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. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Rashford or Rodriguez?

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

      Rash

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

      Rash

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

      cheers

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

    Best Salah replacement?

    A) Rashford
    B) Barkley
    C) Jota

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

      None?

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        lol why none?

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

      what do you need the cash for?

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

        My bench forward Davis will go up to DCL

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

          do you have Zitech and Jack already?

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

            Yep & Bruno.

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

              B if you dont have Watkins, C if you do

              Dont like spending on both rash and Bruno

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

      A

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

      Don’t like any of them tbh

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

    Quick question about FH. If a user has 2 FT and activates free hit, will they get back the 2 FTs for next GW?

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

      No

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

      No - you never carry over an extra FT if you play a chip ... unless I am wrong? ... is this true for BB too?

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

        You can for TC + BB, not Wilcard or FH

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

          thanks for clarifying

  4. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Wilder's press conference done? I can't find any update on Brewster

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

      Update: He will get you 2, 1, or 0

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

        lol

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

    Salah - Son - Hamez - Grealish (Soucek)
    Kane - DCL - Watkins

    1 FT

    A) Salah ➡ Bruno / Ziyech now and Son ➡ KDB next week
    or
    B) Salah ➡ KDB and keep Son more long-term eventually re-asses him / Kane next week

    which option here is better..?

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

    Looking at results Man City aren’t running riot thus season

    Scoring just 1 goal a match in last few games

    Any reason ???

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Well that's obvious. Can't think of any reason, just not up to their usual standard, by a long shot.

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

        ^ This, too. And I'm a City fan.

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

      Opponents bringing back nine players inside 20 yards of their own goal...?

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

      So not sure on

      Salah to

      A) KDB
      B) Mane

      ?

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

    Cant decide which hit to take. got 2.7m itb and 0FT

    Martinez
    James Lamptey TAA* --- Saiss Mitchell
    Bruno Son Grealish Barnes -- Burke
    DCL Kane Watkins

    A: TAA >> Chilwell and 4m itb for Son > KDB gw10
    B: TAA >> Cancelo + 4.6m itb which opens the option of Barnes > KDB gw10
    C: Mitchell >> Coufal + 2.3m itb for Son > KDB gw10

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

    Final spots on WC?

    McCarthy, Forster
    -----, Cancelo, Targett, Justin, KWP
    -----, Ziyech, KDB, Grealish, Soucek
    DCL, Watkins, Vardy

    1) Chilwell, Bruno
    2) Coufal, Mane

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

      1

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

      1

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

      1

    4. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      2
      Mane + KDB better (C) options

      1. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Didnt see Vardy,1

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

    Is there any reason to suggest that the Fulham and Leeds fixtures might be better suited for Richarlison than DCL?

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

      Richarlison on pens i guess

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

      Fulham concede a lot of headers which would favour DCL

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

        Think this is the worry stat - I don't have either but most rivals have DCL
        Maybe any other team Richarlison would be the best option but for Fulham is does sound like DCL is best

  10. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Gtg all? 0ft 1.5itb

    Martinez
    Chilwell lamptey balbuena
    Sterling Bruno son soucek
    Vardy Werner dcl

    Forster Mitchell Burke dunne

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

    Start Targett or Ward?

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

      Targett I think, is Ward even going to play?

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Targett

  12. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Score predictions please?

    New v Che
    Villa v Brighton
    Spurs v City
    Utd v West.B

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

      1-3
      2-1
      2-1
      3-0

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’m never any good at predictions as I always bias towards my players (in this, Ziyech Martinez Lamptey Son Kane Bruno(c)) lol. So would love 1-2, 0-0, 2-0, 4-0 with obvious involvements. However, reasonable would be:

      1-3
      2-1
      1-1
      3-1 I reckon

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

      0-2
      3-1
      2-2
      1-0

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

      3-1
      3-1
      2-1
      2-0

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

        Oops, swap the top score.

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

          lol anything is possible

    5. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      0-3
      2-1
      2-1
      3-0

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

      I don't like all those Brighton goal predictions 🙁 - Martinez owner

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

      NEW 1-3 CHE
      VILLA 1-0 BRI
      SPURS 0-1 CITY
      UTD 2-0 W BROM

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

    Captain:
    A) Vardy
    B) Richarlison

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      neither, but Vardy of the two

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

      B

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

    I think my WC team is set!

    Martinez McCarthy

    KWP Chilwell Lamptey Cresswell Mitchell

    KDB Bruno Grealish Ziyech Riedewald

    Watkins Vardy Werner

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      i know you've worked hard on this last few days, looks good man, strong. liking the Ziyech & Werner double up

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

        “Worked hard”, ha ha ha

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

      Keeping Mitchell on WC?

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

        yes

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

      Grow Mitchell into a Kilman.

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

      Good but no everton attack?

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

    Start saiss or dallas?

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

      Dallas

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

      Saiss definitely

  16. 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 (-4)
    GW10: Kane >>> Vardy

  17. The Fantasy Doctor
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Klopp saying the process starts from a negative test. Does that mean the 10 day isolation? Seems to suggest this so two game weeks at least?

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

      He means training

      1. Captain Vantastic™
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Why would he say process if he meant training? Why not say training.

        1. The Fantasy Doctor
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Yes it seems odd. His language seemed to suggest the isolation period.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      yeah i would of thought so, can't see him making Brighton to be fair, may just come too soon.

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

      No one seems to know the answer! I'd assume 10 days from a negative test, which means hes already out of the Brighton game as well. If he doesn't test negative by end of Wednesday, he's also out of the Wolves game on 5th. So could be a chance he will miss 3 games.

      Anyone got a definitive answer?

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

        I'm pretty sure that in F1, drivers aren't cleared until 10 days after a negative test ... all to do with being allowed back into the sporting bubble. Surely the FA must have something similar?

        1. Boss Hogg
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          To be fair, if there’s one sport that lends itself to being able to compete in a full safety suit and stay at least 2 metres away from everyone else then surely it’s F1.

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

      The requirement for a negative test seems to be something the PL introduced - from an 6/11 article

      The Premier League have introduced new coronavirus testing rules for players returning from international duty that risks causing further complications for top-flight bosses.

      When players come back to their clubs at the end of the forthcoming international break, they will be unable to resume training until they have returned a negative Covid-19 result with Prenetics, the company behind the Premier League’s testing programme. Currently, players are tested once a week.

      During the previous break, players could start training again immediately with their clubs as long as they had tested negative in their national team bubble

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

      This keeps being brought up. The 10 day isolation period is from the first positive test, not the last. Salah has a pretty good chance of making Brighton contrary to what a lot of people keep saying on here.

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

      Liverpool Echo (Yesterday)
      "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.
      Reports from Egypt suggest Salah had his first test towards the end of last week - meaning that the Leicester game will fall within the 10 days of isolation stipulated by the Premier League."

      Surely it's 10 days from the last positive test - the protocol states "a positive test" ... but then the article goes on about when his first positive test was

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

        The way its written clearly means from first positive test. That means he can test positive for all 10 days and if he tests negative on then 10th, then he has served his isolation and will then be cleared to train. This is why he's been jetted back to Liverpool, in case he tests negative.

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

    For those who are asking about Brewster - Wilder will make a late call whether to play him or not.

  19. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thinking of getting KDB this week and Sterling in the next.
    Double up till week 15.
    Thoughts??

  20. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    PVAAAAAA

    Just practicing 🙂

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

      For his red?

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      *double digit haul

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

    Richarlison or Martial for next few GW’s?

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The one that plays 90minutes and is on penalties

  22. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: "Marcus [Rashford] joined in the first time today. Hopefully there's no reaction, I'm not sure.

    Ahh these poker players,do we think he starts?

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

      I think he does, gonna captain him too

      1. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        He was my captain too,but after Salah > Mane going for Mane(C)

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      he'll be fine to play i reckon. Just Ole keeping the cards close to his chest.

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

      Is Rashford over Fernandes worth it if it allows you to do Son to KDB?

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

        That's my plan

      2. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yes,went with that strategy.

        Hope Telles,Rash,Cavani could get some set pieces/penalties away from Bruno longer term.

  23. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Gtg? 3.1 ITB but 0FT, otherwise would love a swap move to ditch Davis and get Grealish for Podence. 🙂

    Martinez (Steer)
    Robbo Coufal Lamptey (Saiss Mitchell)
    Bruno(c) Son Ziyech JRodriguez Podence
    Kane DCL (Davis)

    Bench, Villa, maybe even no-Chilwell situation hopefully rectified soon

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

    RMWCT

    Martinez(Forster)
    Chilwell Cancelo Coufal (Lamptey)(Neco Williams)
    KDB Fernandes Ziyech Grealish (Riedewald)
    Vardy DCL Watkins

    2.2 itb to do Fernandes to Salah whenever needed

    Is it worth upgrading Riedewald to Bissouma or Neco to Phillips? I don't see the need personally and that 0.1/0.2 could be useful later

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

    Werner on DCL?

    Have DCL, dont have Hamez

  26. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    So how many games Salah misses after all?

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

      Confirmed at least 1GW

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

      no one knows

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

      Methinks he plays after the LIV-Brighton match.

    4. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks all

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

    Vassilev and Salah to Watkins and Bruno for -4?

    3.5itb 1ft
    Martinez
    Chilwell Taylor Ayling Cancelo Justin
    Grealish Son Rodriguez
    DCL Kane
    (Peacock Bissouma Salah* Vassilev*)

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

    Is Rashford over Fernandes worth it if it allows you to do Son to KDB?

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

      yes

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

      Yeah if that's the only way

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

        i can do Salah to Fernandes this week and then Son to KDB next week, but needs a hit next week.

  29. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Last season GW9:
    AVL 2-1 BHA
    Grealish 1G 1A
    his only game with multiple returns.
    Come on Jack

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

    Thoughts on Salah & Davis > Rashford & DCL

    McCarthy
    Chilwell / Justin / Coufal
    Salah / Bruno / Grealish / Ziyech / Soucek
    Kane / Werner

    Bench: Steer, Striujk, Mitchell, Davis

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

      I would rather bring in City midfielder 1GW earlier since you already have Bruno