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. SUPER MOKH
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Here we go again!

    Pope (Button)
    Robbo VVD Digne (Guilbert, Lundstram)
    Salah Sterling Martial Moura Robinson
    Wilson Ings (Wickham)

    Good luck everyone!

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

      GL, man!

  2. Lrf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Murray + Laporte
    B) Jota + Zinchenko/Walker

    1. Evil Genius
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

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

        Cheers

  3. Hig1990
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts with my ever changing team??

    Pope (Heaton)
    VVD, Digne, Zinch (Montoya, Kelly)
    Salah, Sterling, Perez, Trossard, Mcginn
    King, Kane (Greenwood)

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Gtg

      1. Hig1990
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers bud.

        Whats your team looking like?

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

    Any thoughts on Chambers (Ars) and Soyuncu (Lei) as a rotating pair and are they both nailed?

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

      Chambers will only play for a week/two at most. Luiz will not take long to get ahead of him.

  5. KLOPPTOMANIA
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pick one:

    A. Jota and KdB
    B. Jiminez and Bilva +0.5m
    C. Jiminez and Dilva +1.0m

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

      A

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

      A

  6. Evil Genius
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I will not let this go!

    1) Trossard + Vardy + King - Interesting newcomer punt + Vardy can easily be downgraded + 2nd choice BOU striker?

    2) Fraser + Wilson + Wood - Scottish Messi + weird price point striker + *shrugs shoulders*

    1. LOL LINGARD SCORED
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Stop being needy

      1. Evil Genius
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        We all need someone

    2. Lrf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B, maybe..

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

      u are annoying

      1. Evil Genius
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        At least I'm not a Leeds fan.

  7. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Rico or Lundstram?

    1. moz_1983
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      For a 4m defender, Lund for me. Rico seems likely to start the first couple though.

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

      Lund

    3. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Flip a coin

  8. moz_1983
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    FINAL Q!

    1) Cathcart / Barkley / Wilson
    2) Robbo / Camarasa / King

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

      B

  9. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Balbuena or Dunk?

    1. moz_1983
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Dunk (or maybe even Diop for a WH alternative)

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

    Barkley nailed for the first game as number 10?

    1. moz_1983
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sounds like it, yeah.

  11. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Assuming I squeeze the last bit of blood from my team and go VvD > Matip/Gomez...

    1). Don't do it
    2). Donk + Hayden >>> Camarasa + Mooy
    3). Donk + Lundstram (or Rico, but more likely Lundstram) >>> Camarasa + 4.5 (who?)
    4). Upgrade one of 4.5 mid or 4.0 def to 5.5 mid or 5.0 def
    5). Anything else

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

      1

  12. Chilli Heatwave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What league codes are there for FFS please

  13. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Lundstram, Rico or Kelly?

    1. albie.s
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Rico for me

      1. chaser123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Daniels not back from injury?

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      ive gone Rico 😉

  14. simong1
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A or B? Already have Sterling.

    A) KDB & King
    B) Fraser & Wilson

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

    Help!!!

    1.
    Ryan
    Laporte, VVD, Wan B
    Fraser, Perez, Salah, B.Silva
    Kane, Wilson, Abraham
    Crap bench

    Or

    2. Ryan
    Walker, VVD, Wan B, Cathcart
    Sterling, Salah, Perez, Barkley
    Kane, Wilson
    Crap bench

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

      2

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

    Perez and Greenwood (352)
    or
    Dendoncker and Chris Wood (343)

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

      PG tips

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

      A

  17. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Wickham or Greenwood?

    1. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      front 2 of both

  18. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I want a front 2 of Lacazette & Aguero but are they both doubts?

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

      Lacazette won’t start. Wouldn’t be confident in Aguero starting either.

  19. Coolbean
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    For those looking at O’Connell as an option, I’ve realised that with Wilder’s new 5-3-2 formation, the “overlapping CBs” is no longer a thing as that is the job of the LCM and RCM now (i.e., Fleck and Lundstram/Besic).

    Good news is that this 5-3-2 thing is anticipated to be used exclusively in away games only. As such, O’Connell should only be used with the right rotation that can avoid these fixtures.

  20. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ryan (Button)
    VVD Digne KWP Taylor (Lund)
    Sterling Salah (c) Siggy Perez (Dend)
    Kane King (Green)

    G2G?

    1. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      locked

  21. Lion-O
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Ederson actually going to play?

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yep

  22. Invincibles
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Pope/Heaton/Ryan
    B) 2 of Wilson, Jota, King

  23. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is there a chance KING takes pens?

    1. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

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

      Yup

  24. Beautiful Game
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Tammy Abraham + Wilson

    OR

    King + Rashford

  25. Killitzer
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hi guys-

    How's this looking?

    Pope (Button)
    VVD, Robbo, Zinc, Lundstram, Kelly
    Salah, Sterling, Fraser, Barkley, Dendon
    Kane, King, Greenwood

    Questions-
    1. Zinc vs KWP? (can save £0.5m)
    2. Fraser vs Martial
    3. King vs Jota

    Any thoughts would be appreciated.

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      KWP
      Martial
      King

  26. GE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    1) or 2)? 🙂

    1) TAA, Robbie and KWP/Zouma
    2) VVD, Robbie and Zink

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      2

  27. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Good idea to hold 0.5itb?

    Or use to:

    A) Upgrade bench def to 4.5
    B) VVd to TAA (have Robbo)

    I'm thinking contingency funds are always good

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

    Rico and Norwood

    OR

    Lund and another 5 miL?

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

    Hey guys pls do help me with my team below. Let me know which team is the best to start the season. Thanks in advance.

    Team 1:
    Heaton, Ryan
    AWB, Zinchenko,Coleman, Lund, Targett
    Perez, zaha, salah, sterling,Den
    Kane, King, Ings

    Team 2:
    Heaton, Ryan
    AWB, VVD,Dinge, Lund, Targett
    Fraser, zaha, salah, sterling,Den
    Wilson, King, Ings

    0.5 in Bank.

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

    Best DF at 5mill...
    Best MF at 5.5mill
    Best MF at 5mill...