Spot the Differential

Man City injuries could allow Mahrez to reward Fantasy owners

With many of the highly-owned players failing to deliver in recent weeks, differentials are becoming more and more important to Fantasy Premier League managers.

In Gameweek 7, the top 10 points-scorers all had single-digit ownership levels, proving that many of this season’s top performers are still hiding away.

It was another good week for this regular column though. Andriy Yarmolenko (£6.0m) and Chris Wood (£6.2m) lived up to their billing by registering a goal each.

Let’s hope for more of the same this weekend. Here are three exciting players owned by 5% or less ahead of Gameweek 8.

Riyad Mahrez

Mahrez has been in exceptional form recently

Price: £8.6m 

Ownership: 4.9% 

GW8 Opponent: Wolves (H)

A player averaging 6.4 points per game is always hard to ignore in FPL, although Riyad Mahrez (£8.6m) is much more of a hidden gem right now because he plays for Manchester City.

Had it not been for their ‘Pep Roulette’ rotation system, the former Leicester man probably would have been an essential asset weeks ago.

However, a unique opportunity has emerged which makes Mahrez a viable option, at least for now. 

With fitness concerns over Kevin de Bruyne this weekend and the risk of Bernardo Silva missing out (perhaps long-term), Mahrez seems likely to be involved from the start against Wolves.

Despite only starting four league games since August, he has registered two goals and five assists – one every 57 minutes. 

Mahrez has the same amount of FPL points as Sadio Mané despite offering a saving of £3.0m, which shows how appealing his points per million is.

The Algerian’s underlying statistics almost seem too good to be true and some may say that they are skewed. But form is all that matters to me. 

Over the last two Gameweeks, among all midfielders, Mahrez has the most number of touches in the opponents’ half (127) and the most number of touches in the final third (90). 

For good measure, he’s also had 9 attempts on goal during the same period – only John McGinn has had more. That in itself speaks volumes and boosts his credibility.

Man City are due to face a potentially fatigued Wolves team this weekend that lacks the squad depth to effectively manage their Europa League and Premier League commitments. If Mahrez starts, it would be hard to say he won’t be involved in the goals.

Andriy Yarmolenko

Yarmolenko has been in good form recently and earns a recall to the differentials picks

Price: £6.0m

Ownership: 4.0%

GW8 Opponent: Crystal Palace (H)

For this first time this season, I’ve decided to repurpose one of my picks from last week. 

Yarmolenko’s wnership has increased by 2.7% but is thankfully still below the 5% threshold and capable of propelling his owners up the rankings.

The West Ham midfielder has now registered three goals in his last four league games. For all midfielders priced at £6.5m or less he currently has the best points per game average (5.5). 

Also, during the last two Gameweeks, Yarmolenko has registered the joint-fifth most amount of touches in the final third among all midfielders (54). 

This Michu-esque form shows that he’s getting in the right advanced areas and is being rewarded for his efforts.

It is clear that Yarmolenko’s minutes were being managed in August and early September, to ease him back in after his long injury lay off but he’s now beginning to play the entirety of games. 

For this campaign, he is currently averaging a goal for every 125 minutes played, which is very respectable for a budget midfielder. 

Provided he stays fit and can maintain good performance levels he could end up with at least a dozen goals by the end of the season. 

West Ham’s next opponents are Crystal Palace. The Hammers have scored 10 goals in their last five matches against the Eagles and I expect more from them with Yarmolenko at the helm.

Oli McBurnie 

McBurnie will probably enjoy playing against Watford’s poor defence

Price: £5.9m

Ownership: 0.1% 

GW8 Opponent: Watford (A)

If you’re short on cash up top and are willing to take a substantial risk on an uber-differential then look no further than Oliver McBurnie (£5.9m). 

The Sheffield United forward has started four consecutive Premier League games for his team and, since Gameweek 6, among players priced at £6.0m or less, he has the joint-third highest number of shots on goal.

That period has pitted the Blades against Everton and Liverpool, so there’s every reason to believe he can continue to provide threat against Watford.

 Of course, it’s a concern that he’s only scored one Premier League goal during his entire career, which includes an additional 16 appearances for Swansea City. 

But last season he demonstrated his ability to find the net regularly and seems to be gradually adapting to life as a top-flight centre-forward.

In the Premier League, he clearly won’t match his goal tally from last season but I expect him to gradually improve by each Gameweek. 

Vicarage Road on Saturday could serve as an ideal opportunity for him. The Hornets have been completely woeful recently, even after their managerial change. 

McBurnie and Sheffield United could cause them more trouble after having impressed against some of the league’s more established teams since Gameweek 1.

Lessons Learned from Gameweek 7

911 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Can I save the FT?
    Is starting Kelly over Tomori an option given Sou home scoring record and Che dismal CS record?

    Heaton

    Otamendi Tomori Lundstram

    Sterling KDB Mane Son

    Pukki Haller Abraham

    McGovern Cantwell Kelly Soyuncu

    1. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      KDB is out. Cantwell a doubt

    2. Moose™
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      KdB and Cantwell is doubtful right?

      1. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        plenty of decent cover in there

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I would roll Tomori. Both will probably concede, atleast Tomori is getting some attacking returns

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

      I'm starting Tomori over Kelly if that's any help. have Diop 1st sub & then Kelly

      looks gtg. save ft

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

    If you had a choice right now
    A. Otamendi
    B. Digne

    Price difference not to be considered

    1. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

        Thanks

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

    Aubabababababab

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Captain?

  4. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    KDB --> Dilva.

    I am doing it! (talk me out of it... please

    1. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I can't, I like it.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      your team your choice 🙂

    3. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mahrez may score more?

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

    GTG?

    Pope,
    TAA, Lundstram, Zinchenko
    Cantwell, Mane, Mount, Sterling
    Abraham, Auba (c), Pukki

    Heaton, McGinn, Tomori, Kelly

    1. Sedemuda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'm playing McGinn over Cantwell. Could go either way.
      Good team!

  6. QueefParkRangers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    KDB out.

    In?

    Sterling + Tomori

    or

    Auba + play a 4.5 def

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Million dollar question!

  7. MJM
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Ignoring money, do we think Felipe Anderson or Yarmolenko is the better pick?

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Both are good. Yarm probably more of a goal threat and Felipe has better assist potential IMO

  8. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Mahrez is owned by 5.8% 😮

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

      4.9%. Have you read the article?

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Munday.

      2. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        unsure if you're kinda making a joke or not

        the article may have an error

      3. gaurava1216
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Have you not bothered to check live ownership? @Cruel

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      after this article... will he surpass 10% by deadline?

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      lol@cheating scouts

  9. Bring the Cavalry
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hanley > 5.1 max

    Any suggestions?
    Madness I know but I’m thinking sokratis wth those fixtures

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      madness yep

  10. wolves_simmo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What to do? 1FT 0.0itb

    - If cantwell out ill only have 10.

    Pope
    Otamendi - TAA - Tomori
    Zaha - Salah - Sterling - Cantwell* - Son
    Abraham - Pukki

    Subs: Aurier* - Maitland-Niles - Greenwood

    1. farmerfat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      You could take a punt on Cantwell - Saka or easy transfer Aurier to any other defender.

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

    With 1 free transfer, WC in tact and .2 in bank would you make any transfer or is team ok to go and carry ? Or WC?

    Pope
    TAA Otamendi Diop Van Dijk
    Salah Sterling (c) Mount Cantwell *
    Pukki Abraham

    McGovern Rico Greenwood KDB*

    1. Sever4ever
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Same situation. Will save FT and WC

  12. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope
    TAA - Ota - Soy(!) - Lundstram
    Sterling - KDB(!) - Mane - Mount
    Tammy - Pukki

    (Greenwood, Montoya, Dendoncker)

    1 FT, 3m in the bank.

    KdB + Greenwood
    to
    Auba + Yarmolenko (-4)?

  13. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What to do here?

    Ederson
    VVD TAA Lund
    Sterling(c) Salah McGinn KDB* Cantwell*
    Pukki Abraham

    Button Kelly Greenwood Aurier*

    1.2m ITB 1 FT

  14. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Nice differentials

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks, You too xx

  15. Erez Avni
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    choose one only for gw 8

    a. mahrez
    b. son
    c. dilva

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      C

  16. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Adrian -> Pope or Roberto?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'm bringing in Roberto

      1. The Road to Turfdom
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        As a sole keeper or to rotate if I might ask?

        1. S.Kuqi
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          For only playing gk. Don't mind rotating gks

        2. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Sole keeper. Decent fixtures in the short term at least.

      2. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Frees up cash I guess but I read he’s a bit dodgy... is that others being harsh?

  17. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any suggestions?

    Risk greenwood to start?
    Risk dedoncker to cantwell?

    pope
    VVD TAA lundstram digne
    mane sterling(c) kdb* mount
    pukki abraham

    heaton greenwood rico dedoncker

    1ft and 1 itb

    1. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Dendoncker to Saka

  18. Nutella
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Have 2 FT and 0.2 ITB, would you make any changes to this or just let the transfer go to waste?

    Pope
    TAA | Lundstram | Ota
    Cantwell | Sterling (C) | Salah | Mount
    Barnes | Tammy | Pukki

    4.0 | Kelly | Soy | KDB

    1. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Would you lose much of you took Cantwell or KDB out now?

      1. Nutella
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Bought KDB for 9.7 and Cantwell for 4.7 so losses would not be huge. If KDB is out for GW9 is going to drop to 9.8 he will get the bullet though.

    2. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      If you're happy with it, keep as is. Looks very good to me.

    3. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Transferred I mean

    4. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I’m having Nutella in toast for supper

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Ew

  19. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Right subs/set up?

    Pope
    Ota, Diop, Tomori
    Sterling, Son, Cantwell(I know a doubt), Mount
    Pukki, Abraham,(A)ubameyang

    Button, Lundstram, Soy, kdb

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Lundstram over Diop...

      1. Nutella
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Seconded

  20. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    So Alisson might play this weekend?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah.

  21. BelgiumFTW
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    2 Free transfers available

    I got KDB , Cantwell, Ceballos who are uncertain. Also i have Aguero.. Since he started in CL , i see him getting benched.

    Should i sell aguero + kdb?

    Or keep kdb benched for 2 weeks and get in Auba for augero and upgrade ceballos to yarmolenko or something?

    Gimme your opinions!! Tnx xx

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'm in the same boat and haven't decided what to do yet. Agüero to Auba looking most likely right now, but I'll be so annoyed if he starts and hauls. Then again Auba is a 100% starter and is likely to do something.

  22. Epic Fail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Lundstram over Diop

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Reply fail.

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        +1

  23. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Yarmolenko has better goal threat stats in last 4 weeks than Mahrez.

    😯

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      You'll never win it if you keep giving help to the minions 😉

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        He’s feeding them poison

  24. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Which option? Bought KdB for 9,9m

    A. Hold KdB and play Rico and Greenwood
    B. KdB to Mahrez and play Rico or Greenwood
    C. KdB to Son and play Rico or Greenwood
    D. KdB and Greenwood to Yarmolenko and Tammy and bench Rico

    Thanks.

  25. I Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    "Mahrez seems likely to be involved from the start against Wolves."

    What is this based on?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      The need to put him in the differential article.

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Based on recent minutes surely Bilva and Sterling are firm favourites to start on the flanks. Unless Bilva drops into the midfield three I don't see Mahrez starting.

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      He's not owned by less than 5% either

  26. Manani
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    play Greenwood or for a (-4) get Yarmelenko

  27. davies
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any suggestions lads?*

    1FT / 0.9 ITB

    Heaton
    TAA Otamendi Lundstram
    Sterling Mane Son Dendoncker
    Abraham Pukki Greenwood

    Button Rico Soyuncu KDB*

    *I’m wildcarding next week...

    Cheers.

    1. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      If WC then make a change
      Donkey to Saka 1 week punt
      KDB if bought at 9.8 or 9.9 to Mahrez

  28. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I know its been asked 1000 times but...

    Soyuncu or Tomori?

    1. The Road to Turfdom
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      S or both

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Tom

    3. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      both

    4. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Tomori

  29. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Surely spurs rest come in Defence and midfield after mid week, surely poch won’t rest Son...

    1. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Slaughtered if he rests his best players and loses

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'd be very surprised. Son and Kane are the only players consistently scoring at the moment and Son only played 63 mins against Southampton.

  30. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Not a bad week to punt on TAA(c)!

    1. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      terrible week to do it

    2. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      When did leicester last concede 2 goals in a match?

      Has Rodgers Leicester ever conceded more than 2?

      1. markmcr
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Crystal Palace 2014 🙂