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. Babelcopter
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Triple United off the cards I think.

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

      You’ll get at least a double gameweek, maybe 200-250 minutes.

    2. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Why?

  2. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Lingard to ward prowse worth -4 as a punt ?

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

      I wouldn't. WHU have some reasonable fixtures beyond this week and chasing CL spot

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

    Masuaka & Son to:

    A. Digne and Zaha (-4)
    B. Digne, El Ghazi + Vydra to DCL (-8)

    Thanks

  4. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Vardy is still the second highest points per game striker.

    So better to hold for Newcastle and the double.

    Which means i can afford Pogba and Cavani (for Wood) but forego Bruno.

    Thinking about it Pogba is more likely to be pushed in the run in in the league to field decent teams.

    Good idea... Pogba over Bruno to field Vardy over Wood?

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

    A) Kane and Philips

    or

    B) Watkins and Digne

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

      A comfortably.

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

      This GW only…B

  6. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Assume Zaha is GTG?

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

      Seems so

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      GTG as in a total and utter trap that will pi55 in your milk and hold eye contact with you as you drink it all down ... then yes.

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

    Which to start please?
    1) Kane vs Leeds
    2) Ward Prowse vs Liv, Cry?

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      2

  8. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Would Digne not be a better option than Maguire for the next 2 game weeks?

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Over the course of the next 2 gameweeks yes.

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

      I believe so.

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

      I think so

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

      Yes

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

      I chose Digne over Maguire if that helps.
      Although he does have as many game weeks with negative scores as double figures.

  9. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Is Nat Phillips gonna play for sure?

    Is Kabak a better option?

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

    Zaha for this gameweek

    A) Brilliant
    B) Terrible

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

      Somewhere in between

    2. Brimble82
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Potentially Brilliant. Quite possibly terrible!
      The point Andy & Gianni made in their FH video sealed it for me...

      Zaha loves to 'play for a contract' - and it's that time of the season again!
      Palace may be on the beach, but Wilf is longingly looking to Goodison/Emirates/anywhere but Selhurst!

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

      Somewhere in between. He’s been training (I think I saw on Reddit) and you’d guess at least one goal in the two matches against that opposition (he’s averaging one in three)

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

    Nothing to lose all is already lost..

    Vardy and ESM out -> DCL and Pogba in? (-4)

    1FT/ 0.1 ITB

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

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

    Leaning towards Iheana(c)ho who is balling at the moment. Makes so much sense when you consider all factors and informations.

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

    If I were guessing surely United play their strongest team on Sunday and Thursday against Villa and Liverpool. That double isn’t inspiring at all. Iheanacho(C) locked in

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

      Villa are not good defensively. Neither are Pool.

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

        Villa haven’t conceded more than 2 goals against a top 7 team all season. We know how United will set up against Liverpool too. Not terrible fixtures but definitely not good. Would fancy Nacho much more against a weakened United and Newcastle. Not to mention Leicester still have UCL to play fot

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

          I totally agree that Nacho is a very solid captain and fair play if you’re doing so. But Bruno Et al can still get something against Villa and Pool, that’s all.

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

      Yeah, maybe a Williams, Tuanzabe, Bailly, Telles back four could leak a few against Leicester...

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

      They won’t want to lose to Leicester though

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

      Penandes will ruin you

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

        Penandes doesn’t exist without Martial

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

      Just posted similar below

      Rather doubt he shuffles completely for one match but Liverpool likely to get full team and Villa and Leicester mix and match teams

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

    Azpi to who for a hit?Max 5.5m.

    Rest is
    TAA--Veltman--Holgate--Fofana.

    Thanks .

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

      Probably wouldn't get rid for a hit. Probably starts at least one in a great defence?

  15. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Worth getting Watkins instead of DCL if it means I can get Digne instead of Maguire?

    Also bringing in Greenwood (and have Bruno already)

    1. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Funny I would rather have Maguire and DCL. Different strokes

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

        Cheers, had my heart set on Maguire and DCL but Solskjaer comments about Maguire (plus one eye on next week blanks for me) have changed my mind

  16. Pegboy
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Martinez (Meslier)
    TAA Fofana Holding Dallas Veltman
    Bruno(c) Greenwood Jota Son Lingard
    Kane Watkins Nacho

    1FT £0.3m Bench boosting this week

    a) Dallas + Veltman/Holding > Shaw + Phillips (-4) (but could block Bruno>Salah next week)
    b) Dallas + Veltman > Shaw + Ward (-4)
    c) Kane + Son > Salah(c) + DCL (-4) (feels a bit short-sighted for next week)

  17. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    GtG?

    Greenwood or Pogba?

    Mendy
    Maguire Coleman Philips
    Bruno(c) Salah Jota Greenwood/Pog
    Kane Vardy Nacho

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

      Marginally Gwood I’d think. Both get two games and in form

    2. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I’ve gone Pogba cos I like him

  18. ZakyJ
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    who do i sit out of:
    A) Kane (single fixture)
    B) JWP
    C) Konsa
    D) Rudiger

    1. LFC4EVER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      D. Konsa

    2. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Kane ... he gets 2 points vs Leeds.

  19. LFC4EVER
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Draft league - play one GK:

    1. Henderson
    2. Guaita

    Thanks

    1. The Mighty Whites
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      1

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

      Guaita

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      1

  20. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    2FT, 0.1 ITB, thoughts?

    Meslier / Guaita

    TAA / Castagne / Rudiger / Coady / Coufal

    Salah / Fernandes / Son / Jota / Lingard

    Kane / Iheanacho / Vydra

    Rudiger and Son to Digne and Greenwood sound alright?

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

      You have almost identical team and that is my move.

      Only alternative is maybe to do Son to El Ghazi and upgrade Vydra to DCL

      1. The Mighty Whites
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers mate, think I'd like to have two Man Utd players

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

          I was thinking that, but Oles comments actually making me think about Zaha over Greenwood. Plus I won't field 11 in 36 even if I didn't bring in Greenwood

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

      I’m going the other way

      Son & Vydra -> DCL & Zaha/ Greenwood

      Need to have next week in mind as Vydra is likely to get dropped soon with Barnes back

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

        Wish I had the 0.2 to do this..

  21. Eric Banternaaa
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bench boost active. 12 DGW/TGW players.

    Mendy Forster
    Castagne Shaw Digne Phillips Veltman
    Salah Jota Maddison Lingard Greenwood
    Kane Iheanacho DCL

    -8 already made. Somebody talk me out of Forster to Pickford.

    Seems sensible to gurantee DGW and a keeper next week?

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I'm on BB with 12 DGW/TGW players and have done Forster to Guaita for a hit. I'd prefer him to double Everton for the next couple of GWs

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

        I have a very similar team and on BB as well!
        Mendy, Forster
        TAA, Shaw, Digne, Castagne, Holding
        Salah, Jota, Lingard, Maddison, Son
        Kane, Vydra, Nacho

        Planned move this week is Vydra + Son -> DCL + Greenwood/Zaha (-4pt) but this leaves me with 7/8 starters for GW36.

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          My moves are similar except I've switched out the keeper as well. Forster + Bamford + Son -> Guiata + DCL + Greenwood (-4)

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

    OGS more likely to shuffle completely against either Leicester and Villa than Liverpool presumably.

    1, Watkins looks a better prospect
    2. Nacho looks a better captain prospect than Mo

    The complete shuffle looks unlikely - just grumpiness - but still he's United through and through so Liverpool most likely to get something approaching a full team?

    1. Hktrader88
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Hard to say. The obvious thing to have done last night was to rest key players but he didn't.

      Could easily prioritise Villa and Leicester, as if he wins them CL is guaranteed and in prime position to finish 2nd.

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

        Only needs one draw between now and season's end to guarantee CL football.

        1. Hktrader88
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          I think it's 4 points? West Ham can still get 70 points.

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

            Right you are - can't count

  23. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Is anybody considering Lindelof?

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

      If any United defender is being rotated, it's him

  24. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Captain Salah or Greenwood?

    1. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      salah 100%

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

      Salah

    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Greenwood

    4. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A nice salad ... but not a green one.

  25. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Waiverng on Bruno (c)

    Inside top 10k but have big ML leagues, so Nacho (c) could be a great differential and not the end of the world if it doesn't work out

  26. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    So do we think Maguire misses one of the games?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

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

      Ole more or less explicitly stated so

      1. Brimble82
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Or was that because Ole wanted to be the only one to TC him?

  27. WhatWouldYourZlatanSay
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Salah captain over Bruno, given how much rotation Ole might insist on?

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

      Bruno should still get 2 games.

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

      I wouldn't. Bruno doesn't like being rested. But who knows?

  28. Malkmus
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Have Mendy. Play:

    A - Rudi
    B - Nat

    Ta!

  29. Pointless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Was there any mention of Zaha in the presser please?

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Because even Roy knows he’s a trap.

  30. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I'm still leaning towards Digne now instead of Maguire even though i have Godfrey. I'll have Bruno and Greenwood for United