Spot the Differential

Overlooked Fornals can benefit from West Ham’s appealing fixture run

It is Gameweek 8 in Fantasy Premier League and ahead of our second international break of the season, we’re back with three more differentials for you to consider.

This time, we’ve selected assets from West Ham United, Southampton and Chelsea who we think have the potential to make an impact.

As always, to qualify, the player must have an ownership of 5% or less at the time of writing.

Pablo Fornals

  • FPL ownership: 1.5%
  • Price: £6.4m
  • GW8-12 fixtures: FUL | shu | AVL | MUN | lee

After a challenging first season in East London, Pablo Fornals (£6.4m) has emerged as one of West Ham United’s standout performers in recent weeks.

The Spanish midfielder is beginning to show the level of performance many fans expected upon signing from Villarreal, with two goals and three assists so far this season. It could have been more too, having hit the woodwork against Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

One reason behind his improved form is David Moyes’ 5-4-1 setup, which has enabled the 24-year-old to occupy a more central role. Regularly drifting inside from the left-flank, which in turn creates space for Aaron Cresswell (£5.1m) and Arthur Masuaku (£4.5m), he often finds himself in the half-space where he is at his best. Fornals’ defensive work is also an underrated part of his game, which will ensure new signing Saïd Benrahma (£6.0m) faces a tough task to dislodge him from the team.

Despite a testing fixture list that has seen the Hammers take on six of last season’s top-eight in their opening seven matches, only seven midfielders have registered more shots in the box than Fornals, while his expected goal (xG) total also ranks in the top 10.

West Ham now sit 14th in the Premier League with eight points and a positive goal difference. Next up is Fulham and Sheffield United, and there is optimism that they can build on their start and now start climbing the table. 

Available for just £6.4m, Fornals is coming into form just as West Ham’s fixtures ease, and could be an effective differential for Gameweek 8 and beyond.

Che Adams

  • FPL ownership: 3.0%
  • Price: £5.8m
  • GW8-12 fixtures: NEW | wol | MUN | bha | SHU

With Danny Ings (£8.4m) facing up to six weeks on the sidelines following knee surgery, the onus is on Che Adams (£5.8m) to step up and take on the scoring responsibility.

Adams had to wait a while for his first Southampton goal, but has since repaid the faith shown to him by his manager with six goals in 15 Premier League appearances since the restart. 

This season alone, the Saints forward has registered 13 shots, with 12 of those efforts arriving in the box. He also ranks joint-fourth amongst forwards for chances created which has led to three assists.

Those numbers suggest he could carry the burden up front, but it is still unclear who will partner him in Ralph Hasenhüttl’s 4-4-2. Shane Long (£5.2m) or Michael Obafemi (£4.7m) may provide cover, but it could be that Theo Walcott (£5.8m) is deployed in an advanced role.

Southampton sit fifth in the Premier League having won four of their seven games, knowing a win against Newcastle United later on will see them go to the top of the table. Bearing in mind how inconsistent the Magpies have been this term, the Saints will head into the game with confidence that they can get the job done, and if they are to do that, there is a good chance Adams will be involved.

Mason Mount

  • FPL ownership: 4.8%
  • Price: £6.8m
  • GW8-12 fixtures: SHU | new | TOT | LEE | eve

Mason Mount (£6.8m) may get less love than some of his more popular teammates, but the 21-year-old has a huge influence on the way Chelsea play.

The England international was excellent during the Blues’ 3-0 win over Burnley last weekend, which coincided with Frank Lampard moving to a 4-3-3 formation. N’Golo Kanté (£4.9m) screened the back four, with Kai Havertz (£8.4m) and Mount playing either side of him in the no. 8 roles. 

It enabled them to completely dominate midfield with 64% possession, while Mount led the team for shots and chances created, as well as having more touches in the opposition half than any other player.

It is also worth noting that he took all of Chelsea’s corners at Turf Moor, despite Hakim Ziyech (£8.0m) and Ben Chilwell (£5.9m) being on the pitch, one of which resulted in Kurt Zouma (£5.3m) heading home.

Ominously for Saturday’s opponents Sheffield United, Chelsea are starting to click. Rennes, Burnley and Krasnodar have all recently been dispatched, 10 goals scored without reply.

Rotation at clubs involved in European competition is always a concern, but with Mount’s positional flexibility and pressing ability, he could be one of the ‘safer’ routes into Chelsea’s midfield and should not be overlooked.

730 Comments Post a Comment
  1. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Transfer suggestions. Have 2FT's and £0.9m

    Martinez Forster
    Robbo Chilwell Reguilon Dallas Mitchell
    Salah Son Rodriguez Grealish Soucek
    Kane DCL Bamford

    Thanks in advance

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nice team... if you have burn one, Dallas to Ayling?

      1. corderz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Why? That's so sideways!

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Mitchell to Lamptey and roll te second

    3. WWW.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What is your team value???

      1. corderz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        £103.9m

        1. WWW.
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Impressive!

    4. WWW.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Reguilon to Cancelo?

      1. corderz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Next week's move that

  2. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hey guys, best replacement for Pulisic? 8.5m budget. Already have Grealish. Considering these options:

    A) Ziyech
    B) J Rod (assuming he's fit)
    C) Zaha

    Cheers

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

      Probably A

    2. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C

    3. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Zaha but get rodriguez in place when you will be sure is fit and in form again

    4. Terry Henry
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Waiting for Lampard’s press conference later but if no sure sign Pulisic is available (he said earlier in the week that he’s training) then I’ll be swapping for Ziyech.
      Can see the appeal of Zaha but Chelsea seem to be finding their groove and are obviously a stronger side when on form than Palace.

      1. Terry Henry
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        J Rodriguez also a good set and forget if you don’t already have him and he picks up from where he left off.

  3. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Chilwell worth the extra cost over Zouma/James?

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Most here will say yes

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No brainer

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

    Iv’e gone with Fornals teammate Bowen. The stats are very similar. But Bowen on corners swings it for me. With Antonio out, i’ve a feeling Bowen *could* be on penalties aswell. podence > bowen -4 is a risk i thought worth taking.

    1. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      would you do lookman to Bowen for a -4?

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

        Yes. West Hams next 3 are good. 3 potential wins.

  5. Gooner Kebab
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play 2 defenders

    a) Lamptey (BUR)
    b) Taylor (bha)
    c) Kilman (lei)
    d) Mitchell (LEE)

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      a d

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      ABDC

    3. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      AD

  6. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who is the best Man Utd asset to own from gw9 onwards ?

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Rashford

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno

    3. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Martial

  7. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I went for Bowen over Fornals.

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

      Same.

  8. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any more changes, team seem OK:

    Martinez

    Robbo Zouma Lamps

    Salah Son Grealish Bowen

    Kane DCL Jimmy

    // Mitchell / Saiss / 4.5

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      gtg

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

    any help with my team?!?!

    Martinez, Forster
    Robbo, James, Saiss, Justin, Lamptey
    Sterling, Salah,Son, Foden, Burke
    Jimenez, DCL, Bamford

    0.1 in the bank and 2 free transfers
    I am thinking about
    A) Saiss out, 5 mil on a non playing defender is not ok
    B) Sterling to KDB, Id like to do this at some point, maybe this week is a good spot?
    C) James not nailed, maybe bring in chilwell, or a defender with good fixtures??

    1. Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Just Saiss + Foden for Zouma and Zaha/ Grailish

    2. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'd probably get Werner in for Jimmy, losing Saiss to fund.

    3. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Use one on C. Leave 2FT over IB.

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

      Move Saiss - too much idle money at the back.
      Get Kilman or a non playing cheap one.

  10. Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    U need to transver out Saiss and upgrade Bowen ASAP

  11. xHaTr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Start one:

    A: Trent

    B: Foden

    1. Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Is that a real question.....A

      1. xHaTr
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Foden returned two of last three

        Trent blanked last three

        Reasonable discussion

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

      Trent

  12. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Moyes 'thinks' Creswell will be fine. That's not the clarification I need!

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What's wrong with cresswell?

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

    Doesn't feel like Fornals is overlooked any more

  14. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Help me with this: 0 FT 0.7 itb

    Mc Carthy
    Robertson Dunne Mitchell
    Salah Pulisic Son Grealish Bowen
    Werner Jimenez

    Steel Brewster Justin Saiss

    Is it worth take a hit to get a 100% nail defender?

    A- Dunne to Lewis
    B- Dunne to Lamptey
    C- Saiss to Lamptey
    D-Save and work on the defense later

  15. Yozzer
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone benching Pool defenders?

    Not sure who to start between Robbo and Ayling. Will play TAA i think

    1. pablo discobar
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Im benching robbo and grealish!

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

      good luxury to have
      I'm playing both
      There's no fixture that Robbo doesn't have the potential to hurt you

  16. Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    And news about:
    1. J. Rodriguez
    2. Mitchell
    3. Regulion

    TY

  17. abhirup780
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What would you change in a WC?

    0.3 ITB

    Martinez / [Forster]

    Chilwell / Lamptey / KWP / [Kilman / Mitchell]

    Salah / Sterling / Son / Grealish / [Stephens]

    Kane / DCL / Bamford

    1. Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Its a nice team

  18. RyanMK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench two, will have to play at least one defender.
    1. Lamptey (assuming he plays)
    2. Dallas
    3. Mitrovic

    1. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      23

  19. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you get in Bamford for Ings?

    Leeds score more or less in every game and with Bamford being the talisman, I expect him to quietly tick along.

    The funds saved let's me go heavy in midfield with Salah Sterling KDB Hamez.

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

      I’d have a look at Vardy. Especially from gw 10.

      Rather have DCL if you don’t own him.

      Watkins is also more tempting.

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Looked at Vardy & Werner but feel like KDB is more essential to have from gw 10.

        Have DCL already.

  20. Big Al Stankovic
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What’s your score prediction this week?

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

      Brighton - Burnley 1-1
      Southampton - Newcastle 0-0
      Everton - Man Utd 1-3
      Crystal Palace - Leeds 1-1
      Chelsea - Sheffield Utd 2-0
      West Ham - Fulham 2-1
      West Brom - Tottenham 0-3
      Leicester - Wolves 1-1
      Man City - Liverpool 3-2
      Arsenal - Aston Villa 2-0

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

      100 pts.....as always 🙂

  21. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    No Potter's conference before deadline?
    Any news on Lamptey?

    1. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      It was yesterday and he didn't mention Lamptey so I think he is OK

  22. Le _ Professeur
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy
    Semedo - Bellerin - Digne
    Ziyech (v) - Zaha - Salah - Trossard
    Kane (c) - DCL - Jiminez

    Subs: Steer* - Mitchel* - Bissouma - N.Williams

    GTG guys ? 1 FT - 2.5 itb

  23. Pukkipartyy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I have to bring in defender for a hit coz i have issues like Saiss/Mitchell.

    A)Creswell (flagged)
    B)Coufal
    C)Lamptey (flagged)
    D)PVA

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

      B

  24. Basil1977
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play Taa and Robbo in a 5-2-3 or play Sterling and Maherz in a 3-4-3?

    Hate playing defenders v attackers in the same match. Basically can Liverpool keep a clean sheet against city?

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

      Smart money is on B but I would say A (pool fan)

      1. Basil1977
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I’m a Liverpool fan 2 and would to bench sterling and mahrez and get 2 clean sheets, but I feel the safe choice is to bench the Liverpool boys. The other 3 defenders are Lampty kwp and kilman

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

          It’s just no fun betting against your own team

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

      What on earth is your full team?!

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

      You're not suggesting benching Sterling and Mahrez surely

  25. Puntillimon
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I’m convinced everyone of my players gets returns this gameweek. Likely right or am I just biased? Gonna be a good week 😉

    Martinez
    Trent robbo chilwell
    Son salah soucek Bowen
    Kane Werner watkins

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

      Did you know you have Soucek, Bowen, Watkins, TAA and Robbo in your team?

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

        Exactly!

  26. Ginola
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Two dilemma’s today, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leaning towards A1 atm.

    Play:
    A. Robbo
    B. Watkins

    Bring in:
    1. Coufal
    2. Masuaku

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

      A1 for me

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

      B1

  27. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Saiss to Cresswell or Coufal?

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

      Cresswell

      1. pablo discobar
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cresswell a slight doubt

        1. AzzaroMax99
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Moyes said that he is in training.

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

      Same here, but have to take Coufal coz Cres is flagged and dont afford If he miss the game, witch is unlikely.

  28. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    GK Martinez
    DEF Justin, Chillwell,Mitchell
    MID Salah, Soucek, Bowen, Son
    FWD Salsh, DCL, Werner

    Subs Greslish, Robertson, Lillian

    Captain probably Kane.

    I'll probably bottle it and start Robertson over Mitchell lol

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

      Famous last words but benching Grealish (and Robertson) is insanity

  29. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Good to go?

    Martinez
    Robbo, Chilwell, Lamptey
    Salah, Son, Grealish, Zaha
    Kane, DCL, Maupay
    4.0 | KWP, Bissouma, Mitchell

  30. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any news on Reguilon and JRod? I don't like their yellow flags stinking up my team.