Spot the Differential

Willian a differential FPL route into an explosive Chelsea attack

On the face of it, last weekend seemed to return to type as the top three Fantasy Premier League points’ scorers had an average ownership of more than 15%. But they all happened to be defenders priced at £6.0m or less – or in John Lundstram’s (£4.8m) case, a midfielder that just happens to be listed as a defender.

In this climate of unexpected backline mega-hauls, the differentials also matched these tallies with double-digit points of their own from Lys Mousset (£4.9m) to Leandro Trossard (£5.8m).

This column’s picks also chipped in with attacking Fantasy returns for Christian Pulisic (£7.3m) and Sebastian Haller (£7.3m).

It’s time to look again at some other players that may be flying under the radar. Here are three differentials to have a think over for Gameweek 12:

Dele Alli

  • Ownership: 0.8%
  • Price: £8.4M
  • GW12 fixture: Sheffield United (h)

It’s strange to think that a midfielder that has scored in excess of 40 Premier League goals over the past four seasons has an ownership of less than 1%.

In fact, it wasn’t that long ago that Dele Alli was a mainstay for FPL managers. However, form and fitness issues over the past 12 months have reduced his output and ultimately resulted in him losing his place in the England team.

Having said that, Alli has seemingly turned a corner with three full Premier League starts in a row that saw him score two goals for good measure.

Of course, it may seem a bit steep to purchase a player with his price tag after only recently returning to the first-team set-up.

But it can’t be discounted that, over the past four Gameweeks, only Pulisic and Ayoze Perez (£6.1m) have scored more goals than him among midfielders priced at £8.5m or less.

Alli’s two goals have come from three shots on target. While this highlights accuracy, the lacks of shots over 300 minutes is a minor concern.

Up next for Tottenham are Sheffield United. The newly-promoted team have proven their defensive credentials of late but they’ve conceded during their last two travels to the capital and Spurs’ attack will definitely challenge them.

Willian

  • Ownership: 2.7%
  • Price: £7.1M
  • GW12 fixture: Crystal Palace (h)

Tammy Abraham (£7.9m) and Mason Mount (£6.9m) are currently among the most-owned players in Fantasy Premier League, while Pulisic has also demonstrated his worth of late.

But there’s a player from Chelsea’s old guard that is definitely worth considering if you’re looking for someone different.

Willian has started every Premier League game since Gameweek 5 and has also quietly racked up four attacking returns during his last five league outings.

Over the last six league games, he is ranked fourth for passes received in the final third (128) and sixth for touches in the final third (195) among midfielders priced at £7.5m or less.

Despite playing in an attack-minded team, the biggest concern with Willian is that Mount could offer more in terms of price per million with his marginally cheaper price.

Willian also takes set-pieces which adds to his appeal and he has averaged over ten attacking returns during the past four seasons, which shows his capabilities and importance to the team.

Chelsea this weekend face Crystal Palace, who have only kept one clean sheet in their past seven Premier League games. This should bode well for Willian and his teammates as Chelsea have scored 25 goals in 11 Premier League games this season.

Harvey Barnes

  • Ownership: 1.0%
  • Price: £5.9m
  • GW12 fixture: Arsenal (h)

Leicester seem almost unbeatable of late under Brendan Rodgers.

For now, they reside at the top echelons of the Premier League table, as they were during their unexpected title-winning season.

If they are to challenge the status quo again, then it will be players like Harvey Barnes who could make the difference in terms of durability across the season.

His FPL ownership is a fraction of Jamie Vardy’s (£9.4m) and yet Barnes has also chipped in by registering 23 points in his last three games. That’s no mean feat for a player priced at less than £6m, especially one that has proven to play across multiple midfield positions.

In his last six games, Barnes has had more touches in the final third than the likes of Son Heung-min (£9.6m) and Andriy Yarmolenko (£6.0m).

Barnes has also exceeded his attacking returns from last season in half the minutes played.

It’s clear that he’s getting better and could be a genuine fourth or fifth midfield option for those FPL managers that can’t afford the likes of James Maddison (£7.4m) or Youri Tielemans (£6.6m).

Leicester currently boast the third-best home record in the Premier League and on Saturday face an Arsenal team that have only won one away league match this season and are struggling to keep clean sheets.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 11

691 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Nolberto Solano
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Take a hit on Sterling to Mane?

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No.

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      If you have other transfers planned out down the line, then sure!

      I did it yesterday as I thought Sterling was dropping, But I did it because I have 2.5m in the bank to upgrade another play. So I would otherwise have postponed for too long.

      Now I can do Tomori -> Robertson during IB

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        But it's not an easy yes or an easy no. It solely depends on your plan. I value transfers a lot and if there was ever a time to take a hit to get Sterling out, it is definetely now

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

      Nope

  2. el polako
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Im going to sell Sterling for Mane and then captain LFC player.
    Feck it, its a game after all lets live a little.

    - Vardy & Jimenez owner.

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Brave move. Goo luck.

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        *d

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

      Good for you, sir.

      Got to take some risks at some point, may as well be now.

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Do you have Abraham? He is my captain atm

  3. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    https://youtu.be/Ia7yZhYDyDk

    Klopp press conference.

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

    A) Yarmo + Maupay > Maddison + Mousset
    or
    B) Auba + Maupay > Vardy + Jimenez

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

    Which 3 would you start out of Lundstram, Soyuncu, Tomori, Rico and Williams?

    1. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Brandon is quite likely to start against Brighton so I guess it could be worth giving him a chance?

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Tomori, Lund and Willems

    3. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Tomori, Rico and Williams for me

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

    Barnes looks like a very good differential to have, especially if wildcarding over the IB.

  7. Connor Wickham
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Lost on old article..

    No Vardy the obv downfall but possibly an above ave gw if United show up.

    Gazza
    Lundy tomori rico
    Salah kdb Son(c) mount martial
    Rashers Abraham

    Button Soy Fredericks Greenwood
    4.5itb

    Anything worth a hit? Probably add TAA and Robbo and try turn rashers into vardy near future.

    Good luck all!

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

      Get Vardy for Rashford

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

        Tough call whether thats worth the -4 or not

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

          That move pays off over the long term.

          Beyond me why the fudge you would want 3 Utd attackers, though.

          1. FC Hakkebøf
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            He got 2... Greenwood do not count as he is 4.3

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

              ???????

          2. Connor Wickham
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            If Son red stood I would have got vardy in for hit and ditched Greenwood. Your advice is sound but decided against vardy this week now and no doubt foolishly hoping for the best. Ill be the party pooper! Sequence of poor decisions puts me in the spot, wildcard in back pocket at least.

  8. Dion D's Solo Shower
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Best Cantwell replacement?
    Max. 6.8m.

    1. Bat Man
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Tielemans

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        This

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

      Barnes.

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

      Have to be Yuri

  9. Bat Man
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Want to get rid of Haller to a cheaper striker to be able to upgrade KDB to Mane soon if I need to. Who should I get:
    A. Jota
    B. Ings
    C. Deulofeu
    D. Save

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Don't like any of these options tbh. I would get Jimenez

  10. Az
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    WILLIAN

    BLUURRGGHHH

    Nice article tho, am considering a Hudson-Odoi to Barnes move after this GW.

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

      *Baptized Willian

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Do you feel confident on him getting enough gametime? Getting rid of Odoi might be premature. Let's see how he gets on if Mount is injured

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

      Agreed - Barnes over Perez, easy switch to Trossard one day.
      As a maverick man Az. Do you prefer Son or Martial as a CHO replacement?

    4. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      what moves did u make this week ?

      and what are your thoughts on son or alli in for mount ?

  11. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Willian doesn’t take set pieces anymore does he? At least not what I’ve seen. That’s what put me off a little as he is fantastic otherwise but martial just edged it for me

    1. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yes he does. Have a look at the “Set Pieces” section on here.

  12. KUN_DE_BRU_YNE
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Start:
    Rico(new)
    Or,
    Janmaat(nor)

    1. Bat Man
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Jannmat

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

      Rico

  13. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who can/maybe score more pts this GW v.s Liverpool ?
    A- Sterling
    B- Kün
    C- KDB

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

      C

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Impossible to say

  14. Kellz86
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Bold to go Mane (c) over Vardy/Abraham?

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

      I'd cap Vardy if i owned

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

    A, Good to go
    B, GTG
    C, G2G

    Roberto
    TAA, Tomori, Lord Lund
    Mane, KDB, Maddison, Son
    Vardy(C), Abraham (V), Jimenez

  16. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Better option? 0.1 difference in price, good fixtures for both.

    A) Ings
    B) Harvey Barnes

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

      Barnes

    2. Carlton_Goal
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Not much in it, would probably go Barnes just because of how injury prone Ings is

  17. Carlton_Goal
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Any thoughts on Traore or Djenepo as a short term punt? Need a cheap mid to fund another move and still have my wildcard so can take a bit of a risk

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

      Traore looks decent for the price he is.

    2. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I like Djenepo, but he's not guaranteed to start. Traore is a no-go as far as I'm concerned.

    3. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Traore could be a shrewd move

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

    Are we already in “must win” territory for Norwich tonight?

    I know there’s a long way of the season to go yet, but surely this is a game they have to target getting 3 points from to stop their slide?

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

      This is one of the things that makes me think Pukki (c) might be a good idea

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

        Verily, ‘‘tis why I asked it!

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

          I’m normally very dull in the way I play FPL but I’ve not got Vardy (could still get for a -4) and I just think it might be an ok week to live a little and give the armband to Pukki.

          Your thoughts?

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

            Well, I think this is already the first 6 pointer of the season.

            One or both of these teams looks like they’re going down. If I’m a Norwich player this is the game I believe we have to win.

            On that basis I’ve kept Pukki this GW. If Norwich are going to win he’s going to have to score.

            It’s a gamble but playing it safe hasn’t really worked well for most of us this season, so..........

    2. Surfeit of Lampteys
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No. There's 78 points still to play for after tonight.

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

        Read it again.

        I know there are plenty points to play for, but losing becomes a habit and the more a team down the bottom loses the more ingrained that losing mentality becomes.

        Sometimes there are pivotal games in a team’s season. This, to me, looks like being one of them for Norwich.

        Win this and they can kick start their season again. Lose to arguably the only team worse than them in their division and what does that now do the players confidence or the fans confidence going forward.

        1. Surfeit of Lampteys
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I read it again and no it's still not a must win. That's just an empty cliché until it literally is just win or get relegated.
          Every game is a chance to arrest the slide but despite the table being as it is, Watford are not a worse side. This is not a case of well if we can't beat Watford at home then who can we beat? Spurs didn't beat Watford at home. In fact they should have lost.

    3. Connor Wickham
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I'll be cheering for Watford that's for sure!

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

      Not sure the players themselves actually believe they can survive relegation.

      As the saying goes, if you believe you can or you can't then you're probably right.

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

      It's a classic 6 pointer! Both teams need to win.

    6. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Stand by for a 0-0..

  19. Michelle Davin
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Aguero & Mount(if injured)
    To
    Vardy & alli

    A)Yes
    B) No

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

      Just the first one.

    2. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Mount trained yesterday apparently

  20. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Hi Ryan owners.

    Are you ready for the penalty save against Utd this weekend?

    Bottom line, don't bench him.

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

      No one is benching Ryan against anyone

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

        Especially as their other keeper in that situation is probably Button anyway! 😀

  21. CC22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Yarmolenko to Maddison, Tielemans or Martial?

    Already got Vardy.

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

      Maddison I think

  22. Takedog1
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Roberto
    soy, taa, vvd, lunstrum
    sterling, mane, mount, martial,
    jimmy, Vardy

    subs - Montoya , mggin, Wickham,

    a) vvd out for mginn
    b)lunstrum out for mggin
    c) leave it

  23. ToooooooOon
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Any news on the mount situation yet?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      What i was just wondering

      1. Dion D's Solo Shower
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Apparently he trained yesterday..

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah i heard that also, do we not get a lampard presser today?

          1. ToooooooOon
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Yeah I saw that too, i'm hoping there'll be a lamps press conference today. Anyone know if/when that will be

            1. ZimZalabim
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              130
              half an hour to go

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

              2.30pm today

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

                Sorry. 1.30

                1. Salah’s Sonnet
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 4 months ago

                  Awesome cheers corgzzzz

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

                    Hello mate, I would appreciate your views on this.
                    GW13 and I will wait on the IB...…..

                    A) Lowton & Hanley out for TAA and Robertson ( what I had planned to do )
                    Or.
                    B) Hanley, DSilva / Mount out for TAA and Son ( have KDB and Mane )

  24. joelsprylar
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who to play?

    Soyuncu
    Diop
    Hayden

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Soy sauce

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

    Which 3 of these to start?

    A) Mendy
    B) CHO
    C) Rico
    D) Lund
    E) Soyuncu

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      BCD

    2. YouReds
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      BCE

  26. Manani
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who to play

    Rico Lund Soyu

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

      In that order I think.

    2. YouReds
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Rico

  27. YouReds
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who would you play out of:

    a) Lund (tot)
    b) Lowton (WHU)

    1. Planet_Marss
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      lund

    2. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Lund

  28. Dion D's Solo Shower
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is this team G2G?

    Pope
    Tomori - Lundstram - Soy/VVD
    Sterling - KDB - Mount - Tielemans - Mané
    Vardy (C) - Tammy

    Bench: Fredericks - Soy/VVD - Greenwood

  29. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    KDB >> Mane (-4) worth it this week?

    It's a transfer I'm going to make very soon anyway.

    1. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I'd go for it in that case

  30. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Either if these worth a hit?
    A) maupay to jota
    B) cantwell to Barnes (bench lundstram)

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

      Not for me. Possibility maupay could score