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. Thoughtopsy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What defenders to get on a free hit?

    Already have Azpi locked in and I'm playing 3 at the back. Best 2 defenders for 10 million?

    1. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      cancelo if you dont have 3 other city

      digne is pretty good

      cresswell

      southampton defender ( bert , bednarak )

    2. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Saïss, AWB?

    3. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dont know whether maguire+saiss is possible, maybe just

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

      Digne & Pieters for me clive

  2. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Last question guys. Would
    You bench Vardy, Greenwood or Ings?

    1. gers23
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      tough but i think Greenwood

    2. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Greenwood but could backfire

  3. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would you take a hit to get in Ings for DCL or just start one of Egan (lei)/DCL(ACL)?

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

    Selling Rashford and Mahrez, but to who?

    A. Dilva and Jesus (likely C)
    B. Dilva and Ings and keep the change (Sterling C)

    1. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Similar to me, just think sterling won’t start. Dilva will get double figures if he starts imo

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

    Rashford > Jesus
    Mane > Martial

    -4pts

    Yes or no?

    1. gers23
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      no imo

    2. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

  6. FPLAdmiral
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would really appreciate feedback guys!

    (A) Mahrez + Rashford > Pulisic + Jesus
    (B) Mahrez + KDB > Dilva + Sterling
    (C) Other - suggest (2FT, 0.4m ITB) -

    McCarthy
    TAA, Doherty, Aurier
    KDB, Mahrez, Foden, Bruno, Salah
    Ings, Rashford

    (Henderson)(Greenwood, Robertson, Egan)

    1. Ian Davis
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  7. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Maybe a few days early to be asking, but looking to do a mini wildcard of sorts for 37, before a FH in 38

    Out go Willian, pulisic, Azpi
    In come Sterling, Saint-Maxim (as fodder), Taylor.
    The reason being I don't fancy Chelsea against Liverpool

    The deadline is before the FA cup fixtures, so there's the injury / rotation risk, but what are your thoughts on the team I'd be left with for 37:

    Pope (Norwich)
    Taylor (Norwich)
    TAA (Chelsea)
    Doherty (Palace)
    Sterling (Watford)
    KDB (Watford)
    Bruno (West Ham)
    Martial (West Ham)
    Rashford (West Ham)
    Jesus (Watford)
    Ings (Bournemouth)

    Bench: Saint-Maxim (Brighton), Lacelles (Brighton), 2 x Fodder

  8. gers23
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Wise to not take any hits if 49 clear in mini league? Have 2 fts

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don't think the lead makes a difference. If a hit gets the best players (or covers off your competition), then it's probably worth it.

  9. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy > Ings for free

    Yes or no? (Would be next week if not)

    1. Cahill
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      no

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

      same dilemma. might FH but if I don't I really want Ings in. tough as I think Leicester need to win this one. Brighton too are due a performance.

  10. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Good Free Hit team? Anything you'd change?

    Patricio
    Wan-Bissaka Alonso TAA
    Sterling Foden Martial Salah Pulisic
    Jesus Giroud

    Subs: Greenwood, Saiss, Fredericks

    1. Cahill
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      looks great

    2. Invincibles
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      TAA > Doherty for me

  11. Cahill
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    BBing this week.

    best use of 2FT's?

    McCarthy Fab
    Digne Azpil Holgate Boly Justin
    KDB Pulisic Foden Martial Bruno
    Rashford Vardy Kane

    thinking KDB & Kane -> Dilva & Jesus

    1. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      kane is due . id do kdb to silva only and make sure holgate is playing

  12. grennans2
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who to bench out of Mahrez and Greenwood?

    Don't think Mahrez will start but if he does his upside is much greater than Greenwood's. Also, he has potential to get points off the bench still.

    1. Cahill
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      mahrez

  13. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Think I really like this FH team finally, any thoughts?

    DDG
    TAA Alonso AWB
    Sterling D.Silva Foden Martial Pulisic
    Giroud Ings

    Bench: Pope Wood Tarkowski Saiss

    Cheers!

    1. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looks good, only risk Alonso. Like the Giroud pick myself

      1. The Man Pastore
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I will switch to Azpi if we don't have news before deadline

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

      Fernandes over martial for me

      1. The Man Pastore
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        That's really the one pick I am not sure about... Martial is more of a differential in my ML and I am chasing 25pts. I hope it doesn't backfire

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

          Have a look at his away form vs home form

          Tough decision though

  14. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Current midfield
    Sterling mane Martial Fernandes kdb

    Would you sell any of them to get Pulisic/willian/dilva/foden?

    For a hit though

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

      No

    2. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No, keep

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

    The pages are flying already - not long until we get to 0% of questions replied to

    1. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Here to the rescue

  16. newcastleman19
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is it too wild to captain Foden over Fernandes this week? Likely to start and his home form since the restart have returned 3, 12, 16 and 6 points

    1. Cahill
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      im going for it

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Better team and better fixture. Makes sense to me.

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

    Any thoughts on my WC much appreciated

    Pope
    Saiss TAA Boly
    Sterling Pulisic Martial Bruno Salah
    Ings Jesus

    Button - Greenwood Taylor Lamptey

    Only X2 City but will sell Pulisic for a 3rd one after Puli play Norwich

    Cheers

  18. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    captain:
    A) Sterling
    B) Martial
    C) Salah

    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling

      1. Invincibles
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Benched?

        1. John Nerdelbaum
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Who knows

  19. Mighty1992
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I’m currently in a league where I basically just need to beat two lads in my league. Current team is:

    Alison (Had pope most of season but brought in Alison for last week - didn’t work)

    TAA, Doherty, Kiko
    Bruno, Martial, KDB, Foden, Salah
    Greenwood, Jimi,

    Calvert Lewin, Lascelles, Button, Simpson

    I’ve got no chips to play but have my FT. Who do I bring in? Do I get rid of Salah?
    I’m ahead by 50 and 19 on both so need to keep the distance

  20. SerieD
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Should I use free hit this week or later?

    De Gea (Martinez)
    Alonso, Doherty, Aurier, Saiss (Fernandez)
    KDB, Martial, Mahrez, Pulisic (C?)(Rice)
    Vardy, Jimenez, (Nketiah)

    1ft, 2.4 ITB

    OPTIONS:
    A) Rice-->Antonio
    B) Jimenez-->Ings/Jesus
    C) KDB-->Salah
    D) Free hit
    E) A Better idea

    Thanks for opinions!

    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B with Jesus
      I wouldn't FH with two Chelsea already and three City

    2. Ra Ra Ra
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ive done B, Jim -> ings

      now considering KDB-> dilva for a hit...

      If I were you I'd be going Mahrez -> Dilva and would probably not do the Jim->Ings move for a hit

  21. John Nerdelbaum
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Start Jimi or Greenwood?

    Stung by benching Jimi last week but Greenwood did nowt against Soton

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

      I’d bench Greenwood but the consensus on here will be bench Jimenez

      1. John Nerdelbaum
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ta. I would only have Bruno (and AWB) from United

    2. Pinturicchio10
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I've got to make that very decision this week. I asked here a couple of times and every response I got said bench Jimenez which basically reassured me that my gut pick to bench Greenwood is the way to go, so that's what I'm doing. Jimenez start, Greenwood bench.

        1. John Nerdelbaum
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Cheers HT

    3. Ci Siamo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If I get Dilva over Sterling this week it means next week I can keep triple United against West Ham?

      Worth it or not?

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

      who is captaining salah or mané ?!
      I have the feeling arsenal is the perfect opposition for them to perform.
      Really tempted by mané (c)

    5. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Anybody still has dcl?

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yes

      2. ElliotJHP
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Finally got rid for Ings, feels good

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

        yes, and I'm giving him a farewell start

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

      Please RMT

      Free Hit On
      Ederson
      Doherty, Digne, Azpi
      Pulisic, Martial, Bruno, Dilva
      Jesus, Vardy, Greenwood

      Subs: McCarthy, Taylor, Guendouzi, Lamptey

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        not sure i would bother with Vardy on a free hit, I'd be going Ings.

        looks decent though.

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

      Mahrez, Aurier to Foden/Dilva, Stevens?

      Ederson
      TAA Aurier Doh
      Kdb Mahrez Puli Willian Bruno
      Rash Jimenez
      (Martin, Greenwood, Kiko, lascelles)

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

        Yes to Dilva.

    8. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pope
      TAA Saiss Taylor
      Salah KDB Fernandes Mahrez
      Vardy Jimenez Greenwood

      McCarthy Saka Egan Tanganga
      1.6m ITB

      A) Salah and Mahrez to Sterling and Pulisic (-4)
      B) Vardy and Mahrez to Giroud and Sterling (-4)
      C) Vardy and Mahrez to Jesus and Pulisic (-4)

      C) feels the safest, but siding with B)?

      Any advice? Chasing 50pts in bragging rights league, top of 2 money leagues.

      1. YuvalFPL
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        just do mahrez to pulisic IMO.

        1. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          thanks.

          Don't like just one City for that game though, could get massively punished.

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

      Pick 1 to bench this week and why?:

      Salah (ars)
      KDB (BOU)
      Fernandes (cry)
      Mahrez (BOU)
      Willian (NOR)
      Jesus (BOU)
      Ings (BHA)
      Greenwood (cry)

      1. YuvalFPL
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        gotta be greenwood.

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

        Mahrez, most likely will be benched by Pep.

      3. SerieD
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Greenwood and Mahrez both will be benched imo. If only one, I pick Greenwood.

    10. Wardinator
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Alonso or digne?

      1. The Man Pastore
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Alonso if he starts

    11. MFC86
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Still have triple captain to use, when would be the best week to use it?

      1. Pinturicchio10
          3 years, 8 months ago

          38+. City.