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. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Ole said Maguire is unlikely to play every single minute.

    That’s doesn’t meant he won’t start every game, just means he might have to take him off on 70 mins if leading comfortably

    Maguire starts all 3 in my opinion

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Nah. Centre back subs are very rare.

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

        So is playing 4 games in 7 days or whatever it is

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          I know

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

    A) Kane and Philips

    or

    B) Watkins and Digne

    ?

  3. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which looks better

    A) Lingard, Alonso -> Greenwood, Keane (for free with 2ft)
    B) Lingard, Alonso, Rudiger -> Greenwood, Digne, Mitchell (-4)

    Leaning towards B

  4. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Got a feeling this DGW will be a bit of a let down.

    Too many players will be rotated with 'fitness concerns' being cited. Leicester possibly the only good team who won't rotate.

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

      Leicester looking pretty consistent:
      https://twitter.com/SmuelMartinFPL/status/1390620854254542849

  5. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    is there DGW37?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      For who though?

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

      Not unless something unexpected happens

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

    Would you still do Digne instead of Maguire if you have Godfrey

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

    Did Roy mention Zaha? Going for him over Greenwood if fit.

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      No

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

    Thinking about captaining Nacho over Bruno and Greenwood.

    But what puts me off is that he was almost invisible against Palace.

    What do you think?

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

    (1) or (2), greenwood / AWB?

    (1) Zaha + AWB + Castagne or
    (2) Greenwood + Digne + J. Evans

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

      Combo of the 2 Zaha, Digne + whatever you can afford

  10. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Play

    Maguire for -4

    Lingard for free

    ?

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

    Could Vardy or Iheanacho actually be better candidates for captaincy than Bruno? Ole’s comments strongly imply him fielding a second-string against Leicester. So, essentially Vardy will be up against Newcastle and a weak United team while Bruno might possibly be absent for Leicester and play against Villa and Liverpool.

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

      How about Pogba? Could he play 3 games?

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

        Do you see Pogba playing in a B team?

      2. noahzark22
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Pogba can't play three in three weeks, you think he'll play three in 8 days?

  12. Footieboot
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Watkins and Jota/Zaha or DCL and El Ghazi on FH?

    Also, AWB vs Maguire vs Shaw? Leaning towards AWB as he has no proper backup.

  13. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    AWB or Maguire after that OGS comment..?

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

      Much of a muchness imho. I already got AWB, happy with that now - unless Shaw bags brace of assists

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

    castange or robbo on free hit?

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

      Robbo

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

      Castagne if already have TAA

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

    What do I do here lads? 2FT, 2.3 ITB. Cheers!

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

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

    has Mark Sutherns gone for Digne this GW?

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

      I’ll just ask him…..

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Would he tell anyone?

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

      Has Mark Sutherns had scrambled egg for breakfast?

  17. OLLY G
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    (A) Guaita and Shaw

    (B) Henderson and Castagne

    Thanks.

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

      A

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

      A

  18. Steinburg FC
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    i only have one doubt on my FH A- Jota B-Robertson ???????????

  19. Kudo Warrior
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    No Zaha news is annoying....may not risk it if he may not play both....

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

    How about Son + Welbeck + Rudiger > Greenwood + Watkins + Digne for -4?

    (I was going to do Son + Welbeck + Rudiger > Greenwood + DCL + Maguire but Solskjaer comments on Maguire making me veer towards Digne and saving myself a hit next week)

    Watkins a decent alternative to DCL?

    Would give me:

    Mendy
    TAA Digne Holding
    Salah Bruno Greenwood Jota
    Kane Nacho Watkins

    Forster Lingard Coady Masuaku

    Thanks!

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

    Hi.....who to start?

    A....konsa (United, Everton)

    B...holding (wba chelsea)

    Thanks

    1. lets talk about 6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Konsa

  22. lets talk about 6
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Start holding or lingard?

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

    Considering that we are not sure about Greenwood and Jota minutes, may as well punt on Zaha?

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

      I’m going Zaha over Greenwood.

      He has a game next week too. How badly can it go?

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

        Yeah!

  24. Dragon1983
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Who scores more:
    A) Lingard and Mount
    B) Lingard and Greenwood
    C) Mount and Greenwood

  25. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Playing Bench boost

    Thoughts on son + vydra + coady + Mendy to Greenwood + Watkins + digne + guiata (-8)

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

      Wouldn’t bother losing Mendy for Guaita if you have Forster as back up?

      Chelsea still to lock in top 4, are defensively sound.

      Also look at Palace fixtures after 36. Not getting the Zaha many seem to have.

  26. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Coady+Raphinha+Kane to Maguire+Zaha+Cavani for -4?

    Use TC on Bruno or someone else?

    Mendy 3.8
    Castagne Coady Robbo Coufal Mitchell
    Bruno Jota Lingard Maddison Raphinha
    Kane Vardy Lacca

    2ft, 0 itb

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

    Quite hapoy with my team except for Maddison. Have to use 1 transfer . Thinking of dropping him for Zaha. Any thoughts, given that Zaha also has a game next GW

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

      Or drop Lingard for Zaha and play instead of Rudiger?

  28. Kudo Warrior
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Quick poll, which keeper?

    A) Mendy
    B) Guaita

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

      B

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

      A if you have a backup for 36.
      Otherwise B.

  29. noahzark22
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Guiata
    Shaw, TAA, Digne
    Fernandes, zaha, jwp, Salah
    Nacho, Vardy (c), dcl

    Meslier, anguissa, Mitchell, struijk.

    WC with 0.4 itb.

  30. Keane There Dunne That
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Is it worth bench boosting? Have:
    Vydra, Coady, Veltman

    1. lets talk about 6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      No

    2. noahzark22
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      No