Selection

Differential midfielders to help with forward planning

Cheaper midfielders are the focus of our Spot the Differential article ahead of Gameweek 28.

There is a selection of players in this position offering potential for the next few matches, all priced well under £7.0m.

Read on and discover which options owned by less than 5% can help propel you up the rankings…

Isaac Hayden

Price: £4.4m

Ownership: 1.7%

A new candidate for the fifth midfielder spot has arisen in recent weeks as Newcastle’s Isaac Hayden (£4.4m) continues a decent run of form.

The 23-year-old has benefited from recent time out of the side for Jonjo Shelvey (£5.3m) and Ki Sung-yeung (£4.7m) to start the last nine Gameweeks in a row.

It is in the last five that Hayden has found form, recording three assists and a goal in that time.

That has come from seven chances created in the last four Gameweeks, combined with six efforts on goal.

No midfielder priced at £4.5m or under can do better in that selected time-frame.

The fixtures still look good for Newcastle over the coming weeks with Burnley (home), West Ham (away) and Everton (home) their next three opponents.

Crucially, the Magpies have a fixture in Blank Gameweek 31, against Bournemouth (away), and might have one in Gameweek 33 against Crystal Palace (home), which could make Hayden an important player to own long-term too.

Pascal Groß

Price: £6.7m

Ownership: 1.7%

With Blank Gameweek 27 out of the way, Brighton options come back into consideration ahead of a trip to Leicester City on Tuesday night.

Despite playing in just three matches across the last four Gameweeks, Pascal Groß (£6.7m) is joint-top for key passes played in that time.

He has supplemented that with eight efforts on goal and could inspire Brighton to a decent showing at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester are without a clean sheet at home since Gameweek 14 and the effect of going into this match without a manager is hard to quantify.

This could be a serious opportunity for Brighton to secure their first away win since Gameweek 14.

James Maddison

Price: £6.6m

Ownership: 4.4%

Despite Puel’s departure from Leicester City, there is still plenty of promise surrounding central midfielder James Maddison (£6.6m).

This is not the first time we’ve tipped the former Norwich City man as a differential option of late as the Foxes fixtures continue to appeal.

A home game against Brighton this week is another one of those favourable fixtures, and it comes after a strong statistical performance from Maddison last time out.

That means in the last four Gameweeks, no player has created more chances than him, while only two Fantasy assets in the whole division have shot more often.

With reports of Brendan Rodgers coming to the King Power Stadium, we could still see Leicester able to capitalise on their appealing schedule, and Maddison could be a big part of that.

With reports of Brendan Rodgers coming to the King Power Stadium, we could still see Leicester able to capitalise on their appealing schedule, and Maddison could be a big part of that.

1,878 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Nightf0x
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 6 months ago

    My def. (lovren awb bednarek taa doherty), lovren out to:
    A) duffy
    B) matip
    C) newcastle def.

    1. We All Lacazette
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 6 months ago

      matip if he is assured of start for next few gw's, but I have no idea whether he is and can't seem to get any answers on here haha

  2. MTPockets
      5 years, 6 months ago

      Who do you think wins btw WAT-CRY in the cup?

      Want to get Rondon over Barnes, but gw33 is a concern

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        I wanted Rondón too but just go Barnes and move on

        1. MTPockets
            5 years, 6 months ago

            That's the sensible approach, but just not feeling it

      2. Cruz88
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        Thoughts on Higuaín after the Spurs game?

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Ask me again after the Spurs game 😉 Was shocked he didn't start at the weekend. Have him pencilled for GW31 atm but only if he proves to be nailed.

        2. n14mul
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 6 months ago

          Jim doing auba>higuain at the weekend. Game vs Fulham is a big chance for points plus Chelsea do not blank

      3. wanaj84
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        help me for gw 28
        sterling
        or
        sane

      4. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 6 months ago

        What happened to Sterling what are people talking about?

        1. MTPockets
            5 years, 6 months ago

            Wasn't in yesterday's training video. Probably means nothing though

            1. Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Maybe he was the one filming it?

            2. Karan14
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 6 months ago

              Yesterday was just a recover session for those who started in the Final.

              According to today’s tweet by Ian Irving Sterling hasn’t missed training.

          • Party time
              5 years, 6 months ago

              90 + 90 + 120 = bench

              1. The 5% Team
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                just like Aguero then?

                1. Party time
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    Aguero is from South America. He will start!

                2. Karan14
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 6 months ago

                  He didn’t start the FA Cup so it’s only 90 + 120.

                  1. Party time
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      You're right but then Sane and Mahrez are options

              2. MiLK2018
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 6 months ago

                Which one of the two? thx

                A) Hazard + Success -> Aguero + Hayden
                B) Rashford -> Rondon

                1. Party time
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    B

                2. Lingard’s Shin Guards
                  • 5 Years
                  5 years, 6 months ago

                  Rp. Gtg?

                  Foster
                  Robbo Digne Doherty
                  Salah Pogba Son Rich
                  Aguero Jimenez Barnes

                  Begovic Bennett Westwood AWB. 1FT 4.2 itb

                  Upgrade Son -> Mane, Haz or leave it?

                  1. Party time
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      Upgrade

                  2. Vobinho
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    Does anyone have a link to Pep's press conference? Or no stream yet?

                    1. We All Lacazette
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 14 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      Your wasting your time trying to get injury updates from a Guardiola presser haha

                      1. Vobinho
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 9 Years
                        5 years, 6 months ago

                        One can only hope!

                  3. BEEZUS
                    • 10 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    Rashford fo

                    A) Vardy
                    B) Rondon

                    1. Madderegern
                      • 10 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      Vardy of those

                  4. Madderegern
                    • 10 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    Which player combo do you prefer?

                    A) Aguero, Maitland-Niles, Bardsley, Valery

                    B) Vardy, Fabinho, Redmond, Kolasinac

                    1. Snevitz
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 15 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      i'd look for a different combination.
                      Difficult to answer without knowing your chip strategy.

                  5. TeddiPonza
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    What to do with Laporte and Rashford?

                    A. Laporte to TAA (and play Felipe for Rashford)
                    B. Laporte and Rash to Clyne and Vardy (-4). Would bench Clyne for 28 and 29 as I have a good defensive cover
                    C. Save transfer and play Bennett and Felipe for Laporte and Rash.

                    Leaning towards C as the injuries come thick and fast these days

                    Thoughts?

                    1. Snevitz
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 15 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      A if Laporte is out for a few gameweeks.

                    2. dbeck
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      A but play Bennet over Felipe

                  6. GREEN IS GOOD
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    Surprised that Almiron is not mentioned.

                    Under 1% ownership.

                  7. The Red Devil
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    Rashford & Son to Aguero & Hayden? (2 FT)
                    gives me Aguero, Auba, Salah & Hazard at the weekend

                  8. danishdynamite
                    • 13 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    I currently have TAA and Saah, and had planned on adding Mane (for Sterling) in 31, along with Fraser or King from BOU

                    However i've been playing around with my spreadsheet, and could - for no extra FT outlay - get Robbo and Hazard

                    Soooooo, which oen is best: 9 gw31 players + Mane & Fraser vs 9 gw31 players + Robbo & Hazard

                    (It's maybe relevant that Higuain is one of the 9)

                    1. Lord.
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      I like Robbo and Hazard

                      1. danishdynamite
                        • 13 Years
                        5 years, 6 months ago

                        Thanks m8

                        I'm think that way too. I have a few weeks to decide, so nu rush, but unless Liv get their va va voom back, then I'd sooner bet on their defense than their attack ..... and Haz leads Mane on stats over the last 4

                  9. Sz21
                    • 12 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    1. Firmino-> Vardy.
                    2. Digne + Firm-> TAA + Vardy (-4).
                    3. Other move(s).

                    Fabianski.
                    Pereira, Doherty, Bednarek, Digne.
                    Pogba, Salah(vc), Son.
                    Firmino, Auba(c), Rashford.
                    Hamer, Camarasa, Felipe, AWB.
                    1ft, 0.3m.

                    1. danishdynamite
                      • 13 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      Depends on your plans for 31.

                      If you're pretty sure you'll be taking a hit or two, then it could well make sense to get it done and dusted now if it gives you a stronger XI over the coming weeks.

                  10. We All Lacazette
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    Hey guys, good luck for the coming GW, may the odds be ever in your favour 😉

                    Quick question - how nailed on is Matip? Worth bringing in or just go for TAA/VVD?

                    Thaaaanks

                  11. Bad Kompany
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    When will we hear from Man U, city, and Liverpool?

                    1. Holmes
                      • 10 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      manu already done

                      1. Bad Kompany
                        • 6 Years
                        5 years, 6 months ago

                        Cheers!

                        Any news on rashford?

                        1. Holmes
                          • 10 Years
                          5 years, 6 months ago

                          looks like he will miss this game at least

                          Solskjaer: "Rash(ford) we're still waiting to see how his ankle is responding to the treatment, muscle injuries are too early to think about. That's it."

                          1. Bad Kompany
                            • 6 Years
                            5 years, 6 months ago

                            Cheers! Sounds like he will. At most subbed on vs Southampton imo with champions league midweek

                          2. Now I'm Panicking
                            • 9 Years
                            5 years, 6 months ago

                            There was another quote that contradicted this earlier

                  12. Rhodes your boat
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    Gtg or take a hit to remove martial?

                    Foster
                    Robbo pereira taa Jonny bednarek
                    Salah(c) son pogba
                    Auba(vc) Barnes

                    Hamer martial guendouzi success
                    0ft 4.2itb

                    1. chilli con kone
                      • 11 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      Nothing worth a hit this week IMO.

                  13. chilli con kone
                    • 11 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    Current Bench: Rashford, Camarasa, AWB

                    A. F.Anderson > Mane
                    B. Rashford > Vardy/Higuain and bench Felipe
                    C. Save and play Felipe

                  14. FPL AXE
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 10 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    So what are the chances of Agüero starting tomorrow night?

                    1. Now I'm Panicking
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      73%

                    2. BigBillyBass
                      • 6 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      99%

                    3. chilli con kone
                      • 11 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      If Jesus is injured, which it sounds like he is, then Kun starts

                    4. Bury94
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      I'll reply in 15 minutes

                  15. BigBillyBass
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    Aguero or Salah captain?

                    1. GREEN IS GOOD
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      Aguero if he starts

                    2. We All Lacazette
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 14 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      Salah

                  16. Nightf0x
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    My def. (lovren awb bednarek taa doherty), lovren out to?:
                    A) duffy
                    B) matip
                    C) newcastle def

                    1. dbeck
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      c

                  17. The 5% Team
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    Any chance Emerson will start again over Alonso the next couple of GWs?

                    1. KUNingas
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      Hope so

                    2. Snevitz
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 15 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      Yes, there is a chance. I'd stay away from both of them.

                  18. ViperStripes
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 15 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    being sensible and planning hasn't done me any favours in past few weeks, so fancy taking a 4pt hit punt on someone.

                    Options:
                    Firmino > Vardy (helps set up for GW31/33 and could be keen)
                    Firmino > Aguero (get Vardy later if he does improve, but means another transfer for GW31, or benching)
                    Firmino > Rondon (go with the hype)

                    Have already done Rashford > Barnes

                    1. chilli con kone
                      • 11 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      I'm looking at the Vardy option. New manager bounce

                  19. davies
                    • 10 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    Rashford > Jiménez or Barnes?

                    1. Bury94
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      FH GW31 or GW32?

                      1. davies
                        • 10 Years
                        5 years, 6 months ago

                        32 of those

                        1. Bury94
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 7 Years
                          5 years, 6 months ago

                          Then Barnes is your man

                      2. KUNingas
                        • 8 Years
                        5 years, 6 months ago

                        This

                    2. We All Lacazette
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 14 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      Keep Rashford - Solskjaer said he might be fit for Palace and after that he will become essential again IMO.

                    3. Gudjohnsen
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      Barnes

                  20. Deulofail
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 6 months ago

                    The plan was for another dullard move to future-proof the team:

                    Hamer > Boruc

                    However, Martial being ruled out could be a spanner in the works.

                    Patrício
                    Robertson (V), TAA, Digne, Doherty,
                    Sterling, Sané, Son, Pogba, Martial**
                    Aubameyang (C)

                    Hamer | Rashford*, Solanke, Clyne

                    My aim is to keep my transfers "strategy-neutral". Boruc would help me with a FH in GW31, 32 or 33. Likewise, saving to potentially buy Chelsea players next week would not push me into a strategy yet, either, so I could decide later based on iformation from watching more footballlll!

                    So, do you think I should stick to the plan? Will Solanke against Arsenal be good enough cover for Martial, and then Clyne potentially the only sub...? What would you suggest?

                    1. chilli con kone
                      • 11 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      Id fancy giving Solanke a run out against Arsenal personally

                    2. MTPockets
                        5 years, 6 months ago

                        I'd lose Martial first

                      • Pras (FPL)
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 12 Years
                        5 years, 6 months ago

                        You should still do the Boruc move or hold the transfer even.

                        The team looks solid this week. And potentially even next week with Utd triple up home to SOU.

                        1. Deulofail
                          • 8 Years
                          5 years, 6 months ago

                          I should have mentioned I have 2FTs 🙂 Cheers

                          1. Pras (FPL)
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 12 Years
                            5 years, 6 months ago

                            Boruc is your man then!

                      • MINUS FOUR
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 7 Years
                        5 years, 6 months ago

                        Can't say I love this plan mate. Solanke and Clyne are pretty uninspiring. Personally I'd ditch Martial now for someone like Harvey Barnes, who based on stats and eye test is going to explode with a double digit haul or two at some point. It would be an attacking move for this GW and for later on. But you know me, I don't leave my team as it is too often.

                        1. Deulofail
                          • 8 Years
                          5 years, 6 months ago

                          Haha I certainly do! I'm not averse to bold moves, but the way I see it, owning Martial and all these big hitting top-6 team players is bold in itself, and Harvey can't hit a barnesdoor 😀 That would certainly commit me to a FH32 strategy, which isn't the worst thing of course, but it does mean abandoning my heavy front 7 strategy somehat, which I see as my main advantage.

                          Martial to a Chelsea player would be ideal, but Kante is uninspiring (could put on bench - but need someone from starting XI this week), and no other player likely to be nailed for DGWs unless I make a double switch now (which I was reserving for next week).

                          I'm going to play around with your suggestion though. Thanks 🙂

                          And thanks all

                    3. chilli con kone
                      • 11 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      Current Bench: Rashford, Camarasa, AWB

                      A. F.Anderson > Mane
                      B. Rashford > Vardy/Higuain and bench Felipe
                      C. Save and play Felipe.

                    4. Bury94
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      Lads, do I captain Sane? Could be gold

                      1. Miguel Sanchez
                        • 8 Years
                        5 years, 6 months ago

                        Yes - great chance he starts

                      2. chilli con kone
                        • 11 Years
                        5 years, 6 months ago

                        If you don't have Salah or Kun then yes despite most of us being burned by him enough times

                      3. Ajax Hamsterdam
                        • 10 Years
                        5 years, 6 months ago

                        what are your other options ??

                      4. King Kun Ta
                        • 9 Years
                        5 years, 6 months ago

                        Thinking Son to Sane as Citycover...for a hit though.

                      5. Bury94
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 7 Years
                        5 years, 6 months ago

                        Got Salah, the lure of the differential captain is so strong though. I'll probably wimp out and be boring

                    5. Aubaaaaa
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      Which pair for the next few gws until gw31?
                      A. Anderson Hayden
                      B. Almiron Fraser -4

                      1. the dom 1
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 10 Years
                        5 years, 6 months ago

                        A

                    6. Ajax Hamsterdam
                      • 10 Years
                      5 years, 6 months ago

                      Maybe rashford will be the big differential this gw 🙂

                      1. We All Lacazette
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 14 Years
                        5 years, 6 months ago

                        Either that or a 1 point wonder.

                        On another point any idea if Matip is nailed on for the next few GW's?