Spot the Differential

Old FPL favourites Mendy and Alonso are back on the differential radar

It’s fair to say that the last round in Fantasy Premier League was far from being a classic, with a paltry average score of 37.

That’s not surprising, especially when considering that 12 of the top 13 FPL point-scorers in Gameweek 9 had modest ownership levels of 5% or less.

In fact, the highest-scoring player with an ownership of 20% or more was Lucas Digne (£6.0m), who ironically was sold en masse in previous weeks.

Defying the so-called template, those plucky differentials have continued to break the mould once again. Can they continue to perform? Here are three low-owned players that are worth a think for Gameweek 10.

Marcos Alonso

  • Price: £6.2m
  • Ownership: 3.7%
  • GW10 fixture: Burnley (a)

For many Fantasy managers, a defender that has scored 15 Premier League goals and registered 15 assists over the past three seasons would be an automatic must-have.

However, in the case of Marcos Alonso, he seemed to have lost his way at the latter stages of Maurizio Sarri’s reign. It wasn’t until Gameweek 5 of this season that he once again appeared in the reckoning for Chelsea, hence his single-digit ownership and price fall. He seems to have now come full circle, when he scored during a clean-sheet win again Newcastle United last Saturday, which served as a reminder of his attacking capabilities

Among all defenders in Gameweek 9, Alonso had the most touches in the opponents’ half (69) and the joint-second most passes received in the final third (27).

Of course, we need to factor in that Chelsea’s last league opponents are hardly known for their defensive fortitude and in some ways, it may be unfair to look at those stats in isolation.

However, under Frank Lampard’s attacking style of play, it seems that there may be more opportunities for Alonso to venture forward, which brings the best out in him from a Fantasy perspective. Chelsea have scored a staggering 12 goals in their last three away games and it wouldn’t be a complete shock if Alonso picks up another attacking Fantasy return this weekend.

Youri Tielemans

  • Price: £6.4m
  • Ownership: 4.7%
  • GW10 fixture: Southampton (a)

Since the second half of last season, Leicester have been undergoing somewhat of a footballing renaissance. It’s clear to see that Brendan Rodgers has recalibrated them as a radically new unit that can once again compete against the very best.

Youri Tielemans is one of the flair players that has changed their course of direction, as seen with him registering eight Fantasy returns between February and May of this year. Such consistency was expected of him almost immediately this season but in some ways, he has been overshadowed by James Maddison (£7.2m). In addition, four of Leicester’s first eight games included teams that finished in the top five, which may have hampered their attacking flow despite still being able to pick up some positive results.

Tielemans has yet to register back-to-back Fantasy returns this season, which is a minor concern. But the possibility of him delivering more has increased with Leicester’s generous upcoming fixture run.

The fact that he has started every league game since August shows the regard that Rodgers has of him. Leicester’s next match is up against Southampton, who have the worst home record in the Premier League during this campaign. This can act as a good platform for the Foxes to continue their momentum and for Tielemans to add to his Fantasy points tally.

Benjamin Mendy

  • Price: £5.9m
  • Ownership: 0.6%
  • GW10 fixture: Aston Villa (h)

On paper, it seems surreal to think that there is a World Cup-winning left-back for the reigning champions of England with an ownership of less than 1%. But on closer inspection, it’s easy to see why.

Benjamin Mendy is an enigma. He’s managed to win two league titles at a canter since joining Manchester City and yet has only featured in 18 league games to date. Injury has hampered his time on the pitch but when he does play, his value is clear to see: he averaged 5.9 points per game last season from ten matches.

It was good to see Mendy play a full match last weekend and with a clean bill of health, this could be the beginning of many starts to come. His Premier League assists-to-game ratio (39%) can’t be ignored, but of course, this is skewed due to his limited number of appearances since 2017.

During his absence, Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.4m) has proven to be a capable replacement and Mendy could be at the risk of ‘Pep Roulette’ during important Champions’ League games and the festive fixture run. For now, at least, he has become viable again and we should make the most of him while he remains a differential.

1,545 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is going TAA over Robbo on WC a no brainer?

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

      no it's discussable

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

        Lets discuss

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

      TAA and Robbo are basically similar imo, just that TAA will have a little more points come the end of the season.

    3. Nolberto Solano
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      TAA will probably outscore him long-term

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

      No

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

      yes! dont think he will be in rotation risk as much this year

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

      Both is the answer on WC

    7. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I went Robbo.

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

    Nice to have brought in a differential mentioned in article,need a big night from Vardy/Tieleman tonight..

    Play Soy or Lund??

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

      Lundstram

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Who are you capping?

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

    On WC
    1. Mount or CHO
    2. Vardy or Maddison

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

      Cho, Vardy

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

      CHO and jamieeeee

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

        CHO ?

        1. Tired and weary
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Hudson-Odoi

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

            thx

  4. Nolberto Solano
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Willing to take a -4 to remove Digne, Yarmo & Pukki this week. Which option?

    A) Rico, CHO & Vardy
    B) Mendy, CHO & Jimmy
    C) Tomori, Maddison & Jimmy

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

      A

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

      A, assuming you have the option to bench Rico

      1. Nolberto Solano
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I do, 3 way rotation of Soy, Lund & Rico

    3. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I have done more or less the same (Cantwell instead of Yarmo but have some spare cash) and went for A mate

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

        Sorry *had

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

    Was Kun's 5 goaler v Newcastle an early Saturday KO or a standard 3pm?

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

      Just checked it was in October standard 3pm. City got 6 in 20 minutes...KDB the other...Kun was taken off on 66!

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

      3pm

  6. andres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    City cover needed... suddenly also considering -8

    Pope
    TAA Soy Lund
    Mane Salah Mount Madds
    Abraham Vardy Wilson

    Cantwell, Kelly, Pieters. 1 ITB

    A salah to kdb
    B salah, madds => kdb, dilva (-4)
    C Madds, Wilson => kdb, Maupay (-4)
    D Madds, Salah, Wilson => CHO, Aguero, KDB (-8)
    E Madds, Salah, Wilson => Sterling, KDB, Maupay (-8)

    Suddenly want sterling...

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

    after a lot thought ended up with line up like this. A lot hesitation to leave pukki out. What do you think?

    Ryan
    Ota Lund Pereira Rico
    KDB(c) Sterling Mount Mane
    Wilson Abraham

    Bench: Pope, Pukki, Matip, Cantwell

    1. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Swap Rico and Pukki

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

      Man U fans - what do you think of Martial as an option, and do you think he starts on Sunday (FFS Team News has him not starting)

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

        He just back from an injury i don't think he is going to start too.
        Wait and see option imo.

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

          TY HY

      2. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I think he’ll be a decent option but he’s still building up match fitness so I’d hold off a week.

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

          Thanks dude

      3. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        He's good value for his position but we're rubbish, no idea if he starts, hope that helps mate.

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

          Yep - that helps 🙂

          1. The Ejiptian King
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            We've had one shot on target in our last two away games in the Europa League and that was a pen, don't know Prem stats but it doesn't feel like many more than that while watching, no one is liable to get a lot of attacking returns but I do think Martial will be involved in the few we have when he's starting. One benefit of him is that as soon as he scores you just know he's gonna be a bandwagon.

            1. The Ejiptian King
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Also FPL are desperate to raise his price so he'll go up super fast.

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

        Avoid - we are pants.

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

          🙂 Appreciate the brutal honesty!

    3. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Who do you think is going to survive Pep 'Roulette' this GW

      KDB or Sterling

      Any ideas would be welcomed

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

        Roulette is a game of random chance 😉

      2. Nolberto Solano
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        KDB will start, Sterling is a coin toss

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

        Dilva will come in for KDB. Sterling will start

      4. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        both starting IMO

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

        I have both and I if should make a guess, I would say KDB has a better chance to play more minutes then Sterling. But you don't know with Pep at the end of the day.

      6. The Road to Turfdom
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I would predict (wrongly):
        Ederson
        Cancelo, Fernandinho, Otamendi, Mendy
        D Silva, de Bruyne, Gundogan
        B Silva, Jesus, Sterling

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

          I have a weird feeling its Jesus and Kun together with Bilva, Sterling out.

          1. The Road to Turfdom
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Could see Sterling dropping out for Kun potentially but would imagine B Silva will start

          2. Garth Marenghi
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Why would bilva not play after sitting out CL?

      7. ‘Tis the Season
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Oh the sceptics on here are hilarious! No one knows. Lezbehonest!

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

      What are the chances of TAA starting? They are playing on Sunday but Klopp says he has his doubts..

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        What did he say exactly? I read he thinks he will be fine to play

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

          Klopp: "Trent *looked* fine, if there's no setback. Because you know how it is sometimes. He was ill, ill enough to not travel with us, which is not a good sign. Yesterday, a clearing session, if it's as it was yesterday then he should be fine."

          1. Pukki Party
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            That sounds positive imo

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

      I have exactly 4.5M for my last defender spot.

      Currently going Fredicks. Any better options?

      1. Nolberto Solano
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        You can save a few pennies and go for Rico/Janmaat

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

          If you don't have Rico - then he's the one.

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

        J. Welliems ?

      3. KGFC
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I have Fred and also looking at Janmaat and Webster. Leaning more towards Janmaat.

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

        Janmaat could be a good options. Also Willems

    6. Railwayman
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Just realized Mane scored only in 1 game against Totenham since he is in Liverpool, in FEB 2017 he scored a brace at home. Should we keep that on mind with him this week as a VC option (or even C for someone) or not ?

    7. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A) Auba, Robbo to Aguero, Mendy
      B) Auba, Cantwell to Maupay, KDB

      Pope
      TAA Robbo Digne Lundstram
      Salah Sterling Mount Cantwell
      Auba Haller

      Button Rico Saka Greenwood
      2ft 0.4itb

    8. Mr_Barbs
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Team good enough to save FT this week?

      Pope
      TAA, Soy, Otamendi, Lundstram
      Sterling(vc), KDB(c), salah, Mount
      Abraham, Pukki

      Button, Cantwell, Aurier, Greenwood

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Save good team

      2. Abra Dubravka
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Hope so! Same team as me except I have Wilson over Pukki, and Soy is on my bench with Tomori playing instead.

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

      Any indication from Pep in the press conference Sterling or Augero will be starting saturday?

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

        We wish!

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

      A. Kane + cantwell --> KdB + Maupay
      B. Kane + Aurier --> Kun + Janmaat

      2FT. A or B?

    11. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Who scores most this week ?

      A) Aguero, CHO, Boly (-4)

      B) Vardy, Dsilva, Alonso

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

        B

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

      Is this transfer crazy?

      Abraham >> Vardy

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

        Is vardy a better pick than Abraham

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

          Burnley away is not easy.

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

        Yes

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

      What to do? 0.5 ITB 1FT
      Thinking of getting rid of Mahrez since his not nailed?

      Pope. McGovern
      Otamendi. Tomori. TAA. Aurier. Lundstram
      Son. Mahrez. Mount. Cantwell .Hayden
      Aguero. Auba Abraham

      Thanks

    14. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Who would you rather play?

      A) McGinn (mci)

      B) Dunk (EVE)

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

        B

      2. Garth Marenghi
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        B

    15. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Afternoon all. Which ones from the below please?

      Pope - (McGovern)
      Ota - Rico - Robbo - Soy - Lund
      KDB - Sterling - Mount - James - (Nakamba)
      Kane - Abraham - Vardy

      Capt one - A) KDB or B) Sterling C) Vardy
      Start one - 1) Soy 2) Rico 3) Lund

      1. The Road to Turfdom
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        A, 1

      2. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        B3

      3. quayle99
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        B3

      4. Garth Marenghi
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        A clearly to me, #’s idk

    16. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Captain poll:

      De Bruyne 29.57% (1,773 votes)
      Sterling 29.55% (1,772 votes)

      Never been a closer coin toss. If you have both - who you'd pick?

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

        For consistency? KDB

        For big hauls? Sterling.

        Winner? KDB

        1. Limbo
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Yep. KDB (c), Sterling (vc) for me.

          1. ‘Tis the Season
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            And if Dsilva starts with KDB coming on at 70min to close off the game!

    17. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      With Zinchenko and Rodri gone do I keep Ota or make a free swap to Mendy who offers more attacking potential?

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

        That’s debatable. Ota is postinf very good attacking threats, especially from set pieces, and he faces Villa which is one of the worst teams as far as chances conceded from headers go. If Ota plays, he could do well. But will he?

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

          Aye. Ugh

      2. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Both out 4 to 5 weeks

      3. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Is Mendy playing?

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

          Um. Read the post.

          1. El Presidente
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            I read it. Again, is Mendy playing vs Villa? Not sure. Is he a reliable 1st starter going forward? Not sure either.

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

              Shall I spell it out for you?

              Zinchenko.

              Out.

              4

              To

              5

              Weeks.

              Also Rodri so it hardly makes Mendy paperweight now does it.

              He's basically nailed if fit (IF FIT!!!)

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

                Cancelo can and will start some games at LB

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

        Cancelo could easily play left and Walker right

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

        Does he offer attacking potential though? I mean other than him being higher up on the pitch.

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

          Deary me. Signing off. Laters

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

            He played 135 minutes in which City scored 7. His xG90+xA90 is 0,00

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

              That goes hand in hand with the eye test, in case you're not a stats man.

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

      Play Heaton (mci) or Pope (CHE)?

      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Pope for the off chance of a shut out. Heaton might get a bunch of save points, but likely to concede 3-4 goals.

      2. Big Hands Barry
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        pope

    19. Oh Mane Mane
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pope
      TAA Otamendi Soyunca Lundstram
      Mane KDB Mount
      Tammy Vardy Aguero
      (Button, Rico, McGinn, Hayden)

      0.1 ITB with 1 FT

      Any obvious moves to make here?? Or bank the Transfer?

      Thanks

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

        best team i've seen ... save transfer
        who is captain?

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

          Best team you've seen?

          No Sterling or Salah and a rotation prone 12m forward?

      2. Pinturicchio10
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Save

      3. Viper
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Is Heaton - > Pope worth a transfer or will I just ride it out for now and hope he makes a few saves?

        Will save FT otherwise

        1. Pinturicchio10
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Save

          • Garth Marenghi
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Hold

        2. quayle99
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Is Trent to Robbo a good idea...
          If it means in the next few weeks I can do
          Diop > Soy
          GuenDu > Traore

          1. Pinturicchio10
              4 years, 5 months ago

              No

            • Garth Marenghi
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              No

          2. The Cisco Kid
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            For anyone interested in making up ground on the top 50k, Salah is below 10% ownership as compared to Mane, who is above 30%. There are no guarantees for production, but Salah still has strong underlying stats and remains as likely as ever to reward owners. And those top teams without him look poised for some red arrows if/when he does.

          3. shredder
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Afternoon all,
            Need a bit of help with last decision.
            Who goes to bench this week ?
            A: Dunk
            B: Diop
            C: Soyuncu

            Cheers

            1. quayle99
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              diop for me

              1. shredder
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Thats what i was thinking too.
                Cheers

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

            The scenes there'll be on here at 11:30 tomorrow!

            1. The Ejiptian King
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Already have a headache thinking about it.

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

                No point! Just go for it and hope is all we can do!

                My season’s been pants so far so my expectations are suitably low

            2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Best place for a leaked City team sheet?

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

                ...thouhg will be too late of course...

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

                If only!

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

                  Yeah the old Anfield Express was a right result last season

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

                    Always in our hearts

            3. George Sillett
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Why ?

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

                Assume you’re kidding but in case not.... MCI starting team...

                1. George Sillett
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 5 months ago

                  People should be well used to Pep by now .

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

                    It’ll never stop it dominating the convo on here!