Spot the Differential

Ward-Prowse offering viable alternative route into Southampton attack

Three differentials for Gameweek 16

Differentials were among the key performers yet again midweek – and they can be in Gameweek 16.

This column backed Dele Alli (£8.6m) for a second week running and further attacking returns have now seen his ownership levels soaring high and out of our bracket. 

But fear not, there is still plenty of value to be found elsewhere while still staying below the 5% line. 

Here are three lesser-owned players to consider for Gameweek 16…

James Ward-Prowse

After delivering for this column in midweek, we’ve picked Ward-Prowse again

Price: £6.3m

Ownership: 1.8%

GW16 Opponent: Newcastle United (away)

Having repaid our trust on Wednesday night by delivering a third fantasy return in a row it makes sense to back James Ward-Prowse (£6.3m) again for the weekend. 

As mentioned previously, if it isn’t Danny Ings (£6.2m) being involved with Southampton’s goals it’s almost certainly their midfield creator. 

Over the past four Gameweeks, among midfielders priced at £6.0m or below, Ward-Prowse ranks joint-third for goal attempts and is averaging a fantasy return for every 90 minutes played since Gameweek 11. 

In terms of FPL points, he has scored 24 more than the next highest placed Southampton midfielder, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (34). He has without a doubt been the Saints’ midfield talisman for the season to date.

In the case of Ward-Prowse, his performances are inextricably linked with how his team is doing as a whole. 

It’s no coincidence that his form has stood out over the past three games as Southampton have picked up seven points from a possible nine, and in doing so, lifting themselves out of the relegation zone. 

It remains to be seen if the Saints can keep this up but they’re only one point above 18th place at present. 

Up next for Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men is a Newcastle United team that has only kept one clean sheet since Gameweek 8 and has had problems defending set-pieces in recent years.

Gabriel Jesus

Jesus finally delivered on his promise against Burnley

Price: £9.6m 

Ownership: 3.2% 

GW16 Opponent: Manchester United (home)

Gabriel Jesus (£9.6m) finally delivered on his promise with a brace against Burnley on Tuesday night. 

Since Sergio Aguero’s (£11.8m) injury, he is already proving his worth and has even outscored Raheem Sterling (£11.9m) and Kevin de Bruyne (£10.3m). 

Over the last two Gameweeks, Jesus has ranked third among forwards for penalty area touches (17) and is joint-top for shots on goal (eight). 

Some might be asking whether the 2-0 win at Turf Moor was a one-off in terms for Jesus or whether he can carry on his form.

The fact of the matter is that with Manchester City 11 points behind league leaders Liverpool every match is now a must-win for them. 

Up next for Pep Guardiola’s men are a Manchester United team that defeated Jose Mourinho on his return to Old Trafford. That result arguably masked their recent woeful form and their backline remains weak, having conceded in every match since Gameweek 6.

Alexandre Lacazette

Lacazette’s form could be key to any kind of Arsenal revival

Price: £9.3m

Ownership: 2.4%

GW16 Opponent: West Ham United (away)

Arsenal are on their worst ever winless run in four decades so, in some ways, it would make sense to completely avoid all of their assets until they can stem the wave of decline.

However, I’m willing to make an exception in highlighting the merits of Alexandre Lacazette (£9.3m). 

It’s sometimes hard to forget that he registered 25 attacking Fantasy returns last season at an average of one per 100 minutes played. 

That’s no mean feat and had he been fully fit since August we may have seen Unai Emery still in a job and Arsenal higher up the table.

Lacazette has now scored three goals in his last three games. No other player has scored more than that during the same timeframe, Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) and Marcus Rashford (£8.8m) and Ings have all matched, not beaten his tally.

If Arsenal are to jumpstart their season then Lacazette seems the most likely candidate to play a leading role. 

Their next match takes them to the London Stadium where West Ham have the fourth-worst home record in the league this season having conceded 14 goals in seven games. 

Even if Arsenal fail to win again they shouldn’t struggle to score against the Hammers, which leaves plenty of scope for Lacazette to be involved.

790 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Settled on this WC team, going triple chelsea attack 🙂

    Ryan
    Lundstram TAA Aurier
    Salah Pulisic Mount Alli
    Vardy Abraham Rashford

    Button Dunk Grealish Kelly

    1. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Really going Salah over Mane on WC? Rest looks lovely now.

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Acc u've got a huge benching headache idk

    2. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Martin > Button maybe

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

      Where is KDB ?

    4. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I’d cry if I had to bench Grealish or a Chelsea attacker every week

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        You cry every week anyway

    5. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Mount to Cantwell and Pulisic to KdB

  2. Spacemonkey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Martial owner here...

    Would you ship him out for Maddison if you have to sell Schmeichel in order to free 3rd Leicester spot? (Have Rashford.) When I look at Martial's BPS, think of his injury (impact on "form") it's no-brainer -- he should go. When I compare his xG with potential substitutions' xGs, I want to keep him, very much so.

    What to do?

    1. Chippo, Hadji, Aloisi.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I took him out.

    2. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I sold him for Davild Silva--already have Maddison

  3. Chippo, Hadji, Aloisi.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ok so who to start??
    Lundstrum (Norwich A)
    Clark (soton H)
    Kelly (Watford A)
    Other def: Soyuncu and Trent.
    Cheers.

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Has to be lund hasn't it. I'm actually playing Lund, TAA, & Williams at the back with Tomori, & Soy on the bench..

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        you're starting Williams against City?

        1. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Sorry that was suppose to be Willians ( New) defender.

    2. Chippo, Hadji, Aloisi.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks all

      1. Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Good luck buddy.

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

    Any ideas here? Planning to use the WC for GW20.

    Ryan
    TAA, Aurier, Lundstram
    Salah, Sterling, Mount, JWP
    Vardy, Abraham, Pukki

    Button, Söyüncü, Dendoncker, Williams
    Bank 0.0m, 2FT

  5. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Literally bottomed:

    I have 2 2FT'S, wwyd?
    Martial + james ----->
    A) Madison + Pulisic
    B) Alli + Grealish
    C) Madison + Zaha
    Or
    D) Robbo + martial + James ----> maddison + alli + kelly + 1.8 itb for a hit
    ----
    Team:
    Pope, button
    Soy, (Robertson), lund, tomoroi, rico
    Salah, kdb, cantwell, (martial, james)
    Jimenez, vardy, Abraham

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Haha A is what I have but B is what I’ve been eyeing up in a GW or two.

      B if you rate Grealish enough

    2. Chippo, Hadji, Aloisi.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Salah to mane. You’ll have a benching headache otherwise.

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

      I would consider C.
      It gives you the option to move Jimmy to Rashford in a week.
      Your team looks stronger right away.

  6. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Based on advice I think I’ll wait a week before dropping Laca Maddison/Pulisic to Rashford/Tammy Alli.

    2FT 0.8m ITB though so:
    A) Pope to Ryan
    B) McGovern to Martin
    C) Other?

    Team linked x
    🙂

    1. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Same situation nearly, probably A

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

  7. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    My def. (Soy lund kely taa), lowton to
    A) lovren
    B) wilems
    C) aurier
    D) o'conel/egan/baldock
    E) other move, ings to mouset/ayew

  8. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    The Athletic understand the Nigel Pearson is set to be unveiled as Watford boss soon, with Craig Shakespeare again as his no. 2. Confirmation tomorrow. Pearson will be watching their match this weekend from the stands.

    1. Alan The Llama
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I've missed his meltdowns

    2. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Are you an ostrich, Differential?

  9. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Have Son but no Chelsea

    A. Alli & Kelly/Dunk/Williams
    B. Pulisic & Aurier/Evans/Soy

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Also have Schmeichel for Leicester defence

  10. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hoping Alli can have a good game but not delver this week - gonna give Maddison Pulisic another week

  11. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Son
    Ali
    Son ali son ali son ali sob alii son ali son ali.......

    1. nolard
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      alli

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

    Mixed opinions earlier. Appreciate further feedback.

    Pope, Button
    TAA, VVD, Lundstram, Rico, Lascelles*
    Mane, KDB, Alli, Pulisic, Martial Vardy, Ings, Connolly

    A) Martial > Grealish
    B) VVD & Martial > Kelly and Son-4

    Leaning towards B to as I get to ride Palace's nice fixtures and also have Liverpool's blank in mind

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I don't like hits personally but B is still better even with the hit. Especially If you don't have Alli.. Alli or Son or even both could well be needed especially this gw.

    2. nolard
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Can you not just do Martial to Alli?

  13. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    My def. (Soy lund kely taa), lowton to

    A) lovren
    B) wilems
    C) aurier
    D) o'conel/egan/baldock
    E) other move, ings to mouset/ayew

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

      I would not be ditching an inform Ings. Your defence has enough legs i think

      1. Nightf0x
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        2 ft, will lose 1 if didnt transfer

  14. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play Soyuncu or Ings?

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Imo Ings.

    2. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      ings

  15. GoonerGirl
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hi guys,

    So I accidentally put in 3 Leicester players without getting Vardy.

    I have 2 FT and I'm thinking of doing a -4 to get in VARDY by replacing him with Jiminez and replacing Sterling with ALI and Chilwell with TAA.

    Here is my team atm:

    Pope

    Soy Chilwell Lundy Rico (Kelly)
    KDB Tielemans Mane Sterling (Hayden)
    Jiminez Auba (Greenwod)

    I'm thinking of changing to:

    Pope
    Soy TAA Lundy Rico (Kelly)
    KDB Tielemans Mane ALI
    Auba VARDY (Greenwood)

    Do you think I should go with with the -4, which I'm always hesitant in doing or just do the 2fts of Ali and TAA and get Vardy in next week and stick with Auba and Jiminez for now.

    TLDR: -4 to get Vardy in or only use my 2fts for now and get Vardy in next week?

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

    Don’t like my team, but nothing is jumping out...

    A) Sterling -> Son
    B) JWP & Mount -> Pulisic & Cantwell
    C) Sterling & JWP -> Son & Pulisic

    Ryan
    TAA, Aurier, Söyüncü
    Salah, Sterling, Mount, JWP
    Vardy, Abraham, Pukki

    Button, Lundstram, Dendoncker, Williams
    Bank 0.0m, 2FT, WC available

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I like A or C

    2. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      c and i would play lund over soy.

  17. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bench Ings? Doesn’t feel right but ...

    Mane KdB Son Maddison Pulisic
    Vardy Jim Ings

    (Went Maddison last week in last minute change from Jim :-()

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah benching Ings doesn't sound right but with that front 8 looks like it's the right choice unfortunately.

  18. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Alli too risky a captain pick, or just stick with Vardy?

    1. nolard
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I am debating just this myself.

  19. royaljoe
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    gazzagina
    lundstram taa willems
    zaha Mane pulisic maddison
    vardy jimenez abraham

    henderson soyunicu tomori dendoncker.

    2.5m in bank. 2 free transfers..

    What to do?
    transfers shall i do or just roll transfer?

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

    I’m going Alli because I’m chasing 25 pts in my ML and my opponent will probably give the armband to Vardy

  21. acidicleo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    My team:

    Pope
    TAA Lund Kelly
    Son Alli Mane KDB Maddison
    Vardy Jimenez

    Subs: Button Soyuncu Greenwood Reid

    GTG?
    Bench correct?
    Best captain? - Vardy (Villa at home can be tough) vs Son or Alli (but who to picl from them!!) vs Mane ( red hot form but possible managed minutes)