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. Sho-kun
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Should I stick with TAA? - have Chillwell, Justin, Coady, Mitchell as my other def.

    My plan is to get digne next week or buy a west ham def and invest the money in mid or forw.

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah stick

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

    Jimmy > Werner
    or
    Podence > Bowen/Fornals

    Both for free, both cost the same!

    1. King Drogba11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

      easily A

  3. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    jrod to bowen or ziychek?

    1. King Drogba11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Jrod if I had to choose.

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

        havertz?

    2. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Keep JRod

  4. Pegboy
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any views on Matt Ryan? Potter played it coy at the press conference, but I'd really like to avoid wasting a FT on a GK if I can.

  5. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Start kilman or Taylor?
    Or sell Taylor for coufal for a hit & start coufal?

    1. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I never normally advocate hits for defenders, but if you want to dump Taylor long-term, I'd be tempted to do it for West Ham's plum fixture.

  6. King Drogba11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bottomed.....

    Bench 2 out of:
    A. Robbo (mci)
    B. Soucek (FUL)
    C. Dallas (cry)
    D. Lamptey (BUR)

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

      A and C

  7. PartyPooper
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Need some help guys.

    I still own Reece James and have 1 FT left. Should I upgrade to Chilwell or is RJ now safe(r) to start?
    He started the last 2 GW's so the sideways move doesn't exactly fill me with much enthousiasm... especially if RJ ends up starting this will feel like a bit of a wasted transfer (and there's other fires like Pereira and Foden)

    1. King Drogba11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’d hold off

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

      I did this transfer and now regret it. Hold James for the moment.

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

      Focus is on putting out fires. I don't consider James a pressing fire to deal with.

  8. Bwana Kubwa
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on using my triple-captain on Son this week?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I think only you can decide on deploying that chip.

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

    Have a benching problem.

    How you get Soucek in here.

    Jrod/Grealish/Son/Salah.

    Bamford/DCL/Kane??

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

      Bench Soucek still

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      On the bench

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

      Grealish is not good against defensive teams and Salah sucks at City. Those are the weakest links.

  10. HaffNanner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best Saiss replacement?

    A. Reece James (already have Chilwell)
    B. Masuaku
    C. Coufal
    D. Cresswell
    E. Kilman
    F. Cancelo

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      D

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

      FDCBEA in that order.

      Cresswell being the safest bet, and not prone to rotation.

    3. Carlton_Goal
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A if you have a decent bench just in case he gets rotated, otherwise D

    4. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Saiss or Bellerin

    5. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cresswell or Bellerin

    6. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C. I think you'll be grateful for the extra 0.5 when trying to squeeze in KDB in the next few weeks.

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

    Johnstone
    TAA, chilwell, KWP
    Salah, Son, Podence, Barnes
    (K)ane, Wilson, Mitro
    Ayling, bissouma, mitchell

    Good to go, or should I do some changes?
    Want to save a transfer for after the IB.
    Obvious weak spots I want to remove are Podence, Barnes and Mitro.
    Grealish, Soucek/Bowen are tempting to get in.

  12. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I would love to take a gamble and cpt werner over kane....

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

      Go for your gut feeling!

    2. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      How confident are you that Werner starts?

  13. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    RMT
    McCarthy (Steer)
    TAA KWP Justin (Saiss)(Mitchell)
    Salah Son Grealish Rodriguez (Bissouma)
    Kane Ings Maupay

    Ings, TAA to Werner/Vardy, Chilwell with 2FT's?

    I'm not able to decide Werner or Vardy,I prefer Vardy longer term but I might WC GW10 so Werner might be better for next 2

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

      Werner

  14. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is this week a good time to use a triple captain chip on a spurs asset? Either Kane or Son.. Or wait for a DGW?

    Usually wait for a DGW myself but with how bizarre this seasons been it seems like a fairly good time to use it.

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

      Wait for a dgw. Aguero, Sterling and KdB in form for a dgw could be gold.

    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Season that's in it, who knows. Most of my double week TC's are a disaster

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

      I’d wait for a dgw

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

      Nope. Although Kane (c) vs WBA I think is the best triple captain candidate we have had so far this entire season.

      Rarely do we have a combination of deadly form and amazing fixture quite like this. He was even rested midweek and only played 45 mins.

  15. Tronity
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Jimi > Vardy FT this week or next? (Bearing in mind they play each other this week)

    1. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Are you playing Wolves/Leicester defenders?

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

      I don't like to face both defences, so it's like 50-50. Next week Jimmy has Saints though while Vardy is pool. I personally feel that Jimmy can hold 2 more weeks. Do the transfer if you need the extra 0.1 since Vardy's rising.

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

        Exact money which is frustrating.

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

          Go ahead with the transfer then in your case. The thought of missing the Saints fixture might be bad though.

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

            Yeah, love Jimi but he’s not prone to exploding plus his ownership will be less than Vardy so if he does it won’t be too damaging! Cheers

  16. Johnny too hotty
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    bench 1

    Lamptey
    Semedo
    Coufal
    Trent

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

      Semedo

  17. Tronity
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Just Justin. (Selling Saiss with my other FT)

  18. Tronity
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Just Justin. (Selling Saiss with my other FT).

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

      Ahh!! Double reply fail!

  19. The Road to Turfdom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Just Justin. (Selling Saiss with my other FT).

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

      Haha!

  20. moz_1983
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any TAA/Robbo owners starting them this weekend against City?

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

      Yeah both. Benching Ayling

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

      I’m starting Taa, and just sold Robbo for Chilwell this gw. Don’t expect a cs, but taa could get both assist and goals from set pieces. Had two assists in CL midweek.

  21. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on this team?
    2 FTs
    Take out
    1. TAA to Chilwell
    2. Barkley to Bowen
    3. Fernandes to KDB or Ziyech?

    McCarthy
    TAA - Ayling - KWP (Justin - Mitchell)
    Salah - Son - Fernandes - Barkley (Bisoumma).
    Kane - Maupay - DCL

  22. Joey Tribbiani
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Just Justin. (Selling Saiss with my other FT).

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

    Impatient people are going to struggle with injury prone or non guaranteed starters. Certain players will suit your personality and some won't. Those that don't are likely to cause you anxiety and result in emotional transfer decisions.

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

    What do you think guys..
    A. Saiss to Chilwell
    B. Havertz to Ziyech
    C. Both for -4 (and bench Dallas/Watkins)

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

    Repost.

    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

  26. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Werner or Vardy?

  27. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Cresswell starting?

  28. FPLShaqiri
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martial coming into my side as Ings replacement - should be a fun pick. And captain next week as well. Anyone on the same boat?

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Joke hahahahaha

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

      No to captain next week but I don't mind him as an Ings replacement at all.

  29. evilfish
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    WC next week, so for this week only. Ziyech or Bowen?

    I have Chilwell but no W. Ham.

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bowen

  30. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    For Long term who is better ?
    A- DCL
    B- Werner