Spot the Differential

The best FPL differentials to consider for the new season

The Gameweek 1 deadline is now upon us which gives us an opportunity to have a look at some differential options for the start of the season.

As always, we’ve selected three players with an ownership of 5% or less at the time of writing, who represent viable alternatives to some of the more popular assets out there.

Christian Pulisic

Willian and Pulisic make case for Chelsea double-up with Norwich on horizon
  • FPL ownership: 6.6% (4.8% at the time of writing)
  • Price: £8.5m
  • GW1-5 fixtures: bha | LIV | wba | CRY | SOU

Despite a slow start, Christian Pulisic (£8.5m) enjoyed a fine first season at Chelsea, and hit top gear upon the Premier League’s resumption back in June.

The United States international contributed a combined eight goals and assists in just nine league appearances during Project Restart, and went on to score in the FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal.

That kind of output suggests a big campaign lies ahead.

In yesterday’s press conference, manager Frank Lampard confirmed Pulisic is in contention for Monday’s trip to Brighton, and with an ownership of just 4.8% at the time of writing, could be an explosive differential for those willing to gamble on him starting. Saying that, an appearance off the bench might not be the end of the world for owners, considering his ability to haul from limited minutes, as evidenced at Anfield last season.

The Blues’ opponents in Gameweek 1, Brighton and Hove Albion, head into the season with plenty of optimism themselves after a busy transfer window, though it’s worth noting they shipped 11 goals in just three home games against Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United during the restart, while doubts linger over their ability to keep things tight against the best attacking setups in the league. 

Following the arrivals of Kai Havertz (£8.5m), Hakim Ziyech (£8.0m) and Timo Werner (£9.5m), competition for places at Chelsea is fierce right now. However, we think this could have a positive effect on Pulisic, who could now take his game to another level and thrive alongside such quality.

James Ward-Prowse

  • FPL ownership: 4.7%
  • Price: £6.0m
  • GW1-5 fixtures: cry | TOT | bur | WBA | che

James Ward-Prowse (£6.0m) may only have registered nine attacking returns last term, but with the Saints going from strength-to-strength, we’re backing the England international to kick on this season.

A product of the Saints academy, Ward-Prowse has become a vital part of manager Ralph Hasenhüttl’s midfield unit, and played every minute of the club’s 2019/20 Premier League campaign. 

It has been suggested the departure of Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (£5.0m), and re-introduction of Oriol Romeu (£4.5m) to the starting XI, will give the Southampton captain a bit more freedom to get forward, which is encouraging, but there is no getting away from the fact his ability from set-pieces and delivery from wide areas is the main attraction.

Ward-Prowse whipped in a massive 72 crosses from Gameweek 30+ onwards, more than any other player, while his 20 shots ranked joint-ninth amongst midfielders. Add to that free-kicks, corners and a share of penalties with Danny Ings (£8.5m), and we think there is a lot to like here. 

After a disappointing start to last season, Southampton performed well once Hasenhüttl had settled on his 4-4-2 / 4-2-2-2 system. Their away form was only bettered by Liverpool and Manchester City, while just the Manchester clubs collected more points during Project Restart.

The Saints are unbeaten in their last five league matches on the road, and take on a Crystal Palace side in Gameweek 1 who have won just four games all calendar year, all of which bodes well for Ward-Prowse and Southampton’s prospects this weekend.

Dele Alli

  • FPL ownership: 3.3%
  • Price: £8.0m
  • GW1-5 fixtures: EVE | sou | NEW | mun | WHU

This season feels like a defining moment for Dele Alli (£8.0m), after another disappointing campaign last time round.

However, his performances under Jose Mourinho in the early weeks of his tenure offers hope he may be able to find his best level again. 

Under Mourinho’s stewardship, there was an immediate improvement in Alli’s output, which saw him go on a run of four goals and three assists in five matches, while his underlying statistics suggest he may be being overlooked.

Since Mourinho’s first game in charge, amongst midfielders, only Raheem Sterling (£11.5m), Mohamed Salah (£12.0m) and Sadio Mané (£12.0m) accumulated big chances at a faster rate. His expected goal data was also encouraging, and trumped that of team-mate Son Heung-min (£9.0m), despite seeing fewer minutes.

While I’m unsure how much we can read into pre-season, Alli’s displays have offered promise, having registered two assists in a 3-0 home win over Ipswich Town before scoring in a 4-1 victory at Reading.

Up first for Tottenham Hotspur is Everton. While the Toffees’ will no doubt look a much better unit with their new midfield recruits, it may take time for them to gel, while their poor away record last term saw them concede 35 goals – only five teams gave up more.

Heading into the new season, it is vital for Alli to keep himself fit and find a bit more consistency in his performances. If he can do that, while retaining an attacking midfield role, he could be in for a big season.

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2,172 Comments Post a Comment
  1. L S P
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    If you could only pick one Chelsea and one ManU MID/FWD, who would you choose?

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

      Pulitial

      1. Mighty Banana
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I see what you did there

    2. Mini Mahouse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner Martial

    3. The_Bar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner & Fernandes

    4. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Werner + Fernandes.

  2. rogerbarton
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What do you reckon to this lot?

    Ryan / McCarthy
    TAA / Saiss / Ayling / Lascelles / C Taylor
    Salah / Auba / Son / ASM / Reed
    Vardy / Mitrovic / Adams

    - I’m looking at Auba to KDB in GW2
    - Ready to jump on Werner from Vardy if he hits the ground running

  3. Mini Mahouse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any starting 4.0 defender except for Mitchell?
    Could Buur start?

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

      depends whether you think they'll play Traore RWB

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

    Soy or Gomez?

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Neither, there are better £5.5 options

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Who?

    2. Scout
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Gomez

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        cheers

  5. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Jota, stop drawing me in like that

  6. XX SMICER XX
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What are people’s plans for United assets W2?

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

      get some

    2. Strchld
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Salah and Ings > Bruno and Martial for hit.

      1. XX SMICER XX
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I’m currently looking at Salah & Wilson to Rashford and Martial.

        Worried a Salah haul leaves me in limbo

        1. Strchld
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I have 0.5 ITB to do just Ings > Martial, but probably going to do both moves for hit. Im sure it will pay off following weeks.

  7. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Alli + Adams/mitrovic
    Or
    Soucek + ings/Jimenez
    Pick 2 players

    1. The_Bar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Similiar to my dilemma below. I'm on Ings + Soucek at the moment

    2. Andrew
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sou/Ings

    3. AlexDelPiero
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      soucek + ings

    4. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Alli + Mitro

  8. Baberto
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I so wanna ditch the template and go -

    McCarthy (4.0)
    Taa robbo tierny digne Doherty
    Auba son (asm 4.5 4.5)
    Ings jimi dcl

    Auba changes to manC asset.
    And opt for an early WC when Chelsea and ManU assets settle down and start firing.

    But i feel there's huge chances that I'll end up making a fool of myself.

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

      love it.. go for it

    2. Mini Mahouse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I have a similar team - I think if you can be a bit patient with it you'll benefit. Heavy defence is good

    3. Scout
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not a fan of the heavy defence

    4. SuperG
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      This is one of the most imaginative teams I’ve seen. Go for it

  9. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone going back on Vinagre? Rumours of him leaving have gone quiet??

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

      keeping

  10. TriggerHappy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Need a few more entries into a private H2H league. Code: iio91p

  11. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) JWP + Holding
    B) ASM + Egan

    1. The_Bar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  12. Scout
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you rather mane/salah or Trent?

    1. SuperG
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Salah and taa are musts. Mané WAY overpriced

      1. Scout
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I can only have salah/mane or Trent can’t get both in the team

      2. Scout
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I can’t get both of them in but means I have no Man Utd assets

      3. Thewhizzer
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        How is Mane way over priced? There was 12 pts separating the 2 last season.

  13. Alpex
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mitrovic or Batshuayi?

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

      No

      1. SuperG
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Agreed. Adams or find an extra .5 for Wilson

  14. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Ings, Davies, Saiss
    B) Adams, Havertz, Vinagre

    Best option here?

    1. The_Bar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A) For safety, B for upside. I'd lean A

      1. SuperG
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Fair comment. But... a is boring. B is box office. And we play for fun, right?

  15. MGD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any love for Pereira in WBA?

    1. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He’s the real deal but I won’t pay £6m for a West Brom player. I think he’ll be great for a free hit or just before a wildcard if fixtures are good. But if I’m paying 6m I want to play them with confidence every week.

  16. The_Bar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT

    Ryan

    KWP | AA | Davies

    Salah | Auba | Alli | Soucek |

    Wilson | Werner | Ings

    Subs: Walton | Mitchell | Reed | Taylor

    Don't like Soucek as a 4th mid playing all the time so can switch to 4-3-3 Any suggestions?

  17. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Return of a FPL legend?!

    Terms of Branislav Ivanovic deal to #WBA have been agreed, on a free transfer after leaving Zenit. To be finalised to add Premier League experience for Slaven Bilic this season #CFC #WestBrom
    https://twitter.com/mcgrathmike/status/1304407673832714242

  18. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mcneil goal 1-0 Burnley
    Bardsley assist

    1. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      OMG McNeil

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      35 year old fullback. Can't believe Bardsley is still first choice

  19. Scout
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mane or salah?
    Sterling or KDB?

    1. schlupptheweek
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Honestly both decisions depend on what kind of FPL player you are, both are a toss of the coin.

    2. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Salah and I can’t remember pricing for the city players but if the same Sterling for me

      1. Scout
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thank you

  20. AlexDelPiero
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would you rather:
    A) soucek + Ings
    B) Ward-prowse + DCL
    C) Soucek + DCL + 1.5mil to invest for GW2

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. The_Bar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'm having the same issue. Currently i'm on Ings + Soucek but i'd be playing Soucek each week.

      DCL + JWP seems like a good balance looking at it though

    3. Andrew
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  21. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Still with this team. Gtg? Plan is to go without ManCity until gw4. If i change my mind i go Son, Richarlison to KdB, Fodder.

    Johnstone
    TAA Robbo Justin Mitchell
    Salah Son Pulisic
    Jimenez Richarlison Nketiah

    Button Bissouma Greenwood Taylor

  22. AnyoneButLiverpool
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mane looking like a massive differential.

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Robbo at 13% too

  23. space
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any decent midfield options at 5.0 or less who don't play for Brighton, Southampton or Newcastle?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Soucek

  24. Mighty Banana
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    There's still crazy value o FanTeam if you can afford it.

    Currently all you need to get your money back is to finish in the top 60%. Obviously more will join, but with even if there is a huge influx of players I'd say you just need a top 30% at this rate.

    1. AnyoneButLiverpool
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Shhh. Keep it a secret dude.

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I've got a feeling they are under-reporting entrants to tempt people in

  25. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    17.5 million.

    A striker and a midfielder FOR ONE WEEK who to pick? (No Spurs midfielder) and why??

    Already have. Salah,Auba,Werner,ASM,Soucek..

    1. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Vardy + Barnes/JWP

    2. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ings and Havertz

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

      Batshuayi & Bowen

  26. FPLMarc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    This template team is light in defence and will have Ings > Martial (GW2), Auba > KDB (GW3). I really don't like having two transfers planned....

    McCarthy
    TAA - Justin - Vinagre/Ayling/Lewis
    Salah - Auba - Son - Soucek
    Werner - Ings - Mitrovic

    (Steer, Reed, Mitchell, Ferguson)

    No ASM, DCL or Vardy. What do you think?

  27. rozzo
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Money no object, who is the best keeper option long term?

    A lot going for Mccarthy who has no past pedigree.

    Will most of you be swapping him for Pope or whoever shows themselves as the season progresses?

    1. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pope.

  28. JelliedSpark968
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone fancy Martin as the 4.0 fodder? West Ham GKs get injured more than others it seems

  29. schlupptheweek
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Apart from Mahrez himself which player will likely be similar to Mahrez last season, being very explosive but often rotated?
    I'd expect Pepe and Pulisic to fit in this bracket and maybe Jota at a stretch. Are there any others?

  30. GreenWindmill
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    New article posted (as if anyone is currently reading the articles 😆 )

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2020/09/11/the-best-midfielders-and-forwards-for-sky-sports-fantasy-football-this-season/