Spot the Differential

Spurs, Newcastle and Man City differentials to consider for Gameweek 9 and beyond

Gameweek 9 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) 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 Newcastle United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur 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.

CALLUM WILSON

  • FPL ownership: 1.1%
  • Price: £7.3m
  • GW9-13 fixtures: cry | CHE | bha | BRE | ars

Callum Wilson (£7.3m) made an instant impact upon his return to Newcastle United’s starting XI in Gameweek 8, as he netted an early goal against Tottenham Hotspur.

As a result, the 29-year-old has now found the back of the net in three of his four Premier League appearances this season, and is averaging an impressive six points per match during that time, a total that only Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.0m), Michail Antonio (£8.1m) and Jamie Vardy (£10.6m) can improve upon amongst all forwards.

However, this season’s form is merely a continuation of the consistency Wilson offered in 2020/21, when he produced 12 goals and six assists from 26 matches. He was also involved in 58% of his side’s goals when on the pitch, emphasising his status as the Magpies’ talisman.

Newcastle remain winless in the Premier League this season, having drawn three and lost five so far, but will hope to turn a corner against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 9 under new caretaker manager Graeme Jones, who will be desperate to get off to a good start. After that, fixtures are mixed, but it is worth noting that a pair of appealing home games against Norwich City and Burnley follow those detailed above, which does suggest that Wilson could be a solid set-and-forget option right up until early December.

With 15 Premier League goals from 30 games since his move to Tyneside, Wilson usually delivers when fit, and could be the pick of the mid-price forwards in the coming weeks.

PHIL FODEN

  • FPL ownership: 4.9%
  • Price: £8.0m
  • GW9-13 fixtures: bha | CRY | mun | EVE | WHU

With attacking returns in each of his last three Manchester City appearances in all competitions, Phil Foden (£8.0m) is surely one of the best differentials in the game right now.

The 21-year-old has been in fine form since recovering from a foot injury that kept him out of action at the start of the season, and produced an excellent assist for Joao Cancelo’s (£6.3m) opener against Club Brugge in midweek.

Interestingly, Foden played in multiple positions throughout the night, but was at his best as a false nine. However, he seems to be good wherever he plays at the moment, and though there will surely be some rotation in the coming weeks, his versatility – and form – does suggest that he will start more often than not right now.

His numbers have been particularly eye-catching, too. Since making his first start in Gameweek 6, amongst all team-mates, he ranks top for passes received in the final third, penalty area touches and successful crosses, and second for expected goal involvement (xGI).

As for City, they now take on Brighton and Hove Albion before hosting Crystal Palace in Gameweek 10. The former fixture certainly won’t be easy to navigate, especially given the Seagulls’ impressive defensive numbers throughout 2021, but at the same time, it is also worth noting that they have scored 16 goals in their last five league encounters against Graham Potter’s side.

Foden is becoming an influential figure at Man City, and with an ownership of just 4.9%, is a tempting differential route into one of the league’s most potent attacks.

TANGUY NDOMBELE

  • FPL ownership: 0.3%
  • Price: £5.8m
  • GW9-13 fixtures: whu | MUN | eve | LEE | bur

Tanguy Ndombele (£5.8m) has impressed for Tottenham Hotspur in his two most recent outings, which has coincided with a move into a more advanced, central no. 10 role.

The Frenchman was a constant threat against Newcastle United last time out, as he netted his first Premier League goal of the season, and posted match-leading totals for goal attempts, shots in the box and penalty area touches. His performance against Aston Villa in Gameweek 7 was encouraging too, as he forced a smart stop from Emiliano Martinez (£5.5m) during the second half.

There will understandably be scepticism about a move for a player who has so often flattered to deceive during his time at Spurs, but in Nuno Espirito Santo’s new 4-2-3-1 formation – which features Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£4.9m) and Oliver Skipp (£4.5m) screening the back four in a double pivot – it does feel like Ndombele will have fewer defensive responsibilities, and in turn, be handed a platform to truly express himself in the final third.

As for Spurs, they are currently placed in fifth position in the Premier League table and have now won their last three matches in all competitions. Next up is an away trip to London rivals West Ham United, before matches against Manchester United (h), Everton (a), Leeds United (h), Burnley (a), Brentford (h) and Norwich City (h).

Ndombele has improved in each match he has played this season, and if he can nail down a starting no. 10 spot, could offer real value in the coming weeks.

354 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rog.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A) Chilwell -4, Pukki first sub Duffy second sub, no other bench cover
    B) Play Pukki, Duffy first sub

    Grealish and canc potential minutes risks

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

    Is Jota & Ronaldo to KDB & Ings good idea for -4?

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

      planning to make KDB as my C

  3. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is Ronaldo to Kane -4 madness? I’d captain Kane vs West Ham

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

      Kane has good record vs West Ham.

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Im kind of tempted to hold Ronaldo now honestly. He just seems to always score in the big occasions. Such a hard call

    3. Goonsquad245
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I wouldn't do it for free.

    4. Bragadocious
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      See below, having the exact same headache, all sways on whether I'd be confident to captain him, which right now I'm not. I'm thinking stick this week, still not sure he's worth the extra over Son, but will want one of them by GW12 and could do with the extra info re Kane form.

    5. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Ronaldo seems fired up at the moment and may thrive against Liverpool. I'd keep and reassess the option for free next week

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

    Worth getting Havertz for Saka, although H might only play 1 game as a false 9?

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Lukaku is most likely out for more than 1 game though. Werner has a muscle issue which always takes a while. I think Havertz gets at least the next 2

    2. Goro Majima
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Hope so. I'm doing that I think, then he'll be turned into Son in 3 weeks if Lukaku doesn't return before then.

  5. Bragadocious
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    All set? Was planning Ronaldo to Lukaku but had to put out other fires first, now wondering whether to stick for a week or take a -4 for Ronaldo to Vardy/Kane. 90% sure I'll stick for this week and make the switch next week.

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo Rudiger
    Traore Raphinha Mbuemo Salah (C)
    Antonio Jiminez Ronaldo
    Steele White Livramento Allan

    Cheers

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Thing with getting rid of Ronaldo next week is he plays Spurs, who are not the best defensively. Arsenal is definitely a harder defence for Leicester, and Kane plays United, so you're banking Kane to outperform Ronny which might happen, but always hard to pull the trigger on a transfer within the same game

      1. Bragadocious
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah I may hold next week then go GW11 Antonio + Ronaldo + Traore to Kane + Toney + Foden for a -4.

  6. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is getting rid of Ronaldo + Lukaku + Traore + Shaw for Toney + Kane/Vardy + Havertz + Chilwell/Rudiger worth a -8? All would play this week

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      If it’s not worth it it would certainly be fun regardless.

      I’m getting an itch for a -8. Never done it before.

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Same. It looks so good on paper... Also looking to fit in Son as well

  7. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Here is why you should hold Antonio for now.

    11 shots in the box and 11 chances created in his last four PL fixtures.

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      will get rid for toney in 1-2 weeks

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Hopefully by then, DCL is back.

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      compared too?

  8. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    On WC:

    1) Raya, Azpi, Toney + bench: Duffy, Livra, Broja + 0.3ITB

    2) Raya, TAA, Hwang + bench: Manquilo, Livra, Broja

    3) McCarthy, TAA, Toney + bench: Manquilo, Duffy, 4.4

    Many will say that it is wrong going without TAA but 1) seems most balanced and recon Azpi can match TAA with the incoming fixtures?

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Just keep TAA so you can sleep at night mate

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      This is what normally happens.

      Lose Trent, he hauls and then you struggle to get him back.

    3. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah Toney is clear better than Hwang
      Liv/Duffy/Broja is a super solid bench.
      I’d do A (but I also don’t have TAA so probably want that to be the right one too)

    4. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Crazy tough choice tbh!

    5. Mozumbus
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      3 easy

  9. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku + Jota + Benrahma > Toney + KDB + Havertz (-8)

    KDB could be Son (but Havertz would max out at 9.1)

  10. Zenith UK
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts please?

    Sanchez
    Livra, Rudiger, Cancelo
    Salah, Traore, Benrahma, Gray
    CR7, Lukaku, Antonio

    Steele, Duffy, Marcal, Gilmour

    A) Lukaku > Vardy
    B) Lukaku & Traore > Toney & De Bruyne (-4)
    C) Lukaku & Gilmour > Broja & De Bruyne (-4)
    D) CR7, Lukaku & Gilmour > Vardy, 7.0 (ASM?) or Toney & De Bruyne (-8)
    E) Alternatives welcome

    1. Mozumbus
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

  11. Jullepuu
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku and Benrahma to Vardy and Havertz for -4?

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      seen worse moves

      1. Jullepuu
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers

    2. Mozumbus
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Benrahma to Havertz may not worth a hit

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        This

      2. Lord.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I’m confident that Havertz beats Benrahma plus 4pts over the next three fixtures.

        1. Eleven Hag
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Will he start all of those 3 games though?

          1. Scholes Out For Summer
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Lukaku seems like he got a similar injury to James, i think he's out for at least the next 2 games. Werner as a muscle injury which always takes a while. Think he gets the next 2 at minimum

          2. Lord.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Who else is there?

            1. Jullepuu
              • 4 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Ramsdale Foster
              Dias Cancelo Rudiger Christensen Livramento
              Salah Raphinha Saka Foden Benrahma
              Lukaku Antonio Davis

      3. Jullepuu
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Targetting Norwich has been a good strategy so far

        1. Mozumbus
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          You have got good cover in the defense

  12. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Seems like the best i can hope from Cucurella or Saka is 1 pont

    Would you do gilmour to de bruyne mane or son for -4

  13. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    This Havertz wagon is one I am happy to avoid.

    I picked him for GW1 and got a lovely cameo 1 pointer. GW2 a 3 pointer and shipped him GW3 then got a goal vs LFC.

    After that blanks and a no show. Think people are rushing into a massive trap here.

    Other than his goal vs Malmo, how was his general involvement in the match?

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Obviously the situation has changed as he's basically nailed against Norwich and Newcastle now, which wasnt the case until yesterday. If he's banged in goals and assists so far he wouldnt be a differential.

      He had a goal, and a great through ball to Rudiger who drew the pen. Had chances in the first half which he missed.

  14. Water_Pink
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ron > vardy for free ? Tough choice as I got a feeling Ron will score

    1. Mozumbus
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No

  15. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Would you be doubling on Mbeumo and Toney or one is enough and consider eg Wolves?

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

      I am but it's purely fixtures based. They probably won't score many goals, so one should be enough.

  16. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    What are people doing with Jota ?

  17. Killitzer
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone think that Lukaku ➡️ Aubameyang is a possible good move? Already have Vardy and Antonio though could easily swap to Kane.

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      You currently have vardy Antonio and lukaku? How cheap is your midfield?

      As to your question…Auba is consistent. It rarely explosive, so I think it depends on your style of play

      1. Killitzer
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Midfield is ok but not much to change with only £2m itb.

        Salah Foden Gray Raphinha McArthur

  18. Vovhund
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    With Saka and Lukaku on board, I'm on an obvious double move with Havertz my main man. Who's the best choice in attack:
    A) Aubamyang
    B) Vardy

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

  19. Ronanm
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Team currently:
    Ramsdale(Sanchez)
    TAA, Cancelo, Dias Livramento (white)
    Saka Foden Salah (c) Townsend (mbeumo)
    Lukaku Antonio (Hwang)

    A) lukaku to Kane
    B) lukaku and Dias to Kane and rudgier
    C) lukaku and Saka to aubamayang and havertz

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

      I'm currently on C myself

    2. Miro
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Doing C as well

  20. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ramsdale
    Azpi TAA Cancelo Rudiger
    Salah(C) Greenwood Raphinha Mbeuno
    Antonio Ronaldo

    Foster, ESR, Livramento, Scarlett.

    Bench order good?

  21. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Great options shared in this article!

  22. FPLgent
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Well Gents

    Thinking of Kane and Mbeumo or Havertz and Vardy this week

    Currently
    Ramsdale
    Apzi Cancelo James
    Raphina, Salah Benrama, Sarr
    Antonio, Jiminez, Lukaku

    Veltman, White and Brownhill otb

    Plan to have Trent back next week for either James or Apzi.

    What do we think? Also think Havertz might be a trap like torres