Spot the Differential

Promising Raphinha can exploit Digne absence as Leeds visit Everton

The Gameweek 10 deadline is now upon us which gives us the opportunity to have a look at some other differential options.

This time, we’ve got routes into Manchester City and Leeds United’s attacks, plus Manchester United’s defence.

As always, to qualify, the player must have an ownership of 5% or less at the time of writing.

Raphinha

  • FPL ownership: 0.1%
  • Price: £5.4m
  • GW10-14 fixtures: eve | che | WHU | NEW | mun

Raphinha (£5.4m) has had to be patient since his deadline day move from Rennes, but finally made his first start against Arsenal last time out.

Operating on the right of Leeds United’s 4-1-4-1 setup, the Brazilian looked lively throughout. 

Though he lacked an end product, he showed his quality in flashes and provided some eye-catching moments, producing four shots, four penalty area touches and the highest expected assist (xA) total of any player on the pitch. It was an impressive full debut for the 23-year-old who saw out the full 90 minutes and almost capped the day with a late winner.

His performances in France certainly suggest he can thrive in England, as he helped Rennes to qualify for the Champions League last season, contributing a combined eight goals and assists in 22 Ligue 1 appearances. 

Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa will know, of course, that he may be able to target Everton’s left-flank this weekend, knowing that Lucas Digne (£6.2m) will sit out after suffering an ankle ligament injury in training. That could mean the inexperienced Niels Nkounkou (£4.0m) steps into a defence which has now conceded two or more goals in six straight Premier League matches, which further boosts Raphinha’s appeal. 

Leeds could count themselves highly unlucky not to have scored against Arsenal last weekend, but will take encouragement from their performance. The signs are good though, and Raphinha should only get better as he settles into his new surroundings.

Raheem Sterling

  • FPL ownership: 4.7%
  • Price: £11.5m
  • GW10-14 fixtures: BUR | FUL | mun | WBA | sou

England forward Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) has gone from strength-to-strength during his time at Manchester City, netting 31, 25 and 23 goals in his last three seasons.

He is yet to hit those heights this term, but has enjoyed a reasonably productive start, scoring five times in all competitions despite the Citizens’ well documented troubles in front of goal.

Against Olympiakos on Wednesday night, Pep Guardiola made several tactical tweaks in an attempt to rejuvenate his faltering attack. The wingers, who played on their stronger footed sides, were positioned closer to Gabriel Jesus (£9.3m) with the full-backs providing the width. It resulted in them looking sharper than they have done in weeks, with Sterling providing the assist for Phil Foden’s (£6.5m) winner. 

We’ve seen the wingers playing on their natural sides in Europe on a couple of occasions now, is the Premier League next?

Saturday’s opponents Burnley were dealt a huge blow earlier this week with the news that influential keeper Nick Pope (£5.4m) looks set to miss out. With home games against Fulham and West Bromwich Albion to follow, either side of the Manchester derby, City now have the opportunity to kick start their season, and if they are to find that rhythm their assets have the potential to rack up huge individual hauls.

Sterling is an intriguing differential ahead of City’s fixture swing, and is perhaps an overlooked pick for the armband in Gameweek 10.

Alex Telles

  • FPL ownership: 1.6%
  • Price: £5.5m
  • GW10-14 fixtures: sou | whu | MCI | shu | LEE

After making his first Premier League start against West Bromwich Albion last weekend, Alex Telles (£5.5m) is at long last ready to make his debut in this column.

The Brazilian completed his move from Porto to Manchester United in the summer, but has had a stop-start beginning to his Old Trafford career after testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) last month.

However, the 27-year-old has now started back-to-back matches for his new club and impressed in both, particularly with his delivery from wide areas. Against the Baggies, Telles served up seven crosses in total, which was more than any other player on the pitch. He also had the second highest number of touches in the final third and registered two shots, which are encouraging numbers. 

He then built on that performance against Istanbul Basaksehir in midweek, which is where he really caught the eye. One of the standout performers on the night, Telles created four goalscoring chances and was instrumental in The Red Devils first two goals.

In the absence of Luke Shaw (£4.8m), Telles is expected to get an extended run in the starting XI, and could become a major asset down United’s left-flank. Given how focused they are down that side, he has the potential to be one of the best defensive assets in the game, and could be a huge differential for those willing to invest early.

1,464 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pariße
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I noticed Tottenham have had a quite an easy run of fixtures so far, I can see why they’re on top.
    The stats hardly allow me to let Kane or Son go though.

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

      And what will happen at the Arsenal game now that Arsenal looks more like a Mourinho’s team than the Mourinho’s team does.

  2. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Bruno and Ziyech
    B) Salah and Jota

    1. balint84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

      B easy. Ziyech’s stats aren’t there yet.
      Stats wise:
      Salah > Bruno
      Jota > Ziyech

  3. DROP IT LIKE IT'S HART
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best 4.5 midfielder for my bench fodder?

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bissouma probably

      1. DROP IT LIKE IT'S HART
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

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

      Bissouma

      1. DROP IT LIKE IT'S HART
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thought so. Thanks mate

    3. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Riedewall and 0.1ITB

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

      I took one of the 4.3m ones, seems unnecessary to spend more especially when Kilman is a regular and no other player in my team is a non starter.

  4. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Zouma to Dias
    Or
    B) Coady to 3.9 def to make money and save zouma

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

    Tough decision to make to get KDB in;

    Kane / Foden or Zaha out - KDB / Watkins in, or
    Bruno / Zaha out - KDB / Jota in

    Thoughts? current line up below

    McCarthy
    Justin Coufal Cancelo
    Salah (c) Soucek Bruno Foden
    Bamford DCL Kane

    Martinez Chilwell Zaha Mitchell

  6. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Start Mitchell
    B) Start Brewster
    C) Barkley > Soucek for -4 and start

    Captain
    1) KDB
    2) Salah
    3) Bruno

    I'm on B1 at present.

  7. wantsharptv
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Big dilemma. Would you FH if you had 5 players in Chelsea spurs game and also have Dallas v DCL???

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

      No

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

        I have 4 players Vs Chelsea and Dallas is starting against dcl, if we think like that then fpl needs to allow 38 fh chips..

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

          I mean a total of 4 in spurs chel match

  8. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    RP
    Narrowed it down to these choices for this GW.

    A) Kane > Vardy (FT) - scarily popular move but I do get that it is FUL but the thought of taking out a 'form of his life' Kane is scary
    B) Kane, Son > Vardy, KDB (-4) - the "fixtures move" - but the thought of taking out the in-form top scorers in their positions...
    C) Son, Ziyech > KDB, Jota (-4) - yes... Ziyech is a great player but will he get more points (TOT, LEE, eve) than Jota (bha, WOL, ful) over the next few? Not convinced!

    1FT 2.3itb
    Martinez
    Robbo, Chilwell, Cresswell
    Bruno, Son*, Ziyech*, Grealish
    Kane*, DCL, Bamford
    (Forster) (KWP, Stephens, Branthwaite)

    Thanks all and GL!

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'd just do A Don. The hits feel so wrong when you're involving fit and firing players in a world of injuries and corona.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I know you’re right. Arghhh feels too easy/ likely to fail though hehe

    2. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ziyech to Jota.
      or/and Kane to Vardy.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks mate

    3. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Look at Kane's last 4 game weeks. Hardly 'form of his life'.

      Spurs basically caught Saints and United cold without a pre-season. Take those hauls away from him and he's no better than Bamford.

      They have regressed in recent weeks to what we expected from them. Against difficult teams, Kane resorts to a quarter back role consistently dropping deep and making up for their lack of a playmaker in midfield.

      Factor in the fact that history proves midfielders score more points. Kane's best ever season was 224 pts. Salah's worst ever was 233 pts. A midfielder with 20 goals and 15 cleansheets will score 35pts more than the equivalent striker.

      Personally, I don't think Kane's worth owning until game week 16 vs Fulham. Or, perhaps gameweek 14 vs Leicester (16 goals in 14 games against them)

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks mate. Appreciate the detailed reply!

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

    KDB (C)
    YAAAAAAY
    No Vardy

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

      Have both

      Going kdb

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

        Same Here

  10. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Talking of Jota, he's part of a Portugal squad that are around 12/1 to win the Euros next year. Scratching my head as to why they're not among the favourites to win the whole thing! They've got a very, very good squad that can match most teams competing.

    1. Shaw must go on
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Coz we are in the death group

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

        Germany are arguably in decline though pal, so 2nd or even first (although it might be difficult to finish past France) is definitely on.

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

      Seems very good odds considering England are 11/2.

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

        Indeed

  11. The Riders of Mohan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Probably the most interesting game week So far!

    Martínez
    Bellerin Cancelo Chilwell
    Salah(C) De Bruyne Fernandez Son
    DCL Bamford Watkins

    (Forster, Kilman, Riedewald, Mitchell)

    Goodnight and good luck from Oz!

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

      Decent - good luck to you too!

      1. The Riders of Mohan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Good on ya! How yours looking?

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

          Not as healthy as yours (posted below)

  12. ludaslol
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Captain:

    A) DCL
    B) Bruno
    C) Vardy -4 (for Kane)

  13. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hows this lot looking guys? zero FT's and 1.3 itb

    Mendy
    Robbo Zouma Kilman Konsa
    Salah Jota Bruno
    Kane DCL Bamford

    (Biss Zaha Lamptey)

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

      GTG

      1. The Riders of Mohan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Nothing there worth the hit imo. Who is C?

  14. Big_Bear
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Digne ->
    A) Laporte
    B) Robertson
    C) Dias
    D) Bellerin

    Thoughts?

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

      Robertson

    2. The Riders of Mohan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If not Robertson can the money upgrade?

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

    Rodriguez to KDB (-4)?

    3.3itb 1ft
    Martinez
    Chilwell Cancelo Justin
    Grealish Son Rodriguez Bruno
    Watkins DCL Vardy(C)
    (Peacock Ayling Taylor Bissouma)

  16. icanseethroughyou
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Probably have the same dilemmas as many others this week in deciding which heavy hitters to go with long term. Got Salah out last week and deciding whether to bring him back in or to back City whilst they’re off form. Got Rashford in last week as a punt and it didn’t pay off!

    Martinez Forster
    Semedo Lamptey Justin KWP Zouma
    Grealish Rashford Foden Son Bissouma
    Vardy DCL Wilson

    Options:

    A. Son to Salah
    B. Son to KDB
    C. Son to Sterling
    D. Foden to Jota
    E. Semedo to Dias
    F. Hold and bank on City stumbling to another 1-0 and have 2 FTs for GW11.

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

      Have 3.7M in bank and 1 FT currently.

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

      D

  17. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hamez Reguilon to Sterling Cancelo -4?

    Would (c) Sterling next week

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

      not sure on the Cancelo move

    2. King of Kings.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Any way to get KDB in ahead of Sterling?

      This is my dilemma too. I'm can afford sterling but would have to -4 for KDB, but I'm thinking long term it probably make sense. In a couple weeks I'll want to Sterling -> KDB anyway and will burn a transfer then.

  18. Matty172
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you make any changes here or G2G?

    McCarthy
    Robbo PVA Cancelo Telles
    Bruno Mané Ziyech Grealish
    DCL
    (Forster Watkins Targett Brewster)

    1. Matty172
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      +JRod

    2. Garlana
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No solid team

    3. The Riders of Mohan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      why is your attacker benched?

  19. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    My teams in a bit of a mess and having played my FT already it still needs some work.
    This I think I need to do are as follows:

    -Get an extra non rotated defender
    -Replace Jimi
    -Potentially try get in in Liverpool or Bruno.
    Any thoughts guys?

    Martinez
    Cancelo, James, robbo
    Ziyech, son, grealish, sterling
    Kane, bamford, dcl

    Bissouma, Mitchel*, lamptey**
    0.6itb 0ft...I'm close to a -8 to sort things out

    1. The Riders of Mohan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nothing worth -8 here mate. Chill. This is a decent squad. Kane could be something to change but wait until u have some FTs

  20. wokkie
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez
    Chilwell, Cancelo, Justin
    Fernandes, Ziyech, Son, Grealish, Jota
    Kane, DCL

    Bench - Steer, Brewster, Coufal, Dunne

    Already made a transfer to take out Zaha for Jota. Really want Vardy and KDB/Sterling for -4 or -8 but don't want to lose any of Kane, Son or Ziyech.

    Any advice?

    1. The Riders of Mohan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Team decent imo

  21. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Repost: Please help me with my 2FT.

    A) Jimenez and Robbo to Vardy and ManC def(Dias/Cancelo)
    B) Jimenez and Anguissa to Bamford and Jota

    Team A) 0.2 itb

    Martinez (Steer)
    Cancelo/Dias Chilwell Masuaku Kilman (Lamptey)
    KdB Bruno Grealish Salah (Anguissa)
    DCL Vardy (Brewster)

    Team B) 0.6 itb

    Martinez (Steer)
    Robertson Chilwell Masuaku (Kilman Lamptey)
    KdB Bruno Grealish Salah Jota
    DCL Bamford (Brewster)

  22. Shaw must go on
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Sorry guys, quick question

    Who's more likely to replace digne??

    Thanks and a great weekend to everyone

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

      The 4m defender

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

    Is Mahrez being overlooked as a Zaha replacement?
    Or think he is on the naughty step?

  24. southernpacific
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on zaha to f Torres over jota?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Feels like even more of a rotation risk than Jota.

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

        +1

  25. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Quick vote:

    Based on Mane playing the last 7 games X 90mins in a row. (I have Salah also)

    Mane >

    1. KDB
    2. Bruno
    3. Sterling
    4. Jota

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

      KDB

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

      1

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

      I'd go for Bruno because form

  26. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Mccarthy (Nyland)
    Chilwell, Reece James, Mitchell, Justin, (KWP)
    Salah, Son, Ziyech, Grealish, (Stephens)
    Kane, DLC, Bamford

    2.1m itb. 1ft

    Should I do Kane ---> Vardy (C)

    Any other suggestions?

  27. finnish92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play Soucek or Waktins?

  28. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Don’t like how Vardy plays Monday night. Top of the captaincy poll and likely won’t be in my team...

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah I really hate that, to know your rank can only go down.

  29. Tic Tacs
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    No City is a risk but moving to KDB/Sterling or Aguero next game week is an option depending on how they get on against Burnley.

    Current squad:

    McCarthy
    Van Aanholt, Bellerin, Zouma
    Bruno, Jota, Greenwood, Salah (c)
    Vardy (vc), Antonio, Brewster

    Forster, Masuaku, Bissouma, Dunne

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Im trying to figure out if you're asking anything.

  30. Dave Dreamer
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    99th wildcard team

    Mendy
    Bellerin, Diaz, Cancelo
    Jota, Bruno, Son, Salah
    DCL, Vardy, Wilson

    Bench: Kilman, Taylor, Bissouma

    1. Decent Bench
    2. Vardy > Aguerro, option next week
    3. No Robertson 🙁
    4. No City Attack 🙁