Spot the Differential

Advanced role boosts Pereira’s differential potential

Double Gameweek 26 is almost upon us 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, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa, 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: 0.9%
  • Price: £5.9m
  • GW26-30 fixtures: ARS + bur | bha | SHU | – | MCI

We’ve been big on Ricardo Pereira (£5.9m) for a while now, having included him in this column ahead of Gameweek 23.

Now, having impressed last weekend in a more advanced role, we think he’s worth talking about again.

Against Aston Villa, Pereira and his team-mate Timothy Castagne (£5.7m) were both fit enough to start for the first time this season. That saw the Belgian slot into the back four with the Portuguese international pushing ahead on the right-wing in a 4-2-3-1.

It was the first time Pereira has started as a winger under Brendan Rodgers, and he looked comfortable throughout.

Pereira finished the match with 33 final-third touches, more than any other player on the pitch. He also racked up three shots, twice testing Emiliano Martínez (£5.3m), and often moved infield leaving Castagne to supply the width down that side.

The new setup certainly makes sense, as Rodgers can keep Castagne at right-back where he feels he is more effective, while also taking advantage of Pereira’s attacking instincts. 

However, at this stage we should point out that doubts around James Maddison’s (£7.3m) availability may see the 27-year-old revert to a more traditional full-back role this weekend, or even as a wing-back in a back three. That’s something to monitor, but regardless of where he ends up, we think Pereira has the potential to make a real impact in the coming weeks, and with an ownership of just 0.9% could be an effective differential.

Matheus Pereira

  • FPL ownership: 1.6%
  • Price: £5.4m
  • GW26-30 fixtures: BHA + EVE | NEW | cry | – | che

West Bromwich Albion have improved significantly in their last two outings. 

Just a week after they should have beaten Manchester United, they dominated Burney last time out despite playing with 10-men for over an hour. 

Finally, it looks like they are able to compete at this level, and with an appealing immediate schedule which sees them take on Brighton and Hove Albion, Everton, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace in the next three Gameweeks, several differential options have emerged.

That includes playmaker Matheus Pereira (£5.4m).

The 24-year-old has now started back-to-back games after being dropped in Gameweek 23, and though he hasn’t returned, he has been posting some eye-catching numbers. Since being restored to the side, Pereira leads the way amongst team-mates for shots, chances created, crosses and final-third touches. He’s also been taking corners and free-kicks, and crucially, should be on penalties too having twice converted against Wolverhampton Wanderers last month.

The Brazilian can operate in multiple positions up front, but has recently found himself out wide in Sam Allardyce’s 4-3-3 formation. The system is designed to get the best out of new signing Mbaye Diagne (£6.0m), and by having a proper target man now leading the line, set-pieces and crosses from open-play will be more important than ever.

Pereira, who is owned by just 1.6% of FPL managers, adds creativity to Allardyce’s team and has perhaps been a little unfortunate not to return in recent matches. However, with some promising fixtures to come he now has the potential to kick on, and could be a solid differential in the budget midfielder category.

Bertrand Traoré

  • FPL ownership: 0.8%
  • Price: £5.9m
  • GW26-30 fixtures: lee + shu | WOL | new | TOT | FUL

Jack Grealish’s (£7.6m) absence at Aston Villa will be a huge miss, but the performance of Bertrand Traoré (£5.9m) in the second half against Leicester City at least offers hope that he might be the one to step up.

The Burkina Faso international scored straight after the break, and has now been directly involved in eight goals (five goals, three assists) in the Premier League since making his first league start back in November. Interestingly, only Grealish has been involved in more for the club during this period with 10.

If we zone in on Traoré’s performances since the turn of the year, it reveals his growing influence. 

Since Gameweek 17, he ranks second amongst team-mates for shots in the box, big chances, take-ons and crossing. In fact, his expected goal involvement (xGI) total of 2.98 is actually more than Grealish, and only behind forward Ollie Watkins (£6.5m).

Aston Villa now have a Double Gameweek 26 against Leeds United and Sheffield United, who are both among the bottom six sides for goals conceded this season, with 43 and 41 respectively. They then take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Villa Park, before another possible double and importantly a match against Tottenham Hotspur in Blank Gameweek 29.

Traoré has the ability to create something out of nothing, and given the fixtures, might be the player to get Villa back on track.

1,564 Comments Post a Comment
  1. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start two bench one

    a) Raphinha
    b) Bamford
    c) Grealish

    Basically is Grealish against SHU worth placing in front of the other two against Villa.

    1. dynamike
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Also, grealish MIGHT not play at all this gameweek, a for me

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      not convinced grealish will feature personally - but might as well start him anyway. Bench A.

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

        Yeah figure the most likely outcome is Grealish will end up on the bench anyway. But if I’m playing two single week players only then Grealish agains SHU and one of Bam/Raph seems like the best situation.

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

      Only my opinion, but you are looking at a half fit maybe play against Sheff Utd vs one of the best players in the league on current form (a) or someone who has so many chances in an all out attack team (b).

      Jack has got to be on the bench.

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

        That’s a nice way to put it.

  2. dynamike
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Quick opinion:

    Antiono > Watkins worth -4?

    Thanks in advance

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes imo

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely

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

      Nope!

      Antonio is a machine.

    4. Redranger
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yep. Fixture in 29 & DGW

  3. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hi all can you help with this decision?

    A. Ings to Kane, use TC
    B. Ings to DCL, Raph to Son, use BB (-4)

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Shaw Targett
    Gundo Salah Bruno Barnes
    Ings Watkins

    Areola Bamford Raphinha Dallas

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Both are good. Prefer A

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. dynamike
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B for me, putting all your eggs in the Kane basket when he & spurs are in questionable form is very risky

    4. NobodyF*cksWithTheJesus
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks guys, I was leaning to A but still undecided!

    5. Lindros
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  4. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hello chaps. Planning to sell Grealish + bench fodder defender. Who do I bring in this week?

    Martinez*
    Cancelo* - Shaw* - XXX
    Salah* - Bruno* - Gundo* - Raphina - XXX
    Kane(TC) - DCL

    A. Dias + H.Barnes -4
    B. Konsa + Son -4

    Cheers and best of luck!

    1. dynamike
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A for me

  5. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I seriously don't get the logic behind people selling Son for a hit to get Kane!

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Who is doing that? It makes little sense indeed!

    2. POGBOOM KEBABOOM
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      For example, son + ings > kane + barnes (-4)..a lot of potential here. So no problem for me.

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Keep Son. Do Ings to someone like DCL/Richarlison/Watkins for free.

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

      People are sick of Son playing left back against low block teams i would imagine.

  6. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A - Martinez, Lookman
    B - Areola, Traore
    C - Schmeical, Lookman

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      A

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

    1) Cavani and Son -> Kane and Barnes (-8)
    2) Cavani -> Watkins (-4) (max 8.7)

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      2. DCL or Richarlison?

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This^

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

        Have DCL, Richarlison then?

        1. Pep Roulette
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yes why not!

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

    TC options:
    A) Gundogan (risk pep rotation)
    B) Kane
    C) Son
    D) Bruno

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

    Mahrez or Barnes this GW?

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

      The one who you think plays more mins.

    2. Lemongrab
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes IMO. Mahrez is one of the more risky Man City picks

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

      Barnes 180 mins
      Mahrez 90 mins

      I also think that West Ham and Wolves are not that great for City. Barnes for me.

  10. Lemongrab
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Are we all overthinking the captaincy debate....?

    Bruno last 4 matches - 57 points (average 14ppg)
    Highest scorer in the game
    Plays an awful Palace team as one of his games
    As nailed as they get given how essential is he is to Man utd

    Thoughts?

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

      He might have limited minutes. That's 4 days before vs City.

  11. GCM0803
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Raphinha, Ings > Barnes, Watkins (-4) ?

  12. rowdog24
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hey guys, is this okay? I'm on BB.

    McCarthy, Coufal and Minamino to Ederson, Holgate and Pereira (WBA).

    Am I really boring get Ederson?

  13. goldensock
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you bench boost this week?

    Martinez
    Stones
    Cancelo
    Digne
    Targett
    Salah
    Bruno
    Gundo
    Barnes
    Watkins
    Kane (C)

    Pope
    Raphinha
    Bamford
    Dunk

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

      Yessir

    2. Sho-kun
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      TC for me if you still have it

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

        I do have it. Tc kane. Bench targett and play raphinha?

        1. Sho-kun
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          always play the doublers

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

      Yes I would.

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

        Thanks. Any other changes?

  14. Sho-kun
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Grealish & Ings --> Barnes & Kane -4
    B) Grealish & Ings & Ryan --> Son & Watkins & Martinez -8

  15. King Kun Ta
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling/Ings/Raphinha ->

    A Vardy/Barnes/Son
    B Kane/Barnes/James R
    C Kane/Rashford/Pereira
    D Other options?

    This will cost me -8, but saves my WC.

    Thanks for the feedback!

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

      Keep Raph in my opinion.
      Kane/Barnes only.

  16. Tinfoil Deathstar
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Re-post as no response last time out. Torn between the two options below on my WC and thoughts would be appreciated (I will stop bothering this place soon I promise!):

    Martinez (Fabri)
    X - Dias - Reguillon (White - Burn)
    Bruno - Salah - Son - Gundo - X
    DCL - Kane - X

    A: Stones, Barnes, Maja
    B: Cancelo, Lookman, Watkins

    I'd likely be benching Maja for Barnes, and Lookman for Watkins for either of the above options, but both useful for 29. Option A gives 7 players for GW29, and Option B gives 8 for GW29. Given the Grealish injury news I'm tilting towards Option A.

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

      Option B as I prefer Lookman over Maja

  17. We ain't got no histor…
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Morning Gents
    Been MIA, suggest me some transfers

    2FT, 1.4ITB, wanna use TC

    Mccarthy
    Lowton Robbo Dias Coufal
    Soucek Salah Grealish* Bruno Gundogan
    Jesus Ings

  18. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pep quote on KDB:
    "He's fully fit. he was fully fit against Gladbach as well. I'm not going to say any differently to how key and important player he is for us. In the last part of the season he will be so important"

    Based on this, should we expect him to be back to previous nailed status?
    Sterling to KDB(C) could be an awesome differntial, if the latter plays all four DGW matches

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Won’t play 180. Probably 1.5 games if that

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

        What makes you so sure, when he was rested at Gladbach?

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

          He will play 2 x 65/70mins imo

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

            Sounds reasonable. Could be enough to provide returns though. But I guess penalties tend to come at end of games, when defenders are more prone to mistakes....

  19. Westfield Irons ⭐️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Average number of hits this week?
    In DGW25 LiveFPL shows -1.24 (top10k) and -1.25 (overall).
    What do you think -4 average? Higher?

  20. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Vinicius is going to start!!!

    Kane owners in the mud now, absolutely nowhere to hide

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What makes you think Vincius is starting?

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

      Vinicius TC locked

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

      Vinicius TC , fortune favours the brave !

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

      What? Where is this coming from?

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

        Fear. He obviously doesn't own him

      2. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        From Mou’s mouth

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          He is going to start but nothing suggests it’s happening in dgw

  21. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Feeling confident that my non wildcard team looks almost the same as most of wc teams.

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

      Let's have a peak, then

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Take a look at any wildcard team and you'll see mine

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

          😛

  22. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    In the top 10k there are 74 teams without Bruno. Thats what I call being a contrarian!

    #Respect

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      0.0074%. Tiny

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

        Errr....

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

          0.74%?

      2. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        yeah, they´re either genious or totally crazy!

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

        ?

  23. Nate01
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hey guys dilemma!!

    Need to fit digne in somewhere here:
    Cancelo stones awb targett cresswell

    I feel I need an eve player for the dgw and my rival has DCL and hames.

    I can’t afford either of those and only
    Enough in the bank to do cancelo/cresswell/awb to digne

    Which one goes or do I settle for Keane instead ??

    Cheers

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cresswell out in that case

      1. flynner25
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        100% agree

    2. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      AWB gone

  24. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    WC this GW and I have 4 players currently in BGW29.
    Not done well here have I...

  25. C_G
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    0 FTs, 0.5 ITB, gtg you think??

    Martinez

    Cancelo Stones Dallas

    Son Salah Gundo Bruno Raph

    Kane(c) Watkins

    Forster Antonio Lowtom Mitchell

  26. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Grealish -> Barnes and Sterling -> KdB for free and enter the DGW without any Spurs players?

    Yay?

    1. Pedaso Pirates
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It's the last bit that worries me. Spurs fixtures and potentially form returning too..

      Kane essential IMO

  27. flynner25
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who is the Best over the next 3 Gameweeks

    A. Ricardo Pereira - Playing way OOP - (Pretty good GW26) plus good single fixtures in 27 and 28

    or

    B. Lucas Digne - Playing reasonably advanced - (Excellent GW26) Bad fixture 27 and potential double in 28

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

      I'm going Digne, partly due to guaranteed minutes, and partly the potential of GW28. Will bench him in 27.

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

    RMWCT

    Martinez
    Stones Cancelo Digne
    Salah Bruno Son Gundo Barnes
    Kane(C) DCL

    Fabri Konsa Struijk Brewster

    (Still got FH).

  29. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Love these articles - Tom is so often spot on. Traore looks a really nice pick to me.

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

      Yes, always looking forward to these articlles. Always seem to get it right with one or two of the differentials, but which one? I'm tempted by Pereira (the Leicester one ...)

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

    Can't decide on this:-

    A) Bamford --> Watkins
    B) Raphinha --> Traore

    Any help much appreciated...thanks