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

    Wtf did a price drop happend now?

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

      Explain

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

      I swaped kane, traore, dias -> nacho, salah, lindelöf and it was perfect funds. Also have a printscreen for like 1h ago. But now im missing 0.1

      1. Volley127
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Dias dropped 10 hours ago. Did you have your team still open from before then and hadn’t refreshed it since?

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

        Dodged a bullet. I'd try to keep Kane.

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

      Must have been that update then

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

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

    If I go Guaita/Pickford I could also get DCL instead of Watkins (Will do Vydra to either).

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

      lol in the same boat, see below. I probably will ride out 36 without a keeper. Not worth a transfer on them, not to mention for a hit.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      GKs generally have low ceilings anyway. Things could change and Forster could start in 36. Problem in 37 is Kepa could/ most likely play the next league game after the FAC.

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

    Play Forster or Mendy at goal?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Mendy - #1 GK and Chelsea still competing for top 4

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

    Thoughts on Coady, Lingard to Maguire, Gundo (-4)

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Nah

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

      Not Gundo

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      to Gundo for a hit?! no chance

  5. niaz1982
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I have £ 4.8 ITB + 1 FT left, already done Lingard to Greenwood.

    Was going to save my FT but thinking Son>>>Salah?

    Line up would be

    Forster
    Holding Reguilon Shaw TAA
    Salah Bruno Jota Greenwood
    Kane Iheancho

    Worth it or save it??

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

    Which is better on a FH?

    Zaha & Davis (fodder)

    OR

    Watkins & Douglas Luiz (fodder)

    Best MF: Zaha / Salah / Bruno / Greenwood / Aubameyang
    VS
    Best FWD: DCL / Watkins / Iheanacho

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

    Anyone going Mount on FH? Very attacking, on set pieces, great form, I think he's being overlooked. Tough fixtures but Chelsea will create chances in both games.

    1. niaz1982
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not for me

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

        He's in my team at the moment. If he can score at Anfield and against Real Madrid he's obviously fixture proof.

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

      Had him and sold. I hope now but I assumed he'll get some rest as they still have to play in three competitions.

  8. lastmanback
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Rudi to Maguire worth a hit? Already have bruno and shaw, but concerned Shaw wont get 3 games and that Rudi might only get one

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Both vital fixtures for Chelsea. Think Rudiger starts both.

  9. All For One
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Guaita
    Castagne, Kabak, Shaw
    Bruno, Lingard, Son, Mount, Jota
    Kane, Ineanacho

    Martinez, Lowton, Bamford, Dallas

    BB Active

    0 FT 2.9 ITB

    Gtg?

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

    Really stuck.. Chasing and got nothing to lose so a b or c?

    A) Vardy, Jota, Castagne -> DCL, Bruno, Mitchell (-8)
    B) Vardy, ESM, Castagne -> Vydra, Bruno, Mitchell (-8)
    C) Vardy, Jota -> DCL, Rashford (-4)

    1. All For One
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      None keep Leicester players for this gw, not worth it to swap for a -8 when Man Utd blank next gw.

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

        Go without Bruno than?

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

      I wouldnt change but if you want Bruno then A

    3. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Captain Vardy, explosive if it works, you say you've nothing to lose

  11. Jimmer887766
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Need advice! Which one or none?

    A) Kane, Son, Raphina out for Bruno, DCL, Greenwood
    B) Kane, Son, Raphina out for Bruno, DCL, Jota
    C) Kane, Son, Alonso out for Bruno, DCL, Digne
    D) Kane, Son, Alonso out for Bruno, DCL, Robbo

    I have Salah, Watkins, Nacho

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

      B

    2. Jimmer887766
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Need advice! Which one or none?

      A) Kane, Son, Raphina out for Bruno, DCL, Greenwood
      B) Kane, Son, Raphina out for Bruno, DCL, Jota
      C) Kane, Son, Alonso out for Bruno, DCL, Digne
      D) Kane, Son, Alonso out for Bruno, DCL, Robbo

      **Forgot to mention this is for -8.

      I have Salah, Watkins, Nacho.

    3. bigwig
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      All depends on how you're setup for 36. Alonso needs to go and Raph could be back by 36, so I'd say C or D. I'm going Kane, Reguillon, Holding > Trent, DCL, Digne as I like Everton's fixture in 36

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

      C

  12. Yozzer
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A castagne
    Or
    B Digne

    Differential of .
    1 Vardy
    2 Mane

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B1

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

      A1

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

      B1

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

    Going to Downgrade Son to bring in Digne at the back.

    Not sure what midfielder to go for? up to £8.5m in the bank.
    a. Greenwood (probably means a hit next week to field 11)
    b. Zaha
    c. JWP
    d. Other (suggestions welcome)

  14. Babelcopter
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Finally pulled the trigger Vardy, Son, Lingard to DCL, Bruno, Greenwood (-4). FH GW36

    Martinez
    Shaw TAA Castagne
    Bruno (c) Salah (vc) Greenwood Jota
    DCL Nacho Kane

    Good luck everyone!

  15. eririi
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Gundo -> Zaha (-4)?

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

      Yeah

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

    Dias to Maguire worth a -4?

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      yes

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

      yes

  17. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Siggy or El Ghazi?

  18. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts about going without Bruno this week?

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

      Brave

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

      Risky but he definitely will get rested at some point. If your chasing and your rival doesn't have him I'd get him in for the fact he has three games.

    3. Jimmer887766
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Brave. But it would not surprise me if gets 5 points for minutes, 2 for clean sheet, 3 for an assist, 1 bonus point across 3 games.

    4. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes, but for ML reasons only

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

      If you're not captaining him it adds up to me

      He'd be number 3 on my captain list this week looking at fixtures and schedule.

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

    What transfers should I make? (no chips left) (2 transfers)
    Mendy
    Taa Holding Fofana
    Salah Jota Esm Bruno Son
    Vardy Nacho

    Bench: Forester Vydra Coady Dallas

  20. DangerFC
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Havertz and white for zaha and Maguire?

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

    Best 3 United assets - funds no object?

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

      I'm going with shaw Maguire and Bruno I think

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

        I'm going Maguire and Bruno also, so it comes down to:
        A) Rashford
        B) Greenwood
        C) Shaw

    2. eririi
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I’m going Bruno, Greenwood and Shaw.

    3. DangerFC
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Depends on your midfield at the moment I guess. I'm using my FH next gameweek so that will leave me Maguire and shaw to play fulham at home in 37

    4. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I'm going Henderson, Maguire and Bruno

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

    First on bench?

    a) Lingard v Eve

    b) Holding v WBA, CHE

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

      Holding

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

      Lingard

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

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

    If I go Guaita/Pickford I could also get DCL instead of Watkins (Will do Vydra to either).

    I'm also bench boosting this GW.

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

    Will Mitchell play?

    1. Jimmer887766
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      1 game

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

      I think he will play both. PVA off at he end of the season and played better against Man City than PVA has played all season

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

    chasing my ML, what to do with my 2 FT (0.2 ITB).. thinking of getting rid of Kane..

    Ederson Johnstone
    AWB Saiss Castagne Veltamn Struijk
    salah bruno(tc) greenwood lingard raph
    kane nacho watkins

  26. the vanisher
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    IF THEY were priced the same:

    A. Rashford or
    B. Greenwood

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

    Pick 2

    Rudiger
    Holding
    Jota
    Lingard

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

    Dias, Coady to Maguire, Godfrey (-4)?

  29. pukunui
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    BB this week? What should my max hit be with this and who should go? Lloris, Shaw, Targett, Coufal, Jota, Fenandes, Salah, Lingard, Watkins, Kane, Iheanacho, Johnstone, Soucek, Dunk, Dallas. 1FT. 0.1 ITB.

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

    Any reason why Michael Keane hasn't played for the last 2?

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

      injured

      was on bench last week