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. vandebeek
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts?
    Pukki, Salah, Robbo to Vardy, Mane, Mendy (-4)

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No

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

      Looks like it could pay off

    3. Efan Ekoku Pops
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I like it just for the Mendy punt; go for it.

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

    Willems or Lascelles + 0.1. Will be benched most of the gameweeks

  3. DGW Sane TC Fail....
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Don't normal struggle with my transfers but this is pecking my head. Aguero and son to Sterling and Vardy or Firmino for a -4. if it was for free i would do it right away..is it worth the hit or wait a week

    **bottomed**

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Isn’t it risky removing aguero?

      1. DGW Sane TC Fail....
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        It is, but he's going to be a long term headache with pep having a makeshift defense. Pep i feel is just going to go for the high press and protect the back line as much as he can. Am not even sure he will start.

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

    why are some selling Mount is he a doubt to start?

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

      CHO flavour of the week

  5. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Worth taking Salah/Dendoncker out for Maddison/Vardy? I have two free transfers

    Pope / Heaton

    Digne / otamendi / soyuncu / Lundstram/ Aurier

    Salah / mount / Dendoncker / KDB / Son

    Aguero / haller / 4.5

    1. Wag the Drog
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Can you downgrade Heaton and switch Dendocker to Traore?

      1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yes but would need heaton out for. 4.0

        1. Wag the Drog
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          That's fine imo.

  6. Wag the Drog
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Looking good? Trying to remain positive on Son, and I'd like to see 1 more game from CHO or a different replacement.

    1 FT, 0.2 itb

    Pope
    Lundy-Otamendi-Soy-Tomori
    Son-Mane-KDB
    Vardy-Tammy-Kun(c)
    ---------------------
    Cantwell-Mings-Hayden

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Looks good. Worth sticking with son I think as spurs should score a few

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

    Play 2 of the below:

    A) Soy (sou)
    B) Lund (why)
    C) Rico (way)
    D) Yarmo (SHU)

    1. Wag the Drog
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B, D

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

      Same dillema
      Currently on AD

    3. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yarmo shouldn’t even be an option. So it’s actually play one of abc. I’d go Rico for set pieces and assist potential, with Lundy for oop, goal and cs potential, on a close second place.

    4. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      CD

  8. Max City
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Bench 1:

    Otamendi
    TAA
    Coleman
    Rico

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

      Rico

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

      I would bench Coleman.

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

      Coleman, Sidibe might start ahead of him anyway.

  9. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pukki to Jimenez? (2ft)

    Heaton
    VVD TAA Soyuncu Tomori
    Salah Sterling KDB Mount
    Pukki Abraham

    Cantwell Lund Greenwood

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I just did that move myself

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

      Aye

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

    Who to bin off to fund a move to CHO?

    Otamendi or Digne?

    1. Wag the Drog
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Digne

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

      Digne

  11. Efan Ekoku Pops
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Are the following moves worth a hit?

    Salah + Cantwell > KDB + Dilva

    Cheers

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

      I like it x

  12. the vanisher
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Why is Otamendi dropping?

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

      Coz he is dropping out of favour

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

      Because most people seem sure he will be benched this weekend.

      Im not.

    3. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Cause he’s still yellow flagged. Typical casuals...

      1. Kun Tozser
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        People on here not casuals, they will be logging in tomorrow to do their GW10 transfers

  13. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who will start : Sterling or Aguero

    1. Wag the Drog
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Impossible to know

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

      Both

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

      I’d be surprised if both don’t start

  14. Playing_the_Numbers
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    When is FA expected to come out with a decision regarding Bilva?

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

      19:01pm

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

        Today?

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

      Seem like they never will now

  15. SAY MY NAME
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    which to play?

    a)Soyuncu
    b)Lundstram
    c)Rico

    currently on Soy but tempted by either of the other two

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

      B

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        thanks, probably the safest bet!

    2. Can’t beat em so&hell…
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Similar with Tomori in there too.... going Rico Soy...

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        same here, gonna play Tomori i think, maybe Rico first on bench

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

      Southampton always score atleast 1

  16. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Captain Mane = stupid?
    Have Sergio and KDB for City?

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

      Aguero

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I just feel an upset

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

          They seem to have got their mojo back, so I doubt it!

    2. Wag the Drog
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      ya

  17. anish10
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Play Diop or Lundstrum?

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

      Never bench Lundstram.

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

        They seem to have got their mojo back, so I doubt it!

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

          reply fail above

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

    Who to Captain...

    A) aguero
    B) sterling

    1. Can’t beat em so&hell…
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

  19. Can’t beat em so&hell…
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Going round and round here... best 2 to play?

    A) Lund wha
    B) Rico wat
    C) Soy sou
    D) Tomori bur

    On BC at the mo...

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

      A and b

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

      A and anyone

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

      A and B

    4. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A & B

  20. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone else going against conventional wisdom and captaining Salah?

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

      I'm considering it. KDB looks more 'guaranteed' for returns though.

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

        I have KdB and Kun, but feel I need to do something a bit different to try and jump my rank up.

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

          Same. We'll cry together when it goes wrong 🙂

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

            At this point, Berbs, it's not going to make things any worse than they already are.

    2. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Feel like captaining Mane I get what you mean I feel an upset in the City game!

    3. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Tempted for sure. Sticking with Sterling though most likely.

      • DGW Sane TC Fail....
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Really good pick. Spurs are dire at the back

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

      Lads, the winter ball (yellow) makes it’s debut this GW. Salah(c) from here on in. Thank me in May. Stay blessed.

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

        Peace be upon you, my friend.

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

        I’m tempted by this, this was my thinking..

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

      Play Soyuncu or Lundstram?

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

        Always
        Play
        Lundstram

        1. nico05
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Agree with this

    6. damiang2233
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Traore for Westwood
      or
      King for Barnes
      or
      Tiemlans & Ayew for Westwood & Barnes (-4)

      Thoughts on which is the best transfer?

    7. ♤TeddyBear♤
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Play Tomori or Connelly?

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

        Tom

    8. Denis Tueart on the wing
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mahrez % chance of starting?

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Unlikely Imo

        1. Denis Tueart on the wing
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          8.7M in midfield any differentials, I have got Tielemans, Mane and Mount

    9. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Okay guys one last dilemma.

      Salah to Sterling or
      Auba to Kun

      1. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        B
        Sterling might not play

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

          Kun might not play too

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

      Team Gtg?

      Pope
      TAA Mendy Rico
      Sterling (c) KDB Mount Yarmolenko
      Auba Vardy Tammy
      Button Lunds Soyuncu Cantwell

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

        g2g v nice

    11. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Which 3 would you play here?

      A) Rico (wat, a)
      B) Lundstram (whu, a)
      C) Soyuncu (sou, a)
      D) Tomori (bur, a)
      E) Traore (new, a)

      Thanks!

    12. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pick 2 to start:
      Tomori, Lundstram, Soyuncu, Rico
      Thanks!!

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

        First 2 definitely. Prefer Soyuncu over Rico personally, though I own Rico and not SoySuace

    13. Lexi2014
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pukki, Haller, Yarmolenko > Jiminez, Maupay, Maddison for -4.

      Yay or nay?