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. jay01
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on Bamford? Too late to get him?

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

      Good pick for a great price.

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

      I'm debating between him and Watkins on W
      Currently on Bamford

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

        Bamford has better stats but worse fixtures than Watkins. I’ve gone Watkins atm but Bamford is great shout

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

      Nope, great stats in an attacking team

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

      Not too late. Couple of players returning from injury too which could help creatively

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

      I've got Bamford but can see myself ending with both him and Watkins, given all the potential mids ... not too late for either

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

    Evening wise ones. Your help please? 1FT and 0.4m ITB. Happy to take a -4 too.

    McCarthy
    Justin - Konsa - Chilwell - Kilman
    Podence - Son - Hamez
    DCL - Kane - Vardy

    Salah - Lewis - Stephens

    A) Salah > Bruno
    B) Salah + Lewis > Bruno + Cancelo (-4)
    C) Salah + Podence > Rash + Grealish (-4) - annoyingly 0.1m out from Bruno + Grelaish.
    D) Save
    E) Anything else

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

      A.

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

      A

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

      A

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

      cheers all

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

    Start Mitchell or Lamptey?

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

      Lamp

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

      lamps

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

      lamp

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

      Humptey

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

    Already done 1FT & 0ITB

    A) Salah > KdB (-4)
    B) Salah > Mane (-4)
    C) Hold. Play 1 of Brewster/Mitchell

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

      A

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

    Who to keep 1st on bench?

    1. Brewster
    2. Mitchell

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

      1

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

      1

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

      forward

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

    Is Vassilev to Watkins worth a -4 to play 343? or just stick with 442 for now?

    5.0itb 0ft
    Martinez
    Chilwell Taylor Cancelo Justin
    Grealish Son Rodriguez Bruno
    DCL Kane
    (Peacock Ayling Bissouma Vassilev*)

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

      I think so, escaping from 4-4-2 probably worth it

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

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

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

    If Coady went into isolation on the 12th (at least that's when the news came out), and wolves game is on the 23rd, seems safe to bet he plays on Monday, right?

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

      Isolation and no training, don't expect him to start

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

      I would say so, just because he’s had to isolate doesn’t mean he can’t keep himself in shape. Sure most players have space/gyms in their properties.

  8. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Arguably the most important captain choice of the FPL season this week. Good luck everyone, going DCL myself as an owner of Bruno.

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

      What? How is it the most important lol. The TC is probably the most important or GW38 depending on rank.

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

        I think he missed a "so far". Next week will be importanter and so on.

      2. BenDavies
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Sorry, meant so far!

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

      They all are tbh, if your captain scores well you can get away with a poor GW from the other players. It will be a lot more diverse this week though.

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

      Will be huge OR swings

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

        Yes, feel it might be wise to play it safe.

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

      No argument about it. It's not even close to being the most important captain choice of the season. There have already been a few far more important already.

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

    Captain Ziyech Grealish or DCL

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

      DCL

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

      DCL

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

      All good options, DCL, Grealish then Ziyech would be my order.

  10. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    MUN have won 26 penalties in the previous two seasons combined
    MCI have won 7

    Bruno Fernandes has a 93% conversion rate

    and people are still calling him an 'option'

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

      U mean hes a must?

  11. P2One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    WC team
    Set to go?

    Martinez - McCarthy

    Bellerin - Walker - Chilwell - Dann - Lewis

    Bruno - Mane - Jota - Zaha - Grealish

    Werner - Calvert Lewin - Brewster

    0.2 itb. Any advice?

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

      DOwn grade one of your keepers to 4m and upgrade Zaha to Ziyech, is that possible?

  12. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any update on Kilman's potential compassionate leave?

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

      I'd keep eye on fan forums.
      Nono doesn't give away anything

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

      No, just make sure you have someone coming in if he doesn’t play.

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks chaps

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

    WCers. How many man city assets you going with and which ones?

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

      I have none at mo but maybe kdb

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

      0, but got money ITB to get De Bruyne next week.

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

    surprised Che Adams isn't more popular on here - great form, good fixtures, guaranteed to play, good attacking team. more consistent than bamford/watkins

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

      Good fixtures? Saint have worst longterm fixtures.

  15. Kell_oggs
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best 5th defender on WC?

    Stuck between Lewis, Killman or just getting a 3.9 fodder.
    Could stretch to 4.4 but want to bank as much as poss.
    Thoughts ?

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

      3.9 fodder.

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

      Any other season I’d go for 3.9 and have more flex with the cash but there’s so many injuries and covid that all subs might be needed this season. Kilman seems safe option- secure and good team but I also like Balbuena and Lascelles (both attacking potential at 4.4)

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

      Kilman, I don’t do fodder now with so many games - injuries,Covid at moment

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

    RMWCT

    Martinez Forster
    Mitchell Cancelo Coufal Chilwell Kilman
    Bruno KDB Ziyech Grealish Soucek
    Kane DCL Watkins

    0ITB so I have to do this tonight to afford it.

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

      Rather have Vardy than Kane, wouldn’t keep Mitchell either. Probably wise to keep some funds back for Salah in a few weeks time.

  17. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Help needed here, team a mess
    Martinez
    Coady Lamptey Coufal, Justin
    Grealish Barkley Son
    Werner DCL Kane
    Bench Salah Mitchell Burke
    Thinking Barkley and Kane to KDB and Bamford/Watkins?

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

      Team’s not a mess at all. I’d probably just move Barkley out of that lot.

      How much will you have available if you take out Barkley?

      1. Netters2018
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        9m i will have......i was thinking ziyech but i have wernwr and not sure i want a dbl chelsea up in attack yet

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

          Zaha.

          I wish I had room in my team for him. As you have Werner and no need to get Ziyech I think Zaha is a decent pick.

          Shame you can’t stretch to Bruno.

  18. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    G2G?

    Martinez
    PvA Chilwell Zouma
    Soucek Son Hamez Grealish
    Kane DCL(c) Bamford

    Bench: Lamptey Vestergaard Mo
    0 FT, 2.7m ITB

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

      Yep

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

    how many goals will Callum Wilson score tomorrow?

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Owner - expecting 0 goals and 0 minutes.

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

      1

  20. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Lose Salah for a hit (for whom?) or stick? At the 4M mark, worst ever by far.

    Martinez
    Robbo - Chilwell - Saiss
    Jota (c) - Barnes - J-Rod - Zaha
    Kane - Jimi - Brewster

    Mitchell the only bench player worth discussing (unless Dunne somehow comes into play).

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

      WC?

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Already gone and made things exponentially worse 🙁

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

          I feel for you. I’m at 3.2m. Made mistakes at the start, tried to rescue it and ended up with too many duds. I’m looking at the long game. Just need to average 65 to get my last years score

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

      Looking at your team, I reckon there's a lot itb?

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Boy, I wish...

  21. afs2239
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bruno essential in WC?

    1. jaguar shark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yup

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I think he’s an incredibly important pick on WC and I am on my WC at the moment and have bought him in.

      But the vast majority on here will tell you otherwise, especially if it means going without KdB.

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

      I don’t think so

  22. Patson Dabaka
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thinking I might just hang on to Salah..

    Chances of these 2 starting?

    1) Saiss
    2) Mitchell

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

      Well they're less than nailed, so unreliable assets to make 11. Depends on how reliable with performance/fixtures your other players are to bench or replace Salah.

  23. jaguar shark
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If Salah has not had a negative test yet, does that mean he’ll miss two premier league games?

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

      No

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

    If Salah's test is negative on Monday he will play vs Brighton right?

    1. jaguar shark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hah, just asked a very similar question.

    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He should, yeah!

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

      Yes

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

      He’ll be able to train again so could even be in contention for the champions league game.

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

      IF

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

      I thought he had to self-isolate for 10-14 days coming from abroad. If he has tested positive at one point, then he'll obviously miss training for a game and therefore the game itself?

  25. Chemical76
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Why does Ramsdale have a Threat rating of 2?

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

      Maybe he's good at kicking/high accuracy passes

      1. Chemical76
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Same rating as Igalho and Shaqiri

  26. Well you know, Triffic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is it worth waiting until tomorrow to do transfers incase of failed covid tests?

  27. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Did Salah to Bruno for a hit. Next 3 fixtures look good for Bruno and Salah might miss 2. Wolves isn't the best fixture either. Will get him back for the Fulham game after that.

  28. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any idea what's the latest with Salah? Do we know if he's likely to be out vs Brighton?

    Also, what are the chances of Saiss starting this week?

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

      Hasn’t been confirmed yet.

      50/50

  29. Gooders
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Final WC decision:

    McCarthy Forster
    Chilwell Cancelo Targett Coufal Lewis
    Bruno Ziyech Grealish .... ....
    DCL Watkins ....

    A) Mane/KDB, Soucek, Vardy (1.3m in bank)
    B) KDB, Mane, Brewster (enough ITB to switch Mane to Salah down the line)

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I like Soucek and Vardy over Mane and Brewster. Getting Salah might be difficult after that. You'd have to lose Bruno/KdB. Or downgrade Vardy and upgrade Ziyech.

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

    Last 3 MCI home matches v Burnely have ended 5-0 ... 15 goals but only 2 for Aguero, 1 for KDB and none for Sterling

    Last match was 2 for Foden and 2 for Mahrez

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

      Doesn’t mean that’s what will happen in the next game

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

        Aguero hasn't had a good match against them for ages - it certainly changed my mind about getting him for a gw 10 punt
        Aguero will never score at Anfield .. he must be convinced off that by now

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

          Agree and both disagree. This supposition and the stats attached could go up in a cloud of smoke based on this gw. Rather than speculate on a singular future gw, based on past gws; let's get points from this one and/or learn something. Then let's look at next week 🙂