Spot the Differential

Can FPL differential Jiménez profit from Wolves’ good run of fixtures?

Gameweek 5 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) 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 Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle United and Norwich City 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.

RAUL JIMENEZ

  • FPL ownership: 4.4%
  • Price: £7.4m
  • GW5-9 fixtures: BRE | sou | NEW | avl | lee

Raúl Jiménez (£7.4m) has blanked in each of his four opening fixtures and looked a little rusty at times, but could do well given Wolverhampton Wanderers’ forthcoming schedule.

In fact, Wolves don’t play another traditional ‘big six’ team until Gameweek 15.

While the Mexican’s returns have been disappointing so far, it’s worth noting that he is the only Premier League forward to register double figures for both shots and chances created. His 13 goal attempts in the first four Gameweeks are second only to the 18 of Michail Antonio (£7.9m) amongst all forwards, while his 12 chances created is only bettered by Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) and Jack Grealish (£8.0m) across all positions.

Wastefulness is clearly costing Wolves in the final third, then, which is backed up by the team’s underlying numbers. While they rank 18th v other Premier League sides for goals, with two, only Liverpool and Manchester City have accumulated more goal attempts and shots in the box than the Molineux outfit so far.

After a tough opening run, which saw them lose 1-0 to Leicester City (a), Tottenham Hotspur (h) and Manchester United (h), they now have an opportunity to build on their 2-0 win against Watford in Gameweek 4.

More clinical finishing is required for Jiménez, but the fixtures should give him the opportunity to open his account for the season very soon. 

JOE WILLOCK

  • FPL ownership: 1.1%
  • Price: £6.0m
  • GW5-9 fixtures: LEE | wat | wol | TOT | cry

Joe Willock (£6.0m) enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Newcastle United last season, scoring eight goals in just 14 league games, as he emerged as the Magpies’ standout performer.

That goalscoring run saw him become the youngest ever player to score in seven successive Premier League matches, and as a result, a deal worth around £20m was agreed with Arsenal last month.

However, it’s fair to say Willock brought far more than just goals. His ability to drive forward and lead counter-attacks also impressed, which could be crucial in Gameweek 5. 

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United have shipped 11 goals so far this season, rank 19th for shots in the box conceded and have also given up 26 chances from the centre of the pitch, at least six more than any other side. It’s also worth noting that the Whites can sometimes struggle against direct runners, and will be without the suspended Pascal Struijk (£4.4m), Robin Koch (£4.4m), and perhaps Diego Llorente (£4.5m), too.

In his three Premier League starts in 2021/22, Willock has looked a little short of full match fitness. He was also taken off with a knock in the latter stages of the 4-1 defeat at Manchester United in Gameweek 4. However, Steve Bruce revealed earlier today that he is ‘okay’, which suggests that he can kick on as he becomes sharper.

Now, Willock will be hoping to score his first goal of the season against Leeds tomorrow night and given both teams’ shaky defences, we could be in for an open game.

MAX AARONS

  • FPL ownership: 1.7%
  • Price: £4.5m
  • GW5-9 fixtures: WAT | eve | bur | BHA | che

Norwich City have lost their opening four top-flight games, conceding 11 goals in the process, which is hardly the basis for recommending a defensive differential.

However, the schedule has of course played a part, with matches again Liverpool (h), Manchester City (a), Leicester City (h) and Arsenal (a) to open the season. Now, with the fixtures easing right through until the beginning of December, using Max Aarons (£4.5m) as part of a rotation pairing could pay off.

The England U21 international has created more chances than any other Canaries player this season, has had four goal attempts of his own and also ranks second for final-third touches. Defensively, the numbers suggest he could do well for bonus, too, having made 10 successful tackles, seven interceptions, five blocks and 20 ball recoveries. 

Norwich’s clean sheet prospects are of course debatable, but the additions of centre-half Ozan Kabak (£4.5m) and defensive midfielder Mathias Normann (£4.5m) could add a little more solidity to their set-up, and with Watford up next, who are without a single goal or big chance to their name in the last three Gameweeks, a shut-out isn’t completely out of the question. It’s also worth noting that only three teams in the division have conceded more crosses from their left-flank than the Hornets this season.

Priced at just £4.5m, Aarons could be a nice value option at the back, who can step into your starting XI when the fixtures fall kindly.

756 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Is it safe to say that Ronaldo and Lukaku will be battling it out for top spot of the forwards points table this season 🙂

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      They need to displace Antonio & Jesus first

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Jesus will not have played enough matches to finish top.

        Antonio, well, as every season, he just seems to get injured.

    2. Neevesy
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I'd think so. CR7 for me, but want both. Just think UTD will score more.

  2. Neevesy
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    WC - Too much to go with Townsend and Gray?

    Sanchez (Steele)

    R.James - Semedo - TAA - White (Livra)

    Salah - Jota - Gray - Townsend (Gallagher)

    Kaku - CR7 - 4.5

    Double up Merseyside midfield for 2 GW, with the plan to move Grey/Andros after Norwich.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Are you picking the Monday night team?

  3. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Guys two questions, expecting replies

    A) Dcl and Ben to bam raph -4?
    B) start white or allan

    Thanks.

    1. Neevesy
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Alright beg

      Depends on rest of team, but B.

    2. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A I prefer Watkins or Jimenez to Bamford but most people are on him so go for it
      B White

    3. BIGREDDOG
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      This guy owns the place

  4. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Any thoughts on Richarlison? Surely will be the main man without DCL, however Everton don't look to be playing to his strengths. I like him, but is he better than Jiminez or Bamford moving forward?

    1. Neevesy
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      He generally gets more points coming in from the left. Feel Andros and Demari will benefit more tbh.

      He'll likely get a hatrick now, just so you know

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Richa is one of the biggest traps you can find yourself in.

    3. Thanos
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Too hot and cold for my liking. Prefers to roll around the floor and whine more than playing good football.

    4. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I just hate his attitude, not a good watch

    5. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      He's a miserable sod.

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        You would be too if your conk was that big

    6. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Hot & cold & when you own him he is always cold!

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        It's hard not to catch a cold with a conk that big

  5. Mozumbus
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    A. Bruno + Toney > Raphina + Ronaldo
    B. Mbeumo + Tsimikas > Raphina + Semedo

    Current team:
    Sanchez / (Foster)
    TAA / Coufal / Veltmen / (Dier) / (Tsimikas)
    Salah / Bruno / Greenwood / Mbeumo / (Allan)
    Ings / Toney / (Antonio)

    2FT, 1.9ITB

    1. Mozumbus
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Allan to play

  6. C_G
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    TAA (C) anyone?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Not quite - think Palace score.

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I’m ruddy tempted, Palace coming off a 3-goaler putting me off a bit

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Think TAA has outscored Salah 9 of last 15 games or something like that - just not sure on the fixture

      2. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        thing is this won't be a 10 man Spurs side with awful defensive stats

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah true, still will eat at me if they score though

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            My decision depends on West Ham tonight tbh

            1. Eat my goal!
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 6 months ago

              go on, how does the WHU game impact your captaincy?

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      yeah, on it - hopefully the fear won't settle in

    4. Thanos
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Seriously thinking

    5. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Nah, Mo is there.

    6. HARLEY
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      SALAH!

  7. HARLEY
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    HELP ME WITH THIS TEAM

    Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Coufal White
    Salah(c) Jota Barnes* Raphinha
    Ronaldo Toney
    (Foster Duffy Brownhill Antonio*)

    1FT 0.4 ITB

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Say please

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        😀

    2. BIGREDDOG
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Just Barnes out

    3. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Barnes + Toney > gray + Jimenez??

  8. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Current Team:

    Sanchez
    TAA, Shaw, Ayling
    Salah, Mahrez, Benrahma, Raphinha, Sissoko
    Ronaldo, Toney

    Foster | Veltman, Tsimikas, Antonio*

    £0.3m ITB 1FT

    A) Hold
    B) Antonio —> Bamford
    C) Toney —> ASM
    D) Mahrez + Toney —> Gray/Torres + Bamford (-4)

    Or any other suggestions?

    1. Mozumbus
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

  9. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Which one:

    A) Gallagher + Rudiger
    B) Doucoure + James

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        James rotation risk? Gallagher better than Doucoure?

    2. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Tough one but I would say B

  10. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    No Antonio and Llorente and now worried James and Matip might not play, could be a fun week!

  11. Hazardous1983
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    saka for raphina for -4, this was going to be my free move but dcl got injured

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      not worth -4

  12. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Building WC team, cannot decide which is better?

    343
    352
    442

    Thinking 442 better value defenders @5.5 & 343 gives three hot fwd's, decisions.

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I have exactly the same issue. And in my team it has boiled down to a Jota vs Antonio decision.

    2. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      TAA James Cancelo Semedo Livramento if 442, or even double Chelsea?

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Maybe 442 around Rom & Ron if I was on WC.

    4. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Here’s me on 4-3-3. Gray first sub though

  13. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Pick one:

    A: Pepe
    B: Torres

    1. BIGREDDOG
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I like the Pepe punt tbh

      Different, more secure start, great fixtures. GL

      1. OneArseneWenger32
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        is he more secure though? i feel like he can be rotated with esr

  14. marcymarc
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    A) Digne and Toney to Marcal and Bam (given he is fit) for a -4
    B) Digne to Semedo FT

  15. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Reece James in all competitions last season after Tuchel took over:

    - 16 starts
    - 11 cameos (!!!)
    - 1 unused sub
    - 0 goals, 1 assist

    Looks like a very frustrating player to own with his 1 point cameo's. I know he currently looks like a superb option but is he really the smart pick? The CB's on the other hand are very much 0 or 90. Cancelo surprisingly is also a 0 or 90 type player getting only 1 cameo in the league last season.

    What are peoples thoughts?

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Who do you advise?

    2. Clarky535
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Would you go rudiger or James?

  16. Wheremybeachesat
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Antonio and fernandes for Torres and Ron -4? Surely?

  17. Michelle Davin
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Rudiger is prob better long term than James?

    Just feel like he will be rotated more

  18. FPL Emu
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Guess this is the last decision on wildcard then

    A) Lukaku + Gallagher + Marcal

    B) Bamford + Jimenez + Semedo

    1. Clarky535
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. Kane Train
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

  19. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Last decision?

    Which one?

    A) Raphinha
    B) Sarr
    C) Saka
    D) Barnes
    E) Traore