Today we’ll be looking at seven differential options from a range of positions and price brackets, for GW33+ and beyond.
All of the assets, bar one, have a current ownership of less than 5%.
Antonio, £6.9m, 0.8% owned
Antonio is currently benefitting from West Ham’s lack of centre-forward options, and bagged himself a goal and an assist and two bonus points in the 3-2 win against Chelsea.
West Ham assets had been overlooked until now, blanking in both of their opening games against Wolves and Spurs. However, they are arguably over the worst of their fixtures, with 5 of their final 6 matches coming against teams placed 10th and below.
Their London derby win will have no doubt rejuvinated them, and in comparison to their relegation rivals Watford, Villa and Bournemouth, they have demonstrated that they genuinely care about remaining in the league.
With Antonio, whilst he isn’t necessarily the cheapest option, your essentially getting a striker, with all of the added benefits of midfield points. He comes up against a Newcastle side who have failed to keep clean sheets against Villa and Bournemouth in their last two games, and will be brimming with confidence after his escapades against Chelsea. He’s also only owned by 0.8% of the game, and will prove an excellent differential if he can deliver again.
Jesus, £9.6m, 3.9% owned
Gabriel Jesus appears to face an overwhelming hostility within the FPL community, having blanked in all four of City’s opening games since the restart.
He is however now City’s only fit striker, and whilst we know Pep likes to throw a false 9 into his wheel of roulette, is still less at risk of rotation than his midfield counterparts. That combined with his withdrawal on 57 minutes against Liverpool, suggests Pep is planning on starting the Brazilian at St Mary’s on Sunday.
A positive for Jesus is that he did have periods where he looked dangerous in the Liverpool match, but couldn’t keep himself onside. Nevertheless, whilst Liverpool naturally play a high line, Southampton will be inclined to play far more deep, and this could suit Jesus.
He looked hungry on Thursday evening, and took a chance well in the first half, before the referee’s whistle was blown, for said offside violation.
Those looking for a Jesus priced striker are likely to be eyeing a Vardy replacement, and there are two key reasons why Jesus could prove more worthwhile; teammates and fixtures. Jesus benefits from the likes of KDB, Sterling, and Mahrez providing his service, who have all shown great form in recent games, and so we know Jesus will be given chances to return. In comparison, Vardy is struggling from a lack of cutting edge from the likes of Barnes, Albrighton and Maddison, who have not found their feet since the restart, and failed to record a shot against Everton. Additionally, Man City play teams in the bottom 8 in each of their final 6 fixtures, whilst Leicester still have to face Arsenal, Sheff Utd, Spurs and Man Utd.
If you’re looking for a Vardy replacement, and want an attacking city asset who is less favoured amongst owners, then Jesus could be a worthy punt.
Joe Gomez, £5.3m, 4.0% owned
The less said about the City game, the better. However, with Matip out for the rest of the season, and Lovren a doubt, Gomez is likely to remain the chosen partner to VVD. The poor performance on Thursday night is likely to spur Gomez, and his Liverpool teammates to return to Anfield with a vengeance, much like the reaction we saw against Crystal Palace as a result of the Merseyside Derby.
The Champions come up against a poor Villa side, who have failed to keep a clean sheet since their ‘opening’ game of the restart, and struggled to find their groove in front of goal. Liverpool will be looking to re-establish the form that has given them the most clean sheets in the league, and Gomez is a cheaper way in to the Liverpool defence if your strapped for cash.
Neal Maupay, £5.7m, 2.0% owned
This differential option isn’t a long-term option, but a one hit wonder (hopefully). The focus of this choice is the opposition, who have shipped 8 goals in three PL games, and have more defenders on the physio bench than they do fit.
Maupay did find himself on the score sheet against Arsenal, and was on penalty duty at Leicester, however failed to convert. His 45 minute cameo against Manchester United suggests Potter wants his talisman fresh for the game at the weekend, and will be hoping he can add to the 8 goals he has netted so far. Another viable differential for Brighton is Aaron Connolly (4.2m, 2.3% owned), at a shorter price, he could be a cheaper way in to this Brighton attack and would have two assists to his name since the restart but for Maupay’s penalty miss.
Both choices are reliant upon a continuation of Norwich’s poor form, and whilst Norwich put up a fight against United in the cup, they appear to be down and out in the premier league, and unable to stop the rot. Maupay is the more consistent of the two (Connolly has only scored twice), if you can afford him over Connolly, he is probably the more likely to return.
Charlie Taylor, £4.3m, 3.8% owned
Charlie Taylor is playing in a Burnley side who have matched Manchester City, and are only one away from Liverpool’s total of 14 clean sheets. His appeal above the rest of the Burnley defence is his ability to get forward and act as a left midfielder.
Some in the FPL community eyed Erik Pieter’s (4.2m), who is also registered as a defender, as the man to get forward, however, if we look at the stats from the Crystal Palace match, Taylor spent far more time in Palaces half, had greater time on the ball, and registered more crosses.
Additionally, Taylor is the long-term left back, and far more likely to maintain his starting position. Burnley will face a revived Sheffield United side, who have improved in their performances, yet the clarets will have over double the recovery time between matches.
For two sides who both have small squads, and injury problems, that could make all the difference. Burnley will be looking to make it three clean sheets in three, and Taylor can offer attacking potential to support his defensive capabilities.
Phil Foden, £5.2m, 2.0% owned
Earlier in the week I published an article specifically focused on this young man… https://fpllivergirl.art.blog/2020/06/29/phil-foden-a-gamble-worth-taking/
Foden demonstrated on Thursday evening his ability to score and create against the toughest of opposition. Managers could be concerned about his game time in GW33+, but Foden is a young man poised to replace David Silva in September, and has gradually seen his time on the pitch increasing.
His recovery time will be shorter than his older counterparts, and Pep may wish to extend Foden’s experience and confidence, with the luxury of having no pressure on results.
If you aren’t convinced about bringing him in for GW33+, he’s well worth a look for the remainder of the season.
Mason Greenwood, £4.3m, 12.1% owned
Whilst Mason Greenwood is the more popular choice of this list of differentials, he remains a differential in terms of Manchester United attacking assets as the 5th most popular player, behind Bruno, Rashford, AWB & Martial.
Many FPL managers are discussing a requirement for 3 United players moving forward as their form and fixtures are brimming with potential. United don’t play a team inside the top 7 until the final day of the season, and have plenty to play for.
If you’re going with the three United assets tactic, then likely you’ll either have Rashford or Greenwood. Whilst Rashford has historically been the most consistent and trustworthy United asset, he has 0 goals, and 2 assists in 3 matches. Not the kind of returns you’d expect from a man of his price tag, or his team’s form.
Greenwood has picked up 2 goals in the 3 games since the restart, and is starting to build some good link up play with AWB.
With the fixtures ahead, it is likely he’ll keep his spot in the starting line-up, as James, who had been keeping him at bay, is a player who likes to get in behind defences and use his speed. However, United come up against the likes of Bournemouth, Aston Villa, and Crystal Palace in the final gameweeks. All teams who will sit back and try to make life difficult. As a result, Greenwood should see himself receiving more game time than he has been accustomed to for the earlier parts of the season.
With a £4.8m cheaper price tag than Rashford, Greenwood offers a bargain third attacking option for managers, and enables a broader spread of cash across the squad for those still with their WC, FH & BB to play.
FPL_LiverGirl 