Spot the Differential

Spot The Differential – Gameweek 23

With forwards still struggling to bring in the points, we’ve chosen a pair of midfielders and a budget defender as our first trio of differentials for 2018.

A Bournemouth winger who has quietly been producing sensational numbers in recent weeks takes centre stage. A Chelsea stalwart with kind fixtures also catches the eye, while the prospect of a double-figure score has drawn us back to a West Brom defender favoured heavily in the early season.

Jordon Ibe

Bournemouth’s Jordon Ibe is emerging as a fresh budget fifth midfielder option on the back of some fine recent showings.

Setting us back just 4.8 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), the winger has impressively registered more shots (17) than any other midfielder over the last four Gameweeks.

Indeed, only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (seven) has produced more efforts on target than Ibe (six) over that spell.

The Cherries winger notched his fourth assist of the season in the 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion in Gameweek 22 and has also impressed with his creativity.

He has registered 13 key passes over the same four-match spell, which is bettered only by Brighton’s Pascal Gross (14) among midfielders.

Ibe is benefitting from a sustained run in the side.

The signing from Liverpool has started the last five, having previously only been selected in the starting XI for seven of the opening 17 matches.

It remains to be seen if Ibe can retain a starting role on the right flank, though Ibe’s convincing recent form could force the returning Junior Stanislas to compete with Ryan Fraser for a role on the left.

Eddie Howe’s men entertain Arsenal tomorrow, colliding with a Gunners rearguard that has shipped eight goals in their last four encounters.

Arsene Wenger’s side, who will be without key defenders Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal, have also allowed 46 shots from inside the penalty area over their last four matches. Only West Ham United (47) have conceded more.

Ibe, meanwhile, has helped the Cherries fire 50 shots from inside the box since Gameweek 19, more than any other side.

With the fixture list (whu che STK hud NEW) also kind for some time to come, the 0.4%-owned winger looks an enticing option for those getting frustrated by the injury-prone Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Cesc Fabregas

A home fixture against a Leicester City side that has managed just a single clean sheet on their travels this season brings Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas into our thinking.

The Spain international has registered a modest one goal and four assists so far but is impressively creating a chance every 22 minutes – more frequently than any player who has made at least two starts.

Fabregas is currently benefitting from playing as the most advanced of the three central midfielders for the champions, pulling the strings behind Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata.

Chelsea’s upcoming schedule remains favourable over the coming weeks (bha BOU wat WBA), so the 3.4%-owned playmaker could also provide a longer-term solution.

Available at just 6.8, Fabregas can be a cheaper option from the Blues attack at a time when Morata and, to a lesser extent, Hazard are struggling to justify their premium price tags.

For those Fantasy managers who need to find differentials capable of double-figure hauls, the Chelsea midfielder looks worthy of serious consideration over these next five Gameweeks.

Ahmed Hegazi

Although the West Bromwich Albion defender is nominally part of 18.9% of FPL squads, a high proportion of those are doubtless unmanaged ‘ghostship teams’, ensuring that the Egyptian is now a differential of sorts among active managers.

It is fair to say that this afternoon’s home clash against Brighton has all the hallmarks of a 0-0 draw – both sides have had four goalless draws this season, more than any other teams.

The centre-back, who has now returned to his original starting price of 4.5, has picked up bonus points on three occasions when the Baggies have kept a clean sheet.

He has registered an eye-catching 219 clearances, blocks and interceptions, which is 102 more than any team-mate and third overall among defenders.

Hegazi also boasts a significant set-piece threat – only three defenders have had more big chances (four) than the three for the Baggies centre-back.

Most significantly, Brighton have conceded more goals (14) from set-plays than any other side this season and also rank first for the most set-piece chances allowed, with 112.

With the potential to produce points at both ends of the pitch, Hegazi is finally back on the radar as an option – albeit in the short-term.

1,378 Comments Post a Comment
  1. 8ball
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    play Otamendi (liv) or Tarkowski (cpa)?

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

      Never bench Ota

    2. Scout
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      ota

  2. stewlynz
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    On a WC. Never played 4-5-1 before but what do you think?

    Elliot

    Jones, Mustafi, Alonso, Ota

    Son, Sterling, Lingard, Salah, Arnie

    Kane

    Pope, Duffy, Ayew, Crouch

    £2.2 ITB

    1. Yogi_mike
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      G2G, Nice staring 11

      1. Scout
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        gtg

    2. JK-R9
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Strong. Just missing Haz IMHO.

      Alonso will tear Leicester a hole or two though!

    3. stewlynz
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks for the reassurance chaps.

  3. seanpauldcu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Captain dilemma! Spot the haul...

    Kane v Everton @Wembley - Kane has 5 goals in 7 appearances but Everton haven’t conceded more than 2 in PL under Big Sam.

    Hazard v Leicester @SBridge - Hazard known for home form, 2 goals 2 assists against Foxes over 8 games in his career but Puel got team well drilled and has some big scalps already plus not conceded more than 2 in PL away. Notably Puel has singled Hazard out in pressers.

    Rom v Stoke @OldTrafford - Rom has 5 goals in 11 appearances and Stoke are managerless + abysmal away from home.

    Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.

    1. Patch
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Singled Hazard in what way?

    2. Borriello
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Drilled or not, they are yet to keep a CS on the road... Chelsea will seek goals from the onset considering Man City's showdown... Goalfest hallmarks + Hazard is the main man in Chelsea. Captain.

      1. Patch
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        We need Powell to say if Hazard will be benched

  4. JK-R9
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Most going with Jones, is Shaw not a dead cert cheaper option this week?

    Using Free Hit this week BTW.

    Thoughts?

    1. Scout
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      would go for jones

  5. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Madness to consider playing Murray (WBA) over Firmino (MCI)?

    1. Fozzyb34r
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      It's a tough one, I'd go Murray...just

    2. Scout
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      firmino help below please

    3. Borriello
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Haha!! Nah, it ain't that far fetched an idea... I've been mulling over him all week too... But Firm edges him considering the has Goal fest tendencies...

  6. Fozzyb34r
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else captaining Pogba?

    1. JK-R9
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Nah. Kane or Haz.

    2. Scout
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I'm going for Kane

    3. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Between him or Kane for me

  7. Scout
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    repost: got no answer
    team a or b

    A
    DDG
    VDD otemendi Alonso jones bellerin
    silva salah son sterling
    kane

    b
    DDG
    otemendi Alonso jones kenny
    silva salah son sterling
    kane rooney

    team a will be -4pts or could use wildcard

    1. JK-R9
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      No Hazard given the fixtures they have coming up? If you're using the WC get him in!

      1. Scout
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        can't get hazard and not using wildcard would take the hit instead? what team you thinking

        1. JK-R9
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          A but over the two weeks downgrade on defence it's £££ and make room for Haz.

          1. Scout
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            you think worth the -4pts? only leading in the league by 8pts. I think defenders get points though clean sheet and 6points? haz hasn't been doing much either

            1. JK-R9
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              After Leicester they have:

              Brighton (A)
              Bournemouth (H)
              Watford (A)
              West Brom (H)

              I'll let you work it out...

              1. Scout
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                who would I take out for hazard? silva?

              2. Scout
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                can't get hazard would have to downgrade a lot on def

                1. JK-R9
                  • 10 Years
                  6 years, 2 months ago

                  Definitely need to. Too much focus on defence in my opinion. No other striker but Kane? If you go back to the drawing board you need to downgrade on def. Keep Alonso, Ota and Jones. Perhaps cheaper keeper then downgrade other two defenders. Should make room for Haz and more..

  8. burkeyoa
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Any RLC news will he play?

    1. stewlynz
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      No

  9. sharbee
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Take (C) off Kane and onto Alonso.

    Somebody talk me out of it?

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      As a Foxes fan with double Chelsea defence I'm not sure what to say, but I have a hunch that we'll score.

    2. Scout
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      keep on Kane. Leicester likely to score

    3. JK-R9
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Stick with 'arry!

      1. sharbee
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        did i mention I'm chasing? :p

    4. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I was debating it also, but its not worth the pain. Plus I like to watch my captain play and Spurs is on TV.

  10. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Am I benching the right defenders?
    Alonso (LEI H)
    Ota (LIV A)
    Dummett (SWA H)
    Bench: Ogbonna (HUD A) Zanka (WHU H)

    1. JK-R9
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Yer

    2. stewlynz
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I reckon

  11. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Pick a letter and a number to play this weekend:

    A) Elliot
    B) Fabianski

    1) Ogbonna
    2) Dunk

    1. sharbee
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      b2

    2. stewlynz
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      A2

    3. Borriello
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      1 & 2...

    4. Borriello
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      1&2...Elliot injured and Fabianski CS ain't happening...

  12. RickiH077
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    What do you think to my team?

    Lossi
    Yoshida Otamendi Duffy
    Lingard(vc) Sterling Carroll Salah
    Firmino Kane(c) Aguero

    Subs
    Elliott Mee Surman Daniels

    1. Red Card Rockets
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Could do well. I like Mee over Yoshida

  13. Red Card Rockets
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Play Ogbonna or Surman?

    1. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Ogbonna

  14. Ray85
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Play A) Christensen, Arnie Alonso

    B) Alonso, Son/Pogba Firmino

  15. michhhh
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Any news on Shaw? Will he start this gw?

    1. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Young still suspended so he should play

      1. michhhh
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Thx

  16. michhhh
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Start Adrian or Elliot?

  17. Borriello
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Hey guys... Mulling over Brighton's attacking capability... Are they worth a double up?? If not who to replace them with... Gross and Murray.

  18. H-Over United
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Hazard or Sterling for Coutinho?

    If Hazard there is 0.0itb for next GW...

  19. tearunner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Have a luxury problem this week. Thinking Carroll might be a differential, but dont see who to take out...

    Benching: Otamendi (vs liv), Carroll and Masuaku (vs hud) and Elliot (vs SWA)

    Playing:
    Foster (vs BHA)
    Alonso (vs LEI), Dummett (vs SWA), Jones (vs STO)
    Son, Lingard, Arnautovic, Salah, Sterling
    Morata, Firmino

    Thoughts?