Welcome to another differentials XI article here on FPL Updates; let’s begin with the review of gameweek 30 which, after a long-winded international break, now seems like quite a long while ago.
Although it wasn’t a bad week for our side, a very high average (with a number of high percentage players, including Kane and Giroud, scoring very highly) means that despite a respectable 41 points we still saw red arrows after the gameweek was up.
So the team score is above and as you can see the introduction and captaincy of Diafra Sakho was a very important part of this gameweek as he scored 18 points, close to half of our total.
The only other player to score any points (of note) was Bony who grabbed his first goal for Manchester City against West Brom. The side returned no clean sheets and our midfield also had a minimal contribution to the total. However the correct captaincy ensured that this week was not another embarrassment.
So moving onto gameweek 31 we have one change, although I have some explaining to do. Unfortunately when selecting the transfer for this week I made a fatal error – forgetting to check the ownership stats. In doing so I transferred in a 11.6% TSB player in Sadio Berahino, meaning that I had to take a -4 hit in order to amend my error. I know, a shocking decision but that sometimes happens! Nevertheless here is the actual transfer for this gameweek:
IN: BAFETIMBI GOMIS / OUT: WILFRIED BONY: Despite getting his first City goal in the previous gameweek I wouldn’t be surprised if Bony only made the bench against Palace and the Frenchman (Gomis) cannot be ignored when his side’s run of fixtures is taken into account – this week they face a struggling Hull City.
So here is this week’s line up:
Starting XI: Pantillimon (4.3%), Zouma (1.7%), Vertonghen (2.3%), Lescott (3.6%), Mane (2.9%), Nasri (2.0%), Mahrez (0.4), Phillips (0.9%), Agbonhlahor (3.0%), Sakho (3.0%), Gomis (0.4%)
Bench: Ospina (2.4%), Walcott (0.4%), Sakho (1.1%), Yoshida (2.4%)
A change in goal sees Pantillimon replace Ospina, while Vertonghen, Zouma and Lescott start in front of him. Some promising fixtures at the back this week (although Zouma’s game time is doubtful) should hopefully see at least 12 points being returned in this area.
Our one double gameweek player is good old Matty Phillips who seems to return points in surprising quantities, considering his value and TSB percentage. He lines up next to Mahrez, Nasri (who seems like a doubt) and Mane. With Phillips playing twice we can hopefully pick up some bonus points, while Leicester need to start scoring to ensure survival so let’s hope that Mahrez steps up to the plate.
Finally our forwards; captain Agbonlahor leads the line as he has two fixtures, against Manchester United and strugglers QPR. Sakho and new boy Gomis partner him in the hope of ensuring that all three strikers return points this week.
So that concludes another edition, good luck for gameweek 31 and thanks for stopping by.
Dan
