun won't score a hattrick at
          lpool - but kane may v Cardiff

          1. Pacer.
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            This may be true but the likliest outcome is Kane doesn't score a hatrick and Kun doesn't blank

  8. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Save FT?

    Ryan

    Alonso AWB Bennett

    Haz Salah Moura Maddison

    Kun Mitro Wilson

    // Fraser / TAA / Laporte

  9. Konig Luther
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    I was leaving Traore on last place of my bench...

  10. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Near bottomed - RP for couple more replies if poss - for reassurance!

    How am I looking? GTG? Bench and order?

    0FT (-4) £0.3itb
    Fabianski
    Alonso, Robbo, Doherty
    Salah, Hazard (C), Rich, Fraser
    Aguero, Wilson, Mitro

    (Foster) (AWB, Hughes, Duffy)

    Thanks! I think this GW is the most nervous I have been about starting 11/ transfer decisions so far...

  11. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    What's an easy way to upset a large percentage of FFS members?

    Just say you hope Cardiff score a goal. 😉

    I suspect many have switched from Mendy to Trippier.

    1. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I do indeed hope Cardiff score a goal.

    2. Ode
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      How dare you say such thing? Ban

    3. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      More like Trippier benched for KWP (likely imo)

      1. Ramboros
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        I find it unlikely when Aurier was picked ahead of KWP for the league cup match.

      2. Pep says
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Don't mind this so much as it alleviates my bench headache

    4. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Be called Eden Wizard. 😆

  12. WannabeScout
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Play 2 of these..
    A) Milner
    B) awb
    C) Hobleas
    D) Doherty
    E) Fraser

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      C/D and E

  13. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Fraser to Knocky just for lols? want to have a player in tonight's game..

    1. Webbinho
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      If just for lols then yes. Otherwise prob not.

    2. Ode
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Yes do it, that's a great transfer

    3. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      cheers all... done

    4. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Why get rid of Fraser. Baps monster and 1 ok and 2 brilliant fixtures.120 degree move that one

  14. Jabba12
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Salah + Aguero > Sterling + Kane for free?

  15. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Which 4.5 GK would you recommend - Patricio, Ryan, Fabianski or someone else?

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Fabianski.

  16. Webbinho
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    GTG?

    Should I play Robbo and bench Fraser?

    Hennesey (Fabianski)
    Alonso, Doherty, Trippier (Robertson, AWB)
    Richarlison, Gudmundsson, Fraser, Hazard (Hughes)
    Kane (C) Aguero Mitrovic

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      good one with some diff picks.. nice

  17. Goat
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Will Lukaku leave my team:
    A) with a brace
    B) in disgrace

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

      I have him and I'm selling him no matter what after this week. Praying it's A but much more likely to be B.

    2. Louis Van Gaalstones
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      If you watch United atm it's a disgrace he's in your team at all

      1. Goat
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Yup but refuse to remove him for -4 home to Newcastle. He’s gone after this weekend with my 2 FT’s anyway

    3. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Will the real Utd. please stand up.

      A

      1. Goat
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Hope you’re right.

  18. Gruu
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    On WC, which one would you choose?

    A) Trippier Mane + 2.0 itb
    B) Holebas Salah + 0 itb

    Fabianski/ Patricio
    Alonso/ TAA/ Doherty/ AWB/ xxxxx
    xxxxx/ Maddison/ Hazard/ Fraser/ 4.5
    Kane/ Arnie/ Mitrovic

    1. Webbinho
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. Max City
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I wonder how are Salah and Mane's underlying numbers lately.. Both are a kind of off-form currently

    3. Jässi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A definitely

  19. Eytexi
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Pereira to start OOP? Or return 1 point with a sub appearance? Any idea?

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Start. CS. Goal. 3 baps. Believe!

      1. Max City
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Nooo please nooo..

        I shipped him out last GW!!

      2. Eytexi
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Im inspired

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      check this before the deadline later, hopefully he comes through again -> https://twitter.com/seanfromenderby

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Yip. Sean has the scoop. Had Pereira on the bench last Friday until I read this :

        https://mobile.twitter.com/seanfromenderby/status/1045673845124927489

      2. Eytexi
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Already following but with a Friday FPL deadline, how long do I wait?

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          I'm starting him. Wait until 6 today. That post was about 3 last Friday.

          1. Eytexi
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Thanksss

  20. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    I have 2fts and 3.4 itb for Salah + TAA in place of Mendy + Dilva over IB (if I'm not priced out)

    I'm at 22k and I know a red arrow is imminent if I don't do something this week but as I said iv been working towards the above without any hits so far this season.

    Here's team

    Patricio

    Doherty/PVA/Alonso

    Dilva/Maddison/Haz/Richarlson

    Kun/Mitrovic/Wilson

    (Hamer/AWB/Hughes/Mendy)

    Need some inspiration for this week to stay ahead in MLs and keep rank... Without disrupting plans too much..

    Any ideas?

    1. Jässi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      If you still have your WC get Kane in for this week.

    2. St Mirnoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      If I had 2FT and that money in bank

      Kun > Kane

      Mendy > Trippier

  21. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Noticed a lot of top managers aren't hit averse.

  22. Jässi
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    De Gea
    Alonso, Shaw, AWB
    Hazard, Mane, Maddison, B.Silva, Walcott
    Aguero, Mitrovic

    Bench: Hamer, Mendy, Ings, Bennett

    2 FT, 0.1 ITB, planning to wildcard during the international break, which of the following would you do thinking only about this gameweek:

    A) Aguero and Mane -> Kane & Son
    B) Aguero and Mendy -> Kane & Mee
    C) Aguero and Ings -> Kane & Kamara
    D) Ings, Mane and Mendy -> Kane, Masuaku, Taylor for -4

  23. WannabeScout
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Bench order right?
    Milner, Fraser, AWB

    1. Pep says
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Strange to see Fraser on the bench. Expensive bench also

  24. Ratatouille
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Would it be wise to do Pogba > Maddison or save FT?

    1. Jässi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Save this week because they're playing Newcastle

  25. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Gtg? Bench right?

    Ederson
    Alonso robbo awb
    Hazard (c) lucas maddison Fraser
    Aguero arnie mitro

    Hamer Bennett guendouzi mendy**

    Used 2 transfers already

  26. HD7
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Current defence:
    play with 4 at the back

    De Gea/Hamer
    Walker Robbo WanB Alonso/ Tomkins

    After internationals - around GW 11:

    Dubravka/Hamer
    TAA Robbo Duffy Alonso/WanB

    Good plan? I look forward to any other suggestions from you folks 🙂

  27. St Mirnoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Help needed

    Worth trying to get Kane in on a -4?

    Currently on

    Alonso Trippier WBA Bennet Jonny

    Sterling Haz Mane Maddison Hojbjerg

    Kun Wilson Mitro

    0.2 in bank

    Only realistic transfers is;
    Mane > 8.6?
    Kun > Kane

    Current OR is 111. Never been that high before so don’t want to ruin my start taking hits!

    1. Jässi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Amazing rank. You must get Kane in for this GW imo.

      1. St Mirnoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        If it was straight transfer wouldn’t even be a discussion.

        Mane > ? Is the unknown

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Great rank. You should update your link.

      https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/entry/951356/history

      I'm not keen on Kun for Kane. Is 0.2m enough for a swap? Other than that Mane to a 4.4m mid and sell Mitro?

      1. St Mirnoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers, I’ll get it updated

        £0.2 isn’t enough. Need to find another £1.1 so Mane > £8.6

        The options in that 7 - 8.6 range are horrendous though

        Kun always a threat when he starts no matter the team, but Kane vs CAR is tempting for a hit.

        Thanks for the suggestions, think will bank the transfer and have 2FT over the break.

        Just hope the red arrow isn’t big this week

  28. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Please Chose 1 GK + 1 Def to play
    A. Patricio
    B. Begovic

    C. Doherty
    D. AWB

    Currently in Patricio + Doherty (Double Wolves)

  29. Wolf811
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Mane, Richarlison> Ozil, Lamela or Son?

  30. Mike82
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    What about this on a free hit??
    Hart
    Trippier, Shaw, Alonso, AWB
    Hazard, Maddison, Son
    Kane, Vardy, Lacazette

    Stek, R.Bennett, Westwood, Masuaku

    When it reverts back next week it’ll be

    Hart
    Robbo, Alonso, Laporte, R.Bennett, AWB
    Fraser, Hazard, Salah, Stephens, D.Gray
    Aguero, Mitrovic, Zaha

    Free hit right to do or stick with original and save?