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. Football Heaven
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Salah, aurier, greenwood > Maddison, soyuncu, auba -8?

    Could do it next week to save 4 points. Could also go pereira and vardy instead of soy and Auba. Thoughts? Thanks 🙂

    1. Football Heaven
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      To make this top post a bit more interesting, who are your favourite fpl bandwagons ever?

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

        My mate captained Yakubu when he scored 4

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

        Andre Gray for the double gameweek end of last season - he scored very late in the second round of games for a 9 pointer.

        These are the moments that make FPL great not the Salah/ Sterling hauls

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

        Brighton triple defence was hilarious end of last season too - the absolute scenes on here...

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

    Start Son or Aurier ?
    Spurs assets are a pain in the
    A**

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

      Son

  3. Thomas M.
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Choose my frontline...
    1. Auba
    2. Vardy
    3. Wilson
    4. Tammy

    A. CHO (3 tripleup Chelsea) or Yarmo
    B. Ota / Mendy or anyone else for 5.5

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

      234

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

    Which of these moves make sense? Any other suggestions welcome

    A) Salah, Pukki & Greenwood out for Mount, C.wilson & Vardy

    B) Salah, Pukki & Greenwood out for Maddison, Abraham & C.Wilson

  5. Hungry Singh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Wish me luck, on the maverick defender Captain decision.

    Just can't resist Alonso........

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

    McGovern or Button on wildcard?

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

    What's the strategy for the extra pool slot for gw13?
    Sterling to Salah/Mane? Or defensive upgrade?

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

      TAA, Robbo & Salah for me - I foresee monster hauls for the defence with Allison back and fixture swing

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

        That's my natural leaning yes. Great last year.

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

    Am I the only one that doesn't get the love for Aubameyang? Yes he's been consistent but the likes of Abraham, Pukki, Wilson, Vardy and Firmino are keeping up with him for less money. The fixtures aren't actually that good either. Sheffield United and Leicester look like very difficult away fixtures and they sandwich games against two defensively solid sides in Palace and Wolves.

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

      Plus City have Villa and Southampton in GWs 10 and 11 so I don't think you'd captain Auba in any of the next four.

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

      I've gone cold somewhat on this - love the look of Kun for those home games. I actually think Tierney is the arsenal pick of choice (soon). I like Auba obviously - super player

  9. ididnt
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on wc team?

    Gazz / Ryan

    TAA, Lund, Soyuncu, Tamori, Rico

    KDB, Mane, Yarmolenko, Mount, Canwell

    Vardy, Tammy, Kane

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

    Sorry guys repost cause got caught as last post on previous page

    2 final decision for the wildcard... everyones thoughts please

    a) soy and wilson
    b) perreira and king

    got kdb, sterling, taa

    1) have salah now
    2) have aguero for next 3 games (no liverppol attacker) then bring salah/mane for aguero in 3 games
    3) have salah and aguero and ditch sterling now

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

      Pereira and King, King on penalties and Pereira good premium option

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

        i am more tempted for that option tbh. what about my other one?

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

      B 3

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

    2 FT's and genuinely no idea what to do with them! The only move I'm tempted by is taking some money out of Salah and upgrading Pukki, but my gut says they're going to punish sellers this weekend. Any ideas lads? 0 in the bank...

    ---------- Pope ---------
    TAA -- Soyuncu -- Tomori
    Salah - KDB - Tielemans - Mount
    Aguero - Pukki - Abraham

    Bench: Button - Lundstram - Diop - Guendouzi

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

      Got to burn a transfer I think (but it feels so dirty).

      If you were ever going to do Salah -> Mane this is the week to do it (I’m still team Salah but it seems most on here want Mane)

    2. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Salah to sterling

  12. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    So, unclear if Salah is fit?

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

      i think he will be, very rarely misses games and had 2 weeks to recover

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

      Hes fine.

      It's all mind games

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

    Need to get DeBruyne back in and 0,1 from doing it in 1 transfer. Which alternative would you pick:
    A) Mahrez+Pukki > DeBruyne+King (-4)
    B) Mahrez + D.Silva > DeBruyne + Maddison (-4)
    C) D.Silva+Pukki+Aurier > DeBruyne+King+Chambers (-8)
    D) Wait one week and play Mahrez, D.Silva and Pukki

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I like B out of those given they're liuke for like in many ways

  14. TyroneGAA
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    So I made a change of pukki to Abraham this week... only had one free transfer but want kdb back for Maharez .. keep for a week or sell ??

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

      Pukki and KDB are going BIG this week

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

        I don’t want pukki over Abraham but could mahrez play this week great international break

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

    Kun owners - will you switch in gw12? Or hold long term?

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

      Switch to Vardy then

  16. Murder On Zidane's Flo…
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on Chambers for a punt lads?

  17. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Good Afternoon All, good to be back after 2 weeks but then on seeing my team I wish I'm not.

    What's the most urgent issue?

    Pope
    VVD - Otamendi - Digne
    Salah - Sterling - KDB - Mount - Cantwell
    C. Wilson - Pukki

    Button - Lundstram - Rico - Greenwood [1FT + 0.4m ITB]

  18. Genji3lade
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Odds of Son starting?

    Considering selling for Mount.

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

      Why is everyone questioning whether Son will start? I'm out of the loop!

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

    a) maddison king
    b) CHO wilson

    already got perreira, mount and abraham so on A right now

  20. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    To WC or not to WC? That's the question:

    Current Team
    Ryan /Button
    TAA / Otamendi / Digne / Lundstram / Rico
    Salah / Sterling / Maddison / Mount / Dendocker
    Pukki /Abraham / Haller
    (0.2 ITB, No FT)

    WC Team
    Ryan / MCGOVERN
    TAA / SOY / DUNK / Lundstrom / Rico
    MANE / KDB / Maddison / Mount / CANTWELL
    AUBA / Abraham / WILSON
    (0.4 ITB)

    1. Mr Flibble
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Ha. Was distracted and came back to finish my post and the articles have moved on. Did notice your post above mine though and the WC teams are very similar. I'd be tempted in your position.

      1. bigdip
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        not very helpful so yes or no to WC?

  21. Mr Flibble
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Wildcard done.

    Think I'm happy with it

    Pope
    Lundstrum, TAA, Soy
    KDB, Mane, Mount Maddison
    Auba, Wilson, Abraham

    (Button, Stephens, Rico, Lascelles)

    Have always got the option to downgrade Auba and Wilson in a couple of weeks to free up funds for moves.Defense is a bit light but I'm liking the attack.

    Would you go with this or downgrade Auba for a better defense?

  22. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    On WC & down to the last decision. Any help appreciated...

    Ryan or Pope?

  23. valurth
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Mahrez to Debruyne +

    1. Silva > Maddison
    2. Pukki > King

    Already own Cantwell but no Leicester or Bournemouth attack

  24. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A-Cantwell to Maddison
    B-Pukki to Vardy
    C-Pukki to Wilson
    D- save FT

    1. LM00091
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A & C

  25. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A- Cantwell to Maddison
    B- Pukki to Vardy
    C- Pukki to Wilson
    D- save FT

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

    Think I'm finally close to my wc team:

    Pope, McGovern
    Taa, Soyuncu, Rico, Dunk, Lundstram
    Mane, Kdb, Maddison, Mount, Dendoncker
    Aguero, Abraham, wilson

    A) Do i go Kane instead of Aguero for 1 week?
    B) Need 0.1 to get Tomori instead of Dunk - any suggestions? (my own fault for not getting on Maddison earlier grr)

  27. SlowStart
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pukki & Cantwell > Jiminez & Dend?

    A) yay
    B) nay