Spot the Differential

Signing Cancelo a week before fixture swing can give FPL owners the edge

Fantasy Premier League managers could turn to Manchester City, Aston Villa or Crystal Palace to replace their Liverpool defenders for Gameweek 9.

Key members of the Reds’ back-line leave teams in their droves following the international break, so we have used this week’s Differential column to identify three exciting replacements; all of whom we think have the ability to deliver points at both ends of the pitch over the forthcoming weeks.

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

João Cancelo

Cancelo stars for City as Sheff Utd's weak right-side bodes well for Chelsea
  • FPL ownership: 2.4%
  • Price: £5.4m
  • GW9-13 fixtures: tot | BUR | FUL | mun | WBA

João Cancelo (£5.4m) endured a tough first season in England, but is now starting to shine.

Since making his first Premier League start of the campaign in Gameweek 5, the Portugal international has amassed 24 FPL points, averaging six per game. In that time, he has registered two clean sheets and, despite only providing one assist, has created more chances than any defender in the entire division.

Having performed as a right full-back in his first appearance against Arsenal, he has since been deployed on the left in Benjamin Mendy’s (£5.9m) absence. It remains to be seen what will happen when the Frenchman returns from injury, but given Cancelo’s excellent form, it is hard to see an immediate route back into the team.

Since losing 5-2 to Leicester City back in September, Manchester City have conceded just four goals in nine games in all competitions, keeping five clean sheets. While many FPL managers will be looking at Gameweek 10 as the optimum time to invest in their backline, there could be value in going a week early, given Matt Doherty’s (£5.8m) positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test, and the fact most of Tottenham Hotspur’s chances tend to be conceded from their right-side.

Manchester City’s left-back problem has been a theme throughout Pep Guardiola’s time at the club, but the recent form of Cancelo has perhaps provided a solution. Consistency will now be the key to retaining his place, but if he can do that, it’s hard to envisage him being a differential too much longer. 

Matt Targett

  • FPL ownership: 2.4%
  • Price: £4.5m
  • GW9-13 fixtures: BHA | whu | NEW | wol | BUR

Matt Targett (£4.5m) has been a solid performer for Aston Villa since joining from Southampton in 2019, making the left-back spot his own.

A product of the Saints academy, he has played a key role in a defence that has already kept four clean sheets in seven attempts this season, and perhaps doesn’t get the praise his performances often deserve.

The Englishman is yet to miss a single minute of league action so far, and with Jack Grealish (£7.5m) regularly drifting infield in front of him, plenty of space often opens up for him to attack. He’s got a good delivery too, which he showed in flashes against Arsenal last time out, when he provided the cross that was turned in by Bukayo Saka (£5.3m) for Villa’s first goal in their 3-0 win.

Interestingly, the 25-year-old scored his first goal for the club when he netted an injury time winner against this weekend’s opponents, Brighton and Hove Albion, back in October 2019.

This time, with Tariq Lamptey (£4.8m) likely to surge forward for Albion and support their attack, Targett could have his hands full defensively on Saturday, but at the same time, gaps could appear if space is left in behind. That has certainly been the case so far this season, with the Seagulls giving up 17 of their 42 chances down their right-flank, compared to just nine from the left. 

Still priced at just £4.5m, Targett offers the cheapest route into Villa’s defence, and could be a solid set and forget option given their appealing fixtures.

Patrick van Aanholt

  • FPL ownership: 0.7%
  • Price: £5.4m
  • GW9-13 fixtures: bur | NEW | wba | TOT | whu

Having just returned from a long-term injury, Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m) looked back to his best against Leeds United before the international break.

The Dutchman supplied an assist and carried plenty of goal threat, registering three shots in the box. Determined to get forward at every opportunity, his attacking runs created space for Eberechi Eze (£5.8m) and Wilfried Zaha (£7.4m) to thrive and gave them a cutting edge which has been missing without him in the team.

In his absence, Tyrick Mitchell (£4.1m) has impressed, but it was evident against Leeds just how much they’ve missed the 30-year-olds attacking nature, which leads us to think he’ll retain his place in the starting XI come Monday.

Despite often struggling in attack, Crystal Palace have had a bright start to the season. They sit eighth in the table, and looking at the run of games coming up, they have the potential to pick up points given the struggles of goal-shy Burnley and West Bromwich Albion, and to a slightly lesser extent Newcastle United.

In Gameweek 8 there were signs of progress. The expectation now is that results should pick up, and with the possibility of goals and clean sheets, at least in the short term, van Aanholt could be a nice pick-up for those in search of a differential currently owned by just 0.7% of FPL managers. 

1,986 Comments Post a Comment
  1. waltzingmatildas
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    A) son and Kane - kdb and vardy
    B) son to grealish

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. Super John McGinn-
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      B

    3. cheeky moses
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      B + Kane to Vardy

  2. aidmata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    McCarthy Steer

    TAA Cresswell Justin Mitchell Lamptey

    Son Salah Podence Mane Bissouma

    Brewster Kane DCL

    TAA, Salah and Podence to which of these for a -4?

    A) Chilwell, KDB and Grealish
    B) Cancelo, KDB and Grealish
    C) Chilwell, Bruno (C) and Grealish
    D) Cancelo, Bruno (C) and Grealish

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      A I reckon

  3. La vida FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    A) Salah > Bruno
    B) Salah, Son > Bruno, Kdb (-4)
    C) Salah, Robbo > Bruno, Cancelo (-4)
    D) Salah, Robbo > Kdb, Telles (-4)
    E) Other
    F) Save

    Martinez, Steer
    Robbo, Chillwell, Lamptey, Bellerin, Mitchell
    Salah, Son, Grealish, Ziyech, Stephens
    Kane, DCL, Maupay

    1. MESSINHO
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      I have Forster + Coufal for your Steer + Bellerin, and the rest is same.

      I'm going A.

  4. Bruce Lee
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    A) Bruno
    B) Grealish

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. Super John McGinn-
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      B

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        B for bias 😉

  5. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Martinez Fodder
    Cancelo Lamptey Taylor
    KdB Bruno Ziyech Grealish
    Vardy Richarlison(c) Watkins
    Soucek Justin Lascelles

    GW 10 : Grealish + Ziyech to Mane (bha) + Berge (-4)
    GW 11 : Mane to Sterling (c) (FUL)
    GW 12 : Sterling to Salah (c) (ful)

    Hoping this will work!
    What are your thoughts?

    1. Super John McGinn-
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Don’t know why you’d want to get rid of Grealish and Zieych for a hit

      1. Wild Rover
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        This. Horrendous moves

      2. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        To make space for Salah

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 11 months ago

          Ignoring Grealish's fixtures & Ziyech's form?

          1. Wild Rover
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 11 months ago

            Ziyech is looking like a season keeper

          2. Slitherene
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 11 months ago

            Umm, hoping Watkins & Martinez will cover Grealish to some extent & Chelsea's creative players will be back by then. Ziyech won't play every game.

            1. Big Ronnie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 11 months ago

              Not sure how Martinez can cover Grealish

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      You're trolling surely?

    3. niaz1982
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Crazy!

    4. ElChapo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      you were on a post before saying it's ridiculous how nobody has abraham. (!?)

      1. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        I was just taking his case.

    5. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Would keep Ziyech and Grealish and look to move Bruno to Salah in future.

  6. Super John McGinn-
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Martinez, Forster
    Robertson, Chilwell, Semedo, Dallas, 3.9
    Salah, Son, Zieych, Grealish, Stephens
    Kane, DCL, Bamford

    2 FT, 1.0 ITB

    A) Robbo + Son > Cancelo + KDB
    B) Son + Salah > Bruno(C) + KDB
    C) Semedo + Son > Coufal + Bruno(C) (Stephens + Kane > KDB + Brewster -4 next GW)
    D) Son > Bruno (C)

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      D

  7. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    What are peoples thoughts on Klopps comments about Salah? Missing 1 game or 2?

    1. drughi
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      impossible to say but he needs to test negative first

      1. FPLMACKEM
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        As soon as he tests negative will he be available? or does he have to quarantine once he arrives back in the UK regardless of a positive or negative test?

    2. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      If he tests negative before the deadline then I’ll keep and hope he plays against Brighton. If not he’s gone.

      1. FPLMACKEM
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        Same. If its just one game he stays. If its two hes gone. Do you know the answer to my questions above?

        As soon as he tests negative will he be available? or does he have to quarantine once he arrives back in the UK regardless of a positive or negative test?

        1. caldracula
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 11 months ago

          Not 100% because of the positive test yesterday. Seems odd they’re flying him back over which implies they’re hopeful of a negative test soon and have him back ASAP. Will monitor and wait for news before the deadline tomorrow.

          1. FPLMACKEM
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 11 months ago

            Yeah I think that's all we can do for now. Not great but it is what it is.

            1. boomboom11
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 11 months ago

              Article on Goal suggested that if he tested negative he'd be available for the Brighton game. 10 days quarantine applies from the first positive test, not the last.
              https://www.goal.com/en/news/salah-and-el-neny-secure-private-flights-back-to-england/bexcqk3mmsog1getkj7nnobeg

              1. FPLMACKEM
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 11 months ago

                Cheers for this. This is the answer I was looking for. Hopefully we get a test result before tomorrows deadline.

  8. niaz1982
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Do I play Justin or Mitchell?

  9. King Kohli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Cresswell worth the 0.6 more than Coufal?

    Basically is Cresswell good enough to be played every week or rotate Coufal with Kilman for the 3rd defender position

    1. FPLMACKEM
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Im on a WC and im going for Coufal so i can use the extra 0.6 to have an additional 4.5 defender, Targett.

  10. JONALDINHO
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    This week Salah, Maupay and Stephens to Bruno, Ziyech and Brewster(-4)?

    Next week Kane and Zaha to KDB and Bamford/Antonio(-4). Good plan?

  11. FPLMarc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    2 FTs and the first went on replacing TAA with Targett. On the radar is KDB, Bruno, Ruben Dias, Vardy and Bamford.

    (a) Bruno for Salah, captain him, bring Salah back soon
    (b) Keep Salah, gain 2 transfers, Dias comes in, but it misses out on Bruno completely?

    1. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      a and gain points, Im probably bringing Salah back gw12

    2. ElChapo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      A

  12. Jullepuu
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Any thoughts on how to spend 2 ft and 3.6 mil here?

    Martinez Steer
    TAA Saiss Chilwell Taylor Ferguson
    Salah Son Mahrez Podence Anguissa
    Watkins DCL Jimenez

    1. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Mahrez and Podence to Grealish and Ziyech?

      1. Jullepuu
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        Could be good, cheers

  13. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Everyone taking Spurs players out is crazy. I for one see returns in all three big matches.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      No bias at all

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Fortunately I'm forced to hold anyway!

    3. niaz1982
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      This

    4. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Holding both Son and Kane against City. WC in GW10.

    5. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Ditched Son, but kept Kane

    6. Flair
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Injuries forced me into keeping Kane anyways but he's definitely out next GW.

      1. Flair
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        Actually injuries didn't have much to do with it, timing is just better next GW.

      2. MESSINHO
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        I reckon you won't sell him if he scores a brace against City. Am I wrong?

        1. Flair
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 11 months ago

          I'm not confident of him getting anything vs City, let alone a brace. We'll see what happens though.

          Would probably still remove, Vardy and KDB are VERY appealing next GW.

          1. MESSINHO
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 11 months ago

            I agree, I'm not confident too, but saying "he's definitely out next week" before we see how things go in that game is a different story.

            Don't get me wrong, I'm planning to remove the Spurs duo next week for KdB and Vardy for a hit as well, but if Spurs look good against City and Kane scores a brace, I don't think I'll gave the courage to ditch him for a hit.

            1. Flair
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 11 months ago

              True, I shouldn't be making definitive predictions like that before the actual football is played. Let's see what happens, good luck mate!

              1. MESSINHO
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 11 months ago

                Thanks mate, gl to you too!

    7. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      keeping for this GW, would suit their counter attacking play against possession-based city, but definitely selling in GW10. loading up on Leicester & Manchester clubs

  14. SDTA
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Good afternoon

    Martinez (Steer)
    TAA - Zouma - Ayling - Lewis - Taylor
    Salah - Grealish - Son - Zaha (Bissouma)
    Kane - DCL - Wilson

    1) Salah + TAA -> Bruno + Dias
    2) As above but also -4 for Son -> Ziyech?

    Thoughts welcomed

    1. FPLMACKEM
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      1 and look to do 2 next week. Not worth the -4 imo.

  15. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Want to bring in Cancelo (article above just confirmed hit, have hovered over the transfer button all week)
    but who to ditch:
    Cresswell vs Sheffield then Villa
    Walker Peters vs Wolves then ManU
    Dallas vs Arsenal the Everton

    Chilwell and Lamptey are staying put.

    1. Flair
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      KWP

    2. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Dallas

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Who's your keeper?

      1. ViperStripes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        Guaita

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 11 months ago

          Then Dallas

    4. ElChapo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      taking a hit to bring in a city defender away to spurs is a bit mental.

      1. ViperStripes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        have you read the article?

        1. ElChapo
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 11 months ago

          I have - i've also read articles on here bigging up ross barkley's prospects, and Leeds defenders, and Jimenez. If they were clairvoyance, the person writing them would be #1 in the world.

    5. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      The members area six gw projections has them in this order:

      Cresswell 17.1
      Dallas 14
      KWP 13.9

      So pretty damn close.

      1. Chris_H
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        I sold KWP last week - seem to remember there weren't many fixtures in the next six i'd actually want him for

    6. ElChapo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      how did the cancelo hit work out?

  16. The Final Boss
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Guys salah still in Egypt?

    1. ElChapo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      not sure, let me just give him a ring, i'll find out what he's having for dinner for you aswell.

      1. Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        lol

  17. JONALDINHO
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    A) Mane
    B) Bruno

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Price doesn’t matter whatsoever

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      I like Bruno for this week

    3. Mufc202020
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      B

  18. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Bench 1:

    Chilwell Zouma Cancelo Coufal
    Zaha Mane Son Ziyech
    Bamford DCL Watkins

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Coufal

    2. ElChapo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Cancelo

    3. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Has to be one of the defenders

  19. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Start Coufal or Lamptey?

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Coufal

    2. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Coufal

  20. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Guaita
    Robertson/Zouma/Taylor
    Salah/Son/Ziyech/Grealish
    Kane/DCL/Watkins

    Nyland/Kilman/Burke/Dunne

    1.8 ITB 1 FT

    Salah to Fernandes
    &
    Kane to Vardy (-4)

    or just go with one transfer?

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

      Depends on how you see the Liv Lei game.
      I feel Vardy has an equal or better chance of scoring than Kane this week

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        not sure outscores by 4

  21. Mufc202020
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Vardy or DCL/Rich headache

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

      Vardy

  22. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Based on the fact no one knows when salah will test negative...

    A.....salah to Bruno (c)

    B.....bench salah, play lamptey and captain grealish

    Thanks

    1. SDTA
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      A is the logical bet, depends how big they are for option B!

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      A

  23. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Nuno press conference wtf. So will saiss start?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Didn’t give anything away as usual

  24. Shark Team
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    People going Bruno over KDB seems like a mistake I wouldn't suggest doing

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Lol why did u even think this way? The past few weeks did kdb even do anything much?

      1. Shark Team
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        No he didn't and it's time to do from now on

    2. Bruce Lee
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      City haven't scored more than 1 goal in the last 5 PL games

      1. Shark Team
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        It's high time to start scoring more. They score 3gls per game in the UCL versus better opponents than Burnley Fulham West brom etc..

  25. 577cmot
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    WC - I think I am finally there.. (Maybe)

    McCarthy, Forster

    Chilwell, Cancelo, Cresswell, Targett, Kilaman

    Bruno, KDB, Ziyech, Grealish, Bissouma

    Vardy, Richarlison, Bamford

    Any tinkering needed?

    1. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Good team!

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Looks nice. You could save 0.1m by going Riedewald over Bissouma.

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        He’s not nailed

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 11 months ago

          Oh, ok.

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Is Richa fit?

  26. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Aguero trained all week. Sterling only back today.

    1. Flair
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Hopefully just in time for City to get back to their best.

    2. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      A -8 for Cancelo, KDB & Aguero is on the cards for next week :p

  27. Mr. O'Connell
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Nuno is worse than Pep. Just saying.

    1. THAT'S LIFE
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Who cares the state Wolves are in...

  28. Pacer.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Keeping up with FPL has become grossly like reading all those 'women's' magazines that report on every move of celebrities

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Has become? Has always been...

    2. Bubz
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Watched that Hexagon Sun doc, was brilliant!

  29. b91jh
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Surely Cancelo ahead of Telles on wc right?

    1. yakirh
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Yes.

    2. Wild Rover
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Probably, but Id be considering both if on a wc

    3. cheeky moses
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      yes imo. rate city defence higher

  30. cheeky moses
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 11 months ago

    Over the next 6 GWs, what are peoples thoughts on:
    Ziyech vs. Son
    Vardy vs. Kane

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 11 months ago

      Ziyech and Vards due to fixtures

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

        This

      2. Bobby Digital
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 11 months ago

        This