Spot the Differential

Pépé’s positioning could finally unlock Fantasy potential

In a season characterised by highly-owned premium assets disappointing their owners, differentials continue to grow in importance.

In fact, Sadio Mané (£11.7m) was the only player priced over £9.5m to feature among the top 50 points-scorers in Gameweek 8.

This just goes to show that there is still plenty of success available to those prepared to move away from the tried and test options.

Even the popular choices can have off days and you can’t always over-rely on them, especially if they all choose to blank at once. 

So with an international break’s worth of time behind us, it’s time to reset and re-appreciate some differential options for Gameweek 9…

Nicolas Pépé

Nicolas Pépé has been receiving the ball in dangerous positions at Arsenal

Price: £9.3m

Ownership: 3.5%

GW9 Opponent: Sheffield United (away)

It’s probably a hard-sell to champion a player that is priced over £9.0m and has only two attacking returns since Gameweek 4 but I feel that more is still to come from Nicolas Pépé (£9.3m). 

After all, he registered 22 goals and 11 assists in Ligue 1 last season. 

While it is unlikely he will replicate those numbers in his debut Premier League campaign, Pépé has the quality to excel in this attacking Arsenal team so long as he can continue to adapt to life in English football.

So far this season, he has received more passes in the final third (97) than both Mason Mount (81) and James Maddison (79). With a bit of refinement that presence in the most important part of the pitch could be converted into goals or assists.

From a Fantasy perspective, the main concern about Unai Emery’s Arsenal is the inevitable rotation and minute-management caused by the club’s Europa League commitments.

Pépé may have started every league game for Arsenal since Gameweek 3, however, he hasn’t played a full match since Gameweek 6. To complicate matters, Alexandre Lacazette is nearing a return to full fitness which could also have an impact on his minutes in the long term. 

With that said, an opportunity presents itself for him to put in a match-winning performance in Gameweek 9 when the Europa League has had a break and Lacazette might not be risked from the start.

Arsenal have only lost once to Sheffield United in a league match since 1973 while the Blades have only kept one clean sheet at home this season.

Given Arsenal’s attacking play, it could prove difficult for Chris Wilder’s men to keep them out on Monday night.

Wesley Moraes

Wesley is starting to settle into Premier League life very nicely

Price: £6.1m

Ownership: 2.8%

GW9 Opponent: Brighton (home)

Any striker that has scored three goals in as many games can be considered is worth considering for any FPL manager.

After only registering one goal in his first five games, Wesley (£6.1m) is coming to the fore as he continues to settle into life at Aston Villa.

The former Club Brugge forward’s five attacking returns mean he has been involved in almost 40% of his team’s Premier League goals in 2019/20.

Without any other strikers to rival him in the team, it’s relatively safe to say that Wesley free from the risk of rotation. 

With the likes of Jack Grealish, John McGinn and Anwar El Ghazi providing ample support you would expect him to be a threat to opposition teams. 

Up next for Aston Villa will be Brighton who have improved defensively having kept two clean sheets since Gameweek 6. 

However, the Seagulls have at times shown defensive frailty away from home as seen with the Etihad and Stamford Bridge this season, which bodes well for Wesley.

Neal Maupay

Maupay is becoming the established number one centre-forward at Brighton

Price: £6.0m

Ownership: 0.6%

GW9 Opponent: Aston Villa (A)

If it wasn’t enough to have one differential striker from a mid-table team to ponder over, here’s another one featuring in the same match. 

Neal Maupay (£6.0m) started his Premier League debut campaign with a bang after he came off the bench and scored a goal in Gameweek 1. 

Ever since then his minutes on the pitch have become more regular and he’s gradually becoming one of Brighton’s more reliable attacking assets under Graham Potter. 

It’s probably unfair to over analyse his stats from one isolated match, however in Gameweek 8 (among all strikers), he had the most number of touches in the opposition half (44) and the joint-second number of touches in the final third (30). 

All of this hard work proved fruitful as he scored a goal against Tottenham in a resounding win at the Amex.

However, despite his pedigree of scoring over twenty goals in the Championship last season, he has yet to even score back-to-back goals in the Premier League. 

The lack of consistency at present puts a small question mark over him but it certainly doesn’t make him prone to being dropped. 

To put it simply, I can’t see Glenn Murray challenging him any time soon for his berth up top. 

Looking ahead to this weekend, Aston Villa have conceded six goals in their last two games and if there was a moment for Maupay to start the wheels of his future bandwagon this could be it. 

984 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I'd go Maupay there

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

      Haha - reply fail to the bottomed comment!

    2. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      haha epic top post

  2. MESSINHO
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    on WC

    Ryan - Button
    TAA - Soy - Lund - Rico - Boly/Tomori
    Mane - KdB - Mount - *** - ***
    Wilson - Abraham - ***

    A) Sterling + Dendo+ Jimenez
    B) Sterling + Maddison + Connolly
    C) Maddison + Dendo + Agüero

    Cheers!

    1. OBAMA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      similar to mine.

      I've gone Maddison, Kun and Saka (so basically C)

    2. Relaxing
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I have basically have the same decision on wildcard, my head is scrambled. Aguero va Sterling debate has good arguments for both sides

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

    Yuk, those are some rank differentials.

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Trossard is the one who catches my eye.

  4. Super Squirrel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Redmond, Fraser, Lundstram, bellerin.

    Play one. Bench three.

    (Draft league)

    1. OBAMA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      bench fraser

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

    A) Digne > Pereira/Söyüncü/Tomori
    B) Digne, Pukki > Söyüncü/Tomori, C.Wilson
    C) Digne, Pukki > Kelly, Vardy
    D) Salah, Pukki > Mané, C.Wilson

    2 FT - 0.2 ITB

    Ryan - Heaton
    VVD - Otamendi - Diop - Digne - Dunk
    Salah - Sterling - KDB - Cantwell - Mount
    Pukki - Tammy - Greenwood

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

      A or B, whats your plans with Ota and VVD?

      I only ask as I dont hate Ota and VVD to Soy and TAA this week. Then deal with Digne next week

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

        Ota has 3 easy games ahead of him and VVD has MUN-TOT-AVL. Matip and Alisson returning. I think there is good chance of some CS there. Or am I missing something?

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

          Everton on the other hand are horrible.

    2. OBAMA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      D

  6. Jono_90
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Does anyone know roughly how long Fantasy Premier League has been going?

    Are there any websites that keep data of past seasons? Just for curiosity.

    TIA.

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      06/07 I belive

      Not that I've come across

      1. Jono_90
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Shame. Would have been interesting.

        My first season was 08/09.

        Thanks.

  7. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on WC team?

    Pope, Button

    TAA, Pereira, Lundstram, Lascelles, Rico

    Mane, KDB, Maddison, Mount, Nakamba

    Aubameyang, Wilson, Abraham

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

      nice. only concern is a 2nd man city player. I dont mind Mount to CHO if it gives you Auba to Kun for example. Depends how much £ you have tied up in Mount. I prefer Webster over Lascelles but its marginal

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

    who will get more points in the coming 3 weeks?

    A) de bruyne sterling
    B) mane sterling
    C) mane de bruyne

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

      c

    2. OBAMA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      C i hope

    3. Relaxing
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Agree with C, if De Groine is fit

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

      If they all play similar minutes B

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

      C

  9. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope
    TAA Otamendi Digne Rico
    Salah Sterling KDB Mount
    Abraham Pukki
    4.0 Tarkowski, Dendonk, Nkeitah
    2FT

    How does Salah, Pukki -> Mane Wilson look?

    1. OBAMA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      do it

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

    Chances of maddison playin this week?

    1. OLLY G
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Very high

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

        Ta lad

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

      passed fit, trained well. very very high chance

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

        Parfait

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

    Hay all. Please some help below...just cant decide!

    A. Salah + Pukki + AWB OUT ( -8 )
    De Bruyne + Auba + Lascelles IN

    B Pukki + AWB OUT ( -4 )
    Wilson + Sokatris IN

    Thanks all in advance!

    1. OBAMA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      dont put Sok in. He gets yellows a lot and gives away pens

  12. Pranav Santhosh
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    RMWCT

    Ryan Button
    TAA Soyuncu Lundstram Rico Kelly
    Sterling KDB Maddison Mount Cantwell
    Auba Abraham Vardy

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      8/10 for no Liverpool attacker. I’d take Mane over Sterling but am trying to decide on Sterling v Auba myself

      1. Pranav Santhosh
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah on form mane and Salah over sterling it’s more just a fixtures thing. I think I’d go auba over sterling assuming arsenal improve and start scoring more with the likes of tierney and bellerin coming in which helps how they attack

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Why no Liverpool attack?

      1. Pranav Santhosh
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Just a fixtures thing and wanted to get rid of either sterling or Salah on WC. On form they definitely deserve a spot but the plan is to move sterling to Salah (assuming auba is still performing) before gw 13

  13. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    For now, to try to shoot up the rankings with WC:

    A) Auba Maddison 0.9 ITB
    B) Sterling Jimenez 0.0 ITB

    KDB, Mane are other premiums. Abraham, Wilson, Mount also in there.

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

      A, i am really worried about sterlings flp output when out of the left providing the width. I want him getting those cut back tap ins

    2. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

  14. AsdcavirPT
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    WC Team:
    Pope
    TAA Tomori Soyu
    Yarmolenko Mané KDB Mount
    Vardy Abraham Auba

    Button Guilbert Cantwell Rico

    Should I do:
    A) Auba, Vardy -> Aguero, Wilson?
    B) Auba, Vardy, Yarmo -> Sterling, Wilson, Maupay?
    C) Good team (covers Arsenal and Leicester's good fixtures and has Liverpool and City main assets)

  15. OLLY G
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    (A) Save FT and keep Salah - Rico comes on if he doesn't play

    (B) Salah to Mane

    Thanks.

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

      a, unless you have plans and a need for the money B saves you

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

    Re Salah confusion. The PL is the number one priority for Liverpool and Klopp is yet to win at old Trafford and United are there for the taking. I’d be shocked if Salah does not start assuming he’s fit

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

      It's the end bit of that statement that's the concern.

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

        Surely a smokescreen for United

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

          This "surely" sounds like a complete guess based on hope.

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

            Mind games by Klopp. Just like you’re doing with me...

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      The issue is his fitness which is the concern

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

      No doubt he starts if he's fit. It's the "if fit" part that is in doubt.

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

        I think he plays then is rested midweek. Genk away perfect place for Origi to start in his home country

  17. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pereira & Auba or Soy & Aguero?

    1. Super Squirrel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      The first two

  18. The Left Duke #3
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    G2G or anything worth a hit? Only have 0.1m ITB

    Pope (Button)
    TAA Otamendi Soyuncu (Rico Lundstram)
    Salah Sterling Mahrez Mount (Cantwell)
    Abraham (c) Haller Pukki

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

    Help...I have an extra FT this week as I want to have 2FT next week (to likely get rid of Kane). What to do?

    One suggestion I got was that if I have no other moves then to use the FT on replacing Button with McGovern. Any suggestions much appreciated!!

    Current team with 0 ITB:
    Pope, Button
    Otamendi, TAA, Digne, Lundstram, Kelly
    Salah, Sterling, Mount, Cantwell, Dendoncker
    Kane, Pukki, Abraham

  20. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is Chilwell a no-go? I appreciate he's an awkward price point, but still surprised no to see him mentioned. I assume RP is far more aggressive going forward this year.

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

      Chilwell always overlooked on here - was great for me at the end of last season from memory.

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

        Seems that way. As much as I like the Soy value I'm rarely keen to go with a straightforward defender with nothing much else (hence I've been looking at Tierney). Is Chilwell less attacking than RP or do you think it will even out?

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

          Not sure to be honest - haven't looked at Leicester defence thus far (not used WC and have always had bigger fish to fry than my defence)

  21. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Help needed. Got 2ft and 0.3itb.

    Pope
    TAA Otamendi Soyuncu
    Salah Sterling KDB Mount Tielemans
    Abraham Pukki

    4.0; Guilber, Lundstram, Greenwood

    Pukki to Jimenez is the only transfer I'm really considering...

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

      Do you think Tielemans will deliver? Personally I feel there a more attacking options

      1. aapoman
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Got him in on a wc few weeks ago so not ditching just yet due to juicy fixtures but if he won't deliver in the next 2 he is out

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

          Haven't seen too much of Leicester recently but Maddison and even Perez seem to be the majority choice here, but of course tielemans could do the job! Good luck

  22. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    G2G?

    Brave captaining Tammy over Sterling, Aguero or Mane?

    Pope
    Digne TAA Otamendi Rico
    Sterling Mount McGinn Mane
    Aguero Abraham (C)

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

      Not brave at all, completely template and the right choice

  23. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Salah was in training photos along with Adrian, Matip, Alisson and Milner on Tuesday.

    Yesterday no Alisson, Adrian, Miner or Salah. Only Matip.

    Do not know what to make of this but could be the players returning from IB for yesterdays training session.

    Still confident Salah will start though. Could be a ploy by Klopp to make Ole ponder about LFC's starting lineup.

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

      Giving Gollum a bit too much credit there perhaps 🙂

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        If Salah was training on Tuesday, he would have trained on Wednesday as well?

        Klopp did say more sessions today so if Salah was that serious, I doubt he would be doing all training sessions today.

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

          Who knows - could be many different reasons for why what has happened as happened. Probably a don't buy situation, but I probably wouldn't sell either.

  24. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What’s the latest on KDB and Salah?

  25. WVA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who scores more points this week?

    A. Abraham
    B. Wilson

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

      b

  26. Modest Bob
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Mane to Ismali Sarr for free?

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

      Nice Sarr-casm.

    2. Relaxing
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Can you make it for a -8?

  27. aborg
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who has and is playing Wilson AND Pukki like me?
    I really think this is gonna be a goal fest from both sides !

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

      Sold one for the other

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

        Ah shoot! I think they will both star in this game !

    2. Relaxing
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Nice position to be in for this week. GL!

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

        Ye thanks. Will then sell Pukki the next gw , but might hold onto him if he impresses again.
        My front trio are therefore Pukki, Abraham and Wilson(c)

  28. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Too risky to put the armband on Son? Big chance he doesn’t start due to the IB right?

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

      too risky - only got back yesterday

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

      Not a risk I want to take and Spurs aren't exactly great right now either. Going City.

  29. faux_C
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Planning to save my FT - looking good?

    Heaton
    VVD, Soyuncu, Lundstram
    Mount, KDB, Sterling, McGinn
    Vardy, Wilson, Firmino

    (Pope, Lanzini, Dunk, Kelly)

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

      solid team yes unless firmino --> Tammy

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

        Cheers - can't sell Firmino unless I get Salah or Mane..

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

    Choose one!

    A - Mahrez and Chambers
    B - Mcginn and TAA