Spot the Differential

Spot the Differential – Gameweek 9

Our usual Saturday morning trawl for some overlooked Fantasy options sees us place our faith in a couple of hot-headed frontmen with favourable home encounters on their agendas. Southampton’s playmaker also earns a nod as Ronald Koeman’s men embark on a very kind run of fixtures.

Diego Costa

In the same way that Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez silenced their critics in emphatic fashion with explosive Fantasy returns, one would imagine that Diego Costa’s undoubted class will eventually shine through and spark a much-needed hot streak. To that end, Chelsea’s home tie against Aston Villa this Gameweek could provide the perfect antidote for the Blues’ ailing offense, considering that Tim Sherwood’s men shipped eight goals in their last trio of road clashes.

Costa’s most prominent failing this term has been a lack of goal attempts; Radamel Falcao has mustered as many shots on target (four) as the combative frontman, despite being afforded less than half his pitch time (231 minutes compared to 540). It bodes well, then, that only Leicester and Norwich City surrendered more shots inside the box (22) than Villa during the last two Gameweeks.

With a large portion of Sergio Aguero’s ownership pinpointing Graziano Pelle – who’s the most transferred in player this Gameweek – as the most viable replacement, the 10.9-priced Costa (6% ownership) could be an impactful purchase. If he can rediscover his groove against the West Midlanders, Chelsea’s excellent run through to the New Year – which includes a quartet of strong home encounters (NOR, BOU, SUN, WAT) – plays right into Costa’s hands.

Dusan Tadic

Beyond Graziano Pelle (three goals and four assists in three) and Sadio Mane (two goals and three assists in three), Dusan Tadic (three goals in five) makes the most cogent argument for investment among Southampton’s attacking contingent. Priced at 7.0, the Serbian playmaker serves as a cheaper route into a Saints outfit that netted eight goals in their past four match-ups and is buoyant in the wake of a 3-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

From a statistical standpoint, Tadic has excelled over the past four Gameweeks. Aside from tallying six attempts, he ranked joint-fourth among his counterparts for key passes (14). Moreover, taking the campaign as whole, Mesut Ozil (one every 19.5 minutes) and Erik Lamela (20.2 minutes) are the only midfield starters to boast superior key-pass frequencies (23.1 minutes) than Tadic, underlining how pivotal he is to Southampton’s build-up play.

The Saints’ next match-up finds them hosting a Leicester City side that ranked second for goals against (10) and shots inside the box conceded (44) across the previous four Gameweeks, exposing their paucity of defensive resolve. With three more favourable home encounters (BOU, STO, AVL) and a trip to Sunderland also to follow in the next seven Gameweeks, the 6%-owned Tadic could be a real contender in the mid-price bracket.

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Notwithstanding their 6-1 mauling at the hands of Manchester City last Gameweek, Newcastle United will take solace from Aleksandar Mitrovic’s first goal of the campaign. Fantasy managers will understandably be wary of recruiting from the Tyneside outfit – given that no side has chalked up fewer goals (six) this campaign – but it’s worth bearing in mind they’ve already squared off against six of last season’s top six teams and now embark on an agreeable schedule (NOR, sun, STO, bou, LEI, cry) through to Gameweek 15.

Despite facing off against Chelsea and Man City in the last two Gameweeks, the former Anderlecht marksman managed to rack up six shots inside the box – only five forwards carded more. Next on the agenda for the Magpies is Norwich – who’ve conceded the most shots inside the box (48) and second most big chances (11) over the last two Gameweeks – which suggests Mitrovic will have an easier time fashioning chances.

Valued at 6.2, Mitrovic is certainly friendly on the budget, though the real problem up until this point has been his temperament. If he can curtail the aggression that’s resulted in two yellow cards and a sending off in just over 300 minutes with the Magpies, his predatory eye for goal looks key to steering Steve McClaren’s outfit up the table.

1,890 Comments Post a Comment
  1. davies
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    GTG?

    Myhill
    Darmian - Zouma - Williams
    Sanchez (C) - KDB - Payet - Mahrez
    Pelle - Gomis - Vardy

    Butland - Wanyama - Francis - Kolarov*

    Cheers.

    1. Rushfort
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      gtg

    2. S.Kuqi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Really nice. Altough not sure about your captain but its good as any other popular captain option

    3. Dormer
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      I'm going for KDB over Sanchez since Watford love to play out a 0-0 draw for as long as possible and Sanchez could be taken off early after having played a few days ago

      1. Evasivo
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        Dormer, what's you plan seeing as you own Aguero Kolarov Targett and Gomez?!

        1. Dormer
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          Aguero>Pelle (Done)

          And Gomez>Betrand/Azpi (can't decide)

          1. Evasivo
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            OK, so keeping Kolarov. Maybe Bellerin?!

            1. Dormer
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 27 days ago

              Yep, keeping both Kolarov and Bellerin

  2. The 12th Man
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    4,008 transfer Hazard out today!
    Madness

    1. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      People getting KDB

    2. S.Kuqi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Why. Villa will keep cs and Richards to score winner.

      1. QPR expects... glory!
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        😆

        1. S.Kuqi
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          It could happend. Like R's winning there few seasons ago.

          1. QPR expects... glory!
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            I might end up playing him. Without Kolarov I'm left between a rock and a hard place (two of Morgan/Richards/Cameron to go with Williams)

      2. sleecc
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        That'd be great!

      3. The 12th Man
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        I brought him in. May even captain him.
        Rest of attack is Hazard, Sanchez, KDB, Payet, Hoolahan
        Pelle, Lukaku, Vardy

    3. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      I know. Lost money on him last night 🙁

    4. Piggs Boson
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      I guess they have no injuries...

      1. The 12th Man
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        True

  3. D0GS B0110XS FC
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    play francis or huth

    1. Cojiro
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Huth

  4. Valar(Keith)
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Are there any Fabianski owners or have they all been silenced? Great fixtures.. 27 saves.. and doing pretty ok so far yet no one ever mentions him(not on watchlist either)

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Under the radar.

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        Has about 4 tough games from now till GW 22!

        1. bdwhite91
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          Yeah I wanted him in my wc team
          But opted for Gomes and got a pk save

          1. Valar(Keith)
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 27 days ago

            🙂 .. i've got that decision to make now

    2. And we all have legs
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      I have him with McCarthy as sub so he plays every week. Not massively impressed by him but he's picking up some points. Will probably hold until next WC.

  5. Pistol
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    RMWCT please:

    Begovic Elliot
    Bertrand Monreal Alderweirld Souare Simpson
    KdB Sanchez Payet Cabaye Mahrez
    Pelle Lukaku Vardy

    I've gone for depth as will probably play bench boost soon

  6. Sunjalo79
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Yaya , Ayew and Mahrez play today ? what's the chance % ?

    1. Rushfort
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      yaya and ayew should be. Mahrez Im not sure

    2. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      100% Yaya
      0% Ayew
      75% Mahrez

      *Ayew will play on Monday

      1. Sunjalo79
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        Hahaha so tru bro 😀 my mistake 😉 ty for answers

  7. Kroos Kontrol
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    How's Bolasie as a differential? Have 6.4 iTB.

    1. Grand Thibauto
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      not bad. Cabaye seems safer and is a much better player. But bolasie has more potential for FPL points.

  8. Grand Thibauto
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Hazard(C) seems to be the biggest differential this week. I have bruyne who is other cap choice for me. But most of my ml rivals dont have bruyne or hazard. Going for Hazard mostly being a Chelsea fan. But 5.2% capped hazard which just edges Aguero captainers for this week.

    1. Kroos Kontrol
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      How can you know less than 5.2% are captaining Aguero this week BEFORE the FPL deadline?

      1. Grand Thibauto
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        I was kidding. Those were the votes in ffscout even after they resetted aguero cap percentage.

    2. st4rt__
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Hazard's owned by over 20% of people. Costa under 10%, there's the real differential. 😉

      1. Grand Thibauto
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        He will be my Aguero replacement. I early transferred and not wanting to take a hit now.

      2. Back on the horse
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        You captaining him?

  9. Cojiro
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Geez, the posts are flying. Should I take a hit?

    Bego
    Sagna, Dawson, Francis
    Sanchez(c), Payet, Mahrez, Pedro
    Pelle (vc), Costa, Gomis

    Schwarzer/ Surman/ Muniesa/ Targett. 3.6ITB

    1. Pistol
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      No

      1. Cojiro
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        Thanks

  10. Redbull Sucks
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Choose 1 among the below

    a. Bellerin
    b. Bertrand
    c. Azpilcueta
    d. Janmaat

    1. Pistol
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      A

    2. Orion
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      a

    3. Grand Thibauto
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      bellerin

    4. Numb
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      A

    5. Numb
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Thanks Guys, Bellerin it is.

  11. supperspout
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    much chance of muniesa starting?

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      No

      1. QPR expects... glory!
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        Even less in a few weeks when Shawcross is back.

  12. Orion
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Who too captain lads, help please...
    A) Mane
    B) Costa
    C) Walcott
    Cheers

    1. Rushfort
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      mane for differential

    2. Grand Thibauto
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      I have none. But mane seems like a good choice

    3. Orion
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Thanx guys, and good luck... 🙂

  13. Snapes on a Plane
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Thoughts on my wildcard team?
    Does it look good enough now?

    Begovic(Butland)
    Davies--Cedric-galloway-dawson-monreal
    Sanchez-Debruyne-Hazard-Payet-Drinkwater
    Pelle-Vardy-Bony

  14. Numb
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    When your main rival has 5 flags, no GW transfers and a wildcard in their back pocket....

    1. And we all have legs
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      When your rivals are so sh!t you should be embarrassed to call them your rivals.

  15. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    A: Yaya + 1.7m (probablyupgrade two of my 4.5m def to 5m and leave the rest in bank)
    B: KDB

    1. Meinhoff
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      B

  16. S.Kuqi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    M.Richards only 10.00 - 9/1 for any time goal scorer!

    He is certainly due according to bookies.

    1. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      The bookies are hoping to drum up some business then. He's never been prolific in front of goal

  17. 3 years & counting
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Is there any reason why some people are picking Monreal ahead of Bellerin?

    Personal preference?

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      ???
      Most people seem to be picking Bellerin

    2. Numb
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      But, to answer your question, Bellerin is probably more likely to be rested (e.g. This weekend)

    3. Gaffa914
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Sanchez plays left mid...

    4. Grand Thibauto
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Differential maybe

    5. Gaffa914
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Since 1902 haha just seen your profile picture

  18. Meinhoff
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Do I:

    A) play the defence of: Darmian, Evans, Richards (Ogbonna, Kolarov) or

    B) take a hit

    Thanks

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      B. Get Berty or Zaba

  19. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    A - Marital to Costa

    B - Mahrez to Hazard

    1. Meinhoff
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      A

  20. Rushfort
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Whats the problem with Mahrez ? playing or not ?

    play A) mahrez OR B) ighalo

    cheers mate !

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      I am debating whether to drop Mahrez for hazard so make of that what you will.

  21. Punty
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    So Benteke, Ings, Firmino and Henderson injured, Sturridge late fitness test.. think Livepool can win?

    1. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Nope. Draw maybe but can't see them winning. That said the bookies took me to the cleaners last weekend 😆

  22. KeepCalm
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Guys I need help with the following.

    A. Yaya or Bony
    B. Bavies or Watford defender
    C. Myhill or Evans
    D. Hazard or Costa

    Will appreciate loads. Cheers!

    1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Yaya
      Watford
      Myhill
      Hazard

      1. KeepCalm
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        Thanks mate. Going Bony instead of Yaya but the rest same

  23. DAV087
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Need to play 2 of these?

    A) Martial
    B) Mahrez
    C) Hoolahan

    Leaning towards benching Martial...

  24. saihtam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Costa and cabaye
    or
    Hazard and Ighalo?

    Or something else?

  25. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Myhill Hennessey
    Huth Gabriel Kolorov Dier Saylor
    Hazard Sanchez Payet Marez Wanyama
    Pelle Vardy Diouf

    Don't want to WC since I missed the rises and Diouf, Kolorov and dier back next week

    -4 deep already

    A) play Wanyama and -4 for Saylor-->Bertrand
    B) -8 more for Costa & Bertrand
    C) -4 for Costa and go AOA playing Wanyama

    Leaning towards going -12. (B)

  26. FPLord
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    A. Kolarov>Bellerin (another -4)
    B. Play darmian

    1. Grand Thibauto
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      B anyday

    2. n-doggg
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      B

  27. skodaole2
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Repost... need some opinions..Already took -12 just to field XI starting players. Would you take another hit if your starting XI involved Mahrez and Prodl? And bench one of the above?

    A) Andreu -> Wijnaldum (and bench Mahrez)
    B) Kolarov -> Monreal (and bench Prodl)
    C) Keep

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      You only had 3 red flags - why did you take a 12 pointer?
      C)

      1. skodaole2
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 27 days ago

        Muniesa is as good as a red flag and i did my first transfer early when i had no flags. Yesterday i did the rest...

        1. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 27 days ago

          You need to fix your link then. I assume your name is not Jack Norman

    2. Larry Legend
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      C do nothing else

  28. money face bandwagon
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    (C)osta

    1. Grand Thibauto
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Hazard

  29. n-doggg
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    My current back line is

    Kolarov, bellerin, Evans, richards and targett

    I have already taken one hit elsewhere for my team. With kolarov definitely out, Evans a doubt and richards away to Chelsea is it worth doing Targett to Cedrick for a hit?

  30. Sz21
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 27 days ago

    Already took a -4 to replace Aguero/ Silva
    6.7m in account.
    Should I take any further hits??
    My defence is in BIG trouble.

    Butland
    Richards, Dawson, Francis
    KDB (vc), Sanchez, Mahrez, Payet
    Martial, Pelle (c), Ighalo

    Schmeichel, Westwood, Kolarov **, Ward**

    1. Larry Legend
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      You can field 3, I think your good to go

    2. CableEnable
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 27 days ago

      Same as, I'm going AOA but with Azpi and Dawson & Richie