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. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who should accompany Vardy to replace Son and Pukki?
    2ft, 0itb

    1) madison (triple lei)
    2) james
    3) CHO (triple Che)
    4) Gross for next 2 home fixtures

    Pope 
    Ota Taa Lundstram
    KDB Mount Son Sterling 
    Pukki Abraham Firmino

    Button. Saka, Soy, Hanley

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

    Leaning towards rolling FT. Thoughts?

    Pope
    TAA Digne Tomori Soy
    Salah Sterling KdB Mount
    Abraham Pukki

    McGovern Connolly Cantwell Rico

    1FT, .7M ITB

    1. LE CHARO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah, save, you're GTG

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

      Yeah, save

    3. cpo001
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pukki out, Jimenez in.

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

        Was contemplating that move but decided against it as of now.

    4. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes good to go

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

      Good team - save it.

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

    Captain kun vardy or mane?

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

      Kun

  4. Who are all Lukakus
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope 4.0
    TAA Otacantdefendi Soyuncu Lund Rico
    Sterling KDB Mane Mount Cantwell
    Tammy Wilson Pukki
    2 FT 0.2 itb
    Wanna burn 1 FT...

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

    Lundstram or Soyuncu?

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

      On Soyuncu at the moment but undecided.

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      When i doubt never start Soyasauce. Learned that last week.

    3. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Lundstram,Leicester usually concede 1 especially away.

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

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

    Yay or nay?

    Keeping Kane for one more week...

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

      Nay

  7. panda07
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    2FT's and not sure what to do. Ota to Mendy perhaps?

    2FT 0.9ITB

    Pope
    TAA VVD Ota
    Mane (c)Sterling KDB Mount Cantwell
    Tammy Pukki

    Button Lund Aurier Wickham

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

      Looks like quite a fun move. Go for it.

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

      Isnt Aurier more a wtf how much waste on the bench

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

      aurier to rico, then see what to do with the spare cash next week

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

      Downgrade Aurier to Rico, and upgrade Wickham / Cantwell next GW.

    5. ppv
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Good, exciting move. Of course Aurier on bench Liverpool away

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

    Bottomed. 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!

    1. cpo001
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      BCD

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

      abd or abe

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

      BD are sure-fire starters. I prefer Soyuncu to Rico.

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

        Thanks all!

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

    Ryan
    Otamendi Tomori Robertson
    Mané Martial KDB Mount
    Wilson Abraham Agüero

    Button Lundstram Cantwell Kelly

    Thoughts about this with my 2 FT?
    Cantwell -> Dendocker and Otamendi -> Mendy

  10. Pickle juice
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Please help .....

    Transfer in KDB in for mahrez for -4 hit

    Yes or no

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

      yes

    2. Pickle juice
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      And captain kdb over sterling ?

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

        I would, but that is still a good move even if you cpatain Serling

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

    Hard one here, play two:

    A) Soyoncu vs sou
    B) Lundstram vs whu
    C) Montoya vs EVE

    Currently on BC

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

      bc

    2. cpo001
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      AB

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

      AB for me

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

    GTG?

    Pope
    TAA/Tomori/Lundstram
    Salah/KDB(C)/Sterling(vc)/Mount
    Pukki/Haller/Abraham

    Button/Rico/Soy/Cantwell 0.3itb 0ft

    1. cpo001
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'd be looking to offload Pukki and get in Jimenez if you have a spare 0.1 down the sofa

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

        definitely looking at Pukki or Haller out, will assess after this weekend i think

  13. cpo001
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Would anyone get rid of VVD to Alonso for a -4?

    I don't trust Liverpool's defence to keep clean sheets at all. I don't trust Chelsea's either but with Alonso there's money in the bank plus more regular attacking returns.

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Not for a hit

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

    Maupay or Connolly and save the cash?

    1. Geordie19
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Not sure if trossard will affect connelly

  15. afs2239
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope or gunn
    To start with

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

    Good to go and correct bench order?

    Pope
    VVD - Otamendi - Tomori - Lundstram
    Salah - Sterling - KDB (c) - Mount
    C. Wilson - Abraham

    Button - Rico - Cantwell - Greenwood [0FT + 1m ITB]

    1. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Yes good team good to go

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

        Thanks

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

      gtg, unless you want to punt on rico over tomori (I'm starting tomori myself, also with rico first on bench)

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

        I've brought in Tomori this week so I think I'll give him the nod this week. Think BOU will concede personally

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

          Yeah i made the same move this week (ota to tomori, mahrez to kdb), hope Burnley have a quiet one 🙂

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

            Nice, I did Digne + Pukki --> Tomori + Abraham. Banking a bit too much on Chelsea but let's see!

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

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

    Thoughts on which is the best transfer?

  18. In a Rush
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any advice here please am I good to go?
    Everything in correct order?
    0itb 1 ft
    Cheers in advance

    Pope
    Taa lundstram Otamendi fredricks
    Salah kdb(v) sterling(c)
    Haller Abraham wilson

    McGovern Cantwell Guendouzi soyuncu

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

      Personally would play Soy ahead of Guendouzi but the rest is good to go.

  19. DaveVak
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    last minute transfers:
    1. Kane > Auba
    2. Kane+McGin > Jimmy and Sterling (-4)

    All will play this week in my team, while the premium opps will likely be caps (or KDB)
    A bit worries with both Jimmy and Sterling playing full 90 minutes mid-week, while Auba rested.

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

      If I go 1, Soy or Lund will play. Otherwise, benched for Jimmy

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

    Hi guys

    pls advice whom to play

    VVD or Lund??????

    Have a TAA as well

    1. Geordie19
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Lund

  21. Geordie19
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Is KDB essential this week? Would mean dropping one of Sterling or Kun!

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

      Not if you're going to be dropping one of them. Captain one of them as a good hedge for lack of KDB.

  22. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Brought in Tony Martial for Son. Team News section suggests he won't start. Don't know how to feel about this.

  23. KDB4PREZ
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Do we think chambers keeps his place in the arsenal back line long term?

  24. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Aguero >>> Auba?

    Yes or no