Spot the Differential

In-form Saint-Maximin and £4.0m defender among the Gameweek 33+ differentials

Gameweek 32+ saw one of last week’s differential picks, Jarrod Bowen (£6.4m), deliver for his owners, whilst former column favourites Miguel Almirón (£5.8m), Michail Antonio (£6.9m) and Paul Pogba (£8.3m) all registered attacking returns.

So now, ahead of Gameweek 33+, we go in search of more differentials who can help you climb the rankings.

This time we’ve focused on two midfielders with promising fixtures and an intriguing budget defender who has only recently emerged on the scene, all of whom are held by less than 5% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers.

João Moutinho

Fantasy assets who can be more than just a Blank Gameweek 31 wonder 1
  • FPL ownership: 4.8%
  • Price: £5.4m
  • GW33+ – 37+ fixtures: ARS | shu | EVE | bur | CRY

Portuguese midfielder João Moutinho (£5.4m) may get less love than some of his more popular teammates, but the 33-year-old playmaker has a huge influence on the way Wolverhampton Wanderers play, and the numbers confirm it.

When it comes to creating chances, Moutinho is one of the best.

Amongst midfielders this season, only Kevin De Bruyne (£10.7m), Jack Grealish (£6.2m), James Maddison (£7.4m) and Emiliano Buendía (£6.0m) have registered more, whilst he also leads the way at Molineux for touches and successful passes.

This season alone, Moutinho has racked up seven FPL assists, and 14 across all competitions.

A key part of Moutinho’s appeal lies in his opponents this weekend, Arsenal.

The Gunners have often struggled to defend set plays this season. In fact, only Aston Villa and Newcastle United have allowed more attempts from dead-ball situations. You’d imagine this is something Nuno Espírito Santo will look to target, which is encouraging for Moutinho, who has taken all of Wolves’ corners since the restart.

Wolves are a club in form. They’ve improved their Champions League prospects by winning all three of their matches since Gameweek 30+ without conceding a goal, and have only allowed their opponents three shots on target and a solitary big chance.

Moutinho is a superb technician, whose delivery could be a key weapon this weekend, and with an ownership of just 4.8%, is a tempting differential.

Tariq Lamptey

  • FPL ownership: 0.4%
  • Price: £4.0m
  • GW33+ – 37+ fixtures: nor | LIV | MCI | sou | NEW

Tariq Lamptey (£4.0m) moved to Brighton and Hove Albion from Chelsea in January in search of more first-team opportunities.

The 19-year-old has had to be patient, but has now started back-to-back matches, providing Brighton with an exciting option on the right side, both at right-back, and also further up the pitch.

Over the last two games, Lamptey clocked 135 minutes and ranked fourth amongst teammates for final third touches with 23. That’s more than forwards Neal Maupay (£5.7m) and Aaron Connolly (£4.2m), and in the first half against Manchester United, only Alexis Mac Allister (£5.5m) was more advanced.

Graham Potter’s side remain in 15th place, six points above the relegation zone. Despite being brushed aside by Manchester United, they have been in good form since the restart, picking up four points, and have shown enough quality to suggest they should be able to pull themselves away from danger. In fact, no team has given up fewer big chances since Gameweek 30+.

The Seagulls face a huge game against bottom-of-the-table Norwich City on Saturday. The Canaries have looked blunt going forward in recent matches, and it’s worth noting only Aston Villa have conceded more chances from the left flank since the restart.

In a short space of time, Lamptey has proven he has the physical and technical ability to thrive in the Premier League, and could be a useful budget asset for the run in.

Allan Saint-Maximin

  • FPL ownership: 2.6%
  • Price: £5.5m
  • GW33+ – 37+ fixtures: WHM | mci | wat | TOT | bha

With three double-digit hauls in his last four Premier League starts, Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.5m) is becoming hard to ignore.

The 23-year-old was a constant threat against Bournemouth on Wednesday night, laying on three assists for his teammates, and having been subbed off just after an hour, should be raring to go when West Ham United visit on Sunday.

The Frenchman has always had raw talent but has often frustrated due to his erratic decision-making. Now, he looks to have added consistency and an end product to his game and leads the way at St James’ Park for shots, final third touches and take-ons since the restart. He’s also created three big chances over that period; only De Bruyne has more.

The upturn in Saint-Maximin’s form has coincided with Steve Bruce’s decision to switch from a defensive 5-4-1 system to a more attacking 4-2-3-1 in Gameweek 28. Since then, Newcastle have played some of their best football of the season, with three wins and two draws in their last five matches, and looked poised to finish the season strongly.

Saint-Maximin’s unpredictability and individuality makes him one of the most exciting players to watch in the Premier League, and if you do choose to invest, it’s probably going to be a lot of fun.


FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 32+

1,529 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ididnt
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Son & Saka to Mahrez & St. Max -4?

    or

    Son & Jimi KDB & Ings - -4

  2. adavies33
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Son & Rash (OUT) for Salah & Greenwood (IN) or Martial & Rash (OUT) - Salah & Greenwood (IN) (-4)

    Other suggestions welcome!

    Pope/Button
    TAA/Doherty/Lascelles/Robinson/Aurier
    KDB/Martial/Son/Bruno/Saka
    Auba/Rash/Jimi

    Cheers

    1. KP02
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Son & Rash out if you are going to either

    2. Fantasy Pig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I wouldn’t do either but Son and Rash if you are set on bringing in Salah

  3. KP02
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who to bench?

    A) Greenwood
    or
    B) Foden?

    1. Fantasy Pig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wow tough! Probably Foden just as he is more likely to start on the bench

  4. Fantasy Pig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would you take a hit to bring in Martial or hold DCL? Team will be

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Aurier
    Salah KDB Son Martial Bruno
    Rashford Jiménez

    Martinez Connolly Ward Kiko

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nice team! TV?

  5. Khurram Sikandar
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    BRAKING NEWS
    Bruno Fernandes & Paul Pogba both injured during training session and big chance that both will miss out. So don't select both who don't have them and bench them who both or one has in team.

    1. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      confirmed fake news

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Broken news more like

    3. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I would prefer google chrome over Internet Explorer mate... Just go for it

    4. FPL_Devil
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes braking news

  6. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    1 FTs (0.1 itb). Any changes ?

    DDG (Martin)
    TAA/ Saiss/ Lascelles (Kiko,Lundy)
    KDB/ Son/ Mane/ Bruno (Saka)
    Jimenez/ Rashford (Greenwood)

  7. FPL_is_Life
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How's this WC GW 33+ team?

    Ryan
    VVD, Boly, Robinson
    KDB, Martial, Fernandes, Salah, Son
    Jimenez, Ings

    Bench: Foster, Greenwood, Sais, Masina

  8. Sir Oki
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any suggestions? Side doesn't feel quite right to me, but I'm not sure what to change. I've got one free transfer and 0.8 itb.

    POPE
    TRENT, SAISS, LASCELLES
    KdB, SALAH (c), MARTIAL, BRUNO
    INGS, JIMENEZ, RASHFORD

    Henderson, Baldock, Saka, Hanley

    Aurier in for Baldock? Martial to Pulisic? Just roll over the transfer?

    Cheers!

  9. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I just brought in Rashford last gw, and now I'm regretting. 🙁