Spot the Differential

Goal-hungry Duffy among three differentials for FPL Gameweek 26

This weekly series puts the spotlight on three players who all have an ownership of 5% or under in Fantasy Premier League.

We’re just about to enter into the final third of the season and for those Fantasy managers chasing a mini-league deficit or seeking a short-term measure to improve their overall rank, a considered differential pick could have an impact.

Joao Moutinho (£5.3m) was all set for a starring role in this piece given his form, his freer role in the Wolves midfield since Leander Dendoncker‘s (£4.3m) promotion to the starting XI and Newcastle United’s weakness at set plays, but the Portuguese star’s ownership has surged to 6% this week after a flurry of transfer activity in FPL.

Instead, we have turned to another Wolves asset and two defensive options for our selections this week.

Shane Duffy (£4.6m)

FPL ownership: 5.0%

The Irish centre-back just – only just – qualifies as a differential pick, given that he has a not insignificant following in FPL already.

No defender has scored more Premier League goals than Duffy (four) this season and, in the past six Gameweeks, the Brighton stopper has had more attempts from inside the opposition box and efforts on target than any player in his position.

Duffy had three shots on goal in the 0-0 draw with Watford alone and with Pascal Gross (£6.7m) supplying the ammunition – the German having created a staggering ten chances himself last weekend – further opportunities should arise from corners and free-kicks in Gameweek 26.

Only two clubs have allowed more attempts on goal from set plays than Burnley over the last six Gameweeks, with just Watford conceding more headed chances.

Four of Brighton’s five clean sheets in 2018/19 have arrived at the Amex, with the Seagulls boasting the second-best home defensive record this season among teams outside of the “big six”.

While Brighton don’t have a match in Gameweek 27 (and possibly Gameweeks 31 and 33, if the Seagulls progress in the FA Cup), their fixtures around that blank are among the best in the division and Duffy is arguably benchable next weekend at his current price.

Victor Lindelof (£5.0m)

FPL ownership: 4.7%

***UPDATE: Reports on Friday afternoon suggest Victor Lindelof is not among the Manchester United squad travelling to Fulham this weekend***

Manchester United have recorded three straight clean sheets on the road and indeed no Premier League side has registered more shut-outs than the Red Devils over the last six Gameweeks.

While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has tinkered with his team on a weekly basis since taking charge in December, Lindelof has been an ever-present under the Norwegian interim manager and has greatly impressed at centre-back.

The excellent form of David de Gea (£5.7m) is a huge boost to Lindelof’s clean sheet prospects but the Swede and his fellow defenders have kept it fairly tight at the back of late, with only two clubs allowing fewer big chances than United over the last six Gameweeks.

At the other end of the pitch, Lindelof has registered five attempts on goal (one of which found the back of the net) in the last four Gameweeks – only five FPL defenders, two of whom are playing “out of position” in midfield, can better that tally.

Four of those five efforts were from Lindelof’s head and only two clubs have allowed more headed chances than Fulham (this weekend’s opponents) over the last six Gameweeks.

No Premier League side has conceded more goals or big chances than the Cottagers during that time, either.

Lindelof is guaranteed a fixture in Gameweek 27 – albeit against Liverpool – before the Red Devils take on Crystal Palace and Southampton.

Diogo Jota (£6.0m)

FPL ownership: 3.5%

While Moutinho has surged past the 5% barrier, Jota remains a relatively low-owned route into the Wolves midfield.

The yellow flag may be a deterrent to some FPL managers but the knock that caused the Portugal under-23 star to miss the FA Cup win over Shrewsbury Town is not thought to be serious and his omission from the match-day squad on Tuesday was only precautionary in nature.

Santo’s side sit top of our Season Ticker for the next four Gameweeks, with a home fixture against Newcastle United kicking off that excellent run.

Jota bagged an 11-point haul in the reverse fixture at St. James’ Park and has five goals and four assists in his last seven Premier League starts.

No FPL midfielder has had more big chances than Jota over the last three Gameweeks (five of which admittedly arrived in the 4-3 win over Leicester) while only four players in his position (all of them expensive premium options) have registered more shots on target during that time.

Jota has actually had more penalty box touches, shots on target and big chances than Raul Jimenez (£6.7m) over the last three Gameweeks.

685 Comments Post a Comment
  1. jaywills
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who to start and bench out of this lot:

    Digne (Watford A), Wan Bissaka (West Ham H), Joshua King (Liverpool A)

    Thanks!

    1. Jealous Viper
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      How many can you start?

      1. jaywills
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        1.

        Currently have Digne in, WB first sub.

  2. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Richarlson to:

    A. Miliovic
    B. Madison
    C. Keep 1 more week

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      C

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      None of the above.
      Anderson?

    3. T96
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      From those options I'd keep

    4. Jealous Viper
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      C

  3. Richd
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    My defenders are a mess this week

    Doherty and AWB that’s fine

    TAA doubtful

    Valerie prob won’t start

    Alonso plays city and I have triple city

    Wanna save the FT so bad as only Newcastle interesting for both weeks yet far from perfect this

    1. Jealous Viper
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Strongly considering moving Alonso on to a Newcastle def. Decent fixtures and they play gw 31 as well i think

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah exactly what I was thinking.

        So will you be playing the Newcastle defender this week if you do it ?

        1. Jealous Viper
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Tough one. I may bench him for Wan B but would play next 2 weeks definitely

  4. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    looks like Mendy was joking about being in Hong Kong because his Uber driver was Asian...uproar incoming

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      At least he didn't do the eyes.

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Ha

        1. El Lobito 10
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          If he were white there would be uproar. PC brigade coming for this comment now no doubt...

  5. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Auba was not sitting next to Lacazette in a picture on the coach btw... 😀

  6. Jealous Viper
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Alonso and Sane to Yedlin and Anderson for a hit. Would help to get Auba next week with the spare cash and also keeping an eye on gw 31

  7. Pickle juice
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Start 2 of the below

    A.Bendnarek
    B.Awb
    C.Luke shaw
    D.Sane
    E.Richarlson
    F. Transfer in pogba for -4 and play him for sane

    Thanks

    1. Johnny Leghorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      C D

    2. Planet Head
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sane and Ragnarok

  8. Hughes the Daddy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    IMPORTANT !!

    Stop scrolling, go back to page 7 and help me find the right mid priced midfielder before I bring in some turd.

    Thanks

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      This is page 7?

      1. Hughes the Daddy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I know, I'm literally that stupid!

    2. Hughes the Daddy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      PAGE 6 actually.

      See, I need help 🙂

  9. Weilong7
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed

    What to do with this team guys.. 1FT 3.9 ITB

    Lloris button
    Luiz taa robbo awb lindelof
    Pogba son salah sane masuaku
    Rashford Jimenez kamara

    Shld I change sane or luiz out?
    Seems like sane will not start the game.. being in Anderson or some other mids? Luiz out for Doherty or someone else? Thanks

  10. Federico
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I see that the Aguero to Auba question is recurring, but let's try this angle:

    Range these choices from best to worst:
    A) Aguero -> Auba
    B) Aguero -> Laca
    C) Keep

    1. Hughes the Daddy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't get Lacazette if that helps.

      1. Federico
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, it helps 🙂

        I saw your question earlier, and my thoughts was that you should try and reset your thoughts on Anderson. Not saying he's your man, but past results doesn't dictate the future.

  11. Giovanni Giorgio
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Would you start TAA or AWB? Already have VVD and playing him

    1. Planet Head
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      TAA

  12. ct mariner
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Reposting as paged over and further thoughts!

    Current line-up

    Fab
    Robertson Doherty AWB
    Salah (c) Sane Pogba Fanderson
    Rashford Firmino Jimmy

    Boruc Richy Bennett Digne
    1 FT and 0.2 IB

    2 disasterous weeks and too much money on bench

    a. Sane to Son
    b. save FT
    c. other?

  13. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Really unsure. Sane to Pogba defo happening... Thoughts on Rich to Anderson aswell for a - 4?

    1. JohnnyMagrinho
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Can you not wait a week?

      • Simon Says...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I wouldn't move Rich for a -4, next week yes but not this week, his fixture isn't bad.

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yh I can tbf

    3. Blens
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sane to:-
      1) Mane
      2) Son
      3) Jota

      Highest vote gets the nod..:-)

      1. Simon Says...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Son

      2. Planet Head
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Mane

      3. JabbaWookiee
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Easy. Son.

      4. Obez65
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Son

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

      Start 1 -

      A. AWB (WHM)
      B. Mitrovic (MUN)

      Please vote.

      1. Planet Head
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        B

    5. Simon Says...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Start AWB or Bennett? Have Doherty and Guaita already starting...so basically which defence to double up on?

      1. Planet Head
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Wolves

    6. boroie
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I was planning on saving my Bench Boost for a DGW but I’m sitting this week with a bench of:

      Guaita (WHU)
      Digne (wat)
      Llorente (LEI)
      Hojbjerg (CAR)

      Worth using it this week?

      1. Obez65
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        No

    7. boroie
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Have just got in. Any news on Auba and TAA?

    8. boroie
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Would you bench boost if you had this sitting on your bench?

      Guaita (WHU)
      Digne (wat)
      Llorente (LEI)
      Hojbjerg (CAR)

    9. Vlad Tepes
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Bench 2.

      1. Llorente
      2. AWB
      3. TAA