Spot the Differential
20 December 2019 1302 comments
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Whenever we draw closer to the midpoint of a Fantasy Premier League season, a standard template team tends to emerge.

This, in turn, means that it becomes more difficult to make up ground in our mini-leagues and places more importance on having a differential or two in our starting line-ups who can make a considerable impact.

In fact, last Gameweek saw three of the top seven FPL points-scorers of the round having ownership of 5% or less.

Rest assured, there’s still time to find some hidden gems. These players can be key assets, especially during this time of the season when there is a short turnaround time between games.

With that said, here are three low-owned players that may be of interest to you over the next four Gameweeks:

Lucas Moura

  • FPL ownership: 4.8%
  • Price: £7.0m
  • GW18-21 fixtures: CHE | BHA | nor | sou

At this moment in time, when it comes to Tottenham Hotspur’s attacking assets from a Fantasy perspective, you will automatically think of Harry Kane (£10.9m), Son Heung-min (£10.1m) and Dele Alli (£8.7m). However, Lucas Moura (£7.0m) is flying under the radar and rivalling that trio for attacking returns.

Under Jose Mourinho he has become revitalised, having scored three goals in his last three Premier League appearances where he has appeared for more than 70 minutes.

Among midfielders priced at £7.0m or less, he is currently ranked joint-third for goals scored, which is all the more remarkable when considering that he has only played three full league matches since August.

While he has become a regular starter of late, it can’t be ignored that he is often substituted, as was the case with his playing time under Mourinho’s predecessor.

But when we quantify Moura’s output we can see that he is averaging an attacking return for every 120 minutes played since August, which is more than respectable for an inexpensive midfielder.

You would expect him to feature in all four matches over the festive period (whether it be from the start or as a substitute), which includes fixtures against teams that have struggled for clean sheets this season.

With Moura’s form, you wouldn’t put it past him to add to his Fantasy returns, even if he’s prone to missing out on bonus points.

Neal Maupay

  • FPL ownership: 1.6%
  • Price: £5.8m
  • GW18-21 fixtures: SHU | tot | BOU | CHE

With three goals in his last three games, it’s still somewhat surprising that Neal Maupay (£5.8m) has single-digit ownership levels.

He may not have featured regularly at the start of the season but it’s fair to say that he’s now established himself as Brighton’s main centre-forward.

Seven goals in 17 appearances to date is more than respectable for a player that hadn’t played in the Premier League before August.

His credentials as a budget forward option are also commendable. During the last two Gameweeks, Maupay is ranked second for attempts on goal and joint-second for penalty area touches among forwards priced at £6.0m or less. In fact, he’s had more goal attempts than the likes of Tammy Abraham (£8.0m) and Raul Jimenez (£7.5m) since Gameweek 16.

To add to his viability, three of Brighton’s next four league games will be at home.

The Seagulls’ home record since Gameweek 1 is only 13th-best in the league at the moment, with Graham Potter’s side scoring less than two goals per game at the Amex.

But we shouldn’t read too much into that, as Brighton are, in fact, getting better with their finishing, having scored ten league goals in their last five matches on the south coast.

Maupay presents a very good opportunity to invest in a player that is performing well and doesn’t cost over the odds. He may not score in all of the Seagulls’ festive matches but the chances are that, when Albion do find the back of the net, he will most likely have some sort of involvement.

James Tomkins

  • FPL ownership: 0.5%
  • Price: £5.0m
  • GW18-21 fixtures: new | WHU | sou | nor

With the exception of a handful of must-haves in FPL this season, consistent returns from defenders have been somewhat lacking since August.

But with four Fantasy returns in his last four games, it’s surprising to think that James Tomkins (£5.0m) is still owned by fewer than 1% of FPL managers.

Tomkins has started every match for Crystal Palace from Gameweek 9 onwards, having missed the start of the season due to injury.

His form is impressive at the moment, with 85% of his points having been scored since Gameweek 14.

Crystal Palace’s next four games will be against teams currently placed in the bottom half of the table, which further enhances their chances of additional clean sheets in the short term.

However, it also remains to be seen whether Crystal Palace can cope over the busy period when stalwarts like Patrick van Aanholt (£5.5m) are injured.

Furthermore, the chances are that most seasoned FPL managers have already signed Martin Kelly (£4.4m) at a cheaper price, which makes Tomkins less appealing (and explains his ownership levels). Understandably, many of us will have a limited desire to double up on the Eagles’ defenders, despite their clean sheet potential of late.

But it can be argued that Tomkins offers slightly more.

Kelly has only registered three attacking Fantasy returns since 2016/17, whereas Tomkins has seven goals and two assists to his name during the same period. Maybe he’s due another goal?

In any case, he’s definitely worth keeping an eye on as one of the best performing budget defenders in FPL at present.

  1. kennethrhcp
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    i know it's probably been asked 1000's of times this week... but play 1:

    A: Dendonker (nor)
    B: Hayden (CY)

    1. ppv
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      A but both score you next to nothing

      1. kennethrhcp
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        was just a messing post. I know 2pointers each more than likely.

        Although I did enjoy 11 pts from the bench for dendonker a few weeks ago

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Try with Hayden this week.

  2. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Wrong to opt for Kane over KDB?

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      why not both?

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        Would have do a - 12 for both , or a -4 for one.

      2. kennethrhcp
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        capt call I think he meant?

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 27 days ago

          No to buy mate

          1. kennethrhcp
            • 15 Years
            6 years, 27 days ago

            Oh... I'd nearly go KDB over Kane. Guessing you have Son or Alli?

            Kane is a weird 1 to own (& I own him). looks to be playing deep & not getting many chances but still gets points

    2. kennethrhcp
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      I know it's not KDB... but I was on Jimenez all week & just switched to Kane. Gut feeling

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        Kane(c)?

        1. kennethrhcp
          • 15 Years
          6 years, 27 days ago

          gonna gamble on it.

          1. OptimusBlack
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 27 days ago

            On whom Jimi or Kane

            1. kennethrhcp
              • 15 Years
              6 years, 27 days ago

              well I guess both are gambles... but at the moment i'm on Kane

              1. OptimusBlack
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 27 days ago

                Good luck

                1. kennethrhcp
                  • 15 Years
                  6 years, 27 days ago

                  cheers.

                  sorry I didn't reply to you WC question. I just felt I don't know too much on good vs bad WCs at the moment

    3. ElliotJHP
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Kane is such a pain to have as an owner haha.

      I have both the decision on which to captain is giving me such a headache.

      I know this isn't very helpful but it was a good opportunity to vent

  3. Yankee Toffee
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    And he played an incredible match...

    FFS tweets: Santo on the shoulder injury that Adama Traore sustained - and played through - against Spurs: "It was dislocated, fortunately the medic was able to put it [right] again, and he's recovering and improving."

  4. Jebiga
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Nobody mentioned Pukki !
    He will score a brace this gw 😉

    1. FirMinaMiMo
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      70% nayy
      30% yayy

    2. Threat Level Midnight
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Definitely a sneaky good play this week

    3. iL PiStOlErO
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      He could

    4. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Wolves arent the kind of team to concede two goals away

  5. Kane Train
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Which one?

    A) TAA > Aurier / Kelly

    B) Mane > Martial

    1. Jebiga
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      a

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      A

    3. Kane Train
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Kelly or Aurier? I’m a Chelsea fan and I think we will struggle to score against spurs

      1. Jebiga
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        Aurier

  6. Threat Level Midnight
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Pope
    Pieters-Lund-Kelly
    Maddy-Puli-KDB-Alli
    Rash(C)-Vardy-Ings

    Button-Soy-Tomori-Mane

    Slightly worried about Pieters sitting...thoughts?

  7. gers23
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Ali or Grealish?

    Have Son and Mcginn

    1. Christina.
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      i dont get the villa luv.

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        same

      2. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        What happened to that Kiwivillain twonk who was on here 21 hours a day in pre-season doing nothing but say how great Villa are?

        1. Christina.
          • 15 Years
          6 years, 27 days ago

          no idea. he told me mgcinn would outscore most of the 4.5m def's
          lol

        2. Pap Le Cissier
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 27 days ago

          Was on a couple of weeks back implying Villas defence was good at home...

          1. Christina.
            • 15 Years
            6 years, 27 days ago

            fck I own Heaton. I should know

    2. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Alli

    3. iL PiStOlErO
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Then Alli. Better double up on spurs then on av

  8. Mikey44
    • 16 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Any last minute feedback for this wc team please?

    Ramsdale Martin
    Aurier Soyuncu Lundstram Kelly Rico
    Sterling KDB Son Alli Grealish
    Vardy Rashford Greenwood

    With enough money itb to do Sterling -> Salah the following week

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Alli Grenwood to someone and Rash.

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Strong team. Good luck.

      Very little to add to this.

    3. Jebiga
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Why not Abraham ?
      Spurs-Chelsea could be 4-4

    4. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Only doubt are the GKs but if nothing ITB then GTG and GL

  9. La Roja
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Would you rather to have Son or Kane this GW?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Son

    2. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      You WC soon mate ? if so Kane , gut, but Son for the longer haul

      1. La Roja
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        No way I’ll be WCIng when available

        Got a feeling on Kane

        1. Debauchy
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 27 days ago

          same , but he just dont fit my team

          1. La Roja
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 27 days ago

            Why

            1. Debauchy
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 27 days ago

              Structure , money ITB etc

    3. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Kane.

      1. Debauchy
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        Hey fella , great week for you last . FFS gotta worry about you again 😆

        1. RoysCallerAnne
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          6 years, 27 days ago

          Hey! Rumours of my demise were greatly exaggerated 😉

          1. Christina.
            • 15 Years
            6 years, 27 days ago

            lol

            1. RoysCallerAnne
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              6 years, 27 days ago

              8 GWs hovering between 3k and 4k .....

              Don't worry, it definitely won't happen to you again.
              Definitely.

              1. Christina.
                • 15 Years
                6 years, 27 days ago

                Christina Xmas list:

                Lateriser
                Cheese
                R̶C̶A̶
                Champ

    4. Jebiga
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Son

      1. linkafu
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        Son, he’s playing his best football actually, Kane is not bad actually but not at his better level.

  10. Slitherene
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Wildcarding after GW 19

    Pope
    Baldock Kelly Matip*
    Heaton Aurier Soyuncu

    A) Matip -> Lundstram (-4)
    B) Play Aurier

    Should I take a hit??

    1. linkafu
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Play Aurier

    2. Ji-Sung Park
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      no for me

  11. J to the T
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    How does this wildcard squad look

    Pope Button
    Aurier Soy Lund Kelly Dunk
    Son Richarlison* KdB Grealish Cantwell
    Vardy Rashford Jiminez

    *enough cash in the bank to do Richarlison-> Salah for free next week or the week after. Alternatively, Richarlison could be either Moura or Ali.

  12. gooner_112233445566
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Repost as no replies

    For next 5 which combo...

    A) traore and Jimenez (any 7.5)
    B) richarlison and mousset
    C) grealish and jota/Calvert lewin
    D) traore and wesley/Calvert lewin

    1. Pumpkinhead
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Next 5... thats too long.

  13. Shakshuka
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Good to save here? Cheers!

    Guaita
    Rico Aurier Lundstram Targett
    Sterling Son Grealish
    Vardy Abraham Rashford

    Martin Kelly Dendocker Salah*

    A) Abraham - > Maupay
    B) Salah - > KDB
    C) Save

  14. Tim
    • 16 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Mount to Grealish, thoughts? for free.

    1. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Good transfer but dont be surprised when he gets his 5th yellow tomorrow

      1. Tim
        • 16 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        Good point.

    2. ElliotJHP
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Yes, Mount wont start imo

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Do it

  15. Threat Level Midnight
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Have Pieters as my third defender this week. Should I be worried about him being benched?

  16. Yankee Toffee
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    traore cap?

    1. La Roja
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      lol

    2. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      He's not that bad.

      Oh sorry, thought you said "crap"

      1. Debauchy
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        😆 ahhh

      2. Debauchy
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        And again 😆

    3. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      No, Traore dislocated

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        Should still play according to tweet

        1. La Roja
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 27 days ago

          Not really, it says “recovering”

          May not be risked

    4. Christina.
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      jesus.
      no

  17. Dog and Fox
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Son or Alli, Martial or Grealish?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Sonny and Grill

    2. ElliotJHP
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Son/Grealish

  18. linkafu
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    A- Tomori to Aurier for -4?

    B-Ayew to Calvert-Lewin for -4?

    C-both for -8

    D- Don’t

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      B

      1. linkafu
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        And keep Tomori?

        1. iL PiStOlErO
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 27 days ago

          Ideally not, bit do that next week. This week probably no cs for both and DCL could score.

    2. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      D if you have others to start

  19. OLLY G
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 27 days ago

    Keep TAA or Robertson?

    1. ElliotJHP
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Trent

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      TAA

    3. Party time
        6 years, 27 days ago

        Trentminator

    4. Plagued by indecision
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Has their been a Spurs press conference? Just want to pull trigger on transfers as I’m sick of thinking about it.

    5. Ji-Sung Park
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Martial, Richarlison or Alli for two gameweeks?

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        Assumimg you already have Alli then Rich

        1. iL PiStOlErO
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 27 days ago

          *sorry meant Sonny

      2. clempro
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 27 days ago

        Think I'll go with Alli and Rich (have Rashford)

    6. EL tridente
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 27 days ago

      Stupid to go without Liverpool defence for the next 5-6 GW’s?

      1. Party time
          6 years, 27 days ago

          Stupid to go without Trent imo

          1. La Roja
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 27 days ago

            Nothing is stupid on internet

            1. Party time
                6 years, 27 days ago

                My bad 🙂

              • Debauchy
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 27 days ago

                This , timing is all , is all..........

                1. Debauchy
                  • 12 Years
                  6 years, 27 days ago

                  Can't get it right so far but the single most important factor in this damn frustrating game

        • Party time
            6 years, 27 days ago

            Godfrey injured, Come on Jimmy(C) Go have some fun my sweetheart

            1. Holmes
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 27 days ago

              Zimmerman is the man 😉

              1. Party time
                  6 years, 27 days ago

                  Norwich are terrible at home, Jimmy would haul( Goal & Assist ) Machine 😉

            2. OptimusBlack
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 27 days ago

              Can you please Rate my WC
              Ramsdale (Martin)
              Lund Kelly Rico Targett Doherty
              Son KDB Alli Grealish Richalison
              Vardy Rashford (Greenwood)
              4.3 M in the bank for Salah
              Play 3-5-2
              Or back to 3-4-3 with many options up front but sell whom from Mid

              1. Fulchester's New Centr…
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 27 days ago

                Pretty good.
                Martin injured I think.
                Like the 3-5-2

                1. OptimusBlack
                  • 12 Years
                  6 years, 27 days ago

                  Thx so much

            3. Christina.
              • 15 Years
              6 years, 27 days ago

              Arteta

              1. La Roja
                • 13 Years
                6 years, 27 days ago

                has lots of hair

                1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 8 Years
                  6 years, 27 days ago

                  LOL

              2. Debauchy
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 27 days ago

                Will do well , happy

            4. Vasshin
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 27 days ago

              I have 1FT and 0.4 available. I still have a wildcard to use within 2 GW.

              Currently my team is

              Henderson

              lund rico aurier

              Alli moura Sterling kdb maddison

              Abraham vardy

              Bench: 4.0 Soyonucu Connolly Robertson

              I was thinking of bringing Doherty for Robertson and use wildcard to bring liverpool players back next week. But if I bring Doherty, I will have to bench Aurier. So I kind of feel both Doherty and Aurier have equal chance of goal scoring or assist. so probably I can save my FT and use 2 FT next week. Arsenal and Everton both could have a new manager bounce so when I wildcard in 2 GW i can at least see if there is a chance of bringing someone into the team.

              what do you think I should do?

              1. Fulchester's New Centr…
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 27 days ago

                Save.
                Connolly ahead of Soy.

            5. gers23
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 27 days ago

              Son or Ali?

              1. Vasshin
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 27 days ago

                both

              2. Arse Craic
                • 16 Years
                6 years, 27 days ago

                Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee

            6. lindeg
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 27 days ago

              thank god no arsenal bounce tomorrow, richarli haul confirmed

              1. Fulchester's New Centr…
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 27 days ago

                If the bounce is purely psychological then they might already be bouncing inside as we speak.

            7. Don Kloppeone
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 27 days ago

              Here are my lot that are guaranteed to dramatically underwhelm this week:

              -4 0.4itb
              Guaita
              Lunds, Willems, Rico
              Alli (C), Son, Maddison, Grealish
              Vardy, Tammy, Ings
              (McGovern) (Soy, TAA, Mané)

              GL all!
              Bound to be a mixture of joy and tears. Enjoy the rollercoaster.

              1. Fulchester's New Centr…
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 27 days ago

                GL. Pray for Rico.

                1. Don Kloppeone
                  • 8 Years
                  6 years, 27 days ago

                  It’s all good. I’ll have Soy’s 1-2pts off the bench 😉

            8. Geordie19
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 27 days ago

              Who seems more popular for the next 2 weeks,
              Grealish or Richy?

              1. Debauchy
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 27 days ago

                Grealish because he allows better balance , think he will match Ritchy anyway