Spot the Differential

Fit-again Pereira can return to 2019/20 form in Castagne’s absence

Gameweek 23 is almost upon us after another quick turnaround, which gives us an opportunity to have a look at some more differential options.

This time, we’ve selected low-owned picks at Leicester City, Burnley and Newcastle United, who we think have the potential to make an impact.

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

Ricardo Pereira

  • FPL ownership: 0.2%
  • Price: £5.9m
  • GW23-27 fixtures: wol | LIV | avl | ARS | bha

Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) is showing signs that he is almost back to full-fitness, as he completed his first 90 minutes of the season against Fulham on Wednesday night.

Benefitting from Timothy Castagne’s (£5.7m) injury, which is set to keep him out for a ‘short period of time’, the 27-year-old started at Craven Cottage and even had a goal ruled out in the second half for offside.

The numbers caught the eye, too.

Pereira finished the match with 23 final-third touches. Amongst team-mates, only James Maddison (£7.3m) had more, and for context, his colleague on the opposite flank, James Justin (£5.1m), had nine. He also racked up more penalty area-touches, take-ons and crosses than the English full-back during the match, which is encouraging. 

The return of several injured players, including Çaglar Söyüncü (£5.3m) and of course Pereira, has given the Foxes a boost ahead of a testing run of fixtures, which sees them take on Wolverhampton Wanderers, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal before the end of the month. However, it’s worth pointing out that two of the next three are on the road, where Leicester have won 26 points so far, their second highest total in a Premier League campaign after their 2015-16 title win.

Now almost up to speed, Pereira is surely a must-start for Brendan Rodgers side, and with his ability to bomb forward like a winger, could be an effective differential in the coming weeks.

“He’s one of the top full-backs in the Premier League. We lost him in a game in which he was outstanding. We’ve gained in two ways because it allowed James Justin to come in and grow. Now, to have Ricky back with all of his qualities. He’s not there yet but he’s getting up to speed. We’re really strong in that area of the field.” – Brendan Rodgers

Ben Mee

  • FPL ownership: 1.9%
  • Price: £4.9m
  • GW23-27 fixtures: BHA | cry + FUL | WBA | tot | ARS

English centre-back Ben Mee (£4.9m) has become one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders in recent seasons, and could be a solid differential given Burnley’s schedule which now includes a Double Gameweek.

The Clarets started the season slowly going seven games without a win, but saw their performances improve once Mee returned to the starting XI following a thigh injury. Since then, the solidity Sean Dyche’s side are renowned for has returned, and resulted in seven clean sheets in their last 17 attempts in all competitions.

Despite just two of those shut-outs arriving this year, it’s worth pointing out that their recent schedule has been tough, with each of their last six league opponents all in the top 10. However, they now have a run of winnable matches against teams in the bottom half, which includes an appealing Double Gameweek 24 against Crystal Palace and Fulham. 

Encouragingly, they have already kept clean sheets against their next four opponents earlier in the season, too.

Captain Mee also carries a bit of goal threat from set-pieces, which has already seen him score against Sheffield United and Aston Villa this term. That could be important too, given that Brighton and Palace often look vulnerable defending crosses into the box, and while clean sheets remain the most likely source of points, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he were again to take advantage from a dead-ball situation in the coming weeks.

Ryan Fraser

Sterling's away form and low ownership can do real FPL damage
  • FPL ownership: 0.2%
  • Price: £5.6m
  • GW23-27 fixtures: SOU | che | mun | WOL | wba

Despite a stop-start season at Newcastle United, largely due to injury, Ryan Fraser (£5.6m) has impressed in recent matches.

That upturn in form has coincided with Steve Bruce’s decision to switch to a 4-4-2 diamond formation, which has seen the Magpies take more shots than any other side since Gameweek 20.

Operating in a more advanced role alongside Callum Wilson (£6.8m), the more ambitious approach is getting the best out of Fraser, who ranks joint-top for chances created among all Premier League players over the last three matches. He’s also created three big chances, a total only Bruno Fernandes (£11.4m) can match, and whipped in a massive 36 crosses.

The 26-year-old’s appeal is further boosted by this weekend’s opponents Southampton, who following their heavy midweek defeat at Old Trafford have now conceded 15 goals in their last four league matches. It’s also worth noting that they’ve given up 21 chances from their right flank during that time, only Burnley have allowed more, which is relevant with Fraser often drifting into those areas, where he can cut inside onto his stronger right foot.

Fraser has had a testing start to his time in the North East, but can provide a genuine threat for Newcastle when fully fit, and could be a nice pick-up for those on the lookout for a real midfield differential in Gameweek 23.

858 Comments Post a Comment
  1. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy Forster
    Cancelo Dallas Justin Coufal Lowton
    Sterling Salah Bruno Gundo Romeu
    Antonio Bamford DCL

    2ft, 3.5itb

    What to do what to do??

    A) McCharty to Pope
    B) McCharty + Gundo to Pope+Madders
    C) Forster + Gundo to Pope+Grealish
    D) Gundo to Grealish

    1. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Of those A

  2. OLLY G
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to captain?

    (A) Son
    (B) Fernandes

    Thanks.

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    4. cruzex
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    5. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  3. Fantasydreamer
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2 week punt before wildcard

    A. Ben mee v Werner?
    B. Raphina v Hudson-odoi?

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  4. FallingDuck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    1 FT 7.7 itb

    Martinez

    Cancelo - Cresswell - Stones (Coufal, Mitchell)

    Grealish - Salah - Fernandes - Gundo (Romeu)

    DCL - Bamford - Antonio

    Should I do:

    A) Coufal -> Shaw
    B) Coufal -> Justin
    C) Coufal -> Chelsea defender

    D) Romeu ->Maddison
    E) Romeu ->Soucek (IF A,B or C first) or for a hit
    F) Romeu -> Rashford

  5. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Drop one of these for Son?
    Salah,Grealish,Soucek.

    If I don't get him captain will be Bruno .

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Think Salah the only one I'd want to lose.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Salah

  6. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed...quite a benching headache this week..

    1) Do I start Barnes over Sterling or Wilson? Currently benching Barnes.
    2) Which 2 to start out of Cancelo, James and Shaw? Currently on Shaw and Cancelo

    Martinez
    Shaw Cancelo Coufal
    Son Bruno Sterling Grealish
    Antonio Bamford Wilson

    Areola; Barnes, James, Stones

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Think you have it right as it is.

      1. That Was Easy!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I don't love benching James, but I never seem to get it right with him. I wonder if he'll be back on the bench next game. Certainly a great chance of attacking returns against SHU.

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Its just a lottery at the moment.

          1. That Was Easy!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Yep. With Thiago out, they could shift formation again. Very tough to predict and given the risk of James coming on for one, I think I'll avoid taking it.

  7. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Am I good to go?

    Martínez
    Dias, Cresswell, Dallas
    Salah, Bruno (c), Grealish, Gündogan, Soucek
    Antonio, Watkins

    McCarthy, DCL, Stones, Digne

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd probably put Digne at 2nd on the bench, but looks G2G for me. Have quite a benching headache above as well.

      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers, mate! Had a look at yours and would keep as you're currently going with. Good luck!

  8. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mitchell to

    A. Rudiger
    B. Mee
    C. Tarkowski
    D. Lowton
    E. Alonso
    F. Azpilucueta
    G. Dallas
    H. Someone else

    1. ilikewud
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      LOL @ someone else

    2. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't bring in a Chelsea back with Silva out. Have a soft spot for Mee. Think it's between B/C/G.

    3. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Should have taken till Z. This is too easy. Jokes aside B Or C.

    4. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B or G...or A depending on rest of team and plans?!!

  9. ELMEO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench:

    A. DCL
    B. Soucek

    Cheers

    1. Ronnies
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL

    2. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

  10. ChelseaGuy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who scores more for the next 2 weeks

    A) Martinez + Mee
    B) Pope + Cancelo

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

      1. ChelseaGuy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        TA

    2. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sorry, framed the question wrong

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  11. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    bench 1-
    Mahrez/salah/son/bruno/soucek/Bamford/DCL/Wilson

    Also, bench 1 out of-
    Alioski/Coufal/Stones/Cancelo

    currently on benching mahrez & alioski

    1. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL alioski

      1. Prison Mike
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Actually maybe mahrez since he might not even start

        1. The Red Devil
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          yep, thinking same

  12. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to start?

    A) Adams (new)

    B) Gundogan (liv)

    1. Ronnies
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tight one, but B

    2. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      close, but B, dunno how saints will react to that loss

    3. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Both

  13. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best move here? Planning to WC25/BB26

    A) Mitchell -> Mee
    B) Save FT
    C) Something else

    DDG
    Cancelo, Coufal, Bellerin
    Salah, Sterling, Bruno, Gundogan
    DCL, Bamford, Watkins

    Forster, Targett, Martinelli, Mitchell
    Bank 2.5m, 1FT, all chips

    1. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      save & take couple of punts in GW24 before GW25 WC

  14. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martínez / McCarthy
    Dias / Stones / Cresswell / Digne /  Dallas
    Salah / Bruno / Grealish / Gündogan / Soucek
    DCL / Antonio / Watkins

    A. Watkins to Bamford
    B. Salah to Son
    C. Hold

    1. Ronnies
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I did A, so obviously A!

      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers!

  15. M2.0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench 2 please:

    a) Mee
    b) Stones
    c) Coufal
    d) Dias

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B D

    2. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yup b & d

  16. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    My planned move was DCL > Antonio. With the Everton's DGW what should I do :-

    2FT

    a) DCL > Antonio
    b) Wilson > Antonio
    c) something else

  17. The Alli Way
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    My bench: McCarthy / Dias / Coufal / Rodrigo

    Have I made the right calls?

    Fabianski
    Robbo Cancelo Rudiger
    Salah Bruno (C) Son Gundo Soucek
    Watkins Bamford

    Thanks!

    1. Ronnies
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Coufal over Robbo

      1. Neo-Viper
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        this

  18. Neo-Viper
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain who?

    1) Antonio
    2) Son
    3) Bruno

    Chasing the leader by 50 odd points

    1. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Beafheart

      1. Neo-Viper
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        who that, now?

  19. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is there a chance for Leeds to have a DGW26?

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      no

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thnx

    2. Silver_and_Gold
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      In case you've missed - Leeds have DGW25.

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Aware of the DGW in 25, and came across Andy saying there is a possibility of them having another double in 26 depending on the FA Cup results

  20. Releasebreaks
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench 1

    Mee (BHA)
    Dias (liv)
    Justin (wol)

    1. SharkyT
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Justin

  21. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Locked and loaded. Wish me luck!

    1FT 1.2itb
    Pope
    Dias, Dallas, Coufal
    Salah, Bruno (v), Son, Gundogan, Soucek
    Antonio (C), Bamford
    (Martinez) (DCL, Robbo, Stones)

    GL to all!

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Decided on Antonio captain then 🙂

      I might have talked myself into that by the deadline.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Still battling in my mind between Bruno and Antonio tbh! 😆

  22. fpl_austria
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So, who is going to sell Salah then?
    MCI, lei, EVE the next 3.

    Surely Rashford with EVE, wba, NEW should match him for £3m less? Raphinha/Grealish also looking good.
    Also not many are going to (C) him over this period with 2 doubles coming up as well.

    I'm certainly tempted to move him on.

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      On his day he can brace against any team. I already have Rashford and even though Grealish is decent pick he hasn't hauled lately. I have Dier who is probably dropped, so don't have ft:s for luxury moves.

  23. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Need to bench one player

    A. Cancelo
    B. Dias
    C. Coufal
    D. Shaw

    Currently on B

    1. fpl_austria
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B for me as well.

      Playing Cancelo, Lowton and Coufal.

      Dias, Digne bench.

    2. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      b

    3. SharkyT
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tricky. Maybe Dias with him as your first sub

  24. SharkyT
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bellerin or Kilman to:

    A) Rudiger
    B) Mee
    C) Azpi
    D) Shaw

    £3.5m ITB

  25. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Salah or Mee?

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Salah

      1. Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I really don't want to though

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Well... Don't then!

    2. SharkyT
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mo

    3. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Salah

  26. andres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best Burnley defender?

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Taylor if he is fit.

    2. SharkyT
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mee

    3. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mee

  27. Auba Xhaka Laca Saka Laca
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    martinez / forster
    TAA / Robbo / Dunne / Alioski / Stones
    Salah / Sterling / Fernandes / Gundo / Bissouma
    DCL / Antonio / Bamf

    2 ft and 1.0 in the bank

    what do i do?

  28. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else putting Pope in?

    1. andres
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Him or a defender

    2. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Trying to get him in, proving pricey

  29. MoSalad
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling & Zaha ----> Gundo & Son (C) for free make sense?

    Need to free up some cash for the DGW's.

    Current team is:

    Areola, Johnstone
    Cancelo, Stones, Cressy, Coufal, AWB
    Sterling, Zaha*, Salah, Penandes, Barnes,
    BamBam, Tonio & BobbyDR

  30. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How do you like this WC?

    Martinez - Pope
    Dias - AWB - Digne - Dallas - Mee
    Sterling - Bruno - Rashford - Gundo - Harrison
    Ings - Dcl - Bamford

    So I BB in 24 with 8

    and play 25 with triple Leeds and Ings