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. gooner_112233445566
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    rmwc

    pope mcgovern
    taa, soy, rico, (lund), (kelly)
    sterling (c), kdb, salah, mount, maddison
    abraham, wilson, (greenwood)

    right bench and captain?

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

      Think 10

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

      It’s nice but that defence is poor. Wouldn’t want to rely on Rico, have u seen Bournemouth’s defence?

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

        him and lund games alternate quite well i thought. plus rico on set pieces

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

      Downgrade Salah to Mane. Then Rico or Kelly to someone useful imo

  2. L'Aeroplanino
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    g2g to do Salah+Barnes -> Auba+Mount??

    thanks

    1. F0oTBall GuRu
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      do kane+mount for 1 wk punt

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

    Play Pope or Henderson?

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Henderson

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

        Cheers

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

    Went on wildcard to get Auba etc...
    So why has he disappeared from my wildcard?
    Answers on a postcard

    1. villa_til_i_die
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      What rank are you?, your team is exactly the same as mine????

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

    Redmond, Fraser, Lundstram, bellerin.

    Play one.

    (Draft league)

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

    A) Kane (WAT) and then FT Aguero (AVL, SOT)
    B) Start with Aguero (cpa) and be able to save the FT next week

    ta

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

      Tempted by A as well. Changing my mind every 5 mins between Kane and Auba though

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

      A

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

      was originally doing A. But if i did A,i dont have liverpool attacker, so i have just gone with Salah instead of kane/aguero.

    4. PURPLE-RONNIE
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I’m doing B

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

      Same final decision to make. Which way you leaning?

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

    Son to KDB or keep one more GW?

    1. Young Lingard
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Make the change

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        This

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

        Yes

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

      keep

    3. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Keep if you have Sterling or Kun

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

        I have Kun
        So far 3 sell 2 keep
        Very close

  8. Young Lingard
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Waiting on wolves presser ; does anyone know if Jota situation has changed or if he’s ruled out ?

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

    Who starts for spurs if Son doesn’t?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Moura

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

      Moura

    3. Tokosbobet88
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      lucas

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

      Hmm, along with Kane and lamela?

  10. tokara
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is Cantwell fit???

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

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

      Very

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

    Right, what to do with this lot?

    Ryan Button
    TAA Robbo Otamendi Digne Rico
    Salah Sterling Silva Mount Dendoncker
    Pukki Abraham Greenwood

    2FT so thinking:

    Digne + Silva + Greenwood -> Chilwell + CHO + King ?

    Is this MAD for a -4? (Triple-up on the Chelsea attack!)

    King could become Maupay in a few weeks, and Pukki could become Jimenez

    Would love to have Wilson > King, but just can't squeeze the funds..!

  12. Tokosbobet88
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    what you guys got to say about maddisson's potential over the weeks to come ? im looking to replace son!

    1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      That very much depends on the rest of your team.........

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

    RMWCT, 0.2m ITB

    Pope (McGovern)
    TAA Söyüncü Tomori (Rico Lundstram)
    Sterling KDB Mount Maddison (Cantwell)
    Auba Abraham Wilson

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

      Beautiful

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

    Final wildcard decisions...

    A) Kelly Mount Maddison Aguero
    B) Tomori CHO Maddison Aguero
    C) Kelly CHO Sterling Vardy

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

  15. lekalatch
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Already did Pepe --> Madders. Worth -4 to get rid of Pukki for Vardy? Or should I be more patience with Pukki? What are you Pukki owners doing?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Why did U take Pepe out bro

      1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        you serious ??? why would anyone have Pepe

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Because of his great fixtures and he is a good player?
          You expect him to be a flop all season long? It’s when he comes good is the question, with kdb out he was worth a punt. Outscored mahrez last week didn’t he.

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

      Hold

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

      Was doing Son/Pukki to Madders/Vardy for a hit.

      Not done it yet.

    4. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Patience. For free, it's not even a no-brainer.

    5. Will Kane
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Not for a hit. I've made that move for free and am still slightly worried it might backfire.

  16. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    RP
    How would you have this team line up (currently benching Norwich away)?
    And who would you captain (currently on Abe)?

    Gunn
    TAA | Digne | Rose, Aurier (WAT)
    Sterling (cpl) | CHO (NEW) | Son (WAT)
    Abraham (NEW) | Auba (shu) | Haller (eve)

    Button | Buendia, Cantwell (bou), Rico (NOR)

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Very different team there pal. I think you've got the order correct.
      I also own Son and it's niggling the hell out of me to move him/not move him on

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

        Cheers for your input, Meg. I'm in no rush to sell Son. Exercising some patience until a move becomes obvious, maybe next week. Just waiting to cash in on the differentness sometime this side of the new year, hopefully :/

        1. Pep Pig
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          The triple Spurs is eye-watering but love to see ballsy teams.
          I just think KDB is going to have a massive game as he is so influential to that City team.

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

    Will Son start in your honest opinion?

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

      No, and I own him.

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

      Probably not

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

      I’m doubting it, also an owner

    4. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No

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

      Okay maybe I should bring in Mount for him a week early!

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

      Doubt it

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

      No. Son owner here

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

        Do we just fear the worst is this why?

  18. Rash
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Saka likely to be a spectator soon enough with laca back?

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

      Very.

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

        Yes. Very spectator

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

          Yes

  19. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Need KDB in.

    Selling Cantwell or Guindozi

    Not sure which one should go

    1. F0oTBall GuRu
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Guendouzi

  20. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any word on Pep press guys?

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

      Kev back. Stones too. Mendy soon.

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

      Yes . Kevin is fit.

      1. De Gea is GOAT
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yessss! Thank you all 🙂

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

    A or B?

    A. Auba + Pereira
    B. Kun + Soyu/Tomori/Dunk

  22. marquinhos
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Wilson or King? Think King can sneak in a haul over the few games. What you guys think?

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

      Wilson but depends what you can do with the money saved with King

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

      king also on pens. my option is a) soy and wilson or b) perreira and king

  23. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any of these worth -4?

    A) Sterlo Pukki ➡ KDB Vardy
    B) Sterlo Pukki ➡ KDB Wilson

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

      Nope

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

      B imo

  24. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    TAA CHO Salah

    Or

    Robbo Madds Mane

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

      Trent CHO Mane?

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

        It's an option but would have 3 Chelsea attack

  25. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Salah to Mane for free?

    Was gonna save as expected Salalh to be declared fit, but one dropping and 1 rising, with Salah late test..

  26. Shankly611
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Keep Pukki or replace him with King?

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Keep imo

  27. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Captain:
    A Sterling
    B Tammy
    C KDB

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

      B

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

      Tammy

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

    A) King, Salah, Otamendi
    B) Wilson, Mané, Tomori/Soyuncu (which one)

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

    Risky article cover photo

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

    Pope or Gazzaniga on WC?

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

      Pope means you wont have to transfer out barring injury

    2. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Certainly not the latter mate

    3. F0oTBall GuRu
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      pope