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. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Walker owners - what are your plans following Pep's following comment?

    Guardiola on Cancelo and Kyle Walker: "I think for Kyle it's important to have good competition. Both have to fight for the same position. Cancelo can play on the left as well."

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

      Wait and see as it is for all city defenders except for maybe Laporte. Walker and Zinchenko should start first 2 games atleast.

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

      I think there's another quote where he literally says something along the lines of "Walker is first choice".

    3. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I get the impression Walker is going to nail down a spot and have the season of his life. Looks on it to me. Think Zinchenko owners should be worried

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

    A) Pope & Stones
    B) Ederson & Soyuncu

  3. LevonCD
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pick 2

    Mcginn, Trossard, Fraser, Pérez.

    1. oi no professionals
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Fraser, Perez

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

      Last two

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

      Fraser & Perez without doubt. The other 2 have to prove themselves

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

        Thank you lads, appreciate the help.

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

      Price order!!

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

    Hi, slightly different RMT here. 5 at the back (understand the risks). Nonetheless, think it's the best optimised of my drafts.

    What do you think:

    Pope
    Robbo // VVD // Digne // Coleman // Stones
    Salah // Sterling // Perez // Robinson
    Aubameyang

    £4m // Dendonk // Greenwood // £4.5m

    Would love to know your thoughts

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

      Looks very good! I've almost the same team, but have gone 4-5-1 instead, with Fraser and Hayden instead of Coleman and Robinson, with a 4,5 sub instead of Stones. Tomatoes/tomatoes.

  5. Klaren
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) King
    B) Wood

    Other strikers are Wilson and Wesley with Wesley to be benched GW1.

    Thanks!

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

      B

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

      A

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

    Spent about 5 weeks with heavy back 4. Bottling it with 4 hours to go. Any thoughts on my first 3x heavy hitter draft?

    Ryan
    TAA Digne Taylor
    Salah Sterling Perez Trossard
    Kane King Jota

    Button Targett Dendoncker Lundstram

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

      Taylor apparently unsure to start.

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

        Oh really? Thanks for the heads up

      2. Brimble82
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Taylor>Montoya
        Ryan>Pope

        It's actually pretty enticing.
        Trossard could easily become Barkley if he looks to be in an 'un-trolly' type mood.

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

      Strong & stable seven!!

    2. Ronaldo 7
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      ballsy going without sterling.... looks good though!

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

    Hey everyone! Opinions pleasee 🙂

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

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

      B

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

      Walker-Peters not as risk with Aurier back?

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

        Aurier isn't back yet

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

          Latest press conference just now mentioned he's back in training

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

    Barkley or Robinson?

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

    Last few decisions...

    1) Kane vs Auba (potential hokey-cokey)
    2) King vs Jota
    3) Heaton vs Pope

    Thoughts?

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

      Pope

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

      Auba, Jota, Pope

  11. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    anyone betting for the weekend? I'm putting £15 on Tottenham, Liverpool, Bournemouth and Manchester City to win. Surely that can't go wrong

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

      Should be in the bag?!! I've done similar but with extra : Spurs, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Man City the same + Arsenal & Leicester vs Wolves OVER 1.5 goals. £30 to return £300!! GL.

      1. Saka Rice
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        very good odds. Hopefully Newcastle doesn't park the bus

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

          What bus?!! haha, shame Pepe unlikely to start but still fancy the Gunners to nick it tbh, 1.95 so almost even money seems good odds to me?

  12. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    So Kelly (CP) is starting it seems?

  13. luk46
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Team is almost done, just not sure about one position...

    A - Zinchenko + King with 0.5 itb
    B - 5m (e.g. Zouma) + Wilson with 0 itb

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

      B

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

      B

    3. luk46
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Alright, Wilson it is... Do you think Zouma is the best def for 5m and below?

  14. King Kun Ta
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    King & Martial/Pulisic

    Or

    Wilson & Barkley?

    Last dilemma...ta!

  15. ng259
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Please pick one option, been changing all day:

    (a) Pope, Zinchenko, Digne, Norwood
    (b) Pope, Zinchenko, Coleman, McGinn
    (c) Ederson, Dunk, Coleman, Norwood
    (d) Pope,Digne, Dunk, Barkley (no Man City defensive cover makes me nervous!)

    Please put me out my misery

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

      C

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

      d.

      Who is norwood?

      1. ng259
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sheffield Utd captain! CM - on most set pieces

  16. AFBS_1991
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best combination:

    6.5 MID + 6.0 FWD (like Perez/Tielemans + Ings/Murray)

    OR

    6.0 MID + 6.5 FWD (like Trossard/JWP + Jota/Wood)

    Pick 1 please!

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

      Prefer the first option. Perez with ings

    2. Saxe-Gotha
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B for me because Perez's first 2 fixtures aren't as good as people are thinking.

      1. AFBS_1991
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        There is a better 6.5 MID option than Perez?

  17. Men in green tights
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What's the best way to premium goal keeper or one at 4.5 m, I know cheap goal keeper released funds for better defenders and money into mid/forwards but in seems for city safest way into defence is gk
    Any thought welcome
    Ps site is crazy for rmt's at the moment

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

    Panic time now. While trying to be helpful, recognize that it is unlikely that you will get quality feedback. Past several weeks have been good on here, and likely will be again next week.

  19. Yer Dad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Just a quick one. Do not join a league if the administrator is Ben Appiah from Canada. He will take your £€$ and you end up on the street smoking crack cocaine.

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

      Oh no

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

      As long as it keeps Ben off the streets, and I get to partake in drug use, I'm fine with that.

  20. Pickle juice
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    (A) kdb and Bsilva (3-5-2)

    Or

    (B) Sterling and king (3-4-3)

    Thanks

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

    A) Wilson and Lucas Moura
    B) Aubameyang and Montoya

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

      A

    2. Saxe-Gotha
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

  22. migas2k7
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Rico or Kelly for the occasional bench option?

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

      Neither one will likely to play in long term but I'd go with Rico between the two. Daniels is getting older and Rico might get some minutes if he does well in the first 1 or 2 games that he plays.

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

        daniels is fit.

    2. Saxe-Gotha
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kelly

  23. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is there any possibilty that FFS can send a reporter to some of the pressers? Then he/she could ask some fpl related questions...

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

      Send Granville

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

      Not sure Pep will know who the most likely 4.0 starting defenders are.

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

    Wood or Ings?

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

      The former

    2. Saxe-Gotha
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wood

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

    All set! Wish me luck, lads.

    This is the squad, with 0.5 in the bank in case (a) anything goes wrong with the more risky options (Coleman/Robinson/Adams) or (b) anyone really stands out.

    Heaton / 4.0
    TAA, VVD, Laporte, Coleman / 4.0
    Salah, Sterling, Fraser, Robinson / 4.5
    Vardy, Adams / 4.5

  26. Rohirrims
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Start Greenwood this week or banish him to B2?

  27. Greasy
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    V late this year so apologies. Have we 2 rotation material keepers for 4.5 each or who is the stand out 5.0 choice?

  28. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Cannot afford Wilson, so which combo?

    1. King + McGinn
    2. Greenwood + Fraser

    1. Wolfman180
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      2

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

      2

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

      2

  29. Licky
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    When will the scout picks be out?

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

      Not sure

  30. 2hotty
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which one???

    Auba and wilson
    Auba and king which would allow barkley to moura
    Laca and wilson which would also allow barkley to moura

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

      Auba and wilson