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. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Wilder done with his presser? Will Brewster start?

  2. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah and Son

    To

    Bruno and Grealish -4

    Yay or nay

    1. Bobby's Teeth
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yay, if you have a plan to bring Salah back in immediately once fit

  3. hammersp2000
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Ended up with a strong from 8 for this week as part of a longer term plan so who to bench out of:-

    Grealish
    Son
    Bruno
    Zaha
    Ziyech
    DCL
    Kane
    Bamford

    Wish we still had that all out attack chip!

    Any thoughts appreciated

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Zaha or Bamford if that helps? Bam?

    2. Bobby's Teeth
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Either of Son or Bamford for me

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bam

    4. hammersp2000
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      thanks guys, Bamford looks like the one then

    5. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      definitely Bamford

  4. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Whats the reasons ng behind Son leaving so many teams?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Fixtures mainly. And Bruno

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Have you seen their fixtures

    3. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Fixtures. I'm keeping for now as more pressing issues!

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Same. I still have Maupay. Haaa

    4. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Combo of fixtures and other options. Son has more replacements than Kane does at their price points.

      1. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Fair enough. Think Mou reverts to a defensive approach

        1. Black Knights
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Although they are fixtures that Spurs can score in, they're less likely to score 3/4/5 for the next month or two. So it's hard to captain.

  5. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Richa or Ziyech?

    1. Vlekz
        3 years, 4 months ago

        got a similar issue, richa or rashford in my case. i have both bruno and DCL.
        i am inclined towards rich

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      People selling Salah for a hit will be taking another to get him back next week when they realise they have no Man city

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I would imagine those selling this week will only get him back in GW12 for the Fulham fixture.

      2. FPL.team
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        What if you already have Man City?

        1. FPL.team
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Ah then you wouldn't realise you have no Man City. Fair point Wild Rover!

      3. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        No rush to get him back before gw 12

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

        selling salah this week, getting city next week, salah back GW12, boom!

      5. caldracula
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Looks like I’ll be keeping. With Son dropping and the City defs both looking to be atleast 5.5 I won’t be able to buy Salah back unless he drops another .2

      6. Rover
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Wait, if they have no Man City why would they bother getting Salah back next week?

      7. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        What if you take the hit for Mane?

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

      2 FT
      Salah & BamFord >
      Ziyech & Vardy
      Yaaaay
      Nope

    4. Pascal's Triangle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Would you do Salah to De Bruyne (already have Bruno) for a -4?

      Soucek subs in otherwise.

      Soucek has an ok fixture (shu) so wondering if -4 is worth it, already taken a hit stupidly

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Would be silly imo

        1. Pascal's Triangle
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Thanks

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

        Play Soucek

      3. Bobby's Teeth
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Nope

        1. Pascal's Triangle
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Unanimous
          TY

    5. RedJive79
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Start Mitchell or Lamptey? Is the rest GTG?

      Martinez
      Chillwell / Coufal / Mitchell
      Bruno(c) / Jota / KDB / Grealish / Ziyech
      Kane / DCL

      Steer / Lamptey / Brewster / Dunne

      1. Bobby's Teeth
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Lamptey. GTG

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

      Pick one from each to complete this defence.

      Chilwell ____ ____ Kilman Mitchell

      A. Dias or Cancelo
      B. Cresswell or Coufal

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Canc & cress

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

          Cheers Rafa!
          Think Kilman can cover for the odd Cancelo benching?

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Depends what happens this weekend

      2. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Dias Coufal

      3. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I'd get Dias and Coufal for the assurance of starts when you don't know what's going on with Kilman and Mitchell and their games aren't great mid-term.

      4. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cancelo & Cresswell

    7. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sergio back in training!

      Kane, Son & Saiss to Aguero, KDB & Cancelo for a -8 is on the cards for next week.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Tasty!

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        What you doing about Mo?

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I think I'm selling for Bruno(c).

          I actually need the money from that downgrade for upgrading Son & Saiss to KDB & Cancelo next week.

          Also you think Callum starts?

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Yes I think he starts

            1. Karan14
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Will keep him then specially as you guys have some good fixtures after this week.

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

        Jesus?

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Will see what kind of mins both Jesus & Aguero get against Spurs and midweek CL.
          Vardy(c) is another option I'm considering for next week.

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

        Might join you with that moves

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Vardy also an option over Aguero but if I get the slightest of hints Aguero is going to be starting I will get him in.

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

      What do you prefer?

      A) Cancelo +4points
      B) Bruno

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Depends if you want to captain Bruno?

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

          Yeah will captain Bruno. If i dont bring him in i will captain DCL

      2. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        For this week, Bruno.

    9. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Best move? Still got WC. Salah >>

      A. Bruno(C)
      Kane+Son >> Vardy+KDB (-4) next GW.

      B. Rashford(C)
      Son >> KDB next week.

      C. KDB (who to Captain?)

      McCarthy
      Chilwell, Saiss, Cresswell
      Salah*, Son, Ziyech, Rodríguez, Grealish
      Kane, DCL
      (4.0, Mitchell, Justin, Davis)

      1. Pascal's Triangle
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        B - I think Rashford will do well after reading Lateriser's thoughts on this

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Can you provide a link to this analysis?

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

            This week’s FPL wire on YouTube - they have it broken out into sections.

            Point being that Telles holding the left touch line should allow Rashford to play a lot more centrally

        2. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I never knew Rashford even read LR's articles, never mind was influenced by them!

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

            Everyone loves LR, even MBEs.

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

        A

      3. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I like A specially because of the 2 moves next week.

        Rashford is still a slight doubt according to Ole.

    10. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Premier League protocols dictate that a player must quarantine for 10 days following a positive test.

      The player would then be re-tested on the 10th day, with a negative result meaning they could return to training.

      So going by this, as long as he returns a negative test 10 days after the first positive test Salah can return to training and be available to play. Salah first tested positive on the 13th.

      https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-mohamed-salah-coronavirus-premier-19302645

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 4 months ago

          You mean after the last positive test not first right?

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

            Nope, it says here if he produces a negative test 10 days after the first positive test then he’s fine. Can’t find anything if he was to test positive on the 10th day though.

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Yeah but that doesn't have the caveat of what happens if there's a test in-between which Salah had and returned positive if I'm getting things right

            2. Flynny
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Except its completely impossible to know whn he will return a negative test

              If I was Liverpool I'd be testing him again as soon as he got off the plane!

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

                Yes it is, I’m sure it’s the first thing they’ll do when he arrives back in the UK. Hopefully we get the result of that test before the deadline!

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

          Anybody still starting saiss? But this week is more of a worry because i am afraid he might sub in and prolly get 1 pts?

          Shld i just start dallas and pray leeds dont concede against arsenal?haa

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

            Have Kilman and Saiss and currently playing Kilman. One of them should play then Saiss is going next week.

        • AD105
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Anything worth a hit here or g2g?

          Martinez
          Robbo Chilwell Cresswell
          Bruno(c) Son Grealish Zaha
          Kane DCL Bamford

          3.1 ITB

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

            For sure gtg

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

            g2g, nicely set up for Son to KDB next week

        • Zlatan F.C
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Would you do Salah and Podence to Rashford and Ziyech for -4? or just Salah to Fernandes?

          That would leave me just enough to do Son to KDB next week.

        • No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Martinez
          Chilwell Lamptey Taylor
          Salah Son Grealish Foden
          Kane Vardy DCL

          Steer Saiss Mitchell Alzate
          1ft 0.5itb

          A) Salah & Son to KDB & Rashford
          B) Salah & Foden to Fernandes & Soucek (Son to KDB next week)
          C) Salah & Foden to Fernandes & Ziyech (blocks KDB)

          what do you think?

        • Free Hat
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Always very informative reading Nunos press release...

        • gonzalocampos
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          1 - Play Barnes (possible 15 min)?
          2 - Play Saiss (Kilman father passed away)?
          3) -4 Barnes to Ziyech?

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

            Play Barnes

        • Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Play two from these:
          A) Lamptey
          B) Kilman
          C) Podence

          1. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            A & C

          2. PascalCygan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            That's a tough one. Wolves solid defensively but could see them conceding to Saints so maybe B, just.

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

              Bench that is, sorry!

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

                Cheers!

            2. Hazz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              As in bench B, and play A & C?

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

            BC

        • PascalCygan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Is Neco Williams an option?

          Seems a bit of a risk but could be a good differential?

          Otherwise I'm thinking TAA + Podence > Coufal + Grealish (-4)

          If I did Neco instead of Coufal, I could upgrade Reed instead of Podence to Grealish

          I've toyed with a -8 but think I'm better off doing the -4 this week and maybe taking another hit next week if need be. Got a terrible rank so risks need to be taken.

          1FT 0.0ITB
          Martinez
          TAA* Zouma Mitchell
          Salah* Son Bruno Podence
          Kane DCL Maupay

          Steer / Justin Struijk Reed

          Cheers!

        • OptimusBlack
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Martinez
          Semedo Chilwell Lamptey
          Son Grealish Zaha Salah
          Kane DCL Bamford
          Reguilón Bissouma Dunne
          2 FT 1.5 M
          Any Thoughts ?
          Salah & Bamford > Ziyech & Vardy

        • Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Rashford (c) brave or stupid given he hasn’t been given the all clear by Ole?

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

            What did Ole say?

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

              The short version is it’s Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard and Phil Jones are the only ones who didn’t join in parts of the training today, some are in different stages after internationals, recoveries and working back after illness and fitness and we’ll make a decision tonight but most of them have joined in today and some yesterday, so it’s looking good.

              “Possibles but some of them are probably some doubts. Marcus joined for the first time today, hopefully no reaction, Bailly first day today so no, him and Marcos Rojo joined for the first time for a month, so they’re not ready, Victor, we’ll have to check tomorrow because his back is not great.”

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

                Ugh very annoying.

                Not sure it's worth the risk since it's such a big decision

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

                  Just rewatching it now, I think he’ll be alright but it’s annoyingly risky now. Could be a huge differential now

          2. No Professionals
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            safe move as long as decent vc?

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

            I don't like it now he could be benched and Cav gets a start

          4. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            He's usually lying but it would suck if he was to be benched.

        • Atimis
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Robo/Chilwell/Kilman with Reguilon/Mitchell on the bench - is that def good enough for this week or use the FT ?

        • Babelcopter
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          2ft. Should I just use 1ft.. sell Salah and get Bruno (c)? Really struggling what to do here..

          My team is:

          Martinez
          Creswell Chilwell Robbo Lamptey
          Son Grealish Jrod Foden
          Kane DCL

          Steer; Kilmann, Brewster, Salah

        • Twisted Melon
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          A)
          Salah to KDB this week
          Son to Salah next week
          B)
          Son to KDB and bench Salah this week

        • b91jh
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Surely Dias could be rotated (by Stones) like Cancelo in matches against eg Fulham and WBA? Don't get the rotation-free argument.

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

            Will be keeping an eye on the starting XI in the next two matches before bringing any of them in.

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

              Spurs and Champions league that is.

        • jia you
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Stuck up in an area of North China with sketchy internet, any major team news today as of yet?

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            All in the tweets, not really.

            1. jia you
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              always forget the tweet tab on here, cheers

        • Ze_Austin
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Team News Summary: After two weeks of gloom, many flags disappeared or became brighter today