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. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Is there a more beautiful sight pre-deadline in FPL than a newly unflagged KDB? I'm not sure there is you know 🙂

    Big Kev to punish sellers? Either via use of a FT, use of a 4 point hit, or missing a haul?

    Quite possibly

    1. JariL
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Tempted to put (C) on him

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Best captain in the game it’s a no brainer whilst everyone is going for a Bournemouth striker we can captain a fully fit KDB as a differential in an easy fixture ffs

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      What's second most annoying, apart from no price drop and Sterling blank last GW, is that I could've afforded Wilson this GW if I hadn't sold 🙁 So I don't share your hopes 😉

  2. JariL
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    My transfers come down to this. Which do you prefer?

    A) 3-4-3 with: Kelly (bench), Cantwell (bench), Jimenez

    B) 3-5-2 : Rico (bench), Maddison, Greenwood (bench)

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      How about Rico cantwell jimi?

      1. JariL
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        0,1 short unfortunately

  3. eamonhegg
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Whats everyone else Goals and assists per position??

    Defence - 6G 6A
    Mid - 13G 15A
    Forwards - 21G 4A

    1. DantheManinaPan
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I don't know and I don't care to know

      1. eamonhegg
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        must be poor

    2. Zladan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      That’s a lot of effort

      1. eamonhegg
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        quick maff

  4. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Thinking of switching my captain from Tammy to Kun

    1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Or KDB

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Typical always switch back to the big hitters closer to deadline

    3. Arteta
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      What changed your mind?

    4. DantheManinaPan
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I don't care what you do, but the concept of switching your captain from one player to another is unhelpful.

      You have not yet confirmed your captain choice, so there is not really such thing as 'switching' captains.

      Thinking about it this way just leads you to using the logic: "I don't want to captain this player because I have had the c on this other player and I'll feel bad if it doesn't work out."

      This is not a logical way to choose a captain.

      1. fr3d
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        - Rene Descartes (1585)

  5. Dakers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    A) Pope Dunk
    B) Ryan Kelly (play Lundstram/Rico every week til CRY fixtures improve)

    Have Trent, Soyuncu

  6. Bobby_Baggio
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Afternoon all. G2G? Is my bench correct or should I swap? Thanks.

    Pope
    Ota - Soy - Robbo - Rico
    KDB - Sterling - Mount
    Kane - Abraham - Vardy

    (McGovern) - Lund - James - Nakamba

  7. fr3d
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    FPL kept Kevin's flag on for too long imo. They should award him with a well deserved price rise

  8. Arteta
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Does any of you still own Pépé?

    1. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Still? 😆

      Poor Emery doesn’t post here, I don’t think.

    2. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I do

      Pepe > Debruyne next gameweek surely.

  9. Willllsonnn!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Arghhh.. on wildcard draft and just ended up with a midfield and forward line of:

    Mane / KDB / Mahrez / Maddison / Mount
    Abraham / Jimi / Willson

    This is a benching headache. Should I revert to Sterling and a cheaper striker/Auba and a cheaper mid so I can bench the cheapy?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Mahrez will be a pain. Drop him. Rest looks great. Could just keep the money ITB

      1. Willllsonnn!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Defo considering this now thanks, not quite convinced Auba will score any more than the 3 I've got. Can't really predict Raz.

    2. Super Squirrel
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      bench boost? 😛

      1. Willllsonnn!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Can you use BB on the same week as wildcarding?

        1. Lord.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          No

          1. Willllsonnn!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 15 days ago

            didn't think so

  10. timawflowers
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Keep Yarmolenko or bring in mcguinn?

    1. Podorsky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Yarmolenko and Mcginn rotate nicely.

      My dilemma on eth wild card is whether i should go for Maddison and Guenduzi (5th midfielder) or
      have Mcginn and Yarmolenko and rotate them. Don't have any leceister players

  11. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Best Captain from these?

    A. Kun
    B. Kane (1 week WC punt)
    C. Tammy
    D. C.Wilson

    1. Rainer
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Kane on paper.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Worth a one week punt and then switch to Kun after the GW?

    2. The VAR Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      D

  12. Pieterke30
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Bench...

    A. Pukki (bou)
    B. Yarmo (eve)

    ??

    1. The VAR Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Ouch! Bench Yarmo I guess

  13. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    2ft and nothing much pressing and might just use 1ft now.
    A) Digne to Tomori
    B) Digne to Söy
    C) Salah to Mane
    D) A or B and also Pukki to Wilson

    1. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      B + D

  14. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Which looks better Abraham & Son or Aguero & Moutinho

  15. No_Mo_Salah?
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Auba or Kun for near future?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Kun

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Kun for me

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Now certain Rafa?

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Yes. Only option is a one week Kane punt. But I’m going with a big striker up top.

    3. Old Man
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Kun if Laca is due to return

    4. Sailboats
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Kun 100%

    5. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Kun

      1. No_Mo_Salah?
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        haha cheers all. Time to re-jig the wc then 🙂

    6. Dr. Agabuse
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Auba easy

  16. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Thoughts on who to bring in:

    Pope
    Tomori, Soy, Ota
    Sterling, KDB, Mount, Son
    Aubameyang, Abraham, Pukki*

    Button, Cantwell, Diop, Lundstram

    For Pukki:

    A) King
    B) Jiménez
    C) Hold

    1. Animo et Fide
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Think I'm going King, would.lobe Wilson but I would need a -8 to get him in

    2. Firmy
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Hold!

  17. diesel001
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    KDB, Aguero and Cantwell all fit. Lovely.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Cantwell fit ? Are you sure?

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Farke said was available

      2. diesel001
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Farke adds that Kenny McLean, Todd Cantwell, Max Aarons, Sam Byram, Alex Tettey, Tom Trybull and Onel Hernandez are all available, too.

        https://twitter.com/FFScout/status/1185168533233250305

  18. Legohair
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    My team

    Pope
    TAA-Otamendi-Aurier-Souyncu
    Salah-Sterling-Pepe-Mount
    Abraham-Pukki

    Button,Cantwell,Lundstram,Grewnwood

    A. Save
    B. Pepe to KDB
    C. Aurier to Tierney
    D. Something else

    1. Firmy
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Ota>Tomori Greenwood>Maupay

  19. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    A) Salah > Mane (FT)?
    B) Save FT

    Need to ditch Barnes but need funds for an upgrade

    Heaton
    Soyuncu TAA Otamendi Tomori
    Salah Sterling Mount KDB
    Pukki Abrahams

    Pope, Barnes, Lundstrom, Dendonk,

    1. puhd
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Do it

  20. Strchld
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Is someone keeping Pukki? Scored twice in IB and have Bournemouth next..

  21. The VAR Team
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Is Dendoncker still a decent 5th mid?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I had him wasn't satisfied at all

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Maybe will have to upgrade to Todd

        1. The VAR Team
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Gotta see him on some form first

  22. Warby84
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Play Cantwell or Mings?

  23. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Cantwell or Rico will worry me all night.

    Likely to mean they both end up with 1 point

    1. Brosstan
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Flip a coin, that way you can blame bad luck when you get it wrong

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Rico is a crap player. Bournemouth can’t defend. Not even close decision for me personally

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Rico is a great option this week imo, if you have him he should start

  24. FPL Daniel
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    So looks like KDB starts on the bench with those comments for Pep right ? Or we think he's a assured starter ?

    1. Dakers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      How would that mean bench?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Well he is just kind of back not declared fit and raring to go

    2. puhd
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Not likely

    3. I Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      I think he starts and plays 60-70 mins.

  25. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    TV not great and on WC so A or B?

    A) Pope button
    TAA Soy Rico Lunn kelly
    Salah STERLING Kdb Mount Dendonc
    Tammy Wilson KING

    B) Pope Button
    TAA Soy Rico Lunn kelly
    Salah CHO Kdb Mount Dendonc
    Tammy Wilson KUN

    Thanks

    1. Lukakuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      B cause it's more flexible

  26. Rash
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Any changes needed?

    Pope
    Trent otamendi Soy
    Sterling KDB mount maddison
    (C)Wilson vardy (vc)tammy

    Button cantwell montoya lundy

    0ft 2.5itb

    1. Sailboats
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Unsure about double Leicester attack

      1. Rash
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        If maddison dont offer much I will find a way to make him mane.

  27. FOO FIGHTER
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Pope
    Aurier TAA Lund
    Salah(c) McGinn Mount KDB
    Vardy(vc) Tammy Pukki

    Button Dunk Rico Cantwell

    Ready to rumble...

  28. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Please rate my WC:
    Pope TAA, Soy, Tomori
    Mane, Sterling, KDB, Mount
    Wilson, Tammy, Jimenez
    [Button, Cantwell, Rico, Lund]
    0.3m itb
    Good luck all 🙂

    1. The VAR Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      8/10

    2. puhd
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Nice! Similar to mine.
      Not sure about Jimmy.

  29. puhd
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    WC Team:

    Pope
    Tomori Otamendi Söyüncü (Lund, Rico)
    Sterling Mane KDB Mount (Douglas Luis) Wilson Abraham Vardy

    Any thoughts welcome!

    1. The VAR Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Is Douglas likely to keep playing?

      1. puhd
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        It sure. But what player is better at 4.5? He’ll be a bench fodder.

        1. puhd
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          I meant not sure.

        2. Jarnathan
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 15 days ago

          Marvelous

      2. Jarnathan
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        This is a good point. As I understand it, City got the better deal in this transfer deal and can buy him back. So are Villa really motivated to develop a player for City or play Marvelous?

  30. In Bale We Trust
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 15 days ago

    Best 5m defender available you reckon? Soyboy maybe?

    1. In Bale We Trust
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Also any chelsea fans want to shed some light on tomori? Seen christensen is out, presumeably him and rudiger are first choice when back?

      1. puhd
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 15 days ago

        Tomori a popular pic

    2. Mr. Mystic
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 15 days ago

      Soy