Spot the Differential

Exciting Saint-Maximin can star in Newcastle’s last two fixtures of 2020/21

With the season so close to an end, Fantasy Premier League differentials have never been more important.

This time, we’ve selected low-owned picks at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United who we think have the potential to make an impact.

As always, to qualify, the player must have an ownership of 5% or less at the time of writing.

Allan Saint-Maximin

  • FPL ownership: 3.3%
  • Price: £5.2m
  • GW37-38 fixtures: SHU | ful

Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.2m) has been one of Newcastle United’s best players since joining the club from French outfit Nice back in 2019.

And despite enduring a stop-start campaign, mainly due to injuries, his return to fitness in the second half of the season has seen Steve Bruce’s side comfortably avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The 24-year-old, who is fast becoming his side’s talisman, was instrumental in a run of eight points from four games in April which saved the Magpies’ season. He was the match winner against Burnley, coming off the bench to score and provide an assist, and was pivotal against both West Ham United and Liverpool, too.

That upturn in form has coincided with Bruce’s decision to switch to a 3-5-2 / 5-3-2 shape in Gameweek 30. Since then, Newcastle have played some of their best football of the season, with three wins and two draws in their last seven matches, despite a testing schedule which has included games against title winners Manchester City, Leicester City and Liverpool. In fact, during that period, no team has scored more than the Magpies. Granted, it’s a small sample size to draw conclusions from, but it is encouraging ahead of back-to-back matches against relegated Sheffield United and Fulham.

In the new system, the Frenchman has been deployed as a second-striker, and has thrived in a more central role. Interestingly, he even referred to himself ‘playing as a no.10’ in a recent interview.

Saint-Maximin has always had the ability but has often frustrated due to his erratic decision-making. However, his end product is improving, and he could be a useful budget differential for the remainder of the season, especially when you consider his last two matches are against two obliging defences.

Dele Alli

  • FPL ownership: 0.6%
  • Price: £7.4m
  • GW37-38 fixtures: AVL | lei

Despite being frozen out under José Mourinho earlier this season, Dele Alli (£7.1m) has come back into favour in recent weeks under interim head coach Ryan Mason.

The 25-year-old played a key role in Son Heung-min’s (£9.7m) goal in Gameweek 35, and was unlucky not to score against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, as he struck the post in the second-half.

Despite blanking, it was his best performance of the season so far, as he ended the match with four goal attempts, one big chance and six penalty box touches. His coach later hailed his display as an “excellent no. 10 performance”, and now, after three consecutive league starts, has the potential to finish the season strongly.

Interestingly, since Alli’s return to the starting XI in Gameweek 34, he has actually outperformed Son for shots, efforts in the box and expected goals (xG).

It’s also worth noting that Tottenham Hotspur had 24 shots against Wolves, 13 of which were on target. Both of those totals exceed any amount they had in a single Premier League match under Mourinho, which highlights the potential of their new, more attacking, setup.

Spurs are now into the top six, with their win last weekend ensuring their hopes of qualifying for the Europa League is in their own hands, with Aston Villa at home and Leicester at the King Power Stadium their remaining games. Encouragingly for Spurs’ attacking assets, Villa conceded a whopping 23 shots in their recent trip to Crystal Palace in Gameweek 36, and will again be without the services of Matt Cash (£5.0m) in defence.

Alli is enjoying a decent run of form under Mason, and for those in search of a real midfield differential, could be worth a look.

Rodrigo

  • FPL ownership: 2.2%
  • Price: £5.7m
  • GW37-38 fixtures: sou | WBA

After a frustrating season with injuries and suffering from coronavirus, Rodrigo (£5.2m) has impressed in his last two matches, and surely done enough to earn Fantasy interest for a Gameweek 37 trip to Southampton.

The Spanish striker can operate as a centre forward or attacking midfielder, but replaced Patrick Bamford (£6.5m) in the number nine role at Burnley, and took his chance with a quickfire double. He could have had more too, as he ended the game with three goal attempts, two big chances and six penalty box touches, despite being afforded just 32 minutes off the bench.

His last two matches have proven he does not need to even feature in the starting line-up to perform well. During that period he has appeared as a second-half substitute on both occasions but still produced three goals and a total of five bonus points.

The 30-year-old arrived from Valencia last summer with a big reputation having played in the Champions League, but has only managed 12 starts in the Premier League this season. 

However, when on the pitch, his numbers are encouraging. 

Among all forwards per 90 minutes with substantial game-time to their name, he ranks fifth for goal attempts and top for chances created, highlighting his all-round ability.

Following Saturday’s win at Burnley, Leeds United have a four-point cushion over 11th-placed Aston Villa, which means they are closing in on a top-half finish.

It’s been an excellent season back in the Premier League for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, who have now suffered just one defeat in their last nine games. They have the potential to finish strongly, too, with matches against Southampton and relegated West Bromwich Albion up next.

Rodrigo has been superb of late, and could be a smart differential for those on the lookout for a budget forward.

Pro Pundits 21

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1,935 Comments Post a Comment
  1. James VARdy
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    BENCH 1 of:

    A- JWP
    B- Bamford
    C- Lingard
    D- DCL

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      D

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

      A

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

      C

    4. Steve McCroskey
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Just to confuse things, B

    5. Hooky
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    6. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

    7. James VARdy
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      JWP v Bamf it is.. thank you!

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

    I'm wavering on keeping Mane. Not sure I can watch Utd play and hope Bruno blanks...

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Mane has a nice fixture as well and could ge gold gw38

      Keep and prey imo 🙂

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah especially if you are a Manutd 'fan'

    3. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      You will be shlirtless literally soon.. But yeah i would keep

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

      Just run the comparison tool and Bruno trumps Mane. But just to confuse my tiny mind even more Mane is lurking on 'Goals Imminent' lol

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

        Never used it. Does the tool take into account the eye test?

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

          Well no, but 67-33% in favour is fairly comprehensive towards Bruno. Over last four.

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

    Is this good to go? Can I save an FT?

    Mendy
    Dallas, Shaw, Philips
    Salah, Fernandes, Lingard, Zaha
    DCL, Kane, Bamford
    Forster | Coady, Jota*, Veltman*

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      6.5/10 g2g this gw

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

        Oh dear that’s a low score 🙁

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

        ‘weak spots’ are Philips over TAA and maybe Lingard/ Zaha/ Bamford?

    2. James VARdy
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      9 of the same starting as me so I hope it's a high score

  4. Creedey
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Raphina vs Harrison? Cheers

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Raphinha

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

      Was close to brining in Harrison but I went Raph

    3. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Harri

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

      Harrison

    5. thom830g
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Raph

  5. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Play who please?

    a. Bamford (own Raph & Struijk)

    b. DCL (own Coleman)

    Thoughts please?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      a

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

      DCL

    3. Creedey
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      b

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

    A) ESR + 2FT next week
    B) Jota > Raphinha (bench ESR)

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

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

    Bottomed

    Do you lads think Guaita starts? Would help me get Anto for Watkins rather than replacing him and going with a full 15 man squad with the BB. Chasing ML by 23 points.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

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

      He starts

    3. theroadrunner
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers guys

  8. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Should I sell Hames for a hit. Maybe Willock or Ali

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

    Start Coufal or Saka?

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

      Saka

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

    Any Alioski ban news?

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

      ?

  11. focaccia
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Jota & Callum Robinson > Willock & Antonio for a -4?

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

      Yes

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

    Play one:

    A) Lingard
    B) DCL

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

      1

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

      Coinflip

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

      B

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

    Do you think that Greenwood could get a rest vs Wolves?

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

      Nope....but he will play 70mins

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Think will start both

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

      Yeah I think it's likely he'll be rested for the last game.

      I assume he'll start tonight.

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

    ASM or Willock?

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

      ASM

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

      Willock

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

      Willock

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

      ASM unless you need the .4 next week

  15. JBG
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Wish I could have 4 MU players.. can afford DCL to Cavani.

  16. Z
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Boys HELP please!

    Transfer in:
    1. Raphina ( for Zaha or Mount)
    2. Antonio (Watkins)

    Play one:
    A. Zaha (Ars)
    B. Mount (Lie)

    T H A N K Y O U

    1. sozopol
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      How many free transfers do you have?

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

        1

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

      2A

  17. sozopol
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    BENCH one

    A Lingard (wba)
    B Al Ghazi (tot)
    C Bamford (sou)
    D Iheanacho (che)

    Currently on D

    Thanks!

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

      El Ghazi

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

      B

    3. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    4. Cornholi0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B or D

    5. ILOVEBAPS
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      D

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

      B. Grealish back means may not to play 90

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

    Guaita
    TAA Digne Shaw
    (S)alah Greenwood Lingard Raphinha
    Kane DCL Antonio

    (Martinez Rudiger Coufal Jota*)

    All set for this week
    32 points off Top 100k looks tough but fingers crossed I can somehow get there.

    Good luck all!

  19. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Will Greenwood start GW 37 38??

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

      Yes IMO

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

        Wow, definitely bringing him in if this is the case

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      nobody knows

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

    Play 2

    1. Dallas
    2. Digne
    3. Dias

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

      12

    2. Cornholi0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      2
      3

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

      13

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

    I'll be back at 4.15 at which point I want the confirmed United line up please!

  22. Cornholi0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bench 1:

    a) Gundogan
    b) Lingard
    c) Dallas

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Think Gundo gets a rest this week. Or managed minutes. Think id bench him

      1. Cornholi0
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thank you!

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

      b

  23. The_FF_King
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    How likely is Phillips to start for Liverpool this GW?

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Pretty likely

  24. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any Mahrez news in peps presser?

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

      Live scenes from Pep's presser

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTuPhfD3mYc

  25. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Play one:
    A) Coufal
    B) Aurier (might be injured still)
    C) Phillips
    Thanks

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

      A

  26. bobfredbob
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone considering Rashford?

  27. RedJive79
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bench Lingz or Bam??

    1. Riverside Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Coin came down for Lingard for me

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

      Bench bam. Higher sub risk

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

    TAA for a hit or Coufal for free?

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

    So bale a doubt to start right?

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

      Yup seems that way.

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

      Sounds like 20-25 minutes for him.

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

    Any leaked line up on twitter guys?