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. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Wisdom of the crowd time....

    Who to captain?
    A) Wilson (NOR)
    B) Tammy (NEW)
    C) Kun (cry)
    D) Mané (mun)

    Who to start?
    1) Lunds (ARS)
    2) Rico (NOR)

    Currently on A1

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

      B2

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

        Bomber

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

      A1

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

      What's the traffic like? I have to go to Stevenage later.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        😆
        Luckily I didn't represent my usual commute road in the options (M25)

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Pick us up a pumpkin from Hitchin.

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

          Not sure that will go with your bacon sandwich either.

    4. BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B1

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

    If Salah is doing all training sessions today then pretty sure he is good to go 🙂

    I am not going to take a hit to bring in Mane and waste an FT to bring him back.

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

      Reply fail to my comment? 😀

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

        Nope 🙂

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

      Why would you do that anyway, I am so tempted by Salah esp with Romero in goal...

      1. Delta Varane'iant
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        A keeper who has proven himself just as competent as De Gea since he's been at the club?

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

          Very different in game time, could be rusty, not saying he’s a bad keeper

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

        Romero the second best keeper in the league behind DDG.

  3. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is Gazzaniga too risky on WC?

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

      The words barge and pole spring to mind

    2. BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Get Pat

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

        Just sack Pat

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

          Daft Pat

    3. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      4.4 and should be 1st choice. GKs worth a punt i reckon.

  4. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Start 1:

    A) Lund
    B) Rico
    C) Ota
    D) Guendouzi

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Same A vs B as my dilemma

      Currently on Lunds but in your case I think I would go C

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      ota

    3. BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers both

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

    A - What's the craic with Chambers? Is he going to be a regular starter? Got 4.4 for a defender, currently on Lascelles (got Rico)

    B - Pope or Ryan??

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

      Lascelles
      Ryan

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

    KDB (C)?

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

      Minutes will be managed - no

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

      100%

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

      Yep I'm on that

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

      No

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

    A or B?

    (A)
    Pope / Mcgovern
    Pereira / Creswell / Lundstram / Rico / Chambers
    Mane / Mahrez / Maddison / Mount / Saka
    Aguero / Auba / Tammy

    (B)
    Pope / Mcgovern
    Pereira / Creswell / Lundstram / Rico / TAA
    Mane / KDB / Maddison / Mount / Saka
    Wilson / Auba / Tammy

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

      B

  8. Sickboy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Other than the injury which looks to be okay now, why is everyone swapping to Manè from Salah please?

    Thanks.

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

      £

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

      free up cash

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

      A massive 0.8 m extra to spend

    4. SB8
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mane better than Salah?

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

        On eye test - Yes
        On FPL perspective - Never

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

      Points chasing mostly but also the allure of freeing up some cash. The stats will soon align with actual results again and they will come scurrying back. Brainless bugs.

  9. Kalou
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Best moves please?
    A.Salah+Otamendi ->Robbo+Kdb
    B.Pukki+Dilva->Kdb +Connolly
    Both moves are free.

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

    GTG?

    Pope
    TAA Tomori Rico
    Mane Son (c) Maddison Mount
    Aguero Vardy Tammy

    McG Lunny Nakamba Hanley

    Son to KDB next week.

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

      Son too risky to captain

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

        At home to the 2nd worst defence (by just 1 goal) in the league?

        2G 3A in last 5. Seems safe to me.

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

          Might not even start. Only got back to London yesterday.

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

            Oh jeez, didn’t know that!

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

            Tammy v Vardy I guess then.

            Think Newcastle up there game v top sides. So maybe go LCFC.

        2. Delta Varane'iant
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Think it's more to do with the fact that he might have his minutes managed / start off the bench

  11. Origal73
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Help please....

    Play 1:
    1) ota (cry)
    2) Soy (BUR)
    3) Rico (NOR)

    Captain:
    A) Salah (mun)
    b) Sterling (cry)
    c) KDB (cry)
    d) king (NOR) as a punt. He may score 2 penalties... 🙂

  12. harry brock
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling and King Vs Maddinson and Aubamayeng ???

  13. Am sorry to say again it�…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Kante is out. How have Chelsea performed this season without him?

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

      GWs 3, 4, 5 and 7
      GW1 was terrible.

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

    Interestingly only 2 of Tammy's 8 goals this season have come at home.

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

      Hopefully will level that up a bit tomorrow 🙂

    2. suddenorgan
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      yes but his stats at home are better, it's just an anomaly

  15. Aftermath
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Team gtg?

    Pope
    TAA Otamendi Tomori
    Mane KDB Mount Sterling
    Wilson Jimenez Tammy

    Button Lundstram Cantwell Kelly

    Who are you guys cappin? Could be really tricky this week getting it right. Currently on KDB

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

    Now that Cantwell is confirmed fit, dont know if its a good idea to bench him. Bench Cantwell or Lanzini?

  17. GW 9 News Roundup
    Rotation's Alter Ego
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    What we learnt in the runup to Gameweek 9…

    Liverpool

    Klopp will have to see on Salah, Alisson and Matip, not giving much away on their fitness though he did say that they look better. The players on international duty returned ok.
    https://twitter.com/IanDoyleSport/status/1185155916154441729?s=20

    Man City

    KDB and Stones have been training the last few days – KDB is good. Mendy is back as well but returned a bit later. Aguero is fine.
    https://twitter.com/StuBrennanMEN/status/1185171741108330496?s=20

    Arsenal

    Lacazette has resumed full training on Thursday, with those that played on Tuesday returning tomorrow from international duty. Tierney is ready to play. Nelson is out until November but ESR returns.
    https://twitter.com/charles_watts/status/1184820006003101696?s=20

    Leicester

    Maddison has recovered from illness. Praet has remained in Belgium for longer than expected but should return to Leicester on Friday.
    https://www.lcfc.com/news/1454394/rodgers-expects-maddison-to-be-fit--ready

    Chelsea

    Kante is out, Kovacic is in contention but Christensen will miss out for the next two weeks or so. Rudiger is training outside but isn’t yet ready to play.
    https://twitter.com/liam_twomey/status/1185173173458948096?s=20

    Crystal Palace

    A couple players will be assessed late, but will probably be ok. Sakho and Wickham remain out.
    https://twitter.com/MattWoosie/status/1185172410070376448?s=20

    Burnley

    Gudmundsson faces weeks out with a hamstring injury from IB with Cork and Barnes facing late tests to see if they’re fit. Pieters has trained and is available, but Drinkwater is out
    https://twitter.com/TheClarets_com/status/1184819061596807171?s=20

    West Ham

    No fresh injuries but the existing injuries (Antonio and Reid) remain out. Fabianski needs time to recover after surgery, and will return next year. Rice recovered from illness.
    https://twitter.com/Sam_InkersoleTM/status/1184793288164950018?s=20

    Tottenham

    Son should have arrived back at Spurs on Thursday evening. Lo Celso and Sessegnon remain far away from the level of fitness they need to be despite resuming training, so are well down the pecking order. Eriksen will be assessed late, Lloris is out.
    https://twitter.com/Dan_KP/status/1184813927642947584?s=20

    Bournemouth

    Adam Smith is getting closer to a return but Brooks, Gosling and Stanislas are still someway off from making returns. No new injuries reported, but there’s a “couple of slight concerns” with some of the players returning from international duty.
    https://twitter.com/peterrutzler/status/1185108429548986368?s=20

    Wolves

    Wolves have a few injured / ill players – Jota, Dendoncker, Neto, Saiss and Gibbs-White – need to recover, but some will do it within the game. No clarification of which of these will feature.
    https://twitter.com/JoeEdwards_Star/status/1185167541305532419

    Man United

    De Gea and Pogba are set to miss the Liverpool game but De Gea wasn’t ruled out, Martial and Wan-Bissaka could return.
    https://t.co/Sk3gLqPR3q?amp=1

    Sheffield United

    Fleck, McBurnie and McGoldrick will all be assessed late but Wilder will give them every chance to prove their fitness. First reports on all the international players is that they are ok.
    https://twitter.com/SheffieldUnited/status/1184419528798814210?s=20

    Brighton

    Trossard has been training but isn’t ready to start. Propper is available, with only Bernardo and Isquierdo out.
    https://twitter.com/AndyNaylorBHAFC/status/1184807981004787718?s=20

    Aston Villa

    Heaton, Engels, Lansbury and Kodjia are all available. Jota will miss out for a few weeks and Chester needs a few U23 minutes to get his fitness up.
    https://twitter.com/greggevans40/status/1184808556362645509?s=20

    Newcastle

    The Newcastle squad is nearly fully fit with just Ritchie and Lejeune missing out. Gayle, Carroll and co are therefore fit, but 4/5 of the squad will have the be left behind ad Bruce has too many options in his squad. Yedlin returned late but seems ok.
    https://twitter.com/lee_ryder/status/1185111211349872640?s=20

    Southampton

    No new injuries for Southampton, but Djenepo and Cedric remain out, with Djenepo targeting an early November return.
    https://twitter.com/solentsport/status/1184772327873171457?s=20

    Everton

    Gbamin will have to undergo surgery after another setback, putting him out for a further 3 months. Delph is still a doubt, Tosun is out.
    https://twitter.com/Paddy_Boyland/status/1185171113250304001?s=20

    Norwich

    Krul is back and will play. Cantwell, McLean and Aarons are fine, Byram has recovered as well. Vranic is in team training but needs more time. Tettey, Trybull and Hernandez are all in contention as well. Godfrey is available, Hanley is out for 7-8 weeks. Lewis is available.
    https://twitter.com/michaeljbailey/status/1185168127388205056?s=20

    Watford

    Capoue, Deeney, Prodl and Success are out with Prodl and Capoue looking at returning next week, but Deeney looking at over a month out yet.
    https://twitter.com/watfordfcnews/status/1184868822974644227?s=20

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

      Cheers Rotation, saves a lot of work.

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

      Many thanks. Salah is only worry for me then

    3. Nüno Vippan
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Good job!
      Did Lampard mention wlb position? Emerson or Alonso for gw9?

    4. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      +1

    5. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers mate. Always a great summary.

      Not sure why FFS need to do an article and youtube video in addition to this.

    6. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Appreciate this mate, was tied up all day and didn't get any news, cheers and GL for the GW!

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

    aguero or sterling on wildcard? (have kdb)

  19. The EJJ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    WC has essentially boiled down to Sterling or Aguero. Who do you think is the better shout?

    1. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Kun because I see him as a more reliable captain pick (after 3 Sterling captain fails for me this season).

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

      I went Kun, switched from Sterling.

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

    With the KDB news final WC locked in! GTG?

    Pope (McGovern)
    Pereira / TAA / Creswell (Lundstram / Rico)
    Mane / KDB (C) / Maddison / Mount (Saka)
    Wilson / Auba / Tammy

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

      Saka isn't a reliable starter long term is he?

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Looks pretty template so yeah.

    3. Johan Queef
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'm not sure it it's good or worrying that it's basically identical to my WC team this week

  21. Pieterke30
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Y or N?

    Yarmo, Cantwell, Pukki OUT
    CHO, KDB, Connolly IN

    For -8.

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      n

  22. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Bench

    A) soyu
    B) cantwell
    C) digne

  23. flippetyflop
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Abraham or Wilson?

    first to 5 votes wins.

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

      So tough.There is no right or wrong.Feel both will score twice.

    2. Mortal.Swinbat
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Abraham for season

  24. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Currently 5th in ML.First is only 15 pts ahead.Feel that all will captain Tammy.But noone has Wilson.Should i:

    a) Captain Wilson and take the risk.
    b) Captain Tammy.

    Thanks.

    1. Connor Wickham
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Far too early to worry about that. Pick who you think scores more

    2. Connor Wickham
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'm going A fwiw

  25. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    G2G?

    Ryan
    TAA, Soyuncu, Ota
    Salah, Sterling, KDB, Mount, Cantwell
    Pukki, Abraham

    Button Lund AWB Greenwood

    Or do AWB -> Tomori and bench Cantwell?

  26. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    KDB managed minutes this weekend please. No need to rush him back from injury against a rough Palace side.

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

      KDB hattrick pls

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Whatever helps you sleep at night

  27. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone else have a suspicion that Pep may go, at least sometimes, with a backline of Fernandinho and Stones now the latter is back, spelling trouble for Ota's reliability of starts...

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

      Yes

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

      Seems unlikely

  28. Water_Pink
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Best 4.5 gk ?

  29. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Still worth going Tomori over Rico even with Chelsea defensive injuries?

  30. JariL
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Would you rather bring in:

    A) Maddison

    B) Jimenez

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

      I went A