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. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Really want to bring in Rashford over Bruno.
    is it too risky with Oli's comments?

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

      Looks like it.

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

      I'm doing it, sounded promising from Ole's comments

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        whats your thinking behind going Rash is it to drive future moves with the extra cash or you think he the better option?

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

          Think he is as good an option this week as Bruno vs WBA (had a better home record than Bruno last season). It's the Saints game next GW I really like him for where left sided players like Zaha, Son and Werner have done well up against the high line Ralph plays.

          Rashford being 1m cheaper also keeps my options open for getting two of Vardy/KDB/Cancelo in next week.

          1. Rinseboy
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            thanks. I'm doing so bad this year dont wanna get an injured player on my hands! cheers tho

  2. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Castagne is now available!

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

      And Pereira next week. Bad news for Justin.

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

    Who to captain?

    A) Rashford
    B) Bruno

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

      If you have both B is safer - if you're bringing in just one then I prefer A

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

        Have both, Think Rashford will whether start or not be in squad, and higher ceiling

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

    Martinez
    Lamptey Chilwell Coufal
    Salah Barkley Son Ziyech(c)
    Kane Watkins DCL

    Forster Soucek KWP Mitchell

    £4.7m itb and no FT's. I think I'm going resist taking a hit for Bruno and stick with this. Any thoughts?

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

      Agere

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

        Agree

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

          Cheers

  5. StayoutheSpiceZone
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Kane for Vardy (-4)?

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

      Sorry that should read Kane to Vardy (-4)

    2. tafrère
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Too sideways imo. Wait for next week ?

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

        Ok will do. I just fancy Vardy against Liverpool but I suppose it would need to be a goal + to break even

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

      Next week for free

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

      Next week

    5. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      It's very tempting (as is Son->Bruno for -4), but I'm going to try hard and resist. Vardy could well get something against that ravaged Liverpool side, but Kane could easily get something against City as well. Next week's transfer.

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

    Bench:
    A) Cancelo (Tot a)
    B) Lamptey (AVL a)
    C) Coufal (SHU a)

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

      Sorry, meant bench 1 :))

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

      C

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

      b

  7. Ronny Sandstone
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Ia Soucek to Ziyech worth a -4? up against Sheffield United away

    cheers.

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

      No

      1. Ronny Sandstone
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        So many hits taking place, feel I want to get in on the action! but no ill hold tight with Soucek

        cheers.

  8. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you prefer Sterling or De Bruyne as city cover?

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

      Kdb

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

      Cancelo, Cresswell

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

    Son & Kane -> KDB & Aguero next week could be immense

  11. Arsenal97
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Replacement for Son
    A) Ziyach
    B) Grealish
    C) Zaha

    1. Arsenal97
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Or D) Foden ?

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

      I prefer B as a season keeper but can’t go wrong with either

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

      B

  12. frenchfries
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy
    Chilwell James Coufal
    Salah* Fernandes Son Podence
    Kane DCL Watkins

    Steer Bissouma Justin Mitchell

    A) Salah -> KDB
    B) Salah+Podence -> KDB+Ziyech
    C) Podence -> Grealish (Play Bissouma)

  13. George James
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any Werner news? Was he spotted in training pics?

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

      No news is good news.

  14. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Jota or Watkins on a WC?

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

      Watkins

  15. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Rashford News? Is he good to play

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

      See tweet

  16. C_G
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    RMWCT

    Martinez Forster

    Cresswell Chilwell Lamptey KWP Mitchell

    KDB Rashford Ziyech Barkley Romeu

    DCL Vardy Kane

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

      Dislike / 10

      Rashford is poor mans Fernandes
      Barkley is poor mans Grealish

      Not enough City

  17. anish10
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play which:

    A) Lamptey
    B) Castagne

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

      B

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

      A

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

    The important questions being asked here...

    Is Anguissa the best 4.5 mid fodder?

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

      Lord Bissouma

      But really find the extra 0.2 for Soucek

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

        0.4... if it was 0.2 I'd easily do it. I think Soucek is too good for the bench though

  19. Mane Mane Mane
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench two this week out of Dallas Coufal Cancelo Justin and Mitchell?

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

      First 2

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

      Mitchell (wont start) and Dallas

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

        Thought it may be best to put Mitchell in just on the off chance he does actually start?

  20. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Podence to Grealish worth a -4?

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

      Yes IMO

  21. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Will end up with 4m itb if i go ahead with planned transfers. how would you use the fund from gw10 onwards

    Martinez
    Rjames Chilwell Lamptey -- Saiss Mitchell
    Bruno Son Grealish Barnes -- Burke
    Watkins DCL Kane

    - Son >> KDB
    - Saiss >> Cancelo
    but that still leaves me with 1.4m

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

      Both

  22. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Had planned on keeping Justin on WC as have had him since the start but with Castagne and Pereira news think it's best to get rid. Who it the best defender under £4.6m? Other defenders are Chilwell, Cancelo, Coufal & Lamptey. Martinez in goal.

    A) KWP
    B) Kilman
    C) Lewis
    D) Other suggestions

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

      I'm on C, just the cheapest nailed 4.3 def, yes Kilman is nailed but there is a world where he is 2 bad games away from being dropped for Saiss or Marcel.

      KWP is the better option but do you need to spend money there given how good you other 4 defenders are

      1. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah true, just bank the £0.3m saving and have a little wiggle room to get Salah back in a few weeks

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

      Nat Phillips, remember the name

      1. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers but think i'll give him a miss, can see Matip and Fabinho playing centre back most weeks

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

          Fair enough, just think that since Phillips is not registered to play UCL he may get some PL starts. Klopp may also want to utilise Fabinho in midfield rather than CB. At 4.0 as a 5th defender I'm not fussed though

    3. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Justin should play CB while Soyuncu remains out, shouldn't he?

      1. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Instead of Fuchs? Has he ever played CB?

        1. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          That's what I expect, Fofana-Evans-Justin as the back 3. I'll await the updated Predicted Line-Ups as I am currently planning to own Justin on my WC.

          1. Big Ronnie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Cheers. Just checked it out and played there a couple of times recently when Evans was out so you could be right

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

    thoughts on the WC, stuck on Vardy vs Werner

    McCarthy
    Coufal Dias Chillwell (Targett, Lewis)
    Grealish, KDB, Ziyech, Bruno (Soucek)
    DCL Vardy Bamford

    1.1itb, happy to leave it there to maybe move Bruno to Sterling if it looks like city click

  24. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Worth doing Son to KDB for this week? Can't afford KDB next week if there's any price rise for him or (another) fall for Son

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes. No brainer.

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

    thoughts on this WC draft?

    Martinez Steer

    Lamptey Cresswell Chilwell Mitchell Bernardo

    Bruno KDB Zaha Ziyech James(4.3)

    Watkins Vardy Kane

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

      I stopped reading when I saw now Grealish

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

        *no

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

        this

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

      Can Zaha become Grealish?

      Need a plan to get Salah back in a few weeks

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

    Do we think Vardy will rise in price tonight?

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No chance

  27. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is it A fact that Salah will have 10 days quaranteen after he gets A negative covid test?

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

      From what I understand the 10 days rule is from his first test

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

        So Salah ready to train/play as soon as his test is negative

  28. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Ok this is torture (well not really). Two free trades:

    Salah to -> Fernandez (c) is boring but safe. Locked in.

    Kane to Aguero (super risky)
    Kane to Vardy (Liverpool won’t be that bad right?)

    Son to Ziyech (good Chelsea coverage but early kickoff)
    Son to Rashford (backing united to the hilt)

    Can anyone help haha

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

      Just Salah -> Bruno

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'd also do Son to Ziyech

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

    Can someone tell me what does this mean for Pereira? “he will play in a reserve game next week.” Does it mean he will be a substitute im GW 10?

    Thanks!

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Play for the U23's presumably.

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

        Cheers

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

    Salah, are you keeping or selling?