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. 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 anyways).

    I'm also bench boosting this GW.

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

      Same situation. Would have said no, but of course 37 is after FA Cup, so Kepa likely to play (if recent patterns remain) therefore if Forster is an unknown then maybe a hit to have a playing keeper in 36 and 37 is worth it

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

      No. Just swap him out next week

  2. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which trio do you prefer?

    A - Rashford, Greenwood, Digne.
    B - Bruno, JWP & Maguire.

    1. REDMOND IN SANDALS
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not captaining bruno might end the season prematurely.

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

      A

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

    How nailed is Martinelli?

  4. The Reptile
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone have any idea whether Leno or Ryan start next 2 games?
    I have Leno & Mendy & BB

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

      Same dilema.. i have Leno and Forster

  5. Goons
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Start Son or Jota?

    1. DB_00
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Son

  6. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    https://twitter.com/SmuelMartinFPL/status/1390620854254542849

    Ricardo's owners will finally be rewarded with 21 pointer.

  7. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Good to go or play Son instead of Jota?
    Mendy
    Shaw Holding Trent
    Salah Bruno Jwp Jota
    Watkins Vardy Nacho

    Son Veltman Coady Forster

    Thanks lads.

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

      I think Liverpool will have to go for it. Jota was benched yes, but i think he will start against a tired Utd

  8. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    On FH:

    Digne or Castagne?

    Guaita, Alisson, Henderson or Pickford?

    Greenwood or Rashford?

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

      not sure
      Alison
      Greenwood

    2. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I have Castagne, Henderson, Greenwood, so will say them.

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

      Digne, Guaita, Greenwood

    4. NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Digne
      Alisson
      Rashford

  9. Fergiesarmy
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Start A Veltman (wolves away) or B Dawson (Everton Home)

    1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Veltman

  10. Hazardous1983
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    son to greenwood or zaha

    1. REDMOND IN SANDALS
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Depends if you have enough players for gw36. If yes I would go with Greenwood

      1. Hazardous1983
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Think i have 8

        1. REDMOND IN SANDALS
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Zaha should be a no brainer then

  11. checkit_j
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thinking of doing this for a -4.

    Lingard -> WP
    Burn -> Mitchell
    Bam -> DCL

    Thoughts?

    Martinez
    Taa - Castgne - Shaw (Mitchell , Dallas)
    Gwood - Bruno (c) - WP - Son (Jota)
    Kane - DCL - Hencho

    (2)

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

    James Tomkins and Nathaniel Clyne played for U23s on Monday - both players are training with the first team. Ferguson is hoping to be cleared by the Sports Science dept. and rejoin the group from next week. "Connor has a slight strain, Sakho has not recovered yet." #CPFC

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

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

    Martinez, Lowton, Bamford, Dallas

    BB Active

    0 FT 2.9 ITB

    Gtg?

  14. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Vardy & Semedo ➡ DCL/Richarlison & Digne. Is this a mad hit?

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

      Definitely wouldnt be selling vardy

  15. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which one to keep?
    Kane or Son

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

      1. Fit_to_drop
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        B's stats have nosedived. More so, with Bale on the pitch.

  16. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Best 6.6m or less mids for this week? Already have JWP

    Thanks

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

    Anyone else think Bruno C is a big trap? He's blanked in all but 2 of the last 8, and most are agreed there's no way he plays all 3, so it's better to compare him to the likes of Salah and Nacho who also have 2 - in which case he's surely not the best choice? I'm an owner, but I think i'll regret captaining him.

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

      He looks like back to his best form last 2 matches with Roma, also, he will probably play aroun 210 minutes.

    2. SHOWSTOPPERRR
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      But again it's 3 Vs 2 whatever we are saying. Pools aren't that strong defensively and they will go for it and it gives Utd a chance. Leicester also conceding. The only problem I see is 2 of the 3 are at home. But again it's bruno

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

      EO will be off the charts this week
      There’s no fun in captaining such a player when it’s not an obvious choice

  18. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any help here ??
    PS: BB Activated
    Already -8 it worth to get Gauita instead of Areola ??

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

      Nope

    2. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      No

  19. Jolly Good
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Greenwood or Lindelof?

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

      I don't like either

    2. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Greenwood

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

    What do I do here lads? 2FT, 2.3 ITB

    Mendy,Forster
    Shaw,Fofana,Philips,Coady,Holding
    Salah,Son,Bruno,Bowen,Lookman
    Kane,Icheanacho,Vydra

  21. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A) Kane and Philips

    or

    B) Watkins and Digne?

  22. V-2 Schneiderlin
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    anyone chasing and thinking of Richarlison instead of DCL? - he's due!

    1. Athletico Underachieving
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I was but he looked poor last week v Villa

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

    No Bruno for me? Chasing and nothing to lose.. Get Pogba in?

    1FT/ 0.1 ITB

    Martinez*, Guita*
    Konsa*, TAA*, Dallas, Castagne*, Veltman
    Salah*, Greenwood**, Jota*, Lingard, ESM*
    Kane, Vardy*, Nacho*

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      how would you get Pogba in?

  24. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Saka + Kane to Rashford (c) + DCL for free

    yay or nay?

  25. trio80
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Leno vs. Forster?

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      hmm probably Leno

  26. zotter
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A. Anything worth a hit? zero itb
    B. Start ESR or Lingard?

    Martinez
    TAA. RObertson. Shaw
    Salah. Bruno c. Greenwood. ESR
    Watkins. Kane. Nacho

    Fabri. Lingard. Dallas. Veltman

  27. Athletico Underachieving
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Roy says 3 out, Sakho, Wickham and Ferguson...sounds like Zaha is G2G

      1. Athletico Underachieving
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        You’d think given he’s their main man one of the journos would have asked ‘will he play tomorrow after the groin issue’...

  28. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Solskjaer warns Premier League he could field an entirely different XI in one of their next three games #mufc
    https://t.co/GmFRJWwUct

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      *Pretends to be shocked

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

      This needs to be hulked.

      Anyone going Maguire should think again if they think he's getting all three. Always thought there was a strange doublethink in assuming the player who has never been rested wouldn't get rested.

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

      Thanks for sharing!

  29. Thomas Jerome Newton
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Start Lacazette and hope plays double, or get in DCL early as was intending for GW36?

  30. mcraz
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    chasing 15pts on BB
    Areloa to Gaita - 4 ? or stick

    Bruno or salah (c) ? knowing leader will most lily (c) Bruno

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      with Ole comments on rotation - it has made me switch to Salah