Spot the Differential

Long can form FPL double-up with Ings for kind Saints’ fixtures

As the Fantasy Premier League templates continues to dissolve, this week with the injury to Son Heung-min (£10.0m), the importance of differentials continues to rise.

Gameweek 26 saw attacking returns for the likes of Nicolas Pépé (£9.1m), Abdoulaye Doucouré (£5.7m) and Jordan Henderson (£5.5m), all of whom have ownership of 5% or less.

With just 12 Gameweeks to go till the end of the season, we’ve selected three more differentials that could help you rise up the rankings, including an incredible cheap striker and a Luis Figo-endorsed midfielder.

Shane Long

  • FPL ownership: 2.0%
  • Price: £4.6m
  • GW27-31 fixtures: AVL | whu | NEW | nor | ARS

It’s fair to say Shane Long (£4.6m) has been one of Southampton’s unsung heroes in their recent revival.

Since returning to the starting 11 in Gameweek 15, Saints have pulled clear of the relegation zone, and now sit comfortably in 12th place, with 31 points.

Long has been a key figure during that run, and such has been his recent form (he’s scored two and assisted one in his last six appearances in all competitions), it’s looking increasingly likely that he’ll return to Mick McCarthy’s Republic of Ireland setup when the next squad is announced.

Whilst many view the Irishman as a facilitator, creating space for others, his threat has increased of late. In fact, over the last four Gameweeks, he’s ahead of striker partner Danny Ings (£7.1m) for shots in the box, shots on target, big chances and chances created.

Aston Villa arrive at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday with well-documented issues at the back. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet on the road this season, giving up 168 shots in the process, more than any other club.

With winnable games to follow against West Ham, Newcastle United and Norwich, Long should have plenty of opportunities to add to his goal-scoring tally, and could be a shrewd pick for those in search of a cheap third forward.

Bruno Fernandes

  • FPL ownership: 3.6%
  • Price: £8.1m
  • GW27-31 fixtures: WAT | eve | MCI | tot | SHU

Manchester United’s new playmaker, Bruno Fernandes (£8.1m), has already added a new dimension to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in just two league starts.

Always on the front foot, the Portuguese international showcased his ability to score and assist at Stamford Bridge on Monday night, hitting the post with a superb free-kick and providing the corner for Harry Maguire (£5.2m) to make it 2-0.

Such is his quality, Fernandes already created more chances and taken more shots than any other teammate since he arrived.

The midfield conductor scored 63 goals in 137 matches for Sporting, and was named the Primeira Liga’s player of the year in both 2017-18 and 2018-19, which bodes well for those investing early.

That win against Chelsea has thrust United straight back into the race for Champions League qualification, as they moved up the table to seventh – just three points behind Frank Lampard’s men in fourth.

Up next are relegation threatened Watford, who have failed to win any of their last five matches in all competitions – a run which has seen them concede eight goals.

For some time now, there has not been enough creativity in United’s midfield, and whilst two games is too small a sample size to draw conclusions, early signs suggest Fernandes can provide the spark they need.

Dwight McNeil

  • FPL ownership: 0.4%
  • Price: £6.0m
  • GW27-31 fixtures: BOU | new | TOT | mci | WAT

Winger Dwight McNeil (£6.0m) has continued to impress this term, following his breakout campaign in 2018-19.

This season, he has started every Premier League game, contributing one goal and five assists, whilst his Expected Goals (xA) tally is the sixth-highest total of any player, behind only Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.7m), Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m), Raheem Sterling (£11.7m), Emi Buendía (£6.0m) and James Maddison (£7.5m).

His partnership with Charlie Taylor (£4.2m) down Burnley’s left channel has been extremely effective in recent matches, which has seen McNeil often drift into more central, dangerous areas. As anyone who has watched Burnley can testify, it’s probably their key attacking weapon right now.

Last weekend’s 2-1 win at Southampton, their third league win in four outings, has seen the Clarets move 10 points clear of the bottom three and raised the prospect of a late European surge.

Next up at Turf Moor is Bournemouth, who have a poor defensive record on the road, conceding nine on their last four road trips against Sheffield United, Norwich City, West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Despite only turning 20 years old in November, McNeil has already established himself as an England Under-21 international, and looks a good option for investment given Burnley’s schedule.

1,233 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Holgate to saiss??as I am .1 short of boly..

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      looks good!

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

        Thanks

    2. Keep Calm and Play On
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I’d save

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

        Thanks..

    3. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, Everton have convinced me they aren't going to keep CS's. If their defence holds strong, then their hapless keeper will let one in.

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

        Thanks..

    4. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Saiss will score one of these days.

  2. Keep Calm and Play On
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Morning all, GTG or make a change?

    McCarthy
    TAA-VVD-Lund
    Salah(c)-KDB-Grealish-Cantwell
    Kun-Vardy-Ings

    Button-Lacelles-Trossard-Williams

    Thinking Kun to Jimi and Lund to Boly next week

    This week Trossard to Traore and play him over Cantwell. Thoughts?

    1FT .8itb

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

      Do the 'this week' one.

      1. Keep Calm and Play On
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

  3. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Wood to Jimi for a hit (-4) - Worth it or not?

    Would play Lascelles or Stephens (AVL) if otherwise

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

      Worth it!

    2. Keep Calm and Play On
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      If you want Jimi long term I would but not sure the -4 will pay for itself this week if wood plays

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers - not risking even starting Wood as Dyche says he's touch and go. Would get in Jimi next gameweek most likely anyways

    3. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Prob not worth a hit. Could rebound.

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Wood is 50/50 to even play at this point. It's really Lascelles vs Jimi i guess

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

    Ryan
    TAA, Robbo, Lund
    Salah, KDB, Martial, Grealish
    Vardy, Jimenez, Ings
    Button l Dendoncker, Soy, Simpson

    G2G?

    This looks great for this week right?!

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Gtg all the way all day.

    2. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yes it does

    3. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I am aiming for that front line just have other issues now.

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

        It’ll no doubt end with a massive red arrow

        Any week my team actually looks decent it happens!

    4. Keep Calm and Play On
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yup GTG

    5. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Same front 8 and also LIV double def! I have McCarthy, Stevens and VVD to your Ryan, Lunds, Robbo.

      GL mate!!

    6. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Think Lundy will play?

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

    If you could have any attacker for this gw - apart from Ings and Jimenez - who would it be?

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

      salah? :S

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

        *attacker*

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

          *Forward*

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

            firmino

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

              Lukaku

    2. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      DCL

    3. BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Auba

  6. JY84
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Pope
    TAA / Egan / Rico
    Grealish / Maddison / Salah / KDB /
    Vardy / Ings/ Firmino
    (Button, Soy, Dendoncker, KWP)

    (a) Grealish to Traore
    (b) Firmino to Jimenez
    (c) Save FT for next week to cover for absences of KDB n Grealish.

    I personally prefer C... Do you all agree???

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

      100% C

    2. Keep Calm and Play On
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Yup save and GTG

    3. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      C

    4. JY84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks all! 🙂

  7. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any news on Jimmy, my finger is itching to pull the trigger on Auba to Jimmy

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

      Should be fine so no news

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rumour is he wants to get his first double hattrick this weekend 😉

  8. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Any thoughts on what I should do here? 1 FT and 4.0 ITB. Keen to get Mane but not sure how to shoehorn him in. Or should I improve defence?

    A KDB > Mane
    B Grealish & TAA > Mane & Gomez for hit
    C Other suggestion?

    Guaita
    TAA / Williams / Lund
    Salah / Grealish / KDB / Traore
    Vardy / Jimi / Ings

    Button / Webster / Cantwell / Holgate      

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

      B is utter madness!!

      Why not just any weak defender -> Robertson?

      1. Jet5605
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Was keen to get Mane in given his fixtures. TAA and Robbo haven't had much hauls of late but I guess it's a safe 6 or 7 points. Maybe VVD is better and cheaper.

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

    Start one:
    a) Bertrand (AVL h)
    b) Egan (BHA h) (means doubling up with Hendo in goal)
    c) Lascelles (CRY a)

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

      I suspect the reason you havent gotten replies yet is because they are such tough calls. Either for me. Flick a coin. B might edge it.

      1. Keep Calm and Play On
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        This, it’s a tough call between A and B for me, flip a coin

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

      B

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

    benching headache here - any advice?

    Hendo

    TAA / VVD / Baldock / Boly / Lascelles

    KDB / Salah / Grealish / Troare / Hayden

    Ings / Jimi / Auba

    Lascelles and Hayden are the easy benches. Who of the above to join them?

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

      Default is always bench the defender , so google clean sheet odds for Sheff Utd and wolves and act accordingly

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

        Yeah, that's the current line of thinking. Feels wrong benching a Sheffield Utd defender though, and Wolves has the form defence at the moment.

  11. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Traore only seems to do well in tougher fixtures. Kinda unsure if he might be the best bet going forward. What ya'll think his lack of points in "easier" fixtures is due to?

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

      Yes you should get Ross Barkley instead

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Wise.

    2. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Traore is a 5.5M player on a So-So team, you can't expect a 6 pt weekly average.

      That said, he is playing well for his price point and more.

      His chances created are wasted.He is #3 among Mids for Big Chances Created in the last 6 weeks. The next best guy costs 5M more, the next best guy costs 7M more.

      If Liverpool were smart, they sign Traore. They could have Salah, Mane, and Traore. That would be almost UNFAIR. Salah take turns being Center Forward and you have a terrifying Traore keeping two defenders busy just due to his speed.

  12. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Repost sorry.

    Is Redmond out by the way? Will this effect Ings if so?

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

      redmond out

      no affect

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

        This

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

    I assume no mention of Kelly means he is still out?

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

      Yas!

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

    Best moves here with 2FT and 1.8m itb

    Ryan
    Taa Robbo Lundy -- Aurier Rico
    Salah Grealish KDB Martial -- Stephens
    Vardy DCL Ings

    A: DCL > Jimmy
    B: DCL > Jota
    C: Rico >> Boly (better gw28/31 fixture)
    D: Rico >> Doherty and bench DCL.

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

      C

  15. zuio
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Traore and Jimenez IN
    Grealish and DCL OUT for -4 ?
    ( I also have Auba, KDB and Egan, and they have a blank next GW)

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

      Auba -> Jimenez instead?

    2. claretparrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Kind of answered your own question. Don't take a -4 that still gives you a headache next week

    3. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Just grealish-> Traore this week?

  16. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you start?

    A) Stephens (AVL)
    B) Williams (WAT)

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

      A

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

        Can you explain why? Thanks.

  17. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    My only two real differentilas are Boly & Mahrez this week, need to get some more?

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

      Two is more than enough, and those two could do well

    2. faux_C
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Choose the players you think will score the most points, regardless of ownership.

  18. Weilong7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    maddison to jimmy for a hit? shipping out fodder (hayden in and greenwood out)
    or save FT and do next week for free?

    hendo button
    soy vvd taa egan kelly
    maddison martial kdb salah mount
    vardy ings greenwood

    thanks

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

      Not for a hit, no

  19. claretparrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    It's been a funny old season, and I've barely punted at all. So I've rolled the dice on Bruno... GTG? Play Stephens or Digne?

    McCarthy
    TAA - VVD - Stephens*
    Bruno - Salah (C) - KDB - Traoré
    Vardy - Jimi - Ings (VC)
    [Button ¦ Digne* - Rico - Cantwell]

    Good luck all!

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

      Play stephens.

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

      Stephens

  20. RoboVanBasten
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who to put between the posts this week?
    A)Pope
    B)Henderson

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

      B, by a whisker

    2. FirMinaMiMo
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hendo

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

      B

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

      Cheers

  21. Can’t beat em so&hell…
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    G2G? Got 0.4 and 1FT if needs...

    McCarthy
    TAA/ Lund/ Lasc
    KDB/ Mane/ Moura/ Traore
    Jimmy (c)/ Aguero/ Firmino

    McG/ Barnes/ Soy/ Rico

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

      Think I'd play Rico over Lund tbh. Other than that slot, looks great

  22. Laurel and Vardy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Hi all,

    Who would you start:

    A) Dunk (shu)
    B) Cantwell (wol)
    C) Rico (bur)
    D) Dendo (NOR)

    or

    E) Ditch Cantwell/ Dendo-> Traore(-4)

    Rest of the team:

    Hendo
    TAA-VVD-Lunds
    KDB-Salah(C)-Grealish
    Vardy-Jimenez-Ings

    Thank you..

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

      Rico

  23. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    It seems like a lot of us are planning to free hit in GW31, but would you be tempted to save the chip if Liverpool don't blank in GW31?

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

      Hardly anyone is planning to FH in 31 - 3 Pool and 3 Wolves will be enough to see you through it.

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Not if Pool beat Chelsea in the FA cup..

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

          Their kids won't

          1. Baps hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Will their kids play that match?

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

              Yes

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

        Most on here seem to be using fh that week.

      3. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I can see goals in Nor vs Eve

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Spurs vs Whu is more difficult to predict if it happens. Burnley vs Watford is also a question mark for me atm.

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

        Thing is I don't just want to see it through - my rank isn't quite where I want it to be right now and maybe the FH in 31 would give me a nice opportunity to climb. I still have my WC intact so I'll be using that to prepare for a DGW.

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Doubt I’ll be using FH in 31, but obviously depends on fixtures, more upside in a double imo

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        For that there is possibility to use wc and bb also. Difficult to compare now.

  24. claretparrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    B

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

      Reply fail to L&V

  25. reo19uk
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Please RMT

    Pope
    TAA, VVD, Lundstom, Baldock
    Martial, KDB, Salah,
    Ings, Jimenez, DCL

    Bench
    Ramsdale, Cantwell, Saka, Soyuncu

    I have a free transfer and 4.6m in the bank and just at the top of my money league.

    I kind of feel that I should stick with that for this week and then have 2 transfers for the blank week next week.

    Good to go or needs a tweek?

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lundstram 1pt cameo not g2g.

  26. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What transfer would you rather do?

    A) Deeney to Ings
    B) Holgate to Doherty

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

      A

    2. claretparrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A hands down

    3. stepper1971
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

    4. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I can see why that's a tricky one but A

    5. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

    6. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks all

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

    Start
    A. Aurier
    B. Soyuncu
    C. Lundstrum

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

      A

  28. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Which one would you rather ?

    A) Aguero

    B) Jimenez

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

      Not a fair comparison. That said, probably still B if we're talking over the next 2/3 weeks

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ditch or transfer in?

      1. Kane Train
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I have Aguero currently. But Jimenez has Norwich this week then he doesn’t have a blank plus much nicer fixtures than Aguero. Can always trade Kun back in though in two weeks if need be

    3. stepper1971
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A for GW27 then B for GW 28

      1. Kane Train
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Jimenez has Norwich 27?

        1. stepper1971
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Aguero has blank 28

    4. Kane Train
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone else?

  29. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Captain...

    a. Salah
    b. Mane
    c. TAA

    ???

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

    Take a hit to move from double defense to double attack of Liverpool?

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

      No.

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      You going to captain Mane?