Spot the Differential

Martial could make mockery of £7.5m price tag this year

Wish the summer and your weekend afternoons goodbye, as it’s that time of the year again… Fantasy Premier League is back.

As we hurtle towards the Gameweek 1 deadline, Fantasy Football Scout has all the information, advice and tips you need to help you with your team.

Our best XI for the opening weekend comes out later on Friday but for now, we have something for you mavericks out there.

If you want something slightly different to the crowd, here are three players with low ownership that may be worth considering for Gameweek 1…

Anthony Martial

Martial could do well for Manchester United this year if he gets a run in the team

Price: £7.5m

Ownership: 5.0%

GW1 Opponent: Chelsea (H)

There is no denying that Manchester United did not finished the 2018/19 season on a high. As soon as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was offered the manager’s role on a permanent basis things began to take a turn for the worse as the Red Devils agonisingly missed out on a coveted Champions League spot. 

If there’s one person who could help turn things around with a run in the side, it is Anthony Martial

He averaged an attacking return every 115 minutes in the Premier League last season.

Despite being listed as a midfielder he often plays in advanced positions, such as a centre forward on three occasions during pre-season.

His record of scoring 34 goal in 113 Premier League games is very reasonable, especially when considering his FPL price tag (£7.5m) and position. 

Historically, a combination of injuries, rotation and being subbed off often limited his game time. 

With that said, he is one of United’s most experienced attacking players and, fitness permitting, he should start matches regularly and will be relied upon to perform at his best on a consistent basis. 

Manchester United will be up against a transitional Chelsea team on the opening weekend. 

Interestingly, the last time Martial featured against them he scored a brace in a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s defence has not looked too solid in pre-season and they have just lost David Luiz (£6.0m) to Arsenal.

After last season’s woes, Manchester United will want to get off to a good start and players like Martial will need to make more of a difference with improved motivation.

Kyle Walker-Peters

Kyle Walker-Peters (left) in action for Spurs this summer

Price: £5.0m

Ownership: 3.03%

GW1 Opponent: Aston Villa (H)

Kyle Walker-Peters was far from being one of Tottenham’s firstchoice full-backs last season, but a unique opportunity has presented itself to the youngster.

The departure of Kieran Trippier to La Liga and the injuries to Serge Aurier and Juan Foyth have unexpectedly brought him to the fore. 

Walker-Peters has only featured in nine Premier League games during his entire career and yet averages an assist for every 112 minutes played. 

Moreover, last season, 32% of his touches were in the final third of the pitch. 

Of course, three of Walkers-Peters’ assists came from one game, but it provides an evident glimpse of attacking capabilities.

In fact, you won’t get many other starting £5.0m defenders from last season’s top four, espcially not at wing-back.

The transfer window has now closed and Tottenham’s did not sign any new right-sided defenders. 

Walker-Peters may not be a hugely long-term option and may need transferring/wildcarding out when Foyth or Aurier comes back but we don’t know exactly when that will be yet. 

Tottenham kick start their campaign against newly promoted Aston Villa in Gameweek 1, a favourable fixture.

Walker-Peters has a chance to establish himself in the team and with a few good performances he may prolong his presence as a regular starter.

Ashley Barnes

Burnley’s strike force could enjoy their Gameweek 1 opener against Southampton

Price: £6.5m

Ownership: 0.9%

GW1 Opponent: Southampton

Ashley Barnes was a great differential last season, registering 12 goals and 3 assists. 

This attacking output alone was responsible for 33% of Burnley’s goals, which shows you how important he is to the team. 

There are many other strikers currently priced at £6.5m with similar contributions, such as Josh King, but Barnes has an extra edge. 

For every season that he has played in the Premier League he seems to be progressively scoring more goals:

14/15 Premier League season 5 goals in 35 games
16/17 Premier League season 6 goals in 28 games
17/18 Premier League season 9 goals in 36 games
18/19 Premier League season 12 goals in 37 games

The former Austria Under-20 international’s performance trajectory clearly shows that he is getting better at the top-flight level.

He is at the peak of his powers and there isn’t anything stopping him, even if they’ve signed Jay Rodriguez as an additional forward to add to the mix. 

Sure, Barnes won’t end the season with 20+ goals, but would it be hard to reject him for your third budget striker spot when he could exceed last season’s points tally? 

Burnley start the season with Southampton at Turf Moor. Barnes has scored two league goals in his last two starts against the Saints and he should be more than capable of causing havoc to their backline once again.

MORE TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS CONTENT

Arsenal | Aston Villa (manager) | Aston Villa (defence) | Aston Villa (attack) | Bournemouth | Brighton | Burnley | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Leicester | Liverpool | Man City | Man United | Newcastle | Norwich (manager) | Norwich (defence) | Norwich (attack) | Sheffield United (manager) | Sheffield United (defence) | Sheffield United (attack) | Southampton | Spurs | Watford | West Ham | Wolves

3,661 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How’s it looking? Should I swap Fornals to Tielemans? Or go 442?

    Heaton (Button)
    TAA VVD Digne (Rico Gibson)
    Salah Sterling Fraser Fornals Perez
    Wilson Deulofue (Greenwood)

    1. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Don't like £4.5m GK set and forget personally.
      Risky have 2 x £4.0m sub defenders, Gomez could easily steal TAA's spot one week.
      Perez opening fixtures a 16th worst.
      Fornals is a punt.
      Deulofeu isn't 100% nailed.
      6 points off so 4/10.

      1. Hits from the Bong
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers. I like cheap goalkeepers, will be moving to Pope soon. Think TAA should be fine unless it’s against the top 4 or 5 teams. He’ll do for now. Perez has a home game with a tired Wolves team, be crazy to avoid him, playing oop in a very attacking team. Fornals is incredible. Deulofue should be fit to start and will probably become Haller before long.

    2. The Gobstopper
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I really like Fornals (but couldn't squeeze him in), but want to see how WHU lines up before trying to find a way for him to get in. As such, Tielmans would be my bet, but, if I were you, I wouldn't worry too much about swapping Fornals out, particularly because it would give you both Perez and Tielmans from LC.

      1. Hits from the Bong
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Fabianski
        Fredericks Balbuena Diop Masuaku
        Rice Wilshere
        Anderson Fornals Lanzini
        Haller

        That is the first choice eleven, although Masuaku might be rested as he was late returning.

  2. LangerznMash
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Mina + Montoya
    B) AWB + KWP
    C) Other combination of £10.0m defenders, who?

    1. Michu stole my mojo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B for me. Really like the idea of a KWP punt for a few weeks

      1. LangerznMash
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers,

  3. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    GTG???

    Ryan
    TAA/Digne/AWB
    Salah(c)/Sterling/Martial/Moura/Perez
    Wilson/Jota

    Button/Rico/Lund/Green

    Moura can be out with 2FTs after 2GW if needed and could then switch to 343

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      G2g

  4. Leeds2116
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is barkley nailed?

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No

      1. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        But it's his place to lose, right?

  5. rambo.
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Have 12m to spend on Def/Mid.

    A. Digne/ Trossard
    B. Zinch/ Pérez

    Cheers

    1. Leeds2116
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

  6. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    QUICK:

    Haller

    Kean

    Pick one?

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Haller

    2. Naboo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Haller by a trillion billion miles

    3. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Haller

      1. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Will haller be straight in the team?

        1. Hits from the Bong
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yes

  7. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Rose being overlooked?

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      You know Ben Davies is almost fit again

  8. Leeds2116
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Please rate
    Ederson - Button
    KWP - VVD - Digne - Zouma - Rico
    Salah - Perez - B Silva - Barkley - Norwood
    Jota- Wilson - Kane

    Thanks

  9. thepeen555
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Another change in team and I think I like this one. Thoughts??

    Ryan (button)

    AWB, Robertson, Diop (Kelly, Rico)

    Grealish, neves, salah, Kdb, Perez

    Kane, auba (greenwood)

    1. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Diop, Neves, Grealish and no Sterling is too big a price to pay imo

      1. thepeen555
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        KDB will be the one again this year imo so no sterling isn’t a worry for me.

        Grealish for free kicks and corners and Neves for pens and free kicks too.

        Diop is kinda a 4.5m defender choice, it’s possible it could be dunk or someone else like that

  10. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which is better?
    A. Pope + Rich/Siggy
    B. Ederson + Wood/Deeney

  11. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Martial or Jimenez to score more the first 2?

    1. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Jimenez

  12. Regin
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    fraser or martial?

    1. It's his Job.
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      My dilemma too!

    2. It's his Job.
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Add Moura too

  13. It's his Job.
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Rest of team sorted but I need advise on a 7.5 Mid I cannot choose between-
    A-Moura
    B-Frazer
    C Martial

    1. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      D - David Silva, club captain, nailed now Sane injured.

  14. Crump
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Are the only 4m defenders with a chance of starting Rico, Kelly and Lundstram?

    Who are people going for? Correct me if I'm wrong but I feel Lundstram is most likely to start long term. Kelly I think is dependent on Tomkins' recovery and Rico may have started in Bmouth's last pre-season, but I don't think he's first-XI?

    I'll probs go for Kelly.

    1. Naboo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kelly won't play for long even if he starts week 1. Same with Rico. Lundstram will be a bit part player, mainly warming or coming off the bench. Hanley will probably get the most minutes but none are great options

      1. Crump
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Hmm, and I suppose Kelly has Cahill to contend with now as welll. I'll probably go with Rico then, like everybody else apparently.

        1. LangerznMash
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Isn't Kelly above Dann in the pecking order? I'd think Cahill and Kelly would be the centre back pairing until Sakho returns from injury.

  15. Knallie
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Couple quick ones:

    - King or Jota (have Wilson)
    - Siggy or Fraser?
    - Zinchenko or KWP?
    - Greenwood or Wickham?

    And finally: why is noone picking Kelly as a 4mill defender? Isnt he the most likely to actually start?

    1. Fnug
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Craig Noone's got Kelly? Who else is in his team?

    2. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Jota
      Fraser
      Zinchenko
      Greenwood

    3. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I thought he was a doubt to play? isn't Rico a better shout?

  16. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Kelly (CP) safe to start the season, or will Cahill take his place ?

    Thanks guys.

  17. FPLMarc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ok, here we go. I'm stuck on the last two spots.

    Pope
    Robertson, Digne, Dunk
    Salah, Sterling, Perez
    Kane, King

    Would you go:
    A) Robinson, Deeney (money in bank)
    B) Robinson, Alexander-Arnold
    C) Robinson, Wilson (downgrade Digne to Coleman)
    D) Martial/Siggy, 4.5 def

    Ideally I'd have 3 strikers for when the time comes to bring in Haller/Kean/Jota but also have a gut feeling about Martial and feel guilty about not having TAA, Vardy or Siggy. I'm all over the place haha!

  18. Fnug
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Wow, the pages are flying by! Could I get a final RMT on this lot, please:

    Pope
    TAA | VVD | Digne | A. Smith | (Guilbert)
    Salah | Sterling | Fraser | Perez | Hayden
    Auba | (2 x 4,5 fodder)

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      You're probably already aware that Smith is a bad shout as their defence is super unpredictable.
      Also maybe you want Moura over Fraser for GW1 only? If you are the gambling type...

  19. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I only just realised that Cancelo is 5.5, wow, that could be amazing if you can ever predict when he'll play.

    1. TOBY1
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm putting stones in as a placeholder - fully expect for him to be playing every week at some point and to be one of the highest points per minute defenders come the end of the season. Seems good going forward.

  20. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    This site should have an automatically playing death metal soundtrack that comes on a GW deadline day - would be a fitting backdrop to this mindless chaos

    All your teams are G2G

    (well not yours mate - those are awful picks)

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      😀

    2. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      AM I OK, PLEASE TELL ME IM OK?

      O WAIT I CHANGED MY TEAM FOUR TIMES SINCE MY LAST RESPIRATION

      PLS HELP

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I can confirm you are not ok. You aren’t well. Get help. Drugs are bad mmmmkayy

  21. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Getting Moura means I have committed to my first transfer of the season i.e. Moura to Siggy after GW1. Good idea?

    1. Unliklinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Moura will likely play GW2 as well so transfer not required unless Siggy does something. You will need to make a transfer after GW2 anyway or lose on of your freebies...

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        But Moura has man city, Siggy has Watford in gw2

        1. Unliklinho
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          It doesn't mean he won't do anything and you must transfer him out, only that the likelihoods increase.

    2. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Is his fixture that much better than Siggy's?

      That said I've got Moura and Wilson who will probably be swapped with Kane and a bench 4.5 mid between GW2/3.

  22. Rik Waller
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What's the best rotating 4.5m defender options?

    1. Unliklinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      The ones you'll settle on after several hours of study and deliberation...

      1. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Smart alec

  23. davies
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on this?

    GW1 Kane (AVL)
    GW2 Auba (BUR)
    GW3 Kane (NEW)

    1. Pino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      GW1 would prefer Salah
      GW2 ok
      GW3 Kane or Sterling

    2. Unliklinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Auba needs to score minimum 14 pts against Burnley to justify it. Think he will?

      1. Pino
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I would bet that Auba will score 2 goals in the first 2 games.

        1. Unliklinho
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Me too, that's why I've got him and not doing the hokey cokey..

  24. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Nearly set.
    Heaton,McGovern
    TAA,Digne,Zinchenko,__________?(Dunk)
    SAlah,Sterling,Fraser,Perez,_________
    Wilson,Jota,(Greenwood)

    Just who fills the gaps for £11.0
    1. VVD,Dendonker (4-4-2)
    2. Lundstrum,Siggy ( 3-5-2)
    3. Lundstrum,Moura and upgrade 2nd keeper or bank 0.5m)

  25. DavidKent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Why is there not much interest in Burnley’s Chris Wood?

    - Superb pre-season
    - good fixtures from an attacking perspective (I count Arsenal and a Europa-tides Wolves as good + championship sides as good from an Attacking perspective)
    - Has form from last season

    1. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      think he is a very good option. But I prefer his fixtures from around Gw6

    2. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Because nobody cares about Chris Woodenhead so it won't hurt you when he racks up a nine two weeks running

  26. Leeds2116
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best value

    KDB or B Silva or Mahrez?

    1. Loftus cheeky nandos
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Mahrez if he has an amazing season looks great at that price

    2. Fnug
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      KDB by 1000000000000 miles

    3. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      b silva

  27. Pino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A or B?

    a) Auba DeBruyne Trossard
    b) Jimenez Sterling Fraser

    1. Crump
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      b

  28. KneejerkJoe
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hi all!

    1,5m itb, how to spend them?

    A) Save
    B) Button and Kiko to KWP/Zinchenko and Heaton
    C) King to Wilson
    D) Milli to Siggy
    E) Bilva to KDB
    F) Other?

    Pope (Button)
    TAA VVD Kiko (Montoya Rico)
    Salah (C) Bilva Fraser Milevojevic Perez
    Auba King (Greenwood)

  29. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Gtg?

    Pope heaton
    Dunk walker coleman robbo rico
    Mane sterling trosard perez lanzini
    Kean wilson king/deulofeu

  30. SAY MY NAME
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    GTG?

    Pope
    TAA/Robbo/Digne/Zouma
    Salah(c)/Sterling(vc)/Fraser/Siggy/Perez
    King

    Heaton/Greenwood/Lundstram/Wickham

    only thought is Siggy and Zouma to Martial and Maguire? any thoughts gents? thanks