Spot the Differential

Pogba’s new role makes him a useful FPL differential for Triple Gameweek

Triple Gameweek 35 is almost upon us which gives us an opportunity to have a look at some more differential options.

This time, we’ve selected low-owned picks at West Ham United, Aston Villa and Manchester United who we think have the potential to make an impact.

As always, to qualify, the player must have an ownership of 5% or below at the time of writing.

Paul Pogba

  • FPL ownership: 2.2%
  • Price: £7.6m
  • GW35-38 fixtures: avl + LEI + LIV | – | FUL | wol

Paul Pogba (£7.6m) has been one of Manchester United’s top performers in recent weeks, producing some of his best football since returning to Old Trafford from Juventus in 2016.

The French midfielder struggled with several minor injuries and a bout of COVID-19 earlier in the season. However, since regaining full fitness, he has become a vital asset to Ole Gunnar Solskjær, which has coincided with a new, hybrid role on the left of United’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

The more advanced position means he is generally further up the pitch when United reach the final third, where he has the vision and ability to quickly switch play. And that’s led to a big improvement from Pogba, who has scored two goals and registered four assists in his last ten matches across all competitions. He also ranks joint-second amongst team-mates for shots in the box, and third for chances created over the last six Gameweeks.

The Red Devils are now unbeaten in 13 Premier League matches, and after the latest fixture amendments were announced earlier this week, now visit Aston Villa before back-to-back home matches against Leicester City and Liverpool in Triple Gameweek 35.

While it’s hard to pinpoint exactly which, if any, of United’s assets will be handed three starts, Pogba’s versatility enhances his chances, and now in a really good moment, could be an effective differential for the remainder of the season.

Michail Antonio

  • FPL ownership: 5.0%
  • Price: £6.4m
  • GW35-38 fixtures: EVE | bha | wba | SOU

Gameweek 34 saw the return of Michail Antonio (£6.4m) to West Ham United’s attack.

The 31-year-old was back in the starting XI after recovering from the hamstring injury which forced him off against Wolverhampton Wanderers last month, and it didn’t take him long to impress.

His quickfire double, finishing off crosses from Vladimir Coufal (£4.7m) and Saïd Benrahma (£5.9m), turned the game in the Hammers favour, and he was perhaps unfortunate not to return more, as he ended the game with six goal attempts, two big chances and 12 penalty box touches. 

In fact, Antonio’s expected goal involvement (xGI) total of 1.43 was not bettered by any other Fantasy Premier League (FPL) player in Gameweek 34, and as pointed out by Neale in his Scout Notes, it is merely a continuation of a season-wide trend as no forward with substantial game-time to their name has a better rate of xGI per 90 minutes.

Manuel Lanzini’s (£6.4m) performance also caught the eye, with the Argentine excelling in a deeper role in Declan Rice’s (£4.7m) absence, and as a result of their win, West Ham now sit fifth, just three points behind Chelsea with four games to play. 

With a crucial run of games coming up against Everton, Brighton and Hove Albion, West Bromwich Albion and Southampton, Antonio can finish the season strongly, and could be one of the very best FPL differentials for the run-in.

Anwar El Ghazi

  • FPL ownership: 1.2%
  • Price: £5.2m
  • GW35-38 fixtures: MUN + EVE | cry | tot | CHE

Anwar El Ghazi (£5.2m) has not always been a guaranteed starter at Aston Villa this season, but has now scored in back-to-back matches and made a real impact.

The Dutchman’s Gameweek 34 strike at Everton took his tally to eight in the Premier League, making him the Villans’ top scorer behind Ollie Watkins (£6.5m), and there is no doubt that at his best, he has the ability to be a real game-changer.

Interestingly, captain Jack Grealish (£7.5m) recently labelled El Ghazi as Villa’s best finisher at the club, and it was easy to see why at Goodison Park, as he bent the winner past an excellent Jordan Pickford (£4.8m) late on. He also hit the woodwork and enjoyed plenty of success running at Carlo Ancelotti’s backline, which is encouraging.

The winger’s shoot-on-sight policy is evident in the numbers, too. Amongst all midfielders per 90 who have played a reasonable number of minutes, he ranks second for goal attempts, fifth for big chances and third for expected goals (xG), only behind Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) and Gareth Bale (£9.1m).

At this stage, we should point out that longer term, this move carries more risk, as it’s likely we’ll see El Ghazi drop out of the starting XI upon Grealish’s return. However, if the England international continues to be ruled out, and you fancy a short-term differential punt, this could be a good one.

2,781 Comments Post a Comment
  1. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Really not convinced that Cpl/Guaita has better cs chances than Liverpool/Utd, despite better fixtures.

    What’s your take on this?

    1. LLoris
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      yup agree

    2. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      He has CS in the reverse fixtures?

      1. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Palace 1-0 Soton
        Palace 2-0 Sheff Utd

      2. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        You confident of that Southampton fixture? Have a bad feeling in my bones about that one. JWP pen incoming?

        1. Crunchie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          JWP to finally foul Zaha in the box for a change, he does wind him up 🙂

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Something to kick off between them for almost certain you'd think - have gone Tekkers for safety's sake (and a bit of fun) here 🙂

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Henderson would be ideal if we were sure of him getting all 3 games.

      Liverpool probably wont keep CS either. You may go for Pickford/Martinez.

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Basically I dont feel any GK is going to do well this week, all probably going to be below 10pts, so not much difference in it. Play the fixtures and hope for best.

    4. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Imagine your feeling if Sheff Utd score in the first game, you'll be thinking why the hell did I trust Palace defence.

      I'm steering clear. SHU scored vs Brighton at home and are playing with a bit more freedom.

      Going Henderson, Maguire, Castagne, Trent on FH.

  2. Hitthewall
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I’ve got the Mendy/Forster, meaning no keeper in 36. Is it worth shipping out Mendy for another doubling keeper for a -4?

    1. More Cowbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I would hold

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Why no Forster? Don't think Ralph has said anything concrete about McCarthy starting in 36?

      1. Jambot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I think he said they’d swap until the season end and Forster had the next two. Which suggests mcarthy forn36

    3. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I'm on FH so gone Guaita and Forster, and still trying to decide which one to play

  3. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    For the TGW:

    A) Greenwood
    B) Rashford
    C) Pogba

    1. Orion
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I will go with Rash and Pog as they seem more nailed for minutes in TGW

  4. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Even though they have a double this week I am going to shift one of Rudiger or Fofana in prep for next week. Correct to get rid of Fofana? Would probably get Digne.

    1. Fuddled FC
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I am getting rid of Rudiger due to fixtures

      1. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Can see Chelsea keeping one cleanie (just depends if Rudiger plays twice) not sure Leicester will keep any

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      If you end up keeping one until the end of the season, I think Rudiger has the better GW38 fixture (play each other in 37) so would lose Fofana on that basis

      1. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers. Possibly lose both by next week, got to lose 2 out of Fofana, Rudiger and Holding

  5. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mendy
    TAA Shaw Rudiger
    Salah Fernandes Greenwood JWP Lingard
    Kane Iheanacho DCL

    Bench Boost = Forster Holding Lingard Kilman

    Kilman >> 4.9 budget:

    1. Coleman (whu, avl, SHU)
    2. Ward (shu, sou, AVL)
    3. Phillips (SOU, mun, wba)

    Thanks

  6. Aster
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Nacho or Greenwood cap?

  7. Pukkipartyy
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Toughts? Gw36 worries...
    Only have Bruno atm. Thx!

    A) Greenwood (-4)
    B) Zaha

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I was thinking Greenwood until last night. Zaha is nailed

      1. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Greenwood will play 2/3 i think so it depends on whether you think Greenwood will get 4 more points than Zaha this week. In the same dilemma

    2. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B for me

  8. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Zaha or JWP?

    1. LLoris
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Zaha

    2. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Zaha

    3. G00LI0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Depends on Zaha injury status

  9. Jaok
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    2 ft and 1.6 itb

    Mendy
    Rudiger* TAA Castagne
    Salah Son* Lingard Jota Greenwood
    Kane Nacho

    Forster Vydra Veltamann Coady

    A: Son + Lingard -> Bruno (c) + JWP
    B: Son + Rudiger + Coady -> Bruno (c) + Shaw + Mitchel
    C: think again..

  10. XX SMICER XX
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    On Bench Boost, 1FT, Forster my keeper.
    I need him to play in both GW35 & GW36
    A. Sell for Pickford / Guiata
    B. Keep

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A the choice is yours

  11. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Start who-
    A-Rudiger
    B- Lingard
    C- Evans (-4)

  12. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Is it worth keeping Son?

    1. Orion
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

  13. DARE TO BISCAN
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Is this the week to TC Mason Greenwood (don't have Bruno)? Anything coming up, worth waiting for?

  14. janlu0
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    This is my bench. Which one starts?
    Coady
    Lingard
    Dallas
    Dunk

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Lingard

    2. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Lingard definitely

  15. Orion
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Iheanacho or DCL for this GW?

  16. Etern007
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which team would you go forward with, A, B or C?
    I have two FTs, so it's a -4 to make three changes to get either of these. Team's B & C involve selling Kane this week.

    Team A
    Martinez
    TAA / Wan B / Targett / Digne
    Jota / Mount / Salah / Bruno
    Nacho / Watkins

    Team B
    Martinez
    TAA / Wan B / Targett
    Jota / Mount / Salah / Greenwood
    Nacho / Watkins / DCL

    Team C (only difference is Bruno instead of Salah)
    Martinez
    TAA / Wan B / Targett
    Jota / Mount / Bruno / Greenwood
    Nacho / Watkins / DCL

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

    3. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Guess a since its sala and bruno

      1. Etern007
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks everyone. I was hoping you'd all say A 😉

  17. JBG
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Coady + Azpi to Phillips + Digne for -4 looking good? Don't have FH and it gives me extra player for next GW.

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yep Shrewd

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks

  18. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Son or Zaha?

    1. G00LI0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      This week, Zaha is Hodgson says there are no niggles

  19. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Hi All - will Nat Phillips play both games?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      No choice but to play him

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Klopp says the extra week has helped Nat Phillips and the centre-back is available...

        1. More Cowbell
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          thanks a lot

  20. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Anything to change on this FH?

    Guaita (Forster)
    TAA / Maguire / Digne (Holding / Mitchell)
    Bruno / Aubameyang / Greenwood / Salah (Douglas Luiz)
    Nacho / DCL / Watkins

  21. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    DCL or Watkins a better pick?

    Already have Siggy

    1. Fuddled FC
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      DCL has better fixtures, Watkins more form.

      Probably DCL although I will probably have Watkins due to funds

  22. JamRec
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Wood, Adams or Watkins?

  23. The_Colonel
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Is Regulion, Son, Vydra, Kane > Maguire, Bruno, DCL and Watkins worth a -8?

    Will BB this week and FH next week, with Kane coming back for GW37

  24. Hitman MHK
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What’s everyone doing with Son? Surely worth keeping him

  25. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts? Thinking Coady to Lindelof, Holgate or Godfrey? 1FT 0.1itb

    Mendy
    Holding Coady Dias
    Son Bruno Jota Salah Lings
    Kane Kelechi
    (Forster, Vydra, Dallas, Struijk)

  26. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    hi guysm got my TC left to play. 2 FT and 0.2 ITB, chasing my ML.. What to do here?

    Ederson Johnstone
    AWB Veltman struik saiss castagne
    salah bruno greenwood lingard raph
    watkins kane ihenacho

  27. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    a) Rashford
    b) Salah

  28. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Will Fofana/Holding play both games?

    1. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Think Fofana starts both but likely to be subbed. Holding I have no idea. Reas that Luiz might be back for one of the games.

  29. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    GTG then?

    Yay or Nay

    Mendy
    Shaw, TAA, Digne
    Bruno (c), Havertz, JWP, Jota, Son
    Kane, Nacho

    Foster, Wood, Phillips, Dallas

  30. teneighty
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Biggest gameweek in history and I'll probably end up saving a FT. It just doesn't feel right.

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I have 2fts and not a clue what to do.