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. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I think it's has been asked a lot today but play one:

    A) Lund
    B) Rico
    C) Soyuncu

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

      B for attacking potential

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

        Not A for attacking potential?

        1. Ritchies Magic Hat
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          B because it’s Norwich

    2. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. Give Me the Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'm playing all 3

  2. ebb2sparky
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    2FT, 0ITB. Which is the better move?
    1) Salah and Haller to Mane and Wilson
    2) Haller, Hayden and Cahill to Wilson, Dendoncker and 4.1 def (3rd sub) for -4
    3) Forget about Wilson

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

      1 or 3 depending on your salah v mane views

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

      Perfect but cresswell is giving me a funny look. Get Boly and you have a winner

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

      Quite like this! Template but its nice. Not tempted by someone else over Creswell? Boly? Or change Creswell & Rico into two 4.5's?

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

      Thanks. Think Creswell is brilliant. Loves attacking. Like the old Alonso

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

    Why is KDB still flagged?

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

      FPL Towers employees stranded in traffic due to an Extinction Rebellion protest.

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

        Spot on.

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

    Bottomed
    Bench

    A) soyu
    B) cantwell
    C) digne

  6. dandydonadam92
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Mahrez to KDB
    or
    Son to KDB ....

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

      Son

  7. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    visualise a KDB assist. now look back at all the goals palace have conceded lately. haller's goal (also missed a sitter from a cross from the right), jota's late goal, 3 of the 4 vs spurs.
    i've just relented and risked shipping son and his sexy fixture for him

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

      Big Kev!

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      What if he's benched.

      1. applebonkers
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        no biggie, just a few smashed windows

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

    Any problems? Reasonably flexible WC team that should hopefully improve my rank of 1.3m... 0.9 ITB

    Pope // McGovern
    TAA Soyuncu Dunk // Lundstram Rico
    Mane KDB Mount Maddison // Dendoncker
    Auba Abraham Wilson

    Or Ryan Kelly over Pope Dunk? Had Pope from the start...

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

      What is the plan for the money ITB?

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

        See where it’s needed most!

        No one plan just now, depends how next 1/2 weeks go.

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

          Nice - good luck. Am similar but deciding on Kane/Aguero/Auba/Vardy

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

    Going to mix things up tonight, may as well, my rank is the lowest its ever been.

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

      So are you taking hits galore?

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

        Yeah, have a bit of fun.

        1. applebonkers
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          game should always be fun, good luck

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

            Cheers

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Both longstaffs? Two shields make a sword?

    3. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Be careful!

      You can easily get a solid rank by playing solidly for the rest of the season, but playing a gamble could leave you worse off.

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

    First Sub...

    A Cantwell
    B Rico

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

      A

  11. No_Mo_Salah?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Not much Yarmolenko love? Tempted with him over Maddison...

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

      I’m tempted by that too... idk though. Leicester better team than West Ham and Maddison a better player too I reckon.

      Yarmolenko stats/points more unsustainable?

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Madds fixtures too good to ignore

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

    Tim Krul is back massive save bonus haul incoming

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

      and a clean sheet

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

    GTG?

    Pope
    TAA Digne Ota
    Sterling KDB Mount Yarmo
    Auba Tammy (vc) Wilson (c)

    Button Rico Lund Cantwell

  14. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    why are not many going for Sterling captain this week?
    I was all set but most seem on Tammy or Wilson?

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

      International break is over.

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

      Guess most are fed up with him.

    3. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      shaky form, shaky fixture

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

      Been there and got burned.

  15. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any Leicester fans on?

    Do you think Periera is worth 1.4m more than Soyuncu?

    I seen him was player of the season last year. Does he play less attacking under rogers?

    Cheers

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

      You’re paying the premium for attacking return potential*

      Could you spend the £1.4m better elsewhere?

      *attacking stats below
      Soy 1A
      Pereira 2G

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Tricky. Means Kun over Auba and/or Maddison over CHO. All good players

  16. Don Rogers FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I Was originally intending to Wildcard this week. However, after making two (-4) initial transfers on first day of Gameweek, I was left with this team :-

    Ryan
    Robertson, Ottamendi, Soyuncu
    Sterling, KDB, McGinn, Son
    Vardy (vc), Haller, Abraham (c)

    Subs: Button, Cantwell, Lunds, Matsuaku 0.0 ITB

    I am tempted to now stick and Keep the wildcard until Liverpool fixture changes or beyond.
    All advice welcome?

    Stick or carry on with Wildcard?

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

      Stick. You’re good to go this week.

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

    A) Pope Dunk
    B) Ryan Kelly

    Rest of backline is TAA Soyuncu Lundstram Kelly so have to play 3 def every week. Kelly has crap fixtures - is he nailed?

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

    What to do with this?

    Pope (Button)
    Tomori VvD Rico (Lundy Hanley)
    Salah Sterling Yarmolenko Mount (Dendo)
    Pukki Kun Tammy
    0,8m in bank and 1FT

    A. Save transfer and focus on getting KdB in for gw 10
    B. KdB in for Salah
    C. Pukki to Jimenez
    D. Something else

    Thanks.

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

    currently my WC looks like that:

    ryan (button)
    taa soy tomory (lund rico)
    maddison mount mane de bruyne (dundo)
    tammy wilson kun

    very template I know... any maverick thoughts?

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

    Brighton not scored in last 3 away and I have Mings...
    Cantwell is fit to play against a Bournemouth Defence...

    Play Mings or Cantwell (Cantwell 1st Bench atm)

  21. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Unsure of Salah now since no clear news from Klopp, are you moving him on to Mane?

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

      No chance

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

      Sky sports reporter at melwood was pretty sure he’s been on a special program, and will play..

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

      Not a bad way to free up £1m for next week.

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

        0.8

    4. HNI
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Salah never misses even if borderline fit

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

        He’s missing every week lately.

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

    United 0-0 LFC please

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

    Kevin de Flagged 😎

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

      Oh captain my captain

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'll have some of that with a price rise thank you

  24. Ritchies Magic Hat
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pukki to Jimenez?

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No

  25. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Potentially mental idea, interested to hear opinions...

    My plan was to do Ceballos -> Maddison this week, but given Salah is a potential doubt and looking like he may drop in value (depending what site you’re looking at) I’m considering Salah -> Maddison this week, and then Ceballos -> Salah next week at either the same or lower cost?

    Pros - potentially gain 0.1, swap a yellow flagged player for one that will play
    Cons - Salah could haul this week and I miss it (if so I’d make the swap back before any price rises)

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

      Mental

  26. Surfeit of Lampteys
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    No word from wolves press conference? Was due at 1. Anybody know the sitch there?

  27. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/1185179095711145986?s=20

    Spurs to get their own docuseries All or Nothing.

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

      might as well drop the "all or"...

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

      Nothing it is then

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

        26 part series

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

      Hahahaha I can’t wait for this

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

      Will they show the Kane punch-up?

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        God, they should put that in the trailer. Guaranteed money.

  28. HNI
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Save FT and Keep Pepe or do pepe to kdb for Free?

    1. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      KDB all day long

  29. rodragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Salah to kdb/mane or digne to soy? Feel that Salah to mane/kdb will return more points for me.....

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

      Could also see the real Salah.

  30. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Tomori or Söy? Downgrading Digne to get cash...