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

    I think the blank GWs are actually a great opportunity to grab some ground and a rank improvement, with a little planning.

    Many FPL players sleep walk into them and scramble at the last minute, taking hits and drafting in poor players just to field 11.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      True - just means avoiding the likes of Grealish, Auba, City and Shef assets who could do well next few GWs

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

      Was someone saying they weren't? Maximum chaos in terms of BGWs and DGWs is what we always want 🙂

    3. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yes. True.

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

    Don’t feel too concerned with the upcoming blank game week.

    Doesn’t look like I have many of the blanking teams...

  3. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2ft 0.7itb
    Hendo
    TAA Robo Lund
    KDB Mane Martial Alli
    Ings Maupay Vardy
    (Martin, Cantwell, Rico, Williams)

    A) Mane to Salah
    B) Alli, Cantwell to Greal, Traore
    C) other?

    1. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A, thought you were also doing Lund to Stevens

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Next gw. Reckon Lund plays tomz

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

      A 100%

    3. The Cisco Kid
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I would do Mane to Salah now and bank the other. Next week, you will be happy to have Alli away to Villa. Also, I have Martial with my finger on the trigger to use him to fund Jiménez. You’ll like the flexibility of 2 FTs.

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

      A - keep it simple

    5. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers all

  4. suddenorgan
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best keeper £5.1 and below?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Dubrav

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        or just Pope

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

      Dubrav if you are only going to have 1 playing keeper or maybe no blanks Pope.

      1. suddenorgan
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        No love for McCarthy? like the next few southampton fixtures

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

          Might get a bucketful of saves this week and good after.

          1. suddenorgan
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            this a pretty long term move so I'm willing to accept this week might not be great. Southampton's xGC is miles better than Newcastle's

  5. ebb2sparky
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Why is there so much wild card talk this week? And people getting rid of players like vardy for a hit. Seems crazy to me but maybe i need to change my ways since not having a great season so far!

    1. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I was thinking the same

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

      I am doing it because I'm not having a great season; Mane injury is encouraging people to splash the cash.

      1. ebb2sparky
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        True but if mane only misses Southampton then he has Norwich at home next and good fixtures to follow. I know they have champions league but klopp normally starts his strongest XI.

  6. NotsoSpursy
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    GTG? Or use 1FT?

    Pope (button)
    robo, TAA, Lundi
    KDB, salah, richarl, Hayden
    Ings, vardy, Jimmy

    Kelly, cantwell, Soy

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

      Any cash? Kelly or Soy to a SHU or NUFC defender

  7. Cruz88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hows this WC looking?

    Henderson McCarthy
    Trent Gomez Stephens Fernandez Williams
    Grealish Salah KDB Bruno Traore
    Aguero Jimi Ings

    1. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Very good
      Bruno is a quality signing for Utd !

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      How much is Bruno?

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

        8mil

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

        Someone said 8, but can't find him myself.

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

          2nd page

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

          you have to search

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

            Not fair. I just want to be spoon fed.

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

      Rather Aub over Aguero..then Aub to Vardy in gw28

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I'm looking at getting Perez in for KDB in GW28. Aubas fixtures after GW28 are great and KDBs not so much...

    4. Takedog1
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      nice team. what's ur tv?

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

        It was 107.1 before WC but is now 105.8. I don't mind losing the value as surely building it up ready for this wildcard is the main use for it

  8. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which one?

    A) Robbo, Son and Jimenez
    B) VvD, Maddy and Auba

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

      Robbo, Bruno/Martial and Jim

      1. Strchld
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Interesting..

  9. Who Ate All Depays?
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any suggestions/changes on this WC team with 0.5m to spare?

    Henderson (McCarthy)
    TAA, Gomez, Baldock (Lasceles, Stephens)
    Salah, KDB, Grealish, Fleck (Hayden)
    Aguero, Auba, Ings

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

      Excellent. Lasc to Fernandez? Fleck to Mooy?

    2. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      what's the plan for bgw 2? You own 6 players...

      1. Bavarian
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        BGW 28*

        1. Who Ate All Depays?
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Will keep couple of FT and then evaluate

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

      You're going to have problems in gw 28 .... 7 blank players if I'm correct

  10. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How would you rank Sheff Utd Defenders, I read the article earlier in the week but this seems to contradict scoring odds (baldock 9/1 to score stevens 20/1).

    I'm currently on Stevens / O'Connel, is Baldock a better pick?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Not much in it. Stevens and Baldock are pretty much on same level.

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

      I would go Stevens

    3. suddenorgan
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      O'Connell is best of the cheaper lot, Stevens best of all

  11. HAMMERTIME107
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A | Grealish
    OR
    B | Richarlison

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

      Grealish on fire

  12. I Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    People buying Fernandes when the manager basically said he won't start. Oh dear.

    1. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      People like new toys. I'd be happy if he plays himself into form by GW30 or something

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

      Man Utd fans. No further questions your honour.

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Pencilled him in for the blank.

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

        Josh King too.

  13. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Maupay > Auba -4?

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

      No. Maupay good for this week.

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

    Start Ings or Cantwell?

    1. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ings

  15. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA Lund Rico
    Salah Mane Grealish KDB
    Greenwood Vardy Jimenez
    (Button Holgate Dendoncker Soy)

    a) Mane > Traore
    b) Mane > Pepe
    c) Mane & Soy > Traore & VVD (-4)
    d) Mane & Greenwood > Traore & Auba (-4)

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

      C

  16. Budweiser
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any news on Cantwell?

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

      Available.

  17. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Richarlison or take a punt on Utd's Bruno?

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

      Not starting tomorrow, but assuming price will rocket if he looks even half decent (or even if he doesn't)

  18. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2 wins away from UCL qualification for Liverpool...

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      They are so far ahead of 5th place that even if you took half their points away they would still be in a CL qualification sport.

  19. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    get that flag off Super Todd

  20. HAMMERTIME107
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which one of these to downgrade, need around £1.5 mil but struggling to decide as like them all.

    Grealish | Salah | Richarlison | De-Bruyne
    Jimenez | Aguero | Aubameyang

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Auba or Rich

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

      Richarlison > Traore

  21. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Whos have to go first, Kiko or Kelly? Probably both dropped..

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

      The more expensive one

  22. Champione
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Schmeichel
    TAA Gomez Lundstram
    Salah KDB Grealish Doucoure
    Aguero Vardy Ings

    McGovern Sidibe Cantwell Kelly

    Schmeichel, Lundstram, Doucoure on my transfer out list. 1 FT, 0.3 ITB Suggestions?

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

      Kelly to Lasc, play him this week

      1. Champione
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        thanks, good option

        1. Jebiga
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          kelly out of a favour ?

  23. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Should i play Lundstram or Kelly ?
    Already have Henderson on goal

    1. Champione
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lundstram

      1. Jebiga
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        whats wrong with kelly ?

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Wards fit again.

          1. Jebiga
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            oh, thanks

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lundstram, more likely to start and has better points potential if he does.

      1. Jebiga
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        why wouldnt kelly start ? who is the threath ?

        thanks bdw

  24. Ëð
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Maddison -> Traore? Got 1FT. Or hold?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'd hold

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

      Hold for now

  25. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Fixture ticker to be updated soon ? Cheers

  26. XABI 15
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pope
    TAA Lund Kelly
    Salah KDB Grealish

    1. XABI 15
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Please ignore fail above. g2g?

      Pope
      TAA Lund Kelly Rico
      Salah KDB Grealish
      Vardy DCL Wilson

      Button Cantwell Soyunca Mane

  27. lindeg
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Abraham trained today and will be assesed ahead of tomorrow

  28. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    On WC:

    A) Lundstram or O'Connell
    B) Williams or (Charlie) Taylor

    Currently on O'Connell (after reading FFS article) and Williams (even if less nailed).

    Cheers

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

      O'connell

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Ta

  29. Bunk Moreland
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I have 2 FTs and I'm stuck with triple Leicester ahead of some unvavourable fixtures.

    What do you guys think about Vardy and Soyoncu (CHE wol MCI nor) > Aubameyang (bur NEW EVE BLANK) and Lascelles (NOR ars cry BUR)?

  30. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Anything worth a transfer? 1ft 0.1itb

    McCarthy
    TAA Aurier Lundstram
    Salah Mane* KDB Moura Cantwell*
    Vardy Deeney

    Button Holgate Kelly Greenwood

    A) Mane, Kelly to Son, VVD -4
    B) Mane, Greenwood to 4.7 mid, Aguero -4
    C) Mane to Son
    D) Kelly to Lascelles
    E) Save play a defender