Spot the Differential

Spot The Differential – Gameweek 35

The selection of Swansea City’s Jordan Ayew delivered for us last weekend, so for Gameweek 35, we’ve backed another cut-price forward to produce against a Merseyside club.

Meanwhile, favourable home fixtures have seen us opt for two German internationals who offer options to those managers looking to break away from the template Free Hit midfields.

Jay Rodriguez

After scoring the winning goal in West Bromwich Albion’s shock 1-0 win over Manchester United last weekend, Jay Rodriguez will be brimming with confidence ahead of the home clash against Liverpool.

The Baggies forward, who is available for just 5.3 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), has scored three goals in his last four appearances.

Impressively, he now leads all forwards in terms of points-per-million value over the season on 19.1.

The underlying statistics over the last four matches underline his recent rash of goals. Rodriguez has produced 11 shots over that spell, with only three other forwards managing more.

A switch to a 4-4-2 formation under interim manager Darren Moore certainly looks to have been a contributing factor. West Brom have created a chance every 7.6 minutes since he took charge – up from every 9.7 minutes over the opening 32 Gameweeks.

The appeal of Rodriguez is also heightened by the prospect of a much-changed Liverpool back four at The Hawthorns.

The 2.1%-owned forward presents an intriguing option for those managers considering a three-man attack and a third striker to sit alongside Gabriel Jesus and an Arsenal option.

Ilkay Gundogan

Although Free Hit managers will doubtless look to Manchester City’s premium assets in midfield, Ilkay Gundogan should not be overlooked.

The German international looks an assured starter with Fernandinho still serving out his suspension and, having been revealed as Pep Guardiola’s designated penalty taker; we have been forced to re-asses the Gundogan option.

The newly-crowned champions host Swansea City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Swans arrive in Manchester having conceded in six of their seven road trips under Carlos Carvalhal and are ranked second for both the most shots conceded (68) and penalty area attempts allowed (42) over the last four matches.

Available for just 5.4 in FPL, Gundogan looks a bargain acquisition for those managers willing to use a precious City slot on a cut-price option. The statistics certainly suggest that we should look beyond his price tag.

Over the last two matches, only Raheem Sterling has produced more shots (nine to seven) and penalty area attempts (eight to four) than Gundogan in the City ranks.

Mesut Ozil

Arsene Wenger has revealed his intent to name a strong line-up for tomorrow’s home clash against West Ham United in preparation for their Europa League semi-final with Atletico Madrid.

That should mean a recall for Mesut Ozil in midfield and perhaps as the No 10.

The playmaker was rested in the Gunners’ last match against Newcastle United and will be in need of a run-out against the Hammers.

While Ozil has only produced four goals and nine assists, he remains the hub of creativity for the Gunners. He has created 84 chances, more than double that of any team-mate.

Indeed, his average of a chance created every 26 minutes is tied with Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas as the top-ranked rate among regular starters in midfield.

Ozil’s scheming can translate into attacking points against a West Ham side that have struggled badly on their travels.

No team has conceded more goals on the road than West Ham (38), while they have also given up the most shots from inside the penalty area, with 186.

That form has not improved in recent outings.

Taking the last four away matches as a sample, only Stoke City have conceded more shots and on target efforts than David Moyes’ backline. While the Hammers rearguard has also allowed 15 big chances in that period, more than any other side.

Although Ozil has struggled to live up to his 9.3 in FPL, he now presents a tempting one-week differential for managers with the Free Hit chip active.

With uncertainty surrounding the starts and minutes of strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, the 2.6% owned Ozil may just offer a more secure method of covering Arsenal’s attacking prospects.

The Gunners will surely be given opportunities by the visiting defence, and they will surely be keen to produce a performance in reaction to Wenger’s announced departure in the summer.

2,792 Comments Post a Comment
  1. CostaCoffee
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Just realised I’ve started Crouch over Mané,hopefully I’m not punished

    1. 49er
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Bummer

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

    That interview with Salah made me feel very happy about captaining him over Jesus today. He definitely wants those scoring records!!

  3. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Alonso, lukaku to alder and Kane for -4 . Let's do this

  4. FPL Pillars
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    My rival bought in Firmino for a hit and captained him 🙂

    1. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Unfair to be honest 🙁

    2. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Some rival . Wish mine were that bad 😆

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        They’re 9k in the world.

        1. Bubz
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Looks like I'll be overtaking him this week 🙂

        2. Yozzer
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Lol that doesn't mean jack sh*t. 9 thousand away from winning anything . What an achievement

    3. MTPockets
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Oh well

      • TallestJohn
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        So did my dad who's 33k in the world and 18 points ahead of me. Even though I want to finish above him I would've advised him not to do it if we'd talked about teams this week 🙁

    4. Waynoo
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      As a non Salah capper lets pray he blanks

    5. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Lol@closest ML rival who doesnt know about the Anfield Express and has Firmino in his FH team.

      1. Optimus.
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Lol at him for having a life

        1. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          What is life?

          1. Optimus.
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Baby don't hurt me..

            1. Optimus.
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 11 months ago

              Don't hurt me, no more

        2. Somalion
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          How can anyone with a life not know about Anfield Express' early team sheets?

        3. Camp No No
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          And yet I'm incredibly happy that I was advised to check Anfield Express and transferred Firmino out. 😎

      2. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Did chuckle when I saw he even rose overnight...AE told us 3 years ago he wasn't starting.

    6. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Top of a ML I was invited to must also use this site. Or at least use Anfield Express as a source.

      He has planned the same WC, BB, FH as me over the last few weeks.

      Van Nijenrodeweggers are you out there?

      1. paddym25
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Yes! I randomly searched google for my team name and came across your comment. Were you maybe in a mini league with me in the past? I don't recognise the name, but it is possible I guess.

      1. BIGREDDOG
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Bold like capping salah

        1. A Team Of James McCleans
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Look at the transfers

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

        Well best of luck i guess

      3. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        BB now over 37?

        Interesting decision.

      4. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Just a little annoyed that you Triple Captained Sanchez in the previous GW? You let it get to you with a 12 transfer GW!

    7. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Ville Ronka got Troy Deeney

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Got Troy Deeney what?

      2. Zilla
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        He's got some cojones it seems

      3. Point-one short
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        'Ballsy' move.

      4. MTPockets
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Decent punt. Just that Watford press conference talked of illness in the team that put me off.

        • Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          For all the talk about how safe he supposedly plays, he has a lot of off template players in his team over a season.

          1. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            People confuse 'safe' with 'patient'

      5. LewanGOALski
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        I should have captained City player I think now...

      6. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Urgh, I’ve now got that shower of Sh*t back 😆

      7. aarrgghh
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Ooops,I'm only one with Salah(C) in my two minileagues top 3.It's now on never

      8. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        WILDCARD ACTIVE BABY! 😀

      9. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        WC activated. 😎

        Such a relief.

        1. BIGREDDOG
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Dopamine release

          1. pundit of punts
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Phasic bursts of Dopamine to be precise. 😉

        2. rivercityransom
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          you won't be saying that after a week of messing with your team

          1. pundit of punts
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            🙁

        3. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Feels good doesn't it 🙂

          1. pundit of punts
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Absolutely!

        4. Zladan
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Only just? I’m jealous that I don’t have a WC to use now... but surely you suffered GW32, 33, 34?

      10. DJDave1979
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        I'm astonished that the Anfield Express leak hasn't been plugged by now.

      11. drughi
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Looking at my team for next week and it looks really good and I was planning to WC.

        1. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          I brought Tosun on an early WC for this fixture...but then sold him for Jesus!

        2. Jive Turkey
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Same.

      12. Basil1977
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Just seen the Liverpool starting XI, Is the anfield express written by Klopp on twitter?
        Have Klopp and the Anfield express ever been seen in the same room?
        Are they the same person?

        1. tiger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Anfield Express decides the team and hands the list over to Klopp on match day...

          1. Basil1977
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Well the way liverpool have play in the last few months then this anfield express dude must be worth a few quid in the mordern day world of football management

            1. tiger
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 11 months ago

              He is not interested...just wants twitter fame, it's all he ever wanted haha!

      13. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Salah 148.8% EO in the Top 10k!
        Jesus next best at 89.5%

        Interesting that Laca is only at 21.1%. Shows how much of a bubble FFS is because pretty much every team here went Laca over Auba, yet Auba is 50.3%

        1. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          I changed from Jesus to Sterling last min, only because Bubz also went with Sterling.

        2. Ragabolly
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          He was already 35% in no free hit teams so they were kinda stuck with him though.

        3. Tekkerslovakiaftw
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Probably because Aubamayang is a much better striker, I went Lacazette and regret it already

      14. Ragabolly
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        People without FH took an average of -3.5 hit, that’s the highest I have seen this season.
        53.3% Salah captains, 26.3% Jesus.
        (Top 1k)

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Thanks mate, good info

        2. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          -8 here to bring Jesus, Gundo and Sterling(C) in.

      15. Vlekz
          5 years, 11 months ago

          What brand must one drink when 2nd in cash league with free hit and the leader captain's firmino and vice captains Chamberlain with only 6 playing players?

          1. Collie01
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Something expensive

          2. Optimus.
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Jo Brand

          3. FPL Blow-In
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Water. Lay off the drink pal if that’s what’s beating you.

          4. MTPockets
              5 years, 11 months ago

              Red Tripe

            • DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 11 months ago

              WKD

          5. 007 [RoboKlopp]
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            For GW 36
            Lukaku, Willian -> G Jesus, Sterling (-4)
            Yes or no?
            G Jesus is rising and maybe Willian will drop tomorrow.
            Thanks

          6. Collie01
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Looking forward to this week. FH gives a chance to go punty and get players I like but wouldn't ordinarily pick.

          7. FPL Blow-In
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Is fplstatistics all over the place due to FH chips or are those risers/fallers likely?

          8. semiconductor
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            I know about the liverpool leak and put robertson on my bench but played firminho and benched milo. I guess if he got 20-30 minutes he might be able to grab a goal.

            I hope I didn't do a mistake

          9. Point-one short
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Come on Salah, get a hattrick today so you can be rested for the rest of the season.

          10. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            ML rival has exactly the same points as me.

            He has Firmino, Robertson and 6 active players for this GW with Auba as Captain.

            Has BB left for 37, I will play my TC then. Hope I build enough gap by then,

          11. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            ings lool

          12. Desperately Seeking Dusan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Somebody on here asked today if Ings was a good differential - hope you did it! Genius!

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

            For the millionth time, there is no such thing as "winning goal" baps..