Spot the Differential

Lanzini can provide cheaper route into West Ham attack

Now that the first international break of the season is out of the way, it’s time to make those all-important FPL decisions once again.

Differentials continue to play a part in that as we prepare for Gameweek 5.

Last time out there was more success for this column as David Silva delivered the goods with two nifty assists in Manchester City’s win over Brighton for a 10-point haul.

Is there another player with his quality waiting to be snapped up? Here are three low-owned players worth considering for Gameweek 5…

Manuel Lanzini 

Lanzini has been West Ham’s most creative player so far this season

Price: £6.5m

Ownership: 3.3% 

GW5 Opponent: Aston Villa (A)

It is no coincidence that West Ham’s attack struggled at times last season with Manuel Lanzini (£6.5m) sidelined by a long-term injury.

Now fully fit, the Argentinian has started all four of the Hammers league games since August. 

For players priced at £6.5m or less, Lanzini is ranked joint seventh for final third touches (85). Due to his involvement with set pieces, he also averages 27 minutes for every chance created, which at present is better than the likes of Mason Mount (36 minutes) and Todd Cantwell (44 minutes).

With Sébastian Haller in-form up top, the expectation is for Lanzini to potentially increase his output of assists. 

But he’s also more than capable of scoring, having netted 19 Premier League goals during his first three seasons for West Ham. 

 Dare I say it, is he a bandwagon waiting to happen? His next opponents are an Aston Villa team that have only kept one clean sheet this season having conceded more shots than any other side so far. 

West Ham will relish such an encounter considering their recent goal-scoring run and without a doubt, Lanzini should be key to their attack on Monday night.

Son Heung-min

Son Heung-min (right) has been an overlooked Spurs asset after the first four Gameweeks

Price: £9.5m

Ownership: 2.7% 

GW5 Opponent: Crystal Palace (H)

It’s surprising to think that a player with 38 goals and 25 assists over the last three Premier League seasons is owned by only a handful of Fantasy managers right now. 

Then again, Son Heung-min (£9.5m) was suspended for the first two games of the campaign. 

Tottenham have had a mixed and unsettled start to 2019/20. Son’s absence did not prevent them from scoring goals in their opening two matches but they certainly missed his energy up top. 

Since his return to first-team action, he has already registered eight shots on goal, four of which were on target.

Son’s assist in Gameweek 4, winning a penalty for his team, could be an indication of what is to come. 

He hasn’t scored so far, but based on his pedigree it won’t be long until he finds the back of the net again. 

Tottenham’s next Premier League opponents are Crystal Palace and Son has scored three goals in five competitive games against them. 

Having said that, he was playing in a World Cup qualifier in Central Asia on Tuesday night which could put him at a slight risk of rotation for Gameweek 5.

After all, Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t been afraid on occasion to bench the South Korean immediately after previous international breaks. 

That’s the only concern with buying Son right now. But can Tottenham afford any more slip-ups? If he’s fully fit I see no reason why he won’t start on Saturday.

Danny Ings

Danny Ings has two attacking returns to his name so far this season

Price: £6.0m

Ownership: 2.2% 

GW5 Opponent: Sheffield United (A)

It’s fair to say that there’s not been a strong collective desire to buy Southampton’s players over the past two seasons. 

They are no longer a source of reliable clean sheets and it has also been hard to trust their attacking assets either.

The Saints’ fixtures since August haven’t exactly helped their cause either, having faced Liverpool and Manchester United in short succession. 

In spite of these challenges. Danny Ings (£6.0m) has scored a goal and chipped in with an assist. 

The forward has started three games so far and for forwards priced at £6.0m or less he has played the fifth-highest amount of minutes since Gameweek 1.

Of course, Ings hasn’t been playing 90 minutes per game regularly since 2015 as a result of serious injuries and squad management. 

But last season he averaged a Fantasy return (goal or assist) for every 165 minutes played. That’s fairly commendable for a cheap priced and low owned player. 

Having said that, Che Adams will certainly give him competition up top, but he has yet to score or assist in the Premier League and has also missed more big chances than any other player so far. 

Southampton next face a Sheffield United team that has conceded four goals in their last two games which bodes well for Ings as he seeks to add to his goal-scoring tally.

2,221 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Will Kane
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    This GW can't start soon enough. My team has been set up and ready to go for two weeks! Don't have any transfers that absolutely need to be done and I want to have two FT next week. Suppose I could always log in and change the order of my bench again....

    1. Andy'81
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I'm in the same boat and banking that saved FT for a rainy day, Ole's presser has nigh on given us a green arrow to start GW 5 so it's not all doom and gloom.

  2. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Bench one from the following:

    A Pukki
    B Lundstrom
    C King

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      A or B

  3. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Oooof, Martial news has given me some decisions to make, was hoping for a nice quiet save FT and do two planned free moves next week,

    1. FPLord
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      same 🙁

    2. MikeBravo
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      News?

      1. AndyCook
          4 years, 6 months ago

          He’s out.

      2. creative
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Same! Thinking lanzini now

      3. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yup.

    3. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Was thinking of Son, but slightly put off now by risk of benching as mentioned in article.

      1. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I really doubt he'll be benched if he's fit. Spurs need a win.

      2. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Son has to play.

    4. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Good to go ?

      Pope
      TAA Digne Ota Lund
      Salah (c) Sterlo KdB Mount
      Haller Pukki
      Subs Dendo Green Rico

    5. DeathoftheParty
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ricardilson worth a punt for a couple of weeks? Or Siggy? Anyone else under 7.9?

      Got Salah, Sterling and Mount...

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Dilva is also an option if you dont have KDB, but I would take Rich over Dilva

    6. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Best martial replacement for -4?

      A) Mount
      B) James
      C) lanzini
      B) hold

      Thanks gang

      1. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        A for me

        1. FPL_DON
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Thanks mate, just a bit worried about next 2 fixtures

          1. Tshelby
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            True if you want to go for the easy fixtures might want Lanzini than

            1. n14mul
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Exactly why I am looking st lanzini.

              1. FPL_DON
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Is he fools gold though :/

                1. Swanremainsthesame
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  You mean the only one of the 3 who has proven top level performance in the PL?

      2. MikeBravo
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        B

      3. MikeBravo
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Sorry, that was D, hold...

      4. MikeBravo
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Lanzini made of glass, just like Martial...

    7. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Anything really missing here on my wc?

      Pope,Button
      Digne, TAA, Otamendi, Soyuncu, Lundstram
      KdB, Sterling, Salah, Mount, Cantwell
      Barnes, Haller, Greenwood

      0.4 ITB for a small rainy day.

      G2g?

      1. FPL_DON
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        G2g

      2. Buck The Trent
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Nice

      3. FPLord
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        just a copy of Joe's team, so should be quite solid

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Solid but very very boring

          1. Tshelby
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            True but want to make up some ground.

            1. Roy Rovers
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Template doesn’t make up ground.

        2. Tshelby
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Joe's team?

    8. TaiwanHC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Thoughts on Zouma + AWB + Martial to TAA + Lowton + Lanzini?

      1. TaiwanHC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        -4

    9. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Post fail....which one to play (nor bench) one from the following 🙂

      A Pukki
      B Lundstrom
      C King

    10. UnitednationsXI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      How to differentiate between the following:

      A: Lanzini
      B: Mount
      C: James
      D: Iwobi
      E: Ceballos

      I can see the pros/cons for all

      1. FPL_DON
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        So tough, leaning towards mount long term

      2. Swanremainsthesame
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Long term only A is a proven PL asset
        Others could be anywhere between flash in pan deadwood to the new Messi

    11. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Decided I could keep WB this week, play Lund and get rid of Martial.

      Would you get DSilva as last City spot or look somewhere else??
      James, FAnderson, Mount, Maddison or maybe Lanzini?

      Have Sterling and KDB now.

      1. FPL_DON
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Same situation, it’s tough

      2. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Think DSilva great choice as long as bench can cope with any rotation

        1. Atimis
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          3 City mids ain’t overkil? And it closes the way to their defence

          1. dunas_dog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Not sure if their defence will be so solid without Laporte

      3. Joey Barton and Friends
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        is WB supposed to play? I very much regret ever getting him in

        1. AndyCook
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Probably not

        2. AndyCook
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Their defence is good value and I wouldn’t want three midfielders all from City all subject to rotation

        3. gooner_112233445566
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          pope (button)
          vvd, digne, lund, (montoya), (rico)
          salah, kdb, sterling, mount, lanzini
          jimenez, pukki, (greenwood)

          1.2 itb, 1 ft
          a) pukki OUT for c wilson
          b) jimenez OUT for c wilson
          c) save ft

          1. tm370
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Save - nice team. I think Pukki offers good long term value and Jiminez could score well against a weak Chelsea defence. I'd personally look at Montoya to Otamendi at some point, as I don't have so much faith in Brighton.

            1. gooner_112233445566
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              i am thinking of getting otamendi in, either next week or week after. I just feel c wilson could do really well in next few gameweeks which is causing me a dilemma

        4. Hansel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Lanzini or F.Anderson? Most seem to favour Lanzini but last two Anderson has better underlying stats except chances created (although Anderson has better BCC)

        5. dunas_dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Trossard to Iwobi worth a punt on free transfer. Would probably only be for couple of weeks for bou and SHU games until Chelsea fixtures improve and will probably get Mount by getting rid of one of my Liverpool defenders

          A Yes
          B No carry transfer and play Cantwell

          1. Hansel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Looks good, Trossard out and Cantwell playing City means it's a low risk

            1. dunas_dog
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Thanks, out of interest what’s your plan for Trossard?

              1. Hansel
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Lanzini or F.Anderson, can't really decide between the two though

                1. Hansel
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  But I'll be getting some funds from downgrading Moura. If funds were more limited I'd opt for someone of Iwobi/H.Wilson/James, not too keen on Ceballos

                  1. dunas_dog
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 8 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Yes would have got James but .1m short! Out of Anderson and Lanzini I would say Anderson potentially more likely to get big scores. I went for Haller rather than midfielder

          2. Buck The Trent
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            A

        6. raoulduke71
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Fill the blanks

          A) Tammy & otamendi
          B) Rashford & Mings

          Pope
          Trent .... Digne
          Salah Sterling Ceballos KDB James
          Haller ....

          Subs, lundstram, Kelly, fodder

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

            A

          2. Chilli Heatwave
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            A

          3. FPL_DON
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Barnes

          4. Rt505
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            A

          5. Hansel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            A easily

        7. Laurel and Vardy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Start Cantwell (have Pukki) or KWP?

          Thanks.

          1. Buck The Trent
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            K

            1. Laurel and Vardy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Thanks. Just worried about his condition but Cantwell won't do much anyway, so KWP it is.

        8. Chilli Heatwave
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Cap one
          A)Aguero
          B)salah

          1. Buck The Trent
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            A

          2. Pep Roulette
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Kun

          3. Chilli Heatwave
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Thanks

        9. thewhitepele
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Pope
          TAA VVD Digne Zinch
          Salah Sterling KDB Cantwell
          Pukki Barnes*

          Button, Greenwood, Rico, Dendonck

          G2G? Have 1ft and 1.1m itb but hoping to bank it for something like Dendonck, VVD --> Mount, 5.5 next week.

        10. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          All this Lanzini hype 😀

        11. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          How about AWB and Martial to TAA and James (-4)?

          1. Buck The Trent
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Yup

          2. Chilli Heatwave
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Looks good

          3. We Will Klopp you
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Good moves

          4. Tsparkes10
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Tempted myself but not sold on James and most likely avoiding TAA until Alisson back and I use WC

          5. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Martial Injured ??

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

              Yep, missing the Leicester match

        12. Rt505
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Ceballos or James for Martial replacement? Next 4 weeks only (wildcarding in next international break)

          1. ‘Tis the Season
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Ceballos

          2. RichardNixon
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            James for me. In 3 and a bit games he's had 11 shots of which 8 were inside the box. He's guaranteed to start and has three goals already. I don't get the Ceballos hype. He's a top top player, a proper footballer, but not certain to be a good fpl asset or start games for that matter

        13. Pep Roulette
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          On WC! Have Kun & DSilva!

          A. KDB, Ceballos, Rico (bench fodder)
          B. Otamendi, Pepe, Cantwell (rotating bench)

          1. Rt505
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            A - mainly because of KDB

          2. thewhitepele
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            B

          3. Roy Rovers
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            A

        14. JELLYFISH
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          So where are we with our captains this gw? I am currently on Salah, but am very tempted to switch to TAA

          1. ‘Tis the Season
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            TAA good shout. I’m on Salah, locked and forget

            1. Dion D's Solo Shower
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Sterling for me

          2. Surfeit of Lampteys
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Sounds like you're gonna stay with Salah.

            1. JELLYFISH
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              probably will, but I fancy a punt this week 🙂

              1. Surfeit of Lampteys
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Do it then! Although given Salah's record at Anfield, I'm not sure what makes taa the better shout.

                Sterling my Captain.

          3. dunas_dog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Sterling with Salah vice. Sterling will either start or not play at all. If City 2-3 up at halftime no need for Pep to bring him on and give run out for players he might play in Caribou cup.

        15. quayle99
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Play three:

          A. Lundstram
          B. Dunk
          C. Diop
          D. Neves
          E. Perez

          1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            errr………….I would WC

            1. quayle99
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              nooo rest of team is solid, and changing 3 next week on 2FT

          2. Swanremainsthesame
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Ludstram plays, as if not this gw when.
            Perez either plays possibility good score or is a 0 minutes anyway
            Would say Diop,Dunk,Neves after that as I dont remember Neves doing much since this time last year.

        16. ‘Tis the Season
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Play KWP in place of Coleman? I hear on here he might start..
          DEF
          Zinc Robbo KWPZ Lund

        17. Nabs Kebabs
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          People bringing in Pepe must be smoking crack, he has barely had a performance better than a 6/10. Decision making in the final third has been horrendous (Arsenal supporter). I'm sure he will come good at some point but for now he has done absolutely nothing to warrant selection, especially at 9.4m.

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            'Must be smoking crack' 😀 😀

            1. Nabs Kebabs
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Only explanation I can think of 😉

          2. thewhitepele
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            agree!

          3. Yankee Toffee
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Differential

            1. Nabs Kebabs
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              May aswell pick Phil Jones if you want to select someone just for being a differential...I personally select the best options.

          4. @persecuted_by_mods
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Not going for him myself but they're taking a risk, you shouldn't always wait until someone has had a couple of 10/10 games before getting them in, could miss out on a lot of points that way. I commend them for taking a chance

            • Surfeit of Lampteys
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              I don't get the Arsenal supporter bit after 'decision making in the final third has been horrendous'?

            • Cok3y5murf
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Agreed.

              In the last two days, visiting this place, it's felt like Pepe is a must-have player lol. Investing 9.4 this early for a player that couldn't shoot on target. People picking players based on ownership.

            • IRBOX ⚽
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Multiple routes to points. On corners and got assist potential. Has racked up 11 shots in his last 2 starts and is a proven goal scorer.

            • Tsparkes10
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Trying to get points before the train becomes a thing and you're chasing last week points. Good option imo

              1. Nabs Kebabs
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Brought in Kun(c) and Haller for a hit last GW...points chasing is definitely not how I play the game

                1. Nabs Kebabs
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Or maybe I was...since Kun and Haller both hauled the GW before that 😉

            • quayle99
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              First player to successfully dipple past Virgil in 50 league games :/

              I can see the appeal if you want to take a risk on a differential who has the potential to slap the goals in.

              Much safer options available for the money tho

              1. Nabs Kebabs
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                How many fpl points do u get for dribbling past VVD?

                1. have you seen cyan
                  • 4 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  lol

                  1. Nabs Kebabs
                    • 12 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Imagine if Iwobi got fpl points for dribbling...would be #1 fpl player in the game...

            • Arteta
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              This statement won't age well.

              1. Nabs Kebabs
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                I said he will come good at some point...just makes no sense now when he hasn't shown anything.

          5. gooner_112233445566
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Need help...

            pope (button)
            vvd, digne, lund, (montoya), (rico)
            salah, kdb, sterling, mount, lanzini
            jimenez, pukki, (greenwood)

            1.2 itb, 1 ft
            a) pukki OUT for c wilson
            b) jimenez OUT for c wilson
            c) save ft

            1. Yankee Toffee
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              B

          6. Yankee Toffee
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Well that’s inconclusive. So, do we think AWB will start, or not?

            1. Dion D's Solo Shower
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              It's a tough one..
              But even if he starts I can't see United keeping a cleanie.

              1. Yankee Toffee
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Cheers

          7. dshv
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Heaton

            Virgil - Robbo - Digne - Walker

            Salah - Martial? - Mount - Sterling

            Pukki - Wilson

            (dendo, lund, green)

            1. Martial to who ??
            2. Save FT
            3. Any other advice???

            1. valurth
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              KDB