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. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    a) Ings + Alli
    b) DCL + Son

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

      B

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

      A

    3. stat sifter 888888
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    4. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A this week. B GW2-5

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

    That's me done tinkering now. Good luck all.

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

      Lies, you know you make lies.

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

        You know me better than I 😆

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

        Seriously. I have a great plan for the next couple of weeks. Can't see how anything could go wrong.

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

          Just stop, stop it now.

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

    Is it crazy to go without salah?

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

      No

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

      no, but I wouldn't

    3. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      the game is about value.

      if you believe that salah offers value over and above the other 10.5m+ captaincy options then yes, otherwise no.

  4. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who will the starting goal keeper for Villa? Nyland or Steer? Thank you!

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

      Steer unless Martinez signs

    2. Eric Banternaaa
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Steer clear

    3. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think Nyland will start but Martinez is supposedly having a medical with us tomorrow.

  5. Eric Banternaaa
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Left it until today to save myself having 21,456 drafts. What’s your thoughts on my first team?

    McCarthy Nyland
    TAA Egan Vinagre Justin WalkerP
    Salah Auba Son ASM Greenwood
    Werner Brewster Mitrovic.

    Future drafts incoming. Thanks in advance

  6. arkom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Nyland or Steer??

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      neither. both are a price risk compared to the other 4s

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        What?

  7. Cynical
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Last piece of the puzzle. Replies much appreciated!

    A. Son, JWP, Michy
    B. James Rod, Soucek, Ings

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

      B but I like the Michy pic

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

        I could still get Michy instead of Wilson and maybe upgrade Soucek to ASM

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

          Interesting but I'd stick with Soucek and Wilson, wait and see with Michy

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

            Yeah fair enough. See how Roy lines up with Ayew and Benteke competing. If Michy is lone forward he could be good value. Thanks mate.

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

      B

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

    I'm done!!

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA Justin Vinagre (Mitchell Buur)
    Salah Auba Son Soucek (Bissouma)
    Werner Ings Mitrovic

    £0.5 ITB

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

      Upgrade Soucek for saint max? Or Ings to martial?

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

        He said he's done.

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

          yup, but it's fun to try making him doubt his team again 😀

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

            You're a bad boy.

      2. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Presume this is the planned transfer

    2. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      lovely

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

    Mount an option long term or short term? Could be placeholder +0,5 for Greenwood.

    Any Chelsea fan have any insight in his scoring potential this season?

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

      get Barnes

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

    Ryan
    Gomez, Justin, shaw
    Salah, auba, Sterling, saint max, Stephens
    Martial werner

    GW2 sub- salah out for Fernandes
    Then GW3 upgrade Gomez to Trent if he doesn’t go up?

    Thoughts?

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

      You bench both Martial AND Sterling for GW1?

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

        Yeah means I have them for gw2

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

      definitely will end in tears

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

        Why haha

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

          Too risky mate.

          Comes GW 2 for instance, one of Sterling or Martial can be injured/quarantined. If you miss TAA's haul in the 1st GW, forcing you to transfer him early or you'll be priced out. Your backline is poor. Justin will concede a lot I reckon and Shaw is not playing.

          I'll recommend scrap all and just follow the template first and if you really fancy United, pick only one and I suggest Martial but I really suggest go with Ings + 0.5 and then Martial in for GW2 if he's fit

  11. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Antonio or Mitrovic? Thank you!

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

      Mitro. Ant back on the wing and tough fixtures.

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

      Mitrovic

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

    Hello lads. Need a major help over here.

    1. Ings+ASM/Pereira (1/0.5 itb)- Ings to Martial in gw2
    2. Adams+Harverts (0 itb)- no united cover in gw2

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

      1

  13. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Soucek, DCL, Martial (with a GW1 placeholder)
    B) Son, Mitro, Nketiah punt

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      a

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

      A

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

    Rennes have accepted #Chelsea’s latest bid for Edouard Mendy - the player is ready to fly to London for his medical

  15. Admiral Benson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Havertz or Son?

    1. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Havertz. But maybe Son or Alli for the first few.

  16. Ludde
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Downgrade Doherty to Dier/Davies to upgrade Mitro to DCL? Is that smart?

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

      If Doherty starts it's a sideways move, if he doesn't, good move.

    2. stat sifter 888888
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I don't think Doherty will be this amazing attacking force that everyone thinks he is so yes imo.

  17. Johan Queef
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I need to stop. Please help.

    McCarthy (Steer)

    TAA, Robbo, Davies (Taylor, Mitchell)

    Salah, Auba, Alli, ASM (Bissouma)

    Werner, Adams, Mitro

    A) Alli & Mitro 343 with 0.0 ITB
    B) Son & 4.5 fodder 442 with 0.5 ITB

    Not sure on the balance but hoping to do Salah -> Fernandes which will give me some funds and flexibility.

    Thanks! (and feel free to ask for any advice in return!)

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A for me

      1. Johan Queef
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks. Think I'll stick with that!

  18. Eric Banternaaa
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A Havertz Ali
    B Greenwood Son

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

      A.

      Don't trust Greenwood at all yet.

    2. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A. Greenwood could be off the menu if United sign someone.

  19. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who's the best 4.5 KWP aside? Not convinced on Justin or Vinagre long term

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

      Dallas

    2. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      One of the Leeds boys.

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

      I'm a fan of lamptey

  20. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Prediction for the value players this season in each position?

    I'll go with Buur (wishful thinking i know), Soucek & DCL.

  21. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on downgrading TAA to a 4.5 and upgrading 5.5mid to Havertz/Puli/Son? Risky but way more fun.

    1. stat sifter 888888
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Do it!!

    2. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sideways. But Puli out of those.

  22. deshawn7
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT / 10, putting more in midfield

    McCarthy (Ryan)
    TAA, Vinagre, Justin (Dallas, Mitchell)
    Auba, Salah, Havertz, Alli, ASM
    Ings Mitrovic (Bamford)

  23. Red Red Robins
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Currently on Bowen for my GW1 punt.
    Think he'll do better than either Spurs mids.
    Thoughts on GW1 punt?

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Your team, your choice my man

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

      I was considering him but after Wilson and Fraser transfer, I'll pick ASM and use the extra fund for defense

  24. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Worth going for Salah if its only for GW1?

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes, based on EO

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

      No for me
      With people jumping off Salah ship in GW2, his price will likely drop regardless he's scoring a goal or not. The lure of Bruno is too tempting.

      I'm bidding him later around 11.6, hopefully if he blanks consecutively 😀

      1. stat sifter 888888
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        His price will not fall that much lol. He will score enough goals that his price will increase gradually.

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

          if he doesn't score friendly games, it's possible he's blanking in the first three games, right ? Everything's possible, what I'm saying is that if he dropped to 11.6, I'm considering buying, but if he's not, well KDB and Sterling is 11.5 anyway.

          But with Mane's EO is around 12% and Salah 30%, it's also possible Salah dropped to 20% or below when Manchester mids are firing cause people might stack the LIV trio defense and let Salah and Mane go

  25. Ray In Bruges.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 4.5 Defenders? Pick 2

    Justin/Vinagre/Lascelles/KWP/Other?

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

      i think Vinagre and Saliba looks good, at least for a few GWs, but for longer term, could be those lads from Leeds

    2. stat sifter 888888
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Depends on who your keeper is.

  26. drfc_matty
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this team

    Loris

    Trent / VVD / Dier / Robbo

    Havertz/ Abamayang/ Ali / Soucek

    Werner / Ings

    Subs nyland/ mitchell/ bissouma/ Davis

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

      Brave team mate, almost the same but not going triple LIV for now. I'm picking Davies, Son, ASM instead of Dier, Alli, Soucek
      Good luck, I like it

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

        most players From top clubs and play key roles in there teams .. plan to you use my transfers on captains

        Game week 2 big problem with 3 Liverpool def and 2 Chelsea attackers

  27. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Going big on GW1 with Mane, Salah and Auba.

    McCarthy
    TAA Dier Justin
    Mane ASM Salah (A)uba Soucek
    Werner Mitro

    Nyland Mitchell Ferguson Davis

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

    downgrade doherty to dier and upgrade dcl to ings?

    1. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes.

  29. stat sifter 888888
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else with Zaha a bit nervous about this Batshuayi loan deal? I was gambling on him being more direct this year in a 4-4-2 but it looks like he could go back to the wing now.

  30. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Davies nailed? Why would people go Dier over Davies when he’s a fullback ?

    1. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Davies hasn’t given much attacking returns recently. Dier more nailed and Dier can score too.