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. H.A.BRUCE
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    First RMT...Thoughts?

    Ward (Iversen)
    TAA James Walker Perisic (4M)
    Salah Martinelli Bailey (Perr, 4.5)
    Haaland Jesus Kane

    1. H.A.BRUCE
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Pereira*

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

      Really like it. But I have gone with only noe premium striker and Concelo and Robbo at the back.

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

      Plenty of time to tinker.

      You've hit the template fairly squarely on!

      1. H.A.BRUCE
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Torn between taking Kane out to get a Robertson/ Cancelo upgrade in defence but feel like I will want both Kane and Haaland pretty soon.
        Also Perisic is an injury doubt?

    4. airzeppelin
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      It's the first I've seen both Kane and Haaland up front. I like it!

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

    Currently on Mahrez as my only 8m mid. Any better options for the first GWs? Not Pool or Arsenal.

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

      Mount
      Kulusevski

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

    Captain

    - Salah early ko Saturday
    * KDB main game Sunday?

    Will require Salah to KDB now.

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

      Salah. Always scores first day.

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

    Ederson
    TAA - James - Robertson
    Salah - Martinelli - Rashford - Bailey
    Kane - Jesus - Bamford

    Iversen-Neco-Patterson-Andreas
    0itb
    Thoughts? Gtg?

  5. LiamK17
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Opinions:

    A) James + Grealish (or Rashford + 0.5)
    B) Trippis + Mount

  6. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Best option:

    1. Cancelo Trippier
    2. James Dias

    Thanks

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

      1

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

    A) James, Cancelo, Diaz
    B) Robbo, Dias, Mount

  8. sameepagrawal29
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 7 months ago

    ramsdale (foster)
    JAMES TRIPPEIR TAA CANCELO ROBO
    SALAH RODRIGO MARTINELI (BAILEY ANDREAS)
    JESUS HALAAND (ARCHER)

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

    A. Mount/Jesus
    B. Neto/Haaland

    Have Martinelli, no other Chelsea/City attackers.

  10. JelliedSpark968
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Anyone looking at Trossard as a nice differential?

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

    Ward
    TAA - James - Robertson - Cancelo
    Salah - Martinelli - Saka
    Kane - Jesus - Greenwood

    Iverson - Andreas - Murphy - Greenwood
    .5 itb

    What do you think? Thanks

    1. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      The double Leicester GK's is a mistake unless you have 0.5m ITB

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

        It is a gamble but I do have .5 itb.
        My thinking is, that if I want Robbo in the mix, the funding has to come from the keeper or from an 8.0 mid. Will a keeper like Ramsdale or Mendy produce more points than Saka, Diaz, or Mount? I don't value the keeper as much so it's a dice role.

  12. Ollyyy
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Hi! Last minute indecision...

    Eriksen or Ward Prowse?

    Both £6.5m

    1. shady4revr
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      JWP all the way.

  13. Spoox777
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Still can't decide & time is running out. I really want MCI + TOT attack. Do i go for...

    A) Haaland + Kulusevski
    B) Kane + Mahrez

  14. gooner_112233445566
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) sanchez, walker (any 5mil defender), saka
    B) ramsdale, Ruben dias, martinelli 0.5itb
    C) sanchez, Walker (any 5mil), saka

    Got ward as second keeper and cancelo already

  15. yoyoyoyoyoyoyo
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Final team, punting on Aaronson to start well, good fixtures for Leeds too.

    Ward (Iversen)
    TAA Robbo Cancelo James Walker
    Salah(C) Mount Aaronson (Andreas)
    Haaland Jesus (Archer)

    1. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      The double Leicester GK's is a mistake unless you have 0.5m ITB

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

    A) Trippier + Neto + Haaland

    or

    B) Cancelo + Martinelli + Watkins + £1.5

    1. Sapien123
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 7 months ago

      B imo

  17. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A kane+ maddison
    B kulu + haland

    my final decision

    1. Sapien123
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A for me

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

      B

  18. Sapien123
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Best 4.5 mil striker?

    1. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      None likely to play much. I guess Archer or possibly Plange if Benteke leaves?

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

        agreed

  19. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Diaz or Mahrez?

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

      diaz

  20. shady4revr
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Digne or Cash?

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

      Cash

    2. Sapien123
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Digne is in mine for a bit of a differential

  21. Hutchiniho
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    KDB and Jesus
    or
    Halland and Saka/Martineli

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

      B

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

      A

    3. chazlan
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

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

    Final Final Final Selection

    A. Robbo and Kulu

    or

    B. Kane and Jonny

    1. Sapien123
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Ooof. B

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

        what if I said in A I have 1m itb does that change anything ?

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

      Kane the 1.

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

    Best Forward 9.0 and under (not Jesus)?

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

      Wilson for the first 2 game weeks

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

      Watkins

  24. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Is Haaland on pens?

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

      not clear between him and mahrez essentially

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

    Ward
    TAA, James, Walker, Trippier
    Saka, Salah, Sterling, Bailey
    Jesus, Haaland

    Iversen - Neco - Andreas - Dervisoglu

    Question about Sterling and whether I'm looking too far ahead. Apart from a nice differential, a big reason why he's in my team is because of the flexibility it gives me. He can become an 8.0 mid where there's obviously lots of potential (but unclear what the best option is atm) - It would also free up 2m to potentially upgrade Bailey when fixtures turn. (Grealish / Zaha?)

    Is this trying to be too clever or a good idea?

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

      Sound.

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

      I think sterling has a big year for us

  26. Cookie Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) Walker and Sanchez
    B) Ederson and Neco

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

      B

  27. The Parrot
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A) Digne + Diaz
    B) Robbo + Martinelle

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

    Which one?

    A) Meslier
    B) Ward/Iversen
    C) Raya

  29. chazlan
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Perisic and Mount or
    Robertson and Rashford
    Already have TAA.