Differential Potential: The best for Gameweek 36
Ahead of Gameweek 36, it’s time to find differential players that can provide a huge ranking boost for FPL managers.
Our definition of differential
For this article, we will pick four players with under 5% ownership both overall and within the top 10k. Some managers are planning to Bench Boost in this large Double Gameweek, therefore this round’s transfer could, if successful, do great things to their ranks and mini-leagues.
Using LiveFPL’s ownership figures, here are interesting differentials from the teams that play in Gameweek 36.
Riyad Mahrez (Man City, £8.6m, owned by 4.2% overall)
Using the numbers of ‘Pep Roulette’, it’s probably Riyad Mahrez’s turn to start at least one of Man City’s enticing Double Gameweek encounters. He has only started one of their last five league games, totalling just 124 minutes. Yet that occasion yielded a goal, assist and 14 points.
Facing Newcastle (H) and Wolves (a), knowing they can’t afford any slip-up, offers huge FPL potential. His 1,327 minutes of league action equals less than 15 full matches, so it’s impressive to bag 11 goals and six assists.
Youri Tielemans (Leicester, £6.4m, owned by 3.6% overall)
His former club Leicester have the strongest pair of matches this week, according to Fantasy Football Scout’s Fixture Ticker. Set to face Everton and Norwich at home, Youri Tielemans was given a rare rest on Sunday in preparation for Thursday’s crucial Europa Conference League semi-final.
He still found time to assist in his 14-minute cameo. Furthermore, both of Leicester’s league penalties have been taken and scored by the Belgian midfielder, alongside four other goals.
Joao Pedro (Watford, £5.4m, owned by 0.5% overall)
Saturday brought official confirmation of Norwich’s relegation and, just one point ahead, surely Watford’s time is also up. Yet, until mathematically guaranteed, the Hornets will be desperate to succeed against Crystal Palace (a) and Everton (H) in Double Gameweek 36.
One slight setback is their 11 consecutive home defeats. Despite this, the cheap Joao Pedro offers a decent option amongst a poor landscape of forwards. Not only does his price enable squad strengthening elsewhere, he gets two attempts at scoring.
Jordan Pickford (Everton, £4.8m, owned by 4.5% overall)
One of those attempts is against Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Clean sheets have been a mythical idea at Frank Lampard’s side but three have arrived in their last four home games. Pickford was fantastic against Chelsea, pulling off a string of impressive saves and grabbing up all three bonus points.
Next week brings trip to Leicester and Watford. Although only one clean sheet has happened away from Goodison Park, the Foxes have European commitments and Watford’s dire situation has already been covered. The Toffees now have momentum, so will need more heroic wins to pull themselves to safety. At just £4.8m, Pickford is a strong differential option.
