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

    Who’s the better pick?

    A) Richarlison
    B) Calvert-Lewin

    Thinking of changing to Rich...

    1. jay01
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      On a wc im punting richarlison for 2 weeks. My plan doesnt have an everton player in a few weeks anyway

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

        I’m thinking of the same, Richarlison being on pens is a help.

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

      Changing? Are you on WC? I wouldn't use a transfer to switch. Think it's pretty close. I would punt on Rich instead if on a WC.

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

        On WC.

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

    Can I get away with Kilman & Mitchell as cover if I have the below defence?

    Chilwell Cancelo Cresswell

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

      I suppose so

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

      No. If you're on WC, improve both. Cancelo will definitely miss a game at some point so if Mitchell doesn't get his place back, you're already relying on just Kilman's rubbish fixtures even his place isn't assured.

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

        Sadly not on Wc.
        Looking to get in over the next two gws one of Cancelo/Dias and Cresswell/Coufal.

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

          I would possibly get Dias instead so you rely on Kilman and Mitchell less.

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

            Cheers mate.
            Just tempted by the attacking potential of Cancelo

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

      Maybe - I expect Chill and Cress to start every game, Cancelo not so much.

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

      This GW, probably. Going forward, less sure. I'd want to promote one of those two to a Targett/Coufal/Masuaku etc.

    5. No Salah
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Keep above three defenders.

      Can you Downgrade Mitchell to 3.9 and stretch to Kilman to Targett?

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

        Not on Wc.
        Looking to get in Cresswell and Cancelo over the next two gws

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

    is it safe to bring Sterling in - has a good record against spurs, thank-you

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

      Not an issue if you are fine with holding him for long

  4. Abhishek Chitre
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    DCL or Richarlison?

    1. jay01
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Im punting richarlison for 2 weeks

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

      Good question?, I think Richarlison!

    3. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      DCL

    4. barcaa7
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      RICH

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

    you guys prefer,

    A 352 with brewester
    B 343 with soucek

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

      I went with B on wc from A what ive played up till now
      A = 1-2
      B = 2-14
      Points

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

      Id rather have soucek & you could even start him in easy fix

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

      individual player form and fixtures over a set formation, always.

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

    Best premium defender to replace TAA?

    Also, bench Salah or transfer for Mané / Fernandes?

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

      Cancelo and/or Dias.

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'm going Cancelo

  7. jay01
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who to captain:
    A) Vardy
    B) Werner
    C) Richarlison

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

      C

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

      B

  8. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any news on Brewster?

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

      Do you have to start him?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Quite possibly this week, if Kilman is out

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

    I've got 2 FTs. The moves I can't decide between are Kane + Salah + Podence to:
    a) Bamford + Bruno (c) + KDB
    b) Vardy + KDB + JRod with Werner (c)

  10. Tango74
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Right I’m gonna see Salah on my WC

    Mane or KDB ??

  11. AJ24
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Cancelo
    B) Dias

    1. jay01
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  12. cheese XL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What to do with Foden? Already used ft on Salah to bruno

    Martinez
    Robbo Zouma Ayling
    Grealish Ziyech Foden Bruno Son
    DCL Kane

    Button KWP Mitchell Brewster
    1.1 itb

    A) Foden > Zaha or mid up to 7.6
    (Kane & son > vardy & kdb next week for -4)

    B) Brewster > Antonio & bench Foden
    (would need -8 to get vardy & kdb but could also get kdb & sterling instead)

    C) bench and play KWP or Brewster

    Cheers

  13. Matsy123
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best 5th defender for 4.5 or under?
    Chilwell, Cancelo, Cresswell, Lamptey,_________

    1. AJ24
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Kilman

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

      Targett/Ayling

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

      Targett coufal

  14. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Son in quarantine?

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

      No

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Check the scout tweets

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Negative test result and available

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

      He had a negative test on arrival back in UK

  15. kime67
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    play ayling or bissouma?

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

      Ayling

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ayling

    3. kime67
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      thanks

  16. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which player would you start and first on the bench?
    A. Justin (A vs LIV)
    B. Ayling (H vs ARS)
    C. Taylor (H vs CRY)

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

      CAB

  17. djoker_nole
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Mane/Werner for captain?

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

      Mane

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Werner

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

    How many have gone Salah >> Mane(C)?

    1. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Seriously thinking about that over Bruno. That small price difference also would allow me to bring back Salah more easily.

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

    On WC

    A) Ziyech & Werner
    B) Grealish & Watkins
    C) Grealish & Bamford

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

      C)

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

      A - by some distance

  20. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    CCC in defence is the template then

    Chilwell Cancelo Cresswell

  21. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    FPL scout

    Current team : 2FT’s 1.1ITB

    Martinez (Forster)
    Robbo Chillwell Lamptey (Saiss, Mitchell)
    Salah Son Zaha Grealish (Bisouma)
    Kane DCL Bamford

    How’s the plan:

    GW9:Son >>> Bruno
    Saiss >>> Creswell
    Salah >>> KDB (-4)
    GW10: Kane >>> Vardy
    GW11: Save transfer
    GW12: Vardy >>> Antonio
    Zaha >>> KDB

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

      Are you getting two KDB's?

    2. Bennyboy1907
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Zaha to SALAH****

  22. AJ24
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Wildcard Team:

    Martinez, Ryan
    Chilwell, Cancelo, Justin, Coufal, Kilman
    Mane, KDB, Bruno, Grealish, Soucek
    DCL, Bamford, Watkins

    0.1m ITB

  23. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Started the season with Ferguson thinking he would be back from injury by now..... anyone know how much longer I need to wait?

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

      I think they are now waiting for an easy draw in the 3rd round of the Cup in January to play him

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

      Back? Has he even played before?

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

      He’s not first choice and he’s injured.

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

      Could be months. Read between the lines: Clyne was training with them & signed because Ferguson isn't expected to be back anytime soon.

      If Ferguson's timeframe was short, they could have lived with Ward etc for a month or so.

  24. andres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    On a WC,

    Werner or Vardy?

    Have Ziyech

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy

  25. Vasshin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    2 FT and 0.6 itb what should I do?
    Martinez/ Steer
    James Chilwell Robbo \ Justin Mitchell
    Grealish Salah Foden Son Hamez
    Calvert-lewin Jimenez \ Mitrovic

    Thanks

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

    Play Lamptey or Cancelo?
    Have been asking this all week and seems like a coin flip

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Exactly coin flip. Probaly Cancelo

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

      Probably Lamptey

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

      Cancelo

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

      Cancelo

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

      I still say Lamptey.

    6. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Paying too much money for Cancelo if you're not willing to start him every game imo

  27. barcaa7
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    a-Salah to Bruno (c) (-4)
    b-Play Bamford

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

      B

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      both

      1. barcaa7
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I wouldn't bench Grealish over Bamford

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

      b

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

    Is the captain article out tonight admins?

  29. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Current team : 2FT’s 1.1ITB

    Martinez (Forster)
    Robbo Chillwell Lamptey (Saiss, Mitchell)
    Salah Son Zaha Grealish (Bisouma)
    Kane DCL Bamford

    How’s the plan:
    GW9:Son >>> Bruno
    Saiss >>> Creswell
    Salah >>> KDB
    GW10: Kane >>> Vardy
    GW11: Save transfer
    GW12: Vardy >>> Antonio
    Zaha >>> Salah

    1. Bennyboy1907
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Salah to KDB this week for -4 btw

  30. gonzalocampos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any news about Kilman about his father passing away? He will play?

    1. Kindness
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Show some class man