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. AdamJ91
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Feel like I'm gonna have a benching nightmare this week but in terms of transfers, should I save or use my FT?

    1 FT; 1.0 ITB

    Pope - Martinez
    Cancelo - Dias - Digne - Dier - Coufal
    Salah - Bruno - Son - Gundogan - Soucek
    DCL - Antonio - Bamford

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

      Id save with that squad. 2 FTs next week will be handy.

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Save

      Play 352, bench Dias and one of digne dier

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

    Best move here with 2 FT's and 4.6m itb
    Martinez
    Cancelo,Coufal,Chilwell
    Salah,Fernandes,Grealish,Gundogan,Soucek
    Antonio,Watkins

    Johnstone,DCL,Dias,Digne
    Guessing its Chilwell out for a Leeds or Burnley defender.
    No Son or Bamford this week though.

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dont worry about Son.

      Id go for Burnley defender.

  3. sergioaguero67
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Must haves for DGW 24 and 25

    2 City defenders
    Lucas Digne, DCL
    Bamford, Dallas, (Rafinha/Harrison)
    A Burnley defender like Lowton (at a stretch)

    Anyone else?
    Discuss.

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

      Pope and Mee are popular picks too.

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Digne is not a must have IMO. The double has City as the extra fixture... hats basically a 2 pointer

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

        Or 1 pointer tbh

      2. ivantys
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He will be decent when everton beat spurs in the cup.

  4. flippetyflop
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A, B or C please guys.

    Martinez Forster
    TAA Robbo Dias Cancelo Rudiger
    Salah Fernandes Son Burke Bissouma
    DCL Bamford Antonio

    A - Martinez to Pope
    B - TAA to Mee
    C - Save.

    Thanks!

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

      B

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

      b

  5. Sprets
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GTG? Bench order correct?

    Pope
    Cancelo - Coufal - Justin
    Gundogan - Fernandes (c) - Salah - Grealish - Son
    Bamford - Antonio

    Meslier - Wilson - Dallas - Dias

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

      aye

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

    1FT Bellerin or Kilman to:

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

    £3.5m ITB

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Kilman, B

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

      Bellerin to Mee

  7. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What should I be looking as my transfer/s this GW?

    Martinez
    Dias - Cancelo - Dallas
    Salah - Son - Bruno - Soucek
    DCL - Antonio - Bamford

    Button - Gundo - Coufal - Kilman

    2 FTs
    Bank: 5.1

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

      one of :-
      Button > Areola
      Kilman > Mee / Lowton

  8. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Alioski over Dias to start this week...

    Is that craziness

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. I think city keep liverpool out.

  9. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    When will the ticker get updated please?

  10. Yozzer
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Justin or Dallas chaps ?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      J

  11. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any news on Charlie Taylor injury?

  12. Drogba Legend
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best move with City/Liv fixture this week and Chil maybe losing his place now? Sitting at 48k and as of now, I'm starting Soucek over Robbo or Stones/Dias.

    Fabs
    Chil* - Dias - Stones
    Salah - Bruno - Rash - Gundo
    DCL - Bam

    Fodder - Robbo - Brewster - Fodder

    A) Robbo > any defender
    B) Chil > any defender
    C) Gundo/Soucek > Grealish
    D) Brewster > 8.4 forward (Ings, Cavani, Antonio, Watkins, etc)
    E) Something else.

    Appreciate any help!

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

    I think Mee is being a bit overrated on here. Sure he has 2 goals this season but only got 1 in the 3 seasons before that.

    Much prefer Pope as a way into the Burnley defence. He has averaged 2.4 bonus points per clean sheet this season which is insane.

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      both
      easy

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

        Yes, everyone should have 2 ft:s.

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

        Also an option. I'm happy with Cresswell in a single against SHU so think I'll just go with Pope. Depends on your team though.

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

        Do you drop Martinez for him though or go Martinez/Pope and have a headache every week?

    2. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Get both.

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

      Pope is 5.5. Not many people have that much excess. And also taking out Martinez with tons of DGW incoming also seems like a poor choice by many atm.

    4. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would get Pope but I have fabianski at home v shu in the double, don’t really see the upside as big enough to burn a transfer on that

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

    Pick 2 plz.

    1. Bamford
    2. Watkins
    3. Barnes

  15. Contegious
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Justin Cancelo Coufal
    Bruno Salah Son Soucek
    Bamford Watkins DCL
    Steer Mahrez Stones Mitchell
    GTG with the bench?
    And who to cap?

  16. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best Burnley Defender?

    A- Mee
    B- Lowton

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      mee/tark if lots of cash

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

    Coufal, Saka to Lowton, Grealish?

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

      Yes yes

    2. HammersXI
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Can you just do Saka to Grealish instead? Wouldn't want to lose Coufal vs Fulham

  18. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Watkins/Salah > Antonio/Son for free a decent play this week?

  19. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    so Son vs WBA is a differential captain... wow

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

      Only here. He will be the most captained player in top 10k imo.

  20. MGD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Chilwell -> Dallas with DGW incoming?

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

      if you have more FT i would go for Burnley defender first before Dallas

  21. West Hammered
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2FT 0.2ITB Pretty stuck for ideas this week.

    Martinez
    Cancelo Dallas Coufal
    Salah Fernandes Son Grealish Soucek
    Bamford Antonio
    Bench: Steer, DCL, Digne, Stones

    Any suggestions?

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

      I would take out Stones for a Burnley defender. But that's taking out one DGWker for another. But I would rather have Sterling / Gundogan over Stones and Cancelo vs Spurs and Everton

  22. HammersXI
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Unsure of what to do, do I move for A/B?

    A) Take out Dallas for Rudiger and potentially have 6 DGW players ( Lowton Dias Stones DCL Lookman and Sterling) for 3 FT in 2 weeks

    OR

    B) Take out Stones for Rudiger and have 4 DGW players ( Lowton Dias Gundogan Sterling) for 3 FT in 2 weeks.

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

      Dallas has a double in 25 doesn't he?
      Wouldnt do either.

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

        Planning to WC so removing Dallas wouldn't make a diff

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

          Id do A then.

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

            Thanks man! Would you bench the double City defenders this week tho?

  23. tissae
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Do you guys play 2 City defenders this GW, or bench one? If so, who are you starting instead or who would you bring in instead of Bednarek here?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Dias Cresswell

    Bench: Bednarek Mitchell

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

      I'm very inclined to bench both tbh.

      Bednarek's red has been overtuned, hence he's back in action. I mean if you're not playing him against Newcastle I'm not too sure what other fixture he is in for.

      That being said, you could easily do Bednarek to Rudiger / Burnley defender and bench one of the city defenders.

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

      I'll bench both.

  24. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    4.7ITB 2FT
    Martinez
    Robbo,Dias,Stones
    Salah(C),Bruno,Gundo,Raphinha
    Antonio,Bamford,DCL

    Button, Bowen,Zouma,Kilman

    What to do?!

  25. zorro121
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you play Dallas or Justin this week?

    Other playing defenders will be Cancelo and Coufal. Dias on the bench.

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

      i'm playing Cancelo, Coufal & Justin

  26. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best upgrade for this week?

    - Mee (BRI) with Stones (liv) benched
    - Pope (BRI) with Martinez (ARS) benched
    - Antonio (ful) with DCL (mun) benched

    Cheers.

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

    Jorginho seems to be nailed - on pens - 4.7

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

      Snap! Me seeking answer to same question also. Maybe some Chelsea fans have an insight into it. Some nice fixtures ahead.

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

        I would say that he plays next 2 as they need creativity against defending sides and Jorginho definitely can offer that. Someone wrote here that Tuchel likes to have Jorginho type of player in his starting11. But I am not sure if he will keep his place.

  28. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Jorginho likely to hold his place in Chelsea line-up?

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

      Tuchel likes to rotate so would be careful with Chelsea for now

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

        This is good point. See above comments

  29. FantasyFooty01
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Into week 3 of last man standing, who should I pick? comment below. 50 left..
    Already picked:
    Chelsea
    Man City

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

    What's the story with this Ferguson fella at Palace? I've had him since GW1 because I thought he'd be a starter once fit.