So last weeks wildcard paid off and so did keeping Kevin De Bruyne for one last week. Before we go on however, here is how the Differentials XI looked at the end of the week:
As eluded to, De Bruyne bid a fond fair well to the Differentials XI, with a display that made Guardiola suggest that only Messi is above his current performance levels! High praise from a manager that has worked alongside players just as Iniesta and Xavi in his time.
Stekelenburg’s own goal was unfortunate and robbed us of a double Everton clean sheet. However, the Seamus Coleman goal made it somewhat bearable.
In midfield everyone produced at least a single goal or assist. Yet Nolito still decided the week was going too well. 4 to the good against Bournemouth, he decided to pick up a red card, thanks a tonne!
Up top was a disappointing display. Both Rooney and Benteke failed to do anything. But due to De Bruyne now exceeding the ownership boundary (10%), they survive at least one more week. Spurs’ Jansen is looking a tasty prospect as a replacement for either Benteke or Rooney, although it may be wise to see whether it will be himself or Son stepping in for the injured Harry Kane.
All in all, 15 points above the average score resulted in another green arrow. From a rank of over 1,000,000 to just outside the top 600,000. Being in the Top 16% without a single player above 10% ownership is pretty impressive. Hopefully we can keep this impressive run up.
Onto this week, here’s the transfer:
De Bruyne (OUT) -> Georginio Wijnaldum (IN)
Here’s how the Differentials XI line up:
Starting XI: Stekelenburg (3.1%), Luiz (0.9%), Coleman (2.5%), Cathcart (0.4%,) Wijnaldum (2.3%), Bolasie (5.9%), Pereyra (0.8%), Lanzini (0.2%), Benteke (5.4%), Rooney (5.7%) & Ighalo (5.8%).
Bench: Forster (4.1%), Dawson (2.2%), Mustafi (0.5%), Nolito (3.3%).
In defence I’m sticking with the double Everton lads. I feel it was unlucky last week given the nature of the goal they conceded. I’m hopeful that Stekelenburg and Coleman can return a clean sheet against an underperforming Bournemouth side that in my opinion could be heading back to the Championship come the end of the campaign. David Luiz gets a second chance this week. He again looked shaky midweek against Leicester, but the Blues have a good record against Arsenal at the Emirates, so I’m quietly confident of a performance from the Brazilian. Completing the defence is Cathcart. Watford have looked impressive and secured a victory against United last time out in the league. Burnley haven’t exactly set the world alight and an out of form Gray makes a clean sheet for the Hornets all the move likely.
Staying with Watford, Pereyra looks to be an assured signing. Still under the 1% ownership he’s certainly still under the radar. Let’s hope he continues his eye catching record of contributing in every game he’s featured in. So far this season he’s managed 1 goal and 2 assists in 3 appearances. You can’t complain with that. Another player that still nobody is considering is Lanzini. He’s doubled his ownership of 0.1% to 0.2% so watch out boys he’s picking up steam! Southampton managed to keep a clean sheet last week, but I can’t see them doing the same this time round. Lanzini got a bit of rest midweek against Accrington Stanley, so there’s no reason for him not to start at the weekend. Bolaise has fantastic run of fixtures coming up, but part of me wants him not to explode. It might seem a little be counterintuitive, but if he keeps going about his business quietly picking up the odd goal and assist I’ll be able to keep him in the Differentials XI for the whole run of appealing fixtures. Finishing off the midfield is Wijnaldum. Yes, I could have gone for other Liverpool midfielders, but similar to Bolaise I’m hopefully he can be a mainstay in the Differentials XI, meaning there would be no need to waste a transfer on him if he exceeds the 10% threshold.
The forward line consists of Ighalo, Benteke and Rooney. The first 2 have reasonable fixtures that could return goals. Last week their sides managed 7 goals, but they failed to be amongst them. It doesn’t sound the best for this week but surely they’ve got to score soon! Lastly I’m not even sure Rooney will start. He played midweek while Ibrahimovic was rested. I can see him making way for Spurs’ Janssen in the very near future.
Written by FPL Avids (@FPLAvids)
