Best differentials for Gameweek 3
We’ve all seen the “template XI” and will, no doubt, have figured out which elite assets we’re going to jump on this season.Here Will from Fantasy Football 92 shares his thoughts on the best differentials for Gameweek 3.
Whether you’re on the Salah train or the Haaland bus (or both), you’re going to be needing some handy differentials in your side to ensure you’re always one step ahead of your mini-league rivals and can climb up those world rankings!
In this weekly series, we explore those low ownership options that could be the hidden gems to help you to creap up that table. Here are the options we like the look of for Gameweek 3.
MAREK RODAK – FULHAM – GOALKEEPER – 0.2% TSB
The signing of Bernd Leno from Arsenal looks to have taken current Fulham number one Marek Rodak to another level as he was awarded man of the match following his clean sheet against Wolves. He faces Brentford at home in Fulham Gameweek 3 fixture and will be hoping for another clean sheet. Regardless, he should be busy against a side who are fresh of sticking four past Manchester United last Saturday. This makes Rodak one of the best differentials for Gameweek 3.
TIMOTHY CASTAGNE – LEICESTER CITY – DEFENDER – 2.0% TSB
We tipped him in Gameweek 1 and he scored so we’re hoping for similar from Timothy Castagne in Gameweek 3! His Leicester side hosts Southampton this week who have already shipped six goals in their opening two games and the Belgian will be expected to bomb forward to support their attack from right wing back at every available opportunity.
VLADIMIR COUFAL – WEST HAM UNITED – DEFENDER 1.2% TSB
Vladimir Coufal is a much better FPL option when playing as a right wing back and that could begin this week following West Ham’s poor start to the season. The Hammers are yet to score a goal this season and murmurs suggest that David Moyes is desperately trying to secure the services of Emerson Palmieri as a left wing back in order to allow the formation change. Coufal would then become a very useful asset rather than the pretty average one that he is right now. He could still score well this week regardless as the Hammers desperately seek to kick their Premier League season off at home against Brighton.
JAMES TARKOWSKI – EVERTON – DEFENDER – 0.9% TSB
We’re going clean sheet hunting here. Everton isn’t normally the place to do it but their home game against Nottingham Forest could turn out to be their first successful attempt. James Tarkowski has made a useful start to life at Everton despite their difficult start as a team and is also a constant threat from attacking set pieces.
ILKAY GUNGODAN – MANCHESTER CITY – MIDFIELDER – 2.2% TSB
We tipped Ilkay Gundogan ahead of his game against Bournemouth and he delivered, scoring in their 4-0 win! His ownership still hasn’t gone aove 5% though so we will keep on plugging him for now. With Bernardo Silva’s future still not resolved, Gundogan should get the start once again for City for their trip to Newcastle this week.
EMI BUENDIA – ASTON VILLA – MIDFIELDER – 0.7% TSB
Aston Villa fans are crying out for an Emi Buendia start and should be given one this week due to the injury to Philippe Coutinho. The Argentinian magician made an instant impact off the bench when replacing Coutinho, scoring what proved to be the winning goal against Everton and would be incredibly unlucky to see himself glued to the bench once more against Crystal Palace this week.
DEMARAI GRAY – EVERTON – MIDFIELDER – 0.9% TSB
You came for differentials and this is certainly one…Demarai Gray’s season hasn’t started quite as well as his last season did but there’s still some things going in his favour as an FPL asset. The Everton winger still likes a speculative shot on goal and seems to have a monopoly over right footed set pieces at the moment. Everton are desperate to get their first win on the board and a home game against Forest in Gameweek 3 will be the one they’d set their sights on from the opening three.
MATHIAS JENSEN – BRENTFORD – MIDFIELDER – 1.5% TSB
You’re here for differentials! This does feel a bit like “chasing points” but Brentford’s attackers were fantastic against Manchester United, none more so than Mathias Jensen who helped himself to a goal and an assist. The signing of Mikkel Damsgaard (who should prove to be a decent future FPL asset himself) may spur Jensen on to produce similar performances in order to keep his place. A trip to newly promoted Fulham in a London derby should give him another good chance to shine once more. This makes him one of the best differentials for Gameweek 3.
JACK HARRISON – LEEDS UNITED – MIDFIELDER – 1.4% TSB
Would you believe us if we said we originally had Rodrigo in our XI last week and changed it to Jack Harrison at the last second? Regardless…Harrison may not have been the one to enjoy the two goal haul but an assist was still a nice surprise for a differential pick. He makes the Differential XI once again this week as no one has created more chances in the Premier League than him this season (11) over the first two weeks. Chelsea are tough opposition but Leeds look sharp and will be hopeful of creating plenty of problems for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
OLLIE WATKINS – ASTON VILLA – FORWARD – 3.4% TSB
Ollie Watkins enjoyed his first goal contributions of the season on Saturday against Everton, providing both goals in their 2-1 win. He will be hoping to turn the assists into goals this week when Villa travel to Crystal Palace. Watkins looked sharp once more and his ownership will creep up if that continues.
BRYAN MBUEMO – BRENTFORD – FORWARD – 2.7% TSB
A favourite of yesteryear, Bryan Mbuemo is on under 5% of FPL rosters despite a hot pre-season and a decent start to 2022/23. Maybe too many of us a scarred by the woodwork hitting of last season! Mbuemo opened his account against Manchester United and seems to be thriving in his slightly altered position this season. Can he banish those memories of last season and reach double figures this time around? At £6.0m he’d be decent value if he does and this makes him one of the best differentials for Gameweek 3.
