Best differential XI for Gameweek 7

In this weekly series, Will from Fantasy Football 92 explores the low ownership differential options that could be the hidden gems to help you climb up those world rankings. He is his best differential XI for Gameweek 7.

We’ve all seen the template XI and figured out which elite assets to jump onto for this season. Whether on the Salah train, the Haaland bus or both, FPL managers need some unique names to ensure they’re always one step ahead of your mini-league rivals.

Here are the differential options we like the look of for Gameweek 5.

GOALKEEPER

Illan Meslier – Leeds United – 2.4% TSB

It feels like Illan Meslier (£4.5m) is selected for this XI every week and he’s back again for Gameweek 7. Despite seeing five fly past him last time, Meslier and Leeds should have a much better chance of keeping a clean sheet against struggling Nottingham Forest on Monday night.

DEFENDERS

Wesley Fofana – Chelsea – 2.3% TSB

Pascal Struijk – Leeds United – 0.6% TSB

Vladimir Coufal – West Ham – 0.7% TSB

It’s not been the easiest start to life at Chelsea for Wesley Fofana (£4.4m) as a fortunate debut win against West Ham was followed by a shock Champions League defeat in Zagreb and the departure of Thomas Tuchel. Regardless, you’d expect Chelsea to tighten up defensively as the new back line gels and Fofana represents a very affordable way into it.

Pascal Struijk (£4.5m) has started the season very well in his new left-back role and an attacking return doesn’t feel too far away, while Vladimir Coufal (£4.4m) will also be a useful FPL asset as West Ham’s fixtures start to turn for the better. They face Newcastle this week and Coufal’s afternoon should be a much easier one if Allan Saint-Maximin remains unavailable.

MIDFIELDERS

Alexis Mac Allister – Brighton – 4.7% TSB

Harvey Barnes – Leicester City – 1.0% TSB

Brenden Aaronson – Leeds United – 1.9% TSB

Jarrod Bowen – West Ham – 2.4% TSB

Eberechi Eze – Crystal Palace – 2.5% TSB

Alexis Mac Allister’s (£5.6m) ownership has rocketed this week thanks to a sparkling performance against Leicester. He is backed to be amongst the attacking returns again against another leaky defence – this time Bournemouth. Despite the deeper role, the Argentine should continue to deliver decent numbers due to being on penalties and free kicks.

From an in-form midfielder to two previous favourites desperate to get back in the goals. England hopefuls Jarrod Bowen (£8.1m) and Harvey Barnes (£6.9m) are yet to impress so far but this week’s fixtures against Newcastle and Aston Villa give both a chance to kickstart their seasons.

Eberechi Eze (£5.5m) is another differential we’ve mentioned a few times but, even though he’s yet to deliver, the signs are there and we’re going to keep the faith. American boy Brenden Aaronson (£5.5m) completes our midfielder line-up, partly because he’s a great asset and partly because of the excellent chant that the Leeds faithful have penned to honour him!

FORWARDS

Bryan Mbuemo – Brentford – 2.0% TSB

Danny Welbeck – Brighton – 1.4% TSB

Brentford and Bryan Mbuemo (£6.0m) have looked clinical at times so far this season and they are fancied to keep that going at Southampton. It’s similar for Brighton’s Danny Welbeck (£6.5m), who could also enjoy a positive trip along the south coast to Bournemouth. Both are great options in their price bracket if you can’t quite afford the red hot Aleksander Mitrovic.