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. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Final WC thoughts?

    Martinez
    Dias Cancelo Chilwell
    KDB Grealish Ziyech Bruno(c)
    Vardy DCL Watkins

    (mccarthy, kilman, KWP, riedwald)

    Is double city risky? I really like the fixtures, but dias > telles is tempting.

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

      I'm not a fan of the double City def personally. I would rather be flexible on having two city attackers if they pick-up form

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

        Fair enough, but with Salah and KDB i cant see myself picking up Sterling.

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

      Why both Dias and Cancelo and no Chelsea defence?

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

        Chilwell is in the team....

    3. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Looks good, have also done WC with triple city, fixtures too good!

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

    Who do you prefer?

    A. Mitchell (chance of a 1 pointer off the bench)

    B. Justin (pool away but more attacking)

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

      Justin

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

      Justin

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

      Justin.

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

      Justin easy

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

      Sorted! Cheers all

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

    How accurate do you think this predicted City lineup will be?

    Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo; Rodri, De Bruyne, Foden; Torres, Jesus, Sterling

    https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-line-up-tottenham-19317995

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

      Not a million miles off. He might play Gundogan though.

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

        Yeah. Wondering if I should bench Foden or Taylor. neither great prospects GW9, Taylor flagged.

      2. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Gundo played a lot of minutes IB...

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

      They've been wrong before....

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

      10/11 at least guaranteed there

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

      I'm playing Foden so he will definitely be benched.

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

      Possibly Mahrez and Silva over Torres and Foden but the rest look nailed.

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

    RP - One to start and first on the bench?
    A. Justin (A vs LIV)
    B. Ayling (H vs ARS)
    C. Taylor (H vs CRY)

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

      Start Justin and Taylor first bench

    2. SharkyT
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C play B bench 1st

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

      Liverpool are weakened, so Justin might stand a half chance with Rodgers ready for a battle.

      Arsenal and Leeds are unpredictable but surely goals.

      So C probably makes the most sense to start with and I'd probably chance Ayling sub 1

      Hard call tbh. Lots of variables

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

      BCA

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

      Cheers all. Both Justin and Ayling have good attacking potential and Justin with the better CS potential. It is a tough one

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

        as you can tell by the different answers given so far!

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

    Quick one. Already done 1FT & 0ITB
    A) Salah > KdB (-4)
    B) Salah > Mane (-4)
    C) Hold. Play 1 of Brewster/Mitchell

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

    Thoughts on Martial?

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

      Lazy

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

      Prefer Chase

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

      Not showing enough form to bring him in, Better fwds available

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

      A law unto its self

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

    United vs WBA predictions?

    Wonder if United will be high scoring or WBA will just park it for 90

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

      Gut feeling that there will be goals in this one.
      Telles starting will be crucial IMO

    2. SharkyT
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Early Utd goal 4/5 nil. 0-0 at HT anyone’s guess

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

      WBA will hold out for a bit but then the goals will fly

    4. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      4-0

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

      2-0
      Dodgy pens

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

      2-0 probably

    7. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      3-1 Utd with a Maguire own goal.

  8. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Podence to Grealish or Ziyech worth a four point hit?

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

      Yep, which ever one you prefer.

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

    Thinking of selling Justin

    How will LCFC line up when Castagne and Ricardo back next week ? Aren’t they all right backs ??

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

      Castagne can do either side, as can Pereira. Both have done so for previous cubs. and both a mainly right footed.

      However, the best lineup is Pereira RB and Castagne LB

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

        This. Justin can play LCB and RCB of a 5. I would keep until all LEI defs are available

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

      Keep Justin until he's definitely benched. He wasn't meantI ti get gametime this far into the season. Could still get more for a lovely price.

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

    With Mitchell maybe not starting...is Lamptey a better choice? Concerned Grealish & co may make mincemeat of BHA.

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

      Yep, Lamptey in for sure over Phil Mitchell

  11. Vlekz
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Werner or richalison for the next 3? Have DCL and no other Chelsea

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Werner

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

        I'd punt on Werner

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

        Werner in that case

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

        Werner

    • Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Help me choose one??

      A. Ryan/McCarthy + Targett
      B. Martinez + Lamptey

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

        B for me, but McC and T will be more popular here

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

      Best sub 5.3m defender to start each week for long term?

      Can't be a Villa defender

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

        Vestergaard

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

        James?

        .1 more for Cancelo would be nice

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

          Annoying that he's a slight rotation risk.

          Can you pick one from each to complete this defence.

          Chilwell ____ ____ Kilman Mitchell

          A. Dias or Cancelo
          B. Cresswell or Coufal

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

            Cancelo Cresswell

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

            I think Cancelo is worth the risk

            Creswell better pick but I wouldn't spend over 4.5 on a Wham defender

      3. 1984 TC
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Bellerin

    • Fuddled FC
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Which one to bench?

      a) Coufal v SHU
      b) Vestergaard v WOL
      c) Cancelo v TOT

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

        B

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

        B

    • wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bench one please:
      a)Coufal
      b)Targett
      c)Pva

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

        I'm playing PVA and benching Coufal (Other two defenders are Zouma and Chillwell)

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

          cheers

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

            I also have Martinez and there seems to be a lot of people expect Brighton to score

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

              I also think they will score.

      2. Mufc202020
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        B

    • Feanor
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Is this tripe switch worth a 4 point hit?

      Salah -> Ziyech
      Podence -> Grealish
      Wilson -> Vardy

      1. Assisting the assister
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I think so - yep

      2. Assisting the assister
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Probably not tripe - it may be ok 🙂

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

        No.

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

          I can just keep Wilson then. No hit.

      4. Mufc202020
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yes

      5. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Podence to Grealish may be the only fly in the ointment for this gw, but worth it in the longer term. A & C are a given

    • HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I miss the Friday deadlines we use to have a long time ago ... were those only around for the £15 matches?

      1. Assisting the assister
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        they were great for catching out casuals

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

          Yeah those silly, gravless casuals...

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

        No, there will be Friday night football on the 27th.

    • 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?

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

      Does anyone think Salah will drop tonight? I’ve checked the price sites and the statistics percentage seems to be going down!

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

        Not tonight, but possibly tomorrow. Those second drops are hard to predict.

        Son drop last night was taking the p!ss though.

      2. Assisting the assister
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Seems ok at the moment

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

        Looks unlikely but there could be a late rush with Bruno and Grealish likely to go up

        Really hope Aguero drops tonight

      4. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        No, his price is being kept artificially intact despite 500k+ transfers out in the last 24 hrs...

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          A portion of which may be WCs, which don't impact price

        2. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          This, was at -90 last night with 400k sales, the system is rigged!
          Almost million sales & still -90 ownership gone down 10%?

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

            We need to get some lawsuits for a recount

    • Will J 256
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Who would you prefer to get out for Salah? Already have Rashford but Bruno is tempting!

      A: KDB
      B: Fernandes

      1. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Go KDB

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

        If you have Rash then KdB

        That much united is asking for trouble

    • Lionel Ronaldo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      (1) Is Foden expected to play?
      (2) Play Reguilon (City Home) or Justin (Liverpool away)?

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

        Good intl form suggests possible, but who knows.

        Reguilon seems like a week in week out non-benching player. Walker good to match his pace though

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

          Reguilon also had Tuesday night off - wasn't even in the Spanish squad

    • Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      About to pull the trigger on a - 4: Salah + ASM > Bruno + Grealish. Will give me the following team:

      McCarthy (Button)
      Chilwell Zouma Taylor (Justin Mitchell)
      Bruno (C) Sterling Son Grealish (Bissouma)
      Werner DCL Watkins

      All GTG?

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

        Nice

    • waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Had a new plan occur to me :
      Kane and bissouma to grealish and Werner (-4)
      Would do it right now, except it means benching soucek
      A) do it
      B) not worth it

      1. Assisting the assister
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        A

      2. FPL ZB
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I fancy Kane in this one

    • LikeItLoveIt
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Thoughts
      Salah, Foden & Podence > bruno, ziyech & soucek for a -4 ?

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

        Yes

      2. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yes

      3. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        100%

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

        Awesome thanks guys

    • Nespinha
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Funny thing.

      After Klopps press conference, Salahs transfers out suddenly stopped...

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

        They will start to accelerate as we go towards tonight's deadline.

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

        He'll drop again tonight

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

        He must have kept him in his squad

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

        I got him out already, but need his price drop to get him in again lmao

    • Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      All this talk of DCL, Grealish captain, only for the herd to go running to Bruno in FOMO.

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

        if you don't and he hauls - you lose massive ground.

        If you do and he doesn't haul - you lose minor ground.

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

          Just like if he blanks and you captain Aubameyang or Mane or someone and they haul, you gain massive ground.

          The point is, there’s so much FOMO in this community.

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

            Pareto's law

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

              It doesn’t matter, from next week Bruno isn’t as good of a pick as Liverpool/City mids.

              He’s a solid pick and I’ve captained him for two hauls this season, but again, too much FOMO on these parts. Besides, West Brom aren’t as bad defensively as it seems.

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

                is it FOMO or is everybody "flocking" to the player with the standout form/fixture?

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

                  Bit of both maybe - I know most of my ML rivals have Bruno and he will be the most popular captain amongst them, and I don't trust Bruno at home, having been burnt at twice last season

                  But I may as well go with the ML herd - already been burnt 4 times this season being different to them - KDB twice, Salah once and Son last week - 9 points in total

    • Bennyboy1907
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes or no

      Salah, Son, Saiss >>> Bruno, KDB, Coufal/Cresswell (-4)

      Then next week Kane to Vardy

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

      Bench 2 from:

      A) Lamptey
      B) KWP
      C) Justin
      D) Mitchell

      1. Mufc202020
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        BD

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

          this

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

          Cheers. As a Saints fan my bias was swinging towards playing KWP but Justin seems a good shout

    • Mufc202020
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A) Rich
      B) Vardy

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

        vardy

        1. Mufc202020
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Even without DCL??

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

        Vardy. Buzzing tonight 😉

        1. Mufc202020
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Buzzing tonight??

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

            Hard to think Vardy gets stressed but the courtcase result might jave him in great humour.

            https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-55020573

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

      Bench one

      A)Kilman (Southampton away)
      B)Konsa (Brighton Home)
      C)WIlson (Chelsea Home/limited minutes)