Best differentials for FPL Gameweek 1

The Premier League season is here which means the fantasy season is too. With that in mind, we provide the best differentials for FPL Gameweek 1 with the help of the Fantasy Football Scout fixture ticker and underlying stats.

Looking at the best differentials for FPL Gameweek 1 can be really useful for fantasy managers. Differentials are lowly owned players that can help towards gaining rank and an edge over our competition.

Fixtures

Below we can see that the ticker orders teams in fixture difficulty order – the teams at the top have the easiest fixtures and the teams at the bottom have the toughest.

Kai Havertz – 5.3%

Arsenal rank second on the fixture ticker with a match against Nottingham Forest. Although they survived relegation they still conceded some of the worst defensive data in the league so if there is a team to target its them. In contrast, Arsenal were very convincing last season banking more goals in the division last season than any other team bar one.

The injury to striker Gabriel Jesus (£8m) opens up a slot for midfielder Kai Havertz (£7.5m). The German played in a central midfield role during pre-season but also featured as the focal point to the attack in the Community Shield. This indicates he could take up the same role in Gameweek 1.

Jarrod Bowen – 4.9%

West Ham may sit eighth on the season ticker for the first round but they face Bournemouth. ‘The Cherries’ conceded some very concerning defensive data last season. In fact, amongst all teams in the division they ranked third worst for goals conceded (71), the worst for shots in the box conceded (402) and the worst for shots on target conceded (204).

The data above suggest that West Ham attackers could have some big potential in Gameweek 1. The standout option is Jarrod Bowen (£7m). Bowen has been impressive during pre-season – he scored three goals and produced an assist. Taking everything into account makes Bowen an excellent differential for the first round.

Mykhailo Mudryk – 3.1%

Chelsea face Liverpool in Gameweek 1. Although tough on paper the Reds ranked in the worst three teams in the league for big chances conceded last season (101). Not just that but their defensive fragilities were also shown during pre-season where they kept just one clean sheet in five matches played.

One Chelsea player has every quality needed to punish the high line of Liverpool. Mykhailo Mudryk (£6.5m) look set to start for Chelsea after an injury to Christopher Nkunku. The Ukrainian could have huge potential scrutinising the space left behind by Trent Alexander-Arnold and after a spectacular goal in pre-season, he could finally be the player Chelsea needed last season.

More fantastic differentials

Jack Grealish (£7.5m – 6.8%) – Manchester City have a great first fixture against promoted side Burnley in the first round. They maintained some of the best attacking data in the league last campaign and midfielder Jack Grealish looks safe in the frontline in terms of expected minutes.

Diogo Jota (£8m – 3.3%) – Liverpool had more shots in the box than any other side last season. They may face Chelsea but they also face a transitioning side with a new manager. The Portuguese midfielder has been brilliant in pre-season – scoring an impressive four goals and two assists.

Solly March (£6.5m – 2.7%) – Brighton had more shots on target than any other team in the league last campaign so investing in their attack when they face Luton could be wise. With that in mind March could be a fantastic differential.

Carney Chukwuemeka (£4.5m – 2.6%) – Christopher Nkunku’ injury could have potentially secured the minutes of this man. Chukwuemeka looks set to start in a number 10 role, a role he has impressed in during pre-season. His price and potential against a high Liverpool line could make him a great pick this week.

Arnaut Danjuma (£5.5m – 0.3%) – Everton face a Fulham side who conceded the joint most big chances in the league last season. With striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin potentially out there is a good chance Danjuma could start in the strikers position.