Spot the Differential

Alonso offers great potential as one-week punt for Gameweek 31 Wildcarders

Tom Freeman has finished inside the top 1k in five of the last 11 Fantasy Premier League seasons. He picks out three differentials for Fantasy Football Scout readers every Gameweek.


Gameweek 30 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 Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton, 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.

Marcos Alonso

Tuchel's wing-back system renews interest in old hands Azpilicueta and Alonso
  • FPL ownership: 2.6%
  • Price: £5.7m
  • GW30-34 fixtures: WBA | cry | BHA | whu | FUL

Spanish defender Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) has been given a new lease of life at Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel.

The 30-year-old was banished from Frank Lampard’s squad after a disastrous 45 minutes at West Bromwich Albion back in September, but has since started five league matches under his new manager, and taken full advantage of the opportunity.

When it comes to playing in a back four, Alonso often struggles, but when used correctly as a wing-back he has real quality, something Tuchel has recognised. 

Since Gameweek 21, when Alonso made a return to Chelsea’s starting XI in a 3-4-3 system, he has taken 13 shots. No defender can match that total during that period, despite limited minutes. He has also accumulated 25 penalty area touches (only Luke Shaw (£5.2m) has more) and created 10 chances for his team-mates.

At this stage, we should point out that a move for the defender this week does carry some risk, knowing that Ben Chilwell (£5.8m) is also pushing for a start. However, the fact Alonso was rested during the international break, while his English colleague played 180 minutes against San Marino and Poland, is encouraging. 

Alonso has delivered a string of impressive displays of late, and could be a perfect one-week punt for FPL managers planning a Gameweek 31 Wildcard.

Conor Coady

  • FPL ownership: 4.7%
  • Price: £4.8m
  • GW30-34 fixtures: WHU | ful | SHU | BUR | wba

With two clean sheets and a goal in his last five appearances, plus an appealing set of forthcoming fixtures, Conor Coady (£4.8m) could be a solid under the radar pick for the run-in.

Last season, investing in one of Wolves’ backline was one of the easier decisions FPL managers had to make, given that their record of 13 clean sheets was bettered by only three teams. 

And though they have struggled to replicate that defensive form this term, some of which can be attributed to the 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3 experiment, their performances at the back have improved of late.

The England international’s goal threat is on the up too. Having not had a shot in the Premier League before this season, Coady scored his first top-flight goal against Man City in Gameweek 26, and came close to netting twice at Villa Park the following week, hitting the post with a header before forcing a superb save from Emiliano Martínez (£5.4m).

However, the real appeal lies in Wolves’ clean sheet potential, and with home games against West Ham United, Sheffield United and Burnley in the next five, plus away trips to Fulham and West Brom, further shut outs could be on the way.

Priced at just £4.8m, Coady offers the cheapest route into Wolves’ defence and is the most likely to start every match too. He could be a nice set-and-forget option given his schedule.

Stuart Armstrong

  • FPL ownership: 0.4%
  • Price: £5.5m
  • GW30-34 fixtures: BUR | wba | tot | – | LEI

Despite a stop-start season at Southampton, largely due to niggling injuries and a positive COVID-19 test, Stuart Armstrong (£5.5m) has been one of the club’s top performers in recent matches, with two assists in his last three Premier League outings.

The Scottish international was excellent against Bournemouth in the FA Cup, causing all sorts of problems for the Cherries defenders with his direct running. He ended the game with an assist but was unfortunate not to return more, as his pass found Che Adams (£5.8m) to score in the second half, only for VAR to rule it out, before his strike came back off the post for Nathan Redmond (£6.4m) to score Saints’ third.

Though Armstrong was used in a deeper midfield role at Everton in Gameweek 26, the Scot usually features in a more advanced position, where he can drift infield in Ralph Hasenhüttl’s 4-4-2 / 4-2-2-2 setup, allowing Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.7m) to provide the width on the right. That’s important with Burnley up next, given that only Fulham and Crystal Palace have conceded more chances down that side since the turn of the year.

Southampton may sit seven points above the drop zone, but with just one win in their last 12 Premier League matches, will be looking nervously over their shoulder. They now have a massive double-header against Burnley and West Bromwich Albion, and will need to get points on the board in these games, knowing that they have a tough run to follow.

At his best, Armstrong is a real asset to Southampton, and could be a nice budget pick for these crucial back-to-back games.

693 Comments Post a Comment
  1. crazysidz
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Kindly RMT,

    Martinez,
    Shaw, Rudiger, Dias,
    Bruno, KDB, Son, Mount,
    Kane (c) , DCL (vc), Watkins

    Subs: Mccarthy, Lingard, Vestergaard, Alioski

    Dont know where to fit in Lingard.

    1. That TV angle at Highbury
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Lingard in for Watkins

      1. jayzico
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        I don't know I think this might be the right setup re lingard. Tempting me to do the same. A wolves defence against (an albeit stronger) Fulham defence

    2. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Lingard on bench. Wow that's as tough as my decision. See below.

  2. jayzico
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Hey guys,

    Who would you:
    A. Captain
    B. Have first on bench

    Martinez
    Dallas - Azpi - Shaw
    Raphinhia - Bruno - KdB - Lingard
    Kane - Watkins - DCL

    Forster. Gundo - Cancelo - Mitchell

    3.5m ITB

    Really appreciate the advice. Dug my own grave here with bench options.

    1. That TV angle at Highbury
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      (C)ane
      Bench order looks good

      1. jayzico
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        really Gundo over lingard or watkins or even dcl as first on bench?

        1. That TV angle at Highbury
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          Yeah, personally I would play Gundo instead of Watkins.

          1. jayzico
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 12 months ago

            Done

  3. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    0 FT with 2.6mn itb (Doing WC in GW 31). G2G?
    Mcarthy (Pope)
    Christensen Rudiger Dallas (Konsa, Lewis)
    Fernandes Gundo Son Bale (Soucek)
    Bamford Kane (c) Antonio

    1. That TV angle at Highbury
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Can you do bale to Salah?

  4. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Can someone please explain to me the logic of saying that players who have played during the IB will be getting a rest for a player who hasn’t played for nearly 2 weeks? I get it if they’re that tired and won’t be as productive. But couldn’t one also look at it from the perspective that such player who played in the IB will be right at the speed of the game from kick off, rather than the player after a fair rest who may take a bit to adjust to the pace of the game after a time off. Or am do I need to go to sleep cause it’s nearly quarter to 1 in the morning

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      It's all confirmation bias.
      We don't know shite about any managers selection logic.

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Yep, time for sleep. There are always counter-arguments to made to the perceived logic. Fact is we don't know. My guess is as good as yours but never as good as the coach. Sleep on that 😉

  5. VaVaVoom14
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Would you do Auba to kdb/Bruno or just roll the transfer?

    1. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      If no WC I’d get Bruno

  6. Pep bites Kun
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Anyone got Tuchel's number? If I was to bring in Alonso and had the expectation of CS+score, I would really expect him to at least start. Gambling against the odds l&g's

  7. VinMar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Start Stones or Strujik?

    1. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Stones

  8. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    wc next week
    Ditch
    1) cancelo
    2) veltman

    Get
    1) azpi
    2) Alonso
    3) rudiger

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      1b

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Lol. Replace one rotation risk with another.

    2. artvandelay316
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Ditch 2 Get 1

    3. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Get Azpi. Not Alonso. Unless you have a very strong bench backup for defence

  9. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Do we think Jose will unleash Kane Son Lucas Bale vs Newcastle?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      No Bale

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Why not, he got a couple of braces last time

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      If Bale is fit and in Jose's good books why not ...

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Confirmation bias says Bale minutes for Wales make him less likely this week 🙂

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          He is in my H2H opponents team so a cameo for 1 point will be awesome

    3. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Son and kane unleashes each other

  10. artvandelay316
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Ok, transfer done so no going back now.

    Pope
    Stones, Rudiger, Dallas
    Bruno (C), Gundo, Lingard, Salah
    Kane (VC), DCL, Bamford

    (Forster, Cresswell, Mount, Mitchell)

    Captaincy and bench order correct here?

    Thanks.

  11. Amey
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    After long calm here comes the RMT flood ..... 😆

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Well now you're asking is DCL worth a further hit here?

      Martinez
      Cresswell Dallas Shaw
      Lingard Bruno (R)aph Son Jota
      Bamford Kane

      Ederson Watkins Konsa Stones

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Nahh. You have enough juice for free.
        I'm mostly doing Watkins to DCL for free though 😀

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          You on (K)ane?

          Had a look at recent stats for Newcastle at home and defensively they're really solid - in theory!

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 12 months ago

            I am
            They are without Hayden (wrong spelling I guess)
            Also worth noting that Brighton scored goals from distance, which Kane & Son are well accustomed to.

            1. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 12 months ago

              Was it Hayden who went off against Brighton? If so then I might think again - they certainly looked much leakier after the injury.

              1. Amey
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 12 months ago

                Yes
                He was injured in the game

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Rate my team ..

      In our ml, one's a fireman, one works in construction. There's also Donald, the local doctor .. they call him the local quack

      Between us we have a mix of Disney & the village people

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Any Pirate in the ML ?

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          Well there's Caroline. Does he count?

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 12 months ago

            Well ..... Yeah 😀

  12. Monya Meow Meow
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    If you could only keep 1 City defender, who would you keep?

    1) Dias
    2) Cancelo

    1. dshv
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Dias

    2. artvandelay316
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      2

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Dias

    4. Monya Meow Meow
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Thanks all

  13. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Raphinha for Captain ??

    anyone on that boat ?

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      No reason not to 🙂

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Him or Son for me

  14. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Is this bench boostable?

    Johnstone - Rudiger - Gundogan - Dawson

    Would be getting in Rudiger for a hit, which i dont mind since he's a long term buy

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Considering the hit & GK fixture I'd hold off

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        im debating the hit regardless tbh.

        Would bench Dias and the bench would become Johnstone - Dias - Gundo - Dawson. Just tempted cause Chelsea isnt lighting it up offensively and feels wrong to bench two City players haha

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          Indeed. I am doing same atm. Hopefully Leicester will turn up

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      2 are strong for this week. Is there a stronger possibility in the future?

      Obviously the most advantageous time is after wc. When I wildcarded I had 5 injuries during the dgw. Subjectively looking at 31 now

  15. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Whats the story with Pickford?

    Thought he was out for season?

    That 4.3 back up a cert then? Or was Olsen just temporarily out?

  16. The VAR Team
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    In what order would you rate the city defenders for this week only?

    1)Cancelo
    2)Stones
    3)Dias

  17. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    0 FT with 2.6mn itb

    Mcarthy (Pope)
    Christensen Rudiger Dallas (Konsa, Lewis)
    Fernandes Gundo SON BALE (Soucek)
    Bamford Kane (c) Antonio

    For a -4 hit, Son or Bale to:
    A) Jota
    B) Mount
    C) Lingard
    D) Grealish
    E) KDB

  18. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    What to do with Bale?

    A. Start him
    B. Bench him

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Start definitely

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      You left out the sell option!

      Think I'd probably bench him - depending on your options. Working on the premise there that he might well revert to supersub status. Also thinking Spurs are much less than prolific away and Newcastle more or less match Chelsea for XGC in home fixtures in the last 6.

      1. LLoris
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Is he gonna even start?

    3. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Is that with or without Son? - Bale's currently 1st bench for me, but I could play him ahead of Watkins

  19. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    For 1 week who scores more points
    A) Bruno
    B) Azpi

    1. aleksios
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Bruno.

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      A

  20. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Unflag my Son!

    1. LLoris
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Waiting for that as well

      1. ppv
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        already

  21. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Is Forster, Gundo, Konsa and Dallas worth bb?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Forster to start?

      1. Fernando Torres
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Ye he will

  22. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    What to do with Gundo?

    A. Start
    B. Bench for Cresswell

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      A

    2. aleksios
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      B .

    3. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      A

  23. drughi
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Bale>Bruno worth doing for free?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      I think so but it’s risky

    2. aleksios
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      No brainer for me.

    3. LLoris
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Same dilemma don't know weather to get rid of Bale or Auba

  24. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Hi folks. Bench order correct here?

    Mendy
    Shaw, Rudiger, Digne
    Salah, Bruno, Mahrez, Jota, Gundogan
    DCL, Werner

    Martinez, Cancelo, Struijk, King 0ft .7itb

    1. aleksios
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Yes.

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Thank you

  25. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Want to do
    Johnstone-Dunk-Digne-KDB-Bale
    To
    Mendy-Alonso-Coady-Bruno-Son.
    Use wc or not worth it?.

  26. L S P
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Anything worth a hit here? 3.2ITB. Planning to BB.

    Martinez
    Digne-Azpi-Shaw-Dallas
    Bruno-Mount-Raphinha
    DCL-Bamford-Watkins

    Areola-Salah-Gundo-Stones

    Cheers

    1. aleksios
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Would do Gundo to Son if BB.

      1. L S P
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        .1 short unless i go cheaper than Azpi for my CHE def

  27. jimbo90
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Martinez
    Dallas Cresswell Dias
    Son Bruno Raph Gundo
    Watkins Bamford Kane
    Bench: Mccarthy Bale Veltman Burn

    1ft 2.7 itb

    Thoughts on this team? Really stuck on what to do. Bale > KDB and bench Watkins worth a shout?

    1. aleksios
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Go for it .

  28. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Are people still happy to double up on Chelsea def with Kante out ?

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Yep

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      WBA Palace Brighton feels fairly safe for the double up

      If pushed I might back Palace to score a sneaky 0.1 XG goal against them but that's it really. My greater doubt is whether Chelsea defenders with cs will outpoint attacking defenders elsewhere. They haven't much so far.

  29. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Got 1FT and 4.5m ITB... What to do?

    McCarthy
    Dias Targett Dallas
    Son Auba Gundo Soucek
    Kane Bamford Watkins

    Pope Coufal Trossard Dunk

    A) Save transfer
    B) Get rid of Trossard and bench Soucek

  30. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Pick 2 to play out of

    Dias
    Stones
    Aina
    Mee

    Any ideas would be welcomed