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. Trippier Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hello, which is better: Ings or Murray, and why?

    1. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ings is a better player in a better team

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm on Adams, Ings could break and Brighton just signed Maupay - not sure if this will give Murray more rest. Still undecided myself though

    3. the vanisher
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Murray will eventually lose his place to Maupay.

      Ings better. nailed and pens

    4. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Murray. Better first three fixtures. New manager and good signings plus more attack minded than last season. Like Ings he is on pens as well. Only problem might be the new striker but he won't start the first few it looks like as per Brighton fans.

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

      Ings has a much better xG + xA per 90 mins last season- 0.7 vs 0.45.

  2. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    "Could" being the operative word for Martial...

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      there is no definite in fpl or life

    2. toerag
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      lol

    3. Society
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      The article lists 3 mavericks ..... guessing I'm two parts Tom Cruise then...

  3. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    a bit different - thoughts?

    pope
    taa, cath, dunk (guilbert, rico)
    salah, sterling, martial, perez, barkley
    aubameyang, king (4.5)

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Fraser over Martial and Kane over Auba otherwise good for me

    2. Yes Don
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      decent. Personally, I'd downgrade Perez or Barkley in order to upgrade cath or dunk

    3. beatJI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm going with something very similar but the extra 2m you'd get by downgrading martial to a 5.5m mid did wonders on my def.

  4. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Or he could make a mockery of his owners

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

      Hahah this

    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yup, hope so

    3. manutd99
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Stop being jelous

  5. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hey guys, I am considering Bernardo Silva whose in same price range as Martial Siggy Fraser etc. which of these do you think is best pick for first 5-6 GWs?

    Cheers

    1. ENZO SZN™
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Fraser > Martial > Bilva

    2. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’m going Fraser to start bc of his fixtures then switching to which option emerges as the best

    3. Sacked in the Morning
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Siggy or Fraser for me

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

    If you're going to bring in Trossard for his creativity and fixtures, is it Murray who is the one to benefit?

    1. Il Papera
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Or Maupay!

    2. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I have gone for Murray. I liked the look of Brighton and the new system and signings pre season. Only risk I am taking (apart from slight risk on Zinchenko).

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      They have like 4-5 strikers.

  7. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    One word, BUZZING!

    Good luck all I think I'm finally sorted.

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      same - just want a few more people to mock my team then i'm set

      good luck

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

    A. Kelly
    B. Lundstram
    C. Rico

    Preferably for at least the first month or so.

    1. teddypicker
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kelly will be the only one to start gwk1. Then 0pts. The others 0pts with Rico getting the occasional sub 1pt

    2. Ninjaa
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      C

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

      Lundstram

  9. FPL Forward Thinker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Az - what was your wave all about on FPL show? Double up on FF Scout I see with David.

  10. Willllsonnn!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How many many matches is KWP expected to play in?

    1. Willllsonnn!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Better or worse than Zouma is my real question

      1. FPL.team
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Worse. A lot, lot worse.

    2. FPLGeezer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Many think Aurier back for City. Spurs fans I know don't rate him highly at all

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Spurs fans have wanted the kid out on loan since ages

  11. FPLGeezer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Wilson and King upfront given Bournemouth fixtures crazy or get Jota?

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      not crazy, could be great

      1. FPLGeezer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yep tempted and could try to get Fraser in but if need be can transfer Jota out later.

    2. Fer Fuch's Ake
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Delusions of grandeur

    3. Willllsonnn!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Jota for me with Wilson

  12. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope Button
    Robertson Digne Montoya Guilbert Rico
    Sterling Salah Perez Robinson (Dendonker)
    Kane King Wood

    Thoughts?

    1. Paulie Walnuts
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Robbo to vvd

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

      Looks good to me, like the frontline

  13. Wheyyyy
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A- KDB & Ake
    B- TAA & Fraser

    1. Mattador
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

  14. ENZO SZN™
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ashley Barnes? Did Monkey wrote this article haha

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      he scored the same amount of goals as firmino last season

      more than deulufeu and more than rashford

      same as king

      1. ENZO SZN™
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah but J-Rod have outscored him in pre-season. Not sure who'll start beside Wood.

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

      Barnes had good stats last season, but J-Rod may have taken his place this preseason.

  15. Dyballer
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ignoring the 0.5m price difference, which pair is better and why?

    A) Wilson + Jota
    B) King + Jimenez

    1. FPLGeezer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A. Wilson is streets ahead of King and they have such good fixtures. Jota and Jimi is a much closer contest. And their fixtures are worse.

      1. Dyballer
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks! This was already my current pairing, but I was just wondering whether the other two (being on pens) could yield more. I agree tho that Jota really started matching Jim (unlike King with Wilson) in the second half of the season. Preseason form shows that nothing has changed in that respect for both pairs

    3. Sacked in the Morning
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

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

    Anyone considering starting Cancelo or madness?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Who does Madness play for?

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

    What do you think about going Ryan over Pope? Fixtures look much better

    1. Kickurbutt3
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I am currently on this as well. Can sign his back-up for 4.0

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

        Yeah Ryan/Button

    2. Clueless24
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Think if i was going with 1 4.5 i'd go with Ryan over Pope.. I'm rotating Pope & Heaton as there's a good rotation for the first 10

  18. Kickurbutt3
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    friends,

    Could you pls rate my team and give me any suggestions?

    Ryan/Button
    VVD-TAA-Zinchenko-Lundstram-Guilbert
    Salah-KDB-Siggy-Barkley-Dendoncker
    Auba-Ings-King

    Do I need to fit in Sterling? Too big of a risk with Barkley?

    1. FPLGeezer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Think Barkley could be gold. I'm considering going without Sterling too out of the big three.

  19. tikka mo'salah
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    TC Salah? Madness, or good time to use the chip?

    1. Kickurbutt3
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Don't do it

    2. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not a good time to use it. Everyone will have Salah as captain, so having triple captain won’t be as beneficial as doing it on a player with double gameweek and lower ownership.

      1. tikka mo'salah
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        True.. Get some renegade TC later is quite fun. I'll save it for now, and get my crazy out somewhere else.

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

      Save it for Duffy.

  20. MGD
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope
    TAA - VVD - Digne
    Salah (C) - Sterling - Moura - Perez
    King - Jota - Deeney

    Button - Zouma - Dunk - Deondecker

    SET IN STONE (i think).

    G2g?

  21. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Can anyone suggest me best 4.5 defender with nice fixtures??

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      West Ham have great fixtures after GW1

    2. tikka mo'salah
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Frederic Guilbert from Villa. Solid fixtures from GW2, and gets busy with passes and crosses.

    3. Kickurbutt3
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Dunk seems ok

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

      Diop, Montoya, Guilbert, Cathcart

  22. Carcetti
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Jota and Kean

    B) Haller and Ings

    Thanks!

    1. ENZO SZN™
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Jota Haller?

      1. Carcetti
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Hmmm, if I drop Lucas Moura to a £7m it can be done.

  23. drughi
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Fraser or martial ? leaning on having fraser the first 2 gw then switching to martial if he looks in form.

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

      Same. First two Bournemouth fixtures are gold.

  24. Punk as Fuchs
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Think I'm set; any final thoughts?

    Pope
    Zinch/Digne/VVD/KWP
    Perez/Salah/Sterling/Martial
    King/Vardy

    Heaton/Origi/Lundstrum/Drinkwater

    1. Punk as Fuchs
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      PS: Salah captain, Sterling VC

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

      Good team. Origi on bench for tonight?

      1. Punk as Fuchs
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Still tinkering; could maybe swap him for Perez and do 4-3-3, or KWP and go 3-4-3.

        Tricky!

  25. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ben Dinnery thinks Rico won’t start argh.

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kelly could start

      1. ENZO SZN™
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        New signing Kelly is ruled out. “With Lloyd it was such a shame, a tackle in training that he couldn’t do anything about. Hopefully it’s not long term and he’ll be back in weeks not months. He started so well, he’s very quick, very strong and has a good attitude." #AFCB

        @BenDinnery himself tweet this

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      he knows nothing

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Didn’t know how highly to regard his opinion. I still think Rico starts but what do I know ay!

    3. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hasn’t he been wrong plenty of times?

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Not sure... has he?

        1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Pretty sure he annoyed quite a lot of people last season with his false info

    4. ENZO SZN™
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Dammit. Daniels starting?

    5. Bird Raymond
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think he's right. Rico is awful, had him in my team at the start of last season so followed him closely at the time. Think Howe will go with the tried and tested Daniels even if he's not had a full pre-season. Wouldn't be surprised to see Rico go back to Spain by the end of the month. (Having said that he's in my squad due to the lack of options in this bracket!)

  26. Mesh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A. Siggy and Jiminez
    Or
    B. KDB and Jota

  27. Clueless_91
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A 4 5 1
    Ederson Button
    Robertson KWP VVD Montoya Rico
    Bilva Salah Sterling Martial Moura
    King Greenwood Wickham

    Or

    A 4 4 2
    Ederson Button
    Robertson KWP VVD Montoya Rico
    Dendoncker Salah Sterling Martial Moura
    Wilson Jota Greenwood

  28. Jönny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    OK, final decision…

    Assuming you have to play two of these outfield players every week, would you rather:

    (A) Montoya, Callum Robinson & Chris Wood … with Heaton in goal to rotate with Pope.

    (B) KWP, Fraser & Wickham/Greenwood … with Pope + 4.0 in goal.

  29. Henning
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Amy suggestion where to spend 2 m

    Pope Heaton

    Robertsson VVD Digne Gilbert Montoya

    Salah Sterling Fraser Perez Dendoncker

    Jota King Greenwood

    1. tikka mo'salah
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Use it to wipe away Green.

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

      I would upgrade Jota tbh. Rashford?

    3. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Jota/King to Wilson

    4. CobraKai
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Jota -> Jimi ?

  30. wijohnson85
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any thoughts, A or B?

    A
    Pope

    TAA / VanD / Zinch / Cathcart / Dunk

    Salah / Sterling / Trossard / Drinkwater / Dendonker

    King / Deulofeu / Kane

    Or

    B

    Pope

    TAA / VanD / Zinch / Cathcart / Dunk

    Salah / Sterling / Martial / Camarasa / Dendonker

    King / Greenwood / Kane