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. J to the T
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    On WC. How’s this looking

    McCarthy (Forster)
    Chilwell Cancelo Justin Lamptey Targett
    KdB Bruno Grealish Ziyech (4.5)
    DCL Vardy Watkins

    343 rotating Justin/Lamptey and Targett.

    Enough in the bank to do Ziyech & Vardy -> Salah & Antonio for GW 12 where Salah has Fulham and Antonio has Leeds.

  2. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on the following -4? Gives me enough to do Son -> Sterling next week.

    Salah - Podence - Kane —> Kdb - Grealish - Werner

    Team:
    McCarthy
    Chilwell - Targett - Justin
    Salah - Bruno - Son - Podence
    Kane - DCL - Adams

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

      Like the plan alot as far as the -4 goes, however I wouldnt go overkill and bring Sterling in. I understand that you are looking at a alternative to going back to Salah/Pool attk assets immediately to have a differential setup, but perhaps Foden/Ferran Torres or going back to pool but getting Jota instead

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

    Werner on DCL on WC?

    Have DCL, dont have Hamez

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

      oops i meant I have Ziyech, dont have Hamez

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

        And OR* not on

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

          fail

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

      Dcl

  4. Cookie Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah & Wilson to Bruno & Richarlison for 2 frees looking good?

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

      Very

  5. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Help to bench order these please:

    A) Dallas
    B) Wilson
    C) Kilman

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

      I’d go BAC.
      Based on penalties and goal threat.

      1. Evasivo
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I'm on BAC currently, no idea if Wilson likely to feature

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

      B,C,A

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

    Is Bissouma worth the 0.1 over Riedewald on WC?
    Thinking of keeping Riedewald as that 0.1 could be handy later!

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

      Keep Riedewald.
      You’re unlikely to play either so you may as well bank the 0.1 and enjoy his luxury hair.

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

    a. Salah to KDB (-4)
    b. Play 4 at the back - Cancelo, PVA, Coufal, Zouma

    ?

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

    WILDCARD:

    McCarthy Steer

    Zouma Chilwell Cancelo Coufal Bernardo

    Grealish Bruno KDB Ziyech Bissouma

    Vardy

    Bamford or Watkins??
    DCL or Richarlison??

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

      Watkins and DCL.

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

    Did Chilwell train for Chelsea today?

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

      Yup

  10. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah to KDB or Bruno?

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

      kdb

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

    bench order these two:

    Bissouma (avl) Mithcell (bur)

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

      Bissouma first.

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

      M,B.

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

    RP- 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*)

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

      the team looks OK, I wouldnt

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

        Cheers, it's a -4 waiting to happen to change formation.

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

    Werner or DCL?

    Rest of attack -

    Ziyech KDB Bruno Grealish Riedwald

    Vardy Watkins

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

      DCL

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

    WC:

    1. Bamford and Soucek (first bench spot)
    2. Richarlison and Ridewald (weakens the bench)

  15. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Am I mad for considering Rashford over Fernandes?

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

      No I don't think so

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

      Not at all imho.

    3. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No, just the slight fitness doubt puts me off now though.

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

      Yeah

  16. Jullepuu
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Chilwell still a doubt for the match?

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

      Nope - trained with chelsea

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

        Cheers

  17. hogree
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Keep Justin on WC? Pereira looking like he's coming back so not worth it?

    1. Le Bluff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No. Too many other options near the price bracket (Coufal, Targett, Lamptey etc)

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

    Which one?

    A) KDB & Watkins
    B) Rashford & DCL

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

    Thoughts on who is on pens in Man City? Still KDB?

    1. Le Bluff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes, would think so.

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

        Cheers

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

      Aguero if he’s back surely

  20. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Need help guys! Already on a hit here:

    Mendy, Button
    Chilwell, Coufal, Targett, Justin, Branthwaite
    Salah, Bruno, Ziyech, Jrod, Grealish
    DCL, Kane, Brewster

    Should I play Justin or Bring in KDB for Salah for another hit ?

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

      Play Justin.

  21. JollyGoodYellows
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Guys, my transfer this week depends on whether I WC next week. Do you think I should WC next week?

    Mccarthy (Button)
    Zouma Holding Konsa (Justin Mitchell)
    Salah JRod Son Grealish (Bissouma)
    DCL Werner Kane

    If I WC I'll do Salah > Bruno this week then get Salah back as well as city players when I WC.

    1. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      With a similar scenario, I made 2trfers this week, and intend 2next week for -8 in total, to get Cancelo, KDB, Vardy and Fernandes in, and saving wildcard for, hopefully week 16, as liked so many of current players

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

        The thought of taking a -8 scares me but it could very much pay off. Especially if it means saving the WC. Why GW16 for the WC by the way?

        1. Tambling5
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I think this is the last chance to use it this year according to the rules. Just as Christmas fixtures get complex and specifically to get Spurs in before H to Fulham.

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

            Oh yeah forgot about that! So do you think it's worth getting in Bruno this week or just go for KDB? I'll be wanting Salah back as soon as he's fit and don't have space for Bruno, KDB and Salah

            1. Tambling5
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Not sure! It all gets very complex, and thought I'd just wait and see with Salah, but I recognise that most people would be very keen to work out how to get him back. Bruno's fixtures after this week rubbish, so will prob work out how to make moves to get Salah back in when fit, but it's all a bit back of the envelope with calculations!

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

                Yeah you're right. I think if I do bring Bruno in I'm only really doing it for his fixture this week. It's tempting to go against the crowd and bring in KDB this week.

                1. Tambling5
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 5 Years
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  Good luck whatever you decide! We all need it!

  22. Surfeit of Lampteys
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Running away from danger,
    Hiding from every stranger,
    Cancelo.

  23. Nanoelektronicar
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I slipped big time here. Salah drop and Bruno rise means I am 0.1 short of doing Salah > Bruno this and Son > KDB next week. Gutted really.

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

    Salah, Son, Saiss >>> Bruno, KDB and Creswell for (-4)

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

      Save the Son transfer

  25. BremerHB
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah & Trossard (-4) to:

    A) Bruno & Rodriguez
    B) Bruno & Ziyech
    C) Ziyech & Rodriguez

    Or just do Salah to Bruno, not take the hit, play 4-3-3 and sort out Trossard next week?

  26. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Cancelo + Cresswell + Soucek as a 5th mid
    B) KWP + Coufal + Jota as a 5th mid (+ a benching headache)

    Team is:

    Martinez
    Chilwell, _________, _________, Lamptey, Kilman
    KDB, Bruno, Ziyech, Grealish, _________
    Vardy, DCL, Bamford

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

    KDB still on Pens for Man City Jesus to start along with Torres and Aguero on bench

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

    Getting 3 starters from the following-
    Robertson Taylor zouma kilman dunne?
    Or sell one for cancelo/Cresswell/Chilwell for a hit?

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

    Any news on Wilson?
    Wilson to Vardy/Werner for a hit? Yes or No (already on -4)

  30. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How many GWs is Salah likely to miss and are people getting rid or benching if bought in at 12m?