Spot the Differential

Firmino has timed resurgent FPL form to be useful Gameweek 38 differential

Gameweek 38 offers FPL managers a final opportunity to identify a differential to inspire a final push up the rankings.

This time, we’ve selected low-owned picks at Liverpool, Arsenal and West Ham 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.

Roberto Firmino

  • FPL ownership: 4.9%
  • Price: £9.1m
  • GW38 fixture: CRY

With three goals and an assist in his last four appearances, Roberto Firmino (£9.1m) is an intriguing final day differential.

The Brazilian has had a disappointing campaign by his standards, with his place in Jürgen Klopp’s starting XI threatened by the impact of Diogo Jota (£6.9m). However, he has finally found some form at the business end of the season.

Firmino fed Thiago (£5.5m) to seal Liverpool’s 2-0 victory against Southampton back in Gameweek 34, and has since followed that up with a brace of goals at Manchester United, a part in the equaliser at West Bromwich Albion, plus Wednesday’s opener at Burnley. During that time, he has acquired 27 FPL points, and now sits level alongside Sadio Mané (£11.8m) and Jota on nine Premier League goals, with only Mohamed Salah (£12.9m) scoring more for the Reds.

For a player who contributes so much to Liverpool’s all-round game, it does perhaps seem unfair to criticise him, but purely in FPL terms, he has struggled. In fact, prior to Gameweek 35, he had scored just one goal since Gameweek 14. Despite that, his numbers throughout the season have generally remained good, only his finishing has let him down, which is backed up by his negative 2.62 expected goals (xG) delta. However, such is the impact of confidence and goals on centre-forwards, that total has jumped to +1.77 over the last four Gameweeks.

Barring a huge Leicester City win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, victory at home against Crystal Palace will be enough for Liverpool to secure a top-four finish, and as a result, qualify for next seasons Champions League. With a run of seven wins and two draws in their last nine Premier League matches, it looks like they have got their act together at exactly the right moment, and with Firmino full of confidence, could be set for a big finish.

Nicolas Pépé

  • FPL ownership: 1.7%
  • Price: £7.7m
  • GW38 fixture: BHA

Nicolas Pépé (£7.7m) has been in fine form of late, and is starting to show his quality following his £72m transfer from Lille back in 2019.

It would be fair to say it has taken the 25-year-old a fair bit of time to get going, but with 13 goal involvements in all competitions in 2021, which included a brace against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 37, he is now starting to produce more consistently.

The Ivorian winger’s first on Wednesday night, a lovely cushioned volley after great link-up play between Kieran Tierney (£5.2m) and Bukayo Saka (£5.1m), set Arsenal on their way, while his second late on was a fine solo effort. He ended the match with 55 final-third touches, more than any other player, and was comfortably the best performer on the pitch.  

Those who have been paying attention will know his numbers have been good for a while, though. 

Since the turn of the year, amongst team-mates, he ranks top for penalty area touches and goal attempts in the box, second for shots on target and third for xG. In fact, amongst all midfielders who have played a substantial number of minutes, only Liverpool trio Jota, Salah and Mané, plus Mason Greenwood (£7.3m) and Kai Havertz (£8.3m), can better his 2.29 shots in the box per 90 minutes total. 

The Gunners’ square off against Brighton and Hove Albion in their last Premier League game of the season on Sunday, knowing victory, coupled with rivals Spurs’ and Everton dropping points, would see them finish seventh, and as a result secure a spot in the inaugural Europa Conference League competition.

Pepe has impressed for Arsenal in 2021, and now showing increased consistency and more end-product, could be an effective midfield differential for the final-day.

Saïd Benrahma

  • FPL ownership: 0.3%
  • Price: £5.9m
  • GW38 fixture: SOU

Saïd Benrahma (£5.9m) has been something of a bit-part player at West Ham United this season, but has now produced attacking returns in three of his last four appearances.

The unpredictable Algerian has supplied assists against Burnley and West Bromwich Albion, and also found the back of the net at Brighton with a superb curling finish from the edge of the area.

His attacking numbers during that time have caught the eye, too.

Over the last four Gameweeks, he ranks top amongst team-mates for expected assists (xA), second for chances created and joint-third for shots on target. Meanwhile, amongst all Premier League players who have featured for over 100 minutes during that period, only Gabriel Martinelli (£4.9m) can trump his 0.45 xA per 90 minutes.

However, the real appeal lies in this weekend’s opponents, Southampton. 

As noted by Neale earlier this week, Benrahma has spent a lot of time on the right-flank over the last two matches, and it was from this position that he assisted against West Brom. And if stationed on that side on Sunday, he’ll be up against a Saints team who have conceded the second-highest number of chances from their left over the last six games – a period that has coincided with Ryan Bertrand’s (£5.0m) unavailability and the deployment of centre-halves Mohammed Salisu (£4.3m) and Jack Stephens (£4.6m) as make-shift left-backs.

Motivation shouldn’t be an issue for the Hammers, either, as a single point in Gameweek 38 will be enough for them to seal a place in next seasons Europa League.

Benrahma is a real difference-maker, and could be an explosive mid-price punt for those willing to move away from the midfield template.

Pro Pundits 7
1,336 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DoubleBeckerBus
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any thoughts on which of the below is best?

    Reguilon - Dallas
    Bruno - Mane
    DCL - Bamford

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    2. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    3. iveseenitall
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

  2. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bench 1:

    A) Dias
    B) Stones
    C) Holding

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

    2. subhojit123
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      C

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

      A

    4. iveseenitall
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

    5. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers, benching Dias then.

    6. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Why would you bench Dias, high chance of CS if he starts and v unlikely to come off the bench if he doesn't

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          2 city defs hurt me last week

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              2 years, 10 months ago

              Fair

      • Gerhardinho
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Please help!

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Question?

          1. Gerhardinho
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Something wrong with my phone..

            My Question
            Chilwell, Tierney or Cresswell for Shaw??
            And should i do -4
            Bruno->Mané?
            1sub Rowe

      • Traction Engine Foot
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Any updates on Matheus Pereira?

      • Aurora Borealis?
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        My rival has Charlizard and Ivysaur, should I captain Blastoise and use Hydro pump (risk of blanking) or transfer him out for Pikachu who has better typing?

        1. Gooner Kebab
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Definitely use the troll 🙂

        2. The-Red-1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          If you're chasing, Squirtle (c)

        3. Weilong7
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Get mewtwo in

      • _Gunner
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Repost:

        Which is better?

        A- DCL > Antonio (play Vydra/Zaha)
        B- Zaha > Lingard (play DCL)

        1. subhojit123
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          A

        2. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          A

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

          B

        4. Bob.
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          A

        5. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          A

        6. PascalCygan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          A

      • subhojit123
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Repost -
        Guys who do u think starts for Chelsea today -
        1. Chilwell
        2. Alonso

        1. chelseabrad
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Chilwell

          1. subhojit123
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            thanks

          2. El-Kloppico
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Sure?

      • BERGKOP
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Bottomed. My apologies.

        TAA or Robbo for a hit? If I get Robbo, it covers my rival who is 18pts behind.

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          No

          1. BERGKOP
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Thanks.

      • chelseabrad
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        11 pts ahead of my ML rival but he has bench boost

        Meslier
        TAA AWB Coufal
        Salah Son Greenwood Lingard Raph
        Kane Antonio

        (Forster Wood Holding Coleman)

        He has 2 villa def, Dallas, Gundogan, Bruno over Greenwood, Bale over Son, Bamford, DCL & Nacho all of which I don't have...

        Obviously need to take Meslier out, would you cover Dallas with Castilla or take a risk and double up on LIV def and go Alisson? Got 2.4 itb so if I go Castilla I'd be tempted to spend the extra 3m and take a hit but is that stupid when I'm just ahead?

        (4)

      • iveseenitall
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Do we think chilwell starts?

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          yes imo

          1. iveseenitall
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Cheers

      • Yozzer
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        What is Willock like ? Not seen him play much. Worth a punt or go with Harrison ( can't afford Raphinha)

        1. BERGKOP
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Willock for me

        2. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Personally not a fan but he keeps scoring

      • AW127
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Start Kane or DCL?
        Or transfer one to Bamford for a -4?

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Kane

          1. AW127
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Thank you

        2. BERGKOP
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Kane

          1. AW127
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Cheers

        3. iveseenitall
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Kane

          1. AW127
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Thanks

        4. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Kane for sure

          1. AW127
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Yes, maybe it was a stupid question!

        5. Tinkermania
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Bamford

          1. AW127
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Interesting. Most people seem to say Kane. I suppose it depends on how much better I think Bamford will do

      • Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        One last hoorah, Aguero (C)

        1. Gooner Kebab
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          love it

        2. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          not for me

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

          No

        4. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Good on ya! Hope he fires in plenty

        5. onceuponatyne
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Genuinely just did this. Fully expecting to be disspointed, but I'm 30pts behind in my league and it'd take a miracle. Maybe this it.

        6. AW127
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Definitely not. He won't even start

          1. Tinkermania
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Explain AW127 please.

            1. AW127
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              2 years, 10 months ago

              I don't think he's going to start. I feel as though he'll be subbed on at 60 mins. Even if he does start he'll be subbed at 60 mins. As well as this, Everton have the best defensive form in the league, are better away from home, and need a result to get Europe. The game won't be easy.

      • FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        "I feel good, I was lucky it was only a small injury" - Kai Havertz

        Interesting punt

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          I wonder why this is not in the FFS tweets

          1. Tinkermania
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Maybe because it's only Kai

      • Fernandito
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Mendy
        TAA Robertson Dallas
        Salah(c) Raphinha Mahrez Greenwood Lingard
        Kane Bamford

        Forster Holding DCL Coady

        Level on points at top of ML, anything worth taking a hit for? Or gtg?

        1. BERGKOP
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          You're gtg. No hits.

      • Dirty_Harry
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Who would you rather as a differential?

        1. Torres
        2. Wood
        3. Pepe
        4. Bamford (but have Raph/Dallas and seems boring pick)

        1. Hits from the Bong
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          4 but he’s surely he’s not a differential

          1. Dirty_Harry
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            My mini league he isn't lol

        2. iveseenitall
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          4 and a decent captain option if your chasing

        3. AW127
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          1. I love that Torres punt

      • Hits from the Bong
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Is it possible to climb 15,000 places to 50k if going with the same captain (Salah) as everyone else?

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          I'm fully expecting to fall 15k places to 50k with my team today. So you could still do it.

        2. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Depends how template the rest of your team is.

        3. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          It's only 15pts, if you have 4-5 differentials, it should be possible without captaincy risk

        4. DF
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          No

        5. Hits from the Bong
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Thinking Antonio at the minute, as my team is pretty template..

          Areola
          TAA Robertson Dallas
          Salah Son Torres Lingard
          Kane Antonio Bamford

          Forster Bale Mitchell Johnson

      • yanky
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        who scores more?
        a) Digne + 4
        b) Robertson

        1. Vazza
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          A for me as I’m a dullard

        2. Dirty_Harry
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          B sounds more fun

      • Vazza
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        More points

        A) Alioski (WBA)
        B) Lowton (shu)

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          A

        2. El-Kloppico
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          B

      • how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Arsenal have only won 2 out of 7 PL games v Brighton. A bit surprising.

        1. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Auba loves to score final gameweek tho

        2. Arteta
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Potter is clearly using his best spells against us.

      • Jukes
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Whose more likely to play - Jota or Peirera?

      • n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Morning
        So what are the chances of foden or mahrez starting?

      • cheeky moses
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Bruno, sell or hold?
        Got 1ft.
        If sell, who to bring in of:
        A) kdb
        B) ferran
        C) foden
        D) willock

        1. iveseenitall
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Sell and A

          1. cheeky moses
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Cheers

      • Bavarian
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        The armband keeps rolling between:
        TAA
        Bamford
        Kane
        Antonio

        Please help, I need a differential C

        1. n14mul
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Taa or bamf

          1. Bavarian
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            I believe it's better to (C) TAA because no one owns him

            1. n14mul
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 10 months ago

              Atleast 25% ownership

              1. Bavarian
                • 6 Years
                2 years, 10 months ago

                I mean in my ML

      • RedJive79
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Bench Lingz or Greenwood?? Rival has Lingz....

        1. El-Kloppico
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Lindz

      • MoSalalalalalalalalah
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Best captain? Chasing 14 points and my rival has Antonio and Kane.

        Alisson
        TAA | Rudiger | Dallas
        Salah | Lingard | Foden | Greenwood
        Antonio | Kane | Nacho

        GK: Martinez | Zaha | Digne | Veltman

        1. MoSalalalalalalalalah
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Hoping he doesn't bring in Salah, but he already has Mane

        2. Scots Gooner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          I'd cap Salah. 14 points can swing through your differentials alone if you have enough of them.

      • TAT
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Bottomed. I’m really struggling with what to do about my team for GW 38. I got 3.7 in the bank, and one FT. Moves I’m considering are Pickford to another GK, Davis to Bamford (benching Lingard), and Son to Many. Thoughts?

        Pickford
        TAA - Shaw - Dallas
        Lingard - Salah - Raphinha - Greenwood - Son
        Antonio - Kane
        (Button - Dias - Holgate - Davis)

      • Catona75
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Chelseafans, what do you think will be tidas starting backline?

        1. Catona75
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          «todays»

      • COLLIN QUANER
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Double up Liverpool with Robbo and TAA, or get Dallas instead of TAA?

      • El-Kloppico
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Any leaks yet?