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. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any clarity if Barkley will start or Mount?

    1. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Assume bark but mount likely to steal minutes

    2. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No but when Barkley played in preseason, Mount was always subbed on for another player.

      So Barkley seems safer to me.

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

    Thoughts on these guys?

    Ryan Button
    Taylor Digne TAA VVD Diop
    Mili Salah Sterling Moura Dendo
    Murray King Jota

    £0.5itb

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

      I like it. Mili to Pulisic though?

  3. RohanVaswani
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Zouma kwp?

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

      Going KWP and may switch to zouma in a week or two - him or chris

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

    Is wesley a good option

    Wesley or Ings?

    1. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ings to begin with, even though AVL have decent fixture after GW1.

    2. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’d go for Ings out of those two

    3. Stu-dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think Wesley might have more upside, but he's an unknown quantity. I am going Wesley because need a 6.0 striker.

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

        Both are £6.0M

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

    Murray to start?

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

      My guess is he starts GW1 but the heat is on.

  6. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) KDB + Kane + Digne
    B) Sterling + Wilson + Digne
    C) Bilva + Wilson + Kane

    Which is best. I have Fraser

  7. Ben Marlin
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who should I take?

    1. Montoya

    2. Diop

    3. Guilbert

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Depends who you need to rotate with? Guilbert may favourite of the 3 though.

    2. 404_FC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Targett

  8. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Last 2 spots-
    TAA + 5.5 Mid
    Or
    VVD + 6.0 mid

    1. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Second option, six million offers loads more then the 5.5 option

  9. Leeds2116
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    B Silva ok for cheap option?

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

      i put him

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

      I'd say at 8.0 a bit of a luxury rather than cheap. Good options at 7.5 (Fraser, Martial) with a bit to upgtade bench, say, or even 6.0-6.5 options with a bit more to improve first XI

  10. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    G2G?

    Pope (McGovern)
    TAA VVD Digne KWP (Zouma)
    Salah Sterling Perez Fraser (Dendo)
    Wilson Deeney (Greenwood)

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      GTG

  11. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best max 5.5 mid who plays every week (or Dendo 4.5 or 4.0 Lundstram needs to play)?

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

    Noone considering Eriksen in midfield? I know he's 9m, but he's completely overlooked in most teams, and could well be in it for some points.

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

      no. kane, son or spurs defender.

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

        Son out for two matches. Could well bring him in if Eriksen leaves for Spain before the month is over.

    2. 404_FC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      just kane or moura for me

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

    Last check before 1st game

    Ake+King or Rico+Wilson?

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

    Any love for Richarlison?

    1. Leeds2116
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      shouldbe

    2. Marmalade Forest
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Basically no.

      Ideas are Gilfi is a better pick at 8m.

    3. Kroos Kontrol
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      There wasn't as much due to his lack of preseason/no pens/Everton lack of goals in preseason - and the fact Fraser and Moura are 0.5 less. Great fixs, nailed and starts the season super well though.

      I just want De Bruyne in that slot so made funds for that

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

        Good point, thank you.

  15. Steadmania
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Keep 0.5 in the bank or upgrade VVD to TAA?

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

      Keep. Can always do this later

    2. 404_FC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      i'll go for TAA

  16. DR0GBA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    To fit in VVD + Robbo:

    A) Digne to Coleman
    B) Zouma to 4.5m

  17. jaywills
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Pickford, VVD Kelly
    B) Ryan, TAA, Diop
    C) Ederson, Holebas, Diop
    D) Fabianski/Leno/ Schmeical, VVD, Diop?
    Cheers!

  18. TyroneGAA
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Just logged in and before that report on martial was done I actually had this team but was logging in to completely tear it apart and change ..

    but what are your thought on this kane sterling salah team including martial?? and may the odds be ever in your favour!! 🙂

    Pope

    TAA VVD Digne KWP Rico

    Salah Sterling Martial

    Kane King

  19. Streetad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Too much money in defence/Gk?

    Ederson/Button

    Robertson/VVD/Laporte/Digne/Gibson

    Salah/KDB/Perez/Martial/Dendonker

    Wilson/Kean/Greenwood

  20. I Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    All set?

    Ryan
    Robertson, van Dijk, Digne
    Salah, Sterling, Sigurdsson, Perez, Barkley
    Wilson, Jota

    Button; Rico, Greenwood, Lundstram.

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

      G2g

  21. semiconductor
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    worth downgrading VVD (I have Robertson) to have a back 4 of top 6 teams.
    1. Robertson-Zinchenko/stones-Zouma-KWP

    2. Robertson-VVD-Montoya-Diop

  22. 404_FC
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    first post for this season

    Pope
    TAA, Zinchenko, Rico, Dunk
    Sterling, Salah, Martial, Moura
    Auba, King

    Button Targett Hayden Greenwood

    too weak for defender?

    thanks for advice

  23. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Murray position safe?

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

      no, he rotated a lot last year

  24. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Che Adams sure is nailed, right?

    1. Kroos Kontrol
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes, might play on the right of a front 3 however if Ings is playing (though he looks pretty attacking from there too)

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

        Thanks! Thanks indeed.

        I have high hopes on this lad.

    2. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Should be, yes

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

        Thanks for taking the time. Your posts here are always helpful. Cheers!

  25. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A King Martial or
    B Wilson Trossard or Barkley

  26. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Robertson and Femenia
    B) Van Dijk and Walker-Peters

  27. shiffo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is there a 4.0m defender who is a starter for at least a few games? Kelly and Rico might start but is there anyone else I am missing? Thanks.

    1. Kroos Kontrol
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Lundstram maybe

      1. shiffo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        thanks

    2. 404_FC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      no just rico and kelly

  28. Kroos Kontrol
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    what's the argument against double liverpool defence again? Top fixtures. Robertson/TAA could be like the wingback equivalent of sterling/sane (less goals but more set pieces)

  29. WildLingz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Would appreciate some help, tearing my hair out over this decision:

    A) Ederson, Walker-Peters, Martial, 1M ITB
    B) Ryan, Robba, Bilva, 0M ITB.

    I like the flexibility of 1M ITB but nervous taking Robbo out. I have VVD so could take him out instead.

  30. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kane or Auba?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Auba

    2. 404_FC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      toss coin

      but i go auba + moura