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Gameweek 1 Differentials

Just a quick look at some differential players for Gameweek 1. Here I examine the merits of those players with good opening fixtures, some of whom have gone under the radar in terms of ownership and the Rate My Teams posted on this site. Not all of them will appeal to everyone, but they’re mentioned as food for thought anyway. Generally I take differentials to be under 10% ownership but I’ve tried to curtail it to players around the 5% mark, with the exception of Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel (since goalkeepers incur higher ownerships due to less choice).

The Bournemouth Quartet

Simon Francis (4.0%) – With very little competition at right-back, Francis looks a decent pick after notching a goal and eight assists last season in the Championship with Bournemouth. He clearly carries an attacking threat, and all for only 4.5, he could be a nice pick for the opening game against Aston Villa.

Tyrone Mings (3.1%) – Playing at left back, the Cherries’ £8m record signing also carries a heavy attacking threat, like Francis, and notched a goal and five assists in comparison last season while at Ipswich. It remains to be seen which full-back will be utilised more in Bournemouth’s attacks by boss Eddie Howe, but either are solid options to start with for Gameweek 1.

Matt Ritchie (4.6%) – Managed 15 goals and 17 assists last season for Bournemouth, which makes him quite an appealing option at only 6.0. He has a surprisingly low ownership, as well as being on set pieces, and could do the damage against Aston Villa. Definitely a dangerous player and could be this year’s Sigurdsson depending on how Bournemouth’s season unfolds throughout the coming months.

Callum Wilson (5.6%) – Bournemouth’s main threat last year, boasting 20 goals and 13 assists over 45 games. The young striker definitely looks as though he will be involved in many of Bournemouth’s goals this season. For 5.5 he is quite a popular third striker option for FFS managers, allowing upgrades elsewhere at virtually no disadvantage thanks to his kind run of fixtures from the start.

The Leicester Trio

Kasper Schmeichel (7.6%) – Surprisingly Kasper Schmeichel has lower ownership than that of backup keeper Mark Schwarzer and will set you back a mere 4.5. As Giggs Boson pointed out on his recent post about goalkeeper bonus points, Schmeichel is the third best 4.5 goalkeeper and is always good for save point or two each game, boosting his potential for bonus points. With a home game against goal-shy Sunderland up first, investment seems wise.

Robert Huth (3.3%) – Huth was snapped up last season on loan from Stoke and quickly established himself in the heart of a Leicester defence that racked up six clean sheets in 14 games toward the end of the campaign. His place should be nailed, especially when we consider that new manager Claudio Ranieri originally brought him to England during his spell at Chelsea in 2002. With a history of consistent attacking returns and goal threat, the big German is certainly a decent option at only 4.5.

Jamie Vardy (3.1%) – Has notched three goals in his pre-season games and was an important player for Leicester last season; perhaps not so much at scoring (five goals), but he ended up with the second highest number of assists for the season (joint with Angel Di Maria, Yannick Bolasie and David Silva, on 12). At 6.0 he won’t break the bank, but his returns could be based on which Sunderland side shows up on the day.

The Everton Duo

Ross Barkley (2.9%) – In their opening fixture, Everton host a Watford side that haven’t looked great at the back at times. With so many changes made during the summer, it remains to be seen how the Hornets will gel in a competitive game. With Everton’s injuries piling up, Barkley is likely to play in the hole behind the ever-popular Lukaku. He is priced steeply enough at 6.5 considering the other options available in this price bracket, yet as a differential with a tidy opening game, he gets the vote here.

Kevin Mirallas (3.5%) – One winger at Everton is Aiden McGeady, and the other is McGreedy, a.k.a. Kevin Mirallas. The Belgian is explosive at times in his returns, and other times just plain frustrating. Nevertheless, he is always good for a goal and opening up the opposition’s defence, and with set pieces in the bag we can surely hope to see more than the single assist he managed over the whole of last season. His 7.0 price tag may prove generous by the end of the season, especially if he can generate some momentum and form early on. He has the potential to rack up a solid points haul when Watford visit.

The One And Only

Aleksandar Kolarov (2.1%) – The Serbian heart-breaker… Every year the Kolarov bandwagon starts rolling, and this time it’s right at the start of the season. However, with reports of Gael Clichy picking up an injury and missing Man City’s last preseason game against Stuttgart, this would mean Kolarov seems nailed on for their away trip to West Brom. Should Yaya Touré and Sergio Aguero fail to feature too, this would possibly put the Serb on penalties too (but at minimum he should still take his share of free kicks). For 5.5 I think he is both a worthy punt and differential for the opening game.

One last nomination…

Oscar (1.4%) – At 8.5, Chelsea’s Oscar is a player who is very consistent in his returns each season. Fielded behind the striker, he has hardly any competition, except when Fabregas is moved forward. He carries a good goal threat and is capable of hitting a decent free kick. Oscar might not be a great long-term investment, especially if Jose Mourinho decides to experiment with two strikers, making him the player likely to drop out. But for now, playing Swansea at Stamford Bridge as an opening game could prove fruitful for those that decide to take a punt on him while keeping tabs on other 8.5 midfielders such as Depay and Firmino.

Bøwstring The Carp Active since 2011 on FFS. Occasional poster and community article writer. Twitter: @MattKearney92 Follow them on Twitter

48 Comments Post a Comment
  1. J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Great list. Had Vardy in my team until last week - he may go back again. Good differential I think.

    Great to see Oscar there too...does do well against Swansea.

    1. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I like Vardy too, also eyeing up Ulloa, think Leicester strikers may be being overlooked considering fixtures.

      1. Barry Woj
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        It's just Ranieri and his tinkering putting everyone off, surely?

      2. FPL P0ker PlAyer
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        This. Totally.

      3. FPL P0ker PlAyer
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        This.

    2. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Vardy is in my team. Keeping it quiet though haha

    3. FPL P0ker PlAyer
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Right then, please permit me to have a little moan about this irrational bias that otherwise sensible people have towards the phenomenon of certain players having good historical records vs certain teams? Let's be absolutely clear about this, because there is no rational explanation for this other than the fact it would be statistically speaking unimaginable for some players' goals not to coincide with some opposing teams. In other words, it's NOT relevant! Now, I might add as a caveat, in the style of the rapidfire addendum delivery at the end of financial product adverts, that exceptions do arise whereby some players might be especially fired up by certain fixtures as they have a prove to point, or some players are equally as suggestible as those who spout this historical record nonsense that the boost to their fragile egos is enough to increase the likelihood of them faring well.
      And breathe. There, that feels better. Thank you. Peace.

      1. FPL P0ker PlAyer
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        ^a point to prove, not a prove to point, ahem..

  2. little_wizard123
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Veretout is my GW1 punt. Or Scott Sinclair.

    One of them.

    1. Margarido
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Scott knows the league and its cheap.

  3. Tadic is the new Eriksen
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Lens is my GW1 punt - have heard good things about his preseason form, nearly 30 caps for the Netherlands and 1 in 3 scoring rate for his country.

    0.9% ownership and first 3 gameweek fixtures are lei, NOR, SWA

    worth a try I reckon

    1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Followed by avl, TOT the next two weeks

      I think he'll be an early bandwagon

      1. Futbal15
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Pricey at 6.5 though.....

    2. SGTMacaroni
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Interesting, thanks for the info.

    3. Cesc, Drogs & Rock and …
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Ssh!!

    4. Margarido
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Michu started way vs a newly promoted team.

      1. Como Park Rambler
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        That newly promoted team was a ragtag Crystal Palace, though, not team that finished the PL on a strong run of defensive form.

    5. gannyali
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Thats information for me.

  4. ZULU23
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    RMT, please....

    Butland, Hennessy

    Azpi, Mertesacker, Huth, Coates, S. Taylor

    Sterling, Tadic, Cazorla, Hazard, Flecher

    Rooney, Kane, Sakho

    Cheers!

  5. Mr.What?
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    RTM Plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    Rutland

    Azpil Kov Cedric (Coates, Muniesa)

    Haz Walcott Hendo Ritchie Sinclair

    Roon Pelle Lukaku

    0.5 in bank

    1. Girls like Cars and Man&eac…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      chill fam why you snapping ! that's one heck of a team doe.

  6. Margarido
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    So…it comes down to this:

    Hazard - Milner - Lukaku
    vs
    Silva - Mane - Benteke

    I'm stuck on the 1st combo, but have a sneaky feeling that the second it's more explosive.

    Thoughts are appreciated!

    1. bennyp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Work it so you can get the second one + Hazard

  7. Shmadz - Le Saux Solid Crew
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Cheers, Bowstring. Nice write-up.

  8. Miami Monkey
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    I have had Mirallas Kolarov and Oscar in my team this whole time

  9. jalla89
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    who will start upp front for arsenal ? Giroud or theo walcott ?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      140000 per wk means Wally want be on bench.

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Won't*

  10. ihateramsey2
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    you'd think that Huth was owned by 33% not 3.3% after seeing him in almost all the RMTs here

  11. Numb
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Nice article Bowstring! Agree on Schmeichel, Huth, Kolarov and Vardy - not sure on some of the others but food for thought here. How many differentials can you afford to go with though?

  12. Sleep Talk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    I have Francis and Huth in my team. Not to keen on an offensive punt, although I very much like Ritchie from Bournemouth.

    However, and this is something I started last season, I tend to avoid players who have a good GW1, but lousy GW2/3 fixtures. If they don't work out in the first game, you're stuck with a player who people will be offloading en masse in the weeks to come. It's why I avoided Stoke assets last season, and it's why I'm avoiding the offensive Bournemouth assets this year.

    Come GW4 I'll reevaluate, I see great potential in their front line.

    1. ihateramsey2
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      are u suggesting to avoid Lukaku?

    2. djenzio
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      but Bournemouth have great fixtures

    3. MaxiRobriguez
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      And if Bournemouth go big on Villa and their attacking two picks of Ritchie or Wilson score against either Liverpool or West Ham, then their price will rocket. I think that's more likely than a significant price decrease given their ownership (Ritchie especially) is limited.

  13. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    jordon mutch, too out there to punt on, making him the ultimate gw1 differential

    1. Miro
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Do you think he´ll start gw 1 ?

  14. Dušan Citizen
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Can't believe noone noticing Willian. Only 7.0 nailed on Chelsea mid.

    1. bennyp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Yes but pretty much every1 has haz and/or fab. With those covered there are better mid priced options IMO. (chadli/milner/hendo/payet/sig)

      I think he's a good punt but including him could unbalance coverage for many teams. (If you're concerned about coverage).

  15. jimboggles
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Hey You!

    Please rate my team

    Schmeichel (Swarzer)

    Clyne Mertesacker Azpillicueta (Baker + Francis)

    Mané Hazard Walcott Depay (Wanyama)

    Rooney Benteke Wilson

    (City players coming in GW4)

    What changes would you make?

    1. Mr.What?
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      In my opinion choose either roon or depay not both of them for gameweek 1

    2. MaxiRobriguez
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      GK: 1/2
      Def: 2/2
      Mid: 3/3
      St: 2.5/3
      -
      8.5/10 good to go.

      Only changes I'd make would be to do Myhill/Hennesey which gets you rotation option at same price plus route into WBA def. Also would consider not starting with Tekkers, but that's just a person choice. I've gone Pelle instead (double up with Mane).

  16. Nishad Basheer
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Fabianski//Guzan

    Clyne//Francis//Mertesacker //Azpilicueta

    Özil//Henderson//Hazard// Redmond

    Kane//Rooney

    Sub : Deeney Turner Wanyama

    Guys Pls RMT and suggest changes .. Thanks in advance

    1. Mr.What?
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Looking good !!

      1. Nishad Basheer
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Was just thinking abt walcot / cazrola instead of Ozil .. whts your view ?

        1. Mr.What?
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          I have Walcott in my team. . . I think he will play up front, but Ozil can get lots of assist from set piece.

  17. Nishad Basheer
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Hendo ??? shall i replace him with chadli/sirgudson??

  18. Mogga
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Berahino or Lambert as a 3rd striker.

    Will Lambert start scoring again....

  19. Pascal Struijks Back
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    After starting and scoring in the charity hub cap, is Oxlade-Chamberlain worth it as a differential punt this year?