Spot the Differential

FPL Gameweek 1 differentials: Digne, Maddison and Bamford

The Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 1 deadline is now upon us, which gives us an opportunity to have a look at some differential options for the start of the season.

As always, we’ve selected three players with an ownership of five per cent or less at the time of writing, who represent viable alternatives to some of the more popular assets out there.

LUCAS DIGNE

Digne’s FPL potential evident in Aston Villa debut 5
  • FPL ownership: 4.3%
  • Price: £5.0m
  • GW1-5 fixtures: bou | EVE | cry | WHU | ars

Lucas Digne’s (£5.0m) performances towards the back end of last season were particularly strong, as he settled into his new role as one of Steven Gerrard’s attacking full-backs.

From Gameweek 22 onwards, his first outing in an Aston Villa shirt, the Frenchman created more chances than all defenders bar Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m). In that time, he ranked third for successful crosses and fifth for final-third touches, while as a corner taker, he also has an additional route to points.

Villa produced some decent defensive displays under Gerrard, as they ranked eighth amongst all Premier League sides for actual goals conceded from his appointment in Gameweek 12 onwards. Not only that, but they look set to tighten up further at the back in 2022-23 following the acquisitions of centre-back Diego Carlos (£5.0m) and defensive midfielder Boubacar Kamara (£5.0m).

Villa have played five matches during pre-season, winning four whilst keeping a trio of clean sheets. Now, with an appealing run against Bournemouth, Everton and Crystal Palace inside the first three Gameweeks, there is potential to start strongly.

In all of Gerrard’s favoured set-ups, be it a narrow 4-3-2-1, 4-3-3 or diamond formation, Digne will be handed plenty of freedom to attack, and as a result, could be a nice differential pick for the opening rounds.

JAMES MADDISON

Eriksen Covid latest as Maddison and Castagne haul 1
  • FPL ownership: 5.0%
  • Price: £8.0m
  • GW1-5 fixtures: BRE | ars | SOU | che | MUN

James Maddison (£8.0m) has performed well in pre-season, notching four attacking returns which included an assist against Sevilla last weekend.

“James Maddison, it’s the best I’ve seen him in the three-and-a-half years I’ve been at Leicester. He looks now really physically strong, technically confident and tactically, his view of the game is outstanding.” – Brendan Rodgers on James Maddison’s pre-season form

The playmaker had a slow start to 2021/22, producing just one assist in the first 12 Gameweeks. However, he went on to register a whopping 22 attacking returns in his final 23 appearances, averaging an eye-catching 7.4 points per start in that time.

As a result, he ended the campaign as the fifth highest-scoring midfielder in FPL.

While Leicester City’s first eight fixtures aren’t anything to shout about, they do face Brentford and Southampton in Gameweeks 1 and 3, opponents Maddison scored against last season.

Zero summer signings may have contributed to a sense of a worry around their assets in FPL, but the Foxes hit over 60 Premier League goals last season, despite a demanding European campaign and an injury-hit squad.

Now, Leicester will benefit from the easing of fixture congestion in 2022/23 as a result of their non-involvement in Europe, and given that Maddison is in contention for an England call-up for the World Cup, could pick up where he left off last season.

PATRICK BAMFORD

Scout Notes 7
  • FPL ownership: 1.3%
  • Price: £7.5m
  • GW1-5 fixtures: WOL | sou | CHE | bha | EVE

Patrick Bamford’s (£7.5m) fitness has been carefully managed over the summer, in the hope that he can now leave last season’s injury woes behind him.

The striker was restricted to just nine top-flight appearances in 2021/22, but registered just under 200 FPL points a couple of years ago, as he netted 17 goals and 11 assists under Marcelo Bielsa.

Bamford has made four appearances throughout pre-season and in his last outing against Cagliari, captained the side and scored an excellent brace in a 6-2 win.

Now, he is expected to start against Wolverhampton Wanderers after gaining 90 minutes of action against the Italian Serie B outfit, with manager Jesse Marsch giving an encouraging update earlier this week.

“It’s been a huge week for him, he looks great, he looks fit, he looks sharp. The good thing as well is now having Patrick closer to 100%, we’ve been able to work tactically through what we want him to look like. I believe there’s a lot of room for improvement and that’s our goal to help him. He looks great, he’s psychologically incredibly excited and I know we have a great player on our hands. Is he at 100%, probably not but he’s close.” – Jesse Marsch on Patrick Bamford

He should also be on penalty-taking duty, too, having previously scored two from two.

2021/22 was a difficult campaign for Leeds United which involved a change in the dugout, and as a result, they are a bit of an unknown quantity ahead of this new campaign. However, according to our Season Ticker, only Arsenal have a better opening seven matches than the Whites.

Undoubtedly, the sale of Raphinha to Barcelona will be a huge loss, but if Bamford can stay injury free, he could re-emerge as one of the best mid-price forwards in FPL.

Who played the most minutes over the March international break?

1,368 Comments Post a Comment
  1. BENOIT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Bamford or Sancho?

    1. krawiecus
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Uuh close one, got Bamford and Rashford myself, would love B+S. Probably Sancho by a tiny bit for me

    2. banskt
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Bamford. Talisman, penalties.

  2. krawiecus
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    1) James or Trippier
    2) Sancho or Rashord
    why?

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      James and Sancho are better players, depends what you do with the extra funds

      1. krawiecus
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Yea, can't get both though so if James then only Rash, if Sancho then only Trippier

        1. RobboKop
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          I'd go for James & Rashford then. Why? James will likely score significantly more points than Trippier, (greater goal threat and more clean sheets, both will get assists) certainly over the course of the season if you plan on keeping him. On the other hand, I don't think there will be as big a points difference between Sancho and Rashford. Man U have few options up front and Rashford is more likely to play through the middle at times than Sancho, so will probably score more.

  3. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Best option here?

    A. Ramsdale Trippier
    B. Ward James

    1 Kane
    2 Haaland

    *
    TAA Robbo Cancelo *
    Salah * Martinelli Bailey
    Haaland Jesus

    Iverson Andreas Williams Archer

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I like A

    2. Sacked in the Morning
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I’ve gone B and 2. But I’m not set on B….

  4. TM44
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    G2G?

    Ramsdale

    TAA Cancelo James

    Salah (c) Diaz bailey Rashford martinelli

    Haaland(vc) Jesus

    Bench: ward, greenwood, Williams, patterson

  5. PScholes18
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Which is better?
    A: Robertson - Bailey
    B: Neco - Diaz

    1. Saka - Bailey/Neto
    2. Martinelli - Rashford or other 7/7,5 or lower

    Got TAA as well

    1. krawiecus
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B2, with Rash/Sancho.
      Also curious to hear your thoughts on Rashford v Sancho!

      1. krawiecus
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Sorry A2

        1. PScholes18
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Thanks. Would chose Rashford over Sancho. Cheaper and Martial out GW1.

  6. Heung min Daughter
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Sanchez, Ward
    TAA, Robbo, Cancelo, Trippier, Neco
    Salah, Mount, Martinelli, Bailey, Andreas
    Jesus, Kane, Archer

    A) Sanchez, Robbo, Martinelli + 0.5 ITB
    B) Iversen, James, Saka + 0 ITB

    Worth downgrading Sanchez and swapping Robbo for James so I can upgrade Martinelli to Saka?

    1. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Downgrade Sanchez and upgrade Trippier to James. My exact team then.

      1. Heung min Daughter
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        I prefer to keep Trippier for the first couple GW's because of the H2H mini league I am in.

  7. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    I've had no time to think about my time this week, am I missing anything obvious?

    Pope
    Cancelo, TAA, Perisic, Trippier
    Salah, Bailey, Neto, Kuli
    Haaland, Jesus

    Raya Johnson, Andreas, Williams

  8. I am 42
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Top 2 best 5m defender for 1st 3 Gameweek?

    1. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I’m on Tripps and Walker.

      1. I am 42
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        sound good

    2. I am 42
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Tripper & Digne?

      Will transfer to Cucurella and Zinc in GW 3 & 4

    3. Boz
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Walker and Gabriel

      1. I am 42
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        this is even better, no plan transfer

    4. banskt
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Trippier, Walker.

    5. sulldaddy
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Tripp and Cash

      1. I am 42
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        IMO a coin toss between Cash and Digne, similar to Gab & Zinc

    6. krawiecus
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Trippier if you can bench in 3rd, if not probably Walker

      1. krawiecus
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Or Digne

    7. lugs
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Trippier & Cresswell, they both have City in their first 3 but the other 2 fixtures are great

    8. I am 42
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      lol my headache just got worse lol

  9. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Cancelo or Robbo?

    Have TAA and Walker.

    1. tibollom
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      ive gone taa robbo and cancelo

      1. Bleh
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Unfortunately can’t fit all 3 in (have 2 8.0 mids).

      2. krawiecus
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        That was not his question haha, surely he would if he could. I went Robbo based on CShield + best 1dt fixture

        1. Bleh
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Thanks!

  10. Casualspotted
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Anyone considering Saka ahead of Jesus?

    1. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I have both.

      1. tibollom
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        not worried that jesus takes pens? would make saka less attractive

        1. Bleh
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Saka was great last season, still expect him to be heavily involved. If he’s not taking the pens, he’s definitely winning them.

        2. northernbirdy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 1 Year
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Odegaard apparently said on Norwegian tv that Saka was on pens

    2. krawiecus
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Not a bad shout, but guess more mid alternatives than fwd

    3. banskt
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Martinelli gets a ppg of 3.8, while Saka 4.7. Expecting Jesus around 5.0

  11. Lucas8406
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Pick one
    A) Walker James Haaland
    B) Robertson Cancelo Cash

    1. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

    2. Boz
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Eh?

  12. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Pick one?

    Team 1:

    Ward Iversen
    Trent DIGNE Trippier Walker (Neco)
    Salah MARTINELLI RASHFORD (Pereira 4.5)
    Kane Jesus HAALAND

    Team 2:
    Ward Iversen
    Trent ROBBO Trippier Walker (Neco)
    Salah BOWEN MADDISON NETO (Pereira)
    Kane Jesus 4.5

    1. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      2

      1. Pep's Money Laundry
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Thanks

  13. Boz
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Ward
    TAA Robbo Cancelo James Walker
    Salah Mount Bailey
    Jesus Haaland

    Fodder bench.

    Any issues other than Bailey?

  14. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Best 4.5m or under defender?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I have gone Neco and Justin as my 2 cheapies

    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Dalot

    3. Boz
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Justin or Botman

      1. Boss Hogg
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Does Justin play rightback or leftback?

    4. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      White or Ait Nouri.

  15. McSlu
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Last decision:
    A) martinelli and James
    B) neto/bailly and robbo

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

    2. Boz
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

  16. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Last decision

    1. Bailey and 0,5m in bank.
    or
    2. Neto and 0m in bank.

    1. Boz
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      1

  17. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    The Sheep Hunters Whisky challenge league.

    Winner will get a bottle of Johny Walker Black(YUM) and an engraved tumbler.!

    Rules: Only sheep and over 18's please.
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/n1bab5

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Head to Head Format entries closed g/w 1

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Baa

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        😆

  18. FootballDog
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    gtg?

    ward/sanchez

    robbo / walker / zinch / tripper / n williams
    salah / rasy / andreas / neto / bailey
    kane/ haaland/ jesus

    1. tibollom
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      g2g mate

  19. Sb1979
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Please rate this team - weak or strong

    Mendy

    Zinchenko / Diaz / James / AA

    Salah / Mount / Kulu / Bailey

    Kane / Jesus

    Ward / N Willians / Andreas / Archer

    Nothing left in bank

    1. tibollom
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      g2g, trust your instincts.. only first GW, lots of time

  20. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Please help!
    A. Ramsdale-Trippier-Sancho
    B. Ward/Sanchez- James-Grealish

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      If B is Maddison a better pick than grealish? Cheers

  21. Happyhiccup
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    After advice from you all earlier, reworked it.

    Ward Sanchez
    TAA Cancelo walker James Nico
    Salah Diaz Bowen BrunoG Bailey
    Haaland Edouard Greenwood

    Tripled up on Liverpool and city

    Thoughts for the mid term?

  22. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    think im set.. G2G?

    Ward
    Taa robbo cancelo gabriel
    salah(c) rash mount bailey
    jesus kane

    sanchez neco archer andreas

  23. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Dias worth his weight in gold over Walker, or a waste of 1m? Probably worth adding that I can't find a clear upgrade elsewhere with the extra 1m.

  24. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Trippier v Walker?
    New have pool/city in first 5, more upside? Or walkers more potential cs?

    1. I am 42
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      do you think Trippier will get at least 1 attacking return in his 1st 2 games?

      if so Trippier, else Walker

      1. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        He probably will, think Walker may get more cs if he gets the first few games

    2. abaalan
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Trippier rotates nicely with Andreas for city/liv games...

      1. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Good point, cheers

      2. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Prob looking at perisic for gw3
        In team for now, have doubts for gw1, Chel gw2

  25. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Folks which option would you go for here ?
    Last tinker before I head to bed and have nightmares

    A) Walker/Trippier Diaz Saka

    B) Robbo Mount Martinelli

  26. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Final thoughts on battle of £8m Mids? I need two from below, currently on Saka and Mahrez.

    Diaz
    Maddison
    Mahrez
    Saka
    Mount

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Diaz

  27. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    is cancelo worth the 1m over Dias?

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      For sure

  28. jackruet
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Mount or kulu? Got Reece james

  29. ToyBlader
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) Robertson & James
    B) Van Dijk & Cancelo

    (ALREADY HAVE TAA)

  30. barton fc
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    is a bench leicester 4m keeper worth the risk of a price drop? (always the chance of a rise too I guess)

    1. I am 42
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      why will anyone waste a transfer on a 4m GK?