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. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Went Kante over Hayden for security of minutes, pure & simple.

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

      At this time of the season you need as much nailedonness in your squad as possible.

      1. Buck The Trent
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Deep

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

      Now wish I went Hayden.

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

      Not a bad option imo. Wouldn't want to play him except in blanks and doubles personally though

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

        Yeah he’s my only bencher with Rashy & AWB on crunches.....

  2. tisza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anybody know why McCarthy didn't start for saints against Arsenal?
    Was it one of those games where they wanted Gunn as an extrasweeper?
    Chances of McCarthy starting against Fulham?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hoping they wanted Gunn as a passing option against Arsenal

  3. Ambrosiana Inter
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Martial trippier to sane and Tarkowski?

  4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    with the news is it good to do rashford and son to almiron and aguero -4?

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

      What news?

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

        I saw this:
        "Stones and Jesus should be back soon but they're both ruled out against West Ham."

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        jesus out

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

      What news?

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        jesus is out pep said

    3. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      What news?

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

      If you're going to captain Kun then it's decent.
      Done Barnes and Hazard myself with an eye on 31 and ház as a decent captain for the weekend. Already own kun

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Till when? will he back for the weekend?

  5. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Repost.
    Chances of sterling playing?

    Would you rather have sane this week and then Sterling next for a hit?

  6. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    This will be my move for this week :

    Laca and Rash -> Aguero + 7.1 striker

    But which one? All ready have Jimi.

    Advice would be lovely!

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Go Rondon and get your Hornets shirt out for the Cup

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

        Ha might just do that!

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Arnie, Barnsey, Rondy

    3. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes or Rondon is the choice

  7. Evil Greg
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    DEULOFAIL do you feel wrong inside for not having Deulofeu all season?

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

      Yes, but it's a normal feeling.

      1. Evil Greg
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        :mrgreen:

  8. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    G2G guys?

    Ederson
    TAAVVD WBA Doherty
    Salah Pogba Son
    Jimenez Aguero Barnes

    Boruc Bednerak Anderson Brooks

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      who you capt?

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Salah or Aguero

        1. the dom 1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          same dilemma here lol

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Should be a green

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Actually WBA is Pereira

        1. fr3d
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Dangerous to go without Waaron Ban-Assika

  9. azz007
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    man u dgw 32 on the list

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      No wi-fi signals under your rock? 😛

      1. azz007
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        well back from a trip from Bali, so all good

  10. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Seeing a lot of similar questions....

    Rash: His ankle status is unknown, OGS is being cagey. If you think Rash will miss the game, ship him out, but dont forget DGW 32 for Man U. I would wager he rests this game but may play on the weekend vs Soton.

    Aguero: No one knows if he will start, there's been no news of fatigue, but I believe the odds are good.

    As for -4's? We all know the risk, or benefit, of hits.

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

      Most people here are using FH in GW32. Those who aren't, or don't know, might be better off keeping him, yeah 🙂

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Will sterling play?

      Would you rather have sane and then get Sterling next week for a hit?

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        No idea on Sterling...Id be a nervous owner if I had him.

        Sane is meh, but could come good.

        Id want Kun as my only City attack rep

  11. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Jota + vardy + mane?

    A) 0-6
    B) 6-16
    C ) 16-25
    D) 25+

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

      C

  12. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Play:

    A) Anderson mci
    B) Bednerek FUL

    ?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Attacker

  13. OleGGMU
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Foster, boruc
    Doh, pereira, schar, shlupp,simpson
    Jota, Salah, Mane, Son, McNeil
    Lacaz, Aguero, Jiminez

    Have 0.4 itb
    Should i ship for gw29
    A) jota -> hayden (or someone else cheaper than jota???)
    B) David simpson ->Targett

  14. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    So kun should start with Jesus still out?
    Rashford son
    To
    Kun Hayden?

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If you have no City, I'd advocate this move.

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        With the move, I'd have kun aubameyang salah Mane
        No other city though

        1. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Go for it

  15. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Captain Salah or Auba? First to 5 wins.

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Mo

    2. Tim
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Kun

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Salah

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

      Mo

    5. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Salah

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

      Auba

    7. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers

  16. whosBenj
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Martial > Maddison & Rashford > Aguero for -4?

  17. pjomara
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    What odds Aguero benched and Sterling starting as striker?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      hopefully the odds are slim lol

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Why would he do that?

      1. pjomara
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Aguero is on the wrong side of 30 and played 120 minutes on Sunday and has bigger games than West Ham at home coming up

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

    Wondering if Hayden is a better pick than McNeil, who has been impressive recently.

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

      If you're planning to bench each week, besides the blanks, then McNeil is the obvious choice as he has a confirmed GW33 fixture.

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

        Good point. He was great against Spurs too. I think it's his place to lose, but Guðmundsson's return is a worry maybe.

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

          For sure. My cheapo attacker is Solanke, so I have similar concerns about gametime come GW33. If you haven't made the move yet, perhaps it's better to spend more money, or balance Hayden with a Watford or Fulham player, since one of the two will start in GW33, and the other will be benched. At least you can plan for that.

  19. DR0GBA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    A) Kamara > Jiminez (-4)
    B) Auba > Aguero (-4)

    If I don't take a hit i'll be forced to play one of Luiz or Anderson this week

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

      Just play Luiz I would. Jimenez is about to have blanks.

      1. DR0GBA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Jiminez against Huddersfield is such a good fixture though

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

          True, but is he worth -4 and a transfer down the line? That's -8 to me.

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If no City, Id do B

      1. DR0GBA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I have no City but I also have the option to do Son > Sterling for a hit

        1. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Too risky imo to do that Son move for a hit...

          1. DR0GBA
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Agreed, I would prefer Aguero than Sterling but don't like Son's next fixtures even though he still has potential in them

  20. Daghe Munegu
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    anyone ? Laca to Kun for free ? have Sterling

    1. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Swap? Na. Laca and Kun - yes

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

    First GW of the season where I'll be owning Salah, Auba and Aguero.

    No idea who to captain.

  22. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Now chasing in MLs and trying to stop rank slipping further. Many rivals have Aguero.

    Can anyone, (preferably those opting to go w/o City another week?) convince me not to do Anderson Rashford —> Fraser Aguero (-4)???

    I’m keeping the (c) on Auba either way, but feel that with Jesus out I should go for it with a Kun despite losing Felipe...

    Would be saving FT otherwise.

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

      In a similar situation and thinking of doing Son/Rash to Barnes/Aguero.

      Aguero has hurt me recently and I can't take anymore pain!

  23. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Rodgers ar Leicester could be interesting, especially for their attacking assets.

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

      Is he regarded as an especially attacking manager, or just that Puel was negative?
      Just wondering - don't know/remember much on Rodgers.

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Both! Don't think Rodgers defensive coaching is up to much but they weren't keeping cleansheets anyway so I suppose that doesn't matter.

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

    GTG?

    Patrício
    Digne Pereira Bennett
    Salah Son Pogba Mané
    Jimenez Agüero (c) Rondón

    Ryan Clyne Camarasa AWB

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      you bet. gl with captain !

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

        Thanks.

        Salah (c) still in the back of my mind.

        I’ve had some poor weeks lately dropping 150k places. His is a gamble over the highly owned and most likely captained Salah.

  25. Meltens
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Sort of hoping one of the ”big guns” misses out to take the bench decision away from me... Right player benched?
    Salah - Pogba - Son - Mané - Jota
    Kun - Jiménez - (Barnes)

    I don't like benching Smashley Barnes but can't see any other way... Thoughts? 🙂

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

      Jota v Barnes for the bench.

      Heja Hammarby.

      1. Meltens
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yup been switching between them all day... 🙂

        Haha japp, Forza Bajen! Spännande säsong på ingång!

  26. Hazardous1983
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Start fab or guaita

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Guaita

      1. Hazardous1983
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        On what basis. Fab to make lots.of saves no?

  27. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    wow first time Pep is honest 🙂 Kun (C) then?

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Imagine the scenes if Jesus started.

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        he is out Pep confirmed

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Which is why it'd be the ultimate Pep move.

      2. Mo Mané Mo Problems
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Sterling false 9.

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

      How do you know? 😉

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      What did he say? I missed it

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        chekc Scout Tweet

    4. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Jesus is out he said in presser

  28. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Kun and Salah owners. Who do you captain?

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Think Im going Salah, just because I think he starts, 100 Pct

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        With Jesus out, surely its safe to assume Aguero will start? Then give Aguero a rest the following week perhaps

        1. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Sterling has played false 9 (aka Falafel 9) before tho w out Kun....Id say its a 75% or more chance Kun starts.

  29. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Guaita
    Robbo Pereira Doherty
    Son Salah Pogba Anderson
    Rashford Jimenez Auba
    (Button - TAA - Camarasa - AWB)

    Any help selecting the best move? Can do one move for free, but am okay with a hit (towards GW31 team) and the hits look saucy as you can see.
    A) Rashford to Rondon/Barnes/Vardy
    B) Rashford and Camarasa to Almiron and Barnes (-4)
    C) Rashford and Son to Sterling and Rondon/Barnes (-4)
    D) Son and Rashford to Almiron and Aguero (-4)
    E) AWB to Newcastle defender
    F) Button to Heaton

  30. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Would you play Son (che) or Barnes (new)?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Son. New has improved lately. And Che have to play for the win as I see it which could open up the defence.