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. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    G2g?

    Alisson
    Trippier Ait-Nouri Saliba
    Salah Son(C) Neto Bailey
    Haaland Darwin Jesus

    Wars Andreas Neco Patterson

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

      That defence is shameless.

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Ok.

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

      interesting and not template, but not sure if darwin starts.. interesting to not go salah C given his record in opening GW sine 2016

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Darwin is a risk, but he seems fun to own even if he doesn’t start.

        I have Salah, Atleast.

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

      That looks like an entertaining team. You'll probably have more fun than most on here. Good luck.

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        That’s the aim. Fun, but with either proven or potentially explosive attackers.

    4. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      WUNDERBAR!

      I would personally downgrade Alisson. The Leicester double-up gives you 1.5 to really boost points in midfield and/or defence. I know you'll have your reasons, but this just seems too obvious to avoid to me.

    5. Minty Fresh
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I dont normally comment on here but that is not far off my team (even captain choice) and yes a gamble, but i win my previous leagues by not being template, and thats what wildcards are for if it does go south 😉

  2. Mcmush87
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Odegaard worth a punt?

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

      I think he could be

    2. Clive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I don't think above Martinelli

    3. FPL_Champ
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I'd rather Martinelli and he's cheaper

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

      Yes

  3. Clive
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Hmm... which would you choose?

    1. Mount, James and Martinelli
    2. Haaland, Dalot and Neto

    Both options have Kane and Salah and no other City (except Cancelo).

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

      1 for me

      1. Clive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Ta, that's the one I am on currently.

    2. FPL Elephant
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      1

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

    A) Salah and Mount
    B) Diaz and KdB

    1. Cheeky Onion
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I'm on A

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

      A

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

    Mount or kulu
    Got james

    1. Clive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Mount, no booked in transfer then

  6. Cheeky Onion
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Mulled over threemium, differential, and all sorts of setups - ended up going with a pretty boring template.

    Ramsdale
    TAA - Robbo - Cancelo - Cash
    Salah - Mount - Martinelli - Bailey
    Kane - Jesus

    Ward - Neco - Andreas - Taylor

    Any last minute thoughts?

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Boring is ok. Assess the field and seek out the diamonds from there. Looks good

    2. Clive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Robbo/Cash to James/Perisic and you have the exact same team as me then.

      What are you planning for City GW2? Kane to Haaland? Mount to a City mid?

      1. Cheeky Onion
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Was originally going to do Kane > Haaland, but will have to wait and see. If Chelsea still look shambles at the back, might just hold Kane and look at Mahrez/Foden

        1. Clive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Yeah that was my thinking too. Kane is definitely better option than Haaland this week in isolation. So then I have the choice next week of how to cover City.

          I did consider James/Martinelli/Mount to 4.5/Neto/Haaland which gives me Kane and Haaland. But not sure Haaland/Neto makes up for not having James/Martinelli/Mount.

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

      Similar structure. Except Haaland, Wilson instead of Kane, Jesus. The latter is my differential to the remaining 75% teams.

      1. Cheeky Onion
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        That's a bold move. I like the Wilson punt, but not at the expense of Jesus. I could end up with a front 3 of Jesus, Wilson, 11.5m if that's what ends up working this season

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

      Had the exact same team/debate assuming you have the same idea to switch Kane to Haaland GW2? If so whats your plan to have both City and Spurs coverage from GW3 onwards as fixtures look quite nice!

      Early WC? This dilemma is what drove me to threemium of son haaland salah so and sacrifice defense a little!

      1. Clive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        I am considering James/Martinelli/Mount to 4.5/Neto/Haaland which gives me Kane and Haaland. But not sure Haaland/Neto makes up for not having James/Martinelli/Mount

  7. mcsteely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Which scores more ignoring captaincy:

    A: Saka Mount & Foden
    B: Haaland, Martinelli & Neto

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

      probably B

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A just about

  8. Who let Udogie out?
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A.Kane,Walker,Sanchez,4.5m midfielder
    B.Ederson,Cancelo,Saka,4.5m attacker

  9. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Ward (Sanchez)
    Trent, Cancelo, James, Gabriel (Neco)
    Salah, Mahrez, Martinelli, Rashford (Andreas)
    Jesus, Haaland (4.5m)

    G2G?

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Yes looks good if you're happy knowing Mahrez is a minutes risk

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

      Is Ward also a risk this week? I am on that combo.

  10. TSN
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    final selection

    ramsdale (ward)
    TAA robbo james digne trippier
    Salah Son(c) martinelli (bailey, pereira)
    Jesus Bamford (greenwood)

    Good luck everyone!

    1. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      captain salah

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

    Is cancelo really worth the extra money over Walker?

    1. The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      of course

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

      cancelo martin vs
      walker saka

    3. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      IMO yes

  12. GreatCarragherReef
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) Dias + James

    B) Cancelo + Walker + 0.5

    1. Clive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A because of James. Such a high ceiling.

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

        Cheers

  13. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Which

    A) rams janson/dalot james
    B) raya matip cucu (have taa)

  14. focaccia
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Best £5.0 defender ? Already have Gabriel and Walker...

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Trippier

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

        Trippier

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

      Digne... See above

    3. TSN
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      trippier or digne

    4. Clive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Digne for first 4 gameweeks for me.

  15. Miniboss
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Quite a template but content with it. Good luck everyone!

    Ward
    TAA James Robbo Cancelo
    Salah(c) Mount Martinelli Bailey
    Jesus Haaland

    Iversen Archer Petterson Andreas

    1. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Lol this is exactly my 15 too….

      Seems like Mount is the late bandwagon we weren’t expecting!

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

      Same as my team. Think it's good to start with. I am starting with Wilson, will bring in Jesus after the Palace match.

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

      Well done lads, may we all do well!

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

      Whats your plans for spurs coverage come GW2 when fixtures look appealing? Lose Haaland who also has a good run?

    5. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Kulu over Mount GW1 to cover potential bloodbath

  16. Ribus
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Madness to go Mahrez over Mount?

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

      Not at all. My biggest annoyance is that I don't have a clear path to Mahrez / Foden. Not unless I want to get rid of Saka which is unlikely. I think double City attack is inevitable so I say go for it.

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I'm on Mahrez. Chelsea not inspiring confidence and face Spurs in GW2

  17. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Which team??

    A)
    Ward
    James / TAA / Dalot
    Rashford / Salah / Martinelli / Bailey
    Kane / Jesus / Haaland

    B)
    Meslier
    James / Trippier / TAA
    Neto / Salah / Martinelli / Bailey
    Haaland / Jesus / Kane

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Only thing I love more than spot the difference, is a spot the difference where the same players are reversed....

      A

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

    3. Die Hard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

  18. LABILLETHEGOAT
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    which would you go for?
    a) cancelo/james/andreas
    b) dias/james/neto
    c) cancelo/cash/neto

  19. @persecuted_by_mods
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Who is the least template player you know?

      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Livramento?

      2. The Mantis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        and could still perform? Probably Sterling

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

        Mbeumo

      4. SerieD
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Personally I don't know any PL players

      5. TSN
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        welbeck

    • The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A) Rams / Trip / Mart
      B) Leicester GKs / Peri / Ode

      lingo

    • Puntillimon
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Any reason why I don’t see walker in more drafts? His RB slot is surely secure.

      1. Jet5605
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Lacks attacking returns. Better options at his price

      2. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        "Surely secure" isn't a term that Pep is familiar with

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

        I think he's very good value but I love having the possibility of a haul from my defenders. He looks like a steady stream of 6 pointers, but can't grumble with that at his price.

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

        Stones has played RB before as well! Wouldnt shock me if Pep trolled with that move!

    • Marshall96
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      How’s this
      Ramsdale
      Trent James cancelo robbo
      Salah Aaronson martinelli rashford
      Haaland Jesus

      1. FPL Elephant
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Naughty! Love it.

    • Mane Mane Mane
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      What’s the better option
      A) Saka and Trippier
      B) Martinelli and Cancelo

      Saka arguably more likely to start and more explosive than Martinelli but does mean going without Cancelo…

    • Jet5605
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      GtoG?

      Ramsdale
      TAA - Robbo - Cancelo - Perisic - Trippier
      Salah - Saka - Bailey
      Haaland - Jesus

      Ward - Andreas - Murphy - Plange

    • Manani
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      bench order?
      A. Andreas
      B. Neco
      C. Archer

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

        BAC for me

    • Aaaatsu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Which set-and-forget 4.5 GK would you pick?

    • reo19uk
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Which 1?

      A) Andreas and James
      B) Neto and Digne

    • Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Vorm 4.0 11-12
      Jakupovic 4.0 16-17
      Elliot 4.0 17-18

      Ward - Iversen ftw

    • sirmorbach
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I have just absolutely no idea anymore what to do regarding Perisic at this point. Take my chances and keep? Go with Cash as a placeholder? Jesus, I'll just leave it as is and forget FPL exists.

      If only one could.

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

        Probably GW3

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

          Problem is the uncertainty. I could realistically see him playing 45 minutes against Southampton, returning against Chelsea, and then resting GW3!

      2. Die Hard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Hold, assuming you have a bench

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

          Do you consider Neco and Andreas a bench? lol

          1. Clive
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            It's mine so yes haha

      3. Clive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Depends how you like to play. I love a high ceiling exciting player and I'm willing to risk it. If more risk adverse go for a sure fire 5.0 starter like Gabriel.

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

          That is very helpful—and encouraging. I much appreciat it. On we go, good luck to us!

    • Sadge
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      if you own both Salah , Son and Kane , would you still captain Salah , or go for Son/ Kane ?