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. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Start 2.

    A) Neto
    B) Bailey
    C) Martinelli

    Currently benching C due to tougher opponent but not sure.

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

      Had same problem in one of the drafts..benched Martinelli, but after just changed whole team

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

      Bench A

    3. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

  2. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    G2G or change?

    Pope
    TAA Trippier James Perisic
    Salah Bowen Mahrez Bailey
    Kane Jesus

    Ward Greenwood Wiliams Andreas

    Anywhere I could Improve? Could move Bowen to Mount and downgrade Pope to allow room for Cancelo instead of Perisic or James?

    1. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I'd do those moves and get Cancelo over Perisic

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

        Agreed, could.go down to Sancho if you don't fancy 4-4GKs

  3. Johnnyblaze
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Please pick a GK & MF combo:

    A) Sanchez + Lingard
    B) Ward + Mount

    Currently have Sanchez & Ward as my GKs. If I upgrade to mount I lock myself in to Ward as first choice for the foreseeable future. Just not convinced Leicester will keep that many clean sheets.

    1. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B

    2. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B

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

    Thanks for previous replies but any additional views On 4th def please between a)Gabriel b)cucurella plus now added c) digne?

    1. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      a or c, not b

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

        Thanks Gabriel does seem v popular

    2. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Gabriel from those imo, dependent on team. Cucurella quite likely to become the player we scramble for but wait and see for me.

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

        Yeh that seems to be view on cucurella

    3. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      C

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

        Thanks hadn’t considered digne before but scouts like him

        1. SAY MY NAME
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          always ignore the scouts! 🙂

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

            Gab it is then although zinchenko another option!!!!

  5. Gharvey
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    I’m locked in
    Mendy
    Zinkchenko, Tripp, Trent,
    Martineli, Salah, Bailey, Neto
    Kane, Jesus, Haaland

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

      Looks good. Good luck!

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

    A - Mendy & Cancelo
    B - Ederson & James

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

      A

    2. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

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

      B

  7. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Aaronson and Eze to prove to be the real bargains?

    KDB pitch position means he'll make the early running over Salah?

    1. Jock Grealish
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      eze not nailed

    2. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      KDB is a striker now just a question of how quickly the fpl hivemind cottons on.

      BA and EE are both gems but the pricing is such that you don’t really need to go there. Shame.

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

      KDB might play deeper if Foden plays as he did this in second half of Community Shield and it worked well.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        True

        They will be fluid

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

    Better option?

    A) Mount
    B) Sancho

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Mount

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

      A

    3. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

  9. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Gtg.

    Best be soon.

    It's going to crash by 6 pm

    Lock and load!!!!

  10. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Please help! Which team to pick?

    Ward
    TAA Cancelo Walker White
    Salah Son Bailey Neto
    Jesus Kane

    Or

    Ward
    Perisic James TAA Robbo Cancelo
    Salah Neto Martinelli
    Jesus Kane

    1. LLoris
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B

    2. Dee Lixon
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

    3. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

    4. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B

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

      B but rethink Perisic (fine risky punt tho)

  11. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    I know its template, but is their anything I've missed or can change?
    A)James and Diaz
    B) Robbo and Mount

    Ward
    TAA, Cancelo, James, Gabriel
    Salah, Diaz, Martinelli, Neto
    Haaland, Jesus

    Bench: Sanchez, Andreas, Neco, Archer
    1M ITB

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

      If Spurs win by 3 or 4 are you happy to hold? I think that's the consideration if no Son or Kane.

      1. LLoris
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Yup its fine I guess. Anything else?

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

          No looks good. James and Diaz for me.

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

      Robbo and Mount

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

      (B )

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

    Unanswered last page. How could you improve this? 0.5 ITB if needed

    Ramsdale
    TAA | Cancelo | Robbo | James
    Salah | Foden | Mount | Saka | Bailey
    Jesus

    1. LLoris
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Keep it looks good

    2. Mattador
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Upgrade one of your subs?

    3. Dave Dreamer
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Check you have a top captain pick each week for the next 4/5

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

      Save it to move Bailey to the bargain mid

  13. The Pep Revolution
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    I don't get the purpose of having really cheap keepers that will provide little to no returns when slightly more gives a keeper like Alisson that will provide consistent returns. Or am I missing something ?

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

      Alisson blocks 3 outfield pool players.

    2. reo19uk
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      cheaper keepers wont get as many clean sheets but they quite often get more saves so don't get many less points

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

      You're probably right. Ego makes us think we can use the funds.

    4. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I agree. Everybody rushing for big atb because value but then not doing the same for gks who offer even better value than defenders. 5.5 max price for gk, they couldn’t do any more but still people want Leicester??!

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

      A little more? 1.5m? That might only get you 0.3-1.0 extra points per match. Spent elsewhere, it could easily get you an extra 1+ PPM

  14. Mattador
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) Perisic, Neto, Haaland
    B) Neco, Rashford Kane

  15. Dave Dreamer
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Start
    A. Ramsdale
    B. Ward

    1. LLoris
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

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

    James or Cancelo?

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

      C

  17. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    In draft, start one:

    A) Bamford
    B) Vardy
    C) Walker

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

      Vardy

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Vardy

  18. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Triple arsenal attack, Mahrez and digne. What could go wrong.

    Good luck everyone!!

  19. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Locked in 🙂 GL… 0.5itb

    Ramsdale
    Taa Robo Cancelo Trippier
    Salah Bailey Neto Mount
    Jesus Kane

  20. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Which defence is weakest?

    Fulham at home
    Southampton away

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

      Fulham

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

      Southampton could collapse, so I'd say them

  21. Steevo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) Son Dalot Ait-Nouri
    B) Mount Robertson Walker

    1. Manani
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      b

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

      B

  22. Manani
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    James + Martinelli (rotate Neto/Bailey)
    or
    Neco + Saka (play Neto/Bailey every week)

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

    Wolves fans and everyone,

    Any thoughts on Collins and Kilman?

    Particularly in regards to their nailedness.

    Many thanks,
    The Fail Team

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Collins is highly though of in Ireland, went for big money. I'm planning to get him in a few weeks.

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

        Why are ya waiting?

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

    A) Robertson & James
    B) Van Dijk & Cancelo

    (ALREADY HAVE TAA)

    ???

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

      A

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

    Thoughts on Nunez? Too much of a punt? Team as follows:

    Ward
    TAA / Cancelo / Digne / Walker / Gabriel
    Salah (v) / Son (C) / Martinelli
    Jesus / Darwin

    Sanchez / Bailey / Andreas / Taylor

    1. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Too early for Nunez.

    2. Mattador
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      If you knew he was going to start, maybe. having 9 million only play the last 20 minutes could be a sore one

  26. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    1. Digne/Cash, Almiron (already have bailey), and Haaland

    2. James, Mahrez/mount, Wilson

  27. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Still not sure if Saka and Jesus is to much and should go Mount, but gwk2 for Mount isn't very good

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

      GW3 good for Mount

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

      You can switch to Saka if you pick Mount now.

      That is the beauty of owning 2 x 8m midfielders 🙂

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

      Saka > Mount
      Jesus > Mount

      = Saka + Jesus

      Not sure why you would get the worse option just for the sake of having different colour shirts in your team 😉

  28. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Repost:

    A) Ramsdale & Bailey
    B) Sanchez & Gabriel

    I’m currently on A) but:

    - Bailey look in good shape but fixtures in GW5/6/7 doesn’t look good
    - Is Ramsdale really worth the 0.5 compare to Sanchez?

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

    Here we go!

    Ward
    TAA Robbo Cancelo James Walker
    Salah Mount Bailey
    Jesus Haaland

    Fodder bench, 0.5itb

    Good luck all, see you on the other side

  30. HAMMERTIME107
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Think I’m set, please feel free to rip apart

    Ramsdale |
    TAA | Dalot | Trippier
    Salah | Neto | Rashford | Bailey
    Kane | Jesus | Haaland

    Ward | Dewsbury-Hall | Neco | Tanganga