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. DOGS
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    6 Injuries, time for WC?

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

      That you OGS?

  2. ronpateluk
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Aguero AND Auba??

    Boruc (Button)
    Doherty Robbo Schar (Bennett Bednarek)
    Salah Pogba Son Richarllison (Fanderson)
    Auba Jimi Rash

    2.7m in the bank

    Rash --> Aguero
    Son/Richarl --> someone else

    Madness?

    1. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      rash to kun gtg

  3. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Just did Firmino to Aguero (c) for -4.

    Hope AE doesn't let me down.

    Have Sterling (vc) and Salah as well.

    Let's go Agueroooooooooooooooooo

  4. jgjokaj
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    G2G
    fabi (speroni)
    Pereira TAA Doherty (Bednarek WAN)
    pogba son salah Richarlison (motinho)
    Jimenez Auba (rashford)

    really need some help this whole season has been crap !!

    1. the Penman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      You’ve got a good team. Chill.

  5. amplifiedAnt
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Fabianski (Button)
    Robertson, TAA, Doherty, Pereira
    Salah, Son, Pogba, Richarlison
    Aubameyang, Jimenez
    (Rashford*, AWB* Puncheon)

    1FT, 1.8m ITB. Trying to look forward (ideally covering 31/33) but obvs need to keep scoring well until then.

    A. Rashford > King/Rondon/Barnes (wanted King from GW30 anyway)
    B. Button > Boruc
    C. Puncheon > Hayden
    D. Save

    If I get rid of Rashford now, can FH him back in 32 and WC back in 34 anyway. So would barely miss him.

  6. F_Ivanovic
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Have done Rashford to Barnes so current team is now:

    Fab-Pat
    Digne-Doherty-TAA-Diop-WB
    Salah-Mane-Son-Pogba-Puncheon
    Auba-Jimenez-Barnes

    Current plan is:

    29: Son > Hazard
    30: Doherty > Pereira
    31: Jimenez > Wilson/Rondon

    Will give me 11 players for both GW31 and 33 with just benching Pogba for both fixtures most likely.

  7. twoplustwo
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Play Pereira vs. BHA or Hayden vs. Burnley?

    1. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Pereira and not that close.

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Perreira

    3. twoplustwo
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks guys

  8. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy, jota and mane are my differential players this GW over my ML rivals - how many points can I expect from these 3??

    There better be one hatrick

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I love to Gamble so good luck

  9. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Laporte to robertson for a hit? Already starting Alisson. Can play Schar over Laporte otherwise

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Play Schar

    2. Drogba Legend
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Don't hate it. Laporte might be out for a bit if it is muscular.

    3. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Schar is a good option this week. Wouldn't take a hit for a defender.

    4. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Robertson seems to pick bonus points for no reason

      Why the hell did he get BPs vs MUFC - n Shaw gets nothing for having dealt with Mo

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I don't think "dealing with mo" is a measurable part of bps.

      2. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Let me guess - you own Shaw and not Robertson?

  10. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Do people think Son wont start as Kane is back? Ali out so Son would play 100% you would think yes?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Not 100%. Lucas and Kane Is are options.

      I'd say 85%

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        *lamela

  11. Drogba Legend
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Rui
    Robbo - TAA - Trippier - Pereira
    Salah (C) - Sane - Rich
    Rash* - Laca - Jimenez

    Fans - Felipe A - Deulofeu- AWB*

    A) Thinking Tripper > City back?
    B) Bench Deu and Rash (only MU asset)
    C) Something else?

  12. Liastro ⭐️
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    What are people’s current chip strategies with all remaining chips left?

    1. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I only have FH left so saving it for a big DGW. Looking to have 7 or 8 playing BGW 31

  13. boc610
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    How has Kun faired without Fernandinho??

    1. Dave Bauer
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      This is a good question, I’d like to know the answer too.

    2. Toby Lerone
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      City have struggled in general

  14. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Thinking of holding Doherty, Jimenez and Pogba as my gw31 bench simply due to the value I have held in them, anyone else?

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      That only matters if you want them back in the last 7 GWs. In that relatively short space of time you should be able to find a decent replacement or to get the player back at half the difference between buying and selling. I'd ship.

      1. FPL ZB
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I mean, I imagine everyone will want at least Doherty and Pogba back! Gained one million on both of them too

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I'll keep Pogba and one of the Wolves guys. Points more important than TV

    3. Atimis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yep!

    4. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely. They should make up for it in DGW 32

    5. Jon Snow
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I'll probably hold Doherty and Pogba but Jimenez >>> King in GW30 is an easy straight swap despite the lost value

    6. Bow Locks
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Identical

  15. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on captaining Pogba instead of Salah?

    1. Dave Bauer
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Bold, brave and for the love of god no.

  16. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Would you rather:

    A. Kante (TOT, ful, WOL, eve)
    B. Hayden (BUR, whu, EVE, bou)

    1. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B by far

  17. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Assuming Rashford is out, thinking of doing Rashford & Son -> Aguero (c) & Hayden (-4)? Any good? 0.0 ITB

    Fabianski
    Robertson, Kolasinac, Doherty
    Sterling, Salah, Son, Pogba, Mane
    Rashford, Jimenez

    (Speroni*, Bednarek, AWB*, Kamara*)

    Cheers

  18. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    With players returning from injury, are either McNeil or Hayden nailed on for gw31?

  19. Art Vandelay
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Was pondering Firmino to Kun but the press conferences have made me even more undecided. Good news as far as Kun is concerned but Firmino is not out long term. I have no bench due to injuries so still tempted.

    Firmino > Kun - 4?

  20. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Why do managers even have to provide injury updates? They are either honest (rarely and usually to their detriment) or obfuscate or lie. They don't help themselves and they don't help fans, punters, FPL players etc.

    I'm surprised that it isn't a convention that injuries are not discussed at all.

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

      Me too. Perhaps it's to quell the inevitable overreaction from fans when their expectations aren't met seeing the lineups for the first time, and the impending backlash if the result goes against them.

  21. Kikofraeuropa
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Auba --> Aguero?? I have one FT

    1. boc610
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No

    2. Toby Lerone
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    3. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No

    4. Dave Bauer
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      100% no. If I had Auba I’d absolutely keep for this week. Bournemouth are awful away.

      1. aborg
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Would you captain too ? I think I will be captaining Auba.

        1. Dave Bauer
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          No question about it. This could well be the week by Auba > Kun switch bites me.

          1. Kikofraeuropa
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            If you have Salah, I would captain him. 6 goals and 3 assists in 3 games against watford

    5. T1P
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    6. aborg
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Why the hell would you do that??

      1. Kikofraeuropa
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Because Aguero is crazy and have 3 easy fixtures. Aubameyang has Spurs and United after the Bournemouth game - but I think I'll keep aubameyang (just hope he starts)

    7. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yes. Kun hattie incoming

  22. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Son > Maddison yay or nay?

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Nay

  23. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Bench

    A Pereira
    B Luiz

  24. Toby Lerone
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Almiron or Harvey Barnes? Who's the better punt

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Almiron was seen just against the poor huddlesfield with a man down

      HarveyBarnes looked alright and takes shots on and often gets them on target

    2. Kroneek
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Amiron

    3. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Barnes is a risk without Puel.

    4. OleGGMU
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Imho mate, almiron , fixtures and more likely yo start games than harvey barnes, barnes will get game time but i dont think as much as almiron. Leicester are a dilemma on their own for fpl atm, fixtures are good but their form is rubbish to say the least (looking at you pereira )

  25. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    What are the odds of Rashford starting with Lukaku fit and PSG away next week?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      As slim as crouchy

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      50/50

    3. T1P
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No way he's starting

    4. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      10/90

  26. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    City will trash WHU surely tomorrow. Especially as Pelegrini is their manager who is still City fan obviously. Great week to have Kun.
    I have Sterling unfortunately who will get rest i reckon.

  27. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Good luck this week all.
    G2G? Digne or Lascelles first sub, or play one of them over Pereira? Thanks.

    Guaita
    Robertson, Doherty, Pereira
    Salah(c), Pog, Son, Richarlison
    Rashford, Aguero, Jimenez
    (Speroni, Digne, Lascelles, Anderson)

  28. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Aguero nailed then?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Jesus is out so i would think so mate

      1. Burger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        you the man, thx!

  29. CarrollsPonytail
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed...

    4.6M maximum for a defender if I want to get Aguero for Auba next week, I need to bring in 1 who has decent fixtures over the next 4 and plays in GW31, which option do you go for?

    A - Lascelles
    B - Schindler
    C - Mee
    D - Get TAA and worry about taking a hit somewhere else to be able to afford Aguero next week

  30. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Rashford & Son
    to
    Aguero & Hayden? (2 FT)
    gives me
    Aguero, Auba, Salah & Hazard at the weekend