Spot the Differential

Wood’s aerial presence could cause problems for Arsenal in Gameweek 25

Gameweek 24 saw double-digit returns for 17 players, 10 of whom have ownership of 5% or less – encouraging our search for effective differentials.

Options such as Jack Stephens (£4.4m), Nathan Redmond (£6.2m) and Aaron Mooy (£4.8m) all delivered for those willing to think outside of the box, while two of last week’s selections, Joe Gomez (£5.3m) and Sébastien Haller (£7.0m), returned eight and seven points respectively.

This time, we focus on three low-owned picks who we like for Gameweek 25 and beyond.

Chris Wood

Ownership: 1.5%

Price: £6.2m

GW25-29 fixtures: ARS | sou | BOU | new | TOT

Chris Wood’s (£6.2m) goal in the recent win over Manchester United took him to 10 for the campaign, which means he is now one of only 12 players to have scored 30 or more Premier League goals since the start of the 2017/18 season.

The New Zealand international has been a model of consistency since joining the Clarets from Leeds United in August 2017, with his latest goals helping to deliver back-to-back wins for Burnley, who now sit 13th in the table, just four points behind fifth.

His tally could be even higher this season, with his 24 big chances only bettered by Jamie Vardy (£9.9m). That points to a player who more often than not, is getting into good positions in front of goal.

With Arsenal, level with Burnley on 30 points, due at Turf Moor on Sunday, Wood’s aerial ability could be key.

His five goals from set plays are more than any other player this season, whilst only Newcastle United have conceded more attempts from dead ball situations than the Gunners.

Sean Dyche’s team appear to have moved up a gear when it comes to attacking in recent weeks, with more confidence on the ball, and given Wood has scored in his last two games, more could be on the way.

Harvey Barnes

Ownership: 0.9%

Price: £5.9m

GW25-29 fixtures: CHE | wol | MCI | nor | AVL

In recent weeks, Harvey Barnes (£5.9m) has established himself as one of Leicester City’s main offensive threats.

The 22-year-old winger has scored three goals in five appearances during January, netting against Burnley and West Ham United in the league, with his performance in the 4-1 win over the Hammers arguably the best of the season to date.

Barnes’ ability to create has caught the eye, too.

He has assisted seven goals for the Foxes so far this season, which is two more than James Maddison (£7.6m).

Whilst rotation is a slight concern, he’s now started 16 of the last 21 league matches, and seems to be finding his feet at the top level.

Leicester currently sit third in the Premier League table and look well-placed to finish in one of the Champions League spots. They have an opportunity to move 11 points clear of their opponents Chelsea, who sit fourth, this weekend, while it’s also worth noting Frank Lampard’s men have struggled to keep clean sheets away from Stamford Bridge this season, with just one in 12.

Under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers, there aren’t many hotter prospects than Barnes right now in the English game.

Martin Dubravka

Ownership: 1.6%

Price: £5.0m

GW25-29 fixtures: NOR | ars | cry | BUR | sou

Since arriving on Tyneside in January 2018, Slovakia international Martin Dubravka (£5.0m) has firmly established himself as Newcastle United’s number one.

In a season where the Magpies have often struggled in front of goal, Dubravka has produced a number of key saves.

In fact, his total of 97 is the best of any goalkeeper in the league, six more than second-placed Bernd Leno (£5.0m), which combined with six clean sheets, has seen him rise to fourth in the overall goalkeeper standings, on 92 points.

Newcastle boast one of the best home defences in the league this season, conceding just 12 goals in 12 games – only Liverpool (9) and Sheffield United (11) have conceded fewer.

They have also improved their form in recent weeks, having drawn at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton and won 1-0 at home against Chelsea.

Surprisingly, only 1.6% of FPL managers own Dubravka ahead of his home match against Norwich City.

A clean sheet is a real possibility with the Canaries only scoring six Premier League goals on the road all season. They’ve also created the fewest amount of Big Chances (seven) over the last six Gameweeks.

With a kind fixture run, Dubravka could be a major influence in the second half of 2019/20.

Which FPL assets topped goal threat, creativity and clean sheets this month?
1,630 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who's a better option on a WC?

    A. Maddison
    B. Martial
    C. Neither

    1. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I have both in my team, probably b.

    4. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      C

    5. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      B

  2. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Start?
    A) Ings
    B) Rico

    1. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ings

    2. Tony Moon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

  3. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone tempted to go for Bruno Fernandes at 8 mil?

    1. GoonSquad
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not without a striker to put it in the net.

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Martial?

      2. Cruz88
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Doesn't he score his own goals?

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not yet

  4. Ed
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Best mane replacement?

    Have KDB, Salah and Traore already.

    1. SheBangsTheDrums
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      In same position. Thinking Son at the minute but not totally convinced.

    2. JabbaWookiee
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Most people in your position seem to be downgrading and investing up front. Have you looked at that?

      1. Zenith UK
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Right here ^^

    3. Root
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Martial or Son

      1. yakirh
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        This

    4. GoonSquad
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Son or Alli....or Perez and invest rest in Kun.

  5. JabbaWookiee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Fernandes transferred in 5603 times already. And out 50 times... Hmmm

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Mad

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He's not even in the game for me.

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Ah right, page 2.

      2. Calderano FC
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Try page two of United's squad

    3. Salads
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hopefully people on WC’s tinkering, maybe not thou

      1. Baganuva Hatty
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Start
        A- Henderson v Cry Pal (a)
        or
        B- Fabianski v Brighton (H)

      2. JabbaWookiee
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I don't think it shows on WC - not sure. It certainly doesn't affect price changes.

    4. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Mane replacement for me. On all set pieces, should be involved in goals by default.

      1. JabbaWookiee
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Goals? Remember this is United...

  6. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any United fans around. Thoughts on Josh King joining?

    1. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Would’ve preferred Cavani but with owners as stingy as ours what can you do? Still another body I suppose

    2. Budweiser
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He'll be on the bench if he does

    3. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Better work ethic than martial. Scores about the same amount of goals.

  7. Budweiser
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Bruno Fernandes has scored 20 penalties and missed 2. Could be the new taker!

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      All set pieces.

  8. eamonhegg
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Mane basically confirmed to be back 15th Feb (losing out on 1 GW).

    Any other Mane holders here? Mid alternatives not so attractive (excl de bryne,salah and son but got all 3)

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yup. Don't have Son or Salah but think I'll still keep. His SP is 11.9m would rather the 0.7itb and one more ft

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nope. Think I fancy the defensive double up instead.

      Cashing in on profit.

    3. XabiAlonso
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yep I'm holding, would like to have 2 frees after the break

    4. Darlo
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I'm keeping, probably bigger problems needing fixing between now and GW28 blanks.

  9. D.Glynn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What do ye think, G2G? Bench right?

    Ryan
    TAA Lund Kelly Holgate
    (S)alah KDB Grealish Son
    Aubu Jimmy
    4.0 Cantwell Soy Ings

  10. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Zivkovic signs! Lightning fast striker 🙁

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      🙂 *

    2. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He's been good for Serbia, don't know how he's been in Portugal..

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Wrong one :p

    3. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Since Berge can play both dm and cm, who do you reckon will lose his place to fit Berge in the Xl?
      Wilder seems like an old school manager, so presume Berge has to earn his place.

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        It'll take time but lundy in the long run

        1. Big Al Stankovic
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Norwood and Fleck obviously better players?

          1. Long ago I drew a walrus
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Wilder made a point of keeping Fleck for life or something today, and Norwood is the captain I believe

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

      Toilet record, but same could have been said about Mousse T.

  11. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed:

    O'Connell (4.6) vs Egan (4.5) vs Basham (4.5)

    Which one should I choose to eventually double up with Henderson?

    O'Connell has one assist so far and the other two have none.

    I've read someone posting that Egan has more attacking threat, is that right?

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nah. Egan probs most dangerous from set plays but Basham and JOC are the ones who overlap and get forward. I'd go JOC but personally will be doing Lund to Stevens as defo worth the extra 0. 5

  12. Boris Bodega
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    RMWC

    Henderson (Pope)
    Lundstram TAA AMN (Rico Baldock)
    KDB Salah Son Grealish Traore
    Aubameyang Jimenez (Martinez)

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lundstram out on WC I’d say.

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah I agree. If WC Lund must go

  13. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    My current plan is to do Zaba + Mane >> Robbo + Martial + 1.8m but not fully sold on Martial. any other transfer ideas?

    Ryan
    Taa Lundy Rico -- Aurier Zaba
    Salah Grealish Kdb Mane
    Vardy DCL Ings

    A: Stick to current plan and use remaining funds to upgrade DCL > Jimmy in gw27
    B: Zaba + Mane >> Lascelles + Sterling
    C: Mane + DCL >> Traore + Aguero

  14. quayle99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Struggling with who to bench over

    Ings
    Traore
    Fleck

    1. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Start Traore

    2. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Fleck

  15. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    0FT 1.0ITB Gtg folks?

    Henderson
    TAA Soy Lundstram
    KdB Maddison Salah(C) Traore
    Vardy Firmino Ings

    McCarthy Cantwell Rico Kelly

    1. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good except wondering who’s the better option out of soy kelly and Rico

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Cant figure that out myself.

  16. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Start two:

    A) Rico
    B) Kelly
    C) lundstram
    D) Söyüncü

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rico and Lord. Kelly first sub. Be aware that Rico is only in contention of making it.

    2. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      AC

  17. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    anyone feeling punty enough to get fernandes right in ?

    1. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Nah see how he slots in first

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        ok

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        i m very tempted and could easily afford it with mane's cash. could be another depay though

  18. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Alli, Cantwell to Traore, Grealish? Then Lund to Stevens next gw :p

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      i dont like this move to be honest. cantwell still a bargain at 4.8. alli doing well for spurs. grealish missing gw28.

      is that for free ?

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Cantwell fixtures turn and Norwich are poo. Alli first haul in a while and also poor fixtures... Bergjwin may also affect his attacking position. Gw28 is 3 gws away so doesn't bother me too much

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          go for it then 🙂

    2. Root
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Mane -> Salah, and save the other FT

  19. rodragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    1.Vardy to Auba bench mane
    2.Mane+Maupay to Bruno/Grealish + Kun/Auba keep Vardy
    3.Keep Vardy and Mane?
    Have 2ft
    Thanks

  20. Big Al Stankovic
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Chelsea, Wolves and city are amongst the teams having best defensive numbers.
    Burnley and Newcastle have some of the worst.

    Makes sense doing Vardy ➡ Auba now, and reconcider in gw 29?

  21. STONEROSES
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Best Def for 4.5 or less?
    Ta

  22. Dosh
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Start three:

    A) Rico
    B) Pereira
    B) Aurier
    C) Lundstram
    E) Maddison

    1. The Cisco Kid
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Maddison, Pereira, Rico, Lundstram, Aurier is probably the order I rank them this week. Chelsea don’t worry me as much as their brand tends to suggest. I think Rico is a little safer to start. Aurier is a liability at the best of times, and playing against City is far from the best of times.

      1. Dosh
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks! Leaning towards the 3 you said as well. But just got a feeling about Spurs this week.

  23. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Wood or Maupay?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      wood

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        cheers

    2. The Cisco Kid
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      For this week? Probably Wood, but either seems fine. For the next 6 gameweeks, I might go Maupay.

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        cheers.For the long term.

  24. The Cisco Kid
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I have Lundstram and Rico to start, Ings and Aurier off the bench. Worth the transfer to bring in someone more secure in a starting spot? If so, any targets for an Aurier downgrade?

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

      I would defo start Ings ahead of Rico

  25. Zenith UK
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Some straight forward options here I think...

    Hendo
    TAA, Robbo, Digne
    Mane, KDB, Maddi, Grealish
    Vardy, Ings, DCL

    Button, Lund, Soy, Cantwell

    1. Zenith UK
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A) Mane & Maddi > Salah & Traore (-4) leaves my 1.5M in the bank
      B) Mane, Maddi, Vardy > Salah, Traore & Auba (-8)
      C) Mane & Soy > Salah & Williams (-4)

  26. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on the below for a -4?

    Mane, DCL, Soyuncu to Auba, Traore, VVD

    1. Zenith UK
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Do you already have Salah?

      1. LIARS POKER
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yep

        1. Zenith UK
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Then do it, nice transfers

    2. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Good moves.

  27. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    GtG fellas ?
    McCarthy Soy-TAA-Lund
    Salah(C)-Madd-Grealish-Son
    Auba-Firmino-Wilson
    Button-Kelly-Tomori-Nakamba

    Thinking to sell Tomori for a hit and bench Soy

    ?

  28. Shardlow
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy (Button)
    TAA,Soy,Lund,Holgate (Kelly)
    Salah, KDB, Grealish, Maddison (Mane)
    Vardy, Ings (Greenwood)

    A. Mane, Greenwood > Aguero,Dendo (-4)
    B. Save

    Normally I wouldnt consider A for a hit since will lose loads of value on Mane, who is potentially back soon. And Aguero blank in GW28. But going to spurs v city as a neutral....

  29. Long ago I drew a walrus
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    If nothing else happens today, think the wildcard team is finally ready.

    Henderson McCarthy
    TAA Robbo Stevens Lascelles CTaylor
    Salah KDB Mahrez Grealish Hayden
    Auba Jimenez Ings
    0.2 ITB

    Mahrez out GW27 to someone, Auba to Vardy GW28, bench Stevens KDB and Grealish

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Looks great. Decent team value there. I am 2.5m short of that so looking at Gomez instead of robbo and getting a cheapo keeper for Henderson

      1. Long ago I drew a walrus
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks! Nuked my team value this week by getting rid of Mane, Vardy and Lundstram in one go, but oh well. If you've got Pope might be worth keeping alongside McCarthy

  30. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    B.Fernandes at 8.0 interests me.
    Problem is I own Martial who could very well benefit from him arriving....