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. gooner_112233445566
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) sanchez, Ruben dias, martinelli and neto as first sub
    B) sanchez, walker (and 5mil defender), saka and perreira as first sub
    C) ramsdale, Ruben dias, martinelli and perreira as first sub 0.5itb

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

      Any 5mil defender*

  2. R.C
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    CR7 to score a hattrick and settle the Kane v Haaland debate

    1. fploutcast
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Honestly I can see this - just like Ronaldo do f my team lol

    2. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Haha can you imagine the scenes.

    3. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Bruno hattrick game 1 like last season

      1. Top 210 Club
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        That killed me! I tried to be too clever by going Mane over him

  3. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Who to be in ur team ? ?
    A - Aaronson
    B- Tripper
    C- Cash

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

      C

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

      B

    3. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      ABC in order

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

      On C

    5. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Cheers

  4. Lucas8406
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on this threemium side?

    Ward
    TAA James Walker
    Salah Bailey Martinelli Neto
    Kane Jesus Harland

    Iverson White Andreas N.Williams

    1. JPSpurs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Seen one similar with Son, Salah, Haaland that looked more balanced

    2. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Neto > Aaronson

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

    Leicester could have less problems with less injuries at the back now. I have gone with Justin at 4.5 and will be starting for me.

    Hopefully he can stay fit!

    1. fploutcast
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 7 months ago

      They seem to have some quality at the back but injuries really ruined them last year. I've gone with the two 4.0 keepers because I think they will improve defensively.

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

        I can't do much with the 0.5 saving at this point. I have Ward.

        Raya starting so hopefully a 0-0 draw 🙂

      2. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Kasper got 133 points in that awful defence.

        I’m going with both 4.0 keepers. Expect them to at least match that tally, making them great value

  6. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Ward (Iversen)
    TAA-Robbo-Cancelo-James (Neco)
    Salah-Saka*-Martinelli-Bailey (Pereira)
    Haaland-Jesus (Plange)

    Main concern is the goalkeepers.

    Saka -> who if looking to save £ and upgrade GK?

    1. Louis99
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Wilson in a 4-3-3?

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

      No better gk at 4.5. Possible upgrades at 5.0m. Not worth dowgrading Saka to 7.0m. Not at the beginning anyway. Maybe when cheaper mids emerge.

  7. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) Mount, Ramsdale, Andreas (1st bench)
    B) Ederson, martinelli, aaronson (1st bench) + 0.5m to upgrade Digne to perisic in 2 weeks

  8. DeadStarComing
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Already own Salah & Haaland...

    A) Dalot, Son, Neto
    B) Cancelo, Coutinho, Martinelli

    Thanks in advance!

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

  9. The Wizard of Ozil
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) Walker, Cash & Kane

    Or

    B) Cancelo, Robo & Wilson

    1. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B

  10. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Mount or Mahrez ?

    1. fploutcast
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 7 months ago

      GW1 Mount to GW2 Mahrez to GW3 Mount lol

  11. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Dalot RAN mount better
    Or rjames trippier martinelli?

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

      B

  12. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Quick one;

    1) Ramsdale + Neto
    2) Ward + James (Chelsea)

    Which would you go for?

    1. JPSpurs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      2

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

    ramsdale (ward)
    TAA robbo cancelo tripper digne
    Salah saka bailey (murphy, pereira)
    kane jesus (greenwood)

    G2G? would you prefer mount or saka?
    Cheers

  14. brixtonBob
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Archer, Greenwood or Taylor ? (4.5m strikers)

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

      One with the least ownership.

  15. R.C
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    FPL is not letting me start with 5 Chelsea players - Cucurella James Havertz Mount and Sterling

    This is blasphemy!!!

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

      Screenshot?

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

      you can only have 3 from the same team silly boy.

  16. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Martinelli Odegaard or Rashford

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

      A

  17. @persecuted_by_mods
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Why no Timo Werner love? Am I missing something

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

        Missed watching last season probably

      2. Black Knights
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Not missing as much as Timo is.

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

          😀

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

        think he retired

    • Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Anyone going cucurella straight away ?

      1. fploutcast
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 7 months ago

        No reason to take that risk. Wait and see.

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Yeh guess that would be the most sensible

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

        why

    • Planet Jo
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Help! Not tinkered much with this team for a while apart from Ward/Rashford. Now getting nervous and trigger happy. Anything majorly wrong?
      - Son over KDB for GW1?
      - Liverpool attack?

      Ward, Sanchez;
      TAA, Robertson, Trippier, Jonny, Williams;
      KDB, Mount, Saka, Rashford, Bailey;
      Haaland, Jesus, Greenwood.
      £0.0m left!

    • Kane Train
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Which one?

      A) Rashford
      B) Neto

      1. fploutcast
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 7 months ago

        B + the 1.0

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

        Neto.

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

        A if you actually want to have some fun

    • Bleh
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Any changes needed?

      Ward
      TAA, Cancelo, Trippier, Walker
      Salah, Bowen, Saka, Bailey
      Kane, Jesus

      (Sanchez, Neco, Andreas, Archer)

      1. TSN
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        why bowen?

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

          Fixtures look good after GW1. Also don’t fancy any other 8.0 mid.

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

        Gtg love the Bowen pick

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

          Cheers!

    • Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Bottomed

      Ward x
      Walker taa neco x x
      Bailey rash rodrigo salah mount
      Jesus mbeumo kane

      Complete team, which trio?

      A) rams janson/dalot james
      B) raya matip cucu
      C) other trio (itb 15.5)

    • Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A. Cancelo+Martinelli
      B. Walker+Diaz

      1. fploutcast
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 7 months ago

        A

    • R.C
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Not seeing Shaw in many teams here. 50% ownership, am I missing something?

      1. fploutcast
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Man United fans love FPL. Their players always seem to be well owned.

      2. mezza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        He’s not anywhere near 50% owned?

      3. The Senate
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        A decimal place.

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

        man u were amazing last season

    • Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Who’s booked in the Kane->Haaland GW2 transfer?

      I know lots of experts are saying not to book a transfer, but Southampton/Bournemouth should be dream fixtures for both players.

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

        I am considering it depending on how the games go

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

        Even for a -4 its worth it

        1. Scots Gooner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Agreed, especially since you’d most likely be captained Haaland.

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

        Not this one. But, I have booked in a Wilson -> Jesus transfer on GW3. Can't ignore those Arsenal fixtures.

    • Sadge
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      anyone here going for no Jesus ? need some encouragement to do finalize my team without him.

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

        I’m atheist

      2. fploutcast
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 7 months ago

        High risk high reward. If you're that type of manager than I would go for it!

      3. JPSpurs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Probably better than me going without Salah/ TAA

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

        Here, here. Wilson instead of Jesus to put me ahead of 75% managers.

        Downside is booked in transfer for GW3. Wilson --> Jesus.

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

        behind the couchers

    • FCSB
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Final dilemma, best option:

      1. James Neto Rashford
      2. Trippier Bailey Mount

      Thanks all

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

        Leaning 2

      2. fploutcast
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 7 months ago

        2

      3. BERGKOP
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        2

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

        I have James Rashford Trippier Bailey

    • Ajaxeeding
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Last decision:
      1) Ederson and Cash
      2) Ramsdale and Perisic
      2) Ramsdale and 0.5 ITB for price rises.

      Current Team:
      Ederson* - Ward
      TAA - Cancelo - Robertson - Cash* - N.Williams
      Salah - Maddison - Neto - Bailey - Andreas
      Kane - Jesus - Archer

    • Mozumbus
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      38.3 teams don't have Salah. That's massive even after accounting for those type of teams.

    • Dave Dreamer
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      This one has my head spinning.

      A. Robertson & Martinelli
      B. Diaz & Dias

      1. Martin66
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        A

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

        A + 1m

        1. Dave Dreamer
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Thanks, that is what i have but last minute FOMO sinks in