Newcastle United, Brentford and Sunderland assets are on our differentials radar in Gameweek 2 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL).
These three players all have an ownership of 5% or less.
- READ MORE: FPL new signings: Ouattara joins the Brentford attack
- READ MORE: FPL new signings: Tchatchoua’s creativity, new Liverpool centre-back + DCL
ANTHONY GORDON
- FPL ownership: 1.9%
- Price: £7.5m
- GW2-6 fixtures: LIV | lee | WOL | bou | ARS
The absence of Alexander Isak (£10.4m) allowed Anthony Gordon (£7.5m) to start up front last week.
Flanked by Anthony Elanga (£7.0m) and Harvey Barnes (£6.5m), the 24-year-old missed an early header to put Newcastle United 1-0 up, before Aston Villa were reduced to 10 men when Gordon was brought down by Ezri Konsa (£4.5m) when through on goal.
Gordon recorded a total of seven shots, the most of any player in Gameweek 1.
Eddie Howe’s post-match comments further strengthen his case for another start through the middle:
“… I thought he played really well today. He was a consistent threat, he got the red card because of his pace and his running ability, so there’s no slight on him whatsoever. I thought he was very, very good. I don’t look at it like that [having no recognised striker]. He’s played there for us before and he’s played very well. He’s played there a lot in running as well. He’s played the number nine coming on or moving when we made a change in the game, so that’s not something totally alien to him.
“He’s done it many, many times. He enjoys the role, so that’s another big thing. It’s not like you’re asking him to play there and he’s going, ‘I don’t really want to do it, I don’t enjoy it’. I think everyone likes to be the focal point of the team. And I thought he played well. So, I don’t see there being a negative. Yes, we’d like more strikers to pick from, because that just gives you more decisions and more choices to make, especially in running. But Will [Osula] did well when he came on. That was another good sign. So, we’re happy to continue as we are.” – Eddie Howe on Anthony Gordon
Gordon amassed a modest six goals and six assists last term, but up against a Liverpool side that has already conceded four times against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth this season, he will be confident of getting amongst the goals at St James’ Park.
Ryan Gravenberch (£5.5m) will return for Liverpool, so it’s way too early to suggest Arne Slot’s side will struggle defensively this season.
Still, even in 2024/25, Newcastle generated four big chances and 2.09 expected goals (xG) in the corresponding fixture.
Gordon, who should take penalties in Isak’s absence, also faces Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the next three, so may well appeal to those on the lookout for a mid-price midfielder.
KEVIN SCHADE
- FPL ownership: 0.3%
- Price: £7.0m
- GW2-6 fixtures: AVL | sun | CHE | ful | MUN
Considering that Kevin Schade (£7.0m) racked up 15 attacking returns in the 2024/25 season, the German’s £7.0m FPL price tag looks entirely justified.
He was only fit enough to play 45 minutes off the bench against Nottingham Forest last week, but his runs in behind helped inject some urgency into Brentford’s attack.
“Kevin Schade brought us the threat we didn’t have in the first half. There’s a journey for a few of the players coming back from injury. Kevin is one of those players but we’re building him and he’ll be a huge player for us.” – Keith Andrews on Kevin Schade
Poring over Schade’s underlying statistics, he was presented with 19 big chances last season, more than all but five Fantasy midfielders.
Furthermore, Yoane Wissa (£7.5m) was the only teammate to amass more non-penalty xG than the winger.
Above: Kevin Schade’s shot map in 2024/25
With playmaker Mikkel Damsgaard (£6.0m) back this weekend, and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa suspended, Schade could emerge as a key candidate in the mid-price bracket ahead of a decent run of fixtures.
Beyond the Villa clash, Brentford travel to the Stadium of Light, which should heighten interest in their chief goal threats, including Schade.
With Damsgaard back in the picture and Dango Ouattara (£6.0m) adding further firepower, there’s certainly greater confidence in the Bees’ attacking prospects over that period.
HABIB DIARRA
- FPL ownership: 0.1%
- Price: £5.5m
- GW2-6 fixtures: bur | BRE | cry | AVL | nfo
Habib Diarra (£5.5m) has hit the ground running at Sunderland after an encouraging display against West Ham United last week.
The box-to-box midfielder registered just four goals and five assists while playing for Strasbourg last season.
However, given the attacking licence, he possesses the ability to deliver.
Regis Le Bris deployed a 4-3-3 formation in Gameweek 1, with wingers Chemsdine Talbi (£5.0m) and Simon Adingra (£5.5m) hugging the touchline. The setup created space on the inside for Diarra, the highest midfielder, to exploit, with his bursts into the box immediately catching the eye.
Indeed, in the first half, he was unfortunate not to score when sent in behind the West Ham backline.
When Sunderland roll up at Turf Moor on Saturday, Diarra will hope to carry through his attacking threat and perhaps deliver a goal or an assist.
With the athleticism of Noah Sadiki (£5.0m) and the passing ability of Granit Xhaka (£5.0m) alongside him, plus his ability to break through the lines, he could potentially thrive.
Sunderland’s future fixtures are good, too, as they rank second on our Season Ticker in Gameweeks 2-8.
With a mere 0.1% ownership as we head into the deadline, Diarra is a real differential prospect.
