Spot the Differential

Rested Silva could be excellent City differential in FPL Gameweek 36+

Michail Antonio’s (£7.0m) 26 points in Gameweek 35+ may be one of the best Fantasy Premier League differential hauls ever.

We first alerted readers of this column to his ‘out of position’ potential back in February, when he was owned by just 0.7% of FPL managers, and again last week.

If you missed Saturday’s haul, it isn’t too late to invest either – he’s still owned by just 3.0% of squads, with a schedule that suggests further attacking returns may be on the way.

However, it wasn’t just Antonio who delivered in Gameweek 35+.

Recent column favourites Gabriel Jesus (£9.8m), Oliver McBurnie (£5.5m) and Ismaïla Sarr (£6.0m) all registered attacking returns at the weekend, confirming there is still time to find some effective differentials for the run-in.

This time, we focus on three low-owned picks who we like the look of for Gameweek 36+ and beyond, all of whom have an ownership of 5% or less.

Jay Rodriguez

  • FPL ownership: 0.6%
  • Price: £5.7m
  • GW36+ – 38+ fixtures: WOL | nor | BHA

Jay Rodriguez (£5.7m) now has nine goal contributions in 14 starts in 2020.

The Burnley-born forward has deputised brilliantly for the injured Ashley Barnes (£6.1m), and is a major reason why the Clarets sit an impressive 19 points above the relegation zone and just nine off of fourth place.

One of Rodriguez’s best attributes is his clever movement and ability to drop off the front, but whilst his average position tends to be a bit deeper than that of his strike partner, his goal threat since the restart can’t be matched at Turf Moor.

Amongst teammates, Rodriguez leads the way for shots and shots in the box, and although he isn’t a huge creator, his two assists this year, against Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United, have helped earn valuable points.

During the 30-year-old’s run of starts, Burnley have only lost once, to Manchester City, winning six and drawing five.

In fact, they’ve lost just one of their last 13 Premier League games and are now unbeaten in five. Only Manchester United (11) are on a longer current unbeaten run.

With games against Norwich City and Brighton and Hove Albion, who rank 18th and 19th respectively for expected goals conceded since the restart, to see out the season, Rodriguez has an opportunity to finish strongly and stake a claim for a regular starting spot ahead of the next campaign.

David Silva

De Bruyne and Foden unlucky as Silva and Sterling score big for Man City
  • FPL ownership: 4.8%
  • Price: £7.3m
  • GW36+ – 38+ fixtures: BOU | wat | NOR

David Silva (£7.3m) will depart Manchester at the end of the season as a club and Premier League legend.

Despite this, the 34-year-old shows no sign of slowing down, having produced a midfield masterclass in Manchester City’s recent 5-0 home win over Newcastle United, where he registered his biggest points haul (17) of the season so far.

Since the restart, and bearing in mind he’s been limited to just four starts, Silva has had more opposition half touches than any other teammate. He also sits top for successful passes in the final third, and second for chances created and big chances created behind you know who.

Minutes is always a concern for City’s outfield players, but having logged less than half an hour off the bench in his last outing at Brighton, the Spanish playmaker’s chances of a start against Bournemouth on Wednesday night look good.

He also looks certain to make the starting XI in Gameweek 38+, in what will be his final match at the Etihad Stadium.

A key figure in City’s recent success, and arguably their greatest player of all time, Silva is one of the most creative, technically gifted midfielders the Premier League has ever seen, and could be a potent differential for those looking to make a late surge up the rankings.

James Ward-Prowse

  • FPL ownership: 1.6%
  • Price: £5.7m
  • GW36+ – 38+ fixtures: BHA | bou | SHU

Saints’ new skipper, James Ward-Prowse (£5.7m), has been one of the heroes of their season so far.

The 25-year-old has started every league game this term, highlighting his importance to the side, and scored his fifth goal of the season against Watford in Gameweek 32+, beating Ben Foster (£4.9m) with one of his trademark free-kicks that curled into the top corner.

His ability from dead-ball situations is key to his FPL appeal.

Since the restart, he’s taken 26 of Southampton’s 27 corners, whilst no player has scored more than his five direct free-kick goals since the start of the 2017-18 season.

He may also be on penalties too, despite missing from the spot in last week’s 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.

In his six appearances since Gameweek 30+, Ward-Prowse ranks first amongst teammates for opposition half touches, successful passes in the opponents’ half and crosses.

He’s created nine chances and has now registered 14 shots. That’s just one behind Danny Ings (£7.5m), whilst they’re tied on big chances, with three apiece.

Ward-Prowse is one of Southampton’s most important players, and now settled in a central role where he can dictate play and have a bigger influence on games, could be an effective mid-price differential for the run-in.


FPL LESSONS LEARNED FROM GAMEWEEK 35+

973 Comments Post a Comment
  1. link89
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    better foden+giroud or silva+alonso?

    1. Abraham & Cheese
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I prefer Foden + Hey Jude

  2. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Last spot Ings or Giroud? On a FH. Thanks.

    Pope
    Azpi - AWB - Digne
    Sterling - DSilva - Willian - Antonio - Bruno
    ____ - Jesus

    (Reina) - Greenwood - TAA - Tarawoski

    1. Abraham & Cheese
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ings

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

      I think Ings though they probably score similar

    3. Forgetmeknot
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’m going Giroud if a leak suggests he starts. I think both will do well

    4. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      cheers all

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

    Which City attacker to leave out on FH?

    A) Jesus
    B) Sterling
    C) David Silva
    D) Foden

    1. Forgetmeknot
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A or B for me this week only

    2. Pinturicchio10
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Foden

    3. Football Heaven
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden or Dilva? thanks 🙂

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

        Foden

      2. JonSnow
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        dilva

      3. Abraham & Cheese
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Foden

      4. Shankly611
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Understand your dilemma so I just went with both

    4. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Best forward pick for the run in costing less than 5.2m (other than Greenwood)?

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        That’s like asking for your favourite unicorn

        Gordon - Everton
        Ayew - Palace

        1. JELLYFISH
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Not the most exciting post of the day for sure 🙂

          Actually thinking Nketiah! Red card expires GW37 and their final 2 games look tasty

    5. Thoughtopsy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Free hit

      A) Sterling Cancelo McCarthy
      B) DSilva Ederson Bednarek

      Can swap Cancelo for another defender, not sure about the city defense this week?

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

      Problems with my team, which to prioritise?

      A) Aurier
      B) Possibility of Greenwood benching
      C) KDB rest, and my only city asset.
      D) Bench is very weak. Ayew, Lascelles Robinson
      Only 1 ft, advice appreciated as always

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Get rid of Aurier for Digne or any starting Chelsea def.

        1. Abraham & Cheese
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I brought in Egan because chelsea defence is leakier than a pregnant woman.

    7. Origi-nal
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Would you BB this? Any changes for hits?

      Patricio
      Doherty Bednarek AWB
      KDB Martial Fernandes Willian Pulisic
      Ings Vardy

      Martinez Jiminez Justin Kiko

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Wouldnt bb for sure

    8. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling or Mahrez starting is huge, weird that both got 90 mins with city winning 5-0 hmmmm. If I had to guess I’d go Foden, Jesus, Sterling :/

    9. Fergymac
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      On a FH -
      a) Rashford + Son
      b) Giroud + Salah

      I'm chasing

      1. JT11fc
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        B

    10. Arfaish
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not sure what to do with two FTs?

      A) Mane, DCL > Pulisic, Jesus
      B) Mane, Jimi > Pulisic, Jesus
      C) Doherty, Foden > Basham, Pulisic
      D) Other?

      DDG, (3.9m)
      TAA, Aurier, Doherty, (Holgate, Lascelles)
      Mane, KDB, Foden, Bruno (£4.2m)
      DCL, Rashford, Jimi

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        B

        1. Arfaish
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Is Jesus nailed?

          1. JBG
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Who knows.. Ederson only mailed player at City.

            1. JBG
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Nailed**

    11. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Who scores more this gw
      1. Vardy
      2. Jesus -4

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        That's actually hard to say, because we don't know which Leicester side we will get. But if I have to guess, 2.

        1. JT11fc
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Thanks. At least with Jesus even off the bench he can still return

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

      Ozils back being assessed since 2018

    13. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sorry for repost, but I did not get any replies on this :/.

      A) Lascelles + Nketiah to Azpi/Alonso + Ings

      Or

      B) Vardy + Lascelles to same

      With A I have to bench Mahrez. Both are -4 btw.

      1. JT11fc
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        A

        1. JBG
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Thanks.

      2. D.Glynn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        A

    14. Roy Rovers
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yep or Nay?

      Salah > Sterling
      Vardy > Jesus

      Pope
      TAA Digne Doherty
      Martial Salah KDB Bruno Willian
      Vardy Greenwood

      Krul Lascelles Nketiah Johnson.

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yes do it, Sterling really finding his goalscoring form again.

    15. CHARLIE HULL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Free hitters - what's your front 7?

      1. Darlo
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sterling, Foden, Salah, Pulisic, Fernandes
        Ings, Jesus

        Strong bench of Greenwood, Wan B & Boly in case of City rotation (hope I don't regret binning De Bruyne).

    16. Xhaka Kahn't
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Arrgh, I'm tormented by the temptation of getting a Chelsea player in for Norwich. I have no cover.

      Is it worth a -4 this week? Have already done Vardy to Ings.

      It would have to be for Sonny (unless there are any other suggestions? Maybe a LIV defender?)

      GK: Pope

      DEF: van Dijk, Laporte, Alexander-Arnold

      MID: Foden, Son, De Bruyne, Fernandes, Martial

      FWD: Greenwood, Ings

      BENCH: Martin, Calvert-Lewin, Saïss, Lascelles

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        You think Pool will keep a CS against Arsenal??

        1. Xhaka Kahn't
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I think they'll score against Arsenal and I wouldn't be surprised if it's VVD.

          1. JBG
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Keep as is, surely Son will score against a Newcastle defence without Lascelles.

      2. Abraham & Cheese
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I like your team. Could swap de Bruyne for Puli, since City already secured 2nd place. But i don't know if it's worth a -4.

    17. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Far too many choices this week.
      Midfield:
      Would love Silva, Antonio. Still don't have Pulisic or Willian. Sterling would be nice

      Upfront:
      Would like Jesus & JRod

      But where to fit them in?
      Salah, Fernandes, Martial, KDB, Saka
      Vardy, Greenwood, Ings

    18. beans and sausages
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Current FH team

      Schmeichel
      TAA Azpi Alonso
      Sterling Dilva Foden Pulisic Fernandes
      Vardy Ing

      Burton Digne Tarkowski Connolly

      Don’t really want two Chelsea defenders but I don’t really want to lose fernandes in midfield otherwise I’d go for Willian over him and lose Alonso for someone else.

      Any thought?

      1. Darlo
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Stick, with one eye out for leaked Chelsea team.

    19. Nando7
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      shall i use tripple captain this week?
      jesus
      foden
      willian
      ????
      chasing 20 points behind

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

        Use it in GW38+ on whoever is behind in the Golden Boot race

        1. tokara
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Gw38 is good for FH imo

      2. tokara
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        U can use it on united agst west ham if not this week

      3. Costa Nostra
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Same here.... want to use it on Sterling so bad but scared to do it! Have KDB and Jesus as well but too much rotation scare I think. Might go crazy and just do Pulisic. It’s doing my head in.

        1. Nando7
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          im soo tempted to chuck it on willian lool

    20. vityovics
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      FH now or GW38? Why?

      1. tokara
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Fh38, d. Silva last game.

      2. Shankly611
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I'm free hitting now even though my GW 36 team looked better than my GW 38 team, but I'm chasing hauls from some City differentials.

    21. link89
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      alonso or azpilicueta?

      1. tokara
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Wait fot early news

    22. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Is McCarthy one of the best GKS For next GWS ?

      1. Dr. Agabuse
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        yes

    23. fplfansss
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Choose two
      A. Mahrez
      B. Dilva
      C. KDB
      D. Sterling

      1. Shankly611
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        B and D

    24. JonSnow
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Anyone a bit worried about United players this week. They have all started 5 straight games now in a short space of time. Looked way off the pace at times last night particularly bruno, pogba and AWB and now have 2 games in 3 days. Could rotate the squad for Chelsea though, but i doubt we get a win with our B team

    25. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      only this GW (after WC)

      Jesus
      Firmino
      Ings
      Giroud/Tammy
      depending early team news

      or keep Vardy and get James for Alonso if James starts (early team news) (and dont play Taylor)

    26. Football Heaven
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A. Mahrez > foden/dilva
      B. Mahrez + KDB > foden + Dilva -4
      Thanks

      1. Shankly611
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I think the -4 in B is justified for this GW, just not sure about selling KDB. Could miss him the last 2 gameweeks

      2. Dr. Agabuse
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        A

    27. Shankly611
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      FH team. Suggestions? Not settled on my defense and GK.

      McCarthy
      TAA Azpi Digne
      Sterling DSilva Foden Willian Bruno
      Ings Giroud

      Reina Greenwood AWB Doherty

      Captain Willian or Foden. Top 3,5k and top 20 in my country (Croatia) so I want attack at least the top 10 position.

      1. Dr. Agabuse
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Foden

    28. Thoughtopsy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      FH, which one to go with?? I need advice, please

      A) Sterling Antonio McCarthy
      B) DSilva Martial Ederson

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        A

      2. Dr. Agabuse
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        A

      3. Shankly611
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        B the safer option while A is more tempting. It all really depends on whether Sterling will start. Personally I'd go A

    29. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      How is SOton vs the press.
      If played right Brighton will offer goals