Spot the Differential

Alonso offers great potential as one-week punt for Gameweek 31 Wildcarders

Tom Freeman has finished inside the top 1k in five of the last 11 Fantasy Premier League seasons. He picks out three differentials for Fantasy Football Scout readers every Gameweek.


Gameweek 30 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 Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton, 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.

Marcos Alonso

Tuchel's wing-back system renews interest in old hands Azpilicueta and Alonso
  • FPL ownership: 2.6%
  • Price: £5.7m
  • GW30-34 fixtures: WBA | cry | BHA | whu | FUL

Spanish defender Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) has been given a new lease of life at Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel.

The 30-year-old was banished from Frank Lampard’s squad after a disastrous 45 minutes at West Bromwich Albion back in September, but has since started five league matches under his new manager, and taken full advantage of the opportunity.

When it comes to playing in a back four, Alonso often struggles, but when used correctly as a wing-back he has real quality, something Tuchel has recognised. 

Since Gameweek 21, when Alonso made a return to Chelsea’s starting XI in a 3-4-3 system, he has taken 13 shots. No defender can match that total during that period, despite limited minutes. He has also accumulated 25 penalty area touches (only Luke Shaw (£5.2m) has more) and created 10 chances for his team-mates.

At this stage, we should point out that a move for the defender this week does carry some risk, knowing that Ben Chilwell (£5.8m) is also pushing for a start. However, the fact Alonso was rested during the international break, while his English colleague played 180 minutes against San Marino and Poland, is encouraging. 

Alonso has delivered a string of impressive displays of late, and could be a perfect one-week punt for FPL managers planning a Gameweek 31 Wildcard.

Conor Coady

  • FPL ownership: 4.7%
  • Price: £4.8m
  • GW30-34 fixtures: WHU | ful | SHU | BUR | wba

With two clean sheets and a goal in his last five appearances, plus an appealing set of forthcoming fixtures, Conor Coady (£4.8m) could be a solid under the radar pick for the run-in.

Last season, investing in one of Wolves’ backline was one of the easier decisions FPL managers had to make, given that their record of 13 clean sheets was bettered by only three teams. 

And though they have struggled to replicate that defensive form this term, some of which can be attributed to the 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3 experiment, their performances at the back have improved of late.

The England international’s goal threat is on the up too. Having not had a shot in the Premier League before this season, Coady scored his first top-flight goal against Man City in Gameweek 26, and came close to netting twice at Villa Park the following week, hitting the post with a header before forcing a superb save from Emiliano Martínez (£5.4m).

However, the real appeal lies in Wolves’ clean sheet potential, and with home games against West Ham United, Sheffield United and Burnley in the next five, plus away trips to Fulham and West Brom, further shut outs could be on the way.

Priced at just £4.8m, Coady offers the cheapest route into Wolves’ defence and is the most likely to start every match too. He could be a nice set-and-forget option given his schedule.

Stuart Armstrong

  • FPL ownership: 0.4%
  • Price: £5.5m
  • GW30-34 fixtures: BUR | wba | tot | – | LEI

Despite a stop-start season at Southampton, largely due to niggling injuries and a positive COVID-19 test, Stuart Armstrong (£5.5m) has been one of the club’s top performers in recent matches, with two assists in his last three Premier League outings.

The Scottish international was excellent against Bournemouth in the FA Cup, causing all sorts of problems for the Cherries defenders with his direct running. He ended the game with an assist but was unfortunate not to return more, as his pass found Che Adams (£5.8m) to score in the second half, only for VAR to rule it out, before his strike came back off the post for Nathan Redmond (£6.4m) to score Saints’ third.

Though Armstrong was used in a deeper midfield role at Everton in Gameweek 26, the Scot usually features in a more advanced position, where he can drift infield in Ralph Hasenhüttl’s 4-4-2 / 4-2-2-2 setup, allowing Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.7m) to provide the width on the right. That’s important with Burnley up next, given that only Fulham and Crystal Palace have conceded more chances down that side since the turn of the year.

Southampton may sit seven points above the drop zone, but with just one win in their last 12 Premier League matches, will be looking nervously over their shoulder. They now have a massive double-header against Burnley and West Bromwich Albion, and will need to get points on the board in these games, knowing that they have a tough run to follow.

At his best, Armstrong is a real asset to Southampton, and could be a nice budget pick for these crucial back-to-back games.

693 Comments Post a Comment
  1. cigan
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Kane & Christensen/Rudiger/R.James
    or
    Son & Alonso?

    2 FT, no other Che/Spurs players, good bench, wildcarding soon

    1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      top one, Rudiger

  2. vincentwsho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Start one:

    A) Vestergaard (BUR)
    B) Ward-Prowse (BUR)
    C) Gundogan (lei)

    Currently starting A as worried of a cameo from Gundog

    1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

  3. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any of these worth a FT? (I have no wildcard so looking to build for the future)

    a) Targett > Rudiger (already have Martinez)
    b) Salah > Son
    c) No, bank FT

    1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      C

    2. Kroos Kontrol
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Probably A.
      Villa's fixs not great, Chelsea really good (make sure you have a bench though since no CFC player is nailed on right now). B could work if you plan to get in Jota, and target Spurs double-up from 32-35.

      Would only save if you have a double FT plan for next week with the fix swing in mind (Leicester/Liverpool)

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

    Any thoughts on when best to play free hit? 33?

    1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      last game of season.... always

    2. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Depends on your team, but 35 could be better -- could be a DGW with up to 8 teams doubling.

      1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        didnt realise a dgw looms

  5. Gazwaz80
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    FPL injury and team news updates as Mourinho clears Son for Gameweek 30
    New article...

  6. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Good to go? ?
    Or Semedo instead of Keane?
    Bench order correct?

    Ederson
    Rudiger, Keane, Shaw
    Mahrez, De Bruyne (vc), Fernandes, Jota, Mount
    Richarlison, Kane (c)

    Bench: Semedo, Ineahacho, Phillips (Sanchez)

    Cheers folks - would appreciate a few opinions....

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Keep Keane. Semedo isn't a great defender. I would put Kelechi first sub then Phillips if we're talking Kalvin.

      1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Ah no - LIverpool defender Phillips.

        Semedo plays midfield at the moment I think? Wolves can be pretty tight I think at the back. Keane always a goal threat but Palace normally good against set pieces..

        Tough call... I literally tossed a coin

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Podence is back I think I saw

      2. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Would you swap Semedo for Coady ?

        1. Milk, 1 Šuker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Absolutely Coady. I have him. New goal threat and cheaper than Semedo.

          1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            New (?) goal threat ?

            I plumped for Semedo purely on his more advanced position and if Wolves manage to score he has a higher chance of an assit

  7. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Sonny scores more than KDB this week right?

    1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      With absolute certainty.... no

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not necessarily. Newcastle could set up to frustrate. Leicester like conceding at home too.

    3. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Lucas it is then

  8. artvandelay316
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Repost

    Pope
    Stones, Rudiger, Dallas
    Bruno (C), Gundo, Lingard, Salah
    Kane (VC), DCL, Bamford

    (Forster, Cresswell, Mount, Mitchell)

    Is Captaincy and bench order correct here?

    Thanks.

    1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Personally I am captaining Kane and have Bruno myself.
      bench seems fine, though I am starting Mount......

      What do you think about mine above?

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Mount?? You think he will start?

        1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Not sure, maybe not. But for my choice it was him vs Ineacho. I think Mount even from the bench may outscore him.

      2. artvandelay316
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        You look.good to go. I am still considering Kane for Cap, but I heard he looked a little leggy in the last match he had. I might still risk it though.

  9. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    McNeil (v Southampton) or Armstrong (v Burnley)

  10. Amey
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Reggie
    Alonso
    DCL

    This is the transfer decision I need to make ... Get one before WC

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Got to be Marcos

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        DCL vs Palace is where my gut is pointing atm
        But Alonso is a great option. Especially with WC next GW

  11. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Chances of Cancelo starting?

  12. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who is the best Chelsea player to bring in??

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Azpi imo

  13. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I've seen two mentions of a Coady different role today.

    Not a Wolves fan myself, so can anyone summarise what this is about?

    Cheers

    Im deciding Coady vs Semedo

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nuno said they're trying to get Coady in more goal scoring positions

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

      Going forward more now and also has clean sheet potential. Seems to get good chances when he does. Good potential with 5 fixtures against the bottom 7 coming up.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        What is the case of Saiss ?
        He is best goal threat in your team from set plays IMO.

        1. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I had Saiss at start of season..... held him too long..... never going back..... like an old lover.... never a good idea.... dont think about it

  14. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Dunk to

    A. Alonso
    B. Azpi

    1. Kasper the ghost keeper
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A if wildcarding next week, B if long term

  15. Kasper the ghost keeper
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A) Targett -> Alonso
    B) Aubameyang -> KDB
    C) Watkins -> Bamford

    1. lets talk about 6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      c

    2. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      C

    3. Tony Moon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B. A is decent for a one week punt too.

      C is the "least best" option, especially as Grealish is now back.

  16. Erez Avni
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    play one:

    A. Dias
    B. Cresswell

    1. Gundogan
    2. Lingard

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B1

    2. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B2

    3. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B2

  17. Kasper the ghost keeper
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    B and 2

  18. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A) Ederson and Sanchez (for blank) (one Chelsea DF)

    OR

    B) Mendy + 4.0 Forster (means 2 x Che in the backline and no City) and save 1m+ to enable Mahrez out for Son in advance of double

  19. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    This G2G? Anything worth a hit?

    Areola
    Azpi, Dallas, digne
    Bruno, bale, son, raphinia(c)
    Kane, bamford, Antonio

    Stones, mee, trossard, Johnstone

    Thanks

  20. lets talk about 6
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Cancelo to Alonso for a hit? WC next week

    1. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No

  21. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A or B? For this week only.
    A. Son + Dias
    B. Gundo + Alonso
    Ta.

    1. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

      1. King Kun Ta
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        B

        1. King Kun Ta
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Post below

  22. Hueng-min Son of a
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    So my 1 week punt is Werner since Tuchel confirmed him starting. But is it too risky to captain him?
    A) Werner
    B) Kane

    1. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

  23. King Kun Ta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Current team.....

    Martinez Martin
    Cancelo AWB Ayling Mee Holding
    Bruno Jota Lingard Bale Gündogan
    Kane Antonio Bamford

    0 FT and 6.2 ITB

    With a big risk of no or less gametime for Bale, Jota, Holding, Cancelo and Gündogan it’s better to WC a week earlier.....or not?!

    Ta for the feedback!

  24. tyron
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who to start
    A- Watkins
    B - lingard

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

  25. tyron
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Kane vs bruno for captaincy sending me crazy

  26. sp1122
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    1. Bench boost Mendy, Dias, Stones, Gundo (wild carding next week)
    Or
    2. Or hold bench boost until when?