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. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Will Bamford start?

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

      I’d guess yes.

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Fair chance of another early sub though

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

    Trying to hold on to my 20 point ML lead. 1FT, 0.2itb. What do you reckon?
    A. Jota to Raphina and bench Nacho?
    B. Jota to Raphina & Fofano to Dallas (-4) to block rival's Dallas?
    C. Save transfer for two in 38?
    Something else? Thanks.

    My team:
    Mendy
    TAA Shaw Holding
    Bruno Mo Lingard Greenwood
    Kane DCL Nacho
    (Ward Fofana Jota)

    Rival's team:
    Meslier
    Philips Shaw Dallas
    Son Mo Lingard Traore (Wolves)
    Kane DCL Nacho
    (Holding Coady Jota)

    1. Ch0udini
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Get Leeds defender if leading. CS from them plus Dallas atacking return and you are screwed.

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

      I’d just do Jota>Raph if I was was you.

  3. GS456
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Time to sell Lingard?

    Raphina and Harrison good options?

  4. Ch0udini
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any defender worth a -4 hit this week? Shaw/AWB?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      No

  5. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    OR1 in my country does not have Salah.

    In 3rd. Good idea to pick Salah as cappo instead of Kane?

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

      Of course

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      What is your country bro?

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Kenya. Team linked.

        1. El Presidente
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Congrats for the podium! Good luck!

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

    Got Greenwood in for a hit. Chasing at this point.

    Slap the armband on him?

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

      If he is going to be rested for the EL final, it will be last game so why not.
      Though i think Bruno may come good again this weekend.

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

        I got Bruno also so for the life of me can't decide haha

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

    Help me choose....
    Dallas or Raphinha or Harrison

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

    Im at 147k. Trying to crack top 100k in last 2 weeks.

    1 FT

    Doing Jota to ASM

    Throw in Iheanacho to Rodrygo for a -4 or stick?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      stick

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

        Cheers

  9. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    a) Jota > Raphina
    b) Jota > Bale
    c) Jota & DCL > Harrison & Kane (-4)

    a or b mean benching DCL
    c means benching Lingz

    1. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      probably C

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

    Had Mahrez for 4 GW's this season now (3 earlier and this past GW) and he hasn't started a single game and came off the bench once for 1 point. Wonder if he'll finally get a start this GW or whether he won't play till the final game. Made my bed now, just gotta hope he mega hauls in one of these fixtures!

  11. xtina
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Trailing by 47 points...

    We have 6 players the same, including DCL

    A) Jota -> Harrison and bench DCL for extra differential
    B) Play DCL. Save FT

    1. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      easy B.

  12. The White Pele
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    start one:
    A) Lingard
    B) Rodrigo

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

      B

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

    Captain ?

    Salah
    Kane
    Greenwood

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

      Kane - his final home game and chasing golden boot. Can smell a hat trick

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

      S = is in form and likely to start
      K = should have had more the other day
      G = longshot of the three

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

        Thanks chaps.

  14. Big W
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Start Lindelof or Coleman?

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Probably Coleman due to attacking potential

  15. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Raphinha likely to be back on set pieces?

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

    Best mid for 5.6 or under?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Harrison/Raph

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Raphinha or ASM

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

      ASM is a conideration

  17. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mason confirms Harry starts but we all knew that anyway 🙂

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

    Play Maddiosn or Lacca???

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

    1 FT, 0.1 ITB | FH next week

    Areola | Sanchez ->

    A) Johnstone
    B) Ramsdale

    Best one week GK punt?

  20. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Chasing mini league leader, 20 point difference. He doesn't own Bruno but has Kane and Salah. I own all 3.

    Should I captain Bruno as a differential to try close the 20 point gap ?

    Cheers and good luck with the gameweek guys!

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

      Yes. It's risk time.

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Ofc

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

      You are winner of your league. If guy doesn't own any of this trio then he is clearly delusional.

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

        He owns Salah and Kane mate. Doesn't have Bruno!

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

          My bad. Go Bruno yes, this is the week to try it cause next week it would be even harder to predict anything.

  21. Olesathewheeel
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What do I do with Mahrez?

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

      Keep this week

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

        Chasing 26 pts
        Cant afford him to not start again..

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Now you have him, stick.

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

    Madness to go without Kane? Would be a hit to get him an ML leader (I'm 2nd) has him so would be taking a hit to block....

    1. DCL + Lingard > Kane + Willock
    2. DCL + Siggy > Kane + Harrison/Raph
    3. Bamford + Lingard > Cavani + Torres
    4. Bamford + Siggy > Cavani + Mahrez

    3 and 4 are riskier, obviously...

    Thoughts?

    1. Vjm6891
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I'm leading by about 20 points and i'm taking a hit to get Kane in to cover any damage. If I was behind him 20 points I think I would take the risk (depending on who else I had).

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

    Bench:

    A) Dallas
    B) Digne
    C) Watkins

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

      Though one.. B..?

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      C

  24. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Who will play more minutes in the remaining gameweeks?

    Greenwood / Bale / Alli ??

  25. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Will Forster play in 38gw? I need gk.

  26. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bench order/starting defence OK?

    Starting: Shaw Coufal Dallas
    Bench order: Wood, Godfrey, Rudiger.

    Cheers!

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

      Yes to both

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

        Thanks

  27. Vjm6891
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Schmeichel or Guaita for GK.

    Going to do Siggy and Ings for ESR and Kane. Thoughts?

    Saying Ings should be coming off at 60 mins has thrown me. wish he said this a week ago! haha

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

      GK is a toss up.

      Yes to the transfers.

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

      Schmeichel imo
      Tight game

  28. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Ok so transfers are done
    Last question...
    Play Martinez(tot) or Areola(man)

    I own Kane and not Bruno, so play Areola and hope for a pen save I guess??

    1. justaguy9
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Martinez will probably get more saves

  29. justaguy9
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Play safe and c kane or take a punt and c bale or Greenwood? Chasing, has been a poor season.

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

      Find myself in the same position. Leaning towards playing it safe with Kane. Think my rival will captain Salah anyways

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Greenwood yes, Bale no

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

    What's the story with the Forster and McCarthy hokey kokey this week?