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

    Wan-b to Otamendi worth a -4?

    Want City def cover for the medium term so should pay off right?

    1. joeyc_33
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Just asked the exact same question. Facing same dilemma. Was a move I was considering regardless of the injury. Just not sure City will keep a clean sheet.

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

        City have good fixtures coming, telling myself that even if they concede this week the hit could still have paid for itself and more over a few gws

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

      You have to be able to look beyond immediate returns for hits. If A is better than B long term, A will still be better long term even though B scores an unexpected hat trick in GW5. Every starting player in the game is capable of a 20-point haul at any point, but if you feel a move helps your team in general... Make it

      Timing is key though. If you're sure Man U has a much higher chance of keeping a CS than City this GW, delay the move especially since you can still afford it next GW

      For the question itself, I can't really answer without seeing your bench. If Lund/Cantwell is coming off your bench in case Wan-B doesn't play, hold. If you don't have cover for a Wan-B absence, move now

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

        Cheers for the reply, good context to taking hits!

        I would have Lunds coming off the bench

        1. Ze_Austin
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Hold. 2 points from Lund would be enough... And he could easily get more, of course

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

      I did this move for free earlier today
      Given fixtures I’d probably say yes
      Feels good not to own a united player

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

        I fell for Awb and Martial on an early wildcard. Can’t wait to get rid tbh!

  2. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    People selling Martial to who

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

      Haller

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

      James and upgrade elsewhere

    3. TokyoRisingSun
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Mount probably. Ceballos worth a shot too imo.

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

    A) Keep Jota

    B) Jota to Barnes (-4)

    C) Jota to Haller (-4)

    Actually tempted with A given Chelsea's defence and Jota's rest. Thoughts?

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

      Did B

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

      A

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

      I'm on A

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

    A - Dunk, Cantwell, Mount, Greenwood

    or

    B - Hanley, Hayden, James, Barnes

    ??

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

      A

  5. joeyc_33
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Do you think AWB > Otamendi for a -4 is worth it?

    AWB was on the chopping block anyway.

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

      Thinking the same, will probably go for it, no hits so far this season which isn’t like me!

      1. joeyc_33
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yea I'm leaning towards the change

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

      Depends who your first sub is

      1. joeyc_33
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Currently Cantwell

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Long term yes

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

    captain who?

    a. Kun
    b. Stirling
    c. Salah

    Currently on Mo fyi.

    Cheers

    1. DIMITRIS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Salah, because he's selfish and thats good for fantasy, whilst with City you can't predict who'll score, it could be David Silva and Mahrez on the scoresheet with Aguero and Sterling asisting...

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

        i predict aguero to score

      2. Soto Ayam
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        This is how I feel. Because of their attaching derth, city could score 4 and kun and sterling maybe only get an assist or not even score. However, if Liverpool score 4 it's hard to see Salah in the points.

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

      A if I had him

    3. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Easy A if I had him

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

    Worth getting in VVD for Emerson for a hit? Just needs a clean sheet to make up for it and can see him notching a goal too with the number of corners Liverpool are likely to get.

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

      Could work yep

  8. DIMITRIS
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    I finally choosed my WC team, what do you think :
    Pope ( Button)
    Matip | Otamendi | Lundstram (Guilbert, Hanley )
    Salah | Sterling | Pepe | Son | Ceballos
    Abraham | Haller (Greenwood )
    4 punts and 7 templates , good or bad ?

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

      Great attack but a bit weak in defence. I’d try and get one of the 4m defenders up to 4.5 (Soyuncu or Burnley def). You could downgrade Pepe, Son, Abraham or Haller to other good options to free cash. Could pay off well if you go for the risk though. Good luck

      1. DIMITRIS
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah, I kinda wanted to make my defence as thin as possible because from the start I had two Liverpool defenders ( Robbo and VVD) and it was so frustrating to watch Norwich and Southampton scoring against them while cheap midfielders and forwards scored. I know that at the end of the season they will get their clean sheets and asists, but it's so much more fun to watch Ceballos, Pepe and Son with their nice fixtures coming up and hope for goals that to be scared for 90 minutes that some random dude wont score a fluke against your premium defence.

        It can pay off or it can backfire massively. Cheers 🙂

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good until I saw that you are missing the assist machines Trent and KDB

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        When you think TAA & KDB were available for just 16.5 (and still less than 17.0) the mind really does boggle - superb value, just need Allison back

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

        That's also my main concern. But I think Pepe Son and Ceballos can cover that or surpass them by some margine.

    3. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ceballos risky because one poor performance will lead to Ozil in easy Games now otherwise like the aggressive approach. Maybe Ceballos to Cantwell and Guilbert to Maitland Niles

      1. DIMITRIS
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I'll certanly do something like that if Emery drops Ceballos for Ozil.
        Cheers 🙂

  9. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone here with Pukki/Lundstram bench choice,who will you bench and why?
    I'm 50/50 atm on Pukki (plus I have Ota)

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

      If I had both, it’s tough, but pukki imo

    2. Mattias
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yea. Same here and probably a few others.

      I'm backing the city clean sheet. Even if Pukki scores then 99% of people will lose CS points, so for me I'm playing Lundstram as I think the points ceiling is higher.

    3. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers and GL

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

      Don't bench an in-form striker even if he's facing Atletico Madrid

      Strikers are confidence-based players. The odds change based on confidence

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks mate

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

      Benched Pukki here, purely as Lunds fixtures get pretty painful after this GW

    6. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Pukki was very good against Liverpool, think he can score against City too. Don't own Lundstram myself but if I did I think I'd go for Pukki.

    7. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks all for your time,which ever I choose I will go for the wrong one
      GL

      1. Soto Ayam
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I'm gonna play Lund as i think he has a higher score potential than puk this wk

  10. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Zimmermann, Klose, Hanley and possibly Aarons out for Norwich.

    I feel like you just have to captain a City asset this week and hope that they end up being one of the ones starting. Can see 4+ goals for them.

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Sterlings turn

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Hopefully

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

      I've been making obvious captaincy choices and somehow ended up outscored by my VC... Then a differential cap last GW was still outscored by my VC

      But this GW feels the easiest of all. Norwich defence vs Newcastle defence

      (S)terling locked in for the mandatory (VS)alah hat trick

  11. snouty375
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Need a replacement for martial now he's confirmed to be out. Who would you go for please

    Mount,. Richarlison or lanzini

  12. Sweetpea
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    What are the chances of Rob Holding getting into the team?

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

      About the same as Michael Holding's.

    2. Mr Peanutbutter
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      bad

    3. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Too soon.
      But in a weeks time maybe.
      Hes gonna come into that time at some Stage

  13. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Which one?
    A) awb to ota for -4
    B) martial to eriksen for -4
    C) both for -8

    Already sold laporte to robbo

    Pope
    TAA robbo digne AWB**
    Sterling kdb son Martial** mount
    Haller

    4.0 kelly greenwood wickham

  14. Bird Raymond
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Looks like Martin Kelly's time is up. 2 clean sheets in 3 starts for me, will be missed!

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Goodnight sweet Prince 🙁

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

    Which Martial replacement sounds best?

    1) Maddison
    2) Mount
    3) James
    4) Lanzini
    5) FAnderson
    6) DSilva (Would be my 3rd City mid)

    Currently thinking mostly about DSilva and WH guys.

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

      1 or 4

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        +1

    2. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      1 and 4

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

      2 or 3

  16. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    What are people doing with Kane? He is giving me a right headache as to whether I should keep or sell to get in kdb (for a hit). But international break showed what he can do

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      if erikson doest play spurs will struggle against parked buses

      1. Dr. Agabuse
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Is eriksen injured?

        1. Eleven Hag
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          he hasnt been starting due to contract issues i guess

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

      Keeping this week, probably gone next.

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

      Bcos he play Kosovo every GW?

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Captaining him & booting him the hell out of my team if he doesn't haul

      1. Dr. Agabuse
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Thats not a sensible approach

      2. Ambrosiana Inter
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Lol also captaining him

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

      If losing Kane for a hit, for this week alone, I think I'd want Aguero over KDB.

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

        Would be Kane + trossard -> Haller/Wilson + kdb for -4...

  17. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    So who is your captain this GW?

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

      Firmino

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        gud luck...

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

          Cheers

    2. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Kane

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        cud be a hatrick or a 2 pointer this week

        1. Ambrosiana Inter
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          As usual with him

  18. Aubaaaaa
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Best AWB replacement in your opinion?
    A. Söyüncü
    B. Dunk
    C. Masuaku
    D. Any other options below 5m

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

      Burnley

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

      A

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

    martial drop inevitable ! sell sell sell

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Hope he drops to 7.4

      1. Ambrosiana Inter
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yup

      2. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Buying him back at any price would be as bad an idea as the time you went for Lukaku st last season

        1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I remember this because I followed you into it 😀

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

            haha! i will get martial back if my differential fail this week

  20. Dannywaz
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Best free hit team this week

  21. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    worth having Greenwood as first sub over Lund?

  22. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts
    Haller KDB Soyuncu for King Martial Robertson (-8)

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      robbo haul is inevitable

  23. yakirh
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Martial & AWB to TAA & James (-4)
    Good moves?

  24. konrad.sygula95
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Need some help here

    Best replacement for Trossard ?
    A) James
    B) Maddison
    C) Lanzini

    My squad for this GW:
    1.5 itb
    Pope
    Zinchenko/Digne/Robertson
    Salah(c)/Sterling/Siggy/Mount/ Trossard*
    Pukki/Jota

    Bench: Heaton/Lundstram/Montoya/Greenwood

  25. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Wow - Laporte out for 5-6 months according to Pep!

    Huge blow for MCI

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Liverpool's year then

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I bl*ody hope so!

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

    Imagine the scenes when City win 2-1 to Norwich! One is an OG and the other one is scored by Jesus off the bench!

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

      Imagine Pep is actually Robocop while you're at it.

  27. aidmata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    GTG?

    Pope

    Zinchenko KWP TAA Digne

    Mount Salah (C) Sterling (VC) KDB

    Haller Pukki

    Subs: Lundstram Deondocker Greenwood

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

      Wil kwp play?

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

        Back in training so think I'll take the chance. Could swap with Lundstram?

  28. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Best 5.3 defender?

  29. tyron
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    ceballos or yarmolenko?

  30. simong1
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    1FT, 0ITB A or B?

    A) Martial > Mount
    B) Martial & Greenwood > Guendouzi & Haller (-4)
    C) Martial & AWB > Cantwell & TAA (-4) ...with a view to going Jota > Haller with the spare funds next GW

    Pope - Button
    AWB - VVD - Digne - Zinchenko - Lundstram
    Sterling (c) - KDB - Salah - Martial - Dendocker
    Pukki - Jota - Greenwood