Spot the Differential

Phillips can offer excellent value as Liverpool prepare for fixture-swing

Gameweek 31 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, Liverpool and Arsenal, 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.

Nathaniel Phillips

  • FPL ownership: 1.9%
  • Price: £4.0m
  • GW31-35 fixtures: AVL | lee | NEW | mun | SOU

Academy product Nat Phillips (£4.0m) has taken his chance at Liverpool this season and now offers Fantasy managers exceptional value.

The 24-year-old spent the 2019/20 campaign on loan at VfB Stuttgart, where he helped them gain promotion to the Bundesliga. Having arrived back at Anfield ahead of the current season, he wasn’t expected to feature in many games, but has been thrust into action after injuries to key defenders Virgil van Dijk (£6.2m), Joe Gomez (£5.2m) and Joel Matip (£5.4m).

The Englishman has now made 11 Premier League appearances and alongside January loan signing Ozan Kabak (£5.0m), has kept back-to-back Premier League clean sheets. The duo have formed a decent centre-back partnership, and despite a challenging Champions League night earlier this week, it is worth remembering Real Madrid are an altogether different proposition to what they will face domestically during the run-in.

Crucially, the performances of Phillips have the added bonus of allowing Fabinho (£5.4m) to return to midfield. Jürgen Klopp’s side badly missed the Brazilian as a number six, and look a far better side with him sitting in front of the back four.

Up next for Liverpool is Aston Villa, who could be missing Jack Grealish (£7.5m) again this weekend. After that, the Reds take on Leeds and Newcastle, before closing the season with games against West Brom, Burnley and Crystal Palace.

Phillips costs just £4.0m, and as one of the cheapest starting defenders in the game, could be a quality enabler for the remainder of the season.

James Maddison

  • FPL ownership: 5.0%
  • Price: £7.1m
  • GW31-35 fixtures: whu | WBA | CRY | sou | NEW

James Maddison (£7.1m) returned with an appearance off the bench against Manchester City in Gameweek 30, having missed six matches through injury.

The playmaker had been in exceptional form prior to being side-lined, producing five goals, three assists and 64 FPL points between Gameweeks 17 and 25.

Unsurprisingly, the attacking midfielder has been Leicester City’s main creative outlet this term. Amongst team-mates, he leads the way for final-third touches, successful crosses and chances created, plus expected assists (xA).

However, since late last year, Maddison’s goal threat is improving too, something he touched on in an interview in January: 

“Me, the gaffer and Jack, the analyst, sat down and looked at where I can get more goals. Playing a bit deeper, I was a No.8 today, and breaking into the box and getting beyond that last line and really, kind of, almost smelling where the ball is going to drop. It’s not an easy thing to do. Frank Lampard was the best at it, arriving late and scoring goals, and that’s what I did today.” – James Maddison

Now shooting closer to goal, in more central areas, he has found the back of the net 11 times this season, eight of which have come in the Premier League.

Personal motivation could be a key factor, too. If Maddison is to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the European Championship this summer, he will need to play a starring role during the run-in. Encouragingly, the fixtures offer him an opportunity to do exactly that, as Brendan Rodgers’s side face West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Newcastle United between Gameweeks 32 and 35.

Whether fielded out wide, as a number 10 or deeper, Maddison has found a way to impact games, and could be a smart differential for those on the lookout for a new midfielder.

Rob Holding

  • FPL ownership: 3.4%
  • Price: £4.2m
  • GW31-35 fixtures: shu | FUL | EVE | new | WBA

Another budget defender you might want to consider is Rob Holding (£4.2m).

Following the news that David Luiz (£5.4m) will miss a number of weeks with a knee injury, we think the Englishman is likely to start alongside either Gabriel Magalhães (£4.9m) or Pablo Marí (£4.4m), who are both left-footed.

As the clubs only naturally right-sided centre-back, Holding is the obvious candidate to replace Luiz, and with a schedule that sees Arsenal take on Sheffield United, Fulham, Newcastle and West Brom in the next five Gameweeks, he can offer FPL managers real value.

This season, the 25-year-old has started 21 Premier League matches, and kept eight clean sheets during that time. He has arguably been Mikel Arteta’s best defender, and as a result, was rewarded with a new contract back in January.

Despite a poor showing against Liverpool last weekend, Arsenal do appear to be heading in the right direction. Since Boxing Day, when they beat Chelsea 3-1, they have played 16 Premier League games, winning eight, drawing four and losing four, so their form has generally been good. The arrival of Martin Ødegaard (£6.0m) has added another creative option, and their forthcoming schedule offers encouragement that they can kick on and finish the season strongly.

Holding is likely to keep his place at centre-back in the coming weeks, and at £4.2m, could be a good bargain option for your squad.

1,194 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best MCI asset to bring in on WC...

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dias or Laporte, but Gundogan isn't a bad hold if you can tolerate it.

    2. A-L
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Gundo probably. Ederson not a bad option as more nailed than anyone. KDB is in my thoughts too but will probably replace Son or Salah for me. Alternatively Sterling for this week only and then onto Son

      1. A-L
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        But Dias above all!

    3. SharkyT
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dias or Ederson

    4. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Think Garcia and ake gonna start playing their pl games as CBs lol

  2. A-L
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC GTG?

    Mendy | Forster
    Dias | Reguilon | Rudiger | Shaw | Phillips
    Salah | Bruno | Son | Jota | Lingard
    Kane | Iheanacho | Vydra

    Very template but don't really mind that

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah template, I would shake it up a bit

      1. A-L
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I'm not really looking for risk and think the midfield is hard to budge from. There's enough opportunity from this lot anyway. Any ideas how to shake it up? I think I'm set unless there are better value opportunities

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Salah Vydra Son are the opportunities to be maverick

          1. A-L
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Thanks mate. Son essential for me next week though. Salah was first in for me as well (and a slightly emotionally driven as a Liverpool supporter, so partly so that I can enjoy the rest of the season's matches). Mainly can't budge due to lack of appealing alternatives but appreciate the idea!

            1. Magic Zico
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Sure, good luck! 😛

  3. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Final decisions on WC.

    1. Lingard or Neto.
    2. Best cheap reliable for 5th def*? Holding, Veltman, Masuaku?
    3. Straight to Son for 2FT in 33, or a one week punt on Torres/Gundo?

    *Risking Alonso so want everyone to play through ideally.

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1. Coming round slowly to Neto but still prefer Lingard.
      2. Veltman
      3. Son for the 2 FTs (a play I never make myself but typically advise 🙂 )

    2. Ch0udini
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1. Neto
      2. Holding
      3. Bench Son, save transfer if that is an option.

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Erm, could be benched for Shaw/Vydra/Veltman or Holding.

    3. Raheem S. Archer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1. Lingard
      2. Holding
      3. 2FT in 33

  4. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On WC, thoughts on Auba(c) then change to Salah next week?

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

      Great punt!

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Like it - think he starts and central he's a great option

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Prefer Sterling in all honesty but could be a massive diff?

  5. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is KDB & Son -> Sterling(c) & Jota madness?

    1. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nice but you'll need Son back next week

  6. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    We still think Dias starts every week?

    Not me. Don't think he even starts this weekend either.

    Punting on Mendy for a change!

    Ederson only guarantee

    1. A-L
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Why not go for Ederson instead of Mendy and Rudiger/James/Azpilicueta instead of Dias

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        City Mendy

        Ederson in net

        City double, Chelsea double

  7. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Team in bits this week.... think made the wrong sub I did Bamford --> Vardy and not Raph/Gundy to Jota

    Martinez
    Veltman Dias Shaw*
    Son Bruno Gundy Raph Lingard
    Vardy Kane (C)

    McCarthy Watkins Dallas Targett

    Captain Pick???

    A) Bruno
    B) Kane
    C) Gundy
    D) Vardy

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Think I'd start Watkins over Raph and would captain Bruno there. Argument for doubling down on Vardy I suppose but it's not a transfer I like

  8. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Final call as going to be.... Mendy in net so who to pair with him:

    1. Rudiger
    2. Fofana

    1. nicoTours
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Had the same dilemma and went with Rudiger.

      FFS RMT tool sort of pushed me in that direction. In the set up I was using in that tool Fofana was benched twice in 4 matches while Rudiger was starting all of them. I don't know how close it will be from reality.

      1. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        So did you go Fofana or Mendy?

        1. nicoTours
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I went for the helsea double up: Mendy & Rudiger.

  9. Lexi2014
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Play

    Dunk - Everton H

    Lowton - Newcastle H

  10. wonkeydonkey
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any decent WC & BB teams? I'm struggling to work out when to BB, especially if I am going with Forster & Vydra

    1. b91jh
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mendy Forster
      TAA Coady Rudiger Fofana Masuaku
      Salah Bruno Lingz Jota Neto
      Vardy Kane Nacho

      Something like that?

  11. Fergiesarmy
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A) Phillips and Salah
    Or
    B) Taa and Jota?

    If A I will captain salah

  12. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Why are people picking Fofana over Coady? That extra 0.2 could be useful

    1. A-L
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Probably because Leicester are better defensively and have something to play for. Wolves just keep looking worse

  13. HD7
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Fofana or Shaw?

  14. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would you have

    A) Coufal and Fofana
    B) Shaw and Masuaku

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

  15. yanky
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    thinking of taking a hit after wc but i think its a decent plan— thoughts??

    Mendy
    TAA Rudiger Holding (Coady Veltman)
    Salah Jota Bruno Sterling(c) Saka
    Kane Iheanacho (Davis)

    plan is to do Sterling Saka > Son Maddison for -4 pt hit in dgw32
    Veltman not a strong option but is my gw33 cover since kane son davis will be benched

  16. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who to drop to fit in Dias? Holding or Coady? On a WC.

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

      Holding

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Holding for me

  17. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Title could've been a little bit more sensitive tho..

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

    Mourinho confirms Tottenham have no fresh injury concerns. Ben Davies and Matt Doherty are the only players sidelined. Toby Alderweireld and Serge Aurier come back into contention after missing the Newcastle game following their late return from international duty.

  19. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which one?
    A) Wood
    B) C.Wilson
    C) Other up to 6.5 (Not Iheanacho)

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks!

  20. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Two questions left on WC:

    1. Holding or Masuaku?
    2. Mid punt for this GW - 9.6 budget - Mount, Gundo, someone else?

    1. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Also, would you include City def on WC or one of Pool, Chelsea and Lei plus Shaw should be enough?

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Masuaku, tough week for a punt, could look at either JWP or Periera maybe if you think there's goals in that fixture. I am keeping Dias but not for everyone, I think he should be covered with assets from teams you've mentioned.

  21. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    start one-
    A- Martinez
    B- Sanchez

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'd start B because I think they have a better chance of a CS but worry if they both concede that Marti will make more saves

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        the part after 'but' is worrying

  22. SharkyT
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Yet another WC team to add to the list so apologies!!

    Mendy Forster
    Shaw TAA Holding Dias Azpi
    Salah Bruno Lingz Jota Mount
    Nacho Kane Vydra

    GTG? Have BB left so tried to get in as many starters as I can.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Looks good. Looking at similar. Downside is Forster, holding, Vydra for BB. Not idea I guess

  23. Razor425
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on the below Wildcard:

    Leno, Forster
    Shaw, TAA, Rudiger, Holding, xxxx
    Salah, Jota, Son, Raphina, xxxx
    Kane, Ihenacho, xxxx

    Remaining spots to be filled by:
    1. Fofana, Lingard, Lacazette
    or
    2. Azpi, Madisson, 6.4m fwd
    or
    3. Alonso, Madisson, Bamford

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1 probably

  24. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would you WC this team? Possible WC team below... still got BB for possibly 32.

    Martinez
    Dias. Alonso. Digne. Coufal
    Bruno. Son. Lingard. Jota
    Kane. DCL
    (McCarthy. Raph. Bamford. Dallas)

    WC team;
    Mendy. Forster
    TAA. Rudiger. Shaw. Holding. Masuaku
    Salah. Bruno. Son. Lingard. Jota
    Kane. Iheanacho. Vydra

    1. Bojam
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I think probably not this week. Have you got any FT's? Money ITB?

      1. Bojam
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Would you WC this team?

        Martinez
        Dias, Stones, Azpi
        Bruno, Son, Bale, Jota, Gundo
        Kane, DCL

        Sanchez; Watkins; Coufal; Dallas

        0FT; 0.7ITB

        Thinking of playing the FH in 33. Keeping the WC for 34 might be useful.

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Possibly not either. But I’m really unsure when is best. With BB I might just save the WC and play it the week before that and hope some doubles come round

          1. Bojam
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            You think it makes sense to keep Bale for the DGW (32)? Could play him vs Utd this week or bench and play Watkins vs Pool. I know it doesn't mean much but Watkins got a hattie vs Pool earlier this year so you never know...

            1. RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Probably not worth a hit, who would you get?

              1. Bojam
                • 6 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                That's the thing. No obvious move at that price (would have about 10m to spend).

                So play Bale or Watkins this week? Have Kane & Son as well so playing Bale seems like overkill, especially given that it could well be a boring 0-0. But benching a 9+m player seems wrong.

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I did Soucek to Jota with FT. Got 1.7m left

        1. Bojam
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          If you were really worried about Salah then I think you could move Bruno out. Tough call but Salah has the better fixtures. Personally, I have more faith in Bruno's consistent returns I think.

    2. Bojam
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not sure there is enough difference between the two teams to make the WC worth it. Sure, you don't have Salah but I'm not convinced that he's worth the money (yet). Maybe an upturn in form is coming but maybe not. DCL could easily match or outscore Iheanacho this week. Alonso could easily match or outscore TAA.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        What about Digne >> TAA (-4)?

        1. Bojam
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          That's definitely worth considering. Even if it doesn't pay off this week, fixtures and form suggest it will be worth it for the rest of the season. Could wait a week though if you prefer not to take the hit.

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Yeah quite 50:50. Be good to have him in place for next few as you say. But then I have WC so a hit seems a little silly

  25. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would you make any changes for my WC?
    Rudiger or Saiss?
    Esm or another 4.5M?

    Mendy Forester
    TAA Saiss Coady Holding Fofana
    Salah Jota Fernandes Son Esm
    Kane Iheanacho Vydra

    1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Saiss Coady not for me
      Esm fine

      1. LLoris
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Any other defender for you?

    2. Peteski29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'd rather Rudiger over Saiss

      1. LLoris
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Is Rudiger nailed?

  26. OleBall
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Start Targett Bamford or Watkins?

  27. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Ings anyone?

    Gives me a front 8 of
    Bruno, Jota, Son, Raphinha, Lingard
    Vardy, Ings, Kane

    1. Eastman
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Think he's a good choice yes

  28. Peteski29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Fairly set on WC, last decision though

    A) Martinez Dias 0itb
    B) Mendy Fofana 0.7itb

    XXX Forster
    XXX TAA Shaw Rudiger Holding
    Salah Jota Bruno Lingard Son
    Kane Iheanacho Vydra

  29. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Good to go? Will save WC for another week or two:

    Pope
    Dias, Dunk, Digne
    Bruno, Son, Gundo(c), Lingard, Raphinha
    Kane(vc), Vardy

    Martinez, Coufal, Bamford, Dallas
    0ft, 0.0 itb

    1. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      *Kane c, Gundo vc

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yep

  30. Eastman
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Madison or Mount?

    1. nicoTours
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I went for the in-form player, Mount but it took me until 1am to chose between the 2 of them.