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. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Any word from Tuchel on CHO?
    Looking to get in Reece if he is out.

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

      Everyone fit apart from Kante. I'll probably still get him on a free as I've got good bench cover

  2. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Who wil score more pts?
    A. Son
    B. Alonso
    Ta.

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

      B

    2. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      So-and-So

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

      B

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

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

    Rest.

    --Martinez
    --Cresswell--Dallas
    --Gundo--Lingard--Raphinia
    --Kane--Bam--DCL.

    Thanks .

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

      Why sell Digne KDB and Targett? No for me

      1. Ajaxeeding
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        I’m considering selling Targett because after FUL they have LIV and MCI.

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

    Yay or Nay? Likely to WC31.
    McCarthy+Dunk >> Mendy+Alonso?

    Martinez
    Digne, Dias, Dallas
    Bruno, Son*, Lingard, Raphina
    Kane, DCL, Bamford
    (McCarthy, Soucek, Coufal, Dunk)

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

      Would be a -4

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

        Go for it.

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

      I should have also said and then bench boost. Terrible post 🙂

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

        Would BB too.

  5. Daghe Munegu
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Bench one

    A. cancelo
    B. dias
    C. coufal

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

      A.

  6. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Play Gundo or Bale?

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Bale

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

    Transfer out Dunk for Azpi, Alonso or Rüdiger?

    To start with Cresswell and Digne.

    Is the bench correct?

    Tierney and Cancelo

    1. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Alonso

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

      I had similar decision. I went for the safer option of Rudgier

  8. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Martinez, Johnstone
    Cancelo, Stones, Digne, Dallas, Dunk
    Bruno, Son, Gundo, Lingard, Raphinha
    Kane, Antonio, Bamford

    1FT £2.0m ITB

    What to do here guys?
    Planning on WC'ing in GW 31

    A) Dunk ---> Azpi?

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      A

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

      B

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        I’d go C personally!! Haha

  9. teknicolourfox
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Alonso this GW mins = 0

  10. timmmuh
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    For this week, pick 2:

    A) Dallas
    B) Stones
    C) Cresswell

    Thanks

    1. Dr. Jepsen
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Dallas and Cresswell for me

  11. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Best Chelsea defender to get? Alonso should start this week with Chilwell playing the UCL games. This means Alonso should start the next 3. Is Rudiger or Azpi a safer option? I feel both of them could be rotated too and I don’t feel comfortable splashing 5.7 on Azpi who offers little to no attacking threat

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Rudiger best option for longer term imo. Cheap and should play.

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

      Azpi is definitely a safer bet to play this week, but in future weeks either should be nailed. I went Rudiger simply because I couldn't afford Azpi.

    3. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      I don't have WC and I'm going with Alonso. Can handle his rotation risk with a good bench.

      1. Babit1967
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Yeah same idea

    4. Jindaljain
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Mendy

  12. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Play one

    A. Cancelo
    B. Stones

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

      A

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Cheers Rafa

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

    Play Trossard, Coufal or Soucek?

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

    Best captain?

    A. Alonso
    B. Bruno
    C. Kane
    D. Raphina

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      C

  15. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Start Cresswell (wol) or Dias (lei)?

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

      Cresser

  16. Jindaljain
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Bench 1 of this : JOTA,LACA,SON OR LINGARD?

    1. Dr. Jepsen
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Jota for me. Toughest fixture!

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

      Probably Lingaard. Wolves tight.
      Arsenal Liverpool 8pm Saturday night. Goal fest

  17. Dr. Jepsen
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Benching headaches:

    Lingard, Mount or DCL? One has to go on the bench

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

      Lingard

  18. davewg59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Watkins or Gundogan on the bench this week?

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

      Gundo

  19. FPL Theorist
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Both FPLStats and Fix projecting Son to drop in price tonight. Still a lot of managers out there not paying attention, I guess.

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

    I've read the chat ...

    Bale is a conundrum:

    H. Will you hold?
    S. Sell?
    B. Or possibly even buy for the double?

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

      Don't have a clue what to do with him!

      Shame he dropped in price last night otherwise I would be more likely to sell him
      Don't want him for gw31 and there are possible better Spurs options, to go with Son and Kane for gw32
      Got him currently 1st on the bench, with Watkins, Antonio and Auba playing ahead of Bale

      Tempted to sell for Mahrez but no replacements jump out for this week

  21. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Best Chelsea defender to bring in?

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

    Wonder if Mark will actually C Raphinha over Kane after predicting Leeds to win 4-0 and Spurs 0-1 😀

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      He should if he really believes that. But he's probably just been looking at his stats about the double-digit hauls really hard and momentarily convinced himself that Spurs will only score one goal. His gut is telling him to captain Kane because his gut knows Newcastle is a good fixture for Spurs.

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

        True, but Sheffield at home looks to be a even better fixture. I think he is forced to C Raph now if he thinks the goal difference in the two games will be that huge. Otherwise Az will say he's a coward 🙂

        1. Kun Tozser
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          That Leeds pitch though

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

            True, Raph only has 2G 1A at home this season

  23. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Is Son fit to play?

    If so why is he flagged?

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

      Refresh the page 🙂

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

      Yes it will be removed shortly

  24. Erez Avni
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    I’m a bit confused...

    Martinez
    Show Dias Dallas (Cresswell Burn)
    Gundogan Son Bale Raphinha (Lingard)
    Kane DCL Bamford

    I want to bring Bruno for Bale but I feel something is wrong when Lingard is on the bench... what would you do here?

    1. Kroos Kontrol
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Bale might well be benched...

      I would personally hold the FT unless you're really scared of Bruno, and think about Bale vs Lingard (don't own eitehr so haven't thought about it). Bale has a slightly better fixture but not as much form + might not play 60 mins.

      Everything else looks great; there are some decisions obviously (no Chelsea def, Gundogan who could be benched) but all of your defenders can get 6+ points easily this week and you have decent depth in the bench

      1. Erez Avni
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Thanks a lot for your thoughts (:

        I really scared about Bruno so maybe the question is playing gundogan or lingard

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

    Might Thiago actually be the pick of Chelsea defence if you go there next week or so?

    Has a couple of goals already and was as nailed as anyone before injury. Is there another defender who is likely from set pieces?

    1. Kroos Kontrol
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Not really nailed anymore. Christensen has been rock solid.

      Also he's unlikely to play 3 games a week, so could possibly be saved for the CL where his big-game experience counts.

  26. Kroos Kontrol
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    I have decided to do Cancelo -> Alonso. Who would you bench if I did it? I am thinking Watkins given his poor record + form, but Grealish back at home vs Fulham complicates it :/

    Martinez
    Digne Rudiger Shaw
    Fernandes Son Havertz Raphinha
    Kane Antonio Watkins

    Bench: Areola CANCELO Dias Bissouma

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Havertz or Watkins

  27. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Today feels like a Saturday but I realise it's Friday and I have time to sort my squad out. Phew!

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

    Okay.... Finalised for the weekend. Good to go? ?
    Or Semedo instead of Keane?
    Bench order correct?

    Ederson
    Rudiger, Keane, Shaw
    Mahrez, De Bruyne (vc), Fernandes, Jota, Mount
    Richarlison, Kane (c)

    Bench: Semedo, Ineahacho, Phillips (Sanchez)

    Cheers folks

  29. Gazwaz80
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Son unflagged, yay 😀

  30. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Which 2 defs to bench from this lot?

    A) Cresswell A WOL
    B) Stones A LEI
    C) Dias A LEI
    D) Targett H FUL
    E) Dallas H SHU

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

      B and C