For those managers looking to go against the grain with their transfer moves ahead of Gameweek 2, we’ve put together a ‘differential XI’ featuring some low-owned, but potentially high-impact assets.
All selected players have an ownership below 15% at the time of publication:
3-4-3
GOALKEEPER: Emiliano Martinez – £5.0m – Aston Villa
Fixture: vs Everton (H)
Has reached double figures for clean sheets in each of the past three seasons, and has a home fixture against Everton this weekend.
DEFENDER: Raphael Varane – £5.0m – Man Utd
Fixture: vs Spurs (a)
Thanks to his goal and clean sheet against Wolves on Monday, he was the highest FPL point-scorer in Gameweek 1. Faces off against Harry Kane-less Spurs next.
DEFENDER: Matty Cash – £4.5m – Aston Villa
Fixture: vs Everton (H)
Missed a glorious chance against Newcastle, but is likely to get in similarly attacking positions on a regular occasion this season.
DEFENDER: Ben White – £5.5m – Arsenal
Fixture: vs Crystal Palace (a)
Two goals and five assists last season, and his versatility – coupled with the injury and fitness issues plaguing other Gunners defenders – surely makes him one of the first names on Mikel Arteta’s team sheet.
MIDFIELDER: Jarrod Bowen – £7.0m – West Ham
Fixture: vs Chelsea (H)
Scored a superb goal in Gameweek 1 and also has assists in his locker. Is capable of improving significantly on his 15 goal involvements last season.
MIDFIELDER: James Maddison – £7.5m – Spurs
Fixture: vs Man Utd (H)
Excellent debut at this new club with two assists against Brentford. May not be long before he’s in the template.
MIDFIELDER: Luis Diaz – £7.5m – Liverpool
Fixture: vs Bournemouth (H)
Favourable fixture for the Colombian, who opened his account with a goal against Chelsea last weekend.
MIDFIELDER: Bryan Mbeumo – £6.5m – Brentford
Fixture: vs Fulham (a)
Has assumed penalty duty in the absence of the suspended Ivan Toney, and promptly dispatched from the spot in Gameweek 1. Faces a Fulham side who conceded numerous chances last weekend.
FORWARD: Julian Alvarez – £6.5m – Man City
Fixture: vs Newcastle (H)
Kevin De Bruyne’s injury could open the door for a sustained spell in the team for the World Cup winner, who has a keen eye for goal.
FORWARD: Joane Wissa – £6.0m – Brentford
Fixture: vs Fulham (a)
Like Mbeumo, also found the net in the opening weekend and could be among the points again should Brentford put in a similar performance at Craven Cottage.
FORWARD: Cody Gakpo – £7.5m – Liverpool
Fixture: vs Bournemouth (H)
Potentially a slight minutes risk with Darwin Nunez waiting in the wings, but with high risk comes high reward and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Gakpo haul against Bournemouth.
