Spot the Differential

Wood’s aerial presence could cause problems for Arsenal in Gameweek 25

Gameweek 24 saw double-digit returns for 17 players, 10 of whom have ownership of 5% or less – encouraging our search for effective differentials.

Options such as Jack Stephens (£4.4m), Nathan Redmond (£6.2m) and Aaron Mooy (£4.8m) all delivered for those willing to think outside of the box, while two of last week’s selections, Joe Gomez (£5.3m) and Sébastien Haller (£7.0m), returned eight and seven points respectively.

This time, we focus on three low-owned picks who we like for Gameweek 25 and beyond.

Chris Wood

Ownership: 1.5%

Price: £6.2m

GW25-29 fixtures: ARS | sou | BOU | new | TOT

Chris Wood’s (£6.2m) goal in the recent win over Manchester United took him to 10 for the campaign, which means he is now one of only 12 players to have scored 30 or more Premier League goals since the start of the 2017/18 season.

The New Zealand international has been a model of consistency since joining the Clarets from Leeds United in August 2017, with his latest goals helping to deliver back-to-back wins for Burnley, who now sit 13th in the table, just four points behind fifth.

His tally could be even higher this season, with his 24 big chances only bettered by Jamie Vardy (£9.9m). That points to a player who more often than not, is getting into good positions in front of goal.

With Arsenal, level with Burnley on 30 points, due at Turf Moor on Sunday, Wood’s aerial ability could be key.

His five goals from set plays are more than any other player this season, whilst only Newcastle United have conceded more attempts from dead ball situations than the Gunners.

Sean Dyche’s team appear to have moved up a gear when it comes to attacking in recent weeks, with more confidence on the ball, and given Wood has scored in his last two games, more could be on the way.

Harvey Barnes

Ownership: 0.9%

Price: £5.9m

GW25-29 fixtures: CHE | wol | MCI | nor | AVL

In recent weeks, Harvey Barnes (£5.9m) has established himself as one of Leicester City’s main offensive threats.

The 22-year-old winger has scored three goals in five appearances during January, netting against Burnley and West Ham United in the league, with his performance in the 4-1 win over the Hammers arguably the best of the season to date.

Barnes’ ability to create has caught the eye, too.

He has assisted seven goals for the Foxes so far this season, which is two more than James Maddison (£7.6m).

Whilst rotation is a slight concern, he’s now started 16 of the last 21 league matches, and seems to be finding his feet at the top level.

Leicester currently sit third in the Premier League table and look well-placed to finish in one of the Champions League spots. They have an opportunity to move 11 points clear of their opponents Chelsea, who sit fourth, this weekend, while it’s also worth noting Frank Lampard’s men have struggled to keep clean sheets away from Stamford Bridge this season, with just one in 12.

Under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers, there aren’t many hotter prospects than Barnes right now in the English game.

Martin Dubravka

Ownership: 1.6%

Price: £5.0m

GW25-29 fixtures: NOR | ars | cry | BUR | sou

Since arriving on Tyneside in January 2018, Slovakia international Martin Dubravka (£5.0m) has firmly established himself as Newcastle United’s number one.

In a season where the Magpies have often struggled in front of goal, Dubravka has produced a number of key saves.

In fact, his total of 97 is the best of any goalkeeper in the league, six more than second-placed Bernd Leno (£5.0m), which combined with six clean sheets, has seen him rise to fourth in the overall goalkeeper standings, on 92 points.

Newcastle boast one of the best home defences in the league this season, conceding just 12 goals in 12 games – only Liverpool (9) and Sheffield United (11) have conceded fewer.

They have also improved their form in recent weeks, having drawn at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton and won 1-0 at home against Chelsea.

Surprisingly, only 1.6% of FPL managers own Dubravka ahead of his home match against Norwich City.

A clean sheet is a real possibility with the Canaries only scoring six Premier League goals on the road all season. They’ve also created the fewest amount of Big Chances (seven) over the last six Gameweeks.

With a kind fixture run, Dubravka could be a major influence in the second half of 2019/20.

Which FPL assets topped goal threat, creativity and clean sheets this month?
1,630 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Why are people bringing Aguero in? His fixtures aren't that great, but more importantly hes prone to rotation, especially considering Pep will want to use him for the Champions League. I'd only keep KDB in the squad.

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      That's the risk with kun. High risks, high rewards

    2. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Aguero is fixture proof so that is irrelevant. Rotation is the main concern

    3. Le Bluff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      People have said this for the last 2/3 seasons but he always delivers whenever he plays. If you catch him at the right time, he can shoot you up the ranks.

    4. tokara
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Jesus playing like crap at the moment

    5. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Widely regarded as having the 2nd best fixture this week, and is the obvious captain choice for next week. Should play in both (at the risk of anticipating Pep roulette).

    6. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Straight up, i think he is a more explosive points deliverer than Auba - and I prefer to have him.

      But for those reasons you stipulated, I signed Auba. I couldnt bear sitting through a full weekend having a 12m player benched. So Im not even going there...

    7. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Tottenham is a great fixture and he has the best stats in the game. Obvious player to bring in...

      1. Saka Rice
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        He is only obvious IF he's nailed. I mean imagine you captaining for West Hame fixture and he starts on the bench!! Literally 50% chance of that happening

  2. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I had crazy red arrows last GW. I'm thinking of using my FH to close the gap. Thoughts? FH or keep team?

    Current team:
    Ryan Button
    Gomez, Lundy, TAA (c)
    Mane, Son, Martial, Grealish
    Ings, Aguero, Calvert-Lewin
    (1.5mn ITB)

    FH team for GW25 (Changes in CAPS):
    Ryan Button
    LASCELLES Gomez, TAA
    SALAH (c), KDB/STERLING, Martial, Grealish
    VARDY, AUBA, Calvert-Lewin

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Do you have FT? You can get Salah for Mane and g2g.

      1. bigdip
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        already it and took a hit to bring in Aguero (before Mane got injured 🙁 )

        1. AzzaroMax99
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Which 3 players you have on your bench? Save FH.
          Bench Mane. Kun(C)

          1. bigdip
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Targett & Lundy

            1. bigdip
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              and Fleck

            2. AzzaroMax99
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Play Lundy. Targett first sub.

              1. AzzaroMax99
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 2 months ago

                Sorry. Play Fleck deffo!

                1. bigdip
                  • 11 Years
                  4 years, 2 months ago

                  Ok but my competitors have Salah and they will captain him sigh 🙁 . I hope Aguero helps me a captain

  3. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    G2G?

    Hendo
    TAA, Holgate, Webster
    Salah(C), KDB, Grealish, Perez
    Auba, Ings, DCL

    Button, Cantwell, Williams, Stephens

    1. bigdip
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      solid

  4. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you pick for next 2 games only:

    A) Auba (bur, NEW) - nailed
    B) Kun (tot, WHU) - rotation risk

    1. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      for 2 GWs probably still Kun. I think Arsenal will struggle vs Burnley

  5. So Troublesome
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    WC team

    Henderson
    Dunk - TAA - Kelly
    Salah(c) Fleck KDB Perez
    Jimenez Auba(v) Firmino

    Pope - Rico - Stephens - Jorghino

    Still debating whether to play Rico ahead of Kelly.

    1. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Get rid off rico & kelly

  6. tokara
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best mid for below 5m

    Fleck? Mooy?

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Puke

    2. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Fleck has better fixtures but also bgw28.

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mooy

  7. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    *BOTTOMED*

    Hey fam!

    Schmeichel Button
    TAA Lundy Williams Rico Kelly
    Salah Mane KDB Martial Dendo
    Vardy Deeney DCL

    1 FT
    0 ITB

    Mane & Kelly to Robbo & Traore?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Seems nice. I can also do this move or with VVD which leaves money for Ings and Jimmy

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Reckon below Pep? Thank you

  8. Football Heaven
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is Mahrez still a viable option with sane nearing return?

    1. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm getting him in for 2 weeks. High risk high reward. Sane's been out for like a year, I can't see him being match fit so soon if he's just started training.

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Think so. The way sterling is playing it will likely be sane and mahrez either side.

    3. So Troublesome
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Been in and out of my WC team...

  9. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Cedric is a decent signing for Arsenal. Worse full backs have been sold for 5-10 times the price in the last year.

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      He is on loan though

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I read that they have to buy him in the summer for £5m?

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          option to

        2. jb1985
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I thought his contract is up in the summer with Soton? So would get him for free initially.

  10. FPL Mentor
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who gets the nod this week for a start this week?

    A. O'Connell (and have double Shef Utd defence)
    B. Ings (and have 1 Shef Utd defender)

  11. H-Over United
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Lundy or Kelly? Think both are not nailed...
    Any idea?

    1. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lund

    2. Kaiser123
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Close one, but Kelly. Basic is predicted to play, with Serge on the bench.

      1. Kaiser123
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Besic even!

      2. Kaiser123
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Bloody typos I mean Berge

  12. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Mané headaches!! 2FTs. Best move?

    A. Soy >> Fernandez (and roll FT)
    B. Mané+Greenwood >> Hayden+Agüero
    C. Mané+Maupay >> Traoré+Agüero
    D. Mané+Soy >> Traoré+VVD

    McCarthy
    TAA • Lunds • Rico • Soy
    KDB • Salah • Grealish • Mahrez
    Vardy • Maupay
    (McGov. Greenwood. Aurier. Mané*)

    1. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C or D

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks mate. Squad feels a bit weak looking at it so I am tempted to drop Mané now

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C looks good! Even I am thinking of getting Aguero & Traore!

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I thought you’d say D 🙂 thanks

  13. Kaiser123
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    My defence is goosed. Don’t think Lund will play, Concensus on SU forum. Kelly dropped to Ward and Kiko is still MIA. I need a 4.2 nailed defender and can only think of Lascelles club captain from NU.

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Get Lasc.

    2. jb1985
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C.Taylor or Williams?

  14. Atwood
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone considering Mane > Son?

  15. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I had crazy red arrows last GW. I'm thinking of using my FH to close the gap. Thoughts? FH or keep team? (to take Mane out will be a -8 hit because I brought in Aguero for -4 hit before Mane got injured 🙁 )

    Current team:
    Ryan Button
    Gomez, Lundy, TAA (c)
    Mane, Son, Martial, Grealish
    Ings, Aguero, Calvert-Lewin
    (1.5mn ITB)

    FH team for GW25 (Changes in CAPS):
    Ryan Button
    LASCELLES Gomez, TAA
    SALAH (c), KDB/STERLING, Martial, Grealish
    VARDY, AUBA, Calvert-Lewin

  16. Mackans
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on my team? (2 free transfers, 0.1ib)

    Henderson* (McGovern)
    Trent Söyüncü Lundstram* (Kelly) (Rico)
    Salah Mané KDB* Grealish* (Hayden)
    Vardy Ings DCL
    *Blank GW 28

  17. FPLMarc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which 2 to start from Rico (AVL), Lundstram (cry) and Kelly (SHU)?

    Play Lascelles or Hayden?

  18. Pep Pig
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    In case anyone missed it I put a community article up today and I touched on Aguero's goal per minute ratio:-

    Aguero has only played 1,107 minutes in the league this season. That’s a goal every 69.1 minutes. To put this into perspective, Vardy’s average goal per minute is 113.6 minutes, Ings is 116.8, Jesus is 131.2 and Aubameyang is 138.7

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2020/01/31/fpl-gameweek-25-pick-of-the-bunch/

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Welcome to Nirvana

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Poor that FFS don't promote these articles so you have to. I still have no idea why community articles aren't just posted as normal articles, especially as they are better more often than not.

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yes I guess it was a needy post by me to get some more attention. (get a grip Pig) 😀

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Not at all mate - if I put hard work into an article, I'd want people to read it too 🙂

        2. Geoff
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Haha message me directly on the next one and we can do a HT for it 🙂

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks Pep. Don't know why these aren't just normal articles.

      Also, telling me what I want to hear so great.

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        No problem mate. Happy to hear

  19. Long ago I drew a walrus
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How is Richairo Zivkovic Dutch. That is not a Dutch name. Almost as bad as Ibrahimovic being Swedish or Lundstram being English

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      proper brexit post this

      1. Long ago I drew a walrus
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Haha

      2. Captain_Shirokov
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        yup, makes me think it's a troll, given the day it is and all

    2. Captain_Shirokov
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      having a surname not traditionally from your home country doesn't mean you're not from the place

      simply means your parents, or someone further down the family tree may not be from there

      1. Long ago I drew a walrus
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        was a joke. sorry if that wasn't clear.

        1. Captain_Shirokov
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          aha, no worries lol

    3. Longlatini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      So McDonald’s isn’t Scottish?

    4. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Josh King is still English though , isn't he?

      1. Long ago I drew a walrus
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        as is Daniel Podence

  20. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Double Defence with Goalkeeper.

    A. Southampton
    B. Newcastle

  21. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hold DCL through Everton's tough fixtures?

  22. mazkills
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Soy to who?

    Stevens Baldock too expensive by .2

    Is O'Connell viable?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      O’Connor or Fernandez

  23. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Lundy or Kelly?

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lund

    2. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm currently playing both. Would you play both ahead of Rico (VILLA) ?

  24. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thought on my WC team..?

    McCarthy
    TAA/Robertson/Lascelles
    Salah/KDB/Grealish/Traore
    Auba/Aguero/Wood

    Button-Egan-Hayden-Taylor
    0.8 itb

    Wood to Ings next GW

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lovely. Makes me want to WC which is a good sign. Good luck

      1. Taegugk Warrior
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Pull the trigger... And don’t forget to cosidering BGW28.

    2. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Looks sensational, I tried to do that team and I was 2.9m off with Ings instead of Wood. You must have some good TV?
      What's the plan with the keeper and getting another playing one?

  25. milanista10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    For WCers:
    Isn’t Pope & Taylor better than McCarthy & Stephens if you are going with Henderson & a Sheffield defender too?
    You probably won’t bench the Sheffield lads so the favorable fixtures of Soton will be wasted on your bench! However, Pope has decent GW28&31 when Hendo blanks & Taylor plays GW31 in the big blank!

    1. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      McCarthy cheaper than Pope and has a better fixture (arguably) in 28. 31 is still ages away and a lot could happen. There's not going to be just 2 games in 31.

  26. quayle99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I have trent.

    A. VVD Fleck
    B. Sidibe Perez

    1. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

  27. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Also who goes first, Soy or Aurier?

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Hmm. If in doubt, the most expensive one

  28. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on Kun + Gomez over Auba + VVD?

    Love the idea of Kun(C) and Gomez will mostly match VVD until the end of the season barring the odd VVD goal

  29. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What is the best bench order from these three

    A) Lundstram (been making cameos lately)

    B) Kelly (Ward is now back)

    C) Cantwell (has a knock)

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Was City away for Lundy, though...

  30. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on Chris Wood as a cheapie option to free up funds...?

    1. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Fantastic option, except there are 3 better ones. With Aguero Auba Vardy Jimenez Ings all viable options and DCL Maupay Deeney Tammy (once fit) etc all waiting in line, what exactly are you freeing up funds for?

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Very good