Spot the Differential

Spot The Differential – Gameweek 27

Gameweek 31 is still some way off, but our latest selections have kind match-ups this weekend and are also in teams guaranteed to play in the round of fixtures that will be heavily affected by the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Two attack-minded defenders earn our seal of approval, while a cheap forward option at Everton is backed to deliver against Crystal Palace for a second time this season.

Oumar Niasse

We’ve been pondering Oumar Niasse’s potential as a budget third striker for a number of Gameweeks.

He’s started the last two matches for Everton and while Dominic Calvert-Lewin could push for minutes this weekend, the promising fixture with Crystal Palace appears to favour Niasse once again.

He turned the match in the reverse encounter, producing a goal and an assist back in Gameweek 12.

Despite making just seven starts this season, Niasse is second to only Wayne Rooney (10) for goals in the Toffees squad, with six.

Rooney, along with Gylfi Sigurdsson were left out of the side for the trip to Arsenal in Gameweek 26, but the pair both look set to be restored to the starting XI this afternoon.

Along with Theo Walcott, they can help provide Niasse with the service he needs to inflict further misery on the Eagles.

Sat in just 5.5% of FPL squads, Niasse is priced at just 4.8 and can, at last, become that perfect budget enabler, with the fringe benefit of offering a potential Gameweek 31 fixture at Stoke City.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

The news that Joe Gomez is set to miss Liverpool’s trip to Southampton means that we’ve turned back to Trent Alexander-Arnold, backing him for a profitable Sunday afternoon at St Mary’s.

The 19-year-old, who costs just 4.2 in FPL, has registered a goal and an assist over his last three Gameweek starts and has caught the eye this season with his attacking raids down the right flank.

His impressive underlying statistics showcase the potential.

Alexander-Arnold has produced a key pass every 61 minutes, superior to fellow full-backs Alberto Moreno (90), Andrew Robertson (105) and Gomez (125).

His attacking threat can reap rewards against a Saints side that have registered just one clean sheet in 13 home matches and have conceded more crosses down the left flank than any side over the last four Gameweeks.

The Reds defender has averaged four points per match over nine appearances, highlighting the fact he has been very productive when given the pitch-time.

What’s key regarding the right-back situation at Liverpool is the fact that Alexander-Arnold and Gomez may well rotate in a predictable fashion, with their European campaign recommencing on Wednesday night.

That could unlock one of Gomez or Alexander-Arnold as a secure picks in league matches.

As the more attacking of the two players, Alexander-Arnold may just get the nod for the “easier” home fixtures where Liverpool will be required to break down their opponent.

Given his budget price tag and the upside he offers, the 2.8%-owned Reds defender looks an ideal gamble for Gameweek 27, which may just have the staying power to reward beyond Sunday’s clash.

Daryl Janmaat

With three goals and one assist from just 13 appearances this season, Watford’s Daryl Janmaat has been one of the most potent defenders in FPL.

He scored a stunner in the 4-1 win over Chelsea, playing as a wing-back in the 3-4-2-1 system used by new Hornets head coach Javi Gracia.

Kiko Femenia remains sidelined through injury, so Janmaat now has the chance to cement his berth.

In terms of secure starters among defenders, only Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso (43.8) can better the Dutchman’s rate of a shot every 60 minutes this season.

That attacking threat could be a factor against West Ham United this afternoon as they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight matches.

Janmaat’s appeal is also boosted by the fact that Watford have favourable home match-ups against Everton and West Bromwich Albion in Gameweeks 28 and 29.

In addition, the prospects for defensive returns appear strong – the only goal the Hornets have conceded in the three matches since Gracia took charge was Eden Hazard’s sublime effort on Monday night.

Priced at 4.8 in FPL, and with an ownership of just 0.4%, Janmaat is another canny differential in defence.

1,203 Comments Post a Comment
  1. KP02
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Would you make any changes to this team? Or should I save FT?

    Pope
    Alonso Mee Otamendi
    Choupo Sterling Salah Son Stanislas
    Wilson Kane

    Jordan Ayew Ogbonna Kenny

    Thanks 🙂

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Save

    2. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Quite like the differential picks in the midfield - stick

    3. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Start Ayew over CM or Stanislas.

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        this

      2. KP02
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, I was thinking that, especially since Stanislas only gets 60 mins

    4. Batchain
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I think Stanislas is a great player, but he only seems to get 60 minutes at most, so I would consider playing Ayew instead.

  2. Siggy Azalea
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Morning all, am I G2G?

    Pickford
    Ogbonna - Mawson - Azpi - Francis
    Salah (c) - Lingard - Son - Sterling
    Firmino - Aguero

    Elliot - Sturridge - Young - Lascelles

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Sturridge over Ogbonna.

  3. Ephurion
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Help! Out of ideas :/
    Currently at:
    DDG/Elliot
    Otamendi, Alonso, Jones, Azpi, Ogbonna
    Salah, Sterling, Lingard, Shaqiri, Hazard
    Firmino, J.Ayew, DCL

    2 FTs and. 2.0 itb

    Looking to get Kane in next week (gotta be Hazard funding him, and don't wanna lose him before Watford).
    Also aim to downgrade defence and upgrade to something Arsenal in midfield after City.

    How to play this smart? If I could save and get 3 FT's it would be amazing, sadly I have to burn one asap.

  4. Gaffa914
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Joe Gomez —> Ben Davies for a FT?

    1. Meltens
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      VVD against old club? 😉
      Also plays in GW31

      1. Gaffa914
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Could net ante I like that idea a lot

    2. Batchain
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I would normally say yes, but people are suggesting now Rose is back from injury he will rotate with Davies.

  5. Bleach †
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    is Alonso Ota Jones Daniels Mariappa, too much money in defense?

    1. mookie
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Not necessarily, no.

      1. Bleach †
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on the rest of your team.

      1. Bleach †
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Salah Sterling Son Mkhi RLC*
        Kane Firm Wilson

        0.4 ITB

        1. Stockport Hatter
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Good team that. You could upgrade RLC with a downgrade I suppose.

          1. Bleach †
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Yep, thanks.

    3. doy
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      At the moment yes, as there is value to be found in cheaper defenders.

      1. Bleach †
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

  6. mookie
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Do you think Mahrez will start against City?

    1. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      No, bench at best

    2. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Think he'll start on the bench

    3. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      No

    4. mookie
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers guys

  7. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Tough decision this week 🙁

    A. Play the game myself
    B. Get others to make my decisions

    1. doy
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Should always be A

    2. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      C. Let Jafa take control of your team. 😉

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        In hindsight C would have been a better option than A 😀

    3. Ephurion
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      D. Get ideas from others and make the decisions yourself 😀

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, like this one!

    4. HVT
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      C depends on who your asking for advice-I’d say

    5. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Obviously B, silly question really

    6. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      C) Flip a coin or play a game of eenie meenie miney mo

  8. FlockofSeagulls
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Watching the Sanchez/Henry interview and I'm impressed with Sanchez's English language ability after all these years in England.

    He pronounced "Manchester United" almost perfectly! 😆

    1. Tazah
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Surprised how bad agueros is for being here so long

      1. FlockofSeagulls
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        They just pretend they don't speak English. 😉

  9. doy
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Good to go lads?

    Adrian
    Alonso Ota Fernandez
    Salah (c) Sterling Son Shaq
    Kane Aguero Wilson

    Elliot Lingard Zanka Mbemba

    1. thom830g
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good

      1. doy
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers mate

        1. thom830g
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          The Lingard/Son is 50/50 for me

          1. doy
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Interesting, I reckon there will be goals in the NLD!

            1. thom830g
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Hopefully most of them goes in the spurs net!

  10. Jafalad
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    You captained Salah last week but this week your gut is to cap'n Kane. Who is with me?

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I’m with you

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero last week and Aguero again this week.

      He’s never ever let me down twice in a row.

  11. Munny Man
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Hi guys.
    Who is likely to score more this week?
    A. Pogba - motivated after not starting last week
    B. Son - north London derby where anything can happen
    C. Wally - after Everton played so badly last week, surely there will be a response ?

    Thanks

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      CAB

    2. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Son is playing really well and there is likely to be lots of goal in the NLD.

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yet to score/assist in a big game though, but may just have been unlucky/he's your typical flat track bully

        1. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Forgive me, he scored v us but still has a poor record in big matches

          1. Zladan
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Scored v LFC... so then, yes, he is a flat track bully

    3. mookie
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      C imo

    4. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      C

      1. Munny Man
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks guys.

  12. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Yedlin to Fernandez? 1FT
    DDG
    Fernandez Alonso Jones
    Salah(C) KDB Sterling Lingard
    Kane Firmino Wilson

    Elliot Dunk Chilwell RLC.

    1. doy
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yep.

  13. thom830g
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Pickford
    Jones, Bauer, VVD
    Sterling, Salah (C), Walcott, Shaqiri
    Wilson, Kane, Firmino
    (Fabianski - Ibe, Schindler, Maguire)

    0,9 ITB. What to do?

    Should I play Fabianski or Pickford?

  14. # Young Gun SEAMUS #
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Delofoue or shaqiri ..for upcoming fixtures

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Delofoue

  15. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Any news from Powell or Maxx?

  16. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Salah captainers be wary about Soton. they tend to thighten up against top sides. 😉

    4 out of sotons last 5 matches against top 6 sides has been close affairs. (one anomaly is 5-2 defeat to spurs at wembley)

    SOT vs TOT (1-1)
    MU vs SOT (0-0)
    TOT vs SOT (5-2)
    CHE vs SOT (1-0)
    SOT vs ARS (1-1)

    1. Tazah
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Why didn't you include man city? All those other teams were off form

      1. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        *Last 5 matches. got to go with latest data

        1. Tazah
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Second point still stands

    2. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      That means Kane(C)

  17. Foozeball
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Play Lingard or Mee?

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Lingard

  18. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Captain one

    A Salah
    B Kane
    C Sterling

    On Kane atm.

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Visionaries
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Kane for sure. It'll be a goal fest.
      Liverpool v Soton will be 1-0

      1. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        if it wasn’t the early kick off I’d agree

  19. Tazah
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Feel like my rich to delefeou was a sideways transfer until I saw the rich minutes since the new manager..... Come on Gérard

  20. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Bench order right?

    Lingard, Robertson, Kenny?

    cheers

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

    2. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yep.

      Please help below.

  21. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one -

    A Jones
    B Milijevovic
    C Lingard

    Thanks for helping.

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      i'd go C actually mate

    3. Silicon Vialli
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      B

  22. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    For WBA to have a game in GW31, they need to lose to Southampton next weekend.

    Correct?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yea they play Bournemouth if so in 31

    2. doy
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Correct.

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

    3. stamboy
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      what if WBA win, will Saints have a game?

      1. doy
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Not if Swans beat Sheffield Weds. @BenCrellin on Twitter is very handy for blank/double GW planning!

  23. Greko82
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Who to start?
    A)VVD
    B)J Ayew
    C) Mili

    Thanks

    1. Silicon Vialli
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A

  24. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Don't you just love Saturday's at this time of year. Football and rugby all day long.

  25. stamboy
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Christensen might play according to Conte

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      For a while anyway until a freak accident with a pigeon means he has to come off on 59 minutes.

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

      Yeh right mate and pigeons will fly

  26. Greko82
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Captain??
    A) Kun
    B)Hazard
    C)Salah

    Some help....

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      C

  27. Delph & Safety
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    G2G?

    Pickford
    Alonso Schindler Maguire
    Salah Sterling KDB Milli Shaqiri
    Vardy Kane(c)

    Elliot DCL Hegazi Kiko

    Play Maguire over Hegazi?
    Saving a transfer.

    1. doy
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yep I would.

  28. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Gtg?

    DeGea
    Jones, Mee, Stones
    Salah(c), Sterling, Son, B.Silva
    Firmino, Kane(vc), Wilson

    Elliot, Daniels, Maguire, RLC

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Good team

    2. Visionaries
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Not g2g Kane c

  29. youzef
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Play Lingard or tranafer him out for
    A) Walcott
    B) Deulofeu

    Got 1 FT.

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      depends who the rest of your mids are mate?

    2. Silicon Vialli
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A

  30. Yozzer
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    These differentials should be aimed at over 3 or 4 weeks Imo. No point having TAA info as no one going to bring him in knowing Gomez back .

    1. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Same with Jaanmaat. Just setting people into a trap. Or am I being too critical?

      1. doy
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        For as long as Kiko is injured, Janmaat should play.

    2. mookie
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I don't think Niasse is even nailed to start this week...