Spot the Differential – Gameweek 1

It’s now time to check in on our three differential choices as we edge closer to this evening’s 6.45pm Gameweek 1 deadline.

The pre-season form of a Chelsea striker has caught our eye ahead of a juicy home match-up, while we’re also backing an Arsenal budget midfielder and one of Man City’s brand new full-backs to profit from favourable fixtures.

Michy Batshuayi

With club-record signing Alvaro Morata still building up his match fitness, we’re taking a chance on Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi as our headline selection.

The Belgian has been one of the Blues’ standout performers during pre-season, registering five goals and three assists.

That came on the back of a strong finish to last season, when he notched four times in the final three matches.

Although he only played 239 minutes of Premier League football last term, Batshuayi impressively averaged a shot every 14.1 minutes – better than any Fantasy Premier League (FPL) forward who made at least five appearances.

He also boasted a goal conversion rate of 29.4%, which put him third among FPL forwards.

The reigning champions begin their season with a plum home fixture against Burnley.

The Clarets claimed just one away victory last term and ranked second for the most shots conceded inside the box in away matches with 213.

Chelsea, meanwhile, scored more goal at home (55) than any other side.

Setting us back just 8.5 in FPL, Batshuayi looks ideal for those managers willing to take a punt on their frontmen.

The former Marseille man is only sitting in 1.8% of FPL squads, and while investment represents a slight risk given the presence of Morata, his pre-season displays suggest he may be worth the outlay as a short-term option.

Alex Iwobi

With Alexis Sanchez out of Arsenal’s home encounter against Leicester City, it could be Alex Iwobi who is the main beneficiary.

The Nigerian has enjoyed a strong pre-season, starting three of the last four matches, and has piqued our interest given his budget price tag of just 5.5 in FPL.

Iwobi had plenty of bright moments for the Gunners last season, ending the campaign with three goals and five assists from just 18 starts.

His underlying statistics were also pretty strong.

The midfielder averaged a shot every 37.5 minutes, while he produced a key pass every 56.2 minutes.

With Mesut Ozil expected to be fit to start tonight following an ankle problem, Iwobi looks set to battle it out with Danny Welbeck for a starting spot.

But with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger suggesting he’ll generally favour those players who’ve featured most prominently during pre-season, we believe he’ll get the nod.

Iwobi is currently found in just 3% of FPL squads.

He could represent a superb differential, then, with the Gunners’ forward line boosted by the arrival of former Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette over the summer.

Tonight’s match-up also looks very promising.

No team managed fewer clean sheets than the Foxes (two) in away matches last term, while Craig Shakespeare’s side suffered worrying defeats to Burton Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers during pre-season.

The value offered by Iwobi may be hard to ignore, then, with the midfielder representing the ideal Gameweek 1 punt.

Danilo

Replacing West Brom’s Matt Phillips in a last-minute article alteration, Man City’s summer signing from Real Madrid seems in line to start tomorrow’s clash with Brighton.

Pep Guardiola’s recent switch to a wing-back formation looks promising, with Danilo and Kyle Walker expected to offer the width for an evening trip to the Amex.

Up against the Seagulls’ ageing right-back Bruno, Danilo’s athleticism and tendency to forage forward should pose Chris Hughton’s side plenty of problems.

Priced at 5.5 to Walker’s 6.5, the Brazilian resides in just 4% of squads to the latter’s 21%. With Guardiola unlikely to rush Benjamin Mendy into action, Danilo may well offer us a short-term option until the international break, at least.

He’s been quick to make an impression, too, rated man of the match in the club’s final summer friendly and providing an assist in the 3-0 win over West Ham.

That indicates he has the form to profit in a City side that was ranked first for both goals and big chances away from home in 2016/17.