Spot the Differential
18 March 2022 813 comments
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Blank Gameweek 30 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 Brentford, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City, 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.

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN

  • FPL ownership: 0.7%
  • Price: £5.5m
  • GW30-34 fixtures: lei | che | WHU | wat | TOT

Christian Eriksen (£5.5m) has been instrumental in Brentford’s recent wins over Norwich City and Burnley.

The Dane joined the Bees on a six-month deal after his release by Inter Milan and made his first appearance as a substitute last month.

He has since played the full 90 minutes in successive victories, producing the assist for Ivan Toney’s (£6.6m) opener in the 2-0 win over the Clarets last weekend, before he later provided the pass that led to the forward being fouled for his injury-time spot kick.

Brentford’s improved form has coincided with Thomas Frank’s decision to move from a 3-5-2 to a more attacking 4-3-3 formation, with the creativity of Eriksen in a deeper midfield role key, where he can set the rhythm of his team’s attacks. Already an important part of their approach, the playmaker has amassed 80 opposition-half touches in his last two matches, at least 11 more than any team-mate.

Eriksen has produced three shots and created a modest three chances in his 218 minutes of pitch-time so far, but his dead-ball prowess is a key factor behind his appeal this week, given opponents Leicester City’s tendency to concede from set-plays, which has been apparent all year. The scheduling of the match also favours the visitors: the Foxes were in France on Thursday evening before facing the Bees on Sunday, so Frank’s side may fancy their chances at the King Power.

Brentford’s performances of late suggests they are building some momentum, and as Eriksen settles into his new surroundings, he could be a smart budget differential for our Fantasy teams.

JONNY CASTRO OTTO

  • FPL ownership: 0.3%
  • Price: £4.5m
  • GW30-34 fixtures: LEE | AVL | new | MCI (tbc) | bur

Following last weekend’s win at Goodison Park, Wolverhampton Wanderers have now produced successive victories and clean sheets, which has coincided with the return of Jonny Castro Otto (£4.5m) from injury.

And one of the biggest positives from those displays have been the performances of the Spaniard, who ranks joint-third and fifth among defenders for chances created and final-third touches in that time.

Additionally, only Leander Dendoncker (£4.7m) and Raul Jimenez (£7.6m) took up a more advanced role last time out.

Due to injuries to Nelson Semedo (£4.8m) and Ki-Jana Hoever (£3.9m), Bruno Lage doesn’t currently have an experienced alternative to Jonny at right wing-back, with Chiquinho (£5.5m) stepping in during the closing stages of the Watford win, which would seemingly ensure his place in the starting XI for Blank Gameweek 30 at least.

Now, Wolves face Leeds United on Friday and are looking to make it three wins on the spin. There are appealing fixtures to follow, too, with matches against Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Burnley in the next five.

Heading into Blank Gameweek 30, it looks like Jonny will be one of the first names on Lage’s team sheet, and could be a nice differential pick for FPL managers on the lookout for a budget defender.

YOURI TIELEMANS

Tielemans a FPL differential for Gameweek 21 and beyond 2
  • FPL ownership: 3.9%
  • Price: £6.4m
  • GW30-34 fixtures: BRE | mun | CRY | new + eve | AVL

Belgium international Youri Tielemans (£6.4m) has developed into one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the Premier League since his move to Leicester City.

Across his 19 league starts in 2021/22, he has produced six goals and two assists, averaging 4.7 points per match.

Notably, he has also posted team-leading totals for chances created and expected assists (xA), while his all-round ability lends itself to bonus points, with only eight midfielders bettering his tally of 13 across the season.

The injury situation at Leicester certainly isn’t ideal, but in the absence of Jamie Vardy (£10.3m), it may give Tielemans’ prospects a further boost, as it’s highly likely he will be on penalty-taking duties this weekend.

Despite suffering back-to-back defeats against Arsenal and Rennes, Brendan Rodgers’ side had previously won four in a row, and now have an appealing run which includes home matches against Brentford and Crystal Palace, before a confirmed Double Gameweek 33 which involves trips to Newcastle United and Everton. They also have two outstanding fixtures that still need to be accommodated somewhere during the run-in.

Tielemans has been a crucial player for a while now, and having been handed a breather at the Emirates last weekend, should be raring to go in Blank Gameweek 30.

813 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. ratski
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jimi or Toney ?

    1. pressdpm
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jimenez for me

      1. ratski
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Just concerned if he is 100% nailed and form is average. Been burned by Toney before but seems to be hitting a purple patch

    2. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Slight or no difference. Go with guts. Both are 1 GW punt

    3. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm going Toney of the two

  2. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What to do with this mess?

    Ramsgate/Sa
    Doherty* Saiss Digne* TAA Robbo
    Son Kula Saka Raph Salah*
    Jim Dennis* Broja*

    1 FT, 1.7 in bank

    Players with * could be sells as doubts or not playing.
    Could -12 to get Kane in for Doherty whilst losing Digne, Salah & Dennis.
    -4 looks certain regarding Digne and Dennis

    Cheers for any ideas.

    1. pressdpm
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don't go as high as -12

      Just get rid of Digne and Dennis.

    2. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I have Digne & he needs to go, who are your Dennis & Digne replacements, Toney & Thomas

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Toney or Kane, maybe Amartey as he is likely to start this one at least.

        1. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          You have three Spurs seems a waste to remove one for another, but risk vs reward with Kane?

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Captaincy is a big factor. A Kane fail would be massive either way.

            1. g40steve
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              True

    3. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tricky one, -12 seems like a lot for what is likely to be a low-scoring week.

      1. 1966 was a great year for E…
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Maybe Digne for an Ars defender, and Dennis for god knows who.

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Don't think Villa score? Toney the likely Dennis in.

          1. 1966 was a great year for E…
            • 15 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            It's slim pickings in defence this week, someone like Tierney at least gives you some attacking threat.

            Yeah, I'd definitely have Toney on a FH, but not sure longer term.

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Could be a -8 if Son goes & I play 10.
        Wish I didn't have 3 Spurs atm.

        1. 1966 was a great year for E…
          • 15 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Doesn't seem right to sell a good player with a game this week in Son.

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Could lose Doherty instead.

            1. 1966 was a great year for E…
              • 15 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              I'd probably just go without Kane this week and hope he doesn't do much, but it could backfire.

              1. TorresMagic™
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 16 Years
                3 years, 8 months ago

                😆

    4. Hotdogs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm considering a -8 to drop a 3rd spurs player to get in Kane as well

      I'm debating taking out TAA instead given the news, would that make it a -8 instead for you? Of course TAA could magically come back in right after the break and I got him at 7.5 so I'm losing 0.5 now but I reckon he will drop ~0.2 at least which lowers my real loss to 0.3 if I need to get him back in

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Would need to lose Dennis, a Spur & possibly TAA/Digne/Salah

    5. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers all, no idea on what to do.
      Attacking recent GWs has given my a FH at a cost of -12 at least.

    6. Radzio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      What is your chip situation?

      If you don't have WC and BB like me then I'm thinking about -8
      Digne+Son+Broja->Amartey+Kulu+Kane.

      You could buy Madders as you have Kulu for example as soon everyone will want him.
      It's a risky strategy but depends what you believe about Kane/Son, for me I don't feel too good having Son and not Kane.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Just FH left.

        1. Radzio
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Same as me. Then I would consider this Kane move.

  3. pressdpm
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A - Davies/Martinelli
    B - Amartey/Podence

    Anyone else around those prices I should be looking at?

    1. Cheeky Onion
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  4. ididnt
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Coady the best Wolves defender option?

    1. Pukki Pies
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Seems to be the most nailed and got as much attacking threat as any of them.

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Really not sure there's much to separate him and Saiss who are the popular picks on here just gotta pick one and hope for a set piece goal

      1. ididnt
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Jonny too risky?

        1. Thomas Magnum
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Don't know enough about him, he's a risk but article thinks he'll start which should be enough insurance for FH

    3. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Some rumors about Saiss from pundits in previous week, like rested etc…no idea.

  5. Maddamotha
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Regulion or Doherty on a FH?

    1. Vlad Tepes
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      same situation here, dont know who the best spurs defender is.

      1. Maddamotha
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Currently on Doherty.

    2. clarkey_2000
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Reg guaranteed mins and overall a better player, but Doherty is in better form. If you think Doherty gets 90 go with him.

  6. Cheeky Onion
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Start one:

    A) Barnes (LEE)
    B) Doherty (WHU)
    C) Coutinho (ARS)

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. pressdpm
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  7. Pukki Pies
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    got these playing

    Ramsdale
    Ait-Nouri
    Raph Kulu Saka
    Jimenez Kane

    A) Digne & Willock > Coady & Coutinho (-4)
    B) Digne & Willock > Doherty & Maddison (-4)

    Gives me 9 playing.

    1. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Can you do a mix of both? I’d be tempted to go Coady(better clean sheet potential) and Maddison. Just at a guess think those two have best points potential imo

      1. Pukki Pies
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Could do, would mean a Wolves double up though. Agree though Coady is maybe the better option for this week.

        1. Haalander
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I have Ait nouri and have two free transfers but only want to use one and am toying between Barnes of kilman. I’m tempted to double up on wolves think of all matches they’ve the best possibility of a clean sheet

  8. umerlfc
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    If WC and FH are still remaining, then does it make sense to sell TAA for Tierney/Periera/Reguilon/Doherty?

    If yes then who should I get in?

    1. abaalan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Depends how much value you have in him and if you want back before you WC anyway....noone else to transfer instead?

  9. abaalan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Digne -> Amartey or White
    or save the ft

    9 playing (ex. digne)

    Likely to be 4th / 5th def with others being Taa, rudi, doherty, saiss

  10. tinear
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ramsdale
    Dier Kilman
    Raph Saka Ramsey
    Kane Laca

    Dubravka TAA Cancelo Rudiger Salah Willock Broja

    2FT 0itb

    Willock Broja to Kulu Gelhardt worth it?

  11. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Coady or Jonny this week on FH?

    1. ididnt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jonny

    2. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Both will start. Coin toss

  12. Radzio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bottomed.

    Have 9 players, don't have WC and BB but also don't have Kane, wonder what is best:

    a) Digne+Son+Broja - Amartey+ Kulu + Kane -8

    b) Jimi+Son -> Kulu + Kane -4

    c) roll

    I like a, gives me 2 more players and Amartey is cheap to bench later. Not the best week to take -8 but Digne and Broja doesnt look great for the moment, no?

  13. youzef
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who to get in this week for a points hit (-4)
    A) Son and Maddison/Barnes
    B) Saka and Maddison/Barnes
    C) Maddison and Barnes double up

    I have 8 players playing and want to field 10 with above moves.

    1. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B but neither maddi or Barnes are nailed on to play and all my searches don’t give me any clues to say they start.

      1. Pukki Pies
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Barnes has played more minutes lately, if that means anything.

      2. youzef
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Maddison was a sub in their last conference league game so I am pretty certain he's likely to start

        1. Haalander
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Yea true Maddi probably more chance of game time

    2. clarkey_2000
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A) with Barnes for short term punt or Maddison for long-term

    3. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Stick with 8 and use the FT next GW

  14. Haalander
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Jonny only going to play as long as semedo is out would anyone know? Don’t want to bring him in and he’s back out after the IB. Thanks

    1. ididnt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      yes he's a big risk

      1. Haalander
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers thanks. Already have Ait nouri who’s in and out so not risking it then.

  15. adstomko
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Unpopular opinion: Kane is worth having instead of Salah for rest of season (if you can't have both).

    1. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No

    2. Hairy Potter
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah better player in better team in my opinion. Plus he's classed as midfielder.

    3. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I too think it is worth forgoing the player who is currently set to smash their own PL points record in favour of a player from a team who are currently struggling to put together a consistent set of results (sarcasm)

  16. james 101
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is Barnes a risk?

    On a free hit and he’s in my squad but unsure if I should start him

    First in my bench is laca

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      start barnes and if he doesnt play then laca is good to come in. I have both and starting both

      1. Silecro
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Its unlikely that he misses full 90 mins. Bound to come in if he doesnt start

      2. james 101
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        That’s my current though

  17. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is it worth keeping Bowen, probably back for Everton next week. Instead of getting Barnes/Maddison, Dennis to Nacho?

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

  18. Kodap
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Locked in, am I G2G?

    Sa
    Pereira - Tierney - Jonny
    Son - Kulu - Maddison - Saka
    Jimi - Laca -Kane (c)

    Raya - Coutinho - Cash - Thomas

    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Prefer Schmeichal over Pereira
      Barnes over Maddison
      Toney over Laca

  19. james 101
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Two Wolves defenders too much on a FH?

    Coady and Saiss

    1. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      There was some chatter an from pundits on YouTube that Saiss might not start. Don’t know anything about it - just saying I heard it there

      1. james 101
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers

    2. james 101
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Alternative on my bench is Gabriel

  20. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Amazing! An injury that improves your chances of playing. TAA had no Premier League match this weekend and now he has a 50% chance of playing following his hamstring injury. 😉

    1. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Amazing ):

      1. Wild Card this!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Oh my clown face emoji failed

  21. NorCal Villan
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    On FH, this is my midfield:

    Coutinho Saka Barnes Maddison Son

    Anything standing out as needing to be changed?

    1. NorCal Villan
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Playing a 3-5-2

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No same as mine but i have gone with Kulu over maddison

      1. NorCal Villan
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks! Holding a 35 point lead in a ML and person chasing has Kulusevski so I am going Son as a differential (Son is currently in my regular team as well, emphasis on “currently”). Guy chasing me played his WC last week so I know the team he will field this week (at most he would make the one free trade change) allowing me to tailor my team. Had plenty to spend on the free, couldn’t even spend all my money, and I think have the theoretically better player at most every position, with exception of Kane and Saka, the only common players we share.

    3. NorCal Villan
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Want Eriksen but can’t see who I would remove for him

  22. Better Call Raul
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Feels kinda stupid rolling my FT while holding TAA and James who are both flagged.

    Probably the sensible option though?

    Ramsdale
    White-Doherty
    Kulu-Raph-Ramsey-Odegaard
    Kane-Jimenez

    Sanchez---Salah-Broja-Robbo-TAA*-James*

  23. Hotdogs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    In light of the TAA news I am considering a last minute -8 to get in Kane (C) by dropping TAA.

    Ramsdale
    Gabriel Reguilon Coady
    (C)Son Saka Ramsey Kulusevski
    Jimenez Watkins
    (Foster | Dennis TAA James Salah)

    I have 10 playing right now, the moves would be:

    TAA + Kulsevski + Dennis > Kane (C) + Amartey + Maddison / Barnes / Eriksen / 6.7 mid

    I think it seems a bit crazy but I need someone to talk me out of it

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nothing is crazy this GW 🙂

  24. tim
    • 16 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    GTG?

    Sa
    Coady Tierney Pereira
    Son Saka Kulu Barnes
    Jimi Toney Kane(C)

    Meslier Cash Coutinho Amartey

    1. aapoman
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I like it

  25. Espanyolie
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    This Barnes vs Mads choice is driving me insane. May as well roll a dice

    1. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B man

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Barnes - more shots then madd

  26. jaywills
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Yo

    I have 7 players this week, with 1x FH, WC, BB chips left.

    Options:
    A) Play 7 (keep Foden for Burnley next week) - no hit...
    B) Broja -> Toney - For 8 Players - no hit...
    C) Foden and J.King -> Barnes and Jiminez (-4 hit) - For 9 Players.

    Cheers!

  27. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    With Digne definitely out should I take another hit for -8 or just hold what I have?

    1.3 ITB
    Ramsdale
    White AitNouri Digne
    Saka Ramsey Maddison Kulu
    Kane

    Sanchez Keane TAA Robbo Salah Broja Dennis

  28. aapoman
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martinelli or Saka on FH?

    1. Vlad Tepes
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Im going both

  29. Eleven Hag
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which Leicester defender to get?

  30. Glasner Ball
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Really want to ship out JWP. For a -4 I can afford either?

    A) Marinelli
    B) Saka

    Already have Ramsdale and Lacca so cant get both either 😉