Spot the Differential

Spot The Differential – Gameweek 31

While we have a limited pool of players to choose from this week, we are still confident our trio of differentials can deliver once again.

A returning Crystal Palace attacker tops the bill, while a West Brom forward and a Liverpool defender are also backed to produce.

Wilfried Zaha

After supplying an assist on his return from injury in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha could be a powerful differential in Gameweek 31.

The Ivory Coast international is expected to return to the starting XI for this afternoon’s trip to Huddersfield Town.

Eagles boss Roy Hodgson is likely to continue with a 4-4-2 formation and Zaha could be handed a start alongside either Christian Benteke or Alexander Sorloth up front.

Despite injuries limiting him to just 20 starts this season, Zaha sits second for penalty area shots (36), shots on target (15) and chances created (38) among Palace players.

He may have managed just four goals and as many assists so far, but Zaha’s minutes per shot (61.7 to 41.6) and minutes per chance created (80 to 48) are both up from last season, when he supplied seven goals, 11 assists and a career-high 149 points.

Owned by just 6.0% of Fantasy Premier League managers, Zaha promises to be a key influence against Huddersfield.

The Terriers kept a clean sheet at home to 10-man Swansea City last weekend, but they had conceded eight goals across their previous three matches at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Zaha’s 3.6 points per match is superior to any other Palace attacker and, at just 6.8 in FPL, he represents a stand-out differential option.

Salomon Rondon

With two goals from his last five Gameweek starts, and faced with a favourable trip to Bournemouth, West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon is worth a look.

The Cherries have mustered a single clean sheet from their last 17 encounters, while they rank first for the most shots conceded inside the box (43) and big chances allowed (16) over the last four Gameweeks.

Eddie Howe’s side have also conceded the most headed chances this season with 82, which is a weakness the 6.0-priced Rondon can exploit.

The Venezuelan’s numbers in recent weeks underline his status as the Baggies’ main attacking threat.

His nine shots inside the box over the last four Gameweeks put him fourth among players with a Gameweek 31 fixture, while no team-mate has registered more than three penalty area attempts.

With an ownership of only 1% in FPL, Rondon can be a real difference maker in Gameweek 31 for those maverick managers amongst us.

Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool’s star-studded attacking trio are garnering much of the interest ahead of this evening’s home meeting with Watford, but Virgil van Dijk is unfortunate to be on the periphery of our thinking.

The centre-back has been brought in by just 29,000 managers since Saturday’s deadline, which is less than a tenth of the interest there has been in team-mate Roberto Firmino.

Indeed, he is only the fifth most transferred-in Reds player.

But with the potential to deliver points at both ends of the pitch, the 7.7%-owned defender is worthy of taking up one of our three Liverpool slots.

Jurgen Klopp’s side boast the third strongest home defence, having conceded just 10 goals at Anfield.

Eight of their 12 clean sheets have come in front of their own fans.

Today’s opponents Watford travel to Merseyside having scored just two goals in their last eight away matches.

So the omens for defensive returns appear strong, while van Dijk has offered a real set-piece threat after joining from Southampton in January.

Since making his Reds debut in Gameweek 24, van Dijk has produced nine shots, with eight of those coming from inside the penalty area.

Only Leicester City’s Harry Maguire (11) and Burnley’s Ben Mee (nine) have registered more penalty area attempts among FPL defenders.

Offering arguably the best chance of both defensive and attacking returns of any defender in the reduced Gameweek 31, the Dutch international makes the decision on the three Liverpool slots a difficult one.

2,383 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Which City MIDS are you looking at for your WC?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Depends who they buy in the summer

    2. Viper
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Silva & Sané. Too stubborn to go Sterling after selling

    3. theodosios
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      David Silva or Sterling

    4. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      None. Points and rotation is unpredictable especially with CL. More focal mids elsewhere

    5. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      cheers, trying to decide whether I'm definitely keeping Sterling

    6. Naboo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Silva for me. More nailed now I think than Sterling and I'm not going without city attacker until the league is won

  2. Viper
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Might go DDG & Alonso - > Butland & Smith so I can get DDG & Alonso back on WC cheaper tomorrow (hopefully). Nothing tied up in either so will lose 0.1 for each drop

  3. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Rp FH team:

    Butland 
    Coleman Smith Baines
    Salah Mane Shaqiri Walcott 
    Firmino Wilson Mounie

    Lossl Zaha PVA Schindler

    Rating out of 10?

  4. beefo
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Can someone explain why no one is talking about Hegazi? Is he injured/out of favor?

    Thanks!

    1. Viper
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Because he plays for West Brom I'd imagine

    2. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Plays for WBA.

    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      I'm too ashamed to admit I own him

    4. beefo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Ok, thanks all. Sadly, I own him, but I’ll take my chances rather than another hit.

    5. theodosios
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Coz he was GW1 miracle and his team is on way to Championship

  5. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Stanislas or King?

    1. XabiAlonso
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Stan

  6. Richd
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Hold transfers until 1 if possible.

    Remember when evertons scoreboard fell down ?

    1. XabiAlonso
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      It's ok they're away this week 🙂

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        That scoreboard cost me £2k in MLs. Lost 5 players

  7. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Repost

    fielding 7 players to start this GW.

    should i do a -4 and do D.Silva > Stanislas?

    only issue is I want Silva back next GW 32 for City v Everton.

    Reason I am thinking this is that Shaqiri is flagged now.

    Thoughts would be appreciated.

    Cheers

  8. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Choupo hat trick today to punish the sellers

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      I’d be happy with an assist.

    2. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Hattrick of minutes Id imagine.

    3. Richd
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      I sold him months ago. Stuck with Richarlison... eurgh

    4. Speédy
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Even one goal/assist off the bench would be expecting too much imo. (owner)

  9. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    meaning of doosra's numbers?

    1. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      High = good, low = bad

  10. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    What would you recomment here?

    (DDG Elliot)
    VvD Schindler (Maguire Ogbonna Long)
    Salah Walcott Shaqiri (Hazard Mahrez)
    Firmino Quaner (Kane)

    1FT, 0.2M ITB

    Will WC at GW33.

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Haz > Zaha/Townsend

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        I was thinking about Haz > Stanislas.

        And taking a hit for Kane to Mounie.

    2. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Kane to mounie

    3. Geezer
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Mounie, Stanislas and Baines for -8

      1. Geezer
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        Ah I see wc 33. Then I don’t know

  11. klavan
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Is Baines on set pieces?

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Yes. More so with Siggy out

  12. Geezer
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Worth taking a hit on a GK? It’s either Butland or Pickford. WC next week

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      I think so yes. Be bold. It’s mathematically worth it.

      1. Geezer
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        Cheers. But or Pick?

        1. Richd
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 13 days ago

          I’m going Butland personally. My second favourite is actually Begovic.

    2. ChristoBisto
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      I think it's mathematically worth the risk to hit until you get to 11 players.

  13. TAT
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Which striker to get other than Firmino/Mounie?
    That Defoe tweet sure makes me uncertain taking a -4 to get Wilson.

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 13 days ago

        But is it likely Defoe starts/affect Wilson minutes?

  14. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Anybody know if you lose value on players from the FH? If players are restored at the end of gw do they revert to their values in our teams before chip played?

    Ive taken robertson out, and now thinking about putting him in again. Surely I havent lost the extra value I had on him"?!!?!?!?!?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      You get the rises and falls of your original team

    2. DeadStarComing
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      My understanding is the free hit doesn't actually change anything in your team regarding values. In a way it's like your old team is still there in the background. Any prices changes up or down will apply.

  15. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    KDB + De Gea to Zaha + Butland -4?

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Yes. If wildcarding next week.

    2. Geezer
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Zaha yes. I’m not decided wether Butland is worth a hit

  16. Chris_White
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Starting to think that Baines in for a hit could be worth it with Siggy out

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Same here. Think he’s only defender worth a hit

  17. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Do we think DCl starts?

  18. makaveli123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Mariappa will probably do more harm than good this GW.

    1. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      I have him & that's what I'm afraid of

  19. Srv210
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Shaqiri still flagged ..is he injured or chances of playing??

  20. TooDifficuIt
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Punt on Deneey instead of Mounie?

    1. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      No

  21. No Pirlo No Party
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Zaha or Mounie?

    1. TooDifficuIt
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Z

  22. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    TC Mane ?

    A : Yes
    B : No

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      hell no - save for DGW

  23. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Firmino or Mane?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      either flip a coin lad

    2. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Firmino

  24. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    A) Stanislas & Mounie
    B) Zaha & Wilson

    1. Visionaries
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      B all day

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      A

    3. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      A

    4. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      a

  25. Wednesday1
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Is Defoe for -4 silly?

    Thanks

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      If he doesn't start it will be

    2. Speédy
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      Based on one tweet,yes.

    3. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 13 days ago

      think he may come off the bench personally but thats my opinion only

  26. eazy
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    How does this WC look?

    DDG Ryan
    Alonso Tarkowski Naughton Fernandez Valencia
    Son Salah Mahrez Willian Kenedy
    Aubameyang Barnes Firmino

  27. Weilong7
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    zanka/a.smith in worth a hit? ogbanna the other way

  28. Sparkys Barmy Army
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    GJ

  29. pedro-tacuara
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Bring in Stan and Mounie for a -4 to live a little? Or just one of them?

  30. nobwak
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 13 days ago

    Zaha or Stanislas worth a hit? Both for a -8?