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. Queens of the South Age
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Last decision for my team. Which one do you prefer?

    A. Sterling and Vardy
    B. KDB and Kane

    Captaining Salah so none of them will be getting the armband. Leaning towards B as gives me an easy swap to Aubameyang but worried about not having Sterling.

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

      Went B personally. First 2 in my team.
      But A seems more popular on here.

    2. Crump
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A imo

    3. 2hotty
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

    4. BooYaKasha
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A fo sure

  2. ktongue
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Walker-Peters worth taking a punt on for a 5.0 defender?
    I was originally going to go Zinchenko but can't save another 0.5, so he's gone.
    Any recommendations?

    1. Will
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not at risk of rotation with Aurier fit again today?

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Aurier zero pre season.......

        At least KWP is warmed up and primed and played all pre season....

    2. Our Tiny Windows
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      The article above this comment answers your question

    3. rambo.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think he’ll do well first few weeks.

  3. Team Forza
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    RMT PLEASE

    Heaton
    AWB TAA Coleman
    Perez Jota Sterling Salah frazer
    Wilson Rashford

    Button Greenwood Rico Lund

    1. HD7
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Isnt Jota striker?

      1. Team Forza
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Jota Villa

      2. Steiger
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Probably Villa's Jota

    2. Crump
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I don't think Rashford's a good idea but UTY

    3. Leeroy Jenkyns
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      You have 4 forwards. Jota is now a forward.

      1. Team Forza
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Villa Jota

      2. Leeroy Jenkyns
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        NVM, new Villa Jota. I see, don't know much of him.

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

    A) Kane Robinson Montoya
    B) Wilson Fraser Zinch

    1. Team Forza
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

    2. Crump
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

  5. Teror
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I'm hyperventilating because I can't decide between TAA and VvD. I want the security of V but T's potential points ceiling is impossible to ignore D:

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

      TAA

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

    A) Auba + King + 5.5 mid
    B) Wilson + Jota + Bilva + 0,5itb

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

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

      B

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

      B

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

      B

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

      B

  7. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Silva or Fraser?

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

      bilva? yes.

  8. OShaughnessy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Folks, when Rüdiger returns who's our best bet to line up next to him - Zouma or Christensen

    1. Angin out the Begović
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Christensen

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No one knows, one to wait and see on, guesswork until then.

  9. Tiki-Taka
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who will partner VVD at centre back for Liverpool? Matip or Gomez? Gomez started Charity Shield but to my knowledge made a few mistakes and is obviously the less experienced of him and Matip.

    Who will partner Laporte (assuming he starts which it seems like based on what I read here) at CB for City? Stones, Otamendi?

    cheers guys

    1. 2hotty
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      matip and otamendi

      1. Tiki-Taka
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        any research behind this or just gut feeling? cheers

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

    A) Auba and Montoya
    B) Wilson and Lucas Moura

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

    2. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

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

        I went B

    3. Steiger
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

  11. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    best defender @ 4.5 besides Montoya?

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

      Guilbert

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

      Mings? Diop?

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

      What's with all the love for Montoya?

      1. Teror
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Wingback and Potter is an attacking manager

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

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

    Have Fraser. First to 2 wins

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

    2. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

  13. Angin out the Begović
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best 5.5 defender ?

    1. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Zinch or KWP for the first few weeks.

      1. Angin out the Begović
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I got them both lol

  14. BigAsGiroud_
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Jota or Wood

    1. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Jota

  15. davies
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    King or Jota

    1. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Jota

    2. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      King

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

      King if no Bournemouth, Jota otherwise.
      ... Or just Jota. One of the first players in my team.

  16. mattyb09
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Final RMT out of 10 please!

    Pope (4.0)
    Robbo VVD Digne Zinchenko (Lundstram)
    Salah KDB Perez Barkley (Dendoncker)
    Kane Wilson (Greenwood)

    1. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      8.37

      1. mattyb09
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers. Very precise

    2. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      6.322345

  17. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Would you change anything?

    Ederson
    VVD. Digne. KWP.
    Salah. KDB. Perez. McGinn
    Kane. Wilson. Wood.

    Button. Montoya. Dendonker. Rico.

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

      nope lovelyteam

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers....hope your team is coming along ok. GL

    2. GUSFRING
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sterling > Kane
      Robbo/ TAA > VVD

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        ?????

  18. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What do you make of this? Howe on Harry Wilson: "We haven’t seen too much of Harry yet, towards the tail-end of this week we’ve tailored the training down to keep the lads fresh. His shooting ability... he’s a very clever player, very good technically."

    Will he start, or no?

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

      Yes, coming in for brooks

  19. Omartehpwner
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which Man City Defenders are actually nailed to start?

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Laporte Ederson

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

      None apart from probably Laporte

  20. JUST W
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Like Shaw’s stats from back end of last season look really impressive - anyone else fancy him?

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Were they impressive? I had him for the Hudds game and he was shocking.

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

        Yes seemed to create a lot of chances and fancy united to be stronger at the back this season.

  21. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    For two weeks only, thoughts on the below? On A currently.

    A) Kiko, Moura, Origi

    B) Holebas, Lamela, Wood

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

      B because Origi

      1. Victor6359
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        +1

      2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        You don’t think he starts?

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

    Reckon one of the best options is Pulisic yet no one has him lol

    Is barkley nailed?

    1. The Gobstopper
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I had him, but really uncertain about how Chelsea is going to line up once everyone is back.

      So, definitely monitoring it until things become clearer...

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

      Only Lampard knows if its Barkley or Mount. I'm waiting for who starts.

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

      Give it a couple of games for Chelsea and all should be clearer...

    4. Our Tiny Windows
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I do want him. Have Barkley. Just can’t find the right spot for him.

  23. The Gobstopper
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    So here's what I find funny: 80% of people posting RMTs at the moment will likely WC in GW 2 or 3...

    So...why worry about your GW 1 team when you already *know* you're going to have to/want to switch everything up once we *actually* know who is going to start on a regular basis (or who is in form, etc.)?

  24. Sjaugen
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    a Wilson Fraser 0.5itb
    b King KdB

    Doing my head in

    1. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

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

      Definitely B for me.

  25. Victor6359
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which would you go for?

    A: Zinchenko and Barkley

    B: Dinge and McGinn

    Cheers

    1. mikeycee93
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

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

      B for Digne

  26. Spoox777
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Struggling with which team to go with.

    Pope . Heaton
    Robertson . TAA . Zinchenko . COLEMAN . KELLY
    Salah . Sterling . Perez . ZAHA . Hayden
    King . Deulofeu . Jota

    or

    Pope . Heaton
    Robertson . TAA . Zinchenko . DIGNE . CAHILL/WARD
    Salah . Sterling . Perez . BARKLEY. Hayden
    King . Deulofeu . Jota

    Thank you.

    1. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Zaha no.

    2. Victor6359
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      2nd one

      1. Spoox777
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thank you

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

      Zaha is hella mad at management. Don't see him doing anything spectacular in the first GWs

      1. Spoox777
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        The Zaha team was my first team but a little worried about Coleman & Zaha. So i picked a second team with Digne & Barkley

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

      I've gone Barkley as my 4th mid, but obviously there's a slight risk over gametime with him.

    5. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Don't think Kelly will play (?)

      1. Spoox777
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Would just be a bench warmer

  27. mikeycee93
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A or B??????

    Team A
    Heaton (4.0)
    Digne, TAA, KWP, (4.0) (4.0)
    Salah, Sterling, Martial, Richy, Pereyra
    Vardy, Adams, (4.5)

    Team B
    Gunn (4.0)
    Shaw, Zinc, VVD, Montoya, (4.0)
    Bilva, Salah, Pepe, Richy, (Dendonck)
    Kane, Adams, (4.0)

  28. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A: Bilva
    B: Martial

    1. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

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

      Tough. B

    3. mikeycee93
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B as presume you have KDB or Sterling?

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

        Yup Sterling. Ok I'm sold, saw Martial scored a few away to Chelsea last season so hopefully a repeat this time round

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

      B

    5. The Gobstopper
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B. Martial. Without question will be in "Team of the Year" for 2019/2020.

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

      A: Gonna smash it up even more without Sane.
      B: Plays for manchester united. No thanks.

  29. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pick 1 to play

    Zouma (mun)
    Dendoncker (lei)
    Wesley (tot)

    Any ideas would be welcomed

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

      I would stick Wesley out there - only need one chance to score and good fixtures coming up after Spurs.

  30. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    So (fit) Laporte stays in my team.