Spot the Differential

Advanced role boosts Pereira’s differential potential

Double Gameweek 26 is almost upon us which gives us an opportunity to have a look at some more differential options.

This time, we’ve selected low-owned picks at Leicester City, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa, who we think have the potential to make an impact.

As always, to qualify, the player must have an ownership of 5% or less at the time of writing.

Ricardo Pereira

  • FPL ownership: 0.9%
  • Price: £5.9m
  • GW26-30 fixtures: ARS + bur | bha | SHU | – | MCI

We’ve been big on Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) for a while now, having included him in this column ahead of Gameweek 23.

Now, having impressed last weekend in a more advanced role, we think he’s worth talking about again.

Against Aston Villa, Pereira and his team-mate Timothy Castagne (£5.7m) were both fit enough to start for the first time this season. That saw the Belgian slot into the back four with the Portuguese international pushing ahead on the right-wing in a 4-2-3-1.

It was the first time Pereira has started as a winger under Brendan Rodgers, and he looked comfortable throughout.

Pereira finished the match with 33 final-third touches, more than any other player on the pitch. He also racked up three shots, twice testing Emiliano Martínez (£5.3m), and often moved infield leaving Castagne to supply the width down that side.

The new setup certainly makes sense, as Rodgers can keep Castagne at right-back where he feels he is more effective, while also taking advantage of Pereira’s attacking instincts. 

However, at this stage we should point out that doubts around James Maddison’s (£7.3m) availability may see the 27-year-old revert to a more traditional full-back role this weekend, or even as a wing-back in a back three. That’s something to monitor, but regardless of where he ends up, we think Pereira has the potential to make a real impact in the coming weeks, and with an ownership of just 0.9% could be an effective differential.

Matheus Pereira

  • FPL ownership: 1.6%
  • Price: £5.4m
  • GW26-30 fixtures: BHA + EVE | NEW | cry | – | che

West Bromwich Albion have improved significantly in their last two outings. 

Just a week after they should have beaten Manchester United, they dominated Burney last time out despite playing with 10-men for over an hour. 

Finally, it looks like they are able to compete at this level, and with an appealing immediate schedule which sees them take on Brighton and Hove Albion, Everton, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace in the next three Gameweeks, several differential options have emerged.

That includes playmaker Matheus Pereira (£5.4m).

The 24-year-old has now started back-to-back games after being dropped in Gameweek 23, and though he hasn’t returned, he has been posting some eye-catching numbers. Since being restored to the side, Pereira leads the way amongst team-mates for shots, chances created, crosses and final-third touches. He’s also been taking corners and free-kicks, and crucially, should be on penalties too having twice converted against Wolverhampton Wanderers last month.

The Brazilian can operate in multiple positions up front, but has recently found himself out wide in Sam Allardyce’s 4-3-3 formation. The system is designed to get the best out of new signing Mbaye Diagne (£6.0m), and by having a proper target man now leading the line, set-pieces and crosses from open-play will be more important than ever.

Pereira, who is owned by just 1.6% of FPL managers, adds creativity to Allardyce’s team and has perhaps been a little unfortunate not to return in recent matches. However, with some promising fixtures to come he now has the potential to kick on, and could be a solid differential in the budget midfielder category.

Bertrand Traoré

  • FPL ownership: 0.8%
  • Price: £5.9m
  • GW26-30 fixtures: lee + shu | WOL | new | TOT | FUL

Jack Grealish’s (£7.6m) absence at Aston Villa will be a huge miss, but the performance of Bertrand Traoré (£5.9m) in the second half against Leicester City at least offers hope that he might be the one to step up.

The Burkina Faso international scored straight after the break, and has now been directly involved in eight goals (five goals, three assists) in the Premier League since making his first league start back in November. Interestingly, only Grealish has been involved in more for the club during this period with 10.

If we zone in on Traoré’s performances since the turn of the year, it reveals his growing influence. 

Since Gameweek 17, he ranks second amongst team-mates for shots in the box, big chances, take-ons and crossing. In fact, his expected goal involvement (xGI) total of 2.98 is actually more than Grealish, and only behind forward Ollie Watkins (£6.5m).

Aston Villa now have a Double Gameweek 26 against Leeds United and Sheffield United, who are both among the bottom six sides for goals conceded this season, with 43 and 41 respectively. They then take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Villa Park, before another possible double and importantly a match against Tottenham Hotspur in Blank Gameweek 29.

Traoré has the ability to create something out of nothing, and given the fixtures, might be the player to get Villa back on track.

1,564 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Brimble82
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Who fills the last two spots:
    A) Ederson & Konsa
    B) Martinez & Stones

    Rest of team:
    xxx
    Cancelo-Dallas-xxx
    Salah-Bruno-Gundo-Son-Raphina
    (K)ane-DCL
    Forster-Bamford-Mitchell-Holding

    1. Wicked Weapon
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      B for sure

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      I'd go B. Somewhere down the road you'll want the City spot Ederson is taking up in A. You can hold Martinez for the rest of the season with B however.

      1. Brimble82
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        True.
        But that said, I’ll probably move Stones out for BGW29 anyway, so could easily be moving either out.

        Martinez/Stones is obvs the best choice. I’m just thinking if Ederson earns me 4/4 starts over the next 2GWs, whereas the inevitable 2 or 3/4 that Stones will get.

        Thanks for the reply.

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      B

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      B

    5. popey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      B

  2. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Martinez
    Dias / Pereira / Digne
    Bruno / Barnes / Gundo / KDB
    DCL / Kane / Vardy

    3.9 / Lookman/ Rudiger/ White

    Final draft, no more tinkering. Tell me everything will be OK.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Looks class

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        Thanks man. Bit scared of no Salah, but he's been iffy for weeks. Hopefully he'll remain that way

    2. Wicked Weapon
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      I would be pretty happy with that. KDB pick seems like a shrewd move, hope it goes in your favor.

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        The midweek rest swayed me to gamble on him over Salah. City are in better form than last time he was in the team, hopefully he can get some big points over the next 4.

    3. D.Glynn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Stick

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      FH?

    5. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Thinking roughly the same but 4-4-2 Shaw/Cancelo/Salah for Dias/Barnes/Vardy

  3. Wicked Weapon
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    If my current team is :

    Martinez, Johnstone
    Robbo, Cancelo, Coufal, Stones, Mee
    Gundogan, Bruno, Salah, Saka, Soucek
    Bamford, DCL, Kane

    Which of these moves (if any) make sense ?

    A) Mee > Targett (will give me 7 players in GW29)
    B) Robbo > Digne/Pereira (don't know why Robbo is still in my team)
    C) Saka > Lookman (might do fairly okay in DGW 26?)

  4. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Hey guys.
    Play Dallas or sell Grealish for Barnes for -4?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      The hit imo

    2. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Higher ceiling on the hit

    3. D.Glynn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Hit

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Barnes for not only DGW but also GW27-28

    5. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Ok that’s all I needed. Thanks guys.

  5. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Is Tarko >> Digne (-4) a good or bad move? Could do the same move with Coufal but I want him for 29. Alternative is Soucek >> Barnes (-4) and bench Bamford.

    Pope
    Dias, Cancelo, Tarko
    Son, Bruno, Gündo, Raphina
    Kane, DCL, Bamford
    (McCarthy, Dallas, Coufal, Soucek)

    1. D.Glynn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Thinking of something similar with Tark

    2. popey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Same decision with Lowton. Hit probably pays off but not hugely. If 28 double was confirmed it would definitely be a good move.

  6. gunner79
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Sterling to kdb Tc

  7. fplking14
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Digne or Ricardo up until GW30?

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Digne

  8. BigAsGiroud_
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Harvey Barnes or Raphinha +4

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Barnes

  9. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    I know it's sad but I'm just sooo excited about the dgw

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      It’s not sad mate, hope it goes well for you

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      You’re on the wrong website if you want to call that sad.

      1. tbos83
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        Fair point

    3. Brimble82
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      I can’t sit still!

    4. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Then you know nothing

    5. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      😆 everyone will get ton don't worry

      1. tbos83
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        1. tbos83
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 21 days ago

          (That was meant to be a fingers crossed emoji)

  10. FPL FAN
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Pope

    Stones Cancelo Dallas
    Salah Bruno Gundo Rashford
    DCL Bamford Watkins

    Forster Raphinha Justin Coufal

    1 FT and all chips available.

    What am i supposed to do lads?

    1. Brimble82
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      I have very similar and am looking at moving Pope>Martinez.
      Don’t fancy Burnley’s chances of a CS this GW.

      1. FPL FAN
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        It makes sense. However, i am more concerned about not having Kane, Son, Barnes...

        1. Brimble82
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 21 days ago

          Yeah, maybe.
          But Spurs have looked [insert profanity] and I’m not sure I’m buying the Leicester hype.
          Maddison is a big loss (as JJ appears to be too!)

          Your front 8 looks great.
          Losing any of them could see you tfr-ing out points.

  11. D.Glynn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    -4 for Mee to Ricardo? Y or N

  12. No Totti No Party
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Salah or Son for next few GW ?

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Mo

  13. michaelington
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Is there a DCL injury rumour? Seen an Everton insider has removed him from his team.

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Nah

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Ancelotti said yesterday both DCL and Allan have trained all week and are ready to start this weekend

    3. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Probably just seeing he being a donkey in training also

    4. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Need the popcorn imogi

  14. Redranger
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Worth taking a -8 to get Kane or is Son enough?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Difficult one as I prefer Kane over Son. If Kane (TC) I would probably do it

      1. Redranger
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        Unfortunately I don’t have TC left (used it on Salah in GW19)

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Probably just stick with Son unless you really want Kane

      1. Redranger
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        Getting Kane means I have to get rid of Salah/Son anyway so probably better off just going with DCL & Watkins

  15. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    What option would you go for here?

    A. Pope and Soucek to Forster and Barnes (-4)
    B. Holding to Targett/Aina
    C. Soucek to Lookman

    Leaning towards A as a I like LEI 26-28 fixtures and Barnes is in-form. B and C are safe options to cover 26 and 29

    TC26 WC31 FH33

    1FT 1.1itb
    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Digne
    Salah Bruno Gundo Raphinha*
    Kane DCL Bamford*
    (Pope Soucek Cresswell Holding)

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      C

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        Why C? Good fixture against Palace then tough fixtures against Spurs, Liverpool and City before 29.

  16. Max City
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    A) DCL + Son
    B) Kane + Barnes

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Tough, probably b

    2. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      B

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      B

  17. HeyHeyDembo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Ings, Grealish, Coufal to:

    A: DCL, Barnes, Pereria
    B: Kane, Lookman, White

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      probably A

  18. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    BB active FH available .9 ITB no FT. Would you say I’m GTG or take hit/hits to remove the two Leeds boys?

    Martinez Areola
    Stones Dias Elmo Ricardo Shaw
    Bruno Salah Gundogan Barnes Raphina
    Bamford DCL Kane.

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Id keep 'em.

  19. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Martinez
    Stones Shaw Rudiger
    Salah Fernandes Barnes Gundogan
    Kane(TC) DCL Bamford

    Areola Raphinha Dallas Burn
    0ft 2.1m

    Really tempted to do salah to KDB for a hit?

  20. hammersp2000
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Pick 1 from these 3:-

    Dias, DIgne, Cancelo

    Already have Stone.

    Dias or Cancelo have the best CS potential, but may not play both games whereas Digne will.

    1. Jersey Boy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Digne

  21. Jersey Boy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Pope Coufal Adams > Martinez Digne Watkins for -4?

    Leaves me with 0.1ITB

  22. arkom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Which two goalkeepers to wild card team? Bench boost in my mind..

    Martinez & Pickford? Then play BB, when extra Villa-Everton is played?

  23. Dirk41
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    play Dallas or Rudinger ?
    play Bamford or Raphinha ?

    1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Rud
      Rap

      1. Dirk41
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        noted 😀

  24. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Thoughts on this WC team folks

    Martinez
    Digne, Stones, Cancelo
    Salah, Bruno (C), Barnes, Saka, Gundo
    Kane, DCL (VC)

    Forster, Thomas, Bamford, Dallas

    0.5 itb

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Yes, its v decent. Prob prefer Rapinha to Saka and downgrade Dallas to a 4.5 maybe.

      1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        cheers, got Dallas at 4.5 so might keep but could cash in
        Agree Saka > Raphinha

  25. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Such a shame Spurs don’t have a nailed on defender, do they?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      They probably do but we’ll only know after the double.

    2. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Lloris

    3. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      No. Reguilion wpuld be if 100% but had injury recently

    4. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Cheers all...

  26. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Reposting, anyone?

    Which option is better:

    A) Aina + 4 points
    B) Areola + Mitchell

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Are you comparing 1 player against 2 players combined?

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        Yes. One player + 4 points vs two players.

  27. Max City
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Shaw or Digne?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Digne

    2. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Shaw longer term, Digne shorter. They are about equal for assists. Everton dont tend to do CS's but Utd are only marginally better. I expect Everton to have a chance to get 1 CS in the upcoming DGW.

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 21 days ago

        Shaw has some very tough fixtures

  28. flippetyflop
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Is there likely to be a DGW 37?

  29. JabbaWookiee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Simple one - Ings and Son > Kane and Barnes. Yay or nay? Have to get rid of Son to get the cash for Ings to Kane.

    1. Apwilkin
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      I just made that move. Could go horribly wrong if Son goes off, but i wanted to TC Kane this week.

  30. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 21 days ago

    Need a DEF for up to 4.3 that plays in BGW29

    A) Burn
    B) Veltman
    C) sb else..?

    1. Mcster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 21 days ago

      Lewis at New probably the only other reasonable option, but Brighton the preference I reckon