Spot the Differential
2 January 2026 653 comments
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Our Gameweek 20 differentials column brings a trio of low-owned Fantasy Premier League (FPL) assets for your consideration.


MARTIN ODEGAARD

  • FPL ownership: 2.1%
  • Price: £7.8m
  • GW20-24 fixtures: bou | LIV | nfo | MUN | lee

After scoring and providing an assist over the last two Gameweeks, Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard (£7.8m) looks like a great option for the Gunners’ trip to the Vitality Stadium.

The playmaker should certainly be full of confidence coming up against strugglers Bournemouth, having won possession to brilliantly set up Martin Zubimendi (£5.2m) against Aston Villa on Tuesday.

“He needed some consistency and some games. Obviously, he had two times the shoulder injury, then he had a big knee injury, and that takes a little bit of time.

“Now you can see that it’s flowing, that his energy level is back to where it is. He’s taking risks, he’s affecting the game in a great way and I think he was really, really good today again.” – Mikel Arteta on Martin Odegaard in Gameweek 19

Odegaard impressively ranks first among all players for chances created over the last six Gameweeks, with 20.

He is also joint-ninth in his position for goal attempts during the same timeframe (13).

Those underlying stats suggest Odegaard can continue his recent production against Bournemouth, as he comes up against a side that has failed to win since Gameweek 9, conceding 11 goals in their last four matches.

Andoni Iraola’s defence has admittedly performed better at home, but given Arsenal’s attacking output, Odegaard looks like an interesting differential prospect, particularly with Bournemouth conceding so many key passes from the left half-space.

Above: Bournemouth’s chances created conceded heatmap in 2025/26


FERDI KADIOGLU

  • FPL ownership: 0.3%
  • Price: £4.4m
  • GW20-24 fixtures: BUR | mci | BOU | ful | EVE

For those Fantasy managers who aren’t afraid to roll the dice, Ferdi Kadioglu (£4.4m) could be a player to back this week as Brighton and Hove Albion entertain Burnley.

The £4.4m full-back provided his first assist of the 2025/26 campaign against West Ham United on Tuesday.

Furthermore, Kadioglu ranks joint-third among all FPL defenders for chances created and joint-10th for shots over the past four Gameweeks.

Set-pieces could prove crucial on Saturday, as Burnley, who have allowed nine goals in their last five matches, have conceded 76 goal attempts from dead-ball situations this season – only Aston Villa are worse off in that respect.

So as Brighton’s main corner-taker, Kadioglu could be set to profit from that weakness.

And with Brighton’s upcoming schedule pretty decent (they sit fifth on our Season Ticker for fixture difficulty in Gameweeks 20-28), and considering Kadioglu has the potential to deliver points at both ends of the pitch, he could be a nice differential pickup with just 0.3% ownership.

Defensively, Fabian Hurzeler’s troops have kept four clean sheets in their last 10 matches, offering further optimism ahead of Gameweek 20.


MATEUS FERNANDES

  • FPL ownership: 0.2%
  • Price: £5.5m
  • GW20-24 fixtures: wol | NFO | tot | SUN | che

West Ham have endured a difficult season thus far, picking up just 14 points from 19 matches.

However, the 2-2 draw against Brighton on Tuesday may provide the perfect springboard as they prepare for a favourable upcoming schedule.

In their next six matches, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side face Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest and Burnley, all of whom are currently ranked 17th or below in the table.

“What I want is to perform, compete and make this point [against Brighton] really valuable. If we achieve a good win there [at Molineux], a good performance, this is what we’re going to prepare.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

Budget midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who costs just £5.5m, has been a key creator for West Ham this season.

He’s created 14 chances since the start of November, the most of any Hammers player.

Furthermore, Fernandes has produced defensive contribution (DefCon) points in five of his last eight starts.

West Ham visit Wolves on Saturday.

Rob Edwards’ side have failed to keep a clean sheet so far this season and have looked particularly vulnerable at Molineux, conceding nine goals across their new manager’s four home games in charge.

Fernandes could act as a decent enabler, then, given West Ham’s favourable upcoming schedule.


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  1. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    Which defence is better / worse Newcastle or Villa?

    Thiaw or Cash ?

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      I’ve gone for cash mate on Wc

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • 9 Years
        7 months, 19 days ago

        That’s on wildcard not the toilet haha

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 months, 19 days ago

          Lol

          Yeah trying to decide between the two. Not sold on either defence really but Cash has slightly edged it currently

          1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            • 9 Years
            7 months, 19 days ago

            3 goals and one assist this season next 3 games are tasty I’d go for him mate

  2. Kiyoshi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    On Wildcard. What Goalies would you consider? Thinking about

    A: Vicario
    B: Pope
    C: Martinez
    D: Sanchez

    1. FDMS All Starz
      • 10 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      D, plum fixtures coming up

  3. Donny_Rover
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    Many, many fires to fight this week (5 unavailable or flagged players, terrible goalkeepers) so I’ve pulled the plug and WC’d. This is where I am at the moment with £1.1m in the bank and a view to bringing in Chelsea assets in 2-3 weeks’ time (eg Saka placeholder for Palmer).

    Any glaring omissions or players who shouldn’t be there?

    Verbruggen John
    Timber Gabriel Tarkowski Hall Dorgu
    Saka Gordon Cunha Cherki Garner
    Haaland Bowen DCL

    1. Kiyoshi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      I would go Rogers instead of Cunha. Also for me Matheus Nunes is a must in the Wildcard. Otherwise looks very good

      1. Donny_Rover
        • 11 Years
        7 months, 19 days ago

        Thanks, I do like Nunes and just last weekend recommended him to my sister in law on her wildcard (very disengaged player!) He could come in for Hall, wary of Pep benching him but at least there’s a decent bench here.

        Also really like Rogers but the team I’m chasing in my ML has him which puts me off; and could potentially transfer Cunha & Gordon for Palmer & Enzo in a few weeks anyway so happy to take the punt on Cunha getting something in the next 2 before ditching.

        1. Lost for Wirtz
          7 months, 19 days ago

          I understand your ML situation, but wouldn’t it be good to have Rogers instead of Gorden then, and the Cunha punt at the same time?

  4. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    Semenyo > Rogers worth a FT?

    1. Donny_Rover
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      I reckon so unless you’ve got other issues that you need to fix

  5. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    looking to bring in Gabriel (as so many are); need to raise funds (for doing Calafiori-->Gabriel; need to raise at least 0.4, and it would be with a -4 for 2 transfers)

    not sure what other move to make though; there are several possibilities in different areas
    current squad:
    Sanchez, Dub
    Cala, Keane, Andersen, O'Reilly, Alderete
    Saka, Semenyo, Wilson, Foden, Bruno G.
    Haaland, Ekitike, Thiago

    could move to lower price players any of the following potentially: Sanchez, O'Reilly, Andersen, Semenyo, Ekitike

    what do you think makes most sense? thanks!

    1. LeytonOrient
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      Cala + Thiago to Gab + DCL

  6. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    A vdv
    B mukielue

  7. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    GVV 2 - 1 Anderson

    Quality darts, this match...

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      That's magic darts.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        7 months, 19 days ago

        Great tungsten...

    2. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      GVV 3 - 1 Anderson

      Let's go Anderson, time to tune up dude....

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        7 months, 19 days ago

        Anderson with a Big Fish, yah beauty...

        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          7 months, 19 days ago

          And GVV straight back with another Big Fish, amazing....

          1. NZREDS
            • 13 Years
            7 months, 19 days ago

            Crazy set! That was Anderson’s for the taking. The final tomorrow is gonna be immense no matter who goes through

            1. Jafooli
              • 14 Years
              7 months, 19 days ago

              Agreed, he lost with a 117 average lol, how is that

              GVV with 68% check out 😮

  8. OptimusBlack
    • 13 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    O'Reilly & Wirtz >>
    Gabriel & Bruno G
    YAAAAY
    No
    Bruno or Cherki ?

    1. Lost for Wirtz
      7 months, 19 days ago

      O'Reilly & Wirtz >> Gabriel & Cherki

  9. MGD
    • 10 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    Current bench: Rodon**, Esteve**, Guiu

    No backup and have some concerns in Oreilly ect.

    A) Saka + Rodon -> Rogers + Gabriel (-4)
    B) Rodon -> Alderete

    (A would be triple Ars defence with Timber and Raya)

    1. Lost for Wirtz
      7 months, 19 days ago

      A

  10. Kiyoshi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    On Wildcard, 1 GK and 1 Defender left to chose:

    A: Pope
    B: Martinez
    C: Vicario
    D: Sanchez

    1: Hall
    2: Cash
    3: Van de Ven

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      B3
      If you don't want Roefs? In that case I'd say Roefs and Cash

  11. Nightf0x
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    alison (dub)
    cala oriley mukiele clyne (richards)
    gordon foden saka (rice king)
    tiago eki haland

    3fts, itb 0.6, which ?

    a) alison cala oriley king tiago -8 to john gabriel alderete rogers dcl
    b) cala oriley to gabriel obrien
    c) alison cala oriley king -4 to pickford gabriel alderete garner
    d) alison oriley saka king -4 to pickford gabriel rogers garner.

  12. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    Would you bench VVD and play HWilson, Dorgu and Thiago? Don’t trust in Pool CS, want to play HWilson, so benching him would sound logical?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      See my team below I put HWilson and Thiago higher than VVD and them all over Dorgu ... may change my mind tomorrow

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        7 months, 19 days ago

        Cheers mate, I see serious headache in your team! Not afraid of cameos for Keane and Rice?
        About Dorgu, essentially I would be counting on attacking return, just seems not right to bench him if he’s playing as a winger…

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 months, 19 days ago

          Those narratives are playing around and around and around the last couple of days in my head 😛 I may toss coin tomorrow

          1. Atimis
            • 9 Years
            7 months, 19 days ago

            Yeah, I had enough myself…

  13. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    Do you think its too risky to start both Keane and O'Reilly? Was planning to do VVD to Gabriel but contemplating now to keep Virgil and transfer O'Reilly out for Gabriel

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      Yeah, same here, I most likely keeping VVD and moving OR

      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 months, 19 days ago

        Cheers

  14. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    Bench order sensible here folks? Especially to cover Keane and Rice ...

    Raya
    Gabriel Thiaw Keane*
    Foden Cunha Wilson Stach Rice*
    Haaland Ekitike

    Dub Thiago Virgil Dorgu

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      i would play thiago ahead of stach . gtg nice team

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 months, 19 days ago

        Cheers

  15. DagheMunegu
    • 5 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    A VVD to Gabriel
    B O'Reilly to Tarkowski
    C Minteh to Grealish

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      Probably A or C but not Grealish

  16. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    Obsessed for ages, finally done

    O'Reilly and Rice
    to
    Gabriel and Cherki

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      Nice

  17. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    What would you do here? Thinking maybe O’Reilly to Gabriel?

    Verbruggen
    Timber Keane VDB O’Reilly
    Saka Cunha Foden
    Haaland Ekitike Thiago

    Areola Le Fee Andersen Devenny
    (3FTs & 1.3itb)

  18. F4L
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    you reckon for Rice this GW its either start or 0 mins?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      Probably 0 mins

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        7 months, 19 days ago

        fair, cheers. i have good other options so dont wont to risk a sub cameo appearance, think will just bench just in case

  19. Richm
    • 4 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    Play one
    A Guehi
    B Andersen
    C Mukiele

  20. LeytonOrient
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    Will Gabriel outscore Mukiele by 4 points to justify a hit to bring him in for Calafiori?

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 13 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      Yes

  21. Tsparkes10
    • 7 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    VVD to Gabriel worth a hit?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      no

    2. Lost for Wirtz
      7 months, 19 days ago

      Gabriel is so good, it actually is hit territory.

  22. Kiyoshi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    Which 3 to start:

    A: Keane
    B: Gabriel
    C: Matheus N.
    D: Hall

    1. RockLedge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      BCD

  23. dansmith1985
    • 4 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    Choose one to sell for Gabriel
    A)VVD
    B)OReilly
    C)Hincapie
    D)Guehi

    And choose one other transfer
    1)Tavernier to Garner
    2)Thiago to DCL

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      1

  24. RockLedge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    Bench which one?

    - Kayode (eve)
    - Guehi (new)
    - Dorgu (lee)

  25. Yordan Letchkov
    • 10 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    Foden and O’Reilly to Cherki and Gab?

    1. Norco
      • 12 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      Absolutely

    2. Lost for Wirtz
      7 months, 19 days ago

      Yes

  26. Norco
    • 12 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    RMWCT:

    Verbruggen / Dubravka
    Gabriel Timber Tarko Cash Alderete
    Saka Rogers BrunoG Cherki Garner
    Haaland Bowen Ekitike

    Wondering is Ekitike a hold on WC over having Cunha?

    If not. Could go Ekitike > DCL and Garner > Cunha instead.

    1. Norco
      • 12 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      Cunha gives me a spot to downgrade to Rice/Enzo/other mid etc later. Garner would need cash to move up.

  27. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    GVV 4 - 1 Anderson

    Anderson like Long John Silver, in need of another leg...

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      And Anderson averaged 117 in that last set, and lost....

  28. donbagino
    • 5 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    I need to downgrade to afford Gabriel, so:
    a) Lacroix, Raya --> Gabriel, Verbgruggen/Kelleher
    b) VVD, Thiago ---> Gabriel, DCL
    c) VVD, Cunha -->Gabriel, Gordon

    1. LeytonOrient
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      B for me

    2. TBL
      • 4 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      c

  29. LeytonOrient
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    Which is best to help me free up Gabriel $

    A. James > Cash/Thiaw/other 5m or under
    B. KDH > L.Miley

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      a

    2. donbagino
      • 5 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      A (look at my post above, ur advice?)

  30. Ronnies
    • 11 Years
    7 months, 19 days ago

    Play one;

    A) Rice
    B) O'Reilly
    C) Gudmundsson

    Cheers.

    1. donbagino
      • 5 Years
      7 months, 19 days ago

      B (Rice doubtful)

      1. Ronnies
        • 11 Years
        7 months, 19 days ago

        You think O'Reilly starts?