Spot the Differential

FPL Gameweek 1 differentials: Digne, Maddison and Bamford

The Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 1 deadline is now upon us, which gives us an opportunity to have a look at some differential options for the start of the season.

As always, we’ve selected three players with an ownership of five per cent or less at the time of writing, who represent viable alternatives to some of the more popular assets out there.

LUCAS DIGNE

Digne’s FPL potential evident in Aston Villa debut 5
  • FPL ownership: 4.3%
  • Price: £5.0m
  • GW1-5 fixtures: bou | EVE | cry | WHU | ars

Lucas Digne’s (£5.0m) performances towards the back end of last season were particularly strong, as he settled into his new role as one of Steven Gerrard’s attacking full-backs.

From Gameweek 22 onwards, his first outing in an Aston Villa shirt, the Frenchman created more chances than all defenders bar Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m). In that time, he ranked third for successful crosses and fifth for final-third touches, while as a corner taker, he also has an additional route to points.

Villa produced some decent defensive displays under Gerrard, as they ranked eighth amongst all Premier League sides for actual goals conceded from his appointment in Gameweek 12 onwards. Not only that, but they look set to tighten up further at the back in 2022-23 following the acquisitions of centre-back Diego Carlos (£5.0m) and defensive midfielder Boubacar Kamara (£5.0m).

Villa have played five matches during pre-season, winning four whilst keeping a trio of clean sheets. Now, with an appealing run against Bournemouth, Everton and Crystal Palace inside the first three Gameweeks, there is potential to start strongly.

In all of Gerrard’s favoured set-ups, be it a narrow 4-3-2-1, 4-3-3 or diamond formation, Digne will be handed plenty of freedom to attack, and as a result, could be a nice differential pick for the opening rounds.

JAMES MADDISON

Eriksen Covid latest as Maddison and Castagne haul 1
  • FPL ownership: 5.0%
  • Price: £8.0m
  • GW1-5 fixtures: BRE | ars | SOU | che | MUN

James Maddison (£8.0m) has performed well in pre-season, notching four attacking returns which included an assist against Sevilla last weekend.

“James Maddison, it’s the best I’ve seen him in the three-and-a-half years I’ve been at Leicester. He looks now really physically strong, technically confident and tactically, his view of the game is outstanding.” – Brendan Rodgers on James Maddison’s pre-season form

The playmaker had a slow start to 2021/22, producing just one assist in the first 12 Gameweeks. However, he went on to register a whopping 22 attacking returns in his final 23 appearances, averaging an eye-catching 7.4 points per start in that time.

As a result, he ended the campaign as the fifth highest-scoring midfielder in FPL.

While Leicester City’s first eight fixtures aren’t anything to shout about, they do face Brentford and Southampton in Gameweeks 1 and 3, opponents Maddison scored against last season.

Zero summer signings may have contributed to a sense of a worry around their assets in FPL, but the Foxes hit over 60 Premier League goals last season, despite a demanding European campaign and an injury-hit squad.

Now, Leicester will benefit from the easing of fixture congestion in 2022/23 as a result of their non-involvement in Europe, and given that Maddison is in contention for an England call-up for the World Cup, could pick up where he left off last season.

PATRICK BAMFORD

Scout Notes 7
  • FPL ownership: 1.3%
  • Price: £7.5m
  • GW1-5 fixtures: WOL | sou | CHE | bha | EVE

Patrick Bamford’s (£7.5m) fitness has been carefully managed over the summer, in the hope that he can now leave last season’s injury woes behind him.

The striker was restricted to just nine top-flight appearances in 2021/22, but registered just under 200 FPL points a couple of years ago, as he netted 17 goals and 11 assists under Marcelo Bielsa.

Bamford has made four appearances throughout pre-season and in his last outing against Cagliari, captained the side and scored an excellent brace in a 6-2 win.

Now, he is expected to start against Wolverhampton Wanderers after gaining 90 minutes of action against the Italian Serie B outfit, with manager Jesse Marsch giving an encouraging update earlier this week.

“It’s been a huge week for him, he looks great, he looks fit, he looks sharp. The good thing as well is now having Patrick closer to 100%, we’ve been able to work tactically through what we want him to look like. I believe there’s a lot of room for improvement and that’s our goal to help him. He looks great, he’s psychologically incredibly excited and I know we have a great player on our hands. Is he at 100%, probably not but he’s close.” – Jesse Marsch on Patrick Bamford

He should also be on penalty-taking duty, too, having previously scored two from two.

2021/22 was a difficult campaign for Leeds United which involved a change in the dugout, and as a result, they are a bit of an unknown quantity ahead of this new campaign. However, according to our Season Ticker, only Arsenal have a better opening seven matches than the Whites.

Undoubtedly, the sale of Raphinha to Barcelona will be a huge loss, but if Bamford can stay injury free, he could re-emerge as one of the best mid-price forwards in FPL.

Who played the most minutes over the March international break?

1,368 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jock Grealish
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    pages flying lol

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Mach speed

      1. Jock Grealish
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        maverick cappo

  2. MacGregor
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Hello,

    For the 2022/23 Fantasy Premier League why don't you join my mini-league "MGM h2h league"?

    Joining the league couldn't be easier. Simply use the link below and you'll be added automatically after you've entered the game.

    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/pxl93v

    League Code: pxl93v

    Looking forward to playing against you this season!

  3. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Raya
    Robbo Perisic Walker White
    Salah(C) L.Diaz Kulusevski Mount
    Haaland Jesus

    Ward Greenwood N.Williams Andersen

    Final dilemma:

    A) stick with Robbo+Perisic combo or go TAA+Dier instead?

    B) Leave Mount or rather do Saka or Mahrez?

    Cheers all.

    1. Apwilkin
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Personally would downgrade Diaz to get Perisic or White to TAA.

      Would leave mount for this week.

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Cheers. Will leave Diaz but can always do Robbo and Peri to Trent and Dier, just want one premium in defence

  4. Manani
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    beyong this GW
    Saka + Neco (bench Neco)
    or
    Martinelli + James (bench Neto/Bailey rotation)

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Latter

  5. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    a. KDB & Kane

    b. Son & Haaland

    1. banskt
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Haaland.

    2. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

    3. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

    5. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Tough. 50/50 for me. Go maybe A, included in more things

  6. gooner_112233445566
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) sanchez, walker (any 5mil defender), saka
    B) ramsdale, Ruben dias, martinelli 0.5itb

    Got ward as second keeper and cancelo already

    1. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

  7. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Arronson my only differential.

    1. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I would love to have him but it’s maybe too early no?

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        The early bird catches the worm.

    2. Carcetti
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I just took out Neto for him actually

    3. Kaptenen
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Same here, good luck! 🙂

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        And you.

  8. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Which combo here?

    A - Wilson Diaz (Patterson)

    B - Robertson Mount (Greenwood)

    Cheers!

    1. Manani
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      b

  9. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Hey guys, how nailed on would you say is Kyle Walker for MCI?

    Cheers

    1. krawiecus
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Nailed. Will play 7/8

    2. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Nailed till Laporte is back

    3. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Very nailed imo

  10. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Final slot: The 8.0m MID

    A) Foden
    B) Mahrez
    C) Mount
    D) Any other

    1. krawiecus
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Of your three, C) Mount.
      Consider Saka or Sancho too

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Mount

    3. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B

    4. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Maddison or Diaz

    5. payetisgod
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B) on pens. With 5 subs now even if benched he will more than likely come on most of the time so every chance he can haul. Then when he does start id say his ceiling is higher than any other 8ms

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Haaland on pens surely?

      2. GoonerByron
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Do you think we will still keep pens with Haaland in the team?

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Doubt it. Pep said its up to the players but I expect Haaland to take them

          1. payetisgod
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Id still expect Mahrez (hope I'm wrong as Haaland owner ha) i dont recall Mahrez missing one either so not sure hed give pep a reason to change! Either way ive been trolled by 20min cameos by Mahrez so much in the past with or without pens hed still be my selection for an 8m

    6. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Saka Maddison Kulu Diaz

  11. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) Ramsdale & Bailey
    B) Sanchez & Gabriel

    I’m currently on A) but:

    - Bailey look in good shape but fixtures in GW5/6/7 doesn’t look good
    - Is Ramsdale really worth the 0.5 compare to Sanchez?

    1. krawiecus
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

  12. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Ramsdale or Sanchez?

    1. Ballistics
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Ramsdale

    2. krawiecus
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Ramsdale if doesn't mean a downgrade elsewhere

  13. Ballistics
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Have seen the code for LMS this year. Can anyone help?

  14. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) Gabriel
    B) Zinchenko

    1. Ballistics
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Zinchenko for a punt

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

  15. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Thoughts about including Perisic?

    1. krawiecus
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      In what?

      1. KUN+10
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Afternoon tea

        1. Jam0sh
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          😀

  16. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA Robertson Cancelo Trippier
    Salah Mount Martinelli Bailey
    Haaland Jesus

    Ward Williams Andreas Greenwood

    Final thoughts? Good to go?

    Thanks

    1. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Almost the same team but I prefer James & Dias instead of Cancelo & Trippier

      1. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        That’s actually an option, thanks for adding a new dilemma haha

        1. The Frenchie
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Haha sorry but Dias and Cancelo are close as James is much better then Trippier.

          However Trippier could be interesting after GW5

  17. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    which is best

    1. Ward-Robertson-Grealish
    2.De Gea- Trent- Martinelli

  18. Roshen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    have like 15 minutes until need to go, any final thoughts on this?

    Ward – Iversen
    TAA – Robertson – Cancelo – Trippier – Digne
    Salah – Mount – Rashford – (Andreas) – (Murphy)
    Kane – Jesus – (Archer)

    Don't really like this CRY(A) fixture for Arsenal. So plan is look how good Chelsea, Arsenal and United look in first game and than either do nothing or switch one of Mount/Rash to Saka/Martinelli

  19. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Ward (Raya)
    TAA Walker Trip Cash (N.Will)
    Salah(c) KDB Martinelli Bailey (Andreas)
    Kane Jesus (GW)

    Possible alternatives:

    a) TAA, Robertson, White, Trip, Neto
    b) TAA, Walker, Trip, Cash, Martinelli
    c) A with Rob-> Cancelo
    d) good to go!

    1. Bishopool
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      saw that B is already my team :). So, B = D

    2. payetisgod
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Bias opp but D) i have Son Haaland instead of KDB Kane. I think threemium has its limitations ofc but with City Spurs and Pool all have a good fixture run from GW3 onwards you dont want to be scrambling to get decent cover in! Way i see it worst case you miss out on a Cancelo haul and even then he has to score or assist as you have walker!

  20. Chris_l25
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Am I g2g?

    Ward
    TAA, Dias, Cancelo, Ait Nouri
    Salah, Mount, Diaz, Almiron
    Kane, Jesus

    Sanchez, N.Williams, Andreas, Plange

  21. thebizzle
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Cucurella - where does this leave Chilwell? Won’t there minutes be shared??

  22. I Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Anyone dare captain Kane over Salah? Off to a flyer if it works.

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Kane starts slow and Salah starts fast. Salah all the way

      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        What if it's all different this time

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Yup. I don't think Conte is up for taking prisoners, Kane has had a great pre season . . . Salah will score because he needs to for the first day record to continue . . . but Kane will score twice.

  23. Mattador
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) Perisic, Neto, Haaland
    B) Neco, Rashford Kane

    Mendy Ward
    TAA Robertson Cancelo James
    Salah Martinelli Bailey Andreas
    Jesus Greenwood

    Template as it comes but between A and B for final 3 spots

  24. mcsteely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    How could you improve this? 0.5 ITB if needed

    Ramsdale
    TAA | Cancelo | Robbo | James
    Salah | Foden | Mount | Saka | Bailey
    Jesus

  25. Dosh
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Wilson or Coutinho?

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Both could do well. Coutinho got great fixtures to start so go there

  26. DF
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    My pals team is still pending moderation. Reckon he'll be allowed in to the game before deadline?

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      That's just his team name, the team will be in

      1. DF
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Yeah, don't think he can change his team though which is a bit of a pain today.
        Happening to anyone else?

  27. UncleJacks
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Which one

    A - Sancho and Bailey

    B - Rashford and Gordon

  28. timawflowers
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    start the season with Kane or Haaland?

    1. mj1987
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Kane, book the wk1 transfer in

    2. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I'd go Haaland to avoid booking a transfer in

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Kane for me ; Haaland mins and fixture much tougher to call.

  29. mj1987
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Reece James or Dias!?!?? Heeellpp!!

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      James I reckon

  30. LABILLETHEGOAT
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    is cancelo worth the extra 1.0 over dias?

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Sure otherwise go walker

    2. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Same dilemma and I go to Dias