Selection

Differential midfielders to help with forward planning

Cheaper midfielders are the focus of our Spot the Differential article ahead of Gameweek 28.

There is a selection of players in this position offering potential for the next few matches, all priced well under £7.0m.

Read on and discover which options owned by less than 5% can help propel you up the rankings…

Isaac Hayden

Price: £4.4m

Ownership: 1.7%

A new candidate for the fifth midfielder spot has arisen in recent weeks as Newcastle’s Isaac Hayden (£4.4m) continues a decent run of form.

The 23-year-old has benefited from recent time out of the side for Jonjo Shelvey (£5.3m) and Ki Sung-yeung (£4.7m) to start the last nine Gameweeks in a row.

It is in the last five that Hayden has found form, recording three assists and a goal in that time.

That has come from seven chances created in the last four Gameweeks, combined with six efforts on goal.

No midfielder priced at £4.5m or under can do better in that selected time-frame.

The fixtures still look good for Newcastle over the coming weeks with Burnley (home), West Ham (away) and Everton (home) their next three opponents.

Crucially, the Magpies have a fixture in Blank Gameweek 31, against Bournemouth (away), and might have one in Gameweek 33 against Crystal Palace (home), which could make Hayden an important player to own long-term too.

Pascal Groß

Price: £6.7m

Ownership: 1.7%

With Blank Gameweek 27 out of the way, Brighton options come back into consideration ahead of a trip to Leicester City on Tuesday night.

Despite playing in just three matches across the last four Gameweeks, Pascal Groß (£6.7m) is joint-top for key passes played in that time.

He has supplemented that with eight efforts on goal and could inspire Brighton to a decent showing at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester are without a clean sheet at home since Gameweek 14 and the effect of going into this match without a manager is hard to quantify.

This could be a serious opportunity for Brighton to secure their first away win since Gameweek 14.

James Maddison

Price: £6.6m

Ownership: 4.4%

Despite Puel’s departure from Leicester City, there is still plenty of promise surrounding central midfielder James Maddison (£6.6m).

This is not the first time we’ve tipped the former Norwich City man as a differential option of late as the Foxes fixtures continue to appeal.

A home game against Brighton this week is another one of those favourable fixtures, and it comes after a strong statistical performance from Maddison last time out.

That means in the last four Gameweeks, no player has created more chances than him, while only two Fantasy assets in the whole division have shot more often.

With reports of Brendan Rodgers coming to the King Power Stadium, we could still see Leicester able to capitalise on their appealing schedule, and Maddison could be a big part of that.

With reports of Brendan Rodgers coming to the King Power Stadium, we could still see Leicester able to capitalise on their appealing schedule, and Maddison could be a big part of that.

1,878 Comments Post a Comment
  1. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I'm trying to decide what to do with Firmino who I was planning to save for GW's 31 and 33.

    Lossl
    Robertson, Doherty, Luiz
    Salah, Pogba, Fanderson, Frasar
    Firmino, Auba, Jimenez

    Foster, Hojbjerg, Zabeltta, AWB

    1 FT, 0.6m ITB

    A) Save (start Firmino with Hojbjerg as first sub)
    B) Hojbjerg to Hayden
    C) Firmino to Vardy (or Barnes)
    D) Firmino and Fanderson to Aguero and Hayden for a hit
    E) Firmino and F.anderson (or Frasar) to Mane and Barnes for a hit.

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A or b

    2. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      C Vardy party

    3. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

  2. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    As the GW deadline approaches, this is your regular reminder that there is no such expression as "'yay' or nay".

    This has been a public service broadcast from Massive Green Pedant.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Lots of Nays incoming

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Neigh

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Disagree, I've seen it a lot.

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        More's the pity 🙂

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          That's not in my phrasebook. Never say it again! 😈

          1. Make Arrows Green Again
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Pour aller à la piscine?

            1. Deulofail
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Ah bah oui uh...

              1. Make Arrows Green Again
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Jesus. Save the tubby tustard for when Son scores tomorrow.

  3. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best Martial replacement with 7.4m?

    Son Salah Mané Filipe my other 4 mids. Thinking Almiron

    1. CarrollsPonytail
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I would. Maddison could be interesting when Rodgers gets going though.

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Richarlison 😀

  4. John78
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Son and Rash to Aguero and Hayden (-4)?

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Just think Son's gonna shine

      1. HamezMace
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I think it'll come out tomorrow, and tomorrow is only a day away.

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Clear skies today in Teletubbyland

    2. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think Spurs will destroy Chelsea so I wouldn't get rid of Son

    3. John78
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Scared to be without Aguero this week!

    4. MPC
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes but McNeil instead of Hayden

  5. wernerhedgehog
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Quick Question:

    Play Rashford and leave Arnie 1st on bench? OR play arnie.

    1. John78
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Play Rash

  6. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    As a punt for up coming fixtures including BGW 31 .. Who is best to get ?
    A - higuain
    B- Vardy

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      🙁

    2. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Higuain, he's coming in for my Laca next week

  7. amplifiedAnt
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Fabianski (Button)
    Robertson, TAA, Doherty, Pereira
    Salah, Son, Pogba, Richarlison
    Aubameyang, Jimenez
    (Rashford*, AWB* Puncheon)

    1FT, 1.8m ITB.

    A. Rashford > King/Rondon/Barnes (wanted King from GW30 anyway)
    B. Button > Boruc
    C. Puncheon > Hayden
    D. Save

  8. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Danny Ings still injured.

    Water is wet.

    1. amplifiedAnt
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      As a Saints fan it's so frustrating. Leader and talisman when he plays. But what good is that if it's for 50% of the games across a season?

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Knew that when they signed him though. Nothing new.

        1. amplifiedAnt
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          He's on loan at the moment, albeit with obligation to buy. Starting to hope that there are minimum playing time conditions (and that he won't have met them).

          1. how now brown cow
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            It's a real shame for the guy.

    2. Surfeit of Lampteys
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No it really isn't.

  9. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Jesus to return?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Still injured Jafs.

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      The older I get the less I think it’s likely.

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        How old are you? Genuine question

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Jesus has been crossed off the list.

        2. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Actually don’t know. Parents never told me when I was born.

          1. La Roja
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            😛

          2. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Did they tell you later on, though?

            1. Jafooli
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              I’m only assuming they’re my parents. I met them about two months ago.

                1. Jafooli
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  😛

    3. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      After Easter

    4. waterboy
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Unfortunately, this Wednesday looks like a Good Friday.

    5. MTPockets
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Closely followed by the tooth fairy

      • Bronski
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Pep seemed to say re Jesus in todays Presser he’ll be ready soon but not yet. But you know Pep!

    6. Bronski
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A) Aguero(C) + Salah
      B) Salah(C) + Lacazette (no Aguero)
      Which hauls bigger catch?

      1. farmerfat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I have to to say A

      2. MPC
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        A

    7. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Is this worth -4?

      Laca Rashford ➡ Aguero (c) Rondon

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yes
        I think Laca Wouldn't Shine this GW

      2. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Must admit I’ve ditched Kun (c) for fear of minutes.....back on Salah aarrrghhh

      3. MPC
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        No. Keep Laca

      4. Bronski
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        For sure yes!

    8. Jay Jay Okocha
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No idea what to do with this team, any thoughts?
      Fab, Hamer
      Robbo, Pereira, AWB, Bednarek, Bennett
      Salah, Pogba, Son, Fanderson, Jota
      Aguero, Rashford, Jimenez

      0.5 and all 3 chips itb

      Thinking of downgrading Fanderson

      1. MPC
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Rash and Son out

    9. MPC
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Pick one to start?

      Anderson (mci)
      Bednarek (FUL)
      McNeil (new)
      Schar (BUR)

      Thanks.

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Scharinho

        1. MPC
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks

    10. Iggypop
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Painful being an auba owner, knowing he's gunna blank and aguero will get a hatty. But still can't pull the trigger on the swap this gw!

      1. MPC
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I just bought Kun but if I had Auba, I’d captain him

      2. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Why do you continue to torment yourself? Do away with Auba and bring in Sergio.

    11. radawson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Lloris Hamer
      Robbo Kola Pereira AWB* Cook*
      Salah Son Sane Pogba Rich
      Jimenez Rondon Rashford*
      1ft, 4.1m itb

      Which move to make? Will do Sane > Hazard next week

      A) Rashford > Vardy

      B) Son > Mane

      1. TheSteel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        A of those but Rash might start

    12. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      question to the mavericks:

      thoughts on son > sane(c) -4

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        drop mane instead

      2. JaydenLFC87
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Brave

      3. DF
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Think I'd rather captain Son than lose him for -4

    13. JaydenLFC87
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rashford F.Anderson > Rondon D.Silva - 4 Yay or Nay????

    14. Perthite
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Does bench & order seem right?
      (I know Firmino & Rashford unlikely)

      Foster (Fabianski)
      Doherty Robertson Pereira
      Salah Anderson Son Pogba
      Firmino Rashford Jiminez
      (Moutinho Bednarek Digne)
      1FT 1.7m

    15. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Bedtime for me, logging off before I'm persuaded to take the armband off Doherty (with all these managers considering benching him...blows my mind)!
      GL and goodnight all 🙂

      1. jtreble
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Brave.

      2. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        What kind of madman would bench him?

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I know, but hes on so many ABC who to bench questions today!

      3. TheSteel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        They dont keep cleansheets

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          HUD havent one goalscorer in their team...if ever theyre going to get one 😉

      4. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I don't think anyone on here will actually bench him, they just list all their defenders when asking for a benching decision..

    16. PaulParker
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Lingard out for...

      - Deulofeu
      - Maddison
      - someone else @ 6.7m

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Almiron

    17. DF
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Start Shaw or Pereira?

      1. the Penman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Shaw.

    18. altan8797
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      gtg for this GW?

      etheridge
      robbo | pereira | taa | bennet
      sterling | salah(c) | pogba |
      rondon | lacazette | jimmy

      3.9 | fanderson | puncheon | awb

      Planning to bring Kun in next week (for laca) if nothing else goes wrong.

    19. Vobinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If you owned Aguero, Sane & Sterling who would you captain?

      1. TheSteel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Aguero. Jesus out

      2. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I’d say the first 2 play and Sterling is rested.

        Aguero (c).

    20. milanista10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A or B lads?

      A) Swap Rashford for Jimenez (FT)
      B) Bench Rashford - start Felipe Anderson and Bednarek

      If A, would you bench Felipe Anderson or Bednarek?

    21. Drogba Legend
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Which option looks better for this GW through 31:

      A) Trippier > City back
      B) Trippier to someone else potentially playing in 31 (Have Robbo/TAA/Pereira)
      C) Deulofeu > Harvey Barnes
      D) Rashford > Barnes/Rondon

    22. jgjokaj
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      G2G
      fabi (speroni)
      Pereira TAA Doherty (Bednarek WAN)
      pogba son salah Richarlison (motinho)
      Jimenez Auba (rashford)

      really need some help this whole season has been crap !!
      Need a man city player. Any advice will be appreciated !!

    23. Tmel
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Ederson
      TAA Robertson Doherty Jonny
      Pogba Salah Sterling Son
      Jimenez Rash
      (Guaita Fanderson AWB Kamara)

      Just the 4 GW31 players so not adverse to taking a hit.

      a) Kamara > Barnes
      b) Kamara > Rondon
      c) Rash > Vardy
      d) Son & Kamara > Almiron & Vardy (-4)

    24. SheBangsTheDrums
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Any news on Camarassa?

      1. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Check HotTopic

    25. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Salah or Aguero for captain?

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Aguero seems more explosive these days?

      2. JaydenLFC87
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Salah

      3. MTPockets
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Aguero for me, but wavering

        • Bronski
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Having seen Peps presser hes fired up that City perform and says any excuse of tiredness will not be tollerated!

      4. Do I Not Like Orange
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Why is Salah close to dropping before a run involving WAT, eve, BUR & with one of the best possible fixtures in 31? I know he's not been in top form recently, but dumping him at this point is insane given those factors along with EO.

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Because he's blanked in 3 of the last 4, and is the most expensive player in the game.

          1. Do I Not Like Orange
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            He's been in poor form but I remember him looking similarly crap in the weeks before I took him out of my team just in time for him to score a hat-trick against Bournemouth. He's a streaky player this season, but so highly owned/captained that the damage he can do to non-owners in periods like this is massive, which I found out from bitter experience.

        2. Zladan
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          1G 0A in his last 5.

          For £13.6m you’d expect a goal or assist every game.

          Not surprising people are losing patience, but I will be keeping.