Spot the Differential

Spot The Differential – Gameweek 4

As we all emerge from the hibernation of international week, I’ve decided it’s time to justify my status as Scout Contributor by dusting off the typewriter and picking up the Differentials again this week. We have a little bit of everything this time – we’re running the rule over an old Fantasy favourite, a youngster set to make his first start and another Belgian import who may well be primed to make his mark at Goodison next Monday…

Dimitar Berbatov

Here’s a player that would surely have been essential last season had he nailed down a regular starting spot is ex-Manchester United striker. Dimitar Berbatov – seven goals in just 521 minutes of football meant he was involved in 50% of the United goals scored when on the pitch. As the Premier League’s top scorer in 2010/11 and the first United striker to hit three hat-tricks in a season since Ruud Van Nistelrooy, it’s no surprise that clubs were queuing up for the Bulgarian hitman’s signature over the summer. After flirting so precariously with Fiorentina, Berbatov caught the train from Manchester airport to West London at the last minute and now that he’s back in the Fantasy mix, we’re jumping on board before rush hour hits.

Despite losing two key players in Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey, Fulham will still fancy their chances this season and Berbatov, Mladen Petric and Hugo Rodallega will all have a big part to play. Of the three it is Petric that has had the most immediate impact but there is no denying the explosive potential of Berbatov. If he can get anywhere near his goal scoring record from the last few seasons with United, then we can expect his current FPL ownership level of 2.1% to rocket. Priced at 6.9 and 7.5 in FPL and the Sky Sports game respectively, he offers a decent option as our cheap third forward slots this weekend.

Ben Davies

An injury to Neil Taylor brings the young Swansea left-back firmly onto Fantasy radars. While many had assumed new boy Dwight Tiendalli would be installed into Michael Laudrup’s first XI, the Dane confirmed earlier this morning that Davies will take his place for the trip to Aston Villa tomorrow.

While Laudrup admitted the 19-year-old is unlikely to nail down the role over the entire campaign, at present Davies looks firmly in the driving seat over the short-term, at least. Priced at 4.0 in FPL and a mere 3.6 in the Sky Sports game, he offers a cut-price route into a backline that has conceded in just one of their three fixtures thus far. With three home matches in the next four after this weekend (EV, RDG, WIG), Davies, with just 0.3% FPL ownership, is an intriguing option for those Fantasy managers looking for a defensive alternative over the next few Gameweeks.

Kevin Mirallas

As a real punt, we’re heading to Goodison to pick up one of Everton’s summer signings. Today’s news of an injury to Darron Gibson plays a significant part in our thinking – with the Irishman sidelined for “two to three weeks” due to a thigh problem, Marouane Fellaini may return to central midfield, affording Mirallas a role in “the hole” behind Nikica Jelavic. David Moyes may even decide to roll out a 4-4-2 for the visit of Newcastle on Monday evening and Mirallas – priced at 7.5 in FPL and 7.7 in the Sky Sports game is a real differential to consider, with just 0.3% ownership in both games.

Yet to begin a league game this term, Mirallas has been eased into the fold with a couple of sub appearances but highlighted his potential with two goals and a pair of assists in a sparkling debut, as Everton racked up a 5-0 Capital Cup win over Orient. His acquisition won’t come without risk but if he starts, as we expect, the potential for points against an injury-hit Newcastle may even see him outshine the more popular Jelavic (9.6%) in the final match of the Gameweek.

Big Dunc If you're going to get sent off, make sure its for something worthwhile... Follow them on Twitter

1,232 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Ok I'm really off to bed now, if I was a religious man I would pray for Bale sellers, if I was a charitable man I would empathise with Bale sellers. As am a Bale keeper who is none of these, may the best man win.... 😀

    Open Controls
    1. NLB
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Think I'm keeping faith with Bale as well...hope it works out for us mate!

      Open Controls
  2. bdwhite91
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Is Chico Flores the Ramos of Swans?

    Open Controls
    1. NLB
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      did he have a terrible missed penalty as well? 🙂

      Open Controls
      1. bdwhite91
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Haha no. Just seems like a card magnet, and I believe I read on here that he picked up a lot in la liga.

        Open Controls
  3. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    What do you reckon to this lot?

    Begovic(MCI)
    Baines(NEW) Jenkinson(SOT) Rafael(WIG)
    Cazorla(SOT) Michu(avl) Sterling(sun) Hazard(qpr)
    Van Persie(WIG) Berbatov(WBA) Tevez(sto)

    subs - Foster, Cuellar, Demel, Maloney

    Open Controls
    1. Home Run Baker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Nice team
      One or two interesting picks - Rafael, Sterling, Berba

      Open Controls
      1. doncastro
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Sterling is not a viable fantasy pick. If you are on a wildcard I would take Jenkinson out. Rest is all above board

        Open Controls
        1. doncastro
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Awesome video on your link btw

          Open Controls
          1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            I LOVE that video. What a player

            Open Controls
        2. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          He's just filler really but it helps that he's starting tomorrow

          Open Controls
    2. NLB
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I like it...some nice differentials, but all the *necessary* players are there. Who you giving the armband to?

      Open Controls
      1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        RVP,(c) Cazorla(vc)

        Open Controls
    3. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      i'm playing Foster, i have the same back 7
      update on Dyer: target: 34965. NTI now: 34819. I will kick my ass if he's short of some transfers. it seems they update every 30 minutes, so we have the last update at 3h Dunny

      Open Controls
      1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers for the update. It's not critical for me tbh (have 0.7m in the bank with the above team) but would be nice!

        Open Controls
    4. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I'd play Foster and possibly Demel over Sterling..

      Open Controls
      1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Foster vs Begovic is a close one. Not expecting a clean sheet for either this week tbh but their rotation is good enough long term

        Open Controls
    5. McGurn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Very good. Sterling and Jenkinson may lose minutes long term but good for now

      Open Controls
      1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Yep that's how i see it. At 4.5m it's not a massive problem and i can start to phase them out in the coming weeks.

        Open Controls
    6. NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      So, are you not considering Davis/Ruddy anymore?

      I'm not so confident with Sterling in the mid- and long-term. The rest looks really good.

      Open Controls
      1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        I binned that combo in the end, just not confident that Norwich/Southampton will keep any clean sheets!! Much more confidence in the Stoke/W.Brom combo.

        Yeah Sterling is no good long term but i needed one more midfielder for around 5m and he should at least start tomorrow

        Open Controls
  4. NLB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Alright guys last post about this...really doing my head in.

    DDG
    Cole Zab Demel
    Bale Michu Maloney Noble
    RVP (c) Tevez Torres
    Subs: Federici Tierney Britton Clyne
    +2.0 in the bank

    A. Bale to Hazard (obvious one, but I just have this gut feeling to keep Bale)
    B. Torres, Noble to Lambert, Hazard
    C. DDG, Zab, Noble to 4.5 GK, 4.0 def, Hazard
    D. save the transfer, call it a night, and get off this site! 🙂

    B/C take hits

    Any thoughts?
    Cheers

    Open Controls
    1. Home Run Baker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

      Open Controls
      1. NLB
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Shhhh 🙂

        Open Controls
  5. The Rock
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    New post.

    Open Controls
  6. NATSTER
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone still looking for a combo of GK? I'm planning to stick with 9.0m budget combo and considering these pairs. Which pair do you think best in this budget? RDG is not looking much well, but having DGW in hands..

    A B C
    SOT/NOR SOT/STK SOT/RDG

    *WHM ars/MCI TOT
    AVL AVL AVL
    *LIV SWA NEW
    FUL FUL FUL
    whm whm whm
    avl/TOT SUN *FUL
    *STO wba/nor wba/qpr
    SWA *QPR *NOR
    qpr/MUN qpr/whm EVE
    eve/NEW FUL wig/NEW
    NOR NOR NOR
    *SUN wba liv/MUN
    RDG RDG RDG
    *WIG EVE ARS
    SUN SUN SUN
    ful/CHE ful/LIV *SWA
    sto/MCI *SOT *WHM

    @SuperDunny .. are you still around and considering Davis/Ruddy? What do you think so far?

    Open Controls
    1. NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      So bad format.. 🙁

      I will have to repost.

      Open Controls
      1. doncastro
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        a good combo is Mignolet and Foster. There is no good combos for 9 million since all the 4.0 keepers are shit but Ruddy and Jaskerlainan(both 4.5) rotate for home games like for like for the immediate future

        Open Controls
  7. craig johnston
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Hi there long time reader first time poster

    Jaski
    Mertesackerl/ McCauley/ Williams
    Hazard/santi/ Ben arfa/ yaya
    Tevez/rvp c / petric

    Barnett/ demel/ sterling
    Gk cerny
    0.6 bank

    Epic? Sexy? Gtg?

    Thought about changing petric to lambert to also Rafael for McCauley

    Open Controls
    1. Version
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Definitely a bad team ! Mertesacker under risk of Koscielny, McCauley not nailed on with Popov coming in,Sterling lack of game time !

      Open Controls
  8. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Pick 1 of ivan and verm

    Pick 2 of rafa, gibbs, gallas

    Pick uf you would prefer to pick either option 1 or 2 above 🙂

    Open Controls
  9. teddy.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Play Di Santo or Noble?

    Open Controls
  10. Tobias
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I've got the old horrible final WC combo dilemma:

    Mig/Baines/Guthrie/Fletch
    OR
    Howard/Cuellar/Pienaar/Fletch
    OR
    Howard/Cuellar/Maloney/Jelavic

    Open Controls
    1. Version
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      1 or 2 ! Inclined towards 2nd option

      Open Controls
    2. KING KOUNDER
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Mig/Baines/Guthrie/Fletch

      Baines is OOP , Guthrie plays pretty advanced , looks like a handful in home games for Reading.

      Open Controls
  11. shite_factor
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Possible WC Team

    Foster (Davis)

    McAuley, Demel, Gibbs, (Cuellar, Barnett)

    Hazard, Michu, Yaya Toure, Ben Arfa, Fellaini

    Tevez, Van Persie, (Lambert)

    Any thoughts would be appreciated.

    Thanks.

    Open Controls
  12. My Name don't Mata
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    swansea or brom defense?

    Open Controls
  13. Fantasy Fanatic
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    YAYA TOURE FOR CARZOLA/KEVIN NOLAN ?? Or remain with carzola/nolan ??

    Open Controls
    1. Beckham Benders
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      cazorla surely 4 this week............

      Open Controls
  14. Beckham Benders
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    De Gea/ Jaaskelainen

    Rangel,Ridgewell,Jenkinson,Barnett,Fabio

    Hazard,Dembele,Michu,Yaya,Maloney

    RVP,tevez,fletcher...... is it all r8?

    Open Controls
    1. Beckham Benders
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      yaya out cazorla in.....

      Open Controls
  15. ooh john aah john yes john
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    repost

    wildcarding

    jussi bego
    cuellar baines verm barnett davies
    santi dyer barfa guthrie hazard
    rvp carlitos disanto

    how does it look?

    Open Controls
  16. GREENDREAMS11
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    It's berbaaaaaaday today. 🙂

    Open Controls
  17. MrBrightside
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Any way I can better this on WC:

    Foster / (Jussi)
    Ivan / Gibbs / Demel / (Gunter / Clyne)
    Hazard / Cazorla / Michu / Ben Arfa / Guthrie
    RVP / Tevez / (Lambert)

    No money left after! Wanted Baines or Verm instead of Ivan really but can't afford it.

    Open Controls
  18. Elwood
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    No DDG and no RVP (but he'll get 29 minutes)!!!

    Arg!!!!!

    Open Controls