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. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    In a bit off a pickle with my team.

    2FT and now sure what to do exactly?

    Ryan
    VanDijk Otamendi TAA Lundstram
    KDB Salah Mount Sterling
    Abraham Jiminez

    Button Cantwell Connolly Kelly

    1. Joey Barton and Friends
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      download Otamendi and bank the cash

      1. Teddy Brewski
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah this. Rico

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

      How much have you got in the bank? Anything to upgrade Cantwell?

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

    Oh god, no Liverpool attack, I need Bravo to have the game of his life.

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

      He can spill a Trent freekick if he wants though.

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

      Mount

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

      He is shocking though mate, i could score against him

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

        lol I know, he's awful, wish me luck.

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

          GL buddy

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

    Dilva replacement under 8.2??

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

      Madisson

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

      Martial
      maddison
      Pulisic

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

    GTG?

    Pope,
    TAA, Lundstram, Willems, Rico, Soyuncu
    Salah, KDB, Sterling,
    Vardy, Abraham,
    Bench: Button, Mount, saka, Connolly

    Would I be mad to captain salah?

    1. Noé Pamarot
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I am going for Vardy but extremely tempted by Salah now with the Ederson news.

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

    Is this team G2G chaps?

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

    Bench: Fredericks - Soy/VVD - Greenwood

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yep, lovely team

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

    Mount news please! I need a p!ss

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Lampard "Ross is not in the squad tomorrow, he has an ongoing issue. Mason is in the squad. We will give him another 24 hours and make a call on that."

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

        Ew

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

        Thanks! Though I have just wet myself 🙁

        1. Pras (FPL)
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Didn’t know you have such a big crush on Mount Scotty

        2. Nabs Kebabs
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          nice

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

      In the squad

  7. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Am i right to start Soyuncu and Lundstram and bench Yarmolenko?

  8. Ghost86
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Would you play Mendy over Rico?

    1. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No

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

    bought mount at 6.7 so no value tied in him at all

    Even if he is fit is it worth it to sell him for Son or Alli for a few weeks ? for -4 tho

  10. Joey Barton and Friends
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is the Wolves defender Säiss in now playing instead of Boly?

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

      Ye

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

    Good afternoon

    Pope (Gunn)
    Soy - Rico - VVD (Lund, Kelly)
    Mane - KDB - Martial - Mount (Cantwell)
    Vardy - Wilson - Abraham

    Thinking of Wilson -> Jimmy this week, or saving FT to potentially get Auba in after IB.

    Thoughts?

    Thanks in advance.

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Save.

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

      I'd much rather have Auba than either of them so hold if you can do it.

  12. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    3 to start please:

    a. Mount
    b. Cantwell
    c. Soyuncu
    d. Chilwell
    e. Fredericks
    f. Lundstram

    ???

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

      A, D, F

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

    Last one, I promise

    A) Reid + Hayden + Jiménez
    2) Janmaat + grealish + greenwood

    1. Noé Pamarot
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A just because of Jimmy. Monitoring Grealish/Villa assets for GW16 onwards..

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

    Lampard reports that Ross Barkley is not in the squad for tomorrow due to an ongoing issue. Mason Mount is in the squad and his fitness will be assessed in the morning.

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

      Nightmare for owners

      1. Pras (FPL)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Why? Just start him. He won’t necessarily have a cameo if not fir

        1. Brehmeren
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          This

    2. kraftwerker
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers Frank. Glad I waited

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

    Pep mention Dilva ?

    1. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      no

  16. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Which 2 to bench?

    A) Lundstram A TOT
    B) Soyuncu H ARS
    C) Rico A NEW
    D) Janmaat A NOR

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

      B and one of A or D I will not be making myself accountable for making the wrong choice on that so good luck

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers, so you would defo play Rico over the other 3?

    2. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Tough one but...

      A) Lundstram
      B) Soyuncu

    3. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B and D

  17. Atwood
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Aguero > Vardy a sensible move?
    2FT's

    Pope
    TAA - Lundstram - Tomori
    Mane - KDB - Mount - Yarmolenko
    Aguero - Abraham - Jiminez

    Button - Soyuncu - Rico - Dendonker

    1. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      yep

  18. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Mount out this Weekend?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No, in the squad

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

      Read the posts on here.

  19. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Walker to play GK and the Cruyff total football circle is complete.

  20. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Worth a hit to sell Fredericks and buy either Rico or Willems?

    1. Noé Pamarot
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No, you have enough cover based on your earlier post. Not worth a hit.

    2. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yes. I done that last week for Rico

  21. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    A. With Ederson out Sterling to Mane for a hit?
    B. Play Mendy, Soy or Rico?

    Pope (Heaton)
    TAA Lundstram Mendy/Soy/Rico
    KdB Mount Maddison Sterling (Cantwell)
    Abraham Vardy(C) Jimenez

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

      Not for a hit

  22. GW 12 News Roundup
    Rotation's Alter Ego
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Here we go again - what we learnt in the runup to Gameweek 12…

    Friday Deadline! Set those teams now, tinker later!

    Liverpool

    Just Matip and Shaqiri out for Liverpool. Henderson is over his illness and VVD missed yesterday for unrelated reasons and is fine.
    https://twitter.com/LynchStandard/status/1192782643223580672?s=20

    Man City

    Ederson is confirmed out of the Liverpool game, whilst Aguero will play “similar minutes” to Jesus going forwards.
    https://twitter.com/jonnysmiffy/status/1192796925726265346?s=20

    Leicester City

    Everyone is fit for Leicester who have Matty James back in training for them, but there’s no timescale for his return.
    https://twitter.com/RobTannerLCFC/status/1192449136882307072?s=20

    Chelsea

    Barkley is out but Mount is in the squad as expected but he will have a late fitness test. Rudiger is looking at around 3 more weeks out.
    https://twitter.com/NizaarKinsella/status/1192799360033198081?s=20

    Arsenal

    Ceballos picked up an injury midweek and will miss out this weekend. Everyone else is fit, but Xhaka will be expected to miss out again.
    https://twitter.com/charles_watts/status/1192731592051056640?s=19

    Sheffield Utd

    There’s a few players who are fighting to be fit for the weekend, but refused to name who as always. Stamina is likely still an issue for Mousset, and Egan had to come off early last week and may still not be ready.
    https://twitter.com/JamesShield1/status/1192395831577591808?s=20

    Bournemouth

    Lerma serves his 5 yellow card suspension and Gosling isn’t quite ready to start. Brooks still isn’t in training, which leaves Lewis Cook the most likely candidate to come in for Lerma.
    https://twitter.com/solentsport/status/1192732015080198145?s=20

    Brighton

    Webster is confirmed out, but the length of his absence is somewhere between 4-6 weeks.
    https://twitter.com/AndyNaylorBHAFC/status/1192796904628858881?s=20

    Crystal Palace

    Roy reports a clean bill of health for Palace for the first time in a long while
    https://twitter.com/CPFC/status/1192785516606971905?s=20

    Man Utd

    Bailly is probably looking at 2-3 weeks out for United, who also have Matic and Pogba out still. OGS is hopeful McTominay will be available to him. OGS also hopes to have Lindelof.
    https://twitter.com/samuelluckhurst/status/1192577275499298817?s=20

    Tottenham

    Lloris has had surgery and is on course to resume training in the early part of next year. Lamela and Vertonghen remain out as well. Some people are still struggling from “small issues” but didn’t clarify.
    https://twitter.com/thespursweb/status/1192395301878992896?s=20

    Wolves

    EL duty means there’s limited news out of the Wolves camp.

    West Ham

    Antonio should return after the IB and Reid is continuing to prepare to return, but will do so with the U23s. Wilshere might be ready for the weekend, but Fabianski will at least 1 more month out.
    https://twitter.com/whufc_news/status/1192455534647140357?s=20

    Burnley

    Gudmundsson is still well off from a return, but Wood has every chance to play this weekend. Drinkwater is also approaching a return – he now needs game time to get back to full fitness.
    https://twitter.com/adjones_journo/status/1192431721247059968?s=20

    Newcastle

    Schar and Ritchie are not ready to play, but whilst Schar isn’t too bad Matt Ritchie has had a setback in training, which is good news for Willems owners. Weekend comes too soon for Lejeune.
    https://twitter.com/SkySports_Keith/status/1192736030203494400?s=20

    Aston Villa

    Guilbert dead leg. Jota will be in light training. Grealish had a dead calf but should resume training tomorrow – he’s 50/50 to play.
    https://twitter.com/PreeceObserver/status/1192796036361859076?s=20

    Everton

    Silva gave good news on Gomes – he may feature again at some point this season after a horrifying leg injury. Delph meanwhile is a big doubt to play this weekend.
    https://twitter.com/EvertonNewsFeed/status/1192437929764892672?s=20

    Southampton

    The only player missing for Ralph is Bertrand, who is suspended. Djenepo is back training, as is Cedric, with everyone else being fully fit.
    https://twitter.com/SaintsfcViews/status/1192430029411672064?s=20

    Norwich

    Vrancic is building fitness and can now play, but not 90. Hanley and Zimmermann could return not long after the IB. Hernandez and Trybull are at full fitness, Cantwell and Amadou are in full training.
    https://twitter.com/michaeljbailey/status/1192435486440202240?s=20

    Watford

    The good news for Watford is that Deeney is back and has travelled, who are also bolstered by the return to full fitness for Holebas, Capoue, Prodl and Sarr.
    https://twitter.com/Observer_Owl/status/1192488403440472065?s=20

    1. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Nice and quick! Thanks as always!

    2. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      RAE you hero. Cheers!

    3. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      What does that mean "whilst Aguero will play “similar minutes” to Jesus"? They are both going to start? Both 45 minutes?

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Aguero upfront, Jesus in goal. Both 90mins 😉

        1. Tshelby
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Mane (c)!

      2. Rotation's Alter Ego
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Think he meant going forwards in future games - they'll split the games between the two of them. Could be Aguero gets league, Jesus gets cups. Could be Aguero home, Jesus away. Could be that we learnt pretty little really, and just have to accept Aguero is a rotation risk 😉

    4. Noé Pamarot
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks - amazingly efficient.

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

      Cheers Thanx

    6. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers RAE, extremely helpful to read.

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

      top man for doing this.

    8. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Very welcome all. Seeing how many enjoy it always makes it worth the work 🙂

    9. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Hello Bravo! Salah (c) it is then

    10. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      ...appreciated as always RAE, for those of us in different timezones it's great to get this roundup 🙂

  23. mikeycee93
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Looking to swap mendy out for someone this weekend - was thinking maybe Mina as a diffirential..

    Does anyone know what like saints are conceding chances from set pieces? and also how good everton are at attacking set pieces?

    1. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Doherty?

  24. Nabs Kebabs
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    good to go then?

    Pope
    TAA Tomori Rico
    Mane KDB Maddison Mount
    Vardy(v) Tammy Jiminez

    Henderson Lundstram Hayden Soyuncu

    4.8m ITB for a rainy day

    1. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy(c) *

    2. Tucker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yup, looking good

    3. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      We have almost exact team
      Im playing lundy over rico and have Rashford over Jimmy

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

      G2G

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

      Wouldnt bench top scoring fpl defender. Start him over tomori

      1. Nabs Kebabs
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        fixture

    6. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      cheers all

  25. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Ne update worth or save my FT

    ryan
    rico taa soy lunds lasc
    mane Sterling kdb cantwel douglas
    Jimmy vardy tammy

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

      playing 433?

      1. Champions united
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yes

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

          I'd hold then.

  26. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Kind of feels exciting owning Salah and Mane right now...

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Cue 2-0 with goals from Firmino and Wijnaldum

      1. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Both assisted by TAA and Robbo 😉

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

          Lol 😉

  27. Bouncebackability
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Wonder how many have Ederson and no back up keeper

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      He’s being heavily transferred out over the last 2hr along with Mount who is currently on -103.5

  28. wagner is king
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    start
    cantwell (h)to watford
    mcguin (A) wolves?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      McG probably.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Same issue and I'm going mcginn

  29. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    All set?
    0FT 0ITB
    Pope
    TAA Tomori Rico
    Mane KDB Son Martial
    Vardy(c) Tammy Jimenez

    Button - Lund Soy Saka

    1. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      GTG

  30. hammersp2000
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Hey All,

    Pick from 2 these 4 (at least 1 must be a defender though)

    A - Mount
    B - Rico
    C - Lundstrum
    D - Cantwell

    Currently on Mount & Lunds with Rico 1st Sub if mount misses out but not sure

    Thanks

    1. Teddy Brewski
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      AB