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. DameCorp
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Play one:

    A) Lingard
    B) Mitchell

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

      Lingard

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I have both and have gone Mitchell

    3. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A.

    4. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

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

      A

    6. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      After reading up on Hodgsons presser, A

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

    Help please:

    A)Digne
    B)Shaw

    1)Sigurdsson
    2)JWP

    ?

    1. scholesy91
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      That's a tough one. A1 I say

    2. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B2

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

      A2

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

      2 for sure
      A maybe, but tough call

  3. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any changes needed to this FH team?
    Considering bringing in Robbo and doubling up on Pool defenders.

    Guaita
    TAA, Digne, Maguire
    Salah, Zaha, Bruno (c), Greenwood
    Vardy, Nacho, DCL
    (Forster, JWP, Castagne, Mitchell)

    GTG?

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

      I'm not so keen on Zaha

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

    Need Ward or Mitchell to play one of the games in the double and 36!?

  5. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Jota to zaha for -8?

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

      Noooo

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

      No

    3. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Never

    4. scholesy91
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      no

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

      No

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

      Whatt

    7. sulldaddy
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Nope

  6. Gaffa914
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    thoughts on PVA as a differential?

    1. Reece’s Pieces
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Unreliable starter - avoid

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

      Mitchell is a threat to his minutes

    3. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      No

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

      No way worth it given the defensive options available with doubles (and triples)

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

    For GW35 only, not beyond

    A: Dunk & Cavani
    or
    B: Maguire and Bamford.

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

      A

  8. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Reason why Greenwood is widely preferred over Cavani? Both gonna be rotated, right?

    1. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah

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

      Cavani struggles with 2 games in a week and gets rests for that reason. 3 would break him in half.

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

        Note that this is 4 games in 8 days and Cavani already has one under his belt.

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

          Pingi, which palace defender would you go for? Happy if they only play one in the double but bgw36 also important

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

            Just saw someone mention Cahill - he's defo an option and I'd assume he'd displace Dann but Ward is the safer pick as the man in possession - always been a bit of a Roy fave too.

            Reality is anyone could miss out in the next three.

            Ward would be where I'd go.

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

              Thank you very much mate much appreciated.

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

    GTG ?

    Mendy
    TAA/Castagne/Shaw
    Salah/Bruno(c)/Zaha/Siggy
    Kane/Nacho/Watkins

    Forster/Lingard/Holding/Rudiger

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yep

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

    Salah or Nacho for captain?

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

      Salah

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Salah

  11. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bottomed. Which move?
    (A) Son and Holding to Rashford and Nat Phillips
    (B) Kane and Holding to DCL and Robertson

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

      A

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

    Rashford over Zaha on FH, even though I also have Bruno and Greenwood?

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I prefer Rashford in isolation, depends on your plans for 36

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

        FH this week

        1. Traction Engine Foot
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Oh sorry, then yeah

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

      I feel Zaha won't play 180 minutes whereas Rash will at a minimum...Rash

  13. MGMT
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Best under 4.2M defender besides Holding?

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

      Phillips or Mitchell

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

        This

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

      i went Mitchell, only need him as 11th player in 36 so may aswell go cheap. If i didnt already have 3 Pool then prob Philips

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

    Can this BB team cover not having United attack?

    Sanchez | Areola
    TAA Shaw Digne
    Salah Son Saka Lingard
    Kane Vardy Iheanacho
    ¦ Vestergaard Phillips Pereira

    1. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Dude... United have TGW what are you trying to do? Am curious

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

        TGW feels like such a trap. I wish I could ignore it.

  15. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any of these -8s worth it? Or good to go?

    A Azpi to Digne
    B Lingard to Greenwood
    C Raphinha to El Ghazi (bench Lingard)

    Henderson
    Azpi TAA Targett Castagne
    Salah(C) Jota Lingard
    Kane Vardy Nacho

    Sanchez Pereira Dallas Raphinha

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

      I'd hold

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

    Joel Ward or Nat Phillips?

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

      Nat

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

      Nat

  17. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Zaha news?

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

      No

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Think I'm going Siggy then...

  18. Sam (Team Sam)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Final decision...

    A) Jota?

    B) Zaha?

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

      A

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

        Sorry, meant B

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

      A

  19. MadeinIreland
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Who gets most points?

    Saka, Keane or Lingard

    Thanks...

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

      Lingard

  20. doncapo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any viable Chelsea midfield options for an FT team?

    Leaning towards 3-5-2 formation and thinking of Havertz or Mount. Is it likely they have one start and one off the bench?

  21. Bob_the_builder
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I have a feeling that Bruno is going to make those non-captaining owners pay.

  22. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Does Digne worth a hit? (Rudiger out)

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

      Not for rudiger.

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

      Yes

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

    First to 3 🙂

    A) Digne
    B) Maguire

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

      Digne

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

      A

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

      Digne

    4. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A.

  24. THEKID_88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Start -

    Konsa
    or
    Rudiger

  25. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mendy, Forster
    Shaw, Holding, Coleman, Philips, Coady
    Salah, Jota, Son, Bruno, Saka
    Dcl, Ihenacho, Kane

    2ft 0.5m itb, Will BB.

    A. Coady to Lindelof (roll other ft)
    B. Coady, Forster to Henderson, Mitchell

  26. ArseneAllTheWay
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    TC:

    A) Bruno
    B) Greenwood
    C) Iheanacho
    D) Salah
    E) Other?

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

    Is Mitchell nailed now?

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

      No

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

      Nope

      RH noted that he has a tendency to pick up injuries and also mentioned that he'd need to rotate.

    3. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      From Roy's comments it seems PvA will play v shu

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

        Really? What did he say?

        1. Il Capitano
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          "We're going to have to be bolder in an attacking sense, maybe that compact shape isn't going to be as good as it's been as we are going to need to take more risks going forward. We're aware it's a delicate balance but we'll take the game to Sheffield United."

          "Tyrick Mitchell's performance at the weekend was particularly good. The big thing for him going forward is to make certain he stays fit and it's not a case of getting quite excited only to lose him to injury and have to rehabilitate him."

          "[Having such a strong squad is] very important. This is the start of a two-week spell where we play five matches – we need everyone available. It gives me the opportunity to rest players and avoid the situation we had at end of Project Restart."

          Seems to point towards PvA starting imo.

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

            Legend thanks mate. Tend to agree and changes my plans, will be moving him to the bench

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

    With Solskjaers comments, do we interpret that they will be playing a reserve side against Leicester? Surely he won't put out a second string against Liverpool?

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

      I think he rotates heavily against Leicester imo

    2. Shteve
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      No, I think some players will play some games, others will play other games.

  29. as33
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Last call Rashi or Salah for (C)

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      mo

  30. Neves say Neves
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    For just this week:
    A) Son (1x) + Shaw (3x)
    B) Greenwood (3x) + Holding (2x)